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Wow, it is so harvest time!

Some of the senior farmers and ranchers can tell you right down to the hour as to when the season switched from summer to fall. They will tell you something like, “I went to the house to have a cup of coffee and a piece of pie with the Missus on Thursday afternoon this week past and that was 3:15pm as I had been talking on the cell phone while walking across the yard and when I hung up I checked the time. When I came back outside at 4:00pm it was fall, the seasons changed just like that!”

To those unfamiliar with seasonal change you might be given to believe that is an exaggeration. But it’s not, when you are outside in the weather most all of the year every day you can feel and predict the weather far better than any weather forecaster or computer artificial intelligence simulation system. You know instantly when the barometric pressure changes, the air quality shifts, the temperatures day/night move down the thermometer, the light looks different and the air smells different. To those used to feeling the weather every day seasonal change is that clear.

Let me encourage the small percentage of farmers and ranchers that feed us all in North America to please be extra careful during harvest. Especially so around combines, grain augers, grain bins. These devices are extraordinarily dangerous and claim far too many folks every year. And we need every farmer/rancher we have and more to make food for us all.

This month I am offering D.A.R.I.A. BOOK SIX free on September 17th and 18th. It’s science fiction adventure with a sentient artificial intelligent entity as the central protagonist. I hope you realize it is really not so far in the future. Anyway do check it out, enjoy and tell your friends.

While out and about browsing for a tasty book to read do stop by Space Race and have a look about to see what might tickle your fancy.

Upsetting as it may be to some folks the reaches of space and intergalactic travel are in fact BEYOND KNOWN.

Please do stop by SFF book bonanza to browse excellent quality sci-fi books.

Of course if a more earthy firefight is more your style then collect your gear and your “bug-out” bag and visit SEPTEMBER ACTION.

Anyway farmers have a fine harvest and remember the safety rules which are explicit and absolute:

Stay away from a running combine, particularly ones without the safety panels in place, unless you are in the cab.

Stay out of the grain bin or you will get buried alive.

Stay away from the open grain auger when it is running as it can eat hands, feet, arms, legs and kill you in a second.

Stay out of the belly dump semi-trailer as you will slide into the running auger. Work smart, work safe and protect the children.

Best

Martin E. Silenus

Mid West Prairie Storm Cell

Well hello there, hope you are enjoying a long and leisurely summer with friends and family. So nice to have a little relaxation time considering the challenges these days, seems like if it’s not six of one it’s half a dozen of another. 

Now I’m not sure about you but it gives me a bit of caution, respect and fear when I see one of these storm cells rear over the horizon. Perhaps my response is from having fled to our basement with kids and pets while a severe storm badly damaged our home including those of the neighborhood. It came up very fast and was extremely violent.

Of course some city folks often feel they can ignore weather as they are primarily indoors. Until the subway floods, underpasse fill with water trapping drivers and passengers in cars, ceilings in shopping mall collapse, surface powerlines are down and/or folks are stuck on the 47th floor in the dark in their apartment/condo of their skyscraper due to the electrical outage.

My Daddy always said to me “keep an eye to the sky son”, he was right then and it is still sound advice I tell my kids too. It is always prudent to be aware of weather and potential storms, have some disaster supplies at hand and give Mother Nature the respect she deserves.

This month I am offering D.A.R.I.A. Book Five free on August 13th and 14th. Science fiction reading with a sentient artificial intelligent entity as the central protagonist. You know it is really not so far in the future I hope you realize. Check it out and enjoy!

When you are not in total wonderment of the James Webb space telescope you will want to visit this site for some excellent sci-fi books.

Once you are enlightened by these books of the future you will realize how “in the dark” we currently are.

Of course with change comes controversy and sometimes, alright often times, degrees of combat. So keep your flak vest loaded and ready along with both a short and long armament.

Enjoy your summer and leisure time everyone and keep your eye to the sky. Oh and have a charged flashlight handy. It’s so frustrating to try and find one after the lights go out.

Now if you will excuse me the dogs are demanding we enjoy the remarkable sunset and storm clouds.

Best

Martin E Silenus

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Summer time and the living is easy, fish are jumping and the cotton is high, famous words from the George Gershwin song.

Well it certainly is summer time and time for holidays, vacation trips, lake time and a general relaxing of the hectic pace. I expect there may be less travel this summer given the price of gasoline and the challenges of airports and flight cancelations.

Notwithstanding it’s a perfect time to retreat to your lake cabin away from the hustle and bustle, relax, read some books, shut off the TV, cellphones, computers and measure the time of day if absolutely necessary by how many hands the sun is above the horizon. Or just ignore the measuring of time all together and listen to your stomach instead as it is quite good at suggesting when your meal times should be.

Rest, relax and be assured the world will get along just fine without your constant internet monitoring, guidance and commentary.

This month I am offering D.A.R.I.A. Book Four free on July 16th and 17th. Some summer science fiction reading with a sentient artificial intelligent entity as the central protagonist. Enjoy!

