Hope You Like What Santa Brought You

I had a wonderful Christmas and hope you all liked what you found under your tree as much as I did.

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Rick

Have A Merry Christmas

I want an I Pod for Christmas

Everyone has an I pod except for me. I searched the net and decided on this model. (That's a hint for any of you that haven't got me anything)


Merry Christmas 


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Rick

A Visit to Doctor Pepper

I never did like to go to the Doctor.

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Rick

I need an Acorn!!!

We Grow Em Mean in Southern Illinois

Not a Romance!!!!!!

The Robinson Daily News reviewed Wa-Ba-Shik-Ki on the the front page of Thursday's afternoon. It was a good review, however, they called it a romance and a light-hearted story. The book may be a lot of things, but I wouldn't pin those labels on it. What do they think I am...some kind of wussy? I think not. The review went on to tell about all the  free love and violence. Nothing says romance like a good scalping. I figured I'd never hear the end of it at the bowling alley. I work so hard at portraying myself as a tough guy and then this comes along. Now I'm a romance novelist!!! On Friday morning I was surprised to find a steady stream of people lining up to buy my 'romance novel'.A young lady who was 87 years old made me promise her that the book was 'racy'. " I only read racy stories," she admitted. "The racier the better." Hmmm... "Hello Harlequin!"

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Rick

The Adventures of Wabash Jake

The Proofs for the Adventures of Wabash Jake are in!!! Look for the release in January.


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Rick

Louise Harrision to Appear on Plan B Radio with Rick

Louise Harrison, the older sister of Beatles's George Harrison will be appearing with Rick on Plan B Radio on December 16 at 9pm (central time). Louise will discuss George' early years along with his time with the Beatles and as a solo artist. Louise will also bring us up to date with her current project, The Liverpool Legends, One of the nations top Beatles tribute acts. Make sure to listen as the Queen Mum of Beatles Fans tells her story.

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Rick

Rick to Host Weekly Radio Show on HVRN

Haunted Voices Radio Network announces that starting December 2, 2009, author Rick Kelsheimer will be hosting a weekly alternative talk show (Plan B Radio) every Wednesday night. from 9pm to 11pm (Central Time) on HVRN. Plan B will cover a wide variety of topics not covered by mainstream stations from conspiracy theorys, global warming, music, and books and the end of the world as we know it. No subject is off limits. Listen to Rick each week as he calls em like he sees em with the accuracy of a near-sighted umpire. Check back for more details.

Happy Thanksgiving

There is always a reason to give thanks.


Happy Thanksgiving


Rick

New Book at the Publishers

After 6 rewrites, The Adventures Of Wabash Jake is at the publishers. Look for the release early in 2009. Now its back to the Killer Cat of Flat Rock. I have 20 chapters done and it is shaping up nicely.


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Rick

A Good Read

I just finished reading Carl Hiaasen's  Nature Girl and found it the closest thing to the late John D. MacDonald's writing. It's a black comedy about south Florida and quite a page turner. If you like Travis McGee I thing you'll like this book also.


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Rick

Once again...Damn Bears

I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that don't work.
Thomas Edison




I didn't realize that Thomas Edison was a coach for the Chicago Bears!


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Rick

A visit from Betsey Reed

In keeping with the Halloween season, I wanted to post a picture taken by a ghost hunter at Baker Cemetery. If you'll look next to Betsey Reed's tombstone, you'll see what looks to be the back of a head and arm. Could it be Betsey on her way to gather some sassafras? Pretty creepy!


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Rick

A quote

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts. 
 ~Author Unknown


...and you know who you are.


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Rick

A Farmer

If I had to describe my Dad in a single word, I guess it would have to be—Farmer.

Although, one word could never do justice to describe a life of seventy years, I think he would smile if that was how he was remembered.

He made his living in different ways, but he was a farmer from the first time he helped Daddy Ray in the fields of Edgar County as a little boy. It was all he ever wanted to be.

A farmer isn’t what you do. It’s who you are.

Dad watched the wind as it gusted across a wheat field before the oncoming rain with the same love and awe that sailor does when he looks at the sea. He was a flatlander. He loved the wide open prairie without fence or bramble. He felt a kinship with the land and understood how to treat it with respect.

In return—the land paid him back with a bounty.

His beans were bushier.

His corn was taller.

His hogs were healthier.

Wherever he spent time—he left the land better than he found it.

