Stephen Burckhardt's Blog: My Blog Ramblings, page 39

Monday Movie Madness: The Ghost Rider

(If you want vintage posters, check out Heritage Auctions! They have some incredible items. Click the photo to go to their site.)

Hello, Posse!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to a great week. I have been dealing with a mess of things here. I've been trying to straighten out bank information, et things cleaned up and moved around from where the basement here flooded, trying to keep up to date on writing and social media posts. I am feeling a bit burnt out to be honest.

We have not had a vacation since before CoVid19 hit and honestly I think we need one soon! P.R. has to go out of town on a business trip soon so at least P.R. will get a change of scenery for a few day, even though it involves work. But P.R. will finally get to engage with adults other than me for a few days. I am taking a day off of everything while P.R. is gone to eat popcorn for dinner and watch scary movies, which P.R. is not fond of watching. Yes, I am like a teenager who's parents have left them home for the weekend whenever P.R. goes on business trips. I willingly own that.

And speaking of movies . . .

Today's flick is the first in The Nevada Jack McKenzie series (you know how I love serials), The Ghost Rider. There were 20 movies released in this series between 1943 and 1946. This 1943 western was released by Monogram Pictures and stars Johnny Mack Brown as Jack McKenzie. He is joined on the cast by Raymond Hatton, Harry Woods, Beverly Boyd, Tom Seidel, Edmund Cobb, Bud Osborne, George DeNormand, Bill Hunter, Artie Ortego, Charles King, Milburn Morante, Bill Nestell, Jack Daley, Horace B. Carpenter, and Ray Miller.

This first film introduces the audience to Jack McKenzie (Brown). McKenzie is a lone rider who eventually meets up with his future sidekick, Sandy Hopkins (Hatton). McKenzie is out to avenge the murder of a loved one and stumbles into more trouble along the way. He manages to bring criminals to justice and is offered a job as a Marshal. However, McKenzie still has some personal scores to settle and rides off to complete his own manhunt. This film sets up the characters for The Nevada Jack McKenzie series who continue on in other films as undercover marshals bringing the guilty to justice in the Wild West.

Movie Snack Recipe

Did you know Nevada is one of the top 10 producers of onions in the US? I just learned that today. This seems like a good reason to pair a quick, tasty, healthier version of onion rings with our movie. Check out Just a Taste's Crispy Baked Onion Rings Recipe (

Personally, I LOVE onion rings, especially with a good spicy BBQ sauce. There are so many things you can use for dip with onion rings, ranch dressing, nacho cheese sauce, sweet chilli sauce, sriracha mayo, or just eat them plain. How do you like your onion rings?

You know what time it is now, posse! Time to grab those snacks and settle in for another great western movie! If you like today's flick, do not forget to check out other movies in The Nevada Jack McKenzie series.

Enjoy!

Stephen

The Ghost Rider (1943)

https://youtu.be/ZIP35qNFwkc

Friday Funnies: Stress!

(Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels)

Hello, Posse!

I know I almost always write this, but today is going to be short and sweet. I rarely talk about where I live, but I will say right now we are dealing with a lot of flooding in our area. Lives have been lost and homes have been washed away. Life is understandably distracting me from work.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and stay safe and dry!

Enjoy,

Stephen 10 Minutes of Comedy to Cure Your Anxietyhttps://youtu.be/_looGAGzJGY

Wednesday Whatever: Ramblings!

Hello, Posse!

I hope your week is going well. I have been dealing with a case of the blahs lately. I am just tired and so unmotivated. P.R. seems to think it is because the first real business trip for P.R. since the pandemic began is coming up soon. P.R. will have to go out of town for a few days. tour plants, go out to dinners with clients, etc..

I won't lie, I am a little apprehensive about his trip, in that I do not trust other people to be conscientious and protect his health, but I would not say I am "worried." I feel like I'm too tired to be worried. Maybe it's the weather.

