Bit and Pieces Vol. 12

 Hi Alex,

Operation Salvage continues...

My house wasn't very Christmas-like, but now the lights are now in place. I've also taken care of the grocery shopping. Sure, I might have to get some (fresh) things later in the week, but no need to do bulk buying. 

So with a bit of luck and planning, I'll be able to avoid the stores during the Christmas weekend. Also, I've bought (yesterday) and posted (today) my Christmas cards, so this they have a fighting chance of making it in time.

Speaking of (electronic) mail...I also cleaned my inbox and dealt with (most of the) bills. The last bill should get the chop tomorrow. Other then that, all I need to get a haircut and I am good to go. 

(Well, that and I need to keep my Blog/Twitter from sliding back into being forgotten/gathering dust. But this letter is taking care of that.)

That's all I have for today,

Regards,

Ruben A. Hilbers (Commander Nash)

Bits and Pieces Vol. 11

 Hi Alex, 

It's that time of year that you read your previous blog entries and wonder..."What happened to all those plans I announced in my previous entries ?" 

Well, in the case it's that old saying "Life is what happens while your making other plans." Several of my family members moved to the United States (of America) and it was quite the whirlwind. 

It is all the "Working Out in the End" phase now, but it took a while to get there. That, and the phase will take a couple of weeks to complete. Moving on to...

My Buddy Rick Clogston

In my 10 September blog, I said that my buddy Rick was coming. He came by in the last week of September. We chatted - the old-fashioned way - had lunch and he sang some songs. He also recorded a video, which I am sure is floating around the Internet somewhere. Alas, for thus of you wanting to see yours truly on the web, I successfully dodged the camera. 

The thing is, Rick is threatening to visit again in 2023, and this time he would not allow any camera dodging. (Poor viewers, my voice sounds like a male Fran Drescher and when I sing it gets even worse.) And that brings me to...

Picking up the Pieces

So, it's the nearly the end of the year. So Operation "Salvage What You Can." is in full swing. Which is why I am dusting off my blog and Twitter. What is next ? Time will tell. But this is what I have for today.

Regards,

Ruben A. Hilbers (Commander Nash)

Novel Update

 Hi Alex,

I know, I know, it's been a while since I've written. To begin with, the pre-Christmas crazy has begun at my day job. I'll save you the boring details, but the result is that I've needed every bit of free time I have to recharge. 

Which has resulted in my professional writing grinding to a halt. Fortunately, I do have a piece of my fourth August Smith novel written already. So I am going to do some typing, hopefully that will get back into "the zone." 

So, what am I going to write when I get there ? Well, I have figured out some pieces of the puzzle. And that brings me to...

Raining Ashes 

Cairo - Several weeks ago, a cult and a group of Intelligence Officers played a game of chess with the fate of the world at stake. Thanks to August Smith and April Tanaka, the world survived. But April and August are no longer in Cairo, leaving the locals to deal with the scars of the conflict. Meanwhile, a new threat is rising....

A sequel/spin-off from Chess Games in Cairo, this is the 'mystery novel' I had cooking. I'm still working on the details, but the plan is for this to be the start of a new trilogy of novels. The text above is not the final blurb, which I'll write later. For now, moving on to...

From the Farm to the Sands

An omnibus collecting August and April's first three adventures. It will also include part of my fourth August Smith Novel. The million dollar question is what state will our heroes be in ? Well...I'm not saying. But I can tell you something, namely....

Five Episodes

The title, which is 'Five Episodes.' I'm keeping the details under wraps. But if you want some, Episode 1 is the part I intend to include in From the Farm to the Sands. For the remaining four, you'll simply have to buy the full thing. And...

That's all I have for today,

Regards,

Ruben A. Hilbers (Commander Nash)