I walked to the front door of the modernistic throwback of some ranch-style, but not, home, noting that it had a screen door. The sweep of central air conditioning being installed around the country had just about put an end to such doors, at least as part of the initial construction of homes, particularly in California. I pushed it open, as there was no latch, the rickety form holding the rather tattered screen to its frame, squeaking even louder than the two badly lubricated hinges on one side.
Julie played with Mrs. Beasley, getting the doll ‘used to the new house,’ according to her, while I could hear Mary working in the kitchen. As I turned the corner to view the single corridor that comprised the kitchen, running the complete width of the home along the western wall, Bozo lay atop the long counter set into that side, just under the edge of one of the many windows running up and down that side of the room. It was an uncharacteristic pose in the new home as well as a setting he’d never have sought out or even tolerated in the old apartment.
When Louis wrote about a water hole it was there. He did his research I use to love to read his books. The Sacketts were a good read. Thanks !!
L’Mour was a class act and I believe what you are writing about his writing. I loved his display of honor and courage in his protagonists.
In my life I’ve learned that the honor is uncommon and the courage exhibited even more uncommon. Thanks for that compliment and the information you gleaned from studying his works.
Semper fi,
Jim
Mr. Strauss, Sir,
As fascinated with each chapter as I truly am; this time I just can’t get past your reference to Louis L’Amour’s book “Sackett”. I am a very big fan of books written by Louis L’Amour. I suppose that I’m not surprised that a book you reference is as known to me as the songs that you reference. I’ve mentioned before that I feel a connection with you and the group that regularly comments, and that feeling just got stronger. Thank you for all the time and effort you have been making for so long to share your story. For me, nearly every chapter gives me something to think about. It is not entirely selfish that I hope that you will be happy, and willing and able, to continue to share your story for a long time. Best wishes.
Louis L’Moure lived along, writing his westerns with a pencil and paper tablet while drinking coffee while seating in the nude.
I was blown away when I read that one day. I have read through the years everything he wrote. I just love the effort of
good men, fictional or otherwise, working away to make things right and fixing wrongs at every opportunity.
It sure made me smile when I read your comment because I hadn’t really and consciously thought about the fact that
I’d written the title to the book into the story. I remember it so well because Mary was pissed that I was not
paying more attention to her. I sat in the same room at the time while she was in labor. “Sackett, my ass” was one of her
complaints of the time…thanks for bringing that small incident to life here in the comments.
Semper fi,
Jim
I treat myself with your latest writing during my “alone” time at work on Sunday mornings. Get a coffee and get as comfortable as possible for the 5 ticket ride that I know is coming! (BTW all your other works still hold my attention! )
I am hugely intrigued about the artifact and the little clues your release, I watch in amazement at the ever increasing speed of discovery in all nature of tech and have to wonder how much may be inspired by the artifact.
This chapter seems to set the basis for your new adventure, “big brother” is always watching and listening. No longer are living your own life but one dictated to you by unseen hands. This will prove to be a hard sell for someone as intelligent and independant as Mary. Your now living 3+ lives simultaniously; your family, the world with the insurance and dwarfs etc. and now with the company. I can see where Paul will be essential to help keep it all sorted out, especially with the valley ever omnipresent to leak back into any situation in any of your worlds. living compartmentalized is essential for survival, and especially when you are entrusted with information you simply cannot share. Wifes have a hard time adapting to the fact they actually come second to some parts of your life if you want to continue your current occupation. The fact she didn’t divorce you puts her onto a very tall pedastal.!
Awesome story James! I thoroughly enjoy your straight forward writing style, born from years of relating pertinant information in sequential logical formats to be digested by interested parties. Your flourish in creating riveting stories from the basic facts shows your devotion in your advanced academic forays. The perfect storm in story telling! BZ !!
James Johnston. Wow, what a write up this is! Your work your way through very intricately and yet delicately in order to compliment without taking the
compliments back. And your decidation to getting ready and then sitting down for each new chapter is remarkable, to say the least.
Thanks ever so much for putting this kind of comment on here, which I’m absolutely certain many of the other readers love to read.
Semper fi,
Jim
The artifact spooks me
I do not doubt what you report like Coleman said it’s faith but the artifact brings back a lot of memories for me and sometimes those are tough
Every night before going to sleep, I turn out the light, causing me to be bathed in darkness. As a child, I dreaded this time, for I was terrified of imaginary monsters and other creatures who would do me harm.
While not afraid of the dark now, I still have to deal with monsters of a sort, those who raise their ugly heads almost nightly, but who I now know are not real. I’m talking about the monsters that came home with me when I left Vietnam
While over there – nights – darkness signaled danger, for night attacks were common. Even though my unit did not experience too many of these, the ones that we did are still magnified in my mind.
Closing my eyes during the war was scary at first, for I never knew if I would live to see a new day. Eventually, that fear subsided somewhat, but it was always there, subconsciously.
