personal time

Amazing street in Shaftesbury, England

This has been a long several weeks.  My apologies for being off the blog, but as you may know I have been out of country.  I left for the United Kingdom the first of the month, and have been there since.  I had a lot of adventures, and over the next few days I will tell you about the highlights.

It had been my intention to give you a sort of blow by blow blog of my visit to “Old Blighty,” but it was not to be.  First, I found out that my internet access was to be extremely limited.  Then I thought I might be able to use my iPhone, but quickly found the cost of using it overseas was enormous, and unacceptable.

In any event, I took many photographs and will regale you soon with tales of my travels.

Home of LtCol T E Lawrence, Lawrence of Arabia, in London

Curling sheets - Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010

So I’m watching Ice Hockey, and it’s the big one … US versus Canada.  What a game! I still can’t believe we won, but I’ll damned sure take it.  For me it’s almost as much fun as watching Rugby, and in the case of hockey, I can understand why they wear so much padding.  Anyway – I’m watching hockey, and they switch on me to “curling.”  My first reactions  - – - “Giant shuffleboard – come on, get serious – an Olympic sport?  Then I began watching it more closely and became mesmerized.

I couldn’t understand much at first, but the air began to clear, and it became very interesting.  Of course, being the obsessive that I am, I immediately began researching curling, even as I was looking at it on the telly, and became even more intrigued. Now I have a whole new vocabulary:  bump, a slider shoe, free guard zone, hammer, blank end, stealing, a biter, burn, and so many more.

Alas, I know curling has been around in Scotland since like the sixteenth century, in the US since the early 1800s, and an Olympic official sport since 1998, but it never perked my attention until I saw it in the Vancouver Olympic Stadium.

I love learning about new things…at least new to me…   Curling – - – who knew?

Sunny - Before the snows came.

The snow in Gettysburg has kept me away from the stable where I board my horse.  Sunny, a bright-eyed Appaloosa, was inside all this time, a prisoner in his stall – unable to run or play with his best friend, Teddy, a sleek Arabian, in the 40 – 50 inches of snow covering the outdoor ring and paddocks.  I knew he would be well cared for at my stable, but felt serious guilt anyway for “neglecting him.

He must be missing me terribly, I thought – lonely, morose, moping about like a lost soul.  So today I finally made my way out there, expecting that Sunny might be a bit peeved at my neglect, expecting him to be somewhat hyper after his long confinement, but also thinking how happy he’d be to see me.

Imagine my chagrin, when I found Sunny well-groomed, hooves clean as a whistle, well-fed, warm as toast in the heated barn in his clean stall, and not particularly caring whether I was there or not. Now Sunny is a fairly new horse to me.  He has only been mine for six months or so.  We’re still getting to know one another, but yet I expected him to be waiting to see me with open affection.  This was not to be.

After I stroked him a while, and whispered softly in his ear, he did begin to nudge and niggle at my sleeve. Ah ha, he did miss me.  That is what I was thinking until it dawned on me he simply wanted a treat.  Yes, there I was, a mere “pez dispenser,” on hand for Sunny’s pleasure, and a slave to his hungry eyes.  I was, as you might imagine, very satisfied with the wonderful care he was receiving, but at the same time frustrated that I was not more needed by this great animal I have learned to love…ah well.

I know that Sunny and I are a new match, and I know that there’ll come a time when our relationship will go beyond my being the big human who grooms him, gets on his back, makes him work, then gives him a treat for his trouble.  But, alas, I fear my attachment for Sunny is moving much faster than his for me … other than those pez’s … which are in reality an apple or a carrot.  Right now I’m satisfied that he knows I’m in charge, which makes it safer when I ride him, but the rest will take more time.

In the hope of speeding that bond along, I groomed him, threw my western saddle gently on his back, and rode him for the first time in many days in the indoor arena.  I did some ground work to settle him down. This is a sweet horse – spirited, but sweet.  He was hyper from being cooped up a while, but nonetheless responsive, and was being a joy to ride – to a point. He was fine until I tried a little jog – opps!

I was told by the amazed on-lookers that it was a joy to watch.  With huge smiles they saw Sunny bunny-hopping across the arena, with me fast in the saddle, but hopping up and down with him just like an old western movie … and a bad one at that.  He settled down, and I thanked him for the invigorating ride with a pat on his neck and a few whispered words.  He snorted a patient approval of my staying on his back, as if to say, “OK, you passed.”  We continued to work the arena, and it was a great ride, if not a close and personal bonding experience.

I’ll keep at it, and I’ll try not to worry about him at the stable pining away without me.  Mostly, I’ll continue to reach out for that bonding I know will come in time, at his own speed, when I can graduate from Pez Dispenser to senior partner and faithful friend.

