Pat Mcgauley's Blog, page 5

Time Flies

Recently I attended the wake for an old friend of mine back in my ‘growing-up’ days in Hoyt Lakes (and earlier in the east Duluth neighborhood of Riverside). That evening I visited with folks that I hadn’t seen since my high school graduation. As I was leaving, a tall fellow with a familiar face, said: “Time really flies, doesn’t it?” Tom was right and I agreed. I know it’s a time-worn cliche, but it got me to thinking about the reality of passing years.

There were times, of course, when time didn’t fly so fast. Fond memories flooded my thoughts as I drove back to Hibbing. When I was a kid I remember Halloween in a far different way than it has become today. For the two weeks leading up to October 31st–and the trick-or-treating in our small community–all of us McGauley boys couldn’t wait for all the candy. As best as I can remember my mother always costumed us as ghosts by cutting eye-holes in old sheets. I can’t remember a house with its lights off. Nor can I remember any yard decorations of any note.

Time didn’t fly in the weeks before Christmas either. Waiting for Santa was an anticipation of many days as well. Each day toward Christmas Eve seemed like a week. The same agonizing wait was true in school as well. From the beginning of May . . . the wait for summer vacation seemed endless.

I guess memories are golden to me. As I contemplate Halloween 2017 I find it to be ‘just another day’. Except . . . For the past month I have witnessed the plethora of Halloween decorations around Hibbing. Thousands of dollars worth of blow-up creatures–from zombies to skeletons to scary, teeth-bared cats. Anything to scare our children. Not to mention the garish costumes in the shops. (One house in town had a clothesline of people hung with nooses across the yard). For the past three years I haven’t had a single child at the front door trick-or-treating. So I haven’t purchased any candy this year. Instead I’ll go to the Assumption School Halloween party. These days it’s probably a good idea to discourage kids from wandering the streets and have their fun in a safe place.

What distresses me the most, however, is that Christmas decorating of homes and yards pales in comparison to Halloween. I’m not sure how to reconcile that reality. I guess time has flown by me much too fast. Let me be the first to wish you a ‘Merry Christmas’.

TWELVE

After nearly twelve months my new novel TWELVE has been published. Now begins the most arduous journey in a book’s life–the marketing part. Sunday’s HIbbing Daily Tribune did a wonderful story on my new book and published a schedule of my book-signing events. Thanks to Kelly Grinsteinner for being my ‘launching pad’ once again. Jeremy Hendrickson, my website guru is in the process of updating my site (check patmcgauley.com) so readers can follow my writing through my blog page. Tomorrow I begin the sales season at the Mulberry Bush in the Mesaba Mall with a book-signing from eleven to one and I’ll be there again on Friday from three until five. Patty Shafer’s shop is my sole outlet in Hibbing and carries all of my titles–all of which are autographed.

My biggest event of the calendar year is the Phi Delta Kappa Craft Fair at the Hibbing Armory. That event is on Saturday, November 4, from 9:00-3:00. Other events include:

Nov. 9th (Thurs) at the Hibbing Public Library from 2:00-3:00

Nov. 15th (Wed) at the Cook Public Library beginning at 5:00

Nov. 18th (Sat) at the Discovery Center’s Artisan Market (Chisholm) from 9:00 to 4:00

Nov. 20th (Mon) at the Virginia Public Library Auditorium from 11:00-1:00

Just a word about my new title. I have published a limited edition of TWELVE. Only 250 copies will be put out for sale. Perhaps I am finally becoming wearied by the what is consuming most of my retirement. Not the writing part however. I’ll continue that for sure . . . but everything that goes into the publication of a book–from copyrights, ISBN’s, barcodes, etc–the list goes on–is tedious. I’ll focus more on my blogging while working on my next story. Next story? I think I’ve written the last of the Father Mickey Moran stories. I can hardly believe that Mickey, and his travails, have been the genesis of my last seven books and someone I think about daily. I’ve left Mickey and his cast of supporting actors in a good place now, so my creative energy will be spent on someone and something new. That prospect is both exciting to me and even daunting. I haven’t done a children’s story in several years nor have I ventures beyond the familiar locals of Hibbing, Duluth, along with some flirtation with episodes in southwestern Florida where I spend the winter months.

