Against My Better Judgement

OK I have thought about this and was not going to reveal much more about the book I have written.  However, I have decided to post the Prologue just to get your reaction, be open minded as you read it, be generous and I hope it will peak your interest in what follows, when I am done with my editing etc.  I will not be posting the book on this blog.  See what you think.

Prologue

September 28, 1973

8:15 pm

Jonathan Strong had ridden up the mountain with Jep, together they stood and looked across the Missoula valley below.  Strong was impressed, “I see why you like it here, I really do, this is something you don’t see in D.C.”  They stood in silence for a few moments, but Jep was a talker, always had been and the historian in Jep began to point out different areas in the valley.  The part of the valley of most interest to Strong was the Hellgate Canyon, Jep had already explained to the feds the significance of the name and what had happened there.

After a few more minutes Jep asked, “Just how much money was involved in the western Montana part of this organization?”  Strong looked at Jep, “As far as we can estimate about Sixty Three Million in Montana alone.”   “Sixty three million dollars, I just can’t believe it,” the very thought stunned Jep as he stared out over the valley that had meant so much to him most of his life, He couldn’t help but wonder how something like this had happened.  As a kid growing up here, he had led a pretty sheltered life, but he didn’t know it.  He thought how at nineteen he had been called on a mission by the LDS Church to Arizona and southern California, and he remembered how shocked he was the day he was transferred from Yuma, Arizona to National Heights, California near San Diego, He had stepped off the bus in downtown San Diego only to be greeted by bright fluorescent lights that advertised things he had not imagined.  He also remembered the first time he had seen a young woman in a bikini, it was quite a shock to him that someone of the opposite sex would wear something so revealing.  His thoughts were interrupted by Strong,  “Well Jep sixty three million dollars, it’s true, that’s the estimated amount this little “Montana Cartel” had made in just the few short months it seems to have existed.”  “Thanks to you and your work with the Montana Department of Justice and the Federal Agencies involved, we seem to have gotten not only to the bottom of this drug mess, but solved a missing person report and at least one murder out of state as well.   Then there is the gun connection which was even bigger than any of us imagined, the modest weaponry exchange at the local guns shows you worked on led to the connections in Nevada, California and the Middle East.  It could run into the billions with a B.  Hellgate, my friend, ended up being just as you described, “The gates of Hell.”

Getting Some Things Done!

I posted on facebook a few minutes ago that I had completed my book, I had the goal to be at this point by the end of the year, but now my goal is to be publish ready by December 31st.  I am not saying it will be published, or that it even should, but I think it is a great story - we shall see where it goes from here.  I really was a little surprised with the ending, but I like it.  I wrote this book as though I was looking at things through the eyes of the main charachter, it is not in first person, but the story developed as I saw it.  By doing that I was never sure where things were going until I got there.  I knew the main objective and the basic story line, but the details unfolded as I saw them happen.  At one point I told Saundra, writing a book is as exciting as reading one.

With the completion of this story, a couple of my bucket list things if you will have now been accomploished this year.  First my month in the mountains, which was a big boost to this second item the book.

Without giving anything away here are a couple of notes about the book:

1) I am looking at the title -

63 Million,
Big Trouble under the Big Sky

2) The main charachter is a Drug Rep,  F. Jep Leavitt, yes he was born in Canada.
3) He works for Avion Pharmaceuticals (No such company) and ends up working under cover for the Montana Department of Justice and the Federal Government.

That is enough for now!  Now comes perhaps the hardest part and that is tieing it all together - timewise, peoplewise and making sure there is enough interesting detail and story to keep it going beginning to end. 

Today was just a gorgsous day at the lake.   By the way Kimber bit a bear in the but yesterday, while Mark, Sari and their kids were here, today she routed out a rat in the boiathouse, downstairs.  she's had quite a 24 hours.