I’ve learned that having a routine at night helps. I take several deep breaths, hold them, and exhale slowly through pursed lips. I always begin in the same position, and hum a particular song in my mind that soothes me. I also imagine myself lying on a quilt in Alabama on my cousin’s lawn, looking up at the stars, and losing myself in the vastness of the night sky.
While not a perfect routine, it works more often than not. Darkness has become more of a friend than an enemy, and I’m no longer fearful of dying in my sleep. That is a constant source of joy. Now, if I can only lay aside the negative memories. That would make my day.
Richard, thanks for the in-depth sharing from your heart and life. Those thoughts that come back and never seem to fade away come back again time after time
for a reason. In case you need them again in a survival situation. That’s what PTSD really is to me. Those -old mental and muscle memories staying with me
as old friends in case they need to be brought back into service. Having them means you are real and ‘normal’ as far as real combat veterans can ever be
some form of normal again. Glad you are here and glad you are writing and my good friend.
Semper fi,
Jim
I was with Jim through most of his San Clemente adventures, with the Western White House, and the police department, and of course, I was his first district manager in the life insurance business. I knew he was a great prospective agent, meeting him at a service club meeting and listening to the saga of his 30 Days in Vietnam, I encouraged him to WRITE IT DOWN, knowing at that time it would NOT be well received…
But the time emeraged decades later
I never saw the artifact but most of us knew that something strange was going on there, especially when people like Jim Gularte and Bob Elwell would clam up when even marginally questioned.
Jim created the Dwarfs which became an incredibly enjoyable experience for everyone involved. He was awarded the Navy-Marine Corps medal when I was with him, the Marine Corps’ highest honor for valor while not in combat.
He was awarded the California Medal of Valor for his heroism during the great fire. His credibility at the time deserved no question and it’s about the same now. He also garnered a few Life Insurance ‘medals of honor’. ~~smile
Jim’s life experience is so deep and significant, however, that sometimes he can sound like he’s telling some sort of fairy tale, but he’s not. I stay in close contact with him and he with me, as he does with Mike Manning and Bob Elwell, also both men who lived the experience with him back then. Alice Elwell is also very much alive and lived through much of what you are reading here in the telling of his story.
Well, what can I write back to that tome, my old friend? Thank you hardly seems like enough.
I don’t really worry much about credibility in telling the story simply because I am not seeking that
in life anymore. I did for awhile only to finally discover that only internal credibility means much
of anything at all. That redemption thing replays all the time through my mind.
Thanks so very much.
Semper fi,
Jim
What an incredible life you two have embarked on !! Thank you for your part in the story !!
Tim,
Appreciate your support of Jim and his work. We have had some unique life experiences, not all ‘rosy’ as you can imagine. Thankfully we were blessed with awesome spouses and wonderful children, I have just made a major life change, after my spouse’s passing, by moving in with my youngest son and his family.
Sold everything and emigrated to Texas.
Reality showed me that it may be time to be ‘watched over’ again ~~smile
Thanks very much, Chuck for responding Tim’s comment about your very own.
Without you, this would never have become what it is and could not continue.
I hope Texas is big enough for you!
Your friend,
Jim
Thanks Tim, for coming in on Chuck’s wonderfully expressive background support for what I’m writing on this website, and that will go to publication
one day soon. I know Chuck rather relishes hearing upon occasion about his work in all of it…which is significant.
Semper fi,
Jim
Thank you for replying to me and your major part in Jim’s life . Best of luck with your new venture. May God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Tim
Tim, that Chuck is responding at all in the middle of his move is rather extraordinary bu then he’s a pretty extraordinary guy. It was really nice
of you to comment back to him and I know he’ll appreciate it. I’m the ‘name’ on here but he does so very much.
Semper fi,
Jim
This is fascinating (to say the least). Thank you sir. Each new chapter is a gift.
I am so happy to supply what you call a gift, week after week. It’s my pleasure in many ways (although not all!).
Much appreciate the compliment inherent in your writing of the comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim, Short today – To that Jim & Mary you write of – CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Ref the artifact – So it ‘healed’ some of the lines? How did it know what it caused & why ‘heal’ some of it? A feeling of an undetected “mild solution” before the ‘healing’? And then it ‘sucked’ the bit inside? What testing did NASA & others do that may have had similar results? Did it ‘see’ those types of experiments as ‘attacks’ (Other words escape me.), invasion of ‘personal space’, etc & react accordingly? Did you ever find out the specific ‘journey’ of how it made it’s way from NASA to whomever to Mardian’s hands? Your writings of it result in more questions. Enough for now my friend. Regards as always, Doug. Oh – Though I’m sure that we all want more chapters, faster, etc. Don’t forget to take time for yourselves – You’re not an ‘artifact’. Don’t let yourself get ‘absorbed’ by ‘us’. No matter what anyone says, it ‘aint worth it. Just sayin’ my friend.
