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 …
Read MoreQuilt 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 …
Read MoreSelf 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 …
Read MoreVeterans 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 …
Read MoreSeven 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] …
Read MoreBook 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 …
Read MoreWhispering 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 …
Read MoreSummer
It’s been a busy summer. This Saturday, July 28th, I will be doing a reading at the Beltrami County Historical Center in Bemidji at 1:00 pm. Muddy Jungle Rivers continues to receive positive feedback. Last week I was at the post office and a stranger walked up, shook my hand and thanked me for writing …
Read MoreBemidji Library Book Festival
June 11-16 is Bemidji Library Book Festival—a busy week. For the full schedule go to: http://krls.org/docs/krls_docs_bj_poster_Book_Festival_201204.pdf Here is a list of events I plan to participate in: Monday evening I’m going to read in my first poetry slam. Tuesday I will attend Laurie Hertzel’s Writers Workshop titled “Writing Your Life, Finding Your Story.” Wednesday I’ll attend Margi …
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Muddy Jungle Rivers
Muddy Jungle Rivers, the author’s memoir, is a close-up look at life on a gunboat during 1968, the bloodiest year of the Vietnam War. It’s the story of a seven-man crew captained by a volatile, pro-war enlisted man. Like Philip Caputo’s A Rumor Of War, this narrative takes the reader into frustration, rage, terror, death, …
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