Mom

Well, I certainly have not been on this blog much in the past few weeks.  As any who are reading this now know mom passed away at 8:20 pm on Friday August 5th, that has been 16 days ago.  Much has gone on since and all of this seems as though it has been a dream.  The week following mom's passing we were busy with funeral arrangements etc, then the followup.  There were a lot of family around, our personal family reunion occurred at the funeral as everyone who traveled here had to change schedules and the reunion which was to start over a week later did not happen due to the circumstances.  I am not sure I have really come to accept mom's passing.  So much has gone on since and it had been expected for some time so as I mentioned it seems as though it has been a dream  I am not sure I have come to grips with it yet, her passing was a relief for her and a major change for dad and some change for the rest of us.  Her life for the past several months, and to some degree even back to her stroke,was not the same.  Even though her mind remained bright to the end, she had many difficulties.  Energy, appetite, weight, warmth and her smile all had suffered as a result of the stroke, her heart failure and her age.  The fall that occurred on Tuesday night the 2nd of August no doubt hastened her departure, but that departure was inevitable and would have come fairly soon, she did not eat and did not enjoy food, the Sunday before the fall she had been even colder than usual (it was about 80 in our house) and she froze after dinner, Jake got the blanket from our bed and she wrapped up in it, she didn't want to stay long and was worn out.   She had bounced between looking a little better on a few days and looking worse on most, it seemed over the past month or so there had been a definite increase in the latter.   It was hard to see mom that way, she had been so energetic in the past, so talkative, so involved with food at every turn of events, our family dinners, helping others, etc.  All of this had changed and the change was disturbing to those of us that knew her and loved her.

Mom, I miss you, I love you.  She was ready, she said she was not afraid, she worried about dad, she wanted everyone there and most were.  She told us what she wanted at the funeral.  Death is difficult at best, with mom it was no exception, but it was peaceful as well, her last few minutes with the exception of the ragged breathing seemed to be time in slow motion as her spirit prepared to exit her body.   The last breaths were short but there were signs of recognition, recognition by mom of those mortally present, recognition of someone or someone's not mortally present.  There was a gesture of "goodbye" as well as of "hello", we all felt it and we all witnessed it.  Each of us will remember and interpret it as we saw it.  This much I know, Mom knew what lay ahead, mom didn't want to leave us , but knew the plan and knew it was an essential part of it.  Even though she had been told a few times in the past months it was coming, the reality of the experience obviously is much clearer than the anticipation.  She is a strong and noble woman, a loving wife and mother, she is stubborn and speaks her mind, people knew how she felt, she claimed many friends and relatives (even ones who by divorce were no longer in the family - she still claimed them).  This was one of her great abilities to see beyond the differences and to still lay claim to those she knew and had known.  We can learn something from this, for if indeed we expect to live a Celestial life when this is over - all, regardless - will be what they are and that is family.  Mom you always taught me even when you didn't know you were doing it.  I love you Mom, and as you welcomed and nurtured me in this world I know you will be there to welcome and nurture me in the next.

3 Ring or 4 Ring Circus

Today (Tuesday August 2, 2011) has been a little bit of a difficulty.  While taking Kimmy walking up Cramer Creek on the way out she fell out of the truck window while I was going about 20 mph, she didn't jump she just leaned to far, it was hot and she was trying to get more wind.  She limped around, but from that stand point seemed to be ok in a while, this pm while I had her take a nap when she woke up she wouldn't open her left eye and when I pry it open it is just a slit?  I hope she just got stung again or some allergy from the grass or something.  She is in bed now will see what it looks like tomorrow, she has been scratching at it.  Next when I called Saundra on the way back to Missoula she had just fainted in the pediatrician's office - she felt faint and went out of the room where Kade was going to get circumcised and she fainted in the hall, the Dr. called the parmamedics who came and treated her checking everything over - the whole thing is similar to 20 years ago - she won't admit it but I think she has problems with her heart beating hard and fast and won't admit it.  Next mom was not feeling well today she had several visitors and she looked worn out when I wen there and she said she didn't feel good at all.  We'll see how that is tomorrow when she has fewer visitors.  Next dad as I was leaving, called me back and said, "I have something I need you to know".  He was very serious and I thought something else must be going on.  He looked at me and said "Those guys didn't co0me until 25 minutes until 2 and they came from the wrong direction".  It took me a second to realize he was talking about the garbage truck.  I said "dad the letter just meant your route would start at 6:30 am".  He said, "No it was to us, what is going on, and they came from the wrong way?"  I am not making light of dad's fixation with the garbage, but it is a little odd that he worries so much about somethings.  Oh I forgot, mom got meals on wheels squared around and they brought dad's today - yesterday he was mad because they didn't bring it - when mom cancelled one they thought she meant both, well today they brought his and he said "that was the worst meal I have ever seen."  Again not making light of it, but first he is mad if it doesn't come and by the way it better not be late, he refers to it as his breakfast, then when it does come he always tells me how lousy it is.  Three pretty serious things to dad at this time are garbage, meals on wheels and his sprinkler which he will not leave set on automatic and insists on going to the basement and pushing the button each sprinkling day.

