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What was the first thing that came to your mind with the title of this blog? Probably it was connections with other people. In today’s perceptions, it might even conjure the notion of ‘important people’ who can give you some benefit. That’s true as well. This morning as I was checking my email, I had a message from a former student of mine. He had just finished his first of my many novels and took the time to let me know that he enjoyed it.

His email was also the first that came from my website’s contact page. So the fact that he had read ‘A Passage of Redemption’ and liked it was amplified by the fact that he took the few minutes to connect with me. More than anything, I had hoped that my new site would do exactly that. I hope that others of you will do what Louie did.

On another note, I’m finding it a challenge to write my next story. I know the reason is it’s been like starting from scratch. In my new novel, “The Final Chapter,’ I told my readers that it would be the end of the Father Mickey chain — also the end of the Moran family saga that has preoccupied me for the past twenty years. You see, when I have Mickey as the protagonist, I have Mary, Meghan, Michael . . . and all the others along with him to embellish the.story. However, they all made an exit of sorts along with Mickey. Characters, and their development, are essential to a story. So is location. I’ve had the familiar haunts of Hibbing and Duluth to further add to the background narrative. So, with the Moran cast, and the familiarity of location, I’ve been able to move swiftly into a new story.

Not so any longer. I will not at this time disclose the new character, nor his whereabouts, but I will say that it is quite different from what I’ve been doing. I did enjoy the experience of a first-person story and decided to try it again. Portraying someone in the first person lets an author get more deeply into the psyche of his characters. Let’s just say that I’m having fun with my new character. ‘Mum’s Lemonade’ is the projected or working title -sorry, no more for now.

Be in touch . . .

“You’ve gotta be crazy, McGauley.” That’s what my dear friend, Ed Beckers would say. But he can’t. He can’t remember the constant tease between us either. Ed has been sick with demencia for months. I mention Ed because I’d always hoped he might be able to come down to Florida where I’ve had a place these past many years. He’d love it — I love it, too.

But I’m planning to sell my little ‘getaway’ where I’ve toughed out the past six winters. Trading Florida for northern Minnesota might seem like have some mental health issues. To put it as honestly as I can, I want to spend the rest of my years with old friends, and old friends are up on the Range. I’ve coped with many winters in Hibbing and can make it through a few more I think. My partner, Gail, will be disappointed I’m sure, she enjoys here winter solitude with me some 2,ooo miles south. ‘Home is where the heart is,’ might well have been a more meaningful title to my blog.

I’d like to interrupt this message with a commercial. My place is a ‘Trailorinium’ in a gated 55+ community located on a river that leads to Naplee Bay and the Gulf coast. I have great neighbors, am a short distance from both downtown Naples and the beaches which is idylic. If you think a trailer is too small, you have another think coming. Two bedrooms, comfortable living room, two bathrooms, and a neat storage shed make living here easy. I’d like to get $70,000 for this piece of paradise.

Back to the post. Working daily on my next novel down here this winter. (Which. has been cooler than normal I might add). Anyhow, the story remains titleless as I go over the 15,000 words mark. It’s not another Mickey adventure, nor an Adam Trygg crime story, but a new character telling his story. I think it’s working so far. But, of course, the reader is the ultimate judge of that. Speaking of critiques . . . I’ve had very little feedback on ‘The Final Chapter’ my 15th novel. The purpose of having this site is to communicate with my readers and communication, I’m told, is a two-way street. I’d appreciate hearing from you and my newly reconstructed website should be easy to navigate. Hope to hear from you.

My wishes for a wonderful 2021 to all of you.

I’m staying home and will probably watch a movie on Netflix. It’s been years since I last went out, and years since I was actually awake at midnight. No exceptions this year.

Yesterday I actually watched the first words of my new story appear on my computer screen. I must remind myself that it’s only a rough draft and not to expect too much on the first run through. No idea where this will go, but that’s the norm.

In half-an-hour I’ll be watching the Gophers vs. the Badgers basketball game on the Big Ten Network. A Minnesota win will move us up a few notches on the top 25 teams in the country, I know, we hardly ever beat Wisconsin in Madison — in any sport. Still. waiting for the Twins to do something to improve their roster for ’21. So far it seems they are only looking in the junk pile and hoping someone will fit.

I hope you have a good time with family and/or friends the evening. I want to believe that next year will be much better than the one we lay to rest.