I hope you’ll continue to follow me on this website where I’ll keep you abreast of what I’m up to. Maybe my blogging will venture in the realms of politics, religion, and economics. I’m a news junkie and my commentaries on our changing world may become a significant part of what I think and have to say. You can also follow me on facebook.

Lastly, my preliminary readers have told me that TWELVE is my best writing so far. I hope many of you will feel the same. Thanks to those of you who read (and purchase) my books–you have always been my inspiration. God bless . . .

Teaching

When I finished my graduate work at the University (MA in Public Administration) there were countless job opportunities from federal agencies and state departments. To the frustration of my program advisors I opted not to interview for any of them. I had taught high school in Hinckley the year before I entered grad school and, despite reasonable advice to the contrary, I wanted to teach again. That decision brought me to Hibbing High School. I’ll admit that I left teaching to make a better livlihood for a few years. I did make more money but I wasn’t as happy or fulfilled as I imagined I’d be. (Eventually I did end up in government service for four years so my degree proved to be an asset). Searching for my place in the working world I took a year off to write the Great American Novel in 1981). I loved writing but . . .

Fortunately, I was able to return to HHS when my novel didn’t become a classic.

I loved teaching and did my best to be good at it. Those were my ‘golden’ years. When I retired after 26 years, I said ‘good-bye’ to my beloved school and the class of 2000. I would never substitute–I left Room 232 with the best of me already spent.

Since my farewell to HHS I’ve been writing–soon my 12th novel will join the three children’s books. As much as writing has become a passion, and I’ve been rewarded with a growing readership, I’ve realized that my best work was behind me and I will never find my name on the New York Times ‘Best Seller’ list.

Several weeks ago I was asked if I would be willing to teach a ‘Creative Writing’ class at Assumption Elementary School. I agreed to give it a whirl. I would teach writing one night after school for five weeks. The children were third through sixth graders. Should be easy, right? Wrong. I spent hours putting together some lessons that I believed would fit the age group. I guess I was expecting things to be much like I remembered them with seniors in high school. I did not expect chaos. “One person at a time, please,” I asked as questions came flying from around the classroom. That, I realized, wasn’t going to happen. I’d have to go with the flow. After my first class I was totally exhausted. After four classes I’ve become accustomed to being under siege. It’s been fun and, hopefully, of some value to the children. (19 students–2 boys, which reminded me of my book sales– overwhelmingly gender skewed.

Should anybody suggest that it must be much more difficult, or challenging, to teach seniors in high school than third-graders in an elementary school setting . . .not so! I have a new perspective on teaching and teachers. ALL teachers are equally challenged regardless of ages. And, I am convinced that teachers are among the most deserving professionals of earning a BIG THANKS. (Probably even more so with this new generation). Of all that I’ve ever done, teaching has been my most meaningful footprint on this earth. God bless our teachers.

The Good Trumps the Bad

As most of you probably know Hurricane Irma’s eye passed over Naples where I have my winter escape–a small mobilinium in a lovely park called Naples Land and Yacht Harbor. Our community is about three miles from the Gulf of Mexico and so very vulnerable. There was significant damage to my friends and neighbors–carports, roofs, siding, and more. I was lucky! I prayed hard and with confidence that I’d be able to have something to return to in December. My prayers were answered and I was spared damage. Praise the Lord! My daughter’s place, also in Naples, was spared of any major damage as well.

On another upbeat note, I am a HUGE Twins fan. Need I say more? Last night they came from behind (again) and beat the best team in baseball–the Cleveland Indians. Today it looks as if our beloved team will be winning the second wild card and move on to play the Yankees next Monday. I have the same feelings that I had back in 1987 . . . that year the Twins went on to become world champions. I can’t wait to see how the next few weeks play out.

Another thing that I can’t wait for. My next novel (and perhaps my last) was sent to the publisher yesterday. By the end of October TWELVE will be on the bookshelves. I always get a rush when a new story becomes a book. TWELVE is my twelfth novel. I might do some children’s stories this winter . . . unless the writing passion takes hold again.

My three children are all in ‘good’ health and doing well. My brother, David, however has just had major heart bypass surgery and his recovery is slower than we all hoped. Again I trust in prayers.