We started out the summer like we were going to live in an oven for months. We even broke down and finally bought a little portable "air conditioner" that chills the air with water and ice packs. Then, the weather turned. It has been unseasonably cold and rainy ever since. Perhaps we should have bought the air conditioner sooner to stop summer heat years ago. Kind of like washing your car to make it rain. It's so chilly today, I am wearing my good heavy winter sweater and I'm still a bit cold.

I am so tired I really want to stop writing this blog and go take a nap, but there isn't time for that. I never take naps so this is weird for me. P.R. always says you should not force things like cooking or writing. If you aren't feeling it, you aren't feeling it. Perhaps P.R. is right.

I did manage to make a map of Sharon Springs on the computer which will be in the next book. I like things like this because it helps me visualize things better. It only has one outhouse on the map but that is because that one is specifically mentioned in part six, Into the West: To Save Them All. It is also off kilter as far as the compass. That is just how it is in my head and I could not figure out how to draw it out bearing due North. It just looked wrong!

The map is also not to scale. It is just a general representation of how the town is laid out. I think I might share it on the Members Only page before the next book comes out. If you want to join, it's free to join and you are free to quit at anytime, no strings attached . . . ever! I just use the Members Only page as a way to give a bit extra to the people who actively follow me and my books.

How are things going for all of you? Is life starting to get back to normal for you? Did it ever stop being normal for you? What do you do when you just do not feel being active? I have so many questions. I would love to hear from you all. Maybe get a little outside inspiration!

Have a great Wednesday, Posse!

Dianne https://youtu.be/mkgylOJSdhE

Monday Movie Madness: Appaloosa!

Hello, Posse!

I hope you all had a happy and healthy weekend. Personally, I am feeling a bit of stress here today. I need to get part six, Into the West: Last Showdown finished, but I have having a bit of a memory problem with one of the characters.

I tried sending out a newsletter this weekend asking for your help, but for some reason part of the message did not save. When I sent it out, it still had text from the template and my message was gone. I tried sending out a new newsletter, but my website plan only allows for three newsletters a month and I had hit the limit for July with the messed up message.

What I was trying to ask for help with was remembering a character name. I do not remember if I have ever given Sheriff Jones from Missouri a first name. I have tried to search my previous books and have not found anything, but I was wanting to double check with all of you to see if anyone remembers a first name for him. I had an issue when writing Into the West: Most Wanted where I had given a first name to the daughter of Tim and Stacy Ruth and had written it several times throughout that book. Just before we were set to publish, I found I had already given her a different name in Into the West: A New Home. I had to make a lot of changes. I would like to avoid doing that again.

If you remember seeing a first name somewhere, please let me know. I would greatly appreciate it.

Now, on with the movie!

The story is set in 1882 in Appaloosa, New Mexico. A local rancher, Randall Bragg (Irons), has killed the local marshal and two deputies. Bragg takes over the town, but the townsfolk fight back by hiring their own lawman, Virgil Cole (Harris), and his deputy, Everett Hitch (Mortensen). The hired guns come to Appaloosa to clean up the town and set things right.

In Appaloosa, Cole and Hitch meet a widow, Allie French (Zellweger). Cole and French begin a relationship, but French doesn't let that stop her from making advances at Hitch. Hitch resists her flirtations out of respect for his friend Cole, but emotions can throw a wrench in even the best of friendships.

The Cole and Hitch do manage to arrest Bragg and see him convicted for his crimes, but he manages to escape the noose with a pardon from the president. When Bragg returns and sets up shop, things start to heat up again in the town of Appaloosa with a final showdown you will not want to miss!

Movie Snack Recipe

Today's movie snack recipe comes from New Mexican Foodie and it's a tasty one, Enchilada Wontons with Red Chile Beef. (

These crispy, tasty snacks will be the perfect pairing for this western crime thriller. The only trouble you may have is getting yourself to stop eating them before they are all gone. These will go nicely with the chile sauce they recommend in the recipe, or try a fresh salsa, a spicy nacho cheese dip or even a sweet and sour sauce. No matter what you dip it in, these can easily be a new favorite snack.

