tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92102959110430979342024-03-13T04:06:17.367-07:00David Milton McGowanWriting, reading, entertainment, history, family, driving.D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-4154927376488512352024-01-09T16:07:00.003-07:002024-01-09T16:07:34.855-07:00Introducing Audio Connections<h1 style="text-align: left;"> </h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81uSxL-mokzvk3tOwszUz7fPx4eQS5yBW5PZo7PbOwI9kzwdiUzU2IXgIMlbV9jVyFm_LDQIp4miJxPngIQoI_U2ow9pW5F9nU0ntujx-dHMaw9kiFtOjDhj0mJ7BLeWdb1nP9YwbFJ_9mjnm7ASMQp3xhHumkUwFpi-DsMkV2yG7HiIun7VbB_XCiAM/s2400/THE%20GREAT%20LIQUOR%20WAR%20DMM%204.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81uSxL-mokzvk3tOwszUz7fPx4eQS5yBW5PZo7PbOwI9kzwdiUzU2IXgIMlbV9jVyFm_LDQIp4miJxPngIQoI_U2ow9pW5F9nU0ntujx-dHMaw9kiFtOjDhj0mJ7BLeWdb1nP9YwbFJ_9mjnm7ASMQp3xhHumkUwFpi-DsMkV2yG7HiIun7VbB_XCiAM/s320/THE%20GREAT%20LIQUOR%20WAR%20DMM%204.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> It’s been
a couple of years now since I retired and I’ve been enjoying it. One of the
ways of achieving that has been to keep busy and much of that business has been
the recording of my stories.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why would
I do that?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
easiest answer would be that I write those stories so that people can be
entertained and the addition of audio books widens the scope of those who can
be entertained. Readers, yes, but now listeners.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But it
also goes back to the last 22 years of my so called “working life”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least 60% of that time was by myself and
with little to occupy me but the pictures floating around in my imagination.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sure,
those pictures sometimes turned into the start or perhaps a scene in one of my
stories. Sometimes there was satellite radio or recorded music. But it would
have been far easier and time would pass faster by hearing a story from someone
else.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That did
happen. On at least a half dozen times I trained new drivers and the hours
listening to their stories flew by.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Now, with
the various platforms available, my stories and my voice can be telling those
stories while you’re driving, painting, cutting the grass or vacuuming the
carpet. You can download them to your phone or perhaps to the sound system in
your vehicle. You can also download them to your computer and with a “memory
stick” or “USB drive” carry those stories around from vehicle to vehicle.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes, I
have some satisfying responses to the printed and digital stories I have out
there. But I also know there are those who don’t think they can take the time
to read a book, even those who need to do so. With and audio book, you can have
the entertainment, make those “robotic” times more satisfying and the days more
rewarding.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The Great
Liquor War”, my first published novel and now my first published audio book is
available at audio.com. It, and most others that I’ve looked at have samples on
the “buy” page so you have an idea to what you could be listening. In the case
of GLW it is chapter 19 where the NWMP and BC Police with some volunteers
attempt to stop a train/payroll robbery.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Click on the link and it'll take you right to that sample.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">https://www.audible.ca/pd/The-Great-Liquor-War-Audiobook/B0CK3W5HJD?eac_link=ur1bBnmZI3Yz&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B0CK3W5HJD&qid=VS0rHUkjoh&eac_id=138-2064358-3015852_VS0rHUkjoh&sr=1-1 </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most of my
readers will know that there is a sequel to “The Great Liquor War” entitled “Homesteader:
Finding Sharon” which is what I am recording now. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the
early fifties I remember my great grandmother McGowan leading me over to a big
floor radio and a fifteen minute or half hour story, often the serialization of
a novel. Some of those stories went into full production with sound effects and
a large cast of actors and others were simply narrations. So far, my stories
are narrations by the author --- which would be me.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’ve
noticed, as have others, that my reading/voicing one of my stories can supply a
whole new feeling.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eventually
I hope to have all my stories available in audio versions.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVxpIh9JM6avXHxtOLpdqPdeTjiiOQZYt5T_7aoDU9d77eoRLDPwhOykEu2NrCq8-ccXItpOyjPISW7ez85yN07RPC7V7FOtUYms6NxnXxC8p6yHqJUySo_zpKv5l6pheIZ5SzAm-cslbQFYLFUCZ-w67FVeRCd0mwUNoWW4y4dxq-l_AofCaAlrMnq8/s2048/Global%20network%20prmo%20banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="2048" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVxpIh9JM6avXHxtOLpdqPdeTjiiOQZYt5T_7aoDU9d77eoRLDPwhOykEu2NrCq8-ccXItpOyjPISW7ez85yN07RPC7V7FOtUYms6NxnXxC8p6yHqJUySo_zpKv5l6pheIZ5SzAm-cslbQFYLFUCZ-w67FVeRCd0mwUNoWW4y4dxq-l_AofCaAlrMnq8/s320/Global%20network%20prmo%20banner.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's an author page right here and another at Amazon.ca/author/dmmcgowan </div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-2277925182782288232023-11-02T11:18:00.001-07:002023-11-02T11:18:19.960-07:00Remembrance Day 2023<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7thaClk5I1yJGaSMzFkWFkO9CW0CzQ_CzchVMFm9KgGUiU9JOWvgQP7xATKKd7mx-KkLDh489GSsI0UNQUy3K8z_KQKG2Ba46pb4j9J7Wc3pKAp1VNcz5vnHO8_cVaJSjfHkG2IFwma8wmb731GtspYX3j-6ppJHDCdZl6_0aXleiHFLFLTrn0clnSI/s800/Submarine%20Spitfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7thaClk5I1yJGaSMzFkWFkO9CW0CzQ_CzchVMFm9KgGUiU9JOWvgQP7xATKKd7mx-KkLDh489GSsI0UNQUy3K8z_KQKG2Ba46pb4j9J7Wc3pKAp1VNcz5vnHO8_cVaJSjfHkG2IFwma8wmb731GtspYX3j-6ppJHDCdZl6_0aXleiHFLFLTrn0clnSI/s320/Submarine%20Spitfire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Remembrance Day is back around again
and, as with most times each year, it isn’t hard to understand the admonition
that “If we don’t make a point of remembering this foolishness, we’ll do it
again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Because we’re well on the way to doing
it again. Israel, Gaza and Ukrainian certainly but attacks on humans because of
religion, skin color, political persuasion or some other excuse to cover the
fact that the attacker can’t think for himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Enough of that for now; enjoy the
story.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bye the way, this story and poem are
about to be re-released in “People of the West: A short story timeline,” on
Amazon, probably by end of November.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Deacon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US">By
D.M. McGowan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Before men started shooting at him with 7.92 mm bullets from their
Bf 109s Harry Burnside had been a singer. He stood in front of fifteen, twenty
and sometimes thirty-man orchestras and sang the Dorsey, Kenton, or Ellington
songs or whatever else the crowd in front and the band behind wanted to hear.
He had worked his magic in Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and his
home town, Windsor, Ontario. Harry thought it was only right to use his natural
talent, his voice, to make at least part of his living. It had also been a
great way to start a young life and learn the music and entertainment business
from professionals. It was only incidental that it was the perfect place for a
teenager to learn from the masters how to party.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Sometimes horrendous events are necessary to save a young man from
himself. In Harry’s case it was the war in Europe that brought a young man’s
party life to a close, at least temporarily. Of course, it also accelerated the
danger in that life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Not that Harry rushed to a recruiting station in the autumn of 1939.
Some of his young friends and even the older men he worked with certainly did.
It was one of the older musicians who convinced him signing up for service was
the thing to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Folks ‘r sayin’ this here war is gonna be over in no time,” Marvin,
a trumpet player said. “They is sorely mistaken. I bin readin’ up on these here
Germans an’ they got ‘em an army. British ain’t got nothin’ an’ they’s gonna
get whacked.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Are you suggesting we Canadian boys should go over there and get
whacked, as you say, right along with them?” Harry asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“First off, I ain’t a Canuk, I’m a southern boy,” Marvin said.
“Second, when things get tough, they’ll be comin’ for us anyway. Might as well
sign up for somethin’ you want t’ do instead o’ somethin’ the government thinks
you’d be good at.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“You’re country isn’t in it,” Harry pointed out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Not yet,” Marvin responded. “Now, you’ve been workin’ here an’
there along with singin’. I don’t got no income but my trumpet. A man signs up
he’ll get three squares a day an’ a cot.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Harry took a drink of his whiskey and water and cast his gaze around
the musicians gathered in the late night or, to those who were not musicians,
early morning booze hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“You know, Marv, I’ve always wanted to learn to fly a plane,” Harry
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Marvin clapped him on the shoulder. “Now you’re talkin’, boy. Royal
Canadian Air Force. What say we go sign up first thing in the mornin’?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Harry looked at his watch. “Might I suggest early this afternoon? I
might be awake by then.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Somewhere between Windsor, Ontario and Ashford, Kent, Harry lost
touch with Marvin, but not with other men from the southern United States.
Almost half the men stationed on the airfield were Americans who had traveled
north to Canada and signed on with the RCAF. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Though they wore Canadian uniforms and insignia they were
technically in Royal Air Force squadrons. The squadron commander was a British
major, and Harry’s wing commander a Canadian Lieutenant or “Leftenant” as the
British officers insisted. The other two Canadian pilots presently assigned to
their understaffed wing were actually from Arkansas. In the two-man barracks
enjoyed by RAF pilots one of those southerners, Otis Tyler was Harry’s bunk
mate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Ah hear we all getting’ new radios next month,” Otis said as the
two pilots walked down the hall one early morning in late August.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Harry shrugged with one shoulder as he held the door open with the
other hand and let Otis out into the humid dawn. “Be fine if they’re better
than the T9. But if they aren’t, well, I’m starting to get used to being up
there all by myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Mighty handy fur tellin’ somebody where you’s ‘bout t’ crash,” Otis
noted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“As long as they work and you’re no more than a mile away” Harry
countered. “The T9 is good for about that far. You’re probably better off
depending on a farmer seeing you go down.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Otis chuckled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">As they approached the mess hall their wing leader, Lieutenant Mapes
reached the door and opened it for them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Good news chaps,” the officer said as the two non-coms passed
through the door, he held open for them. “Just spoke with the CO. We stand down
today.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Excellent!” Harry said. “Now I can have some real breakfast and
more than one cup of coffee.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yuh all worry too much ‘bout that coffee thing,” Otis said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Quite good policy,” the Lieutenant said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Nothin’ to it,” Otis responded. “Yuh all just take an empty cola
bottle up with yuh.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“I say, old boy, a bit hard to pee in a bottle when one is trying to
avoid the 109 that is glued to your tail. Not to mention that bottle flying
around loose in the cockpit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yuh all make sure yuh strap it in so it don’ fly ‘round,” Otis
said. “As fur takin’ a leak when Gerry’s on muh tail an fillin’ my magic carpet
full o’ holes, why ‘bout then I don’ have no trouble passin’ water.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Lieutenant Mapes laughed. Harry grinned and shook his head in
resignation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Since we aren’t going up to be shot at, perhaps we could talk about
something else?” Harry suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Our Calm Colonial boy is right once again,” Mapes said. “We have a
day to repair gear.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“And talk about new radios,” Harry suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“There isn’t anything to talk about,” Mapes said. “I’ve heard the
same rumors as you men. However, I haven’t heard anything from the Old Man and
I haven’t seen any radios. Other than the 9 in my Spit that quit working
entirely the last time I was up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Later that day, Otis asked Harry to join him and some other airmen
to study and review the local ladies and pubs. However, Harry had grown out of
the need to wake up with a pounding hangover. He had already had years of
partying. Besides, bringing in bullet scarred Spitfires had made the drinking
bouts seem very unimportant. His mates, often a year younger or more, still
asked him even though he seldom went with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">An hour after the other pilots had gone into town Harry walked off
the base and caught a ride into Ashford. He walked the streets for awhile
admiring the buildings and the history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Occasionally a Junkers 88 would fly across the English Channel very
close to the water, start a steep climb to miss the Cliffs of Dover and release
a bomb mounted to its belly at the end of that climb. The speed of the bomber
combined with the force of the climb would cast that bomb for a very long way
and it would land wherever the laws of physics, geology, and aerodynamics might
decide and no man could say. On that beautiful day in late August, 1940 a
building Harry had admired moments before and at that moment was no more than a
block and a half away, disappeared in a cloud of dust, smoke and noise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Harry Burnside had been flying over Britain for three months. He had
been as far as France on a half dozen occasions. He had no idea how many dog-fights
he had been in but had shot down three Me 109s and crash landed twice. He had
landed successfully in Spitfires that probably should have quit flying several
minutes before. He had been scared out of his mind on those occasions but had
worked his way through it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">That day, on the streets of Ashford, after the completely random
bombing of a very historic building, Harry Burnside could not control the choking
fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Looking around he saw the sign for a pub, the Anvil and Hammer. He
stepped through the door and saw ale glasses stacked on the bar. He turned the
pint glass over and said to the barman, “Whiskey.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">The barman could see by the look on Harry’s face that discussion
might be dangerous. He poured a shot into the ale glass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">“Fill it,” Harry ordered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">The inn keeper complied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US">Harry downed the whiskey and noticed only in passing that it was
smooth, a single malt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He put the glass back down on the
bar and said, “Again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Once it was full, he downed the
second glass.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He remembered opening the door to
his barrack, but very little after that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Much later Otis Tyler returned to
find his bunk mate, the man who usually refused to go drinking with his mates,
passed out on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Burnside,” he said, as he picked
Harry up and placed him on the bunk, “yuh all just like them travelin’
preachers back t’ home; preachin’ hell fire an’ brimstone then next thing yuh
got some farmer’s daughter out behind the tent.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that is how Sergeant Pilot
Harold Burnside became known as “Deacon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Native Sons in World War One</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">By D.M. McGowan and K.L.
McGowan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">© 2019<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Seventeen native boys left
the Upper Peace</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The only land they’d
known, all in their teens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They’d all grown up wild
out among the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Knew where to find pelts,
beaver ponds or streams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They hunted for their
supper, trap or single shot<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And only their mothers
gave safety a fleeting thought<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">After two hundred years of
Scott and Fleur de Lis <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They knew some other talk,
sometimes two or three,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">English, French and German
were spoken in the land,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And whatever tongue was
spoken by their particular band<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Some of them could read
and write more than just their name<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But the army didn’t care,
green privates all the same<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">An amazing great adventure
for young trapper men<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">From freedom of the wild
to a Canadian Army pen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Across the land in trains,
something never seen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mistreated by a Sergeant,
but still bright and keen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dropped off in camps and
marched around a square<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Dig some dirt from here
and put it over there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On the trains again east
to Canada’s Maritimes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">March down to the docks in
perfect double lines<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then up a gangplank to a
big steel canoe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then told to put their kit
where you couldn’t fit a shoe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">A dozen ships in convoy
from the Bedford shore<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But count on German U
boats sinking two or more.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">More camp time in England,
weeks without the sun</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then finally sent to
France to show them how it’s done<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Trenches that collapse
from rains that never end<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bodies on the wire or
sprawled out in no man’s land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">All caked in mud, “Are
they ours? Are they theirs?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Days and weeks of boredom,
then terror and despair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Vimy Ridge, the Somme or
maybe Regina Trench<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Maybe English on the left
other times the French<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">High Wood or Kitchener’s,
Avion as well<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With the Aussies at
Gallipoli, some lived to tell<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Passchendaele, Arras,
knowing each the end<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">If not for the war, surely
for the men<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Métis, Cree and Dane a
total of Seventeen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On a great adventure,
young, naive and keen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But the Great War wasn’t a
great place to learn<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">For seventeen go but only
two returned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5j_NcYh7EcASGHd8NyllRT-3Os4FR4dyaIptpkOKG0RFSPZnhn9fWjgF5-SupL_yNFl2K7BEPWGQ_UU7t1qsUfxUL-BJ-PIsvYxFkWYwckFPzNNEZ3uHYUu17eethAZFtrP_Qmge8HogfmFWxII6oIhM8l1pnek2Z7WcrlV_SUKuGBg1DW2_neWQ1dI/s1280/Great%20Lakes%20biplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP5j_NcYh7EcASGHd8NyllRT-3Os4FR4dyaIptpkOKG0RFSPZnhn9fWjgF5-SupL_yNFl2K7BEPWGQ_UU7t1qsUfxUL-BJ-PIsvYxFkWYwckFPzNNEZ3uHYUu17eethAZFtrP_Qmge8HogfmFWxII6oIhM8l1pnek2Z7WcrlV_SUKuGBg1DW2_neWQ1dI/s320/Great%20Lakes%20biplane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><br /></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-88803235885576556412023-08-29T10:52:00.001-07:002023-08-29T10:52:49.035-07:00Biased News? No News? You can still see!<p> Even with slanted reporting or forces trying to hide what's happing one can still see and hear. </p><p>Some of it's even acceptable. Much of it isn't. A great deal is, admittedly, depressing. But concentrate on the uplifting stories and try not to spread the crap.</p><p>Hopefully the following supply a grin or a chuckle.</p><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">The Legacy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">By D.M. McGowan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span>With Trudeau our
shepherd we shall forever want</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">His spending and taxes
lead us to debt and despair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He forces our
offspring to lie down in barren pastures<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He leadeth us to
business in polluted waters<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Tthere is no rod and
staff for evil doers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a welcome into larcenous brotherhood<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Lies and fraud are
placed on high<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">For moral actions no
just reward<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But the laws of nature
will again prevail<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">For a broken ship can
no longer sail<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Pray a return to
reason sure and sound<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Before the entire crew
sink and drown <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">So
Very Helpful<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">By D.M. McGowan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They’re all looking
after us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I heard the other day<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">A new program
introduced <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">For which we’ll have
to pay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">No fee was actually
mentioned<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Perhaps they didn’t
know<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But those of us who’ve
been there<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Know exactly how that
goes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Those of us producing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Always have to pay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Those that only cost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Bills appear they run
away<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">It’s not the ones need
a lift<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I complain about, oh no,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">It’s those that claim
to manage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And do it so very slow<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They’re all so very helpful<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">With things we don’t
need<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But things that need
some care<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They just let ‘em
bleed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Or eliminate entirely<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Things that let us
know<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Their objective isn’t
helping<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But maintaining full
control<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-6881935680361576232023-04-08T15:27:00.001-07:002023-04-08T15:27:26.540-07:00Are we finally liking logic?<h1 style="text-align: left;"> Are things finally looking up?</h1><h3 style="text-align: left;">Or is it all just a flash in the pan?</h3><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">This is an opinion
piece. If you like it, that’s great. If you don’t that’s good, too. Leave a
comment regardless of your stance. You are entitled to your opinion.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_jhE3TYtWZCW4YGm6pLkTuB9a3nasDT4mICdU3-QnmVCr61U8-SRzfPUt6BDxoAl1ZJcypZ1g-622Nx3hdD_3360GkgMpR3JE9x5mZVV4orijSHtCnLZjnypWQ8TIAMenHZxlCIxXnF8lyGMMqy75T2Y5AEECrhSw5ULDWsYLxrI4ml_rBx2XI05/s900/TravisTritt%20pose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="900" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_jhE3TYtWZCW4YGm6pLkTuB9a3nasDT4mICdU3-QnmVCr61U8-SRzfPUt6BDxoAl1ZJcypZ1g-622Nx3hdD_3360GkgMpR3JE9x5mZVV4orijSHtCnLZjnypWQ8TIAMenHZxlCIxXnF8lyGMMqy75T2Y5AEECrhSw5ULDWsYLxrI4ml_rBx2XI05/s320/TravisTritt%20pose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Travis Tritt 2022</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFQKCNaWA5sKXAqx-_rnbxtCgCflyrLKyIP9RzfsWOPgtXeL8ul8iTqVwNkRL5gRs0f867PZJxx3r2LFvtwqgjmQCbKv4M7xVu-YWq3f-4wq8AR5UlMHgCCd_Ey5MpLZQ967NLFXCQT6tskz7nkdP3H_ggljNsee6Qsc6LMBwL1EkSQUIsM4J1L_N/s1200/kid-rock-pose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFQKCNaWA5sKXAqx-_rnbxtCgCflyrLKyIP9RzfsWOPgtXeL8ul8iTqVwNkRL5gRs0f867PZJxx3r2LFvtwqgjmQCbKv4M7xVu-YWq3f-4wq8AR5UlMHgCCd_Ey5MpLZQ967NLFXCQT6tskz7nkdP3H_ggljNsee6Qsc6LMBwL1EkSQUIsM4J1L_N/s320/kid-rock-pose.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kid Rock 2022</div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">I was beginning to think we might
not see a demonstration of intelligence ever again. But finally, someone has
made a stand for logic. Hopefully that action, though it might cost them a
small amount will grow and expand so that we can all get back onto a productive,
sustainable track to success for the majority.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">I’ve been getting very tired of
courts creating legislation. Laws that govern the interaction of the diverse
members of society should, to my mind, be created for the people by the people.