So, what’s so bad. I’m an old fool. Last week I was unable to access my aol email. Panic. I was expecting several important emails. So I googled AOL–the first technical support company that appeared. Stupid me. I agreed to an $89.00 service fee in order to clear up the problem. In addition, I was told that I must agree to a 3-year service contract for another $199. Worse, when asked for my social security # I gave it to them despite being very suspicious. Not only did I open myself to identity theft, I surrendered my screen and watched the scammer work on my computer. Realizing this just wasn’t right, I broke phone and computer contact and went immediately to Apple support (I have a MacBook). Their techs fixed my problem and told mt that I’d likely been scammed and to call my bank immediately. I did so but was too late My charge was already on the card and I was out the money. Now I am making an appeal to Visa. I will try to report the company to AOL and the Better Business Bureau.

So, when I put my folly into perspective I lost some money but . . . a lesson was learned.

A footnote. Two weeks ago I discovered a pigeon wandering below my bird feeders. I hate pigeons! And squirrels. But this one couldn’t fly. After days of watching the flightless bird and putting out seed and water, I became attached. By the past weekend, Peety was my dependent and no longer ran from me when I approached. The DNR advised that I put the bird out in the woods and let ‘nature take its course’. Instead, I called my daughter Shannon who is a wildlife preservationist. She drove from the Cities up to Hibbing to collect ‘Peety’ and took him to a friend who will find him a home. Peety, a young and outerwise healthy bird, will never fly but will have a life with other birds who have been disabled.

God takes care of his critters–great and small.

Have a glorious day my friends

Our World: A Commentary

Recently I came upon a list of the world’s top corporations–most of which are conglomerates that are umbrellas to a diversified network of other companies and brands. All are highly political major contributors to international causes dealing with everything from the environment to race relations in world that is fractured by divisions. They always play both sides and their money gives them influence over policy decisions at every level. (For example Google spends more on lobbying in DC than any other corporation.) THE LIST:

10. Nestle

9. Kraft

8. Lockhead-Martin

7. Phizer

6. Adbar (Beer production/distribution)

5. Pearson (London) publishing

4. CCBC (Chinese/banking)

3. Monsanto

2. Disney

1. Google

I was surprised not to see Apple, Microsoft, WalMart, MacDonalds and others. But all play the same games.

Of these the one that scares me the most is Google. Google controls most of the news we get from papers, television, and internet. Google can follow us through our every day . . . not just where we are but what we say via our email and various social media including Facebook, etc. To be as free as I think I should be in our democratic republic I would have to jetison my computer and smartphone and, most likely, stay in my home. ‘Security’ cameras can track my daily activities almost anywhere I go. The TV shows I watch can be monitores as can the radio stations I listen to.

Am I totally paranoid?

IF I am politically active (make contributions to any party or charity or foundation) I believe that I am inviting even closer scrutiny. The other day I was called by an alleged pollster and asked if I approved of the job President Trump was doing–on a scale of 1–10. I gave him an 8 and commented that his ‘tweeting’ was often bothersome. I declined other more specific questions on my interpretation of his policy agenda and performance. (Trump’s ‘popularity’ rating is reported to be very low–anywhere from 35% to 42%.) I don’t know if my ‘vote’ rating was factored in nor do I care. He is my President! I cannot hope that he is successful in all his dealings both internationally and domestically. I truly hope that he can ‘Make America Great Again’. I won’t go into how politically, racially, and socially divided our country has become in recent years. Too many Americans–in my opinion–have place their party over our country. Both Republicans and Democrats! I also saw a poll that gave an approval rating to Congress . . . less than 10% of those polled (whomever ‘they’ are) believed that our elected leaders in both the House and Senate are doing ‘a good job.’ I’m inclined to believe that statistic. For some time I believe that our ‘politicians’ are more concerned with their re-election and their financial supporters than they are with me or you or our great nation. Our ‘Exceptional’ nation! Contrary to current revisionist theories and the classroom teaching that follows in our esteemed universities (and school curriculums at every level) we have been, and still are, the greatest society in the history of mankind. Washington and Jefferson and many other founders of this country and framers of our Constitution had me and you and all Americans in mind when they established this great experiment in 1776.

Just sayin’ . . . .