But a farmer is much more that just a caretaker of the land.

He is honest and steady;

A story teller;

A soldier and patriot.

A farmer is a faithful husband and father; grandfather and uncle; brother and friend.

He is a teacher and a student;

A lover and a brawler;

A historian and a thinker.

A farmer is funny and loves to laugh.

He gets a bigger kick out of making others laugh.

He shoots a nifty left-handed jump shot from the baseline.

And poses for the Heisman Trophy after scoring a touchdown in a sandlot game.

A farmer loves his tractor.

He loves his mower even more.

A farmer is strong…

…and tender

He is loyal to the Bears, Cubs and Fighting Illini. Even when they don’t deserve it.

He is at home in his pickup with a faithful dog at his side.

He loves meat and potatoes, biscuits and gravy, pickle loaf and sharp cheddar cheese.

Sometimes a farmer thinks he is John Wayne.

Other times he thinks he’s Mike Ditka or Don Rickles.

A farmer is the first kid on the block to learn to dance rock n roll.

He is the football star who gets the cheerleader.

A farmer can walk the dog and go around the world

with nothing more than a Duncan Yo-Yo.

He would never dream of hurting an animal…

…unless it was to feed his family

A farmer learns to trust the land with patience.

He sees what will be, before it exists.

He works hard without complaining.

He understands the seasons and the cycle of life.

He is not afraid.

A farmer sews.

A farmer reaps.

A farmer hopes that beyond the gates of pearl and streets of gold, there is a forty acre patch with coal black topsoil so deep, you measure it in yards. There are no weeds.There is a brand new, bright red, 1962 Farmall 560 tractor hitched to a four bottomed plow with his name on it. On the fender is an AM radio that only gets talk radio and country music without any static. He is greeted by loved ones who have waited patiently for his arrival. He has no pain.

A farmer doesn’t seek wealth.

He seeks serenity and peace.

A farmer is a good man.

A farmer is a hero.

My Dad was a farmer.

A thought...

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all
the paint on it you can.

~ Danny Kaye

A thought...

A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
-- George Bernard Shaw

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Rick

Stop the Rain!

I don't want to alarm anyone, but the animals are acting strange on the west side of town.

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Rick

My Biggest Fan

The Shot

Shooting hoops behind the garage

on a cold November night

by the light of a full moon.

Free throw—

Free throw—

Jump shot—

Hook—

The clock is winding down.

6,5,4...

Fake right—go left

3,2,1...

The shot is up...

...and good!

The Fighting Illini win the game!

...and my dog, King, wags his tail in approval.

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Rick

Book Signing Tomorrow in Robinson

I'll be on the square in Robinson in front of the Heath Toffee Museum tomorrow signing Copies of Wa-Ba-Shik-Ki and The Hanging of Betsey Reed from 9am to 1pm. Hope to see you there. If it's raining, Ill be inside the museum.

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Rick

A quote

History is the sum total of things that could have been avoided.

Konrad Adenauer

I don't know who Konrad Adenauer is but I liked this.

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Rick

Damn Bears

Even though the Bears beat the Seahawks today, I don't know if it's worth the aggravation of sitting on my couch and and biting my fingernails as my beloved team tries to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on a weekly basis.

I found this old poem that I wrote several years ago that described the the foolishness and optimism of my youth.

Some things never change

Damn Bears

Nip of fall and the smell of persimmonis in the air.

October anticipation mixed with grade school optimism.

Dad's finished his chores early today,

because it's almost kickoff time.

The Bears are in Green Bay.

I've got the good seat on the sofa until Dad kicks me off

to join my brothers on the floor.

"Go baby go!" yells Dad, when Gayle Sayers gets the ball.

"Hit him again!" he yells when Butkus makes a play.

He's so excited now he has to run to the fridge for a beer.

I consider claiming my spot on the sofa, but think better of the idea when I see Dad's look of disapproval.

The game is close at half-time;

only down by seven.

Mom serves her contribution for the day.

The half-time feast.

Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and glazed carrots.

She made the carrots for me; they're my favorite.

But it's "Eat fast boys! The second half is ready to begin."

It's a good day so far.

But then

we fumble...

then punt...

then fumble again.

A dark cloud settles over the household.

I can tell Dad's had enough.

"Damn Bears" he mumbles to himself as he goes back to his tractor.