I told my kids - just take me to the hills and prop me up by a tree, leave my gun, my carving tools (I may not use ether, come back for them later).  I really at this stage don't want to live that long.  Oh there is one more thing dad is serious as taxes about and that is driving.  He says, "I am a better driver than most of the goofy people in this town and he is as serious as stink on a skunk.

Thursday (August 4, 2011) This post was interrupted by a call from dad - mom had fallen down the stairs I rushed over and got an ambulance - she is home but has not been out of bed since, not doing well, not able to eat etc.  I will follow this with more information at a later date.

Hot Doggers

Today I went to Costco to have my 6th Hot Dog since Saundra left for Portland.  As I stood in line I realized that there is a real difference in experiences Hot Doggers and non experienced ones.  Let me break it down for you.

First the experienced dogger knows exactly what he or she is after - the non experienced one stands gawking at the menu board for a niumber of minutes usually 20 feet or so from the counter (trained by signs in banks and doctors offices - for confidentiality - these people worry that they night overhear the person in front of them order their dog).

Second the experienced dogger has his or her money out $1.50 - none of this confusion at the counter as to the prices etc, like they are surprised.

Third the experienced dogger says to the counter person a hotdog, slaw and a fork, the inexperienced one says I'd like a hotdog and then they stand dumbfounded about the whole experience.

Fourth the experienced dogger - gets their dog, slaw, cup and fork and heads directly to the pop dispenser and fills their cup, grabs a handful of napkins - they take these immediately to a table and stake out their spot by leaving the pop, the fork, napkins and the slaw while they go load their dog.

Fifth the experienced dogger loads his dog in this order 1) onions - lots, relish, mustard and finally ketchup.  The inexperienced one fiddles around and gets everything out of order - it takes them at least twice as long to load up.  Any experienced dogger realizes that the order onion, relish, mustard and ketchup is the quickest and the most sensible order.

Sixth the experienced dogger sits down - uses one or more napkins to clean the table surface, opens the foil wrapping of his dog and then forks on the slaw.  The inexperienced  dogger fiddles with the foil, never wipes the surface and didn't have a fork so they use their fingers if they did get slaw (most of the time they overlook this key ingredient).

Seventh once all these steps are followed the experienced dogger settles in and takes his first bite savoring the dog as though it might be his last, the inexperienced dogger just starts eating.

Eighth the experienced dogger then looks around for friends or to see who is present in the food court, sips his soda and then resumes the consumption of the delicacy.  The inexperienced one just eats and drinks and gets up and leaves like it was a necessary evil.  The experienced dogger realizes each dog outing is a life changing experience and treats it reverently and with solemnity, knowing this is the very best $1,50 lunch (or dinner) around.

Finally the experienced dogger consumes less than 1/2 of his dog before he gets more soda (got to get your moneys worth) and then he sits and enjoys several sodas after the dog is finished.  The inexperienced one may only drink one soda or two at the max and then heads out the door.

The most experienced doggers refill their soda even as they leave and browse Costco while enjoying the soda and then returns after the browsing or purchases to refill one for the road.

To be a real dooger one must have at least and I am serious, at least ten years experience in this process.  In my case the whole experience began before Montana had any Costco's Spokane had one, back in 1989. 

