Randall’s Ramblings, October 20, 2024

We’re finally back on the internet via a mobile hotspot after Hurricane Helene passed through our area. We were fortunate as we only had numerous branches fall and no rain/water damage.

One neighbor had a near-miss when an oak tree split in two and just missed the back of their house. Another neighbor lucked out when an uprooted evergreen land just a few feet from the front of their house. Throughout the area, numerous trees and power lines crisscrossed multiple roads, making them impassible until crews could clear the debris. One bridge is still out and two other roads had to be repaired before traffic could use them. Crews are still hard at work to restore things.

“I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.” — James Michener. Compliments of nicolemgulotta.com/blog-25-inspiratio....

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on October 20th, the third Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).

Giovanni Rucellai, Italian humanist and poet (The Bees – one of the 1st famous poems in blank verse); Belle van Zuylen, Dutch-Swiss writer (Three Women); Karl Andree, German geographer and journalist (founded journal Globus); Thomas Hughes, English politician and author (Tom Brown’s School Days); Alphonse Allais, French humorist and author (Pass the Bile); Arthur Rimbaud, French poet and adventurer (The Drunken Boat, Illuminations); John Dewey, American philosopher, educational theorist and writer (learn by doing); Robert Lochner, German journalist (help JFK with “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech); Dov Noy, Polish-born Jewish scholar of Jewish folklore; Pierre Laporte, Canadian journalist and politician (kidnapped and murdered while Vice-Premier of Quebec); Joe Minogue, British journalist (Guardian); Robert Craft, American conductor, writer and friend of Stravinsky; Art Buchwald, American columnist and author (Have I Ever Lied to You); Oskar Pastior, Romanian-born German writer (Oulipo); Emma Tennant, English writer (Pemberley: or, Pride and Prejudice Continued); Robert Pinsky, American poet and Poet Laureate of the United States; Elfriede Jelinek, Austrian novelist, poet, and playwright (Nobel Prize for Literature, 2004 -The Piano Teacher); David Profumo, English novelist (Bringing the House Down); and Lynn Flewelling, American fantasy author (Nightrunner series).

Any names familiar to you? There were three for me this week: John Dewey, Art Buchwald, and Emma Tennant. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!

My Work In Progress

My work on Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2 continues to be my primary focus. Just before Hurricane Helen came through I posted chapter thirty-five to the two online subscription writing sites I use, and yesterday I posted chapter thirty-six. Since my last blog post  story has received another seventeen chapter reviews, bringing the total to 542.

Here’s another snippet:

Sear glared at Parvez. “Who were you talking with on the phone?”

“No one—at least no one you would know, Sayyid.”

Sear turned at the sound of feet approaching.

Wasim and Malik rushed through the door onto the roof. They hurried to Parvez’s side and grabbed his arms.

“Check his phone.” Sear pointed to Parvez’s pocket. He was talking with someone and won’t say who it is.”

“Hold him, Wasim.” Malik yanked out Parvez’s phone and accessed the call list. As he scanned the numbers, he relaxed. I recognize the last number called—it’s Tarik’s.” He glanced at Parvez. “Why were you talking with him?”

Parvez jerked his arm free from Wasim as he glared at Malik. “It is not any of your business, but I talk with Tarik from time to time—letting him know when there are strangers, especially foreigners, in this area.”

“You better be telling me the truth. I will ask Tarik the next time I see him.”

Parvez nodded. “Go ahead—he will vouch for me.”

Sear glanced at Wasim and Malik. “Let him go.”

“Do you still want me to cook?” Parvez stared at Parvez.

“Perhaps later. For now, just more tea and coffee.”

“As you wish, Sayyid.”

Sear turned and stepped through the doorway, down the stairs, and returned to the divan.

After frowning at Parvez, Wasim and Malik followed Sear.

Malik sat across from the others and patted his rumbling stomach. “What about food? I am hungry.”

“Do you think we can trust Parvez not to poison us?” Sear rubbed his chin.

“Of course.” Malik grinned. “I will stand next to him in the kitchen to ensure nothing untoward happens.”

In that case, I’m hungry, too.”

More next time.

This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.

© Copyright 2024 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved