The kickoff! 2021 is underway……

A pic shot at my first presentations of 2021 at Master the Possibilities. Note the spacing. The divider is opened to make two rooms one. Space for 180 reduced to 35. Covid’s shadow remains.

Happy New Year. The long awaited passing of 2020 arrived, way too late for many of us. Hopefully, 2021 will conjure up some positives. Personally, I’ve received several good bits of news. I’ll share some. My wonderful literary agents informed me that they have an offer from a substantial publisher for my “Finder” three book mystery series…with others requesting more time to review it. They also have interest in a “near history” novel that is one of my current projects.

Renewed enthusiasm in presentations has snapped back like a rubber band. A combination of the availability of a Covid vaccine, pent up demand, and a realization virtual presentations are drastically lacking in some instances all contribute to my phone ringing, and ringing, and ringing. I’ll use my February schedule as an example.

February 3rd – Master the Possibilities – Ocala FL – 3 presentations (Florida’s Historic places & museums, General Daniel “Chappie” James – the 1st US black 4-star general, Flaming Florida II – the Seminole Wars) in-person & virtual

February 6th – Lemon Bay Heritage Days – Presenting (Edison in Florida) – virtual

February 11th – Ft Myers Beach Book Nook – Book signing/meet & greet

February 13th – Cultural Center of Charlotte County – Winter Art Fest/ meet & greet

February 18th – Ft Myers Beach Library – presenting (Edison in Florida) in-person & virtual

February 20th – Pine Island Garden Gala – Book signing/meet & greet

February 24th – King’s Gate, Punta Gorda – presentation (The Loyal 14th Colony)

February 28th – Friends of the Boca Raton Library – presentation (Florida in WWII)

As always check the calendar of events on my webpage www.dlhavlin.com for my complete schedule and, while there, sign up for my quarterly newsletter.

March is equally crowded with seven dates taken. April still has some dates open but if you’re interested in having me for an event use my web site to contact us right away. One week in April will be devoted to a research trip I have to make for a book I have in process. Currently, I have events scheduled as far out as the summer of 2022.

Our new family member, Brandi, is growing! At 6 months – 66 pounds – long & lean – and difficult to keep off forbidden spots like the bed.

The screen is brightening. Let’s hope the idiots in DC can learn to control the extremes on both sides. If so, 2021 will be an improvement over its older brother. It’s out and about time. I hope to see all of you soon.

 

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And now…what’s next?

Early 2020 before the Chinese Covid-19 destroyed the year. This photo is at Master the Possibilities.

One of the finest documentaries of its time (1952-53) was “Victory at Sea.” Much of the WWII footage shown on the History Channel and other media sources today are a re-plow of this twenty-six episode program. The beginning of each show began with Leonard Graves’s commanding voice saying, “And now…” He heralded what we’d see with those title page words with Richard Rodgers stirring score playing in the background. It sparked anticipation for what we would see. We need Leonard to announce, “And now, 2021…” to lift our expectations for the coming year.

I’m looking at 2021 with restrained optimism. Why the optimism; why the restraint? My optimism stems from what I see as the populace’s relief. Relief that the Covid-19 crisis is nearing resolution. Relief that the stench of politics, manufactured issues that magnified real ones, and senseless violence will fade into the background. People will have a better outlook with the Sword of Damocles removed from above their necks. If the idiots in Washington will allow it, the economy will recover.

Personally, I’m super encouraged by the increasing number of people seeking my next book! At every venue I’ve visited, most of my sales are to readers of my previous novels, asking, “What do you have new?” They buy them! And, since an important portion of my effort to increase my reader base is personal touch, the inventiveness of the organizations staging of events in a social distancing environment has increased. Back to business! Plus, I’ve become skilled at virtual presentations and that increases my ability to reach more people. 

Signing a book for a fan. Reoccurring sales to readers of my work is gratifying.

The single greatest reason for my rose-colored view is the writing I’ve completed this year. My agent is optimistic about placing my three book “Finder” mystery series. Titles, “Finding the Calusa Queen,” “The Grave with Greener Grass,” and “Finding the Nancy Lynn,” all feature Sly Harrell as their protagonist. He’s a kind of redneck-light Sherlock Holmes.

I won’t dwell on the negatives, but I have to mention them. There are two threats: The specter of monopoly destroying publishing as a whole, and the increasing (horrible) threat of censorship infecting our ability to write, to publish, and most importantly to think as we please. That said, welcome 2021. Our honest hope and prayers are for you to be better than 2020. See you all next year!