The Good Blurs the Bad

As most of you probably know Hurricane Irma’s eye passed over Naples where I have my winter escape–a small mobilinium in a lovely park called Naples Land and Yacht Harbor. Our community is about three miles from the Gulf of Mexico and so very vulnerable. There was significant damage to my friends and neighbors–carports, roofs, siding, and more. I was lucky! I prayed hard and with confidence that I’d be able to have something to return to in December. My prayers were answered and I was spared damage. Praise the Lord! My daughter’s place, also in Naples, was spared of any major damage as well.

On another upbeat note, I am a HUGE Twins fan. Need I say more? Last night they came from behind (again) and beat the best team in baseball–the Cleveland Indians. Today it looks as if our beloved team will be winning the second wild card and move on to play the Yankees next Monday. I have the same feelings that I had back in 1987 . . . that year the Twins went on to become world champions. I can’t wait to see how the next few weeks play out.

Another thing that I can’t wait for. My next novel (and perhaps my last) was sent to the publisher yesterday. By the end of October TWELVE will be on the bookshelves. I always get a rush when a new story becomes a book. TWELVE is my twelfth novel. I might do some children’s stories this winter . . . unless the writing passion takes hold again.

My three children are all in ‘good’ health and doing well. My brother, David, however has just had major heart bypass surgery and his recovery is slower than we all hoped. Again I trust in prayers.

So, what’s so bad. I’m an old fool. Last week I was unable to access my aol email. Panic. I was expecting several important emails. So I googled AOL–the first technical support company that appeared. Stupid me. I agreed to an $89.00 service fee in order to clear up the problem. In addition, I was told that I must agree to a 3-year service contract for another $199. Worse, when asked for my social security # I gave it to them despite being very suspicious. Not only did I open myself to identity theft, I surrendered my screen and watched the scammer work on my computer. Realizing this just wasn’t right, I broke phone and computer contact and went immediately to Apple support (I have a MacBook). Their techs fixed my problem and told mt that I’d likely been scammed and to call my bank immediately. I did so but was too late My charge was already on the card and I was out the money. Now I am making an appeal to Visa. I will try to report the company to AOL and the Better Business Bureau.

So, when I put my folly into perspective I lost some money but . . . a lesson was learned.

A footnote. Two weeks ago I discovered a pigeon wandering below my bird feeders. I hate pigeons! And squirrels. But this one couldn’t fly. After days of watching the flightless bird and putting out seed and water, I became attached. By the past weekend, Peety was my dependent and no longer ran from me when I approached. The DNR advised that I put the bird out in the woods and let ‘nature take its course’. Instead, I called my daughter Shannon who is a wildlife preservationist. She drove from the Cities up to Hibbing to collect ‘Peety’ and took him to a friend who will find him a home. Peety, a young and outerwise healthy bird, will never fly but will have a life with other birds who have been disabled.

God takes care of his critters–great and small.

Have a glorious day my friends

Retired Old Men

It’s not just here in Hibbing but everywhere I’ve been . . . retired old-timers (men, I’ve observed, far more than women) are hard-wired to daily congregate at a local coffee depot. It could be Sporty’s downtown, Hardees, or McD’s here in Hibbing–but in similar locations in any town. These ‘meetings’ are opportunities for guys to share views, argue, agree, or simply listen to their friends and their views on the world situation or the diverse stories in the news these days . In our group–I’ve often been a delinquent this summer–it’s the Twins (or Vikes, or Wild or Wolves and everything ‘Gophers’. Essentially my ‘delinquency’ is unjustified as my writing and gardening is usually a morning activity. Afternoons are spent reading or watching a movie. Two topics for my next blogs.

Yesterday one of former daily coffee-clutchers (Peter Bolf) was back in town so I joined the group to catch up on his new life in the Cities (Lake Elmo). Peter, a regular for years, moved earlier this year. He is one of three regulars that has left our fair town in the past few years. Rick Whelan was first, Steve Lolich followed soon after . . . then Peter. So the complexion of the group has changed. Bob Perfetti and myself remain as the two of what was five. Bobby Schock and Nick Jerulle (now 96) were, and remain, regulars as well. We have always met at 1:30–after Bob’s eighteen or more holes of golf. This year we are joined by Jim and Al who previously sat at another table have joined us–or we them? On Sunday mornings, the ‘Babe’ (Glumac) joins the group and sports is always the #1 topic. Babe, probably more than most people in the Bronx, bleeds Yankee blood.