That is, a majority of the population choose <b><u>representatives </u></b>(definitely
NOT “leaders”) to create laws which ensure development, (growth or progress)
and safety for a majority of the population in a way and for a result or goal
that the majority envision and desire.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Not legislation from a body who’s
whole reason for being is administration of legislation created by legislators
representing the majority.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">If a governing body did not receive
a majority of votes cast by the populace they DO NOT have the support to create
any new legislation that is not supportive of laws/legislation that already
exists. Any attempt to create such legislation is counter to the countries creation or constitution and
thus a treasonous act.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">If a governing body amalgamates
with other elected officials who had not been completely supportive of their
expressed/advertised policies in the lead up to and during the election in
order to achieve a governing majority they DO NOT have the support to create
NEW LEGISLATION but can only manage through existing legislation. Anything else
should be considered destructive to the constitution and thus treasonous.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">There are very few governments
in the world today – barring of course the disgusting, inhumane dictatorships
that claim all manner of benign governing methods such as Russia, China and
North Korea – who have the backing of a definable majority of the population.
Therefor there should be very few new “laws” enacted in those countries.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Having made statements that I
hope shine a light on the disgusting actions of many so called “enlightened”
governments I’ll now turn that light on the general populace. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">There seems to be a strong
belief that the primary focus of “western” governments or democracies is
freedom. I don’t know if this is because
of the often quoted, “It’s a free country” or because no one was paying
attention in school during social study classes. The freedom was never intended
to be complete or without restrictions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Individual ”freedoms”
of democracies are only meant to
extend to the point where the actions of the individuals do not interfere with
the safety or lifestyle of the majority. This includes religion, managerial
methods and life-style. Religion would include cults that have members “drinking
the Cool-Aid.” Managerial methods would include minority governments
amalgamated with some peripheral body. Lifestyle would include so called “trans
gender” persons competing in sporting events against those who have always
belonged to their “newly acquired” gender.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">There have been court decisions
stating that those who have not reached <br />
the “age of majority” and thus are without the right to vote, consume alcohol
or even be licenced to drive on public roads, can never the less legally make a
decision about their own gender. The primary reason they are not given those
rights is because the majority don’t think they have the knowledge or
experience to make such decisions without guidance. Perhaps the court decision
that they can make a decision about their own gender was the result of some
legal student’s reading of poorly worded legislation. Perhaps it was in
response to a case that should not have been presented to a court of law. There
is absolutely no question that it is one of the top five stupid judicial
decisions ever handed down.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Another one of those top five
dumb decisions is related and pertains to the sports world. Apparently someone
who has competed as a male in a very physically demanding sport can undergo
gender transition therapy and/or surgery and then compete with women in the
same sport.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Legally that is; certainly not
morally.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">And if that is true the legal
system needs to make serious efforts to incorporate morality. Without it, they
aren’t doing that for which they are required.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">And if you were six or seven in
that aforementioned sport you can very well become number one in the new
endeavor because the competition is no longer a competition. Perhaps you even
leave the “competition” far behind because many in the sport, those who have
spent years working toward the top, may just QUIT IN DISGUST.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">If the playing field isn’t
level, why even have the sport?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">It is time we all made our voice
heard. It is time to stop this destruction of our society. Make a statement
before today’s society goes the way of all those societies that succumbed to an
absence of morality and increased indifference<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">In the instance where a few have
now spoken out it was a transgender influencer, Dylan Mulvaney and Anheuser-Busch
who started the back-lash. Anheuser hired Mulvaney to be a spokesperson for their
“March Madness” promotion and put her (?) picture on Bud Light cans.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">First it was Kid Rock who spoke
out then it was Travis Tritt who said, “enough is enough.” Since Anheuser-Busch
is a sponsor for many concerts and jamborees it will undoubtedly cost those
entertainers who have taken this stand (There are more than just two).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">You can find this story at Country
Rebel .com/ Bud Light Boycott Explained <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;"> But how much should it cost to save society?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">How much is logic worth?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Is there a way to reward hard
work, intelligence and talent, perhaps by issuing top marks or rewards?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Is there a way to reward a good
effort by demonstrating that more effort might result in a higher mark?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">Is there a way to demonstrate
that <b><u>no effort</u></b> will result in
<b><u>no reward</u>?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And why would any company support a kids show featuring drag queens, a
trans-gender person regardless of their past accomplishments, an unrepentant thief
and liar (including politicians), or anyone
who incites violence. It might – might –
garner attention for your “brand” in the short term but history shows that it’s
all destructive to society and in the long term, destructive for you</span></div></span></blockquote><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /> </span></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-47169398677422933852023-03-31T10:18:00.004-07:002023-03-31T10:18:44.566-07:00Self Important Idiots Do Vex Me<p></p><h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt;"><span style="color: #c4663b; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.5pt;">Responding to rudeness<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">and unwarranted
condemnation<br />
Here is an excerpt from "The Making of Jake McTavish", Chapter 6. At
this point in the story Jake has had a successful winter, despite it having
been one of the worst in decades. He is proud of that success and the prospects
for the future. However, the man he has been working for has made a serious
error at a poker game ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK_vuPiwJBnafaN-Ol6hTnT3Z7490tJqur1lmn2x1WwrhokoeaFUJX4h1bgmZr50A0LFxqHMtKfwjdjxssgnCAi8OCC-JweWCGWIbIM3r1_twmZ9OlWJBC50mdQj1l6JjoINwcLhf1fd3JkWaY_Rr3l-5PTOpjR78ZXO5PFweo3EtPvDDzPHsuY8g/s600/Rocky%20Mountain%20Ranger%20Jack%20Clarck%20w%201873%20Win..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="363" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjK_vuPiwJBnafaN-Ol6hTnT3Z7490tJqur1lmn2x1WwrhokoeaFUJX4h1bgmZr50A0LFxqHMtKfwjdjxssgnCAi8OCC-JweWCGWIbIM3r1_twmZ9OlWJBC50mdQj1l6JjoINwcLhf1fd3JkWaY_Rr3l-5PTOpjR78ZXO5PFweo3EtPvDDzPHsuY8g/s320/Rocky%20Mountain%20Ranger%20Jack%20Clarck%20w%201873%20Win..jpg" width="194" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">One of Canada's Rocky Mountain Rangers, John Clarke</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">with 1776 Winchester<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Picture from mid 1800s<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWqEpJeXYtDXwPnumpPAgCTKv0glc8ia-L2SLplaoChNRbtpGlY7mUNlM2iOuHDUhnC44_krdbEuQ4XZfbkFrWAV6iNmGqtA9NWVE1i-L4E5DerVQE5TYXY8QeVvKvscFiItnjnRH_pPy1-eklL7PyE5iDr9nPyyIgLycJx6MQhDDddqZUNkiXHbR/s640/Calgary%20cowboys%201883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="640" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWqEpJeXYtDXwPnumpPAgCTKv0glc8ia-L2SLplaoChNRbtpGlY7mUNlM2iOuHDUhnC44_krdbEuQ4XZfbkFrWAV6iNmGqtA9NWVE1i-L4E5DerVQE5TYXY8QeVvKvscFiItnjnRH_pPy1-eklL7PyE5iDr9nPyyIgLycJx6MQhDDddqZUNkiXHbR/s320/Calgary%20cowboys%201883.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Calgary cowboys in 1883<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Three years before the "winter of blizzards"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif";">An excerpt from</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">The Making of Jake McTavish<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Chapter 6<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><st1:place style="color: #474b4e; font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif";" u2:st="on">Southern Manitoba</st1:place><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif";">,
1887</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif";"> It was </span><st1:date day="16" month="5" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif";" u2:st="on" year="1887">May
16, 1887</st1:date><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif";"> when Egan and four other men rode up to the cabin.
Jake had just finished having lunch and was on his way out, intending to ride
around the cattle.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Jake was feeling cocky and proud of
himself. Of the hundred and fifty cows he first started out with he still had
one hundred and four. They had also increased their numbers with sixty-three
calves, which was not a great rate of reproduction, but considering that the
cows were all malnourished and many had wounds, it was a good number. Besides,
other people Jake had talked with had lost far more. Some had lost most of
their herds.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">When the five men rode up Egan opened
his mouth as if he was about to say something but the man riding beside him,
the only one with a full beard, spoke first. “You get out of here saddle tramp,
and be damn careful what you take with you. Everything here is mine.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Jake hung his jacket on the saddle
horn, turned slowly, jacked a round into his rifle and fired a round under the man’s
horse. A dirt geyser peppered the horse’s belly slightly. The mount liked
neither the blast nor the geyser, reared slightly and then bucked. By the time
it hit the ground Jake had chambered another round and fired again. When Jake
fired the third round the horse took off bucking across the prairie. The other
four horses were backing, humping, and dancing. Jake’s mount, used to him
shooting wolves, coyotes and wounded cattle turned his head to watch the antics
of his equine brethren with some interest.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“Damn it, Jake,” Egan complained.
“Settle down. I lost everything to him in a poker game. It’s his.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Jake looked over to see if the other
three riders were close enough to hear, then asked, “Everything? What about the
pay you promised me? If I’m lookin’ fer a place t’ live, I’d say I’m in a bit
of a pickle.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“Now just settle down and keep quiet.
I’ve a plan for that, but don’t interrupt. I expect it’ll take me a few
minutes, now that you’ve upset Carter.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">They sat in silence for a few moments
as the other men brought their mounts under control.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“As far as that goes, you could have
had no place to live over the winter,” Egan pointed out.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“Now that’s true,” Jake admitted. “But
I did a damn fine job on these cows an’ figure I deserve some recognition.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“Well, you won’t get any from Hal
Carter. As for me, I certainly appreciate it as I’ve already said. Not that
your efforts will help me much now.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“My own fault. I know better than to
gamble. I’m a good card player, but when I take chances, I lose. If I had
followed my own rules I’d still own this herd.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">The other four riders returned with
jumpy, snorting, head-shaking mounts. Jake still held a loaded rifle in his
hands so they came up in such a way as to keep Egan between them and the wild
man with the weapon.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“Now, Hal, you just take it easy for a
minute,” Egan said. “Jake here has managed to make it through the winter with
about three quarters of the animals he started out with and that’s a lot better
than many have done.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“Cattle ‘r damn thin,” Carter observed.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“They’re alive,” Jake said.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“That’s enough,” Egan said, glancing at
Jake. “He’s right, though, they’re alive. I’ll get back to that in a minute.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">“As for you owning everything, Hal, I
put up the cattle and horses I own out here. That includes anything wearing an
E C connected brand and most of the horses are wearing Bar 2. There are four
horses here aren’t wearing either brand. Jake’ll be taking them when he leaves.
And there are several other things around here that aren’t wearing those two
brands I mentioned, like the food in the cabin.”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Egan paused, turned his gaze and
unreadable expression from Hal to Jake, and then looked back at Hal. “What do
you say you and your men take a look at the cattle and I’ll help Jake pack up?”<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">Hal chewed on the ends of his moustache
for a moment and then nodded. He let his eyes flicker to the Winchester Jake
still held under his arm, nodded again and said, “Reckon that sounds like a
good idea.” He turned his mount away and the three other men followed.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";">So in the spring of 1887 Jake became a
wealthy saddle tramp. He only had fourteen Canadian dollars, two U.S. dollars
and eighty six cents, but he was rich in other goods. He had four horses, a
fine, double rigged saddle, a short barrelled Colt pistol, a Colt Navy .36 and
a Winchester rifle. He also had a serviceable pack saddle, bed roll, enough
food to last a month and the pack covered with two tarps.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/D.-M.-McGowan/e/B004V9WZVI"><b><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.amazon.com/D.-M.-McGowan/e/B004V9WZVI</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-71902571042799554982023-01-13T15:06:00.000-07:002023-01-13T15:06:10.062-07:00A Review of "The Great Liquor War"<h1 style="text-align: left;"> 4 out of 4 stars</h1><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?p=1017399#p1017399">Official
Review: The Great Liquor War by D.M. McGowan</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/app.php/post/1017399/report" title="Report this post">Report</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWT6--XJBkpSDvDMreIU8bTHxjsQFlBiq-zBzWN0wPCngtYjX6VAZme2dFKnXFEFk9KZXQl9PF_5TMw0hOSh_C442s8YplKFSWIjBHnGtWU6xc_UeBnJRHg9CO8elISTmSybSA1pEOKWinXSbgT3jKh2om4zE1V3PUJ2V_yr1pIAIsWMgqrzlqHmP/s140/The%20Great%20Liquor%20War.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="140" data-original-width="140" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWT6--XJBkpSDvDMreIU8bTHxjsQFlBiq-zBzWN0wPCngtYjX6VAZme2dFKnXFEFk9KZXQl9PF_5TMw0hOSh_C442s8YplKFSWIjBHnGtWU6xc_UeBnJRHg9CO8elISTmSybSA1pEOKWinXSbgT3jKh2om4zE1V3PUJ2V_yr1pIAIsWMgqrzlqHmP/w320-h320/The%20Great%20Liquor%20War.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?p=1017399#p1017399" title="Post">Post</a> by <a href="https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=202027">Kelebogile
Mbangi</a> » 22 Sep 2018, 13:38<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of
"The Great Liquor War" by D.M. McGowan.]</p><p class="MsoNormal">
The Great Liquor War is a historical fiction book by D.M. McGowan. It is
set in the 1880s in the British Colony of British Columbia.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">(Author note:
In 1874 BC became a province of the 6 year old country of Canada)</span><br />
<br />
Hank James is a young man who has set out into the world to find his fortune.
He settles in Rossland where he stakes a claim and makes a living from panning
gold. Soon, he realises that he will probably never become rich on that piece
of land. Jack Kirkup, a British Columbia Police constable, advises him to start
a freight business in Farwell where construction of the transcontinental
railway is currently underway. Kirkup's advice turns out to be gold, and Hank
is able to build a successful freight business. The railroad construction is
policed by the North West Mounted Police. Thus, Farwell is burdened with the
presence of two different police forces. Inevitably, these two forces clash.
Because he feels that he owes Kirkup, Hank is pulled into the conflict, known
as the "Liquor War". With the police forces distracted, criminals in
the area jump at the opportunity to intensify their activities.<br />
<br />
The Great Liquor War is action-packed and entertaining. It is told from
Hank's viewpoint. Hank is quite likeable. He is easygoing and has an amusing
dry humour which is edged with sarcasm, making his narrative hilarious!<br />
<br />
There was not a single dull moment in this book. This is largely due to its
colourful characters, from tough, no-nonsense police officers to pompous
judges. Despite this, the book is plot-driven. Thus, there are no tedious
backstories that drag out and delay the storyline. Because of the engaging
plot, I found that my enthusiasm for the book remained high all the way to the
end and did not wane.<br />
<br />
I mentioned earlier that the book is narrated by the main character, Hank
James. His narrative added to the 1880s feel and setting because he speaks in
the style of the time. Most of the time, I found it easy to understand him, but
there were a few times when his slang went over my head. Fortunately, I could
fill in the gaps by reading the author's note at the end of the book. Here, the
author explains which parts of his book are based on true events.<br />
<br />
All in all, I greatly enjoyed reading this book. It isn't lengthy, and has a
comfortable, slightly fast pace that kept things moving along nicely. I rate
it 4 out of 4 stars. It deserves nothing less. If you enjoy stories about
cowboys, or legends in the west, then I think you will enjoy this book.<br />
<br />
******<br />
The Great Liquor War<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Click on the author picture to the right to <br />
View: <a href="https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/amazon.php?asin=B015YUHFTY" title="Link to Item on Amazon">on Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-26978202678255805182022-12-27T14:22:00.003-07:002022-12-27T14:22:56.512-07:00Another FIVE star review<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Review of Jake McTavish from TUTORLUCHI<span style="background: #F1C232; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br />
</span>Rating:<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span>-(5/5)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The Making of
Jake McTavish</span></i><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">, by D. M.
McGowan, is one 1800s canard set in the west. It encompasses unique
storytelling with a chronological tale. This western tale features
well-developed characters that are wholesome make-believe. The book is set in
such a manner that it is easy for readers to actualize the atmosphere. Without
giving too much away, the book follows a young man, Jake, up to his marriage
till his wife’s rape case and murder. Jake’s response to the varied challenges
makes up a very intriguing plot. </span><span style="font-family: "lato","serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">There's a solid diffusion
of ecstasy in this book. At first, I was a bit skeptical about the setting, but
alas, I enjoyed every bit of the book. The language was easy to connect with,
and comprehension was flawless. </span><span style="font-family: "lato","serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "lato","serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I would recommend
this book to historical mystery buffs. Ultimately, this is a 5-star novel and
deserves the broadest possible readership. </span><span style="font-family: "lato","serif"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86Im3S2kzD7wC-frwjIk6xeFNZ_emCM8_QoFBjO7mACXVcSpce2w8MISpXpJfmqwvBRBsfwwJxw0_L_GCXm7ZcYSF8X8ywy9K3axjrHe3wGig-RXhFKLtr6J_yfvWK5iIjyZEyxVyat1WE7JPth04qFf4IQY-eVG3DINJCDLOp7WLq5iBUh-K4AS-/s1194/Global%20-%20thumbnail_The-Making-Of-Jake-McTavish%20by%20Dave%20McGowan-5-Star-Group-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1194" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86Im3S2kzD7wC-frwjIk6xeFNZ_emCM8_QoFBjO7mACXVcSpce2w8MISpXpJfmqwvBRBsfwwJxw0_L_GCXm7ZcYSF8X8ywy9K3axjrHe3wGig-RXhFKLtr6J_yfvWK5iIjyZEyxVyat1WE7JPth04qFf4IQY-eVG3DINJCDLOp7WLq5iBUh-K4AS-/s320/Global%20-%20thumbnail_The-Making-Of-Jake-McTavish%20by%20Dave%20McGowan-5-Star-Group-2.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Found at amazon.com/author/dmmcgowan </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">or simply click on the author picture to the right</div><br /><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span><p></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-66353909252196293392022-12-11T12:05:00.001-07:002022-12-11T12:05:39.952-07:00Time We Made Some Changes - and not just in Canada<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmidEGrfkENPlJgrnc3UuizQmX-kNT-F7JSDllFoHJ1lEa5jJC1oW_wGgV7nW7CZ4eQIDJs2zU0Yq-YzIZxGF1Cr97SJoy12YT3r4KVhvc-geUFDBvaYc3UImk12_iKebdkUW7QkxUp-kRi0R-rut6TBbqftOpl8znUJpdL2lIJE_B96my8cxiKHi9/s564/Lt.%20General%20(Retired)Michel-Masionneauve.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="564" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmidEGrfkENPlJgrnc3UuizQmX-kNT-F7JSDllFoHJ1lEa5jJC1oW_wGgV7nW7CZ4eQIDJs2zU0Yq-YzIZxGF1Cr97SJoy12YT3r4KVhvc-geUFDBvaYc3UImk12_iKebdkUW7QkxUp-kRi0R-rut6TBbqftOpl8znUJpdL2lIJE_B96my8cxiKHi9/s320/Lt.%20General%20(Retired)Michel-Masionneauve.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">Lt. General Michel Maisonneuve (Retired)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="color: #191919; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Lt. General Michel Maisonneuve received the “Vimy Award” on Nov. 9, 2022
and much of the speech he delivered was published in the National Post. I agree
with much of it and present it here for your consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">One concept I
don’t support completely is his thoughts on Canadian ‘leaders’. I know of no
one in Canadian Federal or Provincial politics who is fit to be considered a “leader”.
Many, the majority in provincial office, qualify quite well as “representatives’
but none have presented or proven themselves as “leaders” of anything.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I very much hope
that Pierre Poilievre will have the chance to prove me wrong in that last
statement but he hasn’t had an opportunity to show Canada what he can manage.