God bless . . .

December 23, 2020

As I write to you tonight I know that those of you in Hibbing are getting the first blizzard of the season. You might think I’m being facitious when I tell you that it’s been the coldest fall/winter here in Naples in seventeen years. It could drop to 39 degrees on Christmas Eve. Believe me when I say that the cold here is worse than what we had in October. The Gulf humidity gets me right cold down to the bones. And, believe me when I admit that I’ve always enjoyed a blizzard and watching the wind-driven snow create drifts that look like small mountains. But . . . I don’t miss the cleanup.

Anyhow, if things go as I hope, this will be my last season down here. Not because of the cold for sure (most afternoons climb into the 70’s) but I’m a Minnesotan born and raised. I’m lucky to have Gail back home to do the cleanup and keep our house in good order while I’m away. I’ve become stretched financially by maintaining two residences on a fixed income. If you think I must be rich with my little book business . . . you would be very wrong. Not complaining, the Lord has blessed my life in countless ways and I’m grateful.

I will be with my daughter, Erin and her family (and her friend Josh) which will be very nice. And I’ll facetime with my daughter Shannon in Prior Lake and with my son, Tiffer — along with his wife Susan and their three delighful grandkids in Cohasset. I miss them all and I miss my partner Gail, too. And Hibbing. The thing about Hibbing is that wherever I go I see people that I’ve known for years. The best people on earth. I’ve got great neighbors in my little retirement community and will miss them when I’m gone.

Naples is growing by leaps and bounds and it is one of the wealthiest places in America. People swarm here for the climate mostly. But as it becomes increasingly popular it cannot seem to manage the growth. Traffic is incredibly congested and changing the infrastructure seems an impossibility. This year for the first time I flew down and bought a beater to get around. But around is mostly to the grocery store, church, and my daughter’s home. COVID is rampant here as it is up there and everywhere else. Fortunately where I live here is close to everything but kinda isolated at the same time.

I started this message to wish you all a Merry Christmas and am finally getting to it. I wish you all a wonderful holiday and the best of health in the New Year. To me the real joy of Christmas is what it is meant to be. Our Savior is the reason for the season — really the only reason. The gift-giving is a frill but a way of sharing our love as well . . . so that’s all well and good. My gift to each of you is a prayer at Mass. A prayer that when I see you next we can resume our friendships. I have two very close friends who I may not see again as their health is failing rapidly. I will see them later in a much better place. God bless you all.

Hours of work and professional reconstruction has gone into my new website. First a big thanks to Jeremy Hendrickson of Dedicated Web Services (Hibbing) for the needed upgrade.
To begin with you will see a recent photo of me while touring Ireland in early February with my daughter Erin, her son Jack, and boyfriend Josh McKenna – another Irishman and master chauffeur as we traveled across the country. It was a marvelous experience for all of us. (More on our travels in a later blog). Yes, the photo replaces one of a much younger man.that I thought was quite flattering. Now I’m considerably older, bearded, and slower moving.
The previous site proved cumbersome for those wanting to order books and to communicate with me. Jeremy has resolved those issues. I missed blogging with my followers and responding to their communications with me — which by the way is what I enjoy most about having a webpage. I really enjoy comments on the books I’ve written and find them helpful whether positive or critical.
This year, the COVID pandemic has canceled all of my sales events and I deliberated on whether to publish the story I wrote over the past year. Without publicity I decided to print a short-run of the new title: ‘THE FINAL CHAPTER’. If you are on this site you have a sketch of the new novel. I wanted it to be available to my readers, many of whom purchase them for Christmas. If you live in Hibbing there are two locations where the book is available. The Sunrise Deli still has all of my titles available — many at reduced prices. The second outlet is Sullivan Supply. Tommy Sullivan has always been a supporter of my work as has Mary Forti. Otherwise, if you can’t get to Hibbing, this site offers all of my work..
As many of you may know, I have spent a few winter months in Florida. I plan to sell my home here and brave the Minnesota winters once again. Hopefully, the pandemic will lessen and I can safely get back on the book-peddling scene. Most of my readers are Rangers and that’s where I’m most comfortable. I’ve been blessed with family down here and the best neighbors anyone could hope for so parting will be like aging — a little pain everywhere. Look forward to more of my prattle in the days to come. I pray for your good health, a Merry Christmas, and a healthy 2021.
God bless each of you and our great America.