So now it's that time again, posse! Time to grab your snacks and settle in for another great western movie!

Enjoy!

StephenAppaloosa Theatrical Trailer 2008https://youtu.be/pz0ta7CW1aA

Friday Funnies: Cats!

Hello, Posse!

I know I write this a lot, but today is going to be short and sweet. I had to get up and go to the doctor this morning and walking there in this humidity just wiped me out. I ran errands on the way home and carried everything back. I swear some days like this I feel like a pack mule. I really look forward to buying a car again on days like these.

So today we are focusing on cats. Next Thursday is National Pet Fire Safety and since I have done a Friday Funnies with dogs a few times, I thought today I would do cats. Next Friday I plan to look for fireman jokes.

But for now, on with the jokes (then I'm going to go take a nap.)

Enjoy!

Stephen

Q: What is a cat’s favorite cop show?

A: Claw and Order.

Q: Why should you never play board games with a leopard?

A: They tend to be cheetahs.

Q: How did the cat know she was going to have kittens?

A: Her pregnancy test was pawsitive.

Q: How do you spell mousetrap ONLY using three letters? A: C-A-T!

Q: What do cat's call getting to first base on a date?

A: When they have their first hiss.

Q: What’s a cat’s favorite breakfast cereal?

A: Mice Krispies.

Q: What is a cat's favorite color?

A: Purrple.

Q: Why did the cat sit on the computer?

A: He wanted to keep an eye on the mouse.

Q: Why did the cat like batting around the remote?

A: It had a paws button.

Q: What do you call a huge accident involving cats?

A: CATastrophe!

Q: What was the cat's favorite subject in school?

A: MEWsic class!

Q: What did the cat need when it had trouble seeing?

A: PURRscription eye glasses!

Q: What do you call a cat that ate a bunch of lemons? A: A sourpuss.

And last but not least . . .

Q: A cat, a duck, and a cow all go out to eat together, who paid for dinner? A: The duck. He just had them put it on his bill.

Talking Tom's Top 3 Cat Jokeshttps://youtu.be/8RaIZvJV0N8Cats and Dominoshttps://youtu.be/7Nn7NZI_LN4

Whatever Wednesday: Best Sellers!

Hello Posse,

I know this is a little late today. Things have been a bit crazy around here this week. I have been working on my own website, www.DianneBurckhardt.com, and starting to get it ready for my first book under my own name. With luck, I should be releasing something next summer.

But for now, I am hard at work on Stephen Burckhardt's books. We still have two more books to release to complete the Into the West Saga Serial. The plan is to release part six, Into the West: Last Showdown this summer and part seven, Into the West: Family Ties for Christmas. We also hope to be able to release audiobooks for the entire serial sometime next year. Keep your fingers crossed.

This weekend was just unbelievable for us here at Burckhardt Books. Into the West: A New Home - Special Edition has always been able to crawl up on the Best Sellers list when we do a free giveaway weekend but this time around really blew us away. It not only finally cracked the top 10, it took the number one spot on two Amazon Best Sellers lists in Germany and made it onto 9 best seller lists across four countries, and those are just those ones we checked. It was just unbelievable!

We also saw some sales of the other titles in this serial which is what we always hope for when we give this special edition introduction to the serial away. We have taken a few days break from working on the books, but now we are ready to get back at it to get the rest of the serial to you.

Keep watching our social media for news and updates or better yet, subscribe to our mailing list. We never spam you with a lot of garbage, heck our program only allows for 3 newsletters a month and we have never used all three. You can quit at anytime, no strings attached.

Something Extra . . .