So far he qualifies quite well as a “representative”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The General has
been heavily ostracized for many of his comments but the items he condemned
have already been proven destructive and those he supports in his speech have
proven productive.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It’s time we
made some changes!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">'Making
Canada better': Excerpt from ex-general's anti-woke speech that caused an
uproar<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Lt.-Gen. Michel Maisonneuve pulled no
punches in describing what he thinks needs to be done to make Canada great
again<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #191919; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The following is an excerpt from a speech
delivered by Lt.-Gen. Michel Maisonneuve (retired) at a Nov. 9 gala in Ottawa
as he accepted the Vimy Award, a top defence award. He received a standing
ovation from senior military officers in attendance.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: white; color: #191919; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The Vimy Award. How humbling;
what a tremendous honour. With this honour comes the opportunity to accept this
award with a speech that acknowledges the spirit of Vimy and shares with you my
vision for Canada today and for the future.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Canada — once we were great. We stopped the Americans in
1812, we gave the world Billy Bishop, Alexander Graham Bell and Lucy Maud
Montgomery. We isolated insulin, invented the zipper and the snowblower. In
World War One we mobilized 620,000 troops. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">(The population of Canada in 1901census
was</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif";">5,371,315)</span>We
were victorious at Vimy Ridge. In World War Two we were brave enough to land at
Dieppe, and we secured our beach on D-Day. The Devil’s Brigade remains the
template for special forces the world over. Our small country boasted the
world’s third largest navy at the end of that conflict.<span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="color: #191919; font-size: 14.0pt;">We
became internationally recognized peacekeepers and more than 80,000 of us
served on missions during the Cold War. We beat the Russians on their ice in
1972 and a young man named Terry Fox continues to inspire us all with his
unparalleled courage and determination. We gave the world the Canadarm in
space; we won a world series. When the world changed again on 9/11, Canada
stepped up — first to join the coalition of the willing and send in ships and
JTF 2. Serving with distinction in Afghanistan — we still mourn the loss of our
159 men and women. Canada was a great nation and though we are faltering today
I believe we can be great again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Since <u>this is my speech</u>,
I get to share what I believe Canada needs to do to take the world stage again;
to be thought of first when it comes to seeking alliances, to be seen as a
serious country once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<section class="article-content__content-group" style="box-sizing: inherit; grid-column: content-start / content-end;">
<p><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What will it take? Well, I believe it will
take leadership and service. These two crucial foundations of greatness for any
nation have somehow become secondary — lost in these days of entitlement, “me
first”, “not my problem” and endless subsidies and handouts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Let me start with leadership. Leadership applies in
all pursuits and at all levels. Great leaders are distinguished by the success
of those they lead and the entity they lead — be it a country, an army, a
corporation or a sports team. When that entity succeeds, we recognize its
leader … and when that entity fails, misses, or misses the playoffs, the leader
must — should — take responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">History has given us many great leaders. Ask yourself:
would those leaders have been as successful in today’s world? Well, let’s see; <b><u>today’s world, where social media
captures every move and word spoken — taken in context or not</u></b>. <b><u>Where cancel culture still flourishes
and there is no call for redaction or amendment even when accusations are
proved false. Truth is not a requirement; once cancelled, you are done.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p>
</section><section class="article-content__content-group" style="box-sizing: inherit; grid-column: content-start / content-end;">
<p><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Today’s world, where <b><u>balanced journalism is difficult to find</u></b>. The practice of
presenting the facts — a truthful illustration of an event, a personality or
issue that allowed the reader to form their own opinion — is no longer
compulsory in mainstream media. The line between “news” and op-eds has blurred
and too often we are subjected to sermons written not by seasoned journalists
but by first-year graduates of woke journalism schools. <b><u>Unbiased reporting seems to have died</u></b> with Christie
Blatchford and Matthew Fisher.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Today’s world, where extremism — once the almost
exclusive purview of religious zealots — seems to be flourishing in all aspects
of our lives, on the right … and on the left. Some of the most popular “causes”
and beliefs of today are embraced by all manner of extremists with no thought
of how to achieve this utopian ideal in a responsible or plausible manner. <b><u>For example, Canada’s prosperity is
being sacrificed at the altar of climate change as opposed to being used to
help the world transition to clean energy. Throwing soup and paint at the
world’s art treasures is as heinous as it is useless. The perpetrators should
be punished, not celebrated.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p>
</section><section class="article-content__content-group" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; text-align: start;">
<p><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Today’s world is also where taking personal
responsibility for our own actions has disappeared from the landscape while the
phenomenon of collective apologies flourishes in our country. Individuals and
groups fight over who gets to wear the coveted victim’s cloak. <b><u>But any role they may have played in
their own fate or in injuring others is dismissed as learned behaviour,
inherited flaws or generational oppression.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p>
</section>
<p><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So I am not here to debate whether those
great leaders of yesteryear would be as successful in today’s world. But nor
will I judge the decisions they made in their time against the standards of
today. Enough statues have been toppled; erasing our history is not the
solution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<section class="article-content__content-group" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; text-align: start;">
<p><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I believe that the most important leadership
skills have not changed and are even more so today than ever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Number one is communication — it is more critical than
ever in this world of sound bites and mic dropping. A good leader ensures his
followers know where they are going and how to get there. A great leader makes
them want to go there. A great leader can take a seemingly insurmountable
objective and make it possible to achieve in the hearts and minds of their
followers. Thankfully <b><u>these leaders
still do exist in today’s world and there is no better example than Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy</u></b>. In his nightly address he clearly,
continuously, and passionately articulates the mission to his fellow
Ukrainians. Dismissed early on as “an actor, a comedian, a dancer,” President
Zelenskyy has rallied the world to his just cause. He surrounded himself with
good people, made difficult decisions and by communicating, has captured our
hearts and souls with Ukraine’s plight. God speed Mr. President and Slava Ukraini.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</section><section class="article-content__content-group" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; text-align: start;">
<p><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Zelenskyy has rallied the
world to his just cause<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Secondly, cohesion, acceptance and tolerance. Today’s <b><u>leaders must stop dividing those they
lead</u></b>! Hasn’t history shown us that success as a leader demands
cohesion, unity and respect of all those they lead — not just those who agree
wholeheartedly with them? Can you imagine a military leader labelling half of
his command as deplorables, fringe radicals or less-thans and then expect them
to fight as one? Today’s leaders must find a way to unite; not divide.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Leaders lead. There is a difference between making a
good decision, based on research and consultation, and making a decision
because it is popular or it polls well. The best decisions are those made for
the good of the whole — not just good for friends of the leader. Today, special
interests have trumped the collective good. Making decisions for the collective
good requires <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Courage remains one of the most important qualities of
a leader. The courage of ideas, courage in the face of criticism, the courage
to guide and lead. The courage to create a vision for the good of all. The
courage to recognize a mistake and accept responsibility — personal — for that
mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Courage remains one of the most important
qualities<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The second key to bring Canada back to prominence is
service.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Just a short two months ago, <b><u>Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second, queen of Canada</u></b>,
died. <b><u>It would be impossible to find
a better example of service</u></b>. On her coronation she promised that she
would dedicate her life, whether long or short, to the service of all. Over the
next 70 years, in good times and in bad, she placed the care of her realm and
subjects above all else. She exemplified character and duty and <b><u>provided us all with an example of
dedication to service</u></b>. She kept her promise. May she rest in peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</section><section class="article-content__content-group" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; text-align: start;">
<p><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The idea, the concept of service seems to be
forgotten in our “me-first” culture. Service to others, to one’s country, to
humanity must be a noble aspiration. The obligation to give back in gratitude
for a life filled with blessings, peace and good fortune should not be
innovative. It seems that Canadians have lost the desire to serve and the need
to serve their country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The military — being in the service of one’s country —
used to be a most highly regarded profession. <b><u>Today, I see a military woefully underfunded, undermanned and
under-appreciated; a force where uniforms have become a means of personal
expression rather than a symbol of collective pride and unity: uniforms are no
longer uniform.</u></b> The idea of serving in our armed forces is getting
little traction. <b><u>Could it be because
the moral contract under which our military serve is broken?</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</section><section class="article-content__content-group" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; text-align: start;">
<p><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Today, I see a military
woefully underfunded and under-appreciated<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Members of the Armed Forces fulfill their side of the
moral contract that exists between them and Canadian society — they serve and
are ready to serve in dangerous missions at home or abroad to protect our
country and project Canadian values.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But Canada should also be holding up <b><u>its end of the contract: providing them
with the state-of-the-art tools they need, the best leadership, equipment,
education and training to be safe and successful, and looking after them when
they become veterans.</u></b> In my opinion, we are failing. Because for
Canadians generally, the Armed Forces are not important until there is a
crisis, and successive governments’ support of the forces reflect that mindset.
<b><u>Our troops</u></b> who have dedicated
their lives to serve this country <b><u>deserve
better</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</section><section class="article-content__content-group" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; text-align: start;">
<p><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We are in Veterans’ Week, commemorating those
who exemplified the concept of service by putting their life on the line for
us, and honouring those who gave up their tomorrows for our todays. Let’s use
them as our example to serve. If more inspiration is required one need not look
far: let’s remember the words of two of the finest leaders of our time:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Margaret Thatcher believed “There’s no such thing as
entitlement unless someone has first met an obligation.” And of course, JFK most
famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do
for your country.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In the name of service, I challenge us<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Soon the festive season will arrive; a season of
generosity and benevolence. In the name of service, I challenge us. Offer to
volunteer, no matter where: an animal shelter, home for the homeless, seniors
or veterans. The most important gift we can give is our time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</section><section class="article-content__content-group" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; text-align: start;">
<p><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I
challenge us all to donate — instead of selling that surplus coffee maker on
Kijiji, let’s donate it to Mission Services or Goodwill or the Salvation Army.</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> I challenge us to be compassionate: give the
panhandler enough cash for a warm meal but also ask them their name, wish them
well and shake their hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I believe we can make Canada better. To find common
ground with our neighbour and to unite our country rather than divide it. To
apply our leadership and service; to live with compassion, tolerance and
patience — but most of all to be proud of Canada and everything we once stood
for.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We Canadians
live in the greatest country in the world with almost unlimited resources</span></u></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">, a tolerant and diverse people, and an educated
population who can aspire to the greatest heights. We should be prepared to
serve our country and be proud to do so. And <b><u>our leaders must share this vision</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“If not us, who? If not now, when?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Because, as Satchmo has told us, in spite of it all …
it is a wonderful world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Special to National
Post</span></em><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><em style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lt.-Gen. Maisonneuve
spent 35 years in the CAF and 10 more as Academic Director of RMC Saint-Jean.
He testified in The Hague against Slobodan Milosevic, commanded the funeral for
the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, is a huge advocate for veterans, a long-time supporter
of bilingualism and served as the first Chief of Staff of NATO’s Supreme Allied
Command Transformation in Norfolk, Va.</span></em><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 1.5rem; max-width: 100%;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</section><section class="article-content__share-group article-delimiter" data-evt-typ="page_scroll" data-evt-val="{"control_fields": {"mparticle": {"mp_custom_flags": ["Google.NonInteraction", "Google.Page"], "extra_keys": ["percentage_of_page_viewed", "percentage_of_story_viewed"]}}}" data-evt="beforeunload" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #191919; font-family: "PT Serif", Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; grid-column: content-start / content-end; margin: 0px; text-align: start;">
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Complete National Post article<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <a href="https://nationalpost.com/opinion/the-speech-by-a-general-attacking-cancel-culture-and-green-policies-that-caused-an-uproar">https://nationalpost.com/opinion/the-speech-by-a-general-attacking-cancel-culture-and-green-policies-that-caused-an-uproar</a>
<o:p></o:p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Who Is On Your Christmas List?</h2><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #26282a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">A lot of money is tainted - taint yours and taint mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>———-<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #26282a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">——<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When baking dog biscuits don’t forget to use collie flour. ——-<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #26282a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: Arial; mso-armenian-font-family: Arial; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-currency-font-family: Arial; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Arial; mso-default-font-family: Arial; mso-greek-font-family: Arial; mso-hebrew-font-family: Arial; mso-latin-font-family: Arial; mso-latinext-font-family: Arial; mso-ligatures: none;">——- The man who fell into an upholstery machine is now fully recovered.</span><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #201f1e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #be0226; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 24.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-ligatures: none;">People of the West: A Classic Wester</span><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #c00000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 20.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-ligatures: none;">n<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #c00000; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-ligatures: none;">By Dave McGowan – Pale Horse Publications<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;">A collection of </span><span lang="en-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"><span dir="ltr"></span>9</span><span lang="en-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"> short stories (1793 to 1966) and</span><span lang="en-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"> 10</span><span lang="en-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"> poems<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;">Print $8.55 <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kindle .98₵<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;">You may have read one or two but certainly not all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-CA" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"> amazon.com/author/dmmcgowan<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><span lang="en-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;">or <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI"><span lang="en-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI</span></a><span lang="en-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-CA; mso-ansi-language: en-CA; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-CA" style="language: en-CA; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisej0t7gdSWgWgm71eQLoX8M3VefZYq8sYwQ8qJ9O32ez5Uz-j14apYsuDWq8Rv-RFJ-NxCAp5JMoyF4MtsiO6jO1p98qWh4ZwLtByEgak2AtaGBwliw6ZNQmughOuGmo9VZNOYAyJ43xxOGR0bNYDnL4kCwxznM8ocwrYWdCdlpkLvqODSye_MIJ9/s500/People%20of%20the%20West.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisej0t7gdSWgWgm71eQLoX8M3VefZYq8sYwQ8qJ9O32ez5Uz-j14apYsuDWq8Rv-RFJ-NxCAp5JMoyF4MtsiO6jO1p98qWh4ZwLtByEgak2AtaGBwliw6ZNQmughOuGmo9VZNOYAyJ43xxOGR0bNYDnL4kCwxznM8ocwrYWdCdlpkLvqODSye_MIJ9/s320/People%20of%20the%20West.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><br /></div></section></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-2267788679813934162022-10-30T13:00:00.000-07:002022-10-30T13:00:07.240-07:00Remembrance Day <h1 style="text-align: left;"> The Eleventh Hour</h1><div>Once again we remember some of the destructive actions we have been lead into, often through circumstances but more often than not by those who are supposed to be our representatives.</div><div>As I have don in the past, here are a few pictures accompanying a poem I wrote.</div><div>Below that, my story inspired by a very good friend who was involved in the Battle of Britain and later training fighter pilots.</div><div>Bothe these offerings also appear in my collection of short stories and poems, "People of the West" A Timeline." I f you click on my pic to the right you'll see where to access it.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Native Sons in World War One</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy90XnZuOLWrw86GOe0Y6LMTlTGZpc0ElBPluR-kqkqsixKdWlbIHHX8P7numlwEygxfskUf2U23YA-x6Qd0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt;">Deacon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">By D.M. McGowan<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Before men started shooting at him
with 7.92 mm bullets Harry Burnside had been a singer. He stood in front of
fifteen, twenty and sometimes thirty-man orchestras and sang the Dorsey,
Kenton, or Ellington songs or whatever else the crowd in front and the band
behind wanted to hear. He had worked his magic in <st1:city w:st="on">Detroit</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Chicago</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city>, <st1:city w:st="on">Cincinnati</st1:city> and his home town, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Windsor</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Ontario</st1:state></st1:place>.
Harry thought it was only right to use his natural talent, his voice, to make
at least part of his living. It had also been a great way to start a young life
and learn the music and entertainment business from professionals. It was only
incidental that it was the perfect place for a teenager to learn from the
masters how to party.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Sometimes horrendous events are
necessary to save a young man from himself. In Harry’s case it was the war in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place> that brought a young man’s party life to a close,
at least temporarily. Of course it also accelerated the danger in that life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Not that Harry rushed to a recruiting
station in the autumn of 1939. Some of his young friends and even the older men
he worked with certainly did. It was one of the older musicians who convinced
him signing up for service was the thing to do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Folks ‘r sayin’ this here war is
gonna be over in no time,” Marvin, a trumpet player said. “They is sorely
mistaken. I bin readin’ up on these here Germans an’ they got ‘em an army.
British ain’t got nothin’ an’ they’s gonna get whacked.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Are you suggesting we Canadian
boys should go over there and get whacked, as you say, right along with them?”
Harry asked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“First off, I ain’t a Canuk, I’m a
southern boy,” Marvin said. “Second, when things get tough they’ll be comin’
for us anyway. Might as well sign up for somethin’ you want t’ do instead o’
somethin’ the government thinks you’d be good at.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“You’re country isn’t in it,” Harry
pointed out.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Not yet,” Marvin responded. “Now,
you’ve been workin’ here an’ there along with singin’. I don’t got no income
but my trumpet. A man signs up he’ll get three squares a day an’ a cot.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Harry took a drink of his whiskey
and water and cast his gaze around the musicians gathered in the late night or,
to those who were not musicians, early morning booze hall.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“You know, Marv, I’ve always wanted
to learn to fly a plane,” Harry said.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Marvin clapped him on the shoulder.
“Now you’re talkin’, boy. Royal Canadian Air Force. What say we go sign up
first thing in the mornin’?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Harry looked at his watch. “Might I
suggest early this afternoon? I might be awake by then.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Somewhere between <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Windsor</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Ontario</st1:state></st1:place>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ashford</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Kent</st1:country-region></st1:place>, Harry lost touch with Marvin,
but not with men from the southern States. Almost half the men stationed on the
airfield were Americans who had travelled north to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region> and signed on with the RCAF.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Though they wore Canadian uniforms
and insignia they were technically in Royal Air Force squadrons. Their squadron
commander was a British major, and Harry’s wing commander a Canadian Lieutenant
or “Leftenant” as the British officers insisted. The other two Canadian pilots
presently assigned to their understaffed wing were actually from <st1:state w:st="on">Arkansas</st1:state>. In the two man
barracks enjoyed by RAF pilots one of those southerners, Otis Tyler was Harry’s
bunk mate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Ah hear we all getting’ new radios
next month,” Otis said as the two pilots walked down the hall one early morning
in late August.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Harry shrugged with one shoulder as
he held the door open with the other hand and let Otis out into the humid dawn.
“Be fine if they’re better than the T9. But if they aren’t, well, I’m starting
to get used to being up there all by myself.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Mighty handy fur tellin’ somebody
where you’s ‘bout t’ crash,” Otis noted.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“As long as they work and you’re no
more than a mile away” Harry countered. “The T9 is good for about that far.
You’re probably better off depending on a farmer seeing you go down.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Otis chuckled.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">As they approached the mess hall
their wing leader, Lieutenant Mapes reached the door and opened it for them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Good news chaps,” the officer said
as the two non-coms passed through the door he held open for them. “Just spoke
with the CO. We stand down today.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Excellent!” Harry said. “Now I can
have some real breakfast and more than one cup of coffee.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Yuh all worry too much ‘bout that
coffee thing,” Otis said.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Quite good policy,” the Lieutenant
said.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Nothin’ to it,” Otis responded.
“Yuh all just take an empty cola bottle up with yuh.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“I say, old boy, a bit hard to pee
in a bottle when one is trying to avoid the 109 that is glued to your tail. Not
to mention that bottle flying around loose in the cockpit.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Yuh all make sure yuh strap it in
so it don’ fly ‘round,” Otis said. “As fur takin’ a leak when Gerry’s on muh
tail an fillin’ my magic carpet full o’ holes, why ‘bout then I don’ have no
trouble passin’ water.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Lieutenant Mapes laughed. Harry
grinned and shook his head in resignation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Since we aren’t going up to be
shot at, perhaps we could talk about something else?” Harry suggested.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Our Calm Colonial boy is right
once again,” Mapes said. “We have a day to repair gear.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“And talk about new radios,” Harry
suggested.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“There isn’t anything to talk
about,” Mapes said. “I’ve heard the same rumours as you men. However, I haven’t
heard anything from the Old Man and I haven’t seen any radios. Other than the 9
in my Spit that quit working entirely the last time I was up.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Later that day, Otis asked Harry to
join him and some other airmen to study and review the local ladies and pubs.
However, Harry had grown out of the need to wake up with a pounding hangover.
He had already had years of partying. Besides, bringing in bullet scarred
Spitfires had made the drinking bouts seem very unimportant. His mates, often a
year younger or more, still asked him even though he seldom went with them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">An hour after the other pilots had
gone into town Harry walked off the base and caught a ride into Ashford. He
walked the streets for awhile admiring the buildings and the history.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Occasionally a Junkers 88 would fly
across the <st1:place w:st="on">English Channel</st1:place> very close to the
water, start a steep climb to miss the Cliffs of Dover and release a bomb
mounted to its belly at the end of that climb. The speed of the bomber combined
with the force of the climb would cast that bomb for a very long way and it
would land wherever the laws of physics, geology, and aerodynamics might decide
and no man could say. On that beautiful day in late August, 1940 a building
Harry had admired moments before and at that moment was no more than a block
and a half away, disappeared in a cloud of dust, smoke and noise.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Harry Burnside had been flying over
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Britain</st1:country-region>
for three months. He had been as far as <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region> on a half dozen occasions.