And while you are on a Sci-Fi reading binge be sure to stop by this website for some excellent Sci-Fi visions of the future. It’s a very excited time!

Are you ready for the changes that will lead us into the future, are you ready to accept the technology which seems like magic it is so powerful?

Get comfy in your cabin deck chair overlooking the lake, have your libation and your personal protection within arm’s length and settle in for a day action/thriller reading to stimulate your imagination.

Floating barge homes on Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife

Housing is obscenely expensive in Yellowknife, NWT. So resourceful folks get around this problem by purchase old used barges which were used by tugboats to move cargo on Great Slave Lake. Repair the barges as required to be seaworthy and then build a house on the barge. Position house and barge in the shelter of the prevailing winds far enough off shore so you do not have unwelcome guests and Bob’s yer Uncle and fanny’s yer Aunt, housing question resolved in a financially reasonable and responsible manner.

I take great delight in grassroots engineering to side step “an unacceptable system!”

Best

Martin E. Silenus

A Community Pasture for summer grazing of local ranchers cattle.

Everyone has their own particular challenges to work with. Some farmers are done seeding, but seeded into dry dust in the drought areas, some farmers have yet to start as it is too wet. Of course some farms are in-between and some are contending with extensive damage from tornadoes.

Ranchers are finishing up the calving process and getting the herd squared away to move to the community pastures for summer grazing.

Schools are having Track and Field competitions and communities are having Sports Days. The school term is coming to an end after the final exams and it will be time for the families to spend some quality time together at a lake. Fuel costs are outrageous but many will have a road trip holiday anyway. Regardless, parents weary from Covid and an exceptionally long winter are looking forward to some relaxing vacation time.

I know a fella who is delighted to be done his chemo treatment for cancer and have all the various shunts removed and to be able to enjoy the summer and whatever it brings.

We all have our own unique challenges to work with don’t we? The Boy Scout moto of “plan for the worst and hope for the best” is certainly appropriate and of course always maintain your optimism!

In keeping with my “free book per month campaign” D.A.R.I.A. BOOK THREE will be offered free on June 18th and 19th. It’s a Sci-Fi/Action Adventure story for Dad to pursue on Father’s day.

While you are browsing for Sci-Fi/Adventure books stop by here and ponder the implications of OUR FIRST CONTACT.

What could be better than a combination of Action history and Sci-Fi future books to read?

Well perhaps Sci-Fi/Action and Fantasy stories.

For some just the thrill of the unknown in a great adventure and thriller book is where it is at.

Tighten your helmets, night vision ready, ceramic plates in your body armor, extra mags, radio check, here we go JUNE ACTION.

Government owned range land used for cattle grazing.

There are a million items on the “spring do list” enough to keep me busy forever and then some. But my spirit and the sense of wonderment along with the dogs enthusiasm draws me here to this spot where time stands still and vision is measured to the horizon. Where there is room to ponder, change your mind, and plot future actions. Time and room to consider the big picture!

Best

Martin E. Silenus

It’s a question of persepective!

According to leading psychologists the majority of humans prefer to respond with negative bias about their lot rather than to respond in a positive manner. Apparently humans respond negatively more often because it causes a pleasant surge in the critical information processing area of the brain. Statistics suggest people require five positive events to equal the effect of one negative event.

So our challenge is to not follow the herd when we communicate with others. Try to communicate with a positive bias. You’ll feel so much better!

I’m offering D.A.R.I.A. Book Two free from Amazon on May 21st, 22nd. Sci-Fi readers will enjoy the journey through the six book series. If you have wonderment on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Genetic Engineering you will want to give this series a read. I like to focus on the positive aspects of our wondrous future so I think you will really enjoy the series.

How do you move with gravity/anti-gravity systems, how does cloaking work and how does an Aegis force field form. Questions and answers at Scientific Breakthroughs.

Artificial Intelligence, genetic manipulation and enhancements, man and machine fusion. Learn about such things at Artificial Condition.

Having activated your cloaking ability and having the switch to flip on the Aegis force field in your hand you move into the shadows to explore the source of the blood curdling shrieking at Shadows Reel.

The fools, the poor wretched dead fools chose not to listen. They poo, pooed, said it will never happen, elected to ignore. It was a mistake they will never be able to consider again. The death toll is staggering by even the most outrageous standards. The compounding effect of multiple disasters pushed the death counts off the scale.

Yes I know, the “to do list” is quite extensive and I realize I am somewhat tardy in addressing it. However a very rare and precious event is afoot; the appearance of the annual spring crocus in all it beauty and glory.  As Prairie enthusiasts the dogs and I must visit the pastures and revel in wonderment.