Besides sports we talk about the slow demise of our fair city, the new roundabout just beyond the windows at our McD’s location, and . . . very sensitively . . . national politics. I think we’re evenly divided on GOP and DFL but–

But, more than ever our President Trump has divided both parties. (It’s hard to believe that Trump carried Hibbing in the 2016 election with his ‘blue-collar’ and pro-jobs agenda).

I’m curious if any of you reading this blog can relate to the ‘retired men syndrome’ that I’m talking to myself about. It’s very rare that I get any response to my blogging so I’m dangling some bait. I’d like to one day get more seriously into sports and politics as they are two of my obsessions. Whatever, have a great Friday and weekend. Look for more from here next week.

How Time Flies

My last post touched upon one aspect in the life of a man in retirement–the needs for companionship, conversation, and the intangible need to get out of the house for a spell. We all dream of retirement and when it finally comes

we find ourselves unprepared for ‘idle’ time. In many ways I never actually retired . . . I moved on to something new and exciting as many often do. I always wanted to write and now had the time to give a whirl. I never imagined that I would soon be publishing novel number twelve (along with three children’s stories). But, as consuming as writing has been, I’ve learned that my creative time is about three hours–about 2000 words–in the early mornings. Then another hour or two on publishing business related to the books. By noon I’ve reached ‘burn out’ and the need for fresh air and movement. I walk, I bike, I garden (in the Minnesota summer and the Florida winter) and I read. Then, usually, another walk and after dinner a movie. If I were to remember and/or make a list of all the movies I’ve watched–mostly on TV or rentals–I’m sure it would be considerably more than the books I’ve read. Last week I watched ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and a comedy ‘Keeping up With the Jonses’. A quality movie can move me to tears–as did Hacksaw Ridge–or elicit a belly laugh as did the ‘. . . Jonses’. One day I will do a blog on my all-time favorite flicks. Near the top of the list would be the historic classic ‘Doctor Zhivago’ and the western ‘Lonesome Dove’. And one day I’ll list my favorite novels. (None of which were penned by yours truly I must confess). I marvel at masterful writers–their prose, their style, and the emotions they elicit in me. Somewhere near the top of my list would be ‘The Edge of Sadness’ (1961) by Edwin O’Connor–a book I selected for our book club.

Just a few weeks ago several of us gathered at the home of Ed Beckers for our monthly book club meeting. Ed had selected a ‘thriller’ titled WITHOUT MERCY (Hunt and Pineiro) and our literary gentlemen discussed the story, opined on numerous subjects related to the plot-lines and their realistic, albeit hypothetical, potentials, while enjoying the typical banter of our group. This has been going on for years–nearly 45 of them already!

Four of us began the idea of such a club in my living room back in the seventies (370 books ago) and Ed and I have become the senior members of what has come to revered as The Greater Mesaba Men’s Book Club. I do have a link–GMMBC-where all of our book selections are listed from our first to our last. If the years have brought inevitable changes in membership we have maintained a core group who regard our monthly get-togethers as reverently as a practicing Catholic does his Sunday Mass. At this writing our group numbers eleven mostly old men.

But we do more than meet in livingrooms. Each spring we are invited to Rich Dinter’s lake home on Crane Lake for a weekend of all sorts of things–including imbibing in spirits, gambling, gaming, and boating. Some of which is best described in the past tense. Vanishing over time are the cases of beer along with Ouzo and/or Hennesey’s and poker into the wee hours of the morning. In the fall we are treated to Paul Dorsher’s Cross Lake home for much the same. Both men are marvelous hosts. In this past year both Rich and Paul have joined the ranks of the retired along with Ed Glenn, Keith and I.

Life is good and God is Great.

THE BIRTH OF A STORY

I have recently had a meeting with the first of my two ‘readers’ who critique my new stories. Rich Dinter is an avid reader and one of the smartest people I know–his insights are always timely and candid. His first email prior to our meeting suggested that I’ve just written an ‘EPILOGUE’ to my previous novels. He was spot on.

My twelfth novel is titled TWELVE. In my prologue I say admit, “when I began writing TWELVE I had no idea where it would take me. Usually the title speaks to me somewhere during the story but not this time. This time I had a title without a story.”