I feel like I need to give you a little extra something today besides just me prattling on about our books. So how about a great recipe for a Cowboy Dinner from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

If you like to cook, you really should check out Mel's site. She has some wonderful recipes that are sure to please even picky eaters. She has recipes for everything from drinks and desserts, recipes for slow cookers and Instant Pots, 30-minute meals to snacks and appetizers. If you can't find something you like on Mel's site, you just haven't looked hard enough.

That is it for today, posse. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Enjoy!

Dianne

Monday Movie Madness: The Rare Breed

(Go to HA.com for great vintage movie posters)ha.com

Hello, Posse!

Well, yesterday was exciting for me. Last Friday I released my new book, part five of the Into the West Saga Serial, Into the West: To Save Them All. To entice people to try my serial I always give away my Into the West: A New Home - Special Edition because it has parts one and two in one download. I know a lot of people hate buying a new book in a series if they have no idea how it started, the giveaway takes care of that.

Every time I giveaway Into the West: A New Home - Special Edition, it has made it to the Amazon Best Seller list somewhere for free ebooks. It had previously made it up to #13 for a short while. This time around I was hoping to at least crack the top 10 on one list somewhere.

However, this time around . . . Lord have mercy, it did so well! It actually hit #1 on two lists in Germany, broke into the top 10 on four lists, the top 20 on two lists, the top 50 on two lists and the top 100 on one. This was spread out through four countries: Germany, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. I am still shocked!

I have no idea if this will translate into more sales for the saga or not, but it gives one hope! If you didn't get a chance to download the free ebook this time around, do not worry. It will go free again for two days when I release part 6, Into the West: Last Showdown here in a month or so.

But now, on with our movie!

Today's flick is The Rare Breed staring James (Jimmy) Stewart. I have always love Jimmy Stewart films ever since I was a kid. He had such a wonderful boy next door quality about him in most films but could still surprise you with his comedic and serious dramatic work.

The Rare Breed is an American dramatic western and was released in 1966 by Universal Pictures. It stars James Stewart, Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith with a supporting cast that includes many recognizable actors such as Juliet Mills, Don Galloway, David Brian, Jack Elam, Ben Johnson, and Harry Carey Jr..

This film is said to be based, however loosely, on the life of Col. John William Burgess. The story follow recent widow, Martha Evans (O'Hara), as she tries to fulfil the dying wish of her late husband, to bring Hereford cattle to the American West. Evans makes the journey from England to America with her prize bull, Vindicator. He is sold at auction and it is during the delivery of the bull that the story really happens. Double crosses, theft attempts, and unexpected attractions lead up to a surprising conclusion.

Movie Snack Recipe

What would go better with a movie about Hereford cattle being introduced to the U.S. than a recipe from The Hereford Beef organization in the UK? They have some wonderful appetizer recipes on their site including this Hereford Beef Canapes with Truffle Pea Purée. (

So now you know what time it is, Posse! Time to grab your snacks and settle in for another great western movie.

Enjoy,

Stephen

https://youtu.be/FFYjxsl7HRM

Friday Funnies: Books!

Hello, Posse!

So it actually happened!! Thanks to Greg's (my editor) fantastic and fast work, I was able to actually get this book finished and on sale for the fourth of July weekend. It has been a VERY stressful few days, to say the least.

For the first 90 days, the Into the West: To Save Them All eBook will only be available on Amazon.com as part of the Kindle Unlimited program. I will open it up to Barnes and Noble's Nook after the first 90 days. I forgot to change that on Into the West: Most Wanted after the first 90 days. I have since cancelled the Kindle Unlimited program for it, but I cannot open it up to B&N until September 13th, when the current Kindle Unlimited agreement runs out.

I made a mistake yesterday while I was loading everything up on Barnes and Noble Booksellers website. I hit publish on the eBook by mistake. Since I have it set to be exclusive with Amazon for 90 days, I cannot sell it on B&N yet. When you hit publish on these sites, things are not automatic, the files have to go through a review process that can take hours to days. I was up until about 4 AM waiting for the book to go live on the site so I could immediately take it off sale. Usually, I do not even load the files up until I am ready to publish them just so these kinds of things do not happen. I think I will be going back to that practice!

