Paladin_HGWT: Blog

I had hoped to post the first several chapters of this story on the anniversary of the "D-Day" landings of Operation Overlord on June 6th 1944, on the beaches of the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy, France.

While a fictional story, it is heavily based upon Historical Facts. Upon the advice of a friend who read those chapters, I am making some significant changes. I am removing much of the Historical Background, and posting it as a separate, non-fiction, document. With a note at the beginning of my story for people to consider reading it to gain some perspective about both World War One and World War Two. (Many issues that resulted in WWI were also causes of WWII).

I am also going to remove much of the back story about the main character's father, and his experiences in 1917 on the US/Mexico border, and the "Punitive Expedition" and his subsequent adventures in the "Great War" (or the "War To End All Wars") as the First World war was originally termed.

Unfortunately, this means I have been rewriting the first few chapters, and removing some related content, and having to insert a few things to make sense; because some character dialogue related to the historical content I am removing.

I intend to Post the revised story before July 4th; Independence Day in the USA.

I have been writing this story since 2017. A friend began editing this just before Covid shut things down. While waiting to get these many chapters back, I began publishing chapters of Darkness Falls as I wrote them.

A couple of months ago an opportunity to take a class for college credits, paid for by the VA, absorbed more of my time than I initially thought it would. I will begin posting chapters of Darkness Falls in mid or late June. Concurrently, I will be posting a chapter a week of Aztlán Portal.

Between Memorial Day and June 6th I will be posting some chapters of a story about the men of Company A 1st Battalion of the 8th Infantry Regiment of the US 4th Infantry Division, that conducted the amphibious assault upon Utah Beach (on the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy, France) on June 6th 1944. I have been holding these chapters since last Fall, intending to publish them on the anniversary of the beginning of the Allied Liberation of Europe in 1944.

The focus of my writing is Darkness Falls, however, I want to start publishing these other stories I have just sitting on my hard drive.

It took me longer to finish editing, and get chapter 3 posted. There were more issues getting my vehicle repaired after I was hit during the snowstorm a couple of weeks ago.

I hope that I can get caught back up and finish editing chapter 4 of Darkness Falls by the end of the week.

I did not have an opportunity to print out Chapter 3, which I use as a final check for typos and other minor errors, so I may be making some corrections on Wednesday after I have a chance to read the chapter on SOL.

Chapter 3 Welcome to TERRA - Cowboy 101 reveals a little more of the duties of Cornelius MacLeod, and the plans of TERRA (Tonasket Environmental Research and Recovery Associates).

Chapter 4 will introduce the relationships of TERRA with their neighbors, in particular members of the Colville Confederation.

"The Best Laid Plans Of Mice And Men Aft Gay Aglee..."

Unlike those who read this story, the characters have no idea how their well laid plans are about to be effected as 2019 draws to a close, and a "brief" 15 day closure to "bend the curve" is in their immediate future.

Until then, the characters can enjoy being able to converse, shake hands, and other activities we once took for granted.

Due to being in a minor traffic accident in the snow, and some other issues, I focused on making some corrections to the already submitted chapters 1 & 2, as well as editing chapters 3 & 4 (3 to be submitted around Friday February 26th.

Based on some comments, I completely changed the 'Blurb' for the story. I already have the relevant part of the poem by Yeats at the very beginning of Chapter 1. As there is no way to insert a break in the blurb. It confused more than a few people, when I also used it as the beginning of my 'Blurb' too.

I hope the new Blurb, along with the (corrected) Story Codes provide potential readers a better idea of what I am writing, and help them determine if they may be interested in Reading it.

I would appreciate some replies to this Blog entry, if you would read the Blurb for my story Darkness Falls. Please tell me if it seems appropriate for the story, and raises your interest in possibly reading the story.

Of course I encourage people to read the whole story, but any Constructive ideas of how to improve the Blurb would be appreciated. Thank You.

Paladin; Have Gun - Will Travel

Too many people lack an Understanding of Physics, and how the Laws of Physics apply to them in the real world. Snow in the Lesser Seattle area is a hassle. Many Hills make it more of a challenge than it is in many other major cities. Lack of experience is also a factor. Too many people who drive "4x4" vehicles fail to understand just because they Can Accelerate due to "better traction" Deceleration is NOT Improved by having Greater Mass and Speed!

Despite just having passed a "4x4" truck in the ditch, some 15' (5 meters) off the highway, an idiot in a 1 Ton Dodge Ram with "Dualies" roared past the line of Warning Flares, the State Trooper assisting the first wrecked truck, and my car travelling at a steady 25 MPH (~40Kmph). While he was losing control, he execute an accidental PIT maneuver, damaging my rear quarter panel, and causing me to spin out. I was able to recover enough that my car didn't make further contact with any vehicle; although I hit the snow and slush covering a Jersey Barrier hard enough to require an alignment, and my hood won't close properly.

It is a dark and narrow stretch of highway, with a relatively steep grade. When I told the Trooper my vehicle was drivable, he waved me on. (Neither of us wanted to be there longer than necessary, lest we get hit by a Tractor Trailer rig; or another idiot in a "4x4"...) I hope he at least cited the driver of the Ram!

I jammed my hand while spinning the steering wheel, to turn into the induced skid, then over correcting. At least the airbag didn't go off, since both impacts were relatively low speed side impacts.

I have been sore, and also had some headaches; so, I mostly focused on some editing, rather than finishing chapter three, or getting more work done on chapter 4 of Darkness Falls. I expect to submit Chapter 3 Next Friday or Saturday.