Trying to remember I have consumed Costco dogs in several Seattle locations, Portland, Tri Cities, Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Spokane (both), Anchorage, Kona Hawaii, Salt Lake City, St. George, and several other locations I am sure - I truly am a hot dog connoisseur a real hot dogger in more ways than one - ha!

The Circus is in Town and it is not Barnum and Bailey

Saundra has been gone since last Saturday to Portland with Tenell, Greg and our newest grandson Kade.  Kimber and I have been walking, working on the border around the rock beds - cementing in a mow strip.  Jake and I went 65 mile son the four wheelers on Monday up Jens, to Gold Creek Lakes - over the top of the game pass to upper Rock Creek (the Deerlodge Rock Creek - not the bigger one by Clinton) over the pass to Boulder Creek to Altoona Lake and then over the Boulder, Little Gold Creel Pass back to Gold Creek and finally to Jens.  It was a rough ride, lots of huge rocks, both four wheelers got dents on the wheels and look like they have been through a war.  Next time I am going to do a little gold panning.  There are tons of mines all over that country.

Today Kimber and I went up 9 Mile and got some rocks for the yard, then went on a 1 1/2 hour walk in the main 9 mile valley, worked on the borders again.

Mom will no longer eat the Meals on Wheels and so I bought them Marie Calendar dinners, the RN suggested it, they haven't tried them yet, their freezer is full of things they will probably never use unless someone goes there and cooks it for them.  They still buy things like Miracle Whip in the big containers when it is on sale?  Thins spoil or out date before they can use them, but we keep trying to deal with it.  Dad is still a little unhappy that the Garbage people wrote a letter that their route would be picked up Tuesday morning beginning at 6 am and they don't get there until the pm - he thinks they should be there at 6 am - oh well, that's one of the things he frets about - why I don't know.  He wants the garbage put out and dealt with just right, he wants me to use the wheel barrow when I take it out and I tell him it is easier for me to carry the bag.  I cut the grass out from under the gate so it would open and I am not sure he likes that (he told me he had just done it a while ago - I think his while is a few years just like the gas at the lake when Saundra and I got stuck in the lightening storm.  I love them to death (probably a bad choice of words - I love them as the great parents they are)  - but it is still a circus even at that.

Heaven on Earth

Well, it looks like baby Kade Elias Dietzman is about to enter the world.  Tenell called this morning and after her appointment with the Doctor she called us, Saundra has a ticket to Portland for Saturday pm.  A couple weeks after that I and puppy will head for Portland in the car and visit a while and then come home.  We (Saundra, Bonnie and Ron) have a trip into scheduled to the Sperry Chalet in Glacier for mid August and then kids are coming home to go to the lake for end of the same week. 

Saundra and I took puppy for a walk to the dog park on the river by the University (Jacobs Island) and then by mom and dads to see how they are doing, we (Saundra, Howard and Ladene are going to eat at mom and dads this evening.  I got another summer hair cut and prepared my talk for Ronan this Sunday.   I don't know where the time goes - every day fill s up with something.   I hope to get some yard work completed while Saundra is gone and take puppy back in the mountains for the first time since her going to jail (the pound).  The electronic collar seems to work we tried it out at the lake this past week, I'll see how it does in the trees etc.

I checked at Costco while we were there about work and they are in a hiring freeze so even if I wanted to go to work there - that is not going to happen.  We do need to do something, 1st preference is to sell Lolo even for less than we have in it and salvage the lake.  2nd is the lake - it would be nice if we could establish the lake as our primary residence before and if we sell it but that would take renting our home or selling it and moving to the lake for 18 months or so, but that would sure cut the taxes - as is if we sell it - after realtors fees and taxes we will just pay off Lolo - would be much easier to wholesale Lolo even at a reduced price so we didn't have the tax burden - we have more equity in Lolo than we can sell it for and than we owe on it.  The Lord will bless us - He always has and what is best will work out.  Beautiful day in Missoula today - one of those days that makes you so happy to live in heaven on earth.  (western Montana).