 

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2020 the year of the manure pile…

Sandy, I love you. I lost my wonderful buddy of thirteen and a half years in 2020,

It’s time for you to go! Leave! Vamoose! Get your ass out of here! Anyone else feel this way about 2020? The Chinese have a tradition where they name years, like the year of the Dragon. I can come up with some names that tell the way I view the cesspool in time, 2020 has been. I hate to sound bitter. Sorry, I am.

The year I lost my Sandy…self explanatory.

The year of the damned mask…I hate them, I wear them, I can’t wait for an official government mask burning. It’s something that some local mayors and governors might get right. They evidently like watching things burn.

The year of the cancel vulture culture…Talk about some manure spread thickly! If you paint stripes on an elephant and call it a tiger…it still ain’t a tiger. Censorship smells no matter what you call it, no matter how you justify it, no matter how much totalitarian garbage you try thrusting down the public’s throats.

The year of journalism’s last gasp. In future years they’ll discuss how the media became a joke that wasn’t one bit funny. Worthless! Well…Not completely, newspapers and magazines can be sliced up, placed on a roll in the bathroom, and serve some purpose.

The year of the filthy politicians. Talk about a hypocritical, despicable group of human garbage. They believe they should be able to tell everyone how, when, where, and what to do. ONLY THING, THEY WOULDN’T BE FOUND DEAD OBSERVING THEIR OWN DICTATES!

The year of the Chinese Crud. That’s where it came from. Wuhan. The lab. It has gone a long way to destroying a large part of the world’s economy, social structure, and human happiness. Don’t think so? Ask the people who closed their businesses, canceled their conferences, lost their love ones. But the globalists say that’s fine, move on. Don’t think so. A sobering question…why did those scientists develop such a selective killer. Hmmmm?

The year of social division. The college elitists and politicians have done a great job this year. One half the population hates the other. Tell me how sponsoring violent riots and terrorist assaults endears one segment to the other one watching on TV? Certainly makes one side likely to invite the other over for dinner after watching an identifiable group burn peoples property, steal and loot, and inflict injury and death. That’s making friends and influencing people.

So, 2020 go away! I’m looking forward to 2021. Thanks to the rapid vaccine development, the central problem Covid-19, that allowed many of the other problems to fester, will die as the disease fades into history. The politicians will have their own hell. They’ll have to make good on their promises. Maybe they’ll get stoned to death, but that’s too much to hope for. We’ll be able to burn the masks, shake hands, hell we might even be able to kiss someone. The people who want everyone to think and talk the same, and try to force the issue, will learn it isn’t happening in this country. Those who want fundamental change at the cost of our freedoms will have to find it in another place. Sitcoms will replace the current ones called news programs…we’ll be able to laugh at something that’s funny, not pathetic. The answer to the financial problem? Simply deduct all the costs of the pandemic from our debt to the Chinese government. Bill them for any overage. The social division…2021 won’t heal it, but the process of finding the way back will begin. The last year has set the cause of true equality back twenty. Race was used as a lever to try to install radical political change. When those that were used discover the truth, there will be a costly debt to be paid by the users.

I’m hopeful the residue of the pile of manure we just endured will grow a crop of promise for the coming year. Sorry, about the soap box. There are just sometimes you have to stand on one.

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Hope…what a great word…

The Tarpon Lodge – a piece of paradise.

Hope…what a great word. It’s under used these days for so many of us have lost it. Covid. Political strife. Corruption. Loss of freedom. These things make ‘hope’ seem like a forlorn abstraction. However, it is hope that will allow us to overcome the obstacles just mentioned. Hopes are based on helps. I’m pleased and proud to participate in one ‘help’ in my home community. This charity event provides hope to the disadvantaged in the community. It is the Beacon of Hope’s 11th Annual Holiday House. At this time, many good folks in our area, have larger needs than normal due to the pandemic.

A hometown event designed to help home town people.

What makes me particularly proud of our Pine Island community is its leaders. They made the courageous decision to carry on with the event, in spite of the popular herd mentality to simply cancel everything. We have dedicated community minded people who make it happen. Thanks to Robert Wells, Elsie Stern and others, the event has been moved totally outdoors, under huge tents, utilizing prudent safety measures to ensure all attendees well-being. These good folks realize the time to persevere is when help is needed. It’s not the time to abandon those needing hope the most.

I’ll be at the Beacon of Hope charity event at beautiful Tarpon Lodge on P.I.

 I’ll be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 4, 5, & 6. Friday and Saturday are late afternoon (4PM)/evening affairs — Sunday is from 1 – 4. The picturesque setting is the beautiful and historic Tarpon Lodge on Pine Island. Come early and enjoy a meal at the finest restaurant in the area. The address is 13771 Waterfront Drive, Pineland FL. I sincerely hope you’ll make plans to attend.

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A couple reminders. My latest books are off the press and now available in print and ebook forms. Buy them on Amazon, order them through your local book store, or you can order through my webpage. You won’t find a better “stocking stuffer” for the reader on your Christmas list than my short story release, “A Christmas Story Collection.”

The perfect stocking stuffer for the reader on your gift list!

The Hangin’ Oak, says hello again. FWARPLA winner.

Check my webpage for more information on my appearance and speaking schedule, my books, and upcoming works.

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Back in the Saddle — The trouble — No Horses!

The auditoriums are ready, the audience is not…

I swung back in the saddle. I’m ready to ride. My problem? There aren’t any horses. Well, let me change that…there aren’t many horses. Since the end of September, I’ve participated in five events open to the public and two that were not. Based on my experience, the public event attendance was half, maybe as low as a third in a couple instances, as “normal.” This included two big ones, the On Point Book Fair, held in WestShore Plaza (one of the largest malls in Tampa) and the Christmas Arts & Crafts Show at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County (FL). I sold books, (did well at one), but that was because most that I sold were to readers who came specifically to get my latest novels. The two book signings at independent stores were successful, but the owners lamented how light traffic had been. Zoom attendance was so-so at the presentation I made for a public library. The two private book club presentations were fully attended. The lesson? Folks are unwilling to venture out of ‘familiar ground’ even with a battery of safe-guards in place.

Mixon is holding the shows in a spacious area with lots of elbow room.

Mixon’s Harvest/Christmas Show is a Florida West Coast tradition!

 

 

 

What are the alternatives? Continue to blockade ourselves in our bunkers. Get out and try to breath life into the deflated balloon that is our social and cultural life. I choose the latter. I’ll be at Mixon’s for their Harvest/Christmas Show this Saturday, Nov. 21st from 10 to 3. I’ll be presenting a power point historical sketch of ‘Thomas Edison, his life in Florida,’ from 1 to 2. Mixon’s is located at 2525 27th Street East, Bradenton. I’ll be at Matlacha Menagerie, at 4504 Pine Island Road, Matlacha, FL, 10 to 3 Saturday the 28th. I’ll be doing a meet and greet and introducing two books! Come visit me! On December 1st, I’ll be presenting three historical classes at Master the Possibilities, in Ocala, FL. These are hybrid seminars that you can attend in person or by virtual means. To participate go to   www.masterthepossibilities.org  to sign up and learn more! All my events are Covid cautious! Masks and spacing are observed. 

Master the Possibilities does a great job of insuring attendee safety.

The Hangin’ Oak, says hello again. FWARPLA winner.

I have two books to introduce! One is A Christmas Story Collection and the other is an ‘updated’ re-release of my first prize winner, the suspense, mystery…The Hangin’ Oak. The Hangin’ Oak won the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award several years ago. A Christmas Story Collection is needed relief from politics, covid, violence, and the 2020 mess. It’s 12 tales will make you laugh, maybe cry, but it will put you in a holiday mood. A special section are stories about GI experiences, at Christmas time, during WWII. They’re available on Amazon, from my webpage, or by ordering from the book stores listed on my site (in print and e-book).

The perfect stocking stuffer for the reader on your gift list!

The fat man on the cover is yours truly with my beloved Sandy.

Hope to see you soon! 

 

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Growing up…Brandi…

Brandi believes in the theory of universal edibility. She snacks on the metal bar stool legs

 

What do bamboo and our new puppy have in common? Both grow over night! Brandi is a Golden Retriever. The breed is know for their friendly disposition and she exhibits that trait in profusion. She’s lovable. She’s smart. She’s stubborn. And, she requires you know where she’s at…all the time. Brandi believes the whole world is a chew toy. That includes human parts – hands, feet, arms, legs, etc. I’ve given serious consideration to renaming her “Destrucnella.” 

Brandi today – just 8 weeks later at 38 pounds. She has found the bed suits her just fine.