He had no idea how many dog fights he had been in but had shot down three Me
109s and crash landed twice. He had landed successfully in Spitfires that
probably should have quit flying several minutes before. He had been scared out
of his mind on those occasions but had worked his way through it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">That day, on the streets of
Ashford, after the completely random bombing of a very historic building, Harry
Burnside could not control the choking fear.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Looking around he saw the sign for
a pub, the Anvil and Hammer. He stepped through the door and saw ale glasses
stacked on the bar. He turned the pint glass over and said to the barman,
“Whiskey.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">The barman could see by the look on
Harry’s face that discussion might be dangerous. He poured a shot into the ale
glass.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">“Fill it,” Harry ordered.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">The inn keeper complied.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Harry downed the whiskey and
noticed only in passing that it was smooth, a single malt.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> He put the
glass back down on the bar and said, “Again.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Once it was
full, he downed the second glass.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> He remembered
opening the door to his barrack, but very little after that.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> Much later
Otis Tyler returned to find his bunk mate, the man who usually refused to go
drinking with his mates, passed out on the floor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> “Burnside,”
he said, as he picked Harry up and placed him on the bunk, “yuh all just like
them travelin’ preachers back t’ home; Preachin’ hell fire an’ brimstone then
next thing yuh got some farmer’s daughter out behind the tent.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> And that is
how Sergeant Pilot Harold Burnside became known as “Deacon.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><br /></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-11842020820985553102022-07-10T07:07:00.000-07:002022-07-10T07:07:34.854-07:00The “Cliff notes” version?<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><h1 style="text-align: left;">Is quicker always a good idea?</h1><div style="text-align: left;"> Some time ago, perhaps last year, I wrote a rhyme about the
story in the first novel I released, “The Great Liquor War”. I really don’t
know when, but it would have been sometime in the last three years while I was
unloading Diesel fuel into a large tank. I wrote or at least started several that way.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">Whatever the time I recently
recorded that rhyme and thirteen more on a CD. I’ve also collected a few
pictures that, though they aren’t timed perfectly to the recitation are
pertinent to the story.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">I created the original story around
a historical event, a disagreement between a police force created in 1859 and
an upstart force created in 1873 called the North West Mounted Police.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">This little video presented here
is perhaps the “Cliff notes” version of the novel – definitely shorter – but its
all entertainment.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">I hope! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Or, at least that was my plan! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">Enjoy.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='533' height='473' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdo7ynbVUixNEHeQRWOsfM9uP4t3Keo4F5g0fpSbLQyRFQ2cYVO_BoW0d2tMNVhjYOSw_Ww9OUXimpmQnbFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;"><br /></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-32942661856217808422022-06-09T12:12:00.000-07:002022-06-09T12:12:14.964-07:00Let Us Un-build It!<p> </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US">We built this! So let’s un-build it!</span></h2><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbXKrS6S7bjAUfbdwajxi7bU6o9aDb1btgqW_1KIN9sDi2je0TFF3eSbW8D2woQ2xQWLTndRdEDIO7_d_V9VU68byVoWOqMvJJQFEAvTH1PCblvMOKFVgBLmCpGmGENtCGqYoHYizoKioPho5ndn5Qhf25Sd7YYN1AaNVe6guutIn8TvvOVg-SdDG/s826/Ratchel%20Joy%20Scott%20A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="826" data-original-width="554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbXKrS6S7bjAUfbdwajxi7bU6o9aDb1btgqW_1KIN9sDi2je0TFF3eSbW8D2woQ2xQWLTndRdEDIO7_d_V9VU68byVoWOqMvJJQFEAvTH1PCblvMOKFVgBLmCpGmGENtCGqYoHYizoKioPho5ndn5Qhf25Sd7YYN1AaNVe6guutIn8TvvOVg-SdDG/s320/Ratchel%20Joy%20Scott%20A.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rachel Joy Scott</div><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Recently
there have been several, outrageous, disgusting, violent actions taken against
people just like you – yes, you – by individuals who, on first glance, may have
appeared to be human. However, their subsequent and in many cases final despicable
actions brand them as barely worthy of that designation. At the very least
their names and biographies should be erased from human history.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
the same time, efforts of the majority of those attempting to augment their own
histories though they be not immediately part of or directly attached to these disasters
should also be roundly condemned. This refers primarily to legislators creating
importance for their own positions where, truly, little importance beyond
simple management exists or will ever be required. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To demonstrate the point and offer some
support for </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">my
opinion</span></u><span lang="EN-US"> I offer a portion of an address made by
Darrel Scott of Littleton, Colorado to the US Congress special session of the
House Judiciary Committee on December 12, 2012 which I believe should be
studied by legislators in every Provincial, State or Federal government in all
countries who claim any form of democracy --- weak or strong as that claim may
be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mr.
Scott was the father of Rachel Scott, one of the first, if not the first victim
assassinated in the Columbine School Massacre of April 20, 1999. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oERihHW9yu_Ml7G3CqsU9iXiIedLGlKkiN9DI8aaMBk_6aYR8P79KCtrYJXHmgSfsMCizWBlhzGI0e0pZYBFaER8ixrNhVLQgp9-boYyQbbkw6RA2_arsaeD2GSW-5U_MJgdR2GJuie98KQvWKJgs508qEGvzAoCpUoLlWCOQRdJEkttBcN__mMs/s204/Darrel%20Scott.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="140" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oERihHW9yu_Ml7G3CqsU9iXiIedLGlKkiN9DI8aaMBk_6aYR8P79KCtrYJXHmgSfsMCizWBlhzGI0e0pZYBFaER8ixrNhVLQgp9-boYyQbbkw6RA2_arsaeD2GSW-5U_MJgdR2GJuie98KQvWKJgs508qEGvzAoCpUoLlWCOQRdJEkttBcN__mMs/w271-h309/Darrel%20Scott.jpeg" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Darrel Scott during his presentation</div><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Since
the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men
and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The
death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic
teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their
blood cries out for answers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain
slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.
Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was
Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I
was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the
NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun.
I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that
they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that
they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's
murder I would be their strongest opponent. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a
tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where
the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the
blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a
poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, "sans-serif";">Your
laws ignore our deepest needs,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Your
words are empty air. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You've
stripped away our heritage, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You've
outlawed simple prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now
gunshots fill our classrooms, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And
precious children die. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You
seek for answers everywhere, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And
ask the question "Why?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You
regulate restrictive laws, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Through
legislative creed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And
yet you fail to understand, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That
God is what we need! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist
of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our
make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in
and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational
systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as
theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a
nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to
hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy
occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They
immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away
our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric
and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws
can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real
villain lies within our own hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school
library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not
hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that
right! I challenge every young person in America and around the world, to
realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought
back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be
in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for
legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To
those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere
challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My
daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">will
not allow that to happen!"</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span>(Actual statistics concerning the
restricted verses increased access to privately owned firearms</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9210295911043097934/3867523040814885418">https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9210295911043097934/3867523040814885418</a>
)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span> In
the ten years since Mr. Scott delivered that statement there have been
increasing attacks on education. (Not to be confused with the actual physical
attacks on educators and students.) Attacks on the need for the strengthening
of spiritual health and mental stability and reduced funding and access for
treatment of PDSD, a very high percentage of which was created by societal
stress or actions supported by society in general. There has been an increase
in, a further or more general acceptance of – and even financial support for – the
use of mind altering, hallucinogenic and often deadly drugs. Attempts to change
the history that, right or wrong, created the societies that exist today and which
are ultimately highly destructive to that society.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>(Information about a few attempts to change
history ---</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9210295911043097934/7722273599803010317">https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9210295911043097934/7722273599803010317</a>
)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">So you want to deny what your ancestors did
to create this society? Perhaps you think what has been created is all bad?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then
you’ll have to accept the results!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">(You might not like this, but what really
happened [not what you might want to think should have happened] </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">created who you are</span><span lang="EN-US">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9210295911043097934/1967386632118954262">https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/9210295911043097934/1967386632118954262</a>
)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">You want to deny the individual’s need for
believing in something greater than yourself, such as a Creator (Jehovah,
Christ or Allah)? Deny the teachings of Buddha or Confucius? The importance of ancestors
and what they created for you?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then
you’ll have to accept the results!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>You insist on your right to do anything you
want despite the damage it might cause to others? Insist that your “freedom”
takes precedence over everything else?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then
you’ll have to accept the results!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span>You want to deny the need for diversity? To
insist that those of a different religion (or with any theology), those from a
different country or different skin color are not your equals and entitled to
the same consideration as you?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Then
you’ll have to accept the results!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Stop
blaming inanimate objects for depredations that are the result of the actions
of people. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">People
just like you despite their obvious lack of education or mental difficulties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As for legislators, there is very little
they can do that will be effective except respond to the loudest noise from the
“unwashed masses.” They don’t seem to be able to achieve a majority decision on
what day it is.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-10114850925342410822022-02-17T08:49:00.000-07:002022-02-17T08:49:28.306-07:00<h1 style="text-align: left;"> The truth of convoy horror</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMQGva1tVFtqyYgr1Gw-tiskUodAcINN-wQAysRltNrlzITHbCA3uCglUCg9xafb4V1TzdZ1gVU7sz8DmSY39PVj6LC9NEjKMDUvfhpxCaFgYoVc0cY61A_RXxO1sr7b4H6eH1cXZyl8886cxwOblUOKnW6BbpUyzoRROyrJqLMpYBpR8O0pr_85P_=s431" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="431" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMQGva1tVFtqyYgr1Gw-tiskUodAcINN-wQAysRltNrlzITHbCA3uCglUCg9xafb4V1TzdZ1gVU7sz8DmSY39PVj6LC9NEjKMDUvfhpxCaFgYoVc0cY61A_RXxO1sr7b4H6eH1cXZyl8886cxwOblUOKnW6BbpUyzoRROyrJqLMpYBpR8O0pr_85P_=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Ottawa attacked and engorged by a leaderless MOB </span></h2><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> But does that refer to those in the trucks or in the big stone building?</span></span></h3><p style="text-align: left;">Once again the Newfoundland born master of sarcasm composes a most humorous look at what no one could possibly avoid on national news. <br />As an example:</p><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">"You know the story we’ve been hearing from the best and the brightest — former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — who alone have stared the horror of Ottawa in the face ... "</span></div><div><span> Welcome to the great Rex Murphy -----</span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: black !important; font-family: Calibri, "sans-serif"; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0" href="https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/rex-murphy-in-ottawa-the-sky-isn-t-falling-despite-what-the-political-elite-would-have-you-believe/ar-AATLo06?ocid=entnewsntp" id="x_m_7086332157315144047LPlnkOWALinkPreview" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: blue; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Rex Murphy: In Ottawa, the sky isn't falling, despite what the political elite would have you believe (msn.com)</a></span></p></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div id="x_m_7086332157315144047LPBorder_GTaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuLmNvbS9lbi1jYS9uZXdzL2NhbmFkYS9yZXgtbXVycGh5LWluLW90dGF3YS10aGUtc2t5LWlzbi10LWZhbGxpbmctZGVzcGl0ZS13aGF0LXRoZS1wb2xpdGljYWwtZWxpdGUtd291bGQtaGF2ZS15b3UtYmVsaWV2ZS9hci1BQVRMbzA2P29jaWQ9ZW50bmV3c250cA.." style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 12pt 0px; max-width: 800px; min-width: 424px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" class="x_MsoNormalTable" style="border: 1pt solid rgb(200, 200, 200); font: inherit; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td style="border: none; padding: 9pt 27pt 9pt 9pt;" valign="top"><div id="x_m_7086332157315144047LPImageContainer825132" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0px 9pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1" href="https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/rex-murphy-in-ottawa-the-sky-isn-t-falling-despite-what-the-political-elite-would-have-you-believe/ar-AATLo06?ocid=entnewsntp" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: blue; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img border="0" data-imagetype="External" height="126" id="x_m_7086332157315144047LPThumbnailImageId825132" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AATLjtq.img?h=315&w=600&m=6&q=60&o=t&l=f&f=jpg&x=553&y=443" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="240" /></span></a></p></div></td><td style="border: none; padding: 9pt 27pt 9pt 9pt; width: 443.949px;" valign="top" width="100%"><div id="x_m_7086332157315144047LPTitle825132" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 9pt 6pt; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: "Segoe UI", "sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" href="https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/rex-murphy-in-ottawa-the-sky-isn-t-falling-despite-what-the-political-elite-would-have-you-believe/ar-AATLo06?ocid=entnewsntp" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: blue; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rex Murphy: In Ottawa, the sky isn't falling, despite what the political elite would have you believe</span></a></span></p></div><div id="x_m_7086332157315144047LPDescription825132" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 9pt 6pt; max-height: 100px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: rgb(102, 102, 102) !important; font-family: "Segoe UI", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve been looking up the various insurrections, coups, revolts and revolutions that have jolted the world, unravelled monarchies and ripped countries apart over the course of history. How else ...</span></p></div><div id="x_m_7086332157315144047LPMetadata825132" style="border: 0px; color: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="border: 0px; color: rgb(166, 166, 166) !important; font-family: "Segoe UI", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" href="http://www.msn.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="border: 0px; color: blue; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">www.msn.com</a></span></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><p class="x_MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #201f1e; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-62044142403976292692022-01-07T12:28:00.001-07:002022-01-07T12:28:39.960-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSDsVOdFTBXn8lstdGry2TSp7a1KRKcHXPqsvYW4L9gKd1szA0zwIBngrj0iiMmQ4PqaSbdOHddjOXaShLDwuKGxTdsYfQmcekrnz6tsdEJvwkuW9wqr4adflF0OLu6KIkJdxrK0LhPdgslVm4EdOO_oKDpNmHvPgIO89QtRsuSXBrT_PaCm4gAILO=s1171" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1171" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSDsVOdFTBXn8lstdGry2TSp7a1KRKcHXPqsvYW4L9gKd1szA0zwIBngrj0iiMmQ4PqaSbdOHddjOXaShLDwuKGxTdsYfQmcekrnz6tsdEJvwkuW9wqr4adflF0OLu6KIkJdxrK0LhPdgslVm4EdOO_oKDpNmHvPgIO89QtRsuSXBrT_PaCm4gAILO=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Here is a rhyme I wrote some years ago and forgot about until I found it last night. It's an overview of my "Partners" novel which you can get my clicking on the cover off to the right and down or by visiting my author page at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI">https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI</a><p></p><p>Or failing that, send me a message and I can supply from the few copies I have in my stock.</p><p>A bit of a "misrepresentation" on the cover; that's a Henry .44 rimfire which does not appear anywhere in the story but then I didn't create the cover. There are several weapons in the story just not that one. A Henry does appear in some of my later stories.</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Partners”
overview<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">By D.M. McGowan<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He was an educated
man, Thomas Brash by name<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Raised for the
British Army to follow his father’s fame<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Born in Upper
Canada, the eastern Loyalist land<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then sent across
the sea, military school in England<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He had served in several
stations, Europe, Africa and such<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But found the land
of Hind demanded just too much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He left the
British Army returned to his Kingston home<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Taught school,
married and farmed and vowed no more to roam<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But fate stepped
in to change the future he had planned,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cholera took the
family; he burned the house, left the land.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He wandered to the
west perhaps thinking life was done<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">More than thirty
years of effort and everything was gone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But out there on
the plains he found someone he could help<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Perhaps some
master plan? He’d play the cards he was dealt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Two wandering
strangers as different as they could be<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Can each survive
the other’s thoughts and company?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Renegades,
Blackfoot and psychopaths they face<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The elements alone
are hard on the human race<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Indian wars and
killers, all the across the west<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Such is their
future where simple living is a test.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">From different
places and different teachings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Perhaps these two
are over reaching<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But it takes bold
people to build a land<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And different
ideas build one that stands <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-17504185837013595942021-12-13T08:55:00.000-07:002021-12-13T08:55:18.887-07:00Video of "Knowing What Matters"<h2 style="text-align: left;">Knowing What Matters</h2><p class="MsoNormal">I’ve put a collection of ten of my poems on a CD and should
have them available in a week or so. The titles of those items on it are as
follows;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Education, A real Man, Inclusion, The Road That Couldn’t
Be Done, Hiking Mountain Ranges, Your Peace River Home, Native Sons in WWI
(posted here a few weeks ago), Knowing What Matters, Just Feelin’ Good and An
Old Rancher’s Christmas.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here is “Knowing What Matters” along with a few pictures
of Western Canada.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I’ve also been recording a collection of short stories
for an audio book, but since it is about 50 thousand words and I’m also
recording voiceover work, it might be awhile before I have that available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzRfQDJruf6sunG8CnxM8xPyFaCEjmTBRtOJa72kBeuoLyQq0JgPXUMA0W8L4W94MYW2M5jLMKrZswOylhJJQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-55893900672404025812021-12-05T23:37:00.000-07:002021-12-05T23:37:11.998-07:00What I've Been Writing<h2 style="text-align: left;"> Research and Writing</h2><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve been working on a story
that has a “crime baron” operating in New Westminster, BC in 1881. I’ve found
the research interesting, due to the great changes that were taking place at
the time. However, more about that in a later post.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For now, I was just looking
through some of the material I collected for “The Making of Jake McTavish” (or
Jake) and “Gunfighters, Thieves and Lawmen” (GTL) and thought I would post some
of those items. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wY9DxHG039U/Ya1OM96uzGI/AAAAAAAABnc/-2ByywfESMkAZ5KhCAF12PAAR4elfdAtACNcBGAsYHQ/s479/FSJ%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch%2B1927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wY9DxHG039U/Ya1OM96uzGI/AAAAAAAABnc/-2ByywfESMkAZ5KhCAF12PAAR4elfdAtACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/FSJ%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch%2B1927.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4MILWyq9yE/Ya1Oru3Cc5I/AAAAAAAABnk/nVDuwX6VHAIDGjVjhCDtHary95I0T900wCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/Old%2BFort%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="960" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4MILWyq9yE/Ya1Oru3Cc5I/AAAAAAAABnk/nVDuwX6VHAIDGjVjhCDtHary95I0T900wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Old%2BFort%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The building of this Fort St.