My brothers lose interest and go back to fighting each other.

Traitors!

I know it's not over as I take my rightful spot on the sofa.

If we can score quickly...

recover the onside kick...

and score again...

we would only need a field goal for the tie.

But things don't go as planed.

Time runs out and the referee shoots his gun.

Green Bay 31 Chicago 14

I sit in solitude and disgust.

Thinking...

Damn Bears...

Damn Bears...

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Rick

Wabash Jake is Almost Done

My eyes feel like they are ready to fall out of my head. I've worked on the second draft of The Adventures of Wabash Jake all day and should be finished sometime tomorrow. I'll be glad to get it in front of another set of eyes on Saturday. With any luck, it'll be published by Christmas.

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Rick

A quote

Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.

James A. Michener

Sunday In New Harmony

The rain let up enough on Sunday for us to drive to New Harmony for Kunstfest. even though it was overcast, it was still a beautiful day. I took these photo's as we walked around town.

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Rick

A Great Day In Lawrenceville

I had a great day at the book signing in Lawrenceville on Saturday. I was on the courthouse lawn, which was also the site where Betsey Reed was tried and convicted in 1845. I want to give a special thanks to Lori Waggoner and Jamie Wells (pictured above) from the Chamber of Commerce for all their help. They watched my table so I could take bathroom breaks. I would have exploded without them. The only bad part of the day was was a sunburned nose, but I'll survive. I was surprised to find out how many people had already read the Betsey Reed book and wanted Wa-Ba-Shik-Ki.

I also wanted to thank Jim Goodrich for the story about his grandmother being kidnapped by Indians. I plan to look into the incident to see if there is enough for a book.

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Rick

The Sacred Bluff across from the Piankeshaw Village

This is a picture I took from Merom Bluff in Merom, Indiana. It was the location of the Sacred Bluff across from the Piankeshaw village in 'Wa-Ba-Shik-Ki.' This is the exact location where Joseph LaMotte had his vision and Sinisqua kept watch for Jean Dubois. It's a special place and I recommend it to any who has the urge to sit on the mountain top.

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Rick

Book Signing September 19th

I'll be on the northwest side of the square on Lawrencville, Illinois on Saturday at 11am to 6pm signing copies of Wa-ba-shik-ki and The Hanging of Betsey Reed. Hope to see you there.

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Rick

Raccoon Creek

I took this picture from a bridge at Raccoon Creek in Parke County last Sunday. Summer is barely hanging on and soon the leaves will be turning. Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. Hope to see you at Lawrenceville next Saturday for the fall festival. I will be signing books from 11am to 6pm on the northwest side of the square.

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Rick

A thought...

A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.

Mark Twain

The Adventures of Wabash Jake

I'm starting the last chapter of my new book: The Adventures of Wabash Jake. With any luck it will be published before Christmas. This is the rough sketch for the cover by Paul Spangler. Paul is the Artist that did the cover art for Wa-ba-shik-ki. I'm anxious to see the finished product. I hope everyone has a good weekend.

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Rick

P.S. Go Bears!!!!!

A Stop on the Underground Railroad

Merkle Dam and Mill on Otter Creek north of Terre Haute was used as a hiding place for runaway slaves before the Civil War on their way to Canada. This is all that remains at that location. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine the stories this place could tell. It is very peaceful there and it makes a nice place to stop and sit by the water and have a picnic.

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Rick

Bridgeton Indiana

We went for a drive in Parke County, Indiana last Sunday and enjoyed the beautiful day. We stopped by the local historical society and while looking for a story, A lovely lady began telling me where the local bodies were buried. I made an appointment to meet with her after the covered bridge festival this fall. It sounds like someone may not be long for the world. I can see the title now. The Covered Bridge Murders.

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Rick

A Thought

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as
though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though
everything is a miracle."

-- Albert Einstein

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Rick

If you don't have a plan...any road will get you there. I saw these stairs in French Lick. I'm still curious where they go. What danger lurks ahead?

I had a great time at the book signing in Palestine. Ill be signing again in two weeks in Lawrenceville at their fall festival on the square. See you there.

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Rick

Pictures from the Lost River

Here are a couple pictures I took near the Lost River in southern Indiana last Sunday. The churches in this area look like they did a hundred years ago. If you take a drive to Martin and Orange Counties, you won't be sorry.

Hope to see you in Palestine tomorrow.

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Rick