I have been up until about 4 or 5 AM the last 3 or 4 days trying to get everything set and ready for this new release and the free download for July 2nd -4th of the Into the West: A New Home - Special Edition which contains part one, Into the West: The Orphan Train, and part two, Into the West: A New Home, in one download. I am so glad things actually came together. I need a break!

https://tinyurl.com/FREEeBookWeekend

I am going to take some time off and just relax and read a bit before I get back to finishing part six, Into the West: Last Showdown. It is almost finish and should not take long to wrap it up but, like I just wrote, I need a break. I really think I can get this finished and to Greg to edit by the end of the month. With any luck I can set a presale date for this next one so I will not be rushing to get it out next time.

But now I think it is definitely time for some laughs!

Have a great weekend, Posse!

Stephen

Person 1: You know, I've never read Fitzgerald.

Person 2: What!? You've Gatsby kidding me!

What does a passive aggressive Raven say?

A: Never mind.

Q: Why does no one want to play board games with John Milton?

A: Because whenever he plays, there’s always a pair of dice lost.

Q: What building has the most stories?

A: A library.

Q: What is a good pickup line to use on a librarian?

A: Mind if I check you out?

Q: What do cats and commas have in common?

A: Cats have claws at the end of their paws and commas have a pause at the end of a clause.

Q: Why did the run-on sentence worry that it was pregnant?

A: Because its period came late.

Q: What to authors say on Star Wars day?

A: Metaphors be with you!

Q: Why was the high school music teacher so controversial?

A: He required his students to read band books.

Q: Did you know a book fell on my head last night?

A: I can really only blame my shelf.

Q: Have you read the book about Mount Everest?

A: It had quite a cliff hanger!

And last but not least . . .

Q: Why are writers always cold?

A: Because they’re surrounded by drafts!

9 Funny Jokes About Bookshttps://youtu.be/Kz83JwcOSEMJim Gaffigan Best Reading Jokeshttps://youtu.be/ouwagdy1p4Y

Whatever Wednesday: Part Five is COMING!!!

Hello, Posse!!!

Have I got some amazing news for you! Greg, my editor (and a God among editors at that), got my edits back to me last night. Tonight, I will be making all the changes and getting this book loaded onto Amazon.com for eBook and paperback and on Barnes and Noble Booksellers for paperback (the Nook eBook will come in 90 days, I have to wait until after it goes off the Kindle unlimited program).

Part Five, Into the West: To Save Them Allgoes on sale July 2nd just in time for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

I know this has been a long time coming. I hope you all will love this next instalment in my Into the West Saga Serial. This whole series has been a labor of love for me. So much of the details in the lives of my characters come from actual events in history, either American history or that of my own family and a few friends.

If there is a storyline that made you cry, made you laugh, or made you mad that someone was treated that way, it most likely was based on a real event. I hope this next book touches a few emotions in you as well.

If you have friends who have not heard of or have not read my books, be sure to let them know they can try out my serial for FREE July 2nd - 4th.

I am giving away the eBook version of ,Into the West: A New Home - Special Edition on Amazon.com (

This special edition contains both part one, Into the West: The Orphan Train, and part two, Into the West: A New Home in one volume.

Buy Links

Just click and go!

All my Into the West Saga Serial books on Amazon.com

All my Into the West Saga Serial books on BarnesandNoble.com

And of course you can always find all my buy links on this website on My Books page.

Thank you for sticking with me on the journey. The saga is almost complete! So much is going to happen in the next two books, I can't wait to get them to you. Part six, Into the West: Last Showdown is almost finished as well and I hope to get it to Greg to edit sometime in July. Keep watching my social media for updates or better yet, subscribe to my mailing list. I never spam you with loads of stuff (honestly, most of the time I forget to even sent out newsletters and such) and you can quit any time, no questions asked.