What I didn’t mention yesterday was that I’ve been fighting some kind of virus for the past week.  The Docs, as always, say the same thing.  It’s likely a virus and there are no meds except to treat the symptoms as it runs its course.  Just in case it is bacterial, they give you an antibiotic series, but tell you it likely won’t help much.  They prescribe lots of liquids and plenty of rest.  Well – - – I’ve found a better cure … my own home remedy.

Honey, Jack, and Lemon - The Honeydew

It’s simple.  A cup full of honey, a teaspoon full of lemon, and a generous shot of Jack Daniels, taken “as needed.”  The honey soothes the throat, and the Jack makes the tummy say, “Howdy!”  It is, in fact, a liquid in keeping with Doctor’s orders, and it does allow you to rest.  Better than Nyquil.

I call it “The Honeydew.”  It may not be on the Doctor’s prescribed medicine list, but it should be.  In any event, it works for me.  That’s my story and I’m stickin’ with it!  Sometimes I have a Honeydew when I’m not even sick  -   but don’t tell anyone.

So we had a bit of snow in Gettysburg – again … and I mean a bit.  Not worth mentioning, but I understand some other areas rather close by were hit harder.  It’s funny how snow fall is so relative to what you’re used to having, at least to me.  I’m from upstate New York, Syracuse to be exact.  We never thought about closing schools or being “snowed in” until we had 8 – 20 inches, and that kind of snow fall was common.  To us it was just weather.  A natural occurrence.  Here in Gettysburg, a few inches causes major worry.

Mike pointing at 'snow emergency' in London

That’s relative as well.  Not too long ago Mike Vice and I were in London on a book project, and they had what they called a major blizzard – emergency conditions.  It shut down the entire town – almost panic in the streets – grocery stores doing a land office business as folks stocked up – being warned not to venture out unless absolutely necessary.

There was what I would characterize as ‘a dusting,’ as you can see by the picture of Mike smiling ironically as he points at the “massive snowfall.”  When I lived in D.C. it was much the same.  It’s all in your perspective and what your used to dealing with.  I, for one, enjoy the snow and consider risking its perils another adventure, another challenge worth taking.

On the other hand, I must admit, I’m getting pretty fed up with the severe and constant cold weather this year in our part of the country.  Where’s all that global warming when you need it?  Spring can not come too soon.

I don’t know about you, but I truly detest going to the dentist. He’s actually a really nice guy, and I think it important to take care of your teeth, unless you really enjoy eating soup. No, it’s not the dentist or the dental work, or even the needles – it’s the fat mouth thing afterward for what seems like hours.

Over the years, as I’m certain we all do, I’ve developed a way to deal with these times of stress. A brave and manly way.

First I stay up late the night before writing or watching endless Law & Order reruns, thus getting little sleep. I make the dental appointment for early or mid morning – all part of my diabolical plan. After the visit I come home, in total silence, head for the bedroom, take a cowardly Nyquil, and crash for several hours of tossing about sleep until the nasty big mouth returns to a presentable size – although still tingly.

Oh – I forgot. A nice bowl of chicken soup or ice cream waiting when I awake doesn’t hurt.

Manly, aye? I’d say even courageous. After all, I could have wimped out and had gas!

Every once in a while, a day off is welcome.  This is one of them.  I’m reading for my enjoyment, which happens to be a draft manuscript of a novel by a close friend, Kit Cooper.  I love it.  It is about one of my favorite periods and battles, the Anglo-Zulu War, and Rorke’s Drift.  It’s written as the journal of a private soldier who was there, and Kit has that ability to place his reader there as well.

Fine Remake

So thus I have spent my day.  Many relaxing hours with Kit’s manuscript, followed by watching one of the best Westerns made, “Monty Walsh: The Last Cowboy” starring Tom Selleck – from a book by Jack Schaefer.

I look at these westerns now for the horseback riding as well as plot, characters, dialogue, etc.  I was pleased to see what an accomplished rider Selleck really is, and his sidekick as well – Keith Carradine .  Of course, is there anything the Carradine family can’t do or hasn’t done?

This is actually a TV remake of a 1970 movie starring Lee Marvin and Jack Palance, also a great film.  The Selleck remake, unlike many remakes, is excellent, and has its own style and grace.  It was directed by Simon Wincer, who  brought us “Lonesome Dove,” so what can you expect.

1970 Original Film-A wonderful movie

The more I ride Sunny, my Appaloosa, the more I enjoy good westerns.  Funny thing that.