Brandi when she came home. She tipped the scales at ten pounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One problem with having an animal that is super smart is they learn things you wish they wouldn’t, as well as the ones you do. Two examples. Brandi’s potty training is about complete! Slip ups are nearly nonexistent. That’s great for a young pup like her. One reason…she literally tells us when she needs to take a trip to the grass. She rings a bell attached to the door when she wants out. It took only one week for her to learn to do that. Now comes the longer process of teaching her to use the bell for potty trips only! She learned how to open the cabinets that we store her treats in less than six hours. One observation of us opening and closing was all it took. We no longer require a paper shredder. We have one that works without electric or batteries. She’s going to be a great friend. No, she already is.

Hey! Mommy! Daddy! I have to pee! Brandi rings the bell.

  Books! An update! One of my reader’s favorites will be back in print. “The Hangin’ Oak” will be available in early November. (In time for Christmas!) This ghost story set in central Florida is based on a folk tale about a man hanging an unfaithful wife and her lover. Buzzzz! She’s not. A 21st century couple, looking for an isolated place to camp, happen on the ‘reenactment’ that’s occurred every full moon for 140 years. Teaser ended. The text has been updated into “edition 2” and reflects those items that would have dated it. (Some couldn’t be) It’s a great yarn that won my first Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Literary Award in the mystery genre. If you want to order an advance copy visit my website using the link on this page’s left side. (dlhavlin.com)

The Hangin’ Oak…….. It’s Back.

Hope to see you at an appearance or book event. Check my webpage for my calendar of events.

 

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The road to recovery has bumps…

On Point Book Fair in the WestShore Mall, Tampa

I did some of my first ‘days out’ after all the shut downs due to the virus. The results have been mixed. A private book club was my return to the non-viral presentation world. I was very encouraged the full membership showed. The discussions were great – I sold books, that’s always good. My next excursion proved enlightening. The On Point Book Fair is in it’s sixth year in Tampa. Though well established, the event shows evidence of the impact of the virus on “open to the public” shows. Traffic past the authors’ sites was good. The problem…most people were reticent to stop and browse books. Shoppers went from destination to destination, avoiding contact out of their immediate grouping. I sold a few books, most were to people who read one or more of my books previously, saw I’d be at WestShore, and came to see me.

Fans and friends – Sue and Joe. They’re taking an excursion to “Turtle Point” and will visit “The Bait Man.”

So much for the past, let’s look forward. This Saturday I’ll be at Mixon’s Gift and Craft Show in Bradenton at 2525 27th Street East from 10 to 3. There’s plenty of space to keep social distancing.

October is a busy, non-book month. I only have three scheduled events. What makes it busy are routine medical annuals and my activities as a poll worker for the upcoming election. Between training, early voting and in November – election day, sixteen days are taken.

Mixon is holding the shows in a spacious area with lots of elbow room.

Be safe, but come visit me this Saturday!

 

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Back to “Normal” or just “Adjusting?”

Learning about the loyal 14th colony – Florida during the Revolutionary War at Master the Possibilities

Are things getting better or have people had enough of cave dwelling? Or have they become educated on how to protect themselves from the virus and feel comfortable venturing out? Or have they become familiar enough with booming on Zoom and other techie alternatives to enjoy them? I hope it’s a little of all four. Whatever the reason, requests for me to speak have become very active over the last three or four weeks.

Some examples – in the last two weeks my PR lady has booked 8 library dates (3 different libraries), a museum date, 2 art events, a book club, a retirement center, and a regional book fair. Granted, these are spread over the next six months, but it certainly is encouraging. The last half of this month, I’ll be speaking at, or doing a virtual presentation, or both on three dates.

The 17th is a closed talk to a book club. I’ve caused some confusion in the past, so I no longer give details on events that aren’t open to all of you.

Speaking at a “closed event” – one the general public can’t attend.

On Saturday the 19th, I’ll be at the On Point Book Fair, held in the Westshore Plaza in Tampa, FL. The fair starts at 10 AM add runs until 6 PM. The address for Google – 250 N. West Shore Blvd. I’ve bee told there will be over 100 regional authors at the event.

DL talking to readers at a book fair in the past.

