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Up until now I have used my website for reflections on the writing part of my life and topics that are far more vanilla than abrasive. According to my ‘comments’ page I have one reader who has visited of all my blogs, but rarely if ever, offers any comments. So I am reaching out again to that one anonymous reader, and hopefully a couple more.

I have never wanted to wax political and do so today with reluctance. I am conservative in the sense that I revere the constitution, cross my heart when the anthem is played, and respect the American flag. Years ago I taught Civics and American history in the manner in which I had learned it in college, and experienced it my life as a citizen of this, the greatest nation under God that man had ever created. Now that has all changed. This is no longer the nation I revered. I find the daily news so depressing that I feel that something very evil is happening. I know from history that people like Hitler and Stalin had a simple formula for gaining absolute control of the daily life of their countries. First control the media so that people get a slanted view of what is actually happening, second control what is being taught from elementary school through college. Especially higher education, third undermine religion and Christian beliefs. We are no longer ‘one nation under God with liberty and justice for all’.

I fear that China and its 3 billion people and an expressed desire to control the world is getting closer to their goal — especially as they watch the decline in American ethics and morality. Corporations that have gained great success under our system of capitalism have been politicized and ridden with greed. In that China has the greatest market potential on the globe that’s where U.S. companies want to focus. When the communist party there sees America’s decline (episodes like Afghanistan along with questionable leadership) it has to drool over the opportunities to expand their influence everywhere — how long will Taiwan remain free? South Korea? Other countries that once viewed our country to be the world power won’t feel as secure as they had always been.

Enough. If I’ve offended, please forgive me for sharing my thoughts. But I believe that when people don’t express themselves it is further evidence that our democracy is at risk. And, at the center of all that is wrong with us is that politics in general and politics in specific terms. I believe that our government has become corrupted by power-seeing, by dishonesty, and by it’s desire to control our lives. The pandemic is an example of all of the above. Despite what the media wants us to believe, we are not racist, sexist, homophobic or and other descriptions that are designed to categorize us in order to set us all apart. I’m done . . .

Once again I’ve been neglectful of my website and for no other reason than a lack of pleasant news to share with you. In July I lost my best friend, Ed Beckers and the following week one of my pals from back in my Hoyt Lakes years — Al Mugge. This past weekend it was a memorial/goodbye to one of my closest friends in our Hibbing High School years in Al DeLaPointe. This morning I learned that my brother John has transitioned to morphine in his fight with stage-four bone cancer.

Even closer to home, I’ve had my share of health issues to deal with. Along with a recent stroke (or because of) I’ve had related issues which require physical therapy and other treatments. But, I am recovering and keeping a positive outlook on life in general. Tomorrow I’ll have my first critique of my 2021 story titled ‘Joe’. Actually, The Final Chapter, was published in early 2021 as well. However, Covid pretty much canceled my activities plan. I hope and pray that we are not in for more of the same as we move through the summer. So, look for an update on my story critique later this week. There may be a lot of work to do before the next evaluation and stages beyond . . . ‘patience’ a virtue that never landed on my desk.

Yet there is always a bright spot, or something unexpected, if you are in the right place at the right time. Last week, mostly out of curiosity, I stopped in The BlueBerry Patch Botique (1818 3rd Ave. E) in the former Sunrise Bakery building. Former student, Denise Lee, and her daughter, have put together an eclectic little shop with a variety of quality clothing and other items. I was most impressed. After a talking about small businesses in a relatively small market we decided to throw in some of our stuff together. So, you’ll find my books on display and specially priced when you stop by to visit. We are planning a book-signing event for some time next month.

I should add that I have two other sales locations in Hibbing as well. The Lybba Deli on First Avenue has all of my titles and Sullivan Supply has my most recent titles available.

Lastly, but far more importantly, please keep me in your prayers. I’m hoping too finish another story or two. God bless . . .

I went to a gathering of former classmates tonight. Some of them were readers of mine up to and including ‘Lester’s Gift’. A few of them were of the belief that i had finished with my writing career. Understandable. What most hadn’t realized was that i had published a story titled, ‘The Final Chapter’. They didn’t know about my 15th novel because I didn’t contact any of the media outlets to promote it. Covid was the major reason, but most of the major sales events had been canceled in both Hibbing and Virginia. So the only place anyone could have learned was if they went to this website or heard about it on Facebook. I had two outlets for sales, The Sunrise Deli on First Avenue (all of my titles) and Sullivan’s Supply with my last three titles, including ‘The Final Chapter’. I might add that my last title was the end of my Father Mickey series — and from the feedback i’ve received by those few readers, it was a wonderful story.

Anyhow, I have not quit writing. It remains a part of my every day. With ‘Joe’ I’ve gone out on a limb — no Morans and no Officer Trygg. Joe was an obscure character in my last novel and not someone most would consider the type of person that novels are made of. Joe is a janitor at a Duluth mall. I’ve allowed Joe to tell his story in his own words, and then critqued the story through the eyes of another character that has never appeared in any of my novels to date.

Writing ‘Joe” was a challenge with no carry-over of familiar characters. The story is nearly complete and I will have the first of my readers have a crack at telling me what’s wrong with the story . . . what doesn’t work. You will see that Joe has a serious personality disorder. That’s all I can say now. If everything goes well, ‘Joe’ will be published later this year — before Christmas for sure.

Keep in touch with me through this site. I love to get feedback on any of my novels. Without the input of readers I’ll keep making the same mistakes over and over. Thanks.