John jail and barracks by the NWMP is mentioned in “The Making of Jake McTavish”.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The top picture is how it
appeared in 1927 and the bottom, how it appeared when I worked on the
surrounding ranch in 1964.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In 1909 it was maned by the
British Columbia Provincial Police (who actually had jurisdiction) and then
abandoned in the late 1920s when the Hudson’s Bay Company moved about 2 miles
north and up out of the Peace River Valley to what was called the “Fish Creek”
area and is the present site of Fort St. John.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_c8B1ESum4A/Ya1PgNpSoBI/AAAAAAAABns/pEYoXUjCsawFPP_Ot-6H2zzDawOtsCHugCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/HBC%2Bpost%2Bat%2BFSJ%2BFish%2BCreek%2B1928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="960" height="191" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_c8B1ESum4A/Ya1PgNpSoBI/AAAAAAAABns/pEYoXUjCsawFPP_Ot-6H2zzDawOtsCHugCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/HBC%2Bpost%2Bat%2BFSJ%2BFish%2BCreek%2B1928.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "new" Hudson Bay Post at the "new" site of Fort St. John, 1928</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">GTL takes place west of
Edmonton in the early 1890s and has to do with some of the unlikely people who,
despite their lack of a proper background, eventually became the developers of
Canadian Agriculture. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It also introduces an
aboriginal policeman. According to a couple of sources I discovered the BC
Provincial Police appointed “Special Constables” (a policeman’s responsibility
but with little training and no pay) very early on in their history when they
were still “Colonial” police (prior to 1872). They also had “Assistant
Constables” who were paid but could be laid off at any time. As a result and
despite the general low opinion of aboriginals throughout the European
immigrant community, the BC Colonial Police and later the BC Provincial Police
included the first aboriginal officers – even if they were usually “Special”
constables and seldom “Assistant”. This policy was carried over into the RCMP (but
not without some years of kicking and screaming) when they took over provincial
policing from the BC Provincial Police in 1950 --- for no apparent reason that
anyone can discover other than political-behind-closed-doors chicanery. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This is not to say that
bigotry did not exist in BC for, as was/is the case anywhere in the world, it
certainly did. That of the most visible nature was, of course, toward the
aboriginals by the “whites” but also by the aboriginals toward the “whites” ---
and the Chinese and the Blacks. And the Chinese toward other Asians, Europeans,
blacks, natives, and all those toward all the others.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Silly?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Damn right, as is bigotry of
any … color.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rT__7hjkWrc/Ya2nqYeN3SI/AAAAAAAABn0/rQc6YEDWq-oJm8-76Yn8QAL_lrtAfRppACNcBGAsYHQ/s450/Sorting%2Bfurs%2Bin%2B1890s%2BFt.%2BEdmonton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="450" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rT__7hjkWrc/Ya2nqYeN3SI/AAAAAAAABn0/rQc6YEDWq-oJm8-76Yn8QAL_lrtAfRppACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Sorting%2Bfurs%2Bin%2B1890s%2BFt.%2BEdmonton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorting furs in the 1890s</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">However, the first whites in
the BC Interior were trappers who learned their trade from and/or worked with
the natives. Following those immigrants where Hawaiians who landed near to the same
time as the onrush of gold seekers. Since the gold-rushers where from all over
the world they spent their first years in BC hating each other before they
found time to work up some bigotry for the natives or Chinese. As a result of
this history and the relatively few years it took for the population to explode,
more crews were of mixed race and thus each was forced to learn more tolerance than
in some other areas of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This familiarity, along with very
poor pay and a need to understand the workings of diverse societies resulted in
the acceptance of a wide variety of races in the BC Police.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">But back to the prairies on
the other side of the mountains – to “Jake” and “GTL”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The stories also touch on the
development of coal mining and the structure of the North West Mounted Police,
their barracks and district prison at Ft. <st1:placename w:st="on">Saskatchewan</st1:placename>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Much of “Jake” or perhaps the
‘heart of the story’ takes place in 1898 in the same area as “GTL”. However we
also learn something of Jake’s early life as an Ontario farm boy, a Great Lakes
deck-hand, a fresh water fisherman, a cattle ‘tender’, and a ‘wolfer’
attempting to help clear the Canadian Prairies of predators after the devastating
blizzards (yes, plural; one after the other) winter of 1886. Following the rape
and murder of his wife he also spends time trapping on the upper reaches of the
Peace River system.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55Q6Ds3KkxU/Ya2qCCCmKyI/AAAAAAAABn8/FQni5ZR_dLYv3BDQgso04XJBJkvxDOJ6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s620/Peace%2BCountry%2BCaribou%2Band%2BLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="620" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-55Q6Ds3KkxU/Ya2qCCCmKyI/AAAAAAAABn8/FQni5ZR_dLYv3BDQgso04XJBJkvxDOJ6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Peace%2BCountry%2BCaribou%2Band%2BLake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peace Country Lake and Cariboo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BctGc0IZWh0/Ya2sOY7TeWI/AAAAAAAABoE/2rHVjZqx-iU5brRHLR6JpxAhTZo2J2SDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s804/Sternwheeler%2BD.A.%2BThomas%2Bwith%2Bold%2BFSJ%2Bin%2Bbackground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="804" height="181" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BctGc0IZWh0/Ya2sOY7TeWI/AAAAAAAABoE/2rHVjZqx-iU5brRHLR6JpxAhTZo2J2SDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Sternwheeler%2BD.A.%2BThomas%2Bwith%2Bold%2BFSJ%2Bin%2Bbackground.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The first sternwheeler on the Peace River was the St. Charles, launched in 1909.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the D.A. Thomas going upriver (probably to Hudson's Hope) about 1920 with Fort St. John Hudson's Bay Post on the opposite bank and just behind her drive-wheel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Within “GTL” there is mention
of the development of agriculture machinery and at least one of the railroad “connector
lines” to be found in the country.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twLzI9aqvuA/Ya2tnyk2tdI/AAAAAAAABoM/QoJsx6wjT5UvRB2lrP5QYeCZt8_jRjHEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s300/Sawyer-Massey%2Btraction%2Benging-Hamilton-1895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="300" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twLzI9aqvuA/Ya2tnyk2tdI/AAAAAAAABoM/QoJsx6wjT5UvRB2lrP5QYeCZt8_jRjHEQCNcBGAsYHQ/s0/Sawyer-Massey%2Btraction%2Benging-Hamilton-1895.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Sawyer-Massey traction engine made in Hamilton, Ontario about1895</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu0U__StO5U/Ya2uHhyPPaI/AAAAAAAABoc/A7wJivfXclsvjQ6vkbSNrUeacSFBPwWKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1150/Case%2Btraction%2Bengine%2B-%2B50%2Bhp%2B-%2B1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1150" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vu0U__StO5U/Ya2uHhyPPaI/AAAAAAAABoc/A7wJivfXclsvjQ6vkbSNrUeacSFBPwWKwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Case%2Btraction%2Bengine%2B-%2B50%2Bhp%2B-%2B1915.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Case traction engine, 50 HP, from about 1915</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Within “GTL” there is a look
at some of the disruptions within the NWMP that could have led to its demise
and the steps taken to avoid destruction. There is also mention of early
development of telephone communication within the North West Territories.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, I do enjoy writing these stories and winding facts through them, but I almost enjoy the research as much.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Enjoy --- or click on a book cover to the right and go to my author page.</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-88008089564612195882021-10-29T21:14:00.000-07:002021-10-29T21:14:06.567-07:00Let's Not Do This Again!<h2 style="text-align: left;"> Remembrance Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUjipbG3y1s/YXzEoAJCrMI/AAAAAAAABmE/uxNJmjbJOoUXId3aMh-iG4zuADf8WBMVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s893/Canadians%2BCourseulles%2BBeach%2B6-6-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="893" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUjipbG3y1s/YXzEoAJCrMI/AAAAAAAABmE/uxNJmjbJOoUXId3aMh-iG4zuADf8WBMVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Canadians%2BCourseulles%2BBeach%2B6-6-44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">Canadians, Courseulles Beach 6-6-44</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Once again it is the time of year when we are admonished to
remember the past and to not repeat it.</span></p></h2><div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In other words, “Don’t do something stupid!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But apparently we aren’t paying attention, or not placing
enough emphasis on Remembrance Day.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">However, the ongoing denial of the scientific and
technical developments of mankind, developments already proven by the experience
of the developers, further testing and the obvious produce of that denial is
subject for a future post.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Right now, it’s to try and remember the cost of war. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The cost of wishing for a specific goal but not
considering all the costs of realizing that goal. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The cost of supporting a “stand-up guy”, “my type of
person” or “a real strong-man” without studying that person right to the core. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The cost of believing such a person’s lies at face value.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmiKoJTlxhw/YXzFYE6toHI/AAAAAAAABmM/dAjiyzPYSZkAHrwNqiB29n7Ip5pYyQf8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Canadians%2Bon%2BJuno%2BBeach%2B6-6-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="900" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmiKoJTlxhw/YXzFYE6toHI/AAAAAAAABmM/dAjiyzPYSZkAHrwNqiB29n7Ip5pYyQf8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Canadians%2Bon%2BJuno%2BBeach%2B6-6-44.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Canadians on Juno Beach 6-6-44</p><p style="text-align: center;"><o:p style="text-align: left;"> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">Here is a video I made to go along with my poem, “Native
Sons in World War I” with which Karen helped to smooth out a couple of rough
spots.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This has appeared here in years past as has “Deacon”, but
never as a video<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It has appeared in several publications and is part of
the collection, or anthology “Deacon” --- which is a World War II story.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Includeds <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">“Marker of Stone”</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> ,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Deacon”</b>
and the rhymes, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Native Sons in WWI”,
“Inclusion” </b>and<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> “Education”.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">You can follow this link - </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI">https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">but clicking on one of the book covers to the right will get you to the same place.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxN1GQknJx7eKWqGtqNnEz_ghZVHcHN3ibJlNGu8wPzaobXc9DSkJqb2gXQx510ZOWH3mabRN8e-JxtQTjUzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Native Sons in
World War One<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">By D.M. McGowan
and K.L. McGowan<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">© 2018<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Seventeen native
boys left the Upper Peace<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">The only land
they’d known, all in their teens.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">They’d all grown
up wild out among the trees.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Knew where to
find pelts, beaver ponds or streams.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">They hunted for
their supper, trap or single shot<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">And only their mothers
gave safety a fleeting thought<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">After two hundred
years of Scott and Fleur de Lis <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">They knew some
other talk, sometimes two or three,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">English, French
and German were spoken in the land,<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">And whatever
tongue was spoken by their particular band<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Some of them
could read and write more than just their name<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">But the army
didn’t care, green privates all the same<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">An amazing great
adventure for young trapper men<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">From freedom of
the wild to a Canadian Army pen<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Across the land
in trains, something never seen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Mistreated by a
Sergeant, but still bright and keen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Dropped off in
camps and marched around a square<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Dig some dirt
from here and put it over there.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">On the trains
again east to Canada’s Maritimes <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">March down to the
docks in perfect double lines<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Then up a
gangplank to a big steel canoe<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Then told to put
their kit where you couldn’t fit a shoe<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">A dozen ships in
convoy from the Bedford shore<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">But count on
German U boats sinking two or more.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">More camp time in
England, weeks without the sun<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Then finally sent
to France to show them how it’s done<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Trenches that
collapse from rains that never end<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Bodies on the
wire or sprawled out in no man’s land.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">All caked in mud,
“Are they ours? Are they theirs?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Days and weeks of
boredom, then terror and despair.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Vimy Ridge, the
Somme or maybe Regina Trench<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Maybe English on
the left other times the French<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">High Wood or
Kitchener’s, Avion as well<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">With the Aussies
at Gallipoli, some lived to tell<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Passchendaele,
Arras, knowing each the end<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">If not for the
war, surely for the men<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Métis, Cree and Dane a total of Seventeen<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">On a great
adventure, young, naive and keen<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">But the Great War
wasn’t a great place to learn<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">For seventeen go
but only two returned.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-89423177256959008322021-08-26T16:08:00.000-07:002021-08-26T16:08:25.188-07:00Democrats target Keystone pipeline <p>The safety and environmental protection offered by transport from Russia, or by truck and rail should be obvious. Compared to pipelines? Absolutely no comparison! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-YHmcpzcl4/YSgeA_WbHoI/AAAAAAAABkE/U1DtfqK93Nsdld1cGSh7scZGACeUAWX3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Hellespont_Alhambra-with%2B440%252C000%2Btons%2Bof%2Bcrude%2Boil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="800" height="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d-YHmcpzcl4/YSgeA_WbHoI/AAAAAAAABkE/U1DtfqK93Nsdld1cGSh7scZGACeUAWX3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Hellespont_Alhambra-with%2B440%252C000%2Btons%2Bof%2Bcrude%2Boil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9uYfy5eTms/YSgeOQGb2bI/AAAAAAAABkI/sRI8MXz3Azk_qsPNsK65u_uCX1LESML6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1543/I-76%2BDec%2B6%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1543" height="217" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9uYfy5eTms/YSgeOQGb2bI/AAAAAAAABkI/sRI8MXz3Azk_qsPNsK65u_uCX1LESML6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/I-76%2BDec%2B6%2B2014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I-76 Dec. 6, 2014</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5Zu1B10LH8/YSgepHViOBI/AAAAAAAABkU/TgEWApMkYAoa4hgUOQQFCavCmcrzNQz6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Aftermath%2BLac-M%25C3%25A8gantic%252C%2BQue.%2BJuly%252C%2B2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1024" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V5Zu1B10LH8/YSgepHViOBI/AAAAAAAABkU/TgEWApMkYAoa4hgUOQQFCavCmcrzNQz6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Aftermath%2BLac-M%25C3%25A8gantic%252C%2BQue.%2BJuly%252C%2B2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Quebec, July 2013</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><u><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">From Misinformation Watch<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><u><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Democrats target Keystone pipeline</span></u></b><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">A group of U.S. Democratic
representatives is attempting to use the findings of</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">
a <a href="https://www.supportcanadianenergy.ca/r?u=8tnbad2Jk7pnnh4_DOyKK8NZ9J5Qr16IKGUBDkwdjS2qsP5RCzo5DcC9Tldu-3wS&e=12bf3a69073710013c778493f3ff90c1&utm_source=supportcanadianenergy&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=misinfowatch&n=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">new technical report</span></a> on the Keystone pipeline to
justify President Joe Biden’s decision to revoke permits
for the Keystone XL expansion project. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Why is this important?</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">This is misleading and does not reflect what the
report by the U.S. Government Accountability</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Office actually says about
the existing pipeline.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Here’s the facts:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The Keystone XL cancellation
order was not tied to pipeline safety concerns <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">President
Biden’s January 2021 executive order cancelling the border crossing
permit for Keystone XL <u>makes no mention of any concerns about pipeline
safety. <o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Keystone is safe <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Keystone
has consistently performed better than the U.S. nationwide average in terms of
number of incidents impacting people or the environment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Keystone
has delivered more than three billion barrels of oil since 2010, operating
safely 99.9% of the time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">TC
Energy has introduced new inspection technology; there have
been no serious incidents in the last 18 months. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Regulators
in the U.S. have also strengthened safety requirements. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The U.S. needs more oil from Canada <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The Biden
administration is saying NO to more oil supply from
Canada, but it <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>is
saying YES to more oil from the less responsible and
environmentally conscious OPEC+ cartel (which includes Russia).</u></b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The
U.S. is importing 844,000 barrels of oil per day from Russia. Keystone XL
would have satisfied much of this demand
by delivering roughly 830,000 barrels per day of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">responsibly produced oil from Canada</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">See our direct <a href="https://www.supportcanadianenergy.ca/r?u=YqgukYA3Mrlri-dqG7I8Tg8yu98sLA0TrOAu6zEjfJ79r3HQAM5eF9GvDVaR8KWToh3wia9mh6nz7I6FKNeaOg&e=12bf3a69073710013c778493f3ff90c1&utm_source=supportcanadianenergy&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=misinfowatch&n=2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">response</span></a> to these claims at <a href="https://twitter.com/CDNEnergyCentre/status/1430300722776715267">https://twitter.com/CDNEnergyCentre/status/1430300722776715267</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-79115613604562601112021-08-11T18:56:00.002-07:002021-08-11T18:56:45.843-07:00Misinformation from those you MAY trust!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Ignoring progress,</span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><u><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">United Nations pushes apocalyptic
rhetoric</span></u></b><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><u></u></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><u><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3LeLEnFYZ0/YRRsp-aD8OI/AAAAAAAABjI/vxRQSAFgN-Anm15Wr2wbNnCm8U2OhHongCLcBGAsYHQ/s225/United%2BNations%2Blogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3LeLEnFYZ0/YRRsp-aD8OI/AAAAAAAABjI/vxRQSAFgN-Anm15Wr2wbNnCm8U2OhHongCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/United%2BNations%2Blogo.png" width="225" /></a></u></b></div><b><u><br /><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></u></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Much of the discussion and reporting on the new
report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
is overblown and exaggerated, painting an apocalyptic future that the <a href="https://www.supportcanadianenergy.ca/r?u=VICxSOmQAKsb5OPjb_OGvE10RulcqORpi0JA3CP6wVwgJ3mLW4p9NdIBA_HEGxfz-BLvNyQjhq6I1dDiV9D8tw&e=12bf3a69073710013c778493f3ff90c1&utm_source=supportcanadianenergy&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=misinfowatch_110821&n=1" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">report</span></a> itself fails to endorse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Canadian energy is part of the <b>solution</b>,
not the problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">The oil and gas sector is an easy target for
critics who don’t or won’t evaluate facts or engage in a pragmatic, realistic
discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">IPCC scientists acknowledge the worst-case scenario
presented “is considered low in light of recent developments in the energy
sector,” but the rhetoric accompanying the report does little to stake out a
pathway to a lower carbon future, in which Canada’s energy sector can and
should play a key role.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Here’s how:</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">China
alone produces 27% of the planet’s GHG emissions, more than the entire
developed world combined. Canada is responsible for 1.6%.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Natural
gas from Canada can significantly reduce GHG emissions if used to replace coal
power.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 72.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">As
of <a href="https://www.supportcanadianenergy.ca/r?u=FHnL8ikUv8WviObJjkW8kb7fPbz_1nNpFpMO_3seUp1vgv-d05YM-sBJyOUOaDWWHO4BVgo38PP1niLT9iQr3IqDKa4KsTkL6PzXEbEZl5W7z_C__FiWpKofncAxNaXZitln_YmnBL_sUpi6x7h41Q&e=12bf3a69073710013c778493f3ff90c1&utm_source=supportcanadianenergy&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=misinfowatch_110821&n=2" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">July 2021</span></a>, there were 195 coal plants under construction
around the world including 95 in China, 28 in India and 23 in Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Oil
and gas companies in Canada spend more than any other sector on cleantech
R&D to help reduce energy emissions and improve environmental performance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Oil
sands emissions intensity, down 27% since 2013, is expected to decrease by
another 20-30% over the next decade.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">It
will be virtually impossible for the world to achieve net zero greenhouse gas
emissions without carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 72.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Canada is already recognized as a
global leader in CCUS development. Projects have safely
stored more than 41 million tonnes of CO2 deep underground, or the
<u>equivalent of taking 8 million cars off the road.</u></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 72.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_J-YHeA4O6A/YRR_GPRdL5I/AAAAAAAABjQ/Y2m9bv6xeW4cOjg4JgCTu7CQfSqfPwmNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/SEABORN%2Bmega%2Btanker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_J-YHeA4O6A/YRR_GPRdL5I/AAAAAAAABjQ/Y2m9bv6xeW4cOjg4JgCTu7CQfSqfPwmNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SEABORN%2Bmega%2Btanker.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />A seaborn mega tanker ---perhaps carrying crude oil to Canada which could be supplied by Canada for Canadians. Perhaps this tanker is powered by solar? Or wind? <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-left: 94.5pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 72.0pt; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">No, probably not.</span></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-62413620853194493192021-07-10T07:13:00.001-07:002021-07-10T07:13:28.460-07:00Reviews of "Gunfighters, Thieves and Lawmen" from Goodreads<p><br /></p><p>These reviews are from Goodreads but there are more at Amazon/books.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka17rIPpupQ/YOmqfvj2r3I/AAAAAAAABhY/UNSKOsVrqmYaZYEi-FIAV5-SIPnB7KkNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1215/Global%2B-%2Bthumbnail_Gunfighters%252C%2BThieves%2Band%2BLawmen%2Bby%2BDavid%2BMilton%2BMcGowan-Group-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ka17rIPpupQ/YOmqfvj2r3I/AAAAAAAABhY/UNSKOsVrqmYaZYEi-FIAV5-SIPnB7KkNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Global%2B-%2Bthumbnail_Gunfighters%252C%2BThieves%2Band%2BLawmen%2Bby%2BDavid%2BMilton%2BMcGowan-Group-2.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3570971445?book_show_action=true"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Sep 28, 2020</span></a> <a name="Sharon"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/59651332-sharon" title="Sharon"><b><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Sharon</span></b></a> 4
<span style="color: #181818;">stars</span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">ally
liked it</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">This book, Gunfighters, Thieves and Lawmen by David
Milton McGown, begins with Sully Wheeler, a former gunfighter, looking to stop
the rustling of his cattle. He is “retired” and hoping to stay quietly settled.
Then comes the arrival of Constable Edward Theason, with unclear intent in his
assistance in helping Sully. There are a few other characters that also infuse
this story with interest. Most important to me as a reader, I found both Sully
and the Mountie Theason highly likeable characters. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54739267-gunfighters-thieves-and-lawmen"><span style="color: #00635d;">...more</span></a></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: lato, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3834228006?book_show_action=true"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Jun 06, 2021</span></a><a name="Linda_Fast"></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3214802-linda-fast" title="Linda Fast"><b><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Linda Fast</span></b></a> 5
stars </span><span style="font-family: lato, serif; font-size: 1pt;">4.5 amazing </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Shelves: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/3214802-linda-fast?shelf=canadian-mystery"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">canadian-mystery</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">A good Canadian story written by a Canadian author.
It took me quite awhile to read this book as there were so many other things
going on in my life. I picked up the book and then laid it down and so it
continued. The book was not thrilling but it was very interesting and I plan on
reading it over again in the winter and devote the time to which the book
deserves.<br />
The characters were believable as well as the events that happened.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 3.75pt;"><span style="font-family: lato, serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3547367458?book_show_action=true"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Sep 13, 2020</span></a><a name="Rebel"> </a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28049104-rebel" title="Rebel"><b><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Rebel</span></b></a>
4 stars </span><span style="font-family: lato, serif; font-size: 1pt;">really liked it</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Shelves: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/28049104-rebel?shelf=arc-books-reviewed"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">arc-books-reviewed</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">I really enjoy westerns even if they are based out
of Canada ;-) This was just as good as William Johnstone, Louis L'Amour, Zane
Grey. I'm looking forward to other stories by Mr. McGowan.<br />
<br />
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a
review. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54739267-gunfighters-thieves-and-lawmen"><span style="color: #00635d;">...more</span></a></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a name="Destiny_Brown"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></a></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/33931822-destiny-brown" title="Destiny Brown"><b><span style="background: white; color: #00635d; font-family: lato, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Destiny Brown</span></b></a><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span> 5 stars <span class="staticstar"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 1.0pt;">was amazing</span></span><span size="15x15" style="background-size: 15px; float: left;"></span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "lato","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"></span><br />
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3516088342?book_show_action=true"><span style="background: white; color: windowtext; font-family: lato, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Aug 26, 2020</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><div class="friendReviews elementListBrown" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 5px; width: 612.5px;"><div class="section" style="padding-left: 5px;"><div class="review" id="review_3547367458" itemprop="reviews" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Review"><div class="left bodycol" style="float: left; width: 540px;"><div class="reviewFooter uitext buttons" style="font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="updateActionLinks" style="margin-bottom: 5px;"><a class="right flag" href="https://www.goodreads.com/flagged/new?resource_id=3547367458&resource_type=Review&return_url=%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F54739267-gunfighters-thieves-and-lawmen" id="flag_link3547367458" rel="nofollow" style="background-image: url("data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAoAAAALCAQAAADsZ9STAAAAtklEQVR4AUXKsUqFUBzH8e85/O89N4ykKS9BU2tLiz5Aaw/gWzj2Dq0NLT1SULgE5UGItEFSiKzwnExI8vPdfvwUs9uz8NIct/7ltXuQq/QoNutNvDrVeByfoduVvXOdahSCxk15BqtNpNDIPA7Ad6HX27+f4od+CnorH1vPiFDj35rSnIyr1srz9SYIop367oZ7SL6gepLHC/7Z/cSM5IXkLJII3HvWSMaiPARXgDgW3UFFb+EX1PE/19dMmtwAAAAASUVORK5CYII="); background-position: left center; background-repeat: no-repeat; color: #aaaaaa; float: right; opacity: 0; padding-left: 15px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: opacity 0.25s ease-in-out 0s;" title="Flag this review as inappropriate.">lag</a></div></div></div></div></div></div><p> <span style="color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">Gunfighters, Thieves and Lawmen</span></b></p><div class="friendReviews elementListBrown" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 5px; width: 612.5px;"><div class="section" style="padding-left: 5px;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>By David M. McGowan<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Sully Wheeler doesn’t
care why his cattle are disappearing. He doesn’t care why but it has to stop.
