Tomorrow I’m invited to speak to residents at a local nursing home. As I reflected on how to present a Vietnam War memoir to a group of World War II era citizens, I decided that I should focus on a formative event from their past. I will mention Muddy Jungle Rivers but then I will read a …
My Grandmother Studying Abnormal Behavior, Circa 1953, New York City College
Sixty years ago my grandmother began attending a psychology class at New York City College, studying abnormal behavior. For over half a century she searched in vain for a cure, trying to understand why her daughters had been cursed with mental illness. She left behind thousands of pages of New York City Mental Health booklets, …
Have You Thanked A Teacher Who Influenced Your Life?
The first paragraph on the Acknowledgements page of Muddy Jungle Rivers reads “This memory journey began with a series of essays I wrote while attending writing classes taught by Dr. Mark Christensen at Bemidji State University (BSU). His suggestions and prompts were instrumental in illuminating those nocturnal conversations I had with “Buddha” Ed Thomas. Mark’s …
Chickenhouse Chronicles/Katyn Forest Massacre
Three years ago, after my mother died, I discovered a time capsule locked in the chickenhouse on our old homestead near Nebish, Minnesota. Some of my siblings wanted to burn what to them appeared to be trash. My two oldest sisters and I rescued the treasure and brought it to my house. Most biographical …
Quilt of Valor
Quilt of Valor Presented to: Wendell “Afe” Affield Handmade/Quilted by Lanee Dedicated With Thanks for Serving “Lanee” is Kathleen Paulson, Solway, Minnesota. This past Saturday afternoon, Kathleen, her husband, Mark, and her parents, Kenny and Carol Stevens, stopped by our home and presented the quilt. I am deeply humbled and will treasure this keepsake. I …
Self Published Author Lessons Learned
This past year has been very rewarding with the publication of Muddy Jungle Rivers. In December it was nominated for the Minnesota Book Award. On January 26 the four finalists for each genre will be announced. Bemidji State University used the book in a Fall 2012 History Class and will use it again in a …
Veterans Day Guest Speaker
On November 11, 2012 I spoke at the Red Lake Nation Veterans Day ceremony. I was humbled when elder Larry Stillday, a Vietnam Veteran, presented me with an honorary membership in the Ponemah Three Star Warrior Society. Genesis of the Society is explained by elder Eugene Stillday on this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME1cBoYIj6o I was honored to carry …
Seven Sacred Teachings
I’ve been studying the Seven Sacred Teachings. Anton Treuer, Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, loaned me a book written by David Bouchard and Dr. Joseph Martin. Bouchard, explains, ““The Seven Sacred Teachings” is a message of traditional values and hope for the future. The Teachings are universal to most First Nation [American Indian] …
Book Discussions and Speaking
Earlier this summer I enrolled for a Psychology class at Bemidji State University (BSU). Suddenly autumn is here and I’m sitting in a lecture hall. This past few months seemed to fast-track past. My wife, Patti, and I had a booth first at Clearwater County Fair and then at Beltrami County Fair. (Thank you Jim …
Whispering Petals Press
Our goal at Wispering Petals Press is to be a resource center for writers. We are not so presumptuous as to think we have all the answers. We provide links and information to those who specialize. For example, two books I highly recommend to anybody who considers self-publishing are The Complete Guide To Self-Publishing by …