Later, another admission that I made was that, like many authors, a first novel is “like a son and those that follow like grandchildren.’ I have always wanted to go back my first title (To Bless or to Blame), back to the early 1900’s and the colorful history that unfolded in Hibbing’s days of your. Instead, I engendered grandchildren of Peter Moran through five generations, ending with Father Mickey Moran. Well, not really ending with Mickey as he has been my protagonist in my last several novels–all contemporary in their setting.

In my last novel I introduced a new character named Paul Martin. Some of my readers believed that Paul is actually yours truly in that he is a retired Hibbing teacher. I will only admit that an author must draw upon his or her own personal experiences to create realistic fictional characters. To that end I’ll concede to being Paul’s ghost. In TWELVE i’ve used Paul to touch those earlier times once again. Thus what Rich suggested is as accurate as I expected it to be

My last novel is an epilogue of sorts. I am certain that it will be the last of the Moran story. Yet, TWELVE had to be a story in and of itself–that was my challenge from the very first words. I believe I pulled it off . . . Rich was less convinced, despite his compliments on how vastly improved my writing skills have become over the years.

Now my dilemma.

Writing has become a passion/obsession for over these past many years. While wintering in Florida these past five years I have started nearly every day with my writing. By the afternoon I am spent. So, I visit with neighbors, go beach-walking, or biking to round out my days. (Much of my ‘free’ time is spent with my daughter Erin and my two grandchildren who live a short drive from my place.) Yet, a bike ride or a beach walk is never without the voices of the Morans in the back of my thoughts. It’s like having a second family. Now, I’ll have to try to come up with something different: It’s like my family and friends are gone. I don’t think that blogging will fulfill my need to write but I’ll give it an effort. Wish me luck.

Now I’ve made some modifications to my new story as per Rich’s suggestions and await the analysis of my second reader, or readers. I’ve asked Jim Huber to share the story with his wife, Marian, who is an avid reader. Hopefully, now retired, she will give it a read as well as Jim. (Any novelist will acknowledge that women are their primary readership. I would estimate that at least 80% of my readers are local and female.)

After my next critique, it will be on to another ‘rewrite’ and then to final editing and formatting. Renee Anderson at Express Print has already come up with another very attractive cover concept. So, until then, my wishes for a Happy Independence Day to all.

HIBBING: 2017

Hibbing remains a paradox to me.

In my last two novels I’ve created a character who returns to Hibbing after being away for a decade. Paul Martin is a retired teacher (history) who moved to Chattanooga after his career at Hibbing High School. His observations, although often dire, are shared by many.

Earlier this week a former Hibbingite, turned Floridian, posted a Facebook comment on the closing of the local KFC. Like Penney’s the business just couldn’t make it here. Tom T. wondered why this once prospering city was in such a steep decline. I joined another friend–also a FORMER Hibbingite–for coffee last week. Rick W. commented, “The only places to buy clothes in Hibbing these days is either at WalMart or Goodwill.” Think about it! A drive down north First Avenue and a turn down Howard Street is like a mouth with several conspicuously missing teeth. Same one will find driving through the neighborhoods. Not only are there far too many houses for sale but, even worse, several houses seem to be abandoned (presumably to foreclosures).

Yet, I heard the other day that HibbingTac is not only expanding to the north and west–thus the closing of part of Highway #5, but expansion to the south is a very real possibility in the near future. At a wonderful car show a weekend ago, one of the promoters informed that next year the show will likely be moved from the historic North Hibbing site to Bennett Park due to the mining expansion of HibTac. Over in Virginia, another old and declining mining town, the expansion of mining operations has force another major traffic artery to close which requires building an multi-million dollar bridge over the abandoned Richeleau (sp?) Mine. To my knowledge, most to the apparent commercial vitality of Virginia (including a new Menards) is actually within the Mountain Iron city limits.

Chestnut Street (downtown Virginia) looks even worse than Howard Street and if our Irongate Mall is nearly dead, the Virginia Thunderbird Mall is nearly as bad.

Mining expansion amidst the decline of the cities that support them. Go figger!

Despite it all, Hibbing remains my home and the people here are the best there are . . . anywhere.