Perhaps it’s the cost of hiding from his past, but who would steal from a
one-time gunfighter?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">The NW Mounted
Policeman that Sully contacted appeared more intent on stopping vigilante
action than in stopping theft. If that proves to be the case, Sully will
recover his own property, even if it takes gunfire to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Who is this Mountie,
anyway? Is he a cop or something else entirely? Is he working to support the
crown, leave the crown or actually do something for the settlers?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">And while we’re talking
about that Mountie, isn’t he spending too much time with that newspaper lady?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">$5.10 / $14.95<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">#ambush #lawmen of the
west<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Click on the link below or click on the book cover image off to the right.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="review" itemprop="reviews" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Review"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI">https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><div class="clear" style="clear: both; font-size: 1px; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin: 0px;"></div></div></div></div><div class="friendReviews elementListBrown notext" style="border: none; float: left; padding: 5px; width: 198px;"><div class="section" style="padding-left: 5px;"><div class="review notext" id="review_3516088342" itemprop="reviews" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Review"><div class="left bodycol" style="float: left; width: 128px;"><div class="reviewHeader uitext stacked" style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-25279257427282566912021-05-23T07:41:00.004-07:002021-05-23T07:41:59.832-07:00A very quick video of Dawson Creek.<p> Please excuse the
videography – I’ve never done this before.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzDQ0pjNlLgbjFJpO10UFIDQH9Kh07SsAZu4bxqGJ6FmOqtznXmjBUInVOEZzs5aOEnOiEqYvFl7hlf4pISoA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">00:00 Due North –
Holiday Inn Suites and BCLC Casino<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">00:11 Walmart – 8<sup>th</sup>
Street Right – Bypass to the West with Co-Op Petroleum on the corner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">00:19 on the
ridge directly past the walkway is the ridge upon which 30+ wind turbines sit
although they can’t be seen at this distance. (Approx. 8 miles)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Bear Mountain –
Ski Hill<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span>00:47 Main grain
elevator (several more on the North West corner of Dawson Creek) in the
distance and the East end of the Encana Event Centre. This section contains the
horse barns and riding arena and behind it is the Dawson Creek Rodeo Grounds.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span>1:01 Freight
access to Events Centre with Equestrian Centre on the right and main arena on
the left.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">1:05 Main access
to Events<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">1:06 Ken Borek
Aquatic Centre – pool, climbing wall, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">1:08 BC Highway
#2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Video taken May,
20, 2021 @ 1300 hrs<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-62781928557875550592021-03-07T13:07:00.000-07:002021-03-07T13:07:14.270-07:00An Excerpt from "Partners"<h3 style="text-align: left;"> The First Two in the Cypress Hills</h3><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z40elqOJjjA/YEUuRTw0uzI/AAAAAAAABdM/aqhQ7xMtLlEgconM9rydX4hvAiX9wDLNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Cypress%2BHills%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z40elqOJjjA/YEUuRTw0uzI/AAAAAAAABdM/aqhQ7xMtLlEgconM9rydX4hvAiX9wDLNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Cypress%2BHills%2B1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of the varied landscape in the Cypress Hills of Southern Saskatchewan</div><div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 36.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Partners<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">By D.
M. McGowan<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Copy
write </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">©</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"> 2001<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">He wasn't sure,
but he believed it had been two months. It had been June first when he left
Pembina in <st1:place w:st="on">Dakota Territory</st1:place> and a week later
he had been struck down by a fever. He laid in his tent for either two or three
days, but he thought it was two. If it had been indeed two days, then it was <st1:date day="29" month="6" w:st="on" year="1866">June 29, 1866</st1:date>, two months
to the day since he had rode away from his land, his home, and his life near <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Kingston</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While
swinging around in the saddle to check the loads on the two pack horses he
thought of that other life. Not only had he ridden away from a hundred acres of
farm land which he owned free and clear, but he had also left a steady and
rewarding job teaching his neighbor's children. He had turned his back on 35
years of life, and all the things he had worked toward during that time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Turning
my back on that life was nothing," Tom said aloud, something he found
himself doing more and more as the long days of sun, wind and rippling grass
ran one in to the other. "I turned my back on a way of life to make that
one, and perhaps this new one will last longer."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom
Brash had once been a husband and father. When he rode away to the west he left
behind the graves of his wife and two sons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"We
should be close to those lakes," he said, attempting to turn his mind away
from painful thoughts of the past. He turned again to look at the gaunt horses
knowing that his mount looked no better. Except for the days he had lain in the
grip of a splitting headache they had traveled every day, and the pace was
taking its tole on the fine animals. "When we find those lakes we shall
rest for a few days. I'm sure you'll appreciate it."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
his saddle bags he carried maps of the country through which he rode. Some of
these he had made from information to be found at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Queens</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
Most notable were copies of the Palliser maps. Some of the information he had
collected had proven to be inaccurate, but not to the point that it had caused
him great difficulty. He had discovered most of the discrepancies by talking
with men who knew the land, but at this point had not found anything on the
ground that varied from his charts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two
days ride west of Pembina a Métis man had confirmed the existence of what he
called "Old Woman Lake" near the eastern edge of the Cypress Hills.
However their existence had been touched on earlier by a mountain man he met in
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Fargo</st1:place></st1:city>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Yer
maps is all which-a-way," the old trapper had declared. His finger touched
a point far to the west near the mountains. "Them two rivers don' meet.
One takes of south 'bout here," he touched a curve in the river as shown
on the map. "Turns in t' the Milk an' then in t' the Missouri. This un
here turns and goes in t' what they call the <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Saskatchewan</st1:place></st1:state>." He appeared ready to say
more when something further east caught his attention. "This here shows
some swamp or marsh. That there's <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cypress</st1:place></st1:city>
Hills country. I ain't never bin there but that's 'bout where the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Old</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Woman</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Lakes</st1:placetype></st1:place> should be." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
thrust the paper at Tom. "You be sure t' take that with yuh when yuh head
out, 'cause if yuh depend on it, you're gonna die. An' if it disappears with
yuh we won't have to worry 'bout it leadin' somebody else off the track."
Though his face showed no expression the twinkle in the old trapper's eye took
the coldness from his statement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom's
last contact with his fellow man had been at the Métis camp. They where two
days from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Ft.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Garry</st1:placename></st1:place> on their first big hunt of the new
season and had little to offer but hospitality, but of that they gave in
plenty. In return Tom gave them coffee and flour, sure that he had more than
enough on his two pack horses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Turning
once again to glance at the horses, Brash thought about the supplies that
remained. He swung his eyes around, taking in the vast land through which he
rode. "Perhaps I was somewhat hasty in estimating my requirements."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gently
he halted his mount and swung down. Pouring water into a large handkerchief he
wiped dust from the nose of his mount and then the two pack animals. After a
short drink he removed the bandana from around his neck, poured some water into
it, and then wiped his face and neck. Hanging the canteen from the saddle he
began to walk, leading the horses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was
slightly taller than average at five feet ten inches. Even though his legs were
slightly longer than his torso, many overestimated his weight for he was as
thick through as he was wide. He wore military style, knee high riding boots,
heavy cotton pants and shirt, and a leather vest. His long moustache was
streaked with grey, and the long sideburns under his flat crowned, flat brimmed
felt hat were almost white. <st1:date day="29" month="6" w:st="on" year="1866">June
29, 1866</st1:date> was his thirty sixth birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
was well into the Cypress Hills now, and climbing. Despite the heat and tired
horses he altered his course and angled up the hill. From up on top he might be
able to see something that would indicate the location of the lakes. Perhaps he
would cross the trail of some animal going to water. Seeing a grove of trees
might also help, for many trees could not grow without some water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pausing
for a moment he turned and looked back toward the south east. Although he had
been in this wide open land for more than a month he still was not used to the
vastness. Distance seemed to contract, and what appeared to be a hundred yards
would prove to be five hundred. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
climb was much steeper and longer than he had anticipated, but he did finally
approach the top of the hill. Before he crested the ridge however, he heard a
murmur that he thought might be human voices. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
mount stopped when he dropped the reins. He stepped back beside the animal and
drew a Colt revolving shotgun from the scabbard that hung down from the cantle.
With the scatter gun in his hands he continued up the slope, cautiously
scanning the country as he moved forward. He knew that he might meet full blood
Indians who would not be as friendly as the Métis' he had camped with. The <st1:place w:st="on">Assiniboine</st1:place>, Cree and Blackfoot all claimed these Cypress
Hills as their own. None of them looked kindly on those who might trespass, but
those who met the Blackfoot seldom complained about poor treatment. If they did
object it was only to their captors just before they died.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
voices grew more distinguishable as he advanced, though he could still not
understand any words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
shot rang out so close that Brash dropped to his knees thinking for an instant
that it had been aimed at him. A scream was cut short by the sound of a blow.
Tom dropped to his stomach and crawled to the top of the ridge where he could
look into the hollow beyond.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cveKj-XO8Zg/YEUw6-A4SLI/AAAAAAAABdU/YWrxBRkZjYEec-qYcZc47DbRbSx184tMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1000/OldWivesLake%2BNature%2BArea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cveKj-XO8Zg/YEUw6-A4SLI/AAAAAAAABdU/YWrxBRkZjYEec-qYcZc47DbRbSx184tMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/OldWivesLake%2BNature%2BArea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Old Wives' Lake Nature Area (Delta as it appears today)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qSY4CvqPO8/YEUxQ9eTaGI/AAAAAAAABdc/U8IGW64qx0Eit8T0yMbyxj8igeBp5LOdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/Old%2BWives%2BPasture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qSY4CvqPO8/YEUxQ9eTaGI/AAAAAAAABdc/U8IGW64qx0Eit8T0yMbyxj8igeBp5LOdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Old%2BWives%2BPasture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Old Wives' Pasture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
lake lay before him, perhaps the very one he sought, one arm of it disappearing
off to the left. Directly below him on the shore of that lake were the remains
of a camp that had been destroyed. A small teepee lay torn and scattered
through the remains of a cooking fire and utensils. The body of an Indian man
lay tied to the remains of a travois frame, a hole near the center of his bare
chest, and blood staining the earth beneath him. Another form from which Brash
thought he could hear moans - and guessed was a woman by what he could see of
her dress - lay near the bound corpse. The camp was bordered by the lake and
the hill, and by thick stands of aspen and willow which gave way near the water
to wide strips of cracked and drying mud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two
men also stood in the clearing. Each of them wore full, dark brown beards and
buckskins, the clothing showing as much grease and almost as dark as the face
hair. One wore a battered felt hat, his leggings tucked into high topped riding
boots. The other wore a fur cap, the ear lugs tied together on top, his feet in
moccasins which extended to just below his knee. The one with the felt hat held
a rifle in his left hand, and a coil of rope in his right. Fur Hat had just
finished loading his rifle and was removing the ramrod.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Well,
I reckon we isn’t gonna have any more fun with the Injun," Felt Hat
commented.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fur
Hat cursed. "Wasn't much fun in 'im, Seth. Got more out o’ watchin' his
chest blow up."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seth
poked the moaning bundle with the toe of his mule-ear adorned boots.
"Well, mayhap Mrs. Injun'll be more entertainin'."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Nope!"
a new voice announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Both
men spun to see a slight figure step from the trees. From his perch high above,
Brash saw a boy of perhaps fifteen in cloths that were little more than rags.
He wore no hat and his hair was a long, snarled mess. A piece of rope was tied
around his waist to hold his pants up, but just under it was a gun belt. The
right side of his too-large coat was hooked behind the butt of a large
holstered revolver. In his hands he held a rifle, thumb on the hammer and
finger on the trigger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"What's
yer prob'em, boy?" Seth asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy nodded at the moaning bundle. "No more hittin'," he announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fur
Hat grinned. "Well, she ain't no use then, is she?" He cocked his
rifle and swung the muzzle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy cocked his rifle and swung it toward Fur Hat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Look
out, Hank," Seth called. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Before
Brash could even realize that what he had thought was a rope was actually a bull
whip, Seth flicked it toward the boy. The very end of the braided rawhide
snapped around the barrel of the boy’s rifle. Seth jerked and the rifle landed
in the dirt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hank
laughed. Seth grinned and brought the whip back, swinging it over his head for
another strike at the boy. A shot rang out and the whip flew from his hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy stood with a smoking pistol in his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Brash
knew his eyes had been on Seth and the whip, but the appearance of the weapon
was a shock. Apparently it was also a shock for Seth and Hank. Seth was doubled
over holding his ringing right hand between his legs, eyes large and round, and
fixed on the smoking muzzle. Hank's eyes were similarly fixed, his thumb still
holding the hammer of his rifle at half cock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hammer
down," the boy instructed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hank
gently released the hammer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seth
took his hand from between his thighs and shook it violently. "He ain't
fast enough to shoot us both," he concluded. He still held his rifle in
his left hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
the ridge above, Brash realized that at least twenty feet separated Seth and
Hank. Even for someone as fast and accurate as the boy appeared to be it would
be difficult to stop both men before he was himself hit by someone's return
fire. Brash also suspected that there was a great deal of luck involved in the
shot that took the whip from Seth's hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You
first," the boy announced, his revolver pointed at Seth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hank
smiled. "Then you second," he said swinging the muzzle around toward
the boy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
believe you may be second." Brash did not know what made him call out. One
of the things that had forced him from his home was well meaning people who,
after the death of his family, constantly demanded that he communicate with
them, and here he was getting involved with people he didn't even know. What he
had just witnessed, however, was brutal, and the boy needed help. He shoved the
muzzle of his shotgun over the hill and into view.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the clearing, Hank had stopped the swing of his rifle. Seth had started to
raise his own weapon and the weight of it against his left wrist was starting
to make his arm tremble.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Put
'em down," the boy said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Seth
and Hank leaned over and carefully placed their weapons on the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Short
guns an' knives," the boy said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two
large Bowie knives, a Colt, and a Smith and Wesson revolver hit the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy pointed with his chin. "Over by the Injun," he commanded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Both
men walked backward until they stood near the corpse. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still
holding his pistol, the boy retrieved the weapons. The knives he left on the
ground. One pistol he put in his own holster, the other behind his rope belt.
The rifles he picked up with one finger looped through their trigger guards.
His eyes never leaving the two men he returned to the edge of the clearing,
leaning the rifles against a tree. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
pistol at his waist was a Smith and Wesson. He broke it open, dumped the
cartridges on the ground, and then threw it to land near the knives.
"Stand," he ordered, then exchanged his own weapon for the one that
had been in his holster. It too was a Colt, so he used the tool from his gun
belt to pull the caps from the nipples, then threw the weapon to land by the
Smith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Still
facing Hank and Seth so he could keep an eye on them while he worked, the boy
turned to work on the rifles. The first was a <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Springfield</st1:place></st1:city> .58, muzzle loader so he simply
pointed it over the lake, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger. Throwing
the empty weapon to land near the pistols and knives, he raised the other
rifle. It was a Spencer similar to his own so he opened the loading tube in the
stock and dumped the rim fire cartridges on the ground, then worked the action
to eject the one in the chamber. He threw the Spencer to land by the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Springfield</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With
his chin the boy indicated the pile of weapons, then the horses. "Mount
up," he advised. The heel of his hand rested on his holstered Colt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hank
and Seth looked at each other then slowly and carefully picked up their rifles.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As he
picked up the Smith and Wesson, Seth eyed the cartridges that lay on the ground
at the boy's feet. "Them car’ ridges is hard t' get," he complained.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Rough,"
the boy replied<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Keeping
an eye on the boy the two men moved quickly toward their horses. In turn the
boy didn't fall too far behind them, watching to ensure they took only their
own mounts and pack horse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
the ridge above, Tom Brash rose and returned to his own animals. With reins in
hand he led his mount over the hill and down into the campsite, the pack
animals following readily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Having
just watched the two men ride away the boy returned to the camp site, but did
not acknowledge Brash's existence. Instead he went to the Indian woman and
rolled her over on her back. Her left eye flew open and her arm came up over
her face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy squeezed her shoulder gently. "Won't hurt yuh," the boy said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom
could see a bad cut on the right side of her forehead that was already causing
that eye to swell and close. The left side of her mouth and left cheek were
also swollen and discolored.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
have some medical supplies," Brash announced. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy looked up at him and nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom
removed his bandanna and held it out to the boy. "Perhaps you could take
this to the lake and get it wet? We will need to wash her off before we bandage
her." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy nodded again, took the bandanna and rose. Tom turned to his horses to
retrieve bandages.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As he
reached into the pack about where he knew his medical supplies to be, a scream
came from behind him that made the horse jump. He turned to see the woman
sitting up and looking at the dead man, her hands over her mouth. The boy was
running back from the shore.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
woman jerked sideways and fell over the body of the man just before Brash heard
the sound of a shot. Both he and the boy looked to Seth and Hank, who were in
the relatively open area along the lake perhaps two hundred yards away. Hank
held his <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Springfield</st1:place></st1:city>
over the limb of a tree, smoke still rising from the barrel. In the silence
following the shot they could hear the two men laugh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy cursed, threw the wet bandana on the ground and picked up his Spencer. Hank
and Seth sprinted for their horses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom
put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Does there need to be more killing?
You will become an animal like them."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
moment was gone. The two men disappeared behind the finger of hill that pushed
out toward the lake. The boy lowered his weapon. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Pointing
with his chin toward the dust cloud that remained, the boy said, "Hunt us
now. Should a shot 'em."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You
think they will come back?" Tom asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy nodded, and then indicated Tom's horses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"For
my horses?" He was aware his horses would be highly valued. They were not
yet used to the food or climate, and had been worked hard, but they were both
taller and heavier than the local mounts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy nodded again and added, "An' packs."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Well,
I would think your shooting skill would be enough to keep them away unless they
are completely stupid," Tom observed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy shrugged. "Ambush." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ambush
was not new to Brash. His early training had been full of the honor of
addressing an adversary in a gentlemanly manner, but his experience had
included attacks from cover. Those attacks, however, had come from people of a
different culture on the other side of the world, and not from white men with
Christian backgrounds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
suppose it takes all kinds," Tom said. “And one’s proclivity for fast and
accurate marksmanship is certainly curtailed when one is dead.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy indicated the shotgun in Tom's hand. "Only weapon?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
have a rifle."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Best
get it," the boy responded, almost sneering at the shotgun.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom
felt his anger rising. "This is the finest of shotguns. It is a Colt 10
gauge revolver. I have four shots available and another cylinder in my saddle
bags."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The boy
turned and looked at the dead woman, then at the trees from where Hank had
fired. "Two hundred yards?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom's
irritation increased another notch, for the boy was right. Loaded with heavy
ball the shotgun might be good for half that distance but not with him shooting
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
also realized that annoyance was rapidly becoming the strongest of his
feelings. As he stowed his shotgun in the scabbard and removed his Colt
revolving rifle from its place in one of the packs he considered the source of
this irritation. In a country in which he had come to expect no fellow humans
he had suddenly found five, two of them torturing and killing two others. He
had just witnessed acts of barbarism of a type that he thought only happened at
the end of a long battle. In an earlier life he had heard of such actions, but
had never actually witnessed them. The sudden appearance of the fifth person -
that one a boy - and the subsequent confrontation had been an additional shock.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
had also been a teacher. He was used to acceptance and obedience from his
pupils, not ridicule and orders. True, now that he was closer he could see the
boy was older than his original estimate, but he was still quite young.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Behind
Tom the boy cursed, then asked, "That a rifle?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"A
Colt revolving carbine, actually," Tom replied his pride in the weapon
obvious. "Six shots, forty four caliber."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy shook his head and cursed again. Tom marked another reason for irritation -
the young man's constant foul language.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Better
go with yuh," the boy concluded, pointing with a thumb over his shoulder
toward where Hank and Seth had disappeared. "Yuh got no range, an' them
boys’ll kill yuh."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I've
handled things quiet well up to this point," Tom protested. He had no wish
to be accompanied by this foul-mouthed youth. He had been enjoying his solitary
travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"More
'n likely ain't had to face up to nothin' like them two," the boy pointed
out. He nodded at Tom's pack animals. "Them two's carryin' light. Double
up the load. I'll ride the other un."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"My
horses need rest," Tom protested, "not a greater load." He waved
his hand toward the three Indian ponies. "What is wrong with those
animals?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy cursed. "Nothin' 'sept they's Blackfoot." He indicated the two
bodies. "They'll have folks. Any young buck's got three horses an’ all
this truck layin’ around is pretty well off. Young buck that's well off’s gonna
have friends. Them folks find yuh with them horses, you'll be wishin' yuh got
shot by Hank an' Seth."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Again
Tom fought down his anger, forcing himself to admit that, in this land in which
he was a newcomer the boy might be right. He had certainly heard stories of the
Blackfoot and their dislike of white men. There was also no doubt that the
youngster had managed to handle the two killers. True, the Indians were dead,
but he and the boy still drew breath. He began to loosen the packs for
redistribution.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Perhaps
we should bury these unfortunate victims?" he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy cursed, shrugged, then added, "Don't know as they dig holes fer the
dead. Might put 'em up on platforms. Best just leave 'em lie."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Having
set one of the pack bundles on the ground, Tom turned and looked at the two
bodies. As he did so he realized he had been avoiding looking at them.