Best

Martin E Silenus

Canada Goose (Branta Canadensis)

One of the delights of spring is the return of the Canada Geese as they pause on their way to their chosen nesting grounds farther North. An awesome great bird weighing up to 14 pounds with up to a 73 inch wingspan. Coupled with a very aggressive territorial attitude they can beat the hell out of big dogs and humans as well. Not afraid of humans at all and a nuisance if you decide to feed them. More than one golfer has been chased by one or more Canada geese attempting to retrieve a wayward golf ball.

I take great delight in the honking and yodeling conversations they have during their early morning flights to their breakfast patch and motivational meeting sites. They don’t bother flying very high for these short hops and it makes you feel like you should duck as they flap and hoot past, such a majestic bird!

I’m offering D.A.R.I.A. Book One free from Amazon on April 9th, 10th, 11th. Sci-Fi readers will enjoy the journey through the six book series. If you have wonderment on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Genetic Engineering you will want to give this series a read. I like to focus on the positive aspects of our wondrous future so I think you will enjoy the series.

There are some very exciting exploration missions currently under way in space to understand and FIND THE TRUTH.

Investigate the brave new worlds of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Genetic Engineering and such here at ARTIFICIAL CONDITION.

Say, have you ever been inspired to build your very own “Man Shed”? Of course you have, we all have, somewhere only you and your buddies can go. A male environment, shiny tools, compressors, Michelin girlie posters, beer fridge, serious sound system, 60 inch flat screen for sports and rock concerts, security system warning for female proximity, bathroom, recliners and leather couch to nap on, hell yeah and stuff stays where you put it!!

Anyway, you can check out my adventures building my Man Shed, the ebook is free on April 16th and 17th and you can avoid all the problems and dumb things I did. Hey beauty!!

Bring extra ammo, keep the plates in your flak vests, extra water and field rations, this will be a prolonged firefight men!

There is so much we know nothing about, whole worlds which are unnoticed by our primitive senses. Stop by here to widen your senses and to notice the worlds of the SHADOWS REEL.

I must fly, the dogs are demanding to go for a walk as they have a bad case of the spring zoomies. And I better be with them and close by to avoid the veterinary bills if the geese decide to kick the crap out of them.

Cheers

Martin E. Silenus

A Rancher owned herd of Buffalo on the praries of North America.

There are so many and varied challenges facing the world these days and I certainly recognize it to be so.

In this newsletter I chose to set those challenges aside and focus instead on relaxation, reading of books, being close to nature, and how we as humans can de-stress and apply appropriate self-therapies for personal well-being.

There are more than enough challenges to go around for everyone so we must exert some energy and chose instead to focus on positive events which we enjoy. It’s certainly harder but so much more rewarding and improves our disposition and peace of mind.

Take a deep breath, slow your pulse, watch the buffalo roam and forage with their calves’ frolicking.

Yes finally, thank you for your inquiries, messages of encouragement and general interest in this book, I certainly appreciate it.

D.A.R.I.A. Book Six sees our intrepid team take on the massive challenge of bringing the Red Market (human body parts trade) under control along with the destruction of associated Cartels.

Be sure to stop by here to read some excellent Science Fiction. Dean Wilson has an superb website.

Visit this site for Science Fiction and Fantasy books.

While scaling your personal cliff face and you need a break, stop by here for Adventure and Thriller giveaways.

There now don’t you feel so much more relaxed and at peace with yourself and the world around you? How could you possibly be upset while sitting on a hillside watching some deer amble past? Yes they know you are there and that you are not a threat to them.

Best

Martin E. Silenus

Without initiating a discussion on “Climate Change” I will make the observation to whit, this winter in the North America Midwest has been one of quite distinct vigor. Meaning, this winter is acting more like the traditional winters of my youth rather than the more recent “El Nino” milder versions which we enjoyed for a number of recent years.

Minus 40 C is a formidable convincing argument that is non-negotiable. As was the “Alberta Clipper” that smoked through and shutdown provinces/states with a very convincing demonstration of a “blizzard that can kill you”, bury a few cars, rip up buildings with winds, and flip over some semi-trailers out on the highway.

Mother Nature reminding us in her own unique way that we are but squatters in her world and we can be “swatted like flies” should she be so inclined! Anyway the winter seems pretty long and often bitterly cold to me.

As you follow the progress of the James Webb Space Telescope on its adventure, do stop by at INTERSTELLAR ADVENTURE to read some excellent science fiction.

Or perhaps/in addition to, visit LEVIATHAN WAKES for some books on sci-fi and fantasy.

For some delightful Action and Adventure books and previews.

While scaling your personal cliff face and you need a break, stop by here for Adventure and Thriller giveaways.

If you enjoy in your face fire fights you must visit here for the ultimate Action and Crime Thriller books.

For those who prefer to read Fantasy books visit here.

Of course after the blinding blizzard wreaking its havoc across the land the wind drops, the sun comes out and Mother Nature proudly displays to all her handiwork. Oh yes and the -40 C temperatures come along. Amazing landscapes but the temps can kill you in minutes. Yes Mother dear, we have respect, yes Mother you are the bitch…. er boss!!

Best

Martin E. Silenus