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It’s been a bit of an odd change of seasons out here on the wilds of the prairies. Snow, wind, snow, wind, blizzard, more wind then summer temps. Apparently no spring season this year, or it was so short we missed noticing it, perhaps Mother Nature could not fit it in to her schedule.

But no matter, we take what we get and it is the seeding season for there are crops to be sown, weeds to be killed, and feed for the cattle to be tended to and no time to be squandered. Maybe after the seeding is complete and the second or third spraying passes we might get a week off at a lake to rest, relax and replenish.

FREE yes FREE on May 20th and 21st you are invited to download a FREE copy of D.A.R.I.A. BOOK FIVE from Amazon. Check out science fiction which will very soon be reality, feed your imagination and enjoy. Just click the pic!

I have long held an interest in “natural disasters”, as if humanity is not capable of making its own disasters. Notwithstanding Earth has its own schedule of events and we are simply passengers. Above are a couple of ebooks which might appeal to you if you share such interests. Just click on the pic and you will be taken to Amazon for purchase. Enjoy!!

If Sci-Fi  or natural disasters are not your forte then check out this site for some “in your face” visceral firefight action. Foregive me if I recommend you wear your old clothes when reading so the blood splatter doesn’t matter.

A powerful visual confirmation of spring on the prairies is the appearance of the fields of Crocus. The beautiful delicate flowering plant which bursts forth like magic in one of the most hostile environments.

They have a special place in my heart as my deceased Mother always loved them so much. Well, she probably liked they represented the end of another bleak winter as much as the flower itself. No matter it is May, Mother’s Day and time for the picking of a lovely bunch of Crocus’s for your Mother or wife.

Please don’t forget!!

Best

Martin E. Silenus

Aurora Borealis

While our family has not assigned any particular superstition or myths to the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights and simply enjoyed them as a spectacular display of the sky, many beliefs are associated with them.

A baby conceived under Northern Lights will be beautiful and lucky.

The Northern Lights ease the pain of childbirth.

If they turn red, run.

Don’t whistle at the Northern Lights.

It’s time to go fishing.

However one of our family members had the opportunity to spent time at Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories and up there the intensity of the Aurora Borealis borders on alarming. You can hear the crackle and hiss from the light speed collision of the energized particles with the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Proving once and for all Interstellar Galactic battles do exist!

On April 15th and 16th you are invited to download a FREE copy of D.A.R.I.A. BOOK FOUR from Amazon. A little Science Fiction, perhaps not too far-fetched, for your reading and imagination pleasure!

Speaking of intergalactic interstellar energy firefights, check out Matter and Energy for exciting Science Fiction books.

Of course for the SCI-FI purist there is no substitute for the real thing. Be sure to stop by Reach for the Stars to really scratch the itch!

If you are inclined to widen your reading horizons to include Action/Adventure be sure to visit the site above for an excellent selection of books.

If Sci-Fi is not your forte then check out this Group for some “in your face” visceral firefight action. Forgive me if I recommend you wear your old clothes when reading so the blood splatter doesn’t matter.

While I would love to think it is spring these twelve foot snowbanks have obviously missed the e-mail or text message and are convincing me winter is not over as yet and we have a ways to go before green grass and flowers. 

As the Aussies say “Well bugger!”

Best

Martin E. Silence

I met a friend for coffee and a chat regarding the state of world affairs and to catch up on the gossip particular to our area. When I arrived he was idly paging through one of the last remaining newspapers, except he was paging through it backwards. I thought that a bit strange and asked him about it. Well he says, the bad news to capture reader’s attention is all at the front of the newspaper and the good news and pleasant stories are all at the back. I prefer to spend the little time I have for browsing newspapers reading pleasant news and not the latest bad news, so I read the newspaper backwards.

The North American Prairies is currently going through another “extreme cold” period with temps of -30 Celsius and winds of more than 10km/h making a combined wind chill and temperature of over -40 Celsius. Of course the good news is this is not uncommon for us so we know what to do, or more precisely what not to do to survive. It can be summed up succinctly by my Grandfather saying “Extra food and stay close to the fire!”

We are thankful as we have no war going on here and no earthquakes destroying our homes and infrastructure. Just keep the machinery used to support your cattle in a heated shop so it will start and put out extra feed for the cattle while watching for animals down or exhibiting pneumonia symptoms from the rapid temperature change. Extra feed and bedding in the shelter of the wind break or the barn will keep the hay burners content. Hopefully the severe weather will break before calving season late in March.

On March 18th and 19th you are invited to download a FREE copy of D.A.R.I.A. BOOK THREE from Amazon. A little Science Fiction, not too far-fetched, to distract yourselves from the rigors of the inclement weather.

For further excellent reading on future matters of Sci-Fi and Artificial Intelligence be sure to click on the above picture.

And speaking of AI’s like CHATGTP and similar entities of Artificial Intelligence that exist or are in development, just click on the above pic to discover more and what the future might hold.

Where do you hide to try to survive when all we know of reality is in chaos and carnage. When life itself is tentative at best, what ancient rules of life do we adopt to get through the day and the night?