"Perhaps we could take a moment to lay them out in a more - uhm - seemly
position?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy turned, looked at the bodies for a moment, shrugged, and then cursed.
"Reckon."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
Tom had loaded all the freight on one pack saddle he led the animals into the
remains of the camp. The boy had rolled the bodies around until they lay side
by side, one right hand clasping the left hand of the other. Seeing the
arrangement, Brash found it suddenly difficult to swallow. He had to clear his
throat before he spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
do believe we should be moving on," Tom noted. "We still must find a
suitable spot and make camp. The day is quickly disappearing."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy was down on one knee and resting his forearm on the other, his gaze on the
bodies. He turned his head to look at Tom who was surprised by the complete
lack of expression on the boy's face. His deep blue eyes where neither cold nor
hot, full of love or hate, but rather as blank as a deep pool.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was a pause while the boy came back to the present, then he responded.
"Reckon," he nodded. He pointed with his chin toward the east.
"We'll light a shuck that a way." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But
that's east," Tom protested.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy cursed. "Yuh don't say?" He pointed with his thumb toward the
west. "Them two went west." He stood, rifle in one hand, and walked
to the edge of the trees where he picked up a small bundle. Returning to the
now unburdened pack horse he grasped the forward sawbuck and swung astride.
"We'll go 'round the east end o' the lakes and turn back 'long the north
side. It'll keep them away from us fer a few days." He jammed the small
pack down in front of himself and against the forward sawbuck. The rifle he
carried in his right hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom
realized that once again the boy was right. "That would seem to be
prudent," he agreed and mounted his own animal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Be
a spell 'for we camp," the boy added. "Tomorrow 'for them two realize
we ain't on their trail. Get a lead while we got the chance."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They
rode in silence for some time while Tom thought about the expression he had
seen on the boys face when he turned from the bodies. It dawned on him that he
knew nothing about this boy except that he was particularly adept with a
firearm, had attempted to protect a stranger, and had an especially wild
appearance. True, much of this appearance could be attributed to the rags he
wore, but his long, slightly bent nose also added to the perception.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'm
afraid I have been severely remiss in not observing the normal social
graces," Tom observed. Leaning over in the saddle he extended his hand
toward the boy. "Thomas Brash, late of Kingston, Canada West, and now of
where you see me."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
boy looked at the extended hand for a moment, then took his Spencer in his rein
hand and grasped Tom's. "Frank Clement," he responded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tom
noted there was no mention of his origin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5d9Q-G_-jxY/YEUxz8zOxvI/AAAAAAAABdk/BQR6B2nObtUjciIIh1QUsTvWlp7BR7xmACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Bad%2BLands%2Baround%2BDrumheller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5d9Q-G_-jxY/YEUxz8zOxvI/AAAAAAAABdk/BQR6B2nObtUjciIIh1QUsTvWlp7BR7xmACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bad%2BLands%2Baround%2BDrumheller.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later in the story Tom and Frank travel through the Alberta Badlands pictured here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLcEPy5oBdw/YEUyMNarFlI/AAAAAAAABds/4c_ZHOHnmaAHclRxXMq6nBgt49Bd-KlJACLcBGAsYHQ/s711/two%2Bhorsemen%2Bthree%2Bhorses%2BRockies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLcEPy5oBdw/YEUyMNarFlI/AAAAAAAABds/4c_ZHOHnmaAHclRxXMq6nBgt49Bd-KlJACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/two%2Bhorsemen%2Bthree%2Bhorses%2BRockies.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still later in the novel they go through this kind of country.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><br /><p></p></div>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-68003321542713327172021-02-23T20:43:00.000-07:002021-02-23T20:43:33.290-07:00The Heart says RIGHT! Logic says WRONG!<p> </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; mso-cellspacing: 0cm; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
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<td style="padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;">
<h1><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Let’s think about this.</span></h1>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfvOr9IHWrE/YDXHldXtl6I/AAAAAAAABcE/e-Q1wynHFTAYpc8h-2CZWbi3RxvM_qgwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CPR%2Bwith%2Bcrude%2Btankers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AfvOr9IHWrE/YDXHldXtl6I/AAAAAAAABcE/e-Q1wynHFTAYpc8h-2CZWbi3RxvM_qgwwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/CPR%2Bwith%2Bcrude%2Btankers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvI4fCjkqfU/YDXJ1QmSLwI/AAAAAAAABcU/81jygKc91uQP32G257cNUv2pv3ooVTpPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1543/I-76%2BDec%2B6%2B2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1543" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvI4fCjkqfU/YDXJ1QmSLwI/AAAAAAAABcU/81jygKc91uQP32G257cNUv2pv3ooVTpPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/I-76%2BDec%2B6%2B2014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On I-76 in the USA on Dec 6, 2014</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Received this a few days ago
from a valued friend. Had a look through some of the information it contains
and it appears – through an hour’s research that the information is correct
but then, I didn’t find the differences all that surprising but did find the
volume astounding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Found
this very interesting. I’d never thought about ships hauling oil and every
other item purchased from around the world. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">This was fact checked —if you can count on
Google accountability. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-effects-reflection-align: bottomleft; mso-effects-reflection-angdirection: 5400000; mso-effects-reflection-angfadedirection: 5400000; mso-effects-reflection-anglekx: 0; mso-effects-reflection-angleky: 0; mso-effects-reflection-dpidistance: .079pt; mso-effects-reflection-dpiradius: 1.0pt; mso-effects-reflection-pctalphaend: 0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctalphastart: 28.0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctendpos: 45.0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctstartpos: 0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctsx: 100.0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctsy: -100.0%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shade-linearshade-angle: 5400000; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shade-linearshade-fscaled: no; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shadetype: linear; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-stoplist: "0 \#381563 7 100000 shade=20000 satm=245000\,43000 \#7B34D2 7 100000 satm=255000\,48000 \#7230C3 7 100000 shade=85000 satm=255000\,100000 \#381563 7 100000 shade=20000 satm=245000"; mso-style-textfill-type: gradient; mso-style-textoutline-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textoutline-fill-color: #5C437A; mso-style-textoutline-fill-colortransforms: "shade=50000 satm=120000"; mso-style-textoutline-fill-themecolor: accent4; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .354pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: solid; padding: 0cm; text-transform: uppercase;">KEYSTONE
PIPELINE VS TRAIN VS SHIP TO MOVE OIL</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>A little time was spent putting some numbers
together:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>1 Train has 100 cars, 2 engines and weighs
27,240,000 LBS.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">1 Train carries 3,000,000 gallons of oil.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">1 train uses 55.5 gallons of diesel per mile.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">It takes 119,000 gallons of diesel to go 2150 miles
from Hardisty, AB to Freeport, TX.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3mWZ6VMlfw/YDXKcRP7S9I/AAAAAAAABcc/Nvz8EFNjvs03Z1Ck7kJ_5tdtQ-NugFEOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/Aftermath%2BLac-M%25C3%25A8gantic%252C%2BQue.%2BJuly%252C%2B2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1024" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3mWZ6VMlfw/YDXKcRP7S9I/AAAAAAAABcc/Nvz8EFNjvs03Z1Ck7kJ_5tdtQ-NugFEOQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Aftermath%2BLac-M%25C3%25A8gantic%252C%2BQue.%2BJuly%252C%2B2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aftermath of rail disaster at Lac-Mègantic, Que. July, 2013</div><div style="text-align: center;">42 confirmed dead, 5 missing and presumed dead</div><div style="text-align: center;">About half the town destroyed</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Keystone pipeline was to deliver 34,860,000 gallons
of oil per day.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">It would take 12 trains and 1,428,000 gallons of
diesel to deliver that amount. PER DAY!</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">521,220,000 gallons of diesel per year.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXaFJSD1CCU/YDXJCmCJf9I/AAAAAAAABcM/W2xrte-8TbY7QAhXmJECYgWRboPgF2SrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Hellespont_Alhambra-with%2B440%252C000%2Btons%2Bof%2Bcrude%2Boil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rXaFJSD1CCU/YDXJCmCJf9I/AAAAAAAABcM/W2xrte-8TbY7QAhXmJECYgWRboPgF2SrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Hellespont_Alhambra-with%2B440%252C000%2Btons%2Bof%2Bcrude%2Boil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hellesport Alhambra with 440,000 tons (yes, Tons) of crude oil</div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-effects-glow-alpha: 40.0%; mso-effects-glow-color: #EB2722; mso-effects-glow-colortransforms: satm=175000; mso-effects-glow-rad: 18.0pt; mso-effects-glow-themecolor: accent2; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">The oil will still go
to market with or without the pipeline</span></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">. By stopping the pipeline, billions of gallons of
diesel will be wasted and pollute needlessly.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Does that make you feel good?</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>Stop the Tar Sands all together? Then we must ship
the oil from the overseas sandbox.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>1 large oil tanker can haul 120,000,000 gallons of
oil</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">1 boat takes 15 days to float across the Atlantic.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">1 boat uses 63,000 gallons of fuel PER DAY, that is
about 1 million gallons of the most polluting type fuel in the world PER
TRIP.*(See below)</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>Or take 3.5 days of Keystone Pipeline to move the
same amount of oil with a fraction of the pollution.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>*In international waters, ship emissions remain one
of the least regulated parts of our global transportation system. The fuel used
in ships is waste oil, basically what is left over after the crude oil refining
process. It is the same as asphalt and is so thick that when cold it can be
walked upon. It's the cheapest and most polluting fuel available and the
world's 90,000 ships chew through an astonishing 7.29 million barrels of it
each day, or more than 84% of all exported oil production from Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Shipping is by far
the biggest transport polluter in the world</span></b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">. There are 760 million cars in the world today,
emitting approximately 78,599 tons of Sulphur Oxides (SOx) annually. The
world's 90,000 vessels burn approximately 370 million tons of fuel per year,
emitting 20 million tons of Sulphur Oxides. That equates to 260 times more
Sulphur Oxides being emitted by ships than the world’s entire car fleet. One
large ship alone can generate approximately 5,200 tonnes of sulphur oxide
pollution in a year, meaning that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">15 of
the largest ships now emit as much SOx as the world’s 760 million cars.</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>Eliminate all gas consuming cars and diesel
vehicles?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>Worldwide car gas consumption is 403,583,712,000
gallons a year. That's billion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Worldwide oil consumption is
1,500,000,000,000 gallons a year. That's trillion.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>It takes 2.15 gallons of oil to make 1 gallon of
car gas and .6 gal of diesel.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">So it takes 867,704,980,800 gallons of oil to run
the world’s cars, most diesel vehicles for a year, and some ships.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">That leaves 632,295,019,200 gallons of oil for
other uses.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>Passenger vehicles are only a very small percentage
of the problem. If emissions are the problem -- why not just capture them at
the exhaust?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Create an industry to clean exhaust, instead of
crushing an entire industry and building a complete untested, replacement
industry?</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;"> </span>So are we willing to dramatically increase mining
to get all the minerals necessary to make all these batteries and electric
engines?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Mining is way worse for the environment than oil
extraction.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; padding: 0cm;">Is stopping the Keystone still making you feel
good?</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">And before I forget again I need to mention
something that has been bothering me. I keep hearing people talk about the end
of the internal combustion engine and how they will ALL be replaced with
electric vehicles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">That may be a good idea, time and experience will
(I expect) prove that to be the case. But within the ‘working life’ of anyone
in the workforce today? Absolutely not! In fifty years (50) perhaps but, at my
age, nothing I’ll need to worry about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">There are many more pictures of trucks and trains
overturned or burning or spilling or all of the above and of the aftermath than
what I’ve posted here. But isn’t this enough?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">This is NOT a list of all the train accidents in
North America but a small list of the most serious ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>Lac-Mègantic, Que. July, 2013</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Nov. 8, 2013 near
Aliceville, Alabama</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Dec. 30, 2013 Casselton,
North Dakota<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> Jan. 7, 2014 in
New Brunswick<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Jan. 20, 2014 Seven
train cars, six of them containing oil derailed on a bridge over the Schuylkill
River in Philadelphia. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">April 30, 2014 Nearly
30,000 gallons of oil were spilled into the James River.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Feb. 14, 2015: A 100-car
train derailed in a remote part of Ontario. The blaze it ignited burned for
days.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background: whitesmoke; color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Feb. 16, 2015 Derailment
and fire near Mount Carbon, West Virginia. Oil leak into Kanawha River
tributary. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">March 10, 2015 Twenty-one cars derailed about
3 miles outside Galena, Illinois.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">March 7, 2015 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 94-car Canadian National Railway crude oil
train derailed about 3 miles outside the northern Ontario town of Gogama. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">May 6, 2015 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A 109-car crude oil train derails near
Heimdal, North Dakota. Six cars exploded into flames and an estimated 60,000
gallons of oil spilled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">July 16, 2015: More than 20 cars of an oil
train deraile east of Culbertson, Montana, spilling an estimated 35,000 gallons
of oil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Nov. 7, 2015: More than a dozen cars loaded
with crude oil derail near Watertown, Wisconsin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #2c2c2c; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">June 3, 2016: A train hauling crude oil
derails in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, sparking a large fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-19366194645247812882021-02-12T15:57:00.000-07:002021-02-12T15:57:45.401-07:00A little piece of "Lucky"<h1 style="text-align: left;"></h1><h4 style="text-align: left;"> Background for "Lucky" ... and a taste</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsb__rSR0vQ/YCcGY3x5YTI/AAAAAAAABas/Ezk1yGlpui8tlmQt0BCuiG6bfUALky63QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200713_115237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qsb__rSR0vQ/YCcGY3x5YTI/AAAAAAAABas/Ezk1yGlpui8tlmQt0BCuiG6bfUALky63QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200713_115237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is one of the
pictures I took for “A Voice From Beyond” but didn’t use. It is of the “Sunrise
Valley” cemetery west of Dawson Creek.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This is an excerpt from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Lucky”</b> a short story that is part of
my “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Voice From Beyond; anthology” </b>or<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>collection. There are three stories
and three rhymes in this collection. The second story is about a woman,
watching the ranch for her absent (winter trapping) husband and the third about
one of the many so-called hobos who ‘rode the rails’ during the 1930s. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The rhymes are all about
Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Christmas is over, you
say? That’s your fault; it was published back in November. Besides, there’s
another Christmas coming. Sure, sure, it seems like forever with this Covid
stuff, but it’ll get here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpKGu1kIL7k/YCcHfbzVXSI/AAAAAAAABa8/2DqtvPoKmPQ2CyhGIxcihByfUZj8_CMQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1102/Global%2B-%2Bthumbnail_A%2BVoice%2BFrom%2BBeyond%2Bby%2BDavid%2BMilton%2BMcGowan-Group2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1102" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpKGu1kIL7k/YCcHfbzVXSI/AAAAAAAABa8/2DqtvPoKmPQ2CyhGIxcihByfUZj8_CMQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Global%2B-%2Bthumbnail_A%2BVoice%2BFrom%2BBeyond%2Bby%2BDavid%2BMilton%2BMcGowan-Group2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 18.0pt;">1867<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">At the end of the US Civil War many of the
combatants left the country for Mexico or Canada (which was just coming into
existence) A few made longer trips to South America, Europe or other
continents. Some had nothing to return to, some didn’t want to face their
former neighbors and be compelled to describe their experiences and others had
more nefarious reasons. Most returned to the US after months or years but they
needed some time to recover from the shock of war and death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today we call it Traumatic Stress
Disorder but such wasn’t recognized until after WWII and wasn’t accepted until
about 1990. In 1867 the kindest thing that was usually said about such
casualties was, “The war made him crazy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During the course of this story we
discover a young CSA officer who, after traveling the western US winds up in
New Westminster in the British Colony of British Columbia. The young southern
gentleman that went to war in 1861 has turned into a man who believes he needs
to consider only his own income and comfort. Before the war his now deceased
parents could not have envisioned he would become a thief and dishonest
gambler. Nor could he. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But life happens. Sometimes it drives
us deeper into the hole we’ve built for ourselves. For others something may happen
that causes an awakening. The person with fiber, grit or integrity, whatever
one chooses to call it, may recognize that awakening and take advantage of what
it offers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Somewhere down the road, in something
I may write, Lucky may appear again. I’ve met many like him, survivors of WWII,
Korea, Vietnam; the list continues. A few widened their narrow perception and
became productive members of society. Many didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 18.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 36.0pt;">Lucky<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">By D.M. McGowan</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">1</span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
first conscious thought was that he was soaked to the skin. Opening his eyes he
discovered that he was laying on rocks and mud while a hard, warm rain pounded
down. He appeared to be laying along the bottom of a steep-sided ravine, his
head pointing down hill. However, he had no idea how he got there. For that
matter, there was very little he did remember, including his name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
felt like a six-inch rock was digging into his shoulder blade. When he tried to
move off the rock, pain shot up through his left leg and exploded in his hip.
He froze immediately, but not before a scream had been torn from his throat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Looking
down at his foot he could see it lay at an impossible angle. Obviously the
lower leg was broken just above the ankle. He dropped his head back into the
mud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'm
in the mountains in the rain with a broken leg," he said aloud. He raised
his head slightly and looked up beyond his feet toward the head of the ravine.
"And this is probably one of those mountain stream beds that will become a
rushing torrent during a rain storm." Dropping his head back in the mud,
he added, "Looks like it's my lucky day."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'Why did I say that?'</i> he asked himself. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'Is luck something that's important to me?'<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hey!
