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

Book Signing September 5th

I'll be signing copies of Wa-Ba-Shik-ki and the Hanging of Betsey Reed in Palestine, Illinois On Saturday Sept. 5 from 8am to 1pm on Main Street in front of the art center.

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Rick