Last night I attended one of the most spectacular events I’ve seen thus far at the Majestic Theater, Gettysburg, PA.  It was the Irish Guards Band, and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlander Pipes and Drums. They were magnificent.

Irish Guards Band

They made the modest stage sparkle and pop endlessly throughout the performance.  Toe-tapping Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English, and even American tunes, and brisk martial music brought the audience, a full house, to their feet.  The scurl of the pipes stirred many a heart, including mine.

Argyll and Sutherland Highlander Piper

Musicians came into the audience, delighfully surprising many listeners, and playing flawlessly – trumpets, pipers, and even a post horn … there was no dozing this night.  Their quietly poignant and beautifully played rendering of “Taps,” and the British equivalent, “Last Post,” was something I will remember for a long time.

I had thought the strikingly refurbished Majestic Theater too small for a marching band with pipes and drums, but it certainly was not.   Their marching on that tiny stage was, in itself, something to behold.

I spoke to several of the Irish Guards lads during intermission, and was pleased to find we had many mutual friends among the Scots Guards, whom I met doing research at Wellington Barracks, London.  After the performance was over, for some unknown reason, these lads managed to find their way to the Garryowen Irish Pub, where we were able to share a pint of two or three or four.

Drums of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

It was a good night had by all, and when I go to the UK on tour in April/May, I’m certain we’ll meet up again.  Two lads, Kalvyn and Mick, actually hang out in my favorite local in London, The Cardinal Pub, so I know we’ll be meeting up.  Besides, I think they owe me a pint … or me them.

Irish Guardsmen chatting with Jeffrey Gabel, Founding Executive Director, Majestic Theater - Gettysburg

Garryowen

New mates in pub - sorry for the bad pic ... I suspect you understand

Garryowen Irish Pub, Gettysburg, PA

I was browsing on the web following up on a tweet I had received, and looking for a group of writers I might join in the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, area. There was one, but it said ‘private’ and that seemed to defeat its purpose, so I moved on.

I noticed on the Meetup.com site a place to “start your own meetup group” with a self constructed web page – and with simple instructions even I could follow.  The rest, as they say, is history.

I’m now the organizer, at least temporarily, of a group willing to meet at the Garryowen Irish Pub in Gettysburg on each Wednesday night, 7-9 pm, to share and discuss techniques of writing, book publishing, book promotion/marketing, and anything else we can think of.  The fact is, three or four local writers have been meeting at the Garryowen on Wednesdays for some time, so it wasn’t much of a stretch – more an expansion.

I envisioned an informal gathering of writers with few rules – after all we’re meeting in a pub!  Topics will be decided at the previous meeting and announced on the web site. We’ll have dinner (Wonderful food at the Garryowen Irish Pub), paid for individually by each of those attending, and a few libations of your choice, complimented by lively discussions of topics important to anyone wanting to torture themselves into becoming a writer.

We actually had our first ‘formal’ (although it was terribly informal) meeting last night.  Five attended: four writers, and one world traveler who should be writing a book.  We intend to talk him into it.  The pub as a meeting place worked like a charm.  The owner and host, Kevin, and the managers, Anne and Josh, are most accommodating and gracious.

As it happened, the writers present were either published or about to be.  The group, however, is open to all writers at whatever stage in their writerly efforts they find themselves, even if they merely have a book in their heads they’d love to write.  Our world traveler describes himself as just a ‘reader,’ and he’s most welcome too.

I believe this group can be many things to many people. To begin with, it’s good to get together with a group of like-minded folks for a pleasant discussion, good food, and companionship. In addition, the discussions about various aspects of writing and getting published help us all in perfecting our craft, publication, and promotional efforts.

We hope to draw more participants over the next few weeks.  If your reading this (God, I hope someone is), and you’re in driving range – come join us and I’ll buy you a pint.

Gettysburg Writers Meetup Group –     http://www.meetup.com/Gettysburg-Writers-Meetup-Group/

We had a lovely time in Louisiana, and gracious hosts who couldn’t have been kinder.  There is an amazing and refreshing clarity about renewing family ties.  On the other hand, as much as I enjoy Thomas Wolfe, sometimes you can go home again.

Yes, I love driving though this country, but there is certainly something to be said for coming home, especially if that home is in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  The soft lights on the side of the red bricks; the snow-covered lawn marred only by the tacks of small critters and the family of deer who live in our woods; the warm homey smells when you enter the door; the invigorating sparkle and quick renewal of taking a long slow shower in your own bathroom, surrounded by your own things; and, of course, the luxury of fresh clean sheets, smelling of your soap’s fragrance; and warm blankets in your own bed…heaven.

Sleep now … blog-writing later … perhaps tomorrow … forgive me, but I must re-energize.