“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.