Challenges & Chuckles

About the Book

Over the years I have shared some of the more anecdotal events in my life and have been encouraged to put them on paper. I never had any ambitions of writing my life story, but found it hard to relate to one event without remembering what led up to it. On sentence became a paragraph; the paragraph became a chapter, and so on, as the memories came flooding back. During the many hours it has taken to write this, my intention was to title it, ÒWhat The Hell Am I Doing HereÓ. You will understand why as you read it, but I decided to soften it to, ÒChallenges and ChucklesÓ, which also aptly describes my life. Some of the challenges I have readily accepted during my life, did not turn out as expected, and in some cases I had to make a split second decision which meant whether I would have a future or not. Even after retirement I seemed to be living on the edge as I took on more challenges. I am pleased that I have had a life that is full of exciting memories and worth writing about. Those who have never had an occasion to ask themselves, ÒWhat the hell am I doing hereÓ, must have lived a very dull life.

About the Author

Growing up in the bush the author had a few experiences with bear, cougar, and coyote. He quit school at age fourteen to learn to fly, and that is where he learned the true meaning of ninety percent pure joy, and ten percent sheer panic. He joined the Air Force and enjoyed the rocket socket flying in a jet trainer, and more sheer panic during a couple of in flight Maydays. His career in the service took him across Canada, the States, and to Germany where he was involved in the Cold War and nuclear weapons. Then it was on to Sardegna Italy for three years, where he worked with the German and Italian Air Forces. He returned to Canada to teach technical training with NATO. During his career in the Air Force, he learned carpentry, plumbing, and wiring, and built a two storey, seven room home for his family. He also built a trailer park, and spent some time as Captain in a volunteer fire department. He learned four languages, became a licensed radio operator, a locksmith, and owned a fibreglass company. After retiring from the Air Force, he received a position at a university/college teaching the first two years of a four year university course in electrical engineering. He also volunteered his time to teach evening courses in communications, weather, and continuing education. For his volunteer work in social programs, he was awarded the Volunteers Medal by the United Nations Assembly in Washington.