September 24th, I’ll be presenting both in person and virtually from Master the Possibilities in Ocala, Florida. Master the Possibilities is located at the Top of the World community, in one of their conference rooms (Live Oak, I believe.) The rooms are spacious…social distancing and mask wearing rules are observed. There’s plenty of space to enjoy the presentation in safety. I’ll be doing three presentations that day. From 10 to 12 I’ll present, “Here come the Generals” the stories of James van Fleet and Roy Stanley Geiger and their vital but unheralded contributions to WWII. From 12:30 to 1:30 – “Flaming Florida I” tells the birthright of blood and violence that the state emerged from. The last presentation is titled, “A Look at Hell.” Few Americans are familiar with the horrible consequences of Hitler and Stalin’s actions in Ukraine in 1941. Get an understanding by signing up. You can attend these classes in person or in the comfort of your home. Sign up with the Master the Possibilities group at https://masterthepossibilities.org. Their class offerings are high quality and are priced reasonably.

Master the Possibilities does a great job of insuring attendee safety.

The Brandi progress report: She’s growing like a weed on steroids!

Brandi has grown! Her she is eating our kitchen stools

Brandi just 6 weeks ago!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I invite you to visit my website http://www.dlhavlin.com to get information on my latest books, my speaking schedule, and how to schedule me for your event. Sign up for my quarterly newsletter for information on the latest projects I’m engaged in.

 

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What’s Happening? Meet Brandi…

Somebody new has been added to our family…Meet Brandi, a sweet & saucy little lady.

I have a little catching up to do. First, our family has a new addition. Her name is Brandi, a ten-week-old golden retriever puppy. She came to us all the way from the Lancaster, PA. area. We picked her up and brought her home in a four-day, marathon car trip. She’s an excellent traveler and is asking the pilot (me) for extra bonus points for the journey.

 

A great place to do some life-long learning. Take a class in person or from anywhere on line!

 

This continuing learning organization is one of the finest. They offer many hundreds of widely varied courses taught by hundreds of instructors. All are offered at affordable prices. Now, the classes are offered in person and on zoom! I’ll be teaching the first three of nine MTP fall presentations on August 20. All are historical in nature. They are: The Loyal 14th Colony…Florida in the Revolutionary War, Operation Paperclip…The OSS program used to acquire Nazi scientists and technology, and The Forgotten Years: Florida’s struggles after the Civil War. To learn more and to sign up, visit– https://masterthepossibilities.org   and  https://masterthepossibilities.org/registration-help . Below is a picture of an onsite class.

DL teaching a class at Master the Possibilities

Amazingly, my speaking dates are filling up for the fall and winter. I currently have 21 dates in 2021 and one even into 2022. If you’re interested in having me speak…contact Jeanelle at   prlady2016@gmail.com . I see that as a positive. People are optimistic that this virus will be controlled in a reasonable time frame. Visit my web page …… http://www.dlhavlin.com and click on my calendar of events for my scheduled events.

 

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Hope…Is there light at the tunnel’s end? I think so! Compare 1918 to 2020

Happier Days…before the Chinese crude kept us apart and looking like Zorro.

 

It seems like it will never end! But it will. Am I being Pollyana’s brother? I don’t think so. There are many valid reasons why. It is a horrible situation. But, the US has been there before. In fact, through a lot worse. The best comparison is the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic.

1918 US population    103 million     estimated cases   29 million (28%)          deaths   840,000  (.815%)

2020 US population    329 million     cases to date       4.6 million (1.37%)       deaths   153,000  (.00046%)

Shocking isn’t it! Why are the ‘chicken littles’ running around screaming the sky is falling? It’s something to fill the twenty-four hour news cycle. The division they’re causing is worse than the disease.

Are we finished with the COVID-19? NO! But even if the figures were to triple we’d be no where near the deadliness of the Spanish flu. That won’t happen, we are close to a vaccine. These are facts! 

Does that make the loss of any of these important lives to COVID-19 less tragic? Absolutely not! Every life is precious. The American Community of medical folks and company scientists are true heroes. Look at the figures above and visualize what death tolls would be like if they hadn’t responded like they did. I doubt there has ever been a better reaction to a pandemic of the size we’ve experienced.

The most important thing we can do is be responsible citizens. Wearing a mask, social distancing, refraining from events and celebrations for a while longer makes common sense. Do we really need a government official to force us by edict to do something that protects us and the people we love?

We’ll survive this. Two years from now this will be a very bad memory. The division, distrust, and descention sowed are the more likely to be lasting cripplers for our nation.

Let’s do our best to save lives. Everywhere! We should weed out ‘bad’ cops. All the officers I’ve spoken to agree. Every life is important including those being butchered in city streets because of feckless leaders.

Have hope…better times are coming.

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