You have come to the right place for Action and Adventure and to discover a a new story like never before!

Keeping an eye on the cattle, who are keeping an eye on me and wondering where the nifty food treats are. Don’t make me hurt you human…..!

Best

Martin E. Silenus

HOAR FROST ON FENCE

We have experienced a great deal of fog and ice fog this winter which results in terrible roads, downed power lines and amazing photo opportunities as the hoar frost builds up on everything.

No doubt there is a farmer/rancher’s tale for all the days of fog such as rain in 90 days, which would be great if that was really the case. However I fear as nice a thought of spring rains are to farmers and ranchers there is little Meteorological proof to that effect. A superstitious lot these farmers and ranchers yet grounded in facts and logic. But it seems whatever weather events occur there is generally a handed down superstition to fit the occasion.

On February 18th and 19th you will be able to download D.A.R.I.A. BOOK TWO from Amazon for free. Yup FREE, I think you will agree the price is right. And if you follow the newsletter each month you will always get a free book. Lower cost, higher enjoyment!

There are no limits on Artificial Intelligence and subsequently on the power it unleashes for mankind. CHATGPT merely scratches the surface of the endless depth of possibilities.

Tales of the largest force the world has ever encountered. The impacts of Artificial Intelligence, is it doom or is it paradise and who will be the winners and who the losers.

Where do you hide to try to survive when all we know of reality is in chaos and carnage. When life itself is tentative at best, what ancient rules of life do we adopt to get through the day and the night?

What happens when there are natural disasters which are larger and more destructive than mankind can comprehend? What are the rules of the day is it kill or be killed, what of the moral values and what is the yard stick we measure by?

If you are looking for me and I am missing in action I will likely be out taking pictures of the frost displays and watching the dogs go mad thrashing through the trees and covering themselves in frost. One of the dogs ultimate giggles.

Best

Martin E. Silenus

Happy New Year and all the best in 2023

Yes, we certainly did have some weather related challenges over the holidays. Well it’s the winter season and Mother Nature will have her way, there is no question of that. I do note that of recent years we have enjoyed some milder temps with less snow in the winters. This season is a return to the older traditional very dangerous winter style.

I will make an observation to which it seems those conveniences and services we have grown so used to utilizing seem to fail very quickly when placed under duress. I would prefer to see a larger degree of robustness designed into the systems. Nevertheless a big shout out to everyone involved in the maintenance, recovery and repair of those failed systems and services. We appreciate your efforts to keep things running.

I hope you have enjoyed and taken advantage of the free book give away which I run each month. For January 2023 D.A.R.I.A. BOOK ONE will be free on Amazon on January 14th and 15th. Enjoy a free book and a bit of Science Fiction which is not far from reality.

Did you know Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosts Robot Races? Yes, Robotic cars racing driverless around the oval at speeds of 170mph. Not exactly wheel to wheel just two cars on the track at a a time, but entirely autonomous never the less. It should not surprise me given the sophistication of military drone technology, but it does.

One could certainly be forgiven, particularly if you live in Buffalo and were buried in the terrible blizzard, if you were wondering whether you were going to be SURVIVING THE END. A particularly apt title for an alarming event which has impacted so many millions of folks.

If Sci-Fi is not your forte then check out this Group for some “in your face” visceral firefight action. Foregive me if I recommend you wear your old clothes when reading so the splatter doesn’t matter.

Now you must understand that under normal circumstances I would escape to my library, lock myself in and luxuriate in indulgence of reading books nourishing my imagination and soul.

But alas we seem to have quantities of snow which needs to be blown, pushed, shoveled, swept away and made tidy, not to mention a couple of boisterous dogs who demand to be allowed to cavort in delight as they thrash around in the white stuff, sigh!!

Best

Martin E. Silenus

Pastoral Winter Beauty

The upcoming holiday season represents something different for each of us. Certainly I am appreciative of having had the options available to me to do the “hot holiday”, the “skiing holiday”, the “relative roundup”, the “stay at home” and all forms in between of such events. For the most part there were good and bad aspects to all of the options. Of course weather dangers and congested travel seemed synonymous to most all options.

I will note and recommend caution as the season is one of extreme stress and tension. Work goes into hyper drive to complete projects committed to, finalizing travel plans on the home front or the renovations for hosting, and of course the ever present stress of gift shopping. By the time the event actually occurs folks can be frazzled to a nub and stressed to the maximum. More like preparing to invade or defending against an invasion than an opportunity to relax. And friends that is certainly no way to approach the holiday season.

So come with me on a journey of making reality from my vision for the acquisition and customization of my Man Shed.

On Dec. 17th and 18th you can download “THE MAN SHED REPORT” from Amazon free of charge. Do have a laugh and chuckle at my expense. Tis the season of giving.

A topic that is both untimely and yet timely, untimely as it is the Xmas Season, yet timely given the state of the world as we close out 2022. Notwithstanding herein are excellent concepts, ideas, practices and such on how to survive.

And of course don’t forget to stop by here and inspect the logistics, tactics and practices of these professionals. A feet on the ground view of some of the issues of our time.