It’s been over a week now and I’ve put some things in perspective. The trial of Derek Chauven has concluded and a ‘guilty of murder’ charge is in the books. Rightfully so. Riots were averted . . . for now.

I’ve imagined that I was a juror in the Chauven case. After the defenses final testimony on Friday’s I was told that closing arguments would be coming on Monday. So Monday would be crunch time for all twelve of us jurors. The judge did not sequester us. Surprisingly, we all were allowed to go home. I couldn’t help but watch the news on WCCO and/or KARE . . . or any local or national network channel. On TV I saw the demonstrators in the streets. Hundreds, maybe thousands. Then I watched crazy Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) tell the crowd, “If it ain’t murder, we’ll burn this town down . . .” Or something to that effect. I switch channels and see the BLM signs everywhere. Since day one, I’ve realized that the crowd of protesters knows who I am and where I live. More of the same calls for murder on my social media sites. Scary! Add to the matter of justice, the issue of race. One could argue that George Floyd’s race was not a factor . . . but was it? Or, Floyd’s criminal history? It’s complicated.

Now I’m human and I’m smart enough to know there is very good reason for fear. What if one of my fellow jurors won’t find Chauven guilty? It sure won’t be me for two reasons: first I’m convinced that the cop is guilty, and secondly I don’t have the courage.

Then I wonder. Is the intimidation of the protestors and the media a form of ‘mob rule’? There are twelve men and women on the jury. All of whom, like me, know the potential reprisals if Chauven isn’t found guilty on the 2nd and 3rd degree charges which can bring forty years in prison.

Of course, I’m just thinking. But I’ve got a headache.

Today is a Sunday and the 93rd day for my brother John.

About three months ago I got a call from my brother — the third of the four McGauley boys — telling me that his doctor had given him four months to live. He was in the Saint Cloud hospital at the time. Since then we have talked daily. Talked and talked about everything imaginable. Over these months I have come to know my brother in ways that I never imagined. I knew that he lived on the ‘wild side’ of life for many years. By that I mean he was a biker, used and sold drugs, had been busted several times, did time in jail, been married and divorced . . . and been reunited with a son he had never met before. Any one of his many episodes in life would make for an interesting, and sometimes tragic, story. And, as an author, I live for story lines.

What has surprised me the most about John’s life so far, is his love of the Bible. I wouldn’t say that he has become a Biblical scholar by any means, but the ‘Good Book’ has been a significant part of his life for the past twelve years. I might add that his interest has brought me back to reading the Bible as well — Psalms, Hebrews, and Revelations have given us both many important insights to discuss. Mix into the Scriptures our mutual interest in the current affairs of the United States and the world. An interesting topic for us has been ‘How close have we become to the ‘end times’? Bear in mind that the key word in the above sentence is ‘interesting’ — not that they are upon us.

I believe that irony is a writer’s best friend. The irony of our rediscovering of each other is that I was well into a new novel. Some of the events in John’s life were given to my main character, a man named Joseph. Not that my brother and Joseph have lived similar lives, but rather both have been sharing their life with me at the same time. John’s earliest memory from childhood was his mom’s giving him an ice cream cone. He can’t recall how old he was at the time, but my story begins with Joseph’s first memory in life. I borrowed that experience from John. And a few others as well. I’ve always believed that a writer is the thief of any he/she finds in life.

Like all of us, John will die one day sooner than later. This morning he was in strong voice as we talked about the U.S. and China, our penchant for believing what the media says about this topic and everything else, and where we can find the truth. John is more left, and I am more right, which more often than not, adds an ingredient to our conversations. The important thing is that we can discuss our differences. I mean that the truth is always somewhere in-between perspectives.

In these days, weeks, and now months, I have fallen in love with a brother that I knew . . . but didn’t really know. Does that make sense? I’d encourage anybody that reads this post to connect with someone they should be loving but haven’t taken the time to do so. And, I’d recommend reading the Bible.

God bless . . .

I was walking the neighborhood when I encountered an elderly woman whose name I couldn’t remember. She stopped me and asked if I’d written anything new. She’s read all. of my books up to ‘Lester’s Gift’ (2020) — which means all but the last one. Now the last one was published last fall which was deep into Covid season. Because of Covid all the marketing sites were closed, including Craft shows in Hibbing and Virginia that were my best sales opportunities before leaving for Florida in early December. There was no publicity when ‘THE FINAL CHAPTER’ came on the market. No publicity means little or no sales. No book-signings, no public events, nada …nada…nada.

I told the woman about my last book and assured her that I was still writing. Anyhow, I have had all of my titles at the Sunrise Deli and my last three books at Sullivan Supply. Neither site has has many sales, largely because nobody seems to know they are there. Alas, we are still in Covid times. Despite that sad reality, my books are still out there. Perhaps, more importantly, I’ll sign and send out copies of any title if you contact me through this site or my personal email address: shatiferin@aol.com. THE FINAL CHAPTER can be yours for $20.00 which includes sales tax and shipping and handling. I don’t expect to have any public signings for a while so please help me out and visit the two Hibbing sites or order online.

I hate to sell this way but . . . I’m not going to go broke advertising in the local paper or go door to door or cold sell on my cell. Help! I might add that if you’ve enjoyed the Mickey stories, THE FINAL CHAPTER is Mickey’s final appearance. At least for a while. I’m still pounding the keys on a new story yet untitled but very, very, different from what I’ve done in the past. It’s setting remains up here but travels away as well and has an entirely new cast of characters..