Desperate Journey

About the Book

In a way, this book is a "ballad of yesterday, today and tomorrow." And in carrying on with the theme of Vera Brittain's beautiful book, "Testament to Youth," this is also a testament to the legacy of love and caring and sharing of those who have gone before; and is a challenge to we who are left to carry on in their quest for a better today and tomorrow. But to win that goal, we must recognize and understand our adversaries. I have tried, in this book (sometimes by example; other times by [invention]) to point out who those adversaries are. But, you know, there is more than a little truth to the sometimes quoted statement, "I have met the enemy and the enemy is me."

Take economics, for example. It is really little more than the study of human behavior in response to perceived wants and needs, and of our actions and interactions to meet defined financial well-being goals-"Cause and effect" pure and simple-but rashness, carelessness, impropriety, selfishness and greed play a big part in upsetting the balance. "Left alone," as in the precepts of "laisse faire," their ugliness has no place to hide. And, without the sustenance of self-serving, non-competitive forces will quickly disappear into oblivion. As I have mentioned earlier in this book: An economy is like a delicate heirloom. Watch: hold it carefully! Don't wind it too tight! It can be easily broken!

About the Author

At the end of most stories it is customary for authors to pen a little sketch of themselves to give readers an image of who they are and lend credence to what they say.

Now that the main story in this book has come to an end, before closing the cover, I would like to let you know a little more about what has impelled me and leave you with a "thumbnail picture" of who I am.

For one thing, I follow in the footsteps of giants. No way in the telling of their stories, do I wish to diminish their stature or demean the wonderful things they had stood for and done.

By heritage, I am a "Yankee" from way back. I am very proud of the honest, caring, hard-working ways and commitments of my pioneer forefathers, and all who came with them, to this unspoiled land of promise and fashioned homes and lives from its ruggedness, from its beauty, a "can-do" philosophy nearly a century and a half before the beginning of the American Revolution.

But I won't go into these names; that would mar the mystique of it all. Suffice it to say that they came from many places: England, Scotland, Ireland- Even a few from The Netherlands and France. And, oh yes, many fine, wonderful relatives form Sweden too.

God Bless them! I love the all.

But the stories of they who came before us, don't tell it all.

Genes play a part for sure. And emotions passed on and engrained in our beings from, the lives of others are impelling. But these aren't enough; they don't tell it all. There are others "paints" that add to the picture of who we are- we are the ones who choose the "tints" and hold the "brushes". The "tints" we use, and the "brushes" we select are much up to us. And are guided by the academic and professional choices we make.

That said I would like to tell you about the educational, academic, professional and work-a-day background that was mine.

The great depression played a huge part in my life and future choices. It was horrible! Even as a boy, never- again would I even want to see its deprivations and sorrow happen.

And I vowed to myself, that if it meant pulling myself up by our bootstraps. I would make it happen. Education was free. It was the key. What better way for a poor boy! It and handwork was our only chance.

My dear little mother, God bless her soul, was these to encourage and guide me. And she taught me to read and to recite the multiplication tables at home to give me a good start even before the beginning of grade school books from the library were free too and I soon learned to enjoy them. And many a library card in those days were filled out completely with stamps and both sides.

And the work real hard them continued on through high school: When the course requirements were four, I took five. Why not! They were free.

Those years are now long gone. And so is my dear little mother.

But one thing has nagged at my soul throughout the years: Did I ever tell Mom what a difference she made?