You alive?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
swung his head around looking for the source of the voice. There appeared to be
some movement by a large rock that jutted out near the top of the right hand
bank.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I
feel wet, hurt, and lost," he hollered back, "and I can hear you. I
suspect I'm alive." In a lower tone he added, "Then again, perhaps
this is meant to be my eventual destination."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'll
throw you a rope," called the voice from above.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Don't
think it will do much good. I don't think I could hang onto it very long. My
leg's broken."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was a short pause, then the voice said, "I'll have t' go down hill an'
work back up the gully. Be awhile."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
propped himself up on one elbow and looked again at the twisted leg. "I
believe I shall wait right here for you," he said softly, and then
realized that he should acknowledge that he understood. "Thank you,"
he hollered. He reached around to remove the offending rock from his resting
place but it would not budge. Gently he lay back on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">For more of this story and for others go to </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And look for the cover pictured above<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-20118358545574074722021-01-31T11:57:00.000-07:002021-01-31T11:57:13.964-07:00An excerpt from "The Making of Jake McTavish"<h2 style="text-align: left;"> Historical Notes</h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">During the novel “The Making of Jake
McTavish” there is a part where Jake visits what is now called by the locals
the “Old Fort” and speaks with a young man I actually knew 60 years later. Here
is a picture of the old Roman Catholic Church at that site roughly 20 years
after the time depicted in the story.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqBrBXBUWVM/YBb431cpkYI/AAAAAAAABYc/i2Rx1PvcBIoTtIGgEzljwTo-yDvffuUQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s256/Old%2BFort%2B-%2BRC%2Bchurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NqBrBXBUWVM/YBb431cpkYI/AAAAAAAABYc/i2Rx1PvcBIoTtIGgEzljwTo-yDvffuUQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Old%2BFort%2B-%2BRC%2Bchurch.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Roman Catholic Mission at "Old Fort"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jL8rYDD4Yxw/YBb6N2vRoxI/AAAAAAAABYo/bl3s8FvjfMMY9Nuap9I2hjyoeCk9D4nPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Old%2BFt.%2BSt.%2BJohn%2B1875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jL8rYDD4Yxw/YBb6N2vRoxI/AAAAAAAABYo/bl3s8FvjfMMY9Nuap9I2hjyoeCk9D4nPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Old%2BFt.%2BSt.%2BJohn%2B1875.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "Old Fort" - Fort St. John about 1875</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">showing factor's residence and trade and storage</div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Jake also talks to a young North West
Mounted Police officer who was the single remainder of a large troupe who went
through the Peace Country that year, details of which are covered in the “Author’s
Notes” at the end of the novel. However, one of the things the troupe did
before continuing on was to build the NWMP post and jail on the south side of
the river which still existed there (although it had been turned over the the
BC Provincial Police about 1909) when I worked on the ranch which surrounded
it. It was however in better shape when I worked there in 1963 and has since been moved and restored at the Fort St. John museum.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The second picture is how it appeared in 1929</span></p><h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #c4663b; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.5pt;"><o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Biei2KpkV6I/YBb7OXxI1sI/AAAAAAAABZE/K9GMqZNwlq0Tr-hFUdytPlqDHuqoDUuuACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Old%2BFort%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Biei2KpkV6I/YBb7OXxI1sI/AAAAAAAABZE/K9GMqZNwlq0Tr-hFUdytPlqDHuqoDUuuACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Old%2BFort%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div></o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z1yu88LlUY/YBb797HHQPI/AAAAAAAABZM/_R0Q7KdlArcOc5HxT-Pom42XpvMopdquwCLcBGAsYHQ/s479/FSJ%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch%2B1927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Z1yu88LlUY/YBb797HHQPI/AAAAAAAABZM/_R0Q7KdlArcOc5HxT-Pom42XpvMopdquwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/FSJ%2BJail%2Bon%2BPenalty%2BRanch%2B1927.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 24.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19.3333px;">An Excerpt from "The Making of Jake McTavish"</span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEFFYsQNptA/YBb9QPhiC6I/AAAAAAAABZo/3XV9-Tbx4QAtKrjnduchZGH8_PpV2UdXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1194/Global%2B-%2Bthumbnail_The-Making-Of-Jake-McTavish%2Bby%2BDave%2BMcGowan-5-Star-Group-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1194" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EEFFYsQNptA/YBb9QPhiC6I/AAAAAAAABZo/3XV9-Tbx4QAtKrjnduchZGH8_PpV2UdXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Global%2B-%2Bthumbnail_The-Making-Of-Jake-McTavish%2Bby%2BDave%2BMcGowan-5-Star-Group-2.png" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.65pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">1</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><b><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Omineca
Country</span></b></st1:city><b><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state w:st="on">British Columbia</st1:state></span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">, 1898</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Jake McTavish came out of the winter twenty pounds
lighter and a whole lot meaner. Perhaps not meaner than he had been the fall
before but definitely more than he had been before his wife had been murdered.
That had been slightly more than four years in the past but he had not
forgotten anything about it. The more he brooded here in the wilderness the
more he detested the company of his fellow man.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">That meant it was his fourth year taking furs from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">theFinlay</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>country,
and the fourth year he wasn’t going to have any cash money once he re-supplied
for the coming season. He had collected fur, but not much more than it would
take to pay for supplies and repair equipment.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He was leaning against the door frame of his cabin,
morning coffee in hand, gazing down toward the river, when he said, “Maybe I’ll
just have t’ shoot somebody. That way the government will have t’ feed us ‘til
they punch my ticket and bury me.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Jake wasn’t paying much attention to what he was
saying. The words were just noise to fill the empty cabin; and his only
companion, the blue tick hound on the floor by the stove, always agreed with
him.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">After four years of talking to few but the hound Jake
was beginning to think the animal understood. Having experienced the
intelligence of the animal he had also begun believing he knew what the dog was
thinking.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“Yeah, I know, problem with that is we’d have t’ find
somebody to shoot,” Jake continued, and then added, “<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city>, we gotta take them furs t’ the fort.
Maybe there’ll be somebody there that’s worth a five-cent bullet.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">If Jake had been serious about shooting someone,
perhaps he would have paid more attention to his surroundings. Had he done so,
he might have saved himself from an attack on his life. However he did notice
the hound briefly lift one eyelid and quickly let it close. Another person
viewing his always serious expression probably wouldn’t have believed it but
Jake foundChester’s reaction humorous. They had been out before dawn checking
the few trap sets still near the cabin. The mornings were still cold and Jake
was sure<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>was
enjoying the heat of the fire. He also thought that over the course of the past
few years<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>had
heard enough of his master’s growling that he was extremely comfortable
ignoring it.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Jake spent the rest of the day closing up camp. He had
already tripped any open traps that morning and only had four fresh hides -
three beaver and a martin - to set out on drying frames. The few supplies that
had managed to make it through the winter he put up in his cache cabin - a
solid tree house built high between two pine trees. He gave his canoe a very
careful check for damage and placed it in the water, tied securely to the log
dock.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He decided to take the fresh hides laced in their
drying frames by setting them on the three small bales of furs he would load in
the canoe. It was precarious, considering some of the white water he would have
to shoot, but he could tie them in place. The alternative was to leave them to
be included in next years take, but he thought he needed everything he could
get this year. Besides, if he left them he would probably find them ripped up
by coyotes or wolves when he returned. Leaving them in the cabin or cache would
fill those structures with enough stink to attract a grizzly. Given enough
incentive a silver tip would break into anything.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">The first part of the trip went as Jake had planned;
and since it was his fourth trip down to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Ft.</st1:placetype><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:placename w:st="on">St. John</st1:placename></st1:place><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>this was not a particular surprise. It
had been a short, mild winter and he was late enough in the season that he saw
very little ice, except for a few small pieces melting away from their perches
on driftwood where they had been forced by the earlier heavy run off. The water
was still high enough that he could avoid portaging, but low enough that he
managed to keep the canoe upright with his cargo inside the craft.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Some stretches of river did create heart pounding
moments. Jake was not one to admit it, even to himself, but adrenaline flowed
and he worked hard to avoid rocks and whirlpools.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city>,
in his assigned space at the front of the canoe, put his chin on the ribbing
and his paws over his nose.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">There was just enough light for Jake to shoot the last
rapids on the Finlay, and enough dark that he could steer wide around the
settlement of Finlay Forks without attracting attention. Everyone stopped at
the landing. After a winter in the bush most men wanted company and
conversation. Jake wanted neither. He also didn’t want to put up with fur
traders trying to deal him out of his pelts for less than top price.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">***</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Two men did see him from the dock as he turned into
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on">Peace
River</st1:place>. One was known as Sam Twice. He had been born into the
Beaver Nation but was accepted at no lodge, including that of his own family.
The other was Martin Prentice, a man who definitely<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>was</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>wanted. He was wanted by the law in
both the State of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New York</st1:place></st1:state><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and theProvince<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:state>. The town police
in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Winnipeg</st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>andCalgary<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>would have also liked to talk to him,
but they were not aware he was the one who had committed the crimes.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">In the twilight Sam Twice made a flicking motion with
one finger toward the silhouette out on the water. “Him maybe got fur,” he
said.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“I expect he does,” Martin agreed. He took a swig from
the jug he held and passed it to Sam. “Perhaps he also has a small poke of gold
he’s panned out of streams.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“Why him not come in?” Sam asked. He flicked a finger
toward the large cabin that served as store, saloon, and hotel as long as one
wasn’t too particular about prices, liquor quality, or sleeping on the floor.
He took a swig from the jug which the two had purchased at the store. Sam
didn’t care about the quality of the refreshment since he had never had
anything better.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“I expect he wants more than half price for his
pelts,” Martin replied. “He’ll take them down to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Ft.</st1:placetype><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:placename w:st="on">St. John</st1:placename></st1:place><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>where he’ll get as much as he can get
in this country.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“Don’ like that man boss that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Fort</st1:placetype><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:placename w:st="on">John</st1:placename></st1:place><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>place,”
Sam said. “He marry Beaver girl. She nice girl, one time.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Martin looked at Sam a moment. He knew there was much
about Sam’s past that he didn’t know, but he didn’t really care. Sam was useful
from time to time, and that was all the mattered. “I heard his wife was Cree,
but what do I know? I’ve never even seen the woman.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sam grunted, giving Martin no idea what he meant.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Martin waved toward the silhouette of man and canoe
fading into the gathering darkness. “Now, that pilgrim will undoubtedly stop
for the night. Tomorrow he’ll go on to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Portage</st1:placename><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
If we were to float down the river right now we could be at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Portage</st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to meet him.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“I like maybe stay here an’ drink,” Sam objected. He
wasn’t one to hasten toward any effort that wasn’t absolutely necessary.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“How would you like to have a nice canoe?” Martin
asked.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sam looked at Martin with hard, cold eyes. “I get
canoe an’ you get fur?”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“No, no,” Martin objected. “We split the furs and you
get the canoe. After all, I already have a canoe.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sam nodded several times, then placed the cork in the
jug and hit it with the heel of his hand. “We go.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 13.65pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">2</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Peace River</span></b></st1:place><b><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Portage Mountain</st1:city>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:state w:st="on">British Columbia</st1:state></st1:place>, 1898</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">There was no question about pulling out of the water
upriver from<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Portage</st1:placename><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mountain</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Even in late August, when the
water flow may have dropped several feet, no one in their right mind would try
to shoot the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Peace</st1:placename><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:placetype w:st="on">Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">It was mid afternoon of their second day of travel
when Jake pulled in to the river bank.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>jumped out onto dry ground and ran to
the nearest aspen where he lifted his leg.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Pulling the canoe up so the current couldn’t take it,
Jake said, “Mighty fine idea,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city>. You’re a smart
dog.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Jake unloaded his canoe and dragged the craft up onto
dry ground.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>sat
on his haunches, looked at the bales of furs and supplies, swung his gaze up
the trail, and then looked back at the cargo.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“We ain’t in a hurry,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chester</st1:place></st1:city>.
We’ll spend the night here. Go see if yuh can find a rabbit.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Chester</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></span><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">headed off into the bush and Jake collected firewood.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">At the start and end of any portage there are
well-used camp areas; and if the trail to more water is long enough, more
stopping places along the way. The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>PortageMountain<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>trail - a long walk<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>without</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>carrying a pack - was no exception.
There were several sites that had been used on the upriver end. Jake chose one
of the spots as far back as possible from the trail end and riverbank and
started his fire. If there were other travellers, he wanted to avoid company if
possible. He didn’t mind carrying a little water.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">While the fire burned down to coals he moved his
freight and canoe up to the camp site. Gathering firewood, he noticed a small
aspen sapling and cut it with his knife. Back at the fire he skewered a piece
of moose meat with the green stick and drove the butt end of the stick into the
ground so the meat was suspended over the coals.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">As the meat was heating up to a sizzle he mixed up
some bannock batter, wound it around another piece of green stick and propped
that over the fire.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Chester</span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span></span><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">sauntered into camp and dropped to the ground at the edge of firelight.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“You’re getting lazy, old man,” Jake said. “First
smell o’ cookin’ meat an’ you come back.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He turned his gaze to the hound and saw the relaxed,
satisfied look and the long tongue licking lips.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“I apologise, old man. I don’t know what you mighta
found t’ eat on this pile o’ rocks, but you’ve found somethin’.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">When he finished eating and washing up, Jake threw a
couple of sticks on the fire and propped the canoe up so it would collect and
hold the heat for his bed. He propped himself up against a dry log, loaded his
pipe and leaned back puffing contentedly.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">“Nothin’ wrong with this, Ches. Nice warm night.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Surprised at his master’s good mood,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Chestergrunted.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">During breakfast the next morning Jake decided to
continue taking it easy. Even though the two bundles of furs were not very
large he would pack them around the mountain one at a time. The four fresh
plews had not been properly treated, but they were dry so he decided to tie
them on to one of the bundles. He pulled a bag full of string and sinew from
his possibles pack and wrapped the hides in place, cutting the ends of sinew
off and putting them back in the bag.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He was already on the trail when he realized he hadn’t
put his knife back in the sheath. He hesitated, decided he would pick it up on
the next trip, and started off again.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He had only taken a few steps when he heardChester<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>off the trail to his right. There was
the beginning of a bark followed by a howl that was abruptly cut off. Jake
swung the pack of furs from his shoulders, dropped it to the trail, and stepped
into the brush.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.65pt; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">There was blinding pain from the back of his skull. He
saw a light as bright as the sun. Then he fell into blackness.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #474b4e; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9210295911043097934.post-554269172779686212021-01-13T17:06:00.000-07:002021-01-13T17:06:08.682-07:00Movie Depictions of the Canadian West<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Renfrew
of the Royal Mounted - The Royal Mounted Patrol - Rose Marie - Sergeant Preston
of the Yukon - Steele of the Royal Mounted - Saskatchewan </span></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDFo0GvK_dg/X_-DpLOH5HI/AAAAAAAABV8/4NWDXcRuf0Q4fXSHsYrFEbospZ1I9LILACLcBGAsYHQ/s500/Renfrew%2Bof%2Bthe%2BRoyal%2BMounted%2Bbook%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="353" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDFo0GvK_dg/X_-DpLOH5HI/AAAAAAAABV8/4NWDXcRuf0Q4fXSHsYrFEbospZ1I9LILACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Renfrew%2Bof%2Bthe%2BRoyal%2BMounted%2Bbook%2Bcover.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M882mBTUW1w/X_-D1XPtG3I/AAAAAAAABWA/F93l3SWRAZMQUabefwt0cBRgDLJuc6k1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s350/Sergeant%2BPreston%2Bof%2Bthe%2BYukon%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="334" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M882mBTUW1w/X_-D1XPtG3I/AAAAAAAABWA/F93l3SWRAZMQUabefwt0cBRgDLJuc6k1wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Sergeant%2BPreston%2Bof%2Bthe%2BYukon%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 118%;">What
do these early films have to do with the North West Mounted Police or history? <b><u>Absolutely nothing!</u></b> Members of
the NWMP (and the RCMP) are people, not the supermen projected by Hollywood. Other
representations of NWMP officers would make you think they never did anything
immoral and stepped out of the pages of the Bible. For “people” take a look at “Gunfighters,
Thieves and Lawmen” at </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 118%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI">https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B004V9WZVI</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Within
the story, actually the second chapter, two of the characters, a Mountie and a
cattleman discus the attempts to find and arrest a man listed as Jean Baptiste
on reservation rolls but known by his own people as Almighty Voice. This is
actually an historical event and demonstrates the attitudes, both white and indigenous
of the day and the racism that existed on both sides.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ0OzH8VKII/X_-GR8V7Y1I/AAAAAAAABWg/AUD522qicxsm2KNGxVGg3xoXfBpuLA7uwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/ALMIGHTY%2BVOICE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="309" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ0OzH8VKII/X_-GR8V7Y1I/AAAAAAAABWg/AUD522qicxsm2KNGxVGg3xoXfBpuLA7uwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ALMIGHTY%2BVOICE.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Almighty Voice </div><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">No,
I’m not saying that mistaken ideas or racism do not exist today but just that
they are different than those ideas of 1897. I believe both sides have mistaken
ideas of each other today and both are wrong. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> I also believe both have racist attitudes concerning
the other today and both are in error. At least now each is doing some study of the other but in 1897 there was no study, just </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">guesswork</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> that suddenly became "fact".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Both the
initial event that led to Almighty Voice becoming a fugitive and the eventual
conclusion of the case did not display exemplary police work. The very best
that can be said is that actions by members of the North West Mounted Police
during the two year chase were less than laudatory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That
is one of the reasons I write stories about the opening and settlement of the
Canadian West. I like to see at least a smidgen of truth appear about the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another
reason and the reason I use “historical fiction” is there doesn’t seem to be
any real people, a shortage of effort and little entertainment in Canadian
history. Our railroads, for example seem to have been built by forceful
businessmen, magnates if you will, and somewhat questionable deals made between
them and the Federal Government. The actual 'builders' those doing the work are often </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">conspicuous</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> by their </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">absence</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">. Mention can easily be found about miss-treated
Chinese on the Rocky Mountain to West Coast section (which will be up-coming in
a novel I’m working on) but little has been written about those who worked 12
and 16 hour days laying ballast, cross-ties and rails across the prairies. It
isn’t hard to find some information about the companies who built the railroads
receiving every second quarter section of land along the right-of-way but
little is written about how that interfered with those who tried to homestead
the land or buy it out-right for cereal crops and livestock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entertainment
itself that includes mention of Canada’s history is not particularly hard to
find. The American film industry (movies and TV) have a few dozen offerings but
it is difficult to find anything in them that is not entertainment – or anything
similar to what it was actually like. Canadian offerings, though very few exist have
been somewhat better but there is nothing that I am aware of that might be
called “factual”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">One notable exception is a made for TV series I remember from the 1960s
(?) called “Chilcotin” (I think) much of which was filmed on location (Central
BC west of the Fraser River). It was very entertaining, the beginning of the
careers of some (such as Chief Dan George) and gave the viewer some idea of what
happened during the cattle business work day in that area. Sadly none of the film
exists today but it was based on the work of Paul St. Pier and his short story
collection, <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: black; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><a href="https://www.alibris.com/Smith-and-Other-Events-Tales-of-the-Chilcotin-Paul-St-Pierre/book/6143082?matches=11"><span style="color: black;">Smith and Other Events: Tales of the Chilcotin</span></a> which
can be found at <a href="https://www.alibris.com/booksearch?mtype=B&title=smith+and+other+events">https://www.alibris.com/booksearch?mtype=B&title=smith+and+other+events</a>
</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 3; tab-stops: 196.5pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-contextual-alternates: no; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cPMf13bRn0/X_-HjeqzacI/AAAAAAAABWs/Iud4eQ4vRFAIJY9HXCoLFxjNPG9AzR5tgCLcBGAsYHQ/s187/Smith%2Band%2BOther%2BEvents.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="119" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0cPMf13bRn0/X_-HjeqzacI/AAAAAAAABWs/Iud4eQ4vRFAIJY9HXCoLFxjNPG9AzR5tgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Smith%2Band%2BOther%2BEvents.gif" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However,
if all one wants is entertainment, some “Hollywood” offerings are certainly
that. “Dan Candy’s Law” (aka “Alien Thunder” from 1974) starring Donald
Sutherland is one such and is an attempt to relate the story of “Almighty Voice”
mentioned above. The writing was done by W.O. Mitchell and when the producers strayed
too far from history and created their own story, Mitchell demanded that his
name be removed from the production. It can be viewed on YouTube at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alien+thunder+1974">https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=alien+thunder+1974</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but be advised that my representation in “Gunfighters,
Thieves and Lawmen” is probably closer to history.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mnuWOKItg4/X_-Is1_y1hI/AAAAAAAABXI/8wJN0upqgJIACPUC9KTZ3pqOSRSBF0_lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/Dan%2BCandy%2527s%2BLaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="354" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mnuWOKItg4/X_-Is1_y1hI/AAAAAAAABXI/8wJN0upqgJIACPUC9KTZ3pqOSRSBF0_lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Dan%2BCandy%2527s%2BLaw.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another
piece of Canadian entertainment is “Saskatchewan” (1954) which I like even
though it has very little if anything to do with history. It has Alan Ladd,
Shelley Winters, Hugh O’Brian, Jay Silverheels, Robert Douglas …a great cast. I
also knew one of those who worked with horses off screen and had a few stories
to tell in the bunkhouse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqydiw4yhjg/X_-JAwEcDfI/AAAAAAAABXQ/AvY7HBoAblgu0R03jQd8k9oHpe36VCw6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s768/Saskatchewan%2Bcut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqydiw4yhjg/X_-JAwEcDfI/AAAAAAAABXQ/AvY7HBoAblgu0R03jQd8k9oHpe36VCw6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Saskatchewan%2Bcut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Alan Ladd, Shelley Winters, Jay Silverheels</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here
are links to a slideshow and the actual movie<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 118%; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Saskatchewan
slideshow - </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnvd3X12dok" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnvd3X12dok</a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Saskatchewan movie - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6bPMRVE5Ew">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6bPMRVE5Ew</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>D.M. McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05008773391981989236noreply@blogger.com0