,I'm off to make the final edits. Mark your calendars for July 2nd!

Take care, Posse!

StephenThe Into the West Saga Serial Book Collectionhttps://video.wixstatic.com/video/2c304a_375b73cdd9d54aa6ac27cc13de44d67f/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Monday Movie Madness: The Searchers & Book Release Date!

Hello, Posse!

If you are a spiritual person and open to the existence of miracles, I have one for you . . . I have a date for the release of Part 5 of the Into the West Saga Serial!!

IN keeping with my tradition, I will also be giving away a free download of the eBook version of the Into the West: A New Home - Special Edition. This book contains the full text from Part 1, Into the West: The Orphan Train and part 2, Into the West: A New Home in one download.

If you have never read my books, this is a good time to start and you can do it for FREE!

Currently, parts 1-5 are on sale in paperback and eBook form. I am still working diligently to set up a sound booth here at home so I can finally get the audio books recorded and up for sale.

I think the audio books will have to be direct sale from my website. I have not had much luck setting up an account with a distributor as of yet. I will let you all know as I have more information on this buying option. Until the last book, part 7, is published, I may not have the time to devote to getting that all in place. But just know, audiobooks are coming! I will not give up on that!

On to our movie!

Today is the last movie to celebrate the Month of John Wayne in celebration of The Duke's birthday. The Searchers has been selected by numerous critics as John Wayne's best movie. Considering how many movies he was in, that is really saying something.

Realsed in 1956, The Searchers is an American Epic western, directed by John Ford and staring John Wane. This film was based on a novel by Alan Le May that was actually based on a true story. The film was a commercial success at the box office but more that that, it has continued to gain praise worldwide from critics and fans alike. Many consider The Searchers to be John Ford's masterpiece and is considered to be one of the most influential movies ever produced.

The story is set in the time of the Texas Indian wars. Joining Wayne on the cast are Natalie Wood, Jeffery Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, John Qualen, Olive Carey, Henry Brandon, Ken Curtis, Harry Carey Jr., Hank Worden, Patrick Wayne (John Wayne's son), and Lana Wood (Natalie Wood's sister).

The Searchers is also a stand out in the film industry for filming one of the first "behind the scenes" films of the production. The distribution company, Warner Bros. aired the program on their TV series,Warner Bros. Presents.

The story follows retired soldier, Ethan Edwards (Wayne) after he returns home to his family. He finds that his brother and his family have been killed by Comanches and their two young daughters, Lucy and Debbie (Natalie Wood) have been kidnapped by the raiders. Ethan sets out on a quest to find the girls. Lucy is found dead after a short while. The search continues for Debbie, but after years of searching, his purpose shifts from rescuing the girl to killing her. In his mind, she will be better off dead than living after having assimilated into the Comanche tribe. When Ethan finally finds Debbie, things do not turn out as he had planned.

I will not give away the ending on this because it is well worth watching for yourself!

Movie Snack Recipe

Today we are going for something very different, but looks so interesting, Cookpad's Comanche Grape Dumplings (^--- click for recipe). I have not personally tried this recipe yet, but I am to! It just sounds so interesting.

Now, you know what time it is, posse! It's time to mark your calendars for July 2nd to get your copy of Into the West: To Save Them All, available in paperback and eBook on Amazon and in paperback at Barnes and Noble Booksellers. It will be available for Nook downloads after 90 days. Don't forget, you can get the first two books for free in one download on July 2nd as well if you have never tried my books. Now is your chance to try them fore FREE, what have you got to lose? Be sure to tell your friends too, share the freebies!

And it is also time to get your snacks and settle in for another great (John Wayne) western!

Enjoy!

Stephen

Trailer: The Searchers 1956https://youtu.be/ii_7QnXPQxA

Martin Scorsese on Watching The Searchers https://youtu.be/SlWT8kTccHwThis video is so worth watching to the very end!!! https://youtu.be/ruqHhe2v9mE