More Pastoral Winter Beauty

I always struggled with outdoor Xmas lights on the house and trees. The family cats loved the tangled balls of Xmas lights and pounced on them with vigorous glee. Of course their primary goal seemed to be to impede and un-decorate the Xmas tree by knocking off the decorations or by just launching themselves into the midst of the Xmas tree and tipping it over in a thump and clatter of lights, xmas balls and whatnot. We had to give up tinsel as the cats ate it, but that’s a disgusting story in itself.

My primary decorating was the outside of the house where I would attempt to string some lights and then spend a fortune buying replacement light bulbs. At the end of a hard day it was not pleasant to replace bulbs and wiggle wires to get the damn lights to work.

One year I was the community entertainment as I undertook to decorate our two very tall blue pine trees. We had two large decorative boulders in the front yard and the pine trees grew up from between the rocks and got very tall. So being the original lad that I am I drove my old half-ton truck up to the rocks, then put the ladder on the hood at the base of the windshield and extended it up as far as it would go, then took a hockey stick and cut a notch in it to hook the end of the light string and up I went to decorate the alarmingly tall Xmas pine trees. I was spared from disaster and many were the incredible comments about how did you get those lights up there. I think the neighbors were quite disappointed there was no disaster.

The next Xmas I respectfully declined to attempt to decorate to the top of the pine trees. And the trees were most appreciative of the absence of the gaudy baubles, or so I convinced myself.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year

Martin E. Silenus

There is a rhythm to life out on the Prairies of North America. It’s set by Mother Nature and is absolute without dialogue. Life in this land revolves around the change of seasons and the bounty the earth produces as it moves through the annual growing cycle. Even those not involved directly with agriculture are found to work and recreate to the rhythm set by nature. Those who have been raised in a seasonal environment understand and accept such things and enjoy the variety for all its’s offerings, and shortcomings.

Its time to tidy up the harvest mess and get things organized for the next year. Set budgetary plans for the new year, examine equipment to be replaced, plan the crops and decide about outrageous prices for fertilizer.

Business not related to agriculture are not so different as it is also budget time for the next year, what do we have to do to keep things moving, what plans are optional based around the best guess regarding 2023 and the economy.

Let’s not forget Halloween, the children know nothing of adult budgets nor do they give a care. Free candy, costumes and going door to door with friends is where it’s at. Absolutely right too, enjoy your Halloween and leave the fussing and worrying to the grownups!

For the month of November 2022 I will be offering my book ARMAGEDDON OF CASCADIA free on November 12th and 13th. This book is a dystopian look at a group of regular folks and how they managed to survive after a series of natural disasters. 

I have received a considerable amount of feedback on this book predominantly from folks who live in the affected area or have family that do. Some express appreciation for the vivid events and for raising the awareness of the risks particular to that area. Others are just plain upset; perhaps they are real estate folks or business owners who don’t want to see the risks and inevitable outcome. Others attempt to argue by dismissing the facts and research by professionals of the USGS. So you as a reader will need to decide on the value of the book. Perhaps some readers will elect to move closer to the area where they can watch the events unfold.

Read, enjoy and ponder on the fragile, curious state of humanity.

Keep an eye to the future, drone, droid and replicant exploration of new worlds. Quantum tunneling, remote host populating, replacement of physical bodies as ours deteriorate. All things are possible and probable at THE LAUNCHPAD.

For ACTION, CRIME, & THRILLER be sure to visit here and browse for free giveaways and previews.

The cost of our personal freedom is not cheap and I know you will join me in attending Remembrance Day Services on November 11th honoring our Veterans and our brave men and women who volunteer to “stand in harm’s way” to ensure continued freedoms.

“Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few!”

Please show your support on Remembrance Day and always!

Best

Martin E. Silenus

It’s a pleasant time of the year as a lot of the harvest is complete out on the prairies of North America. The intensity level of completing the harvest successfully without injury or mechanical breakdown is waning and the pace is slowing considerably. Many areas have had a light frost and the weather has cleared up along with the temperatures being comfortable.

Of course many farmers/ranchers still have to collect their big round bales and get them stacked so they will keep over winter and so they can be retrieved for feed in the snows of winter. Yes, there is another whole line of expensive machinery used for hay preparation and collection. But the general consensus is one of “it’s nice to have the bales made and ready for collection” so no one complains too loud about the collecting and the associated more relaxed pace.

For the month of October 2022 I will be offering my book SANCTUARY free on October 15th and 16th. This book is a dystopian look at a group of regular folks and how they managed to survive after a series of natural disasters. Read, enjoy and ponder on the fragile state of humanity.

No question dangerous remote exploration should be handled by Cybernetics and Robots. Humanity does not brook space travel well at this point.

For your monthly Action, Adventure, adrenaline hit be sure stop here.

Well its getting on toward sundown and I don’t fancy looking for my bales in the dark so I better get to it while I have time for one more load. It’s a beautiful time of day to be outside and of course the dogs love tearing around in the stubble fields delighting in the smells and chasing whatever can be chased.

Best

Martin E. Silenus