Thanks Doug, for the depth of your comment and your great written intentions expressed.
No, I am not letting myself be sucked down a hole in the telling of this story. I live in that hole,
as writing is now what I do, whether it’s the weekly newspaper (the Geneva Shore Report) or the novels.
Thanks for the concern and I wish I had more answers than questions. That the ‘world’ small as my readership
may be, gets to know about the artifact at all is about as much of a gift as I can give it.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
garage with not a sould* anywhere around, (*soul)
Congrats also on the baby boy !!
Guess you also figured out your phone was bugged when a baby crib showed up, hmmm…
Giving the dwarfs limited info when you know you wanted them to know more must’ve hurt.
Great chapter LT, keep on keepin on..
SEMPER Fi
Hell, the leaving behind all of them only got more difficult emotionally over time.
Paul indicated that I would spend the rest of my life trying to rebuild my company.I came to find that he
was very correct…right to this point.
Thanks for the neat comment and the compliment,
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
And thank you, once again, for your newest chapter you have posted. BTW, this most recent chapter is not yet on the main website where I usually find all the chapters, including newest ones.
I was informed of this chapter via an email you had sent out that provided the link. The reading of a new chapter never disappoints.
I never realized that your wife Mary’s pregnancy was so far along and was surprised to read that the baby came in this chapter. Can’t wait to hear the details of the “lie” you were about to tell your wife–and if she will buy it or not. Did the “thing” leave any marks on the tongs you used to hold it? It sure is fascinating. Did you take any regular measurements of it? It’s weigh? Circumference? Did any of those type measurements (if taken) vary from one time to another? Any reaction to sunlight? Or water? Try placing an ant or other bug on it… Try placing it near a working radio, and change the volume on the radio? You need better protective equipment that simple goggles. In any event I hope you keep it away from your cat…it might end up absorbed like the small drill bit!
THE WALTER DUKE. I can’t try anything at this point in my life Chuck because I no longer possess the artifact…thank God.
There was danger there and even some risk in writing all this stuff about it, although I am amazed that so much is coming out
to be true that I learned from it. Chuck was moving so gettin out the chapter was a bit more problematic than usual.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
THE WALTER DUKE. I apologize for not answering the remainder of your comment. My wife wedged in and that was that.
She went to the store so i’m a free man again. I have much more that i learned about the object as the chapter to on
and I won’t ruin it for others or the continuing story by revealing…even to someone of your high stature in my writing life.
Thanks for understanding…
Semper fi,
Jim
As I read this I was reminded of Doubting Thomas when he was attempting to certify Christ! I don’t need to see the wounds I just believe! You also know much more about the laws of Physics and where the artifact crosses those lines, but my understanding, just like the laws of aerodynamics is more Ike our “Catholics upbringing Faith! I made it through math, physics and flight school with out pushing through understanding way it worked!
Interesting your birthing moments are a lot like mine except Jimi who was born while I was in DaNang.
Good stuff!
Unlike those of the returned Christ of the time, my wounds are not still open so it’s hard to get Thomas to insert his hand for proof!
Thanks for the great comment and the compliment at the end…dry as it might be!
Your friend and combatant in life…
Jim
What an outstanding chapter, Jim! Couple minor edits, which we can leave for Dan C.
So a big gift to you, Mary, and Miss Julie! And how great was Julie’s acceptance of her new brother! Satisfied that Michael will have his own bowl, and thus she’ll not have to share!
I think the “hand engraving sphere” tantalizes me as much as it did you. I was a scientist (wetlands and wildlife), so the physics of it are really a puzzle. All that chemistry and physics and radiology I studied – now all rendered moot as a cow fart in a hurricane. And it appears to be able to heal the damage it caused. Makes one wonder what else it might be able to heal – and to this date a mystery to the commoner. I knew our government has a habit of keeping secrets from we the people, but this really raises the bar.
Would have read this earlier today, but the VA in Columbus really needed my input on what new torture they might try next.
And you know I was a swabbie, but the Marine Corps Association has been sending me all sorts of Corps material lately. Very strange indeed!
Keep going on that word processor, my friend – all of us are dancing on tenterhooks!
Craig, i waited a few days to reply. I worry about your health, of course and with the VA you can be excellent hands or those of some corpsman just coming aboard
but still performing all kinds of surgical procedures! It would appear the MC association has some intellect after all!
Anyway, there were will be plenty more about the artifact as the chapters now blow by. Thanks for everything you bring to the table but
mostly because of how much you evidently care about the work, its progress and me too…
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Jim, you’re mixing SciFi and history into a really intriguing story! I cant wait for the next chapter. SF. Batman
Thanks, Batman, for the great short comment. The artifact is till changing the world, or the effects of it,
so science fiction is just that until it becomes real (Wells…From the Earth to the Moon 1901, Clark’s Telstar 1945…and more).
I do love science fiction and I believe you’ve read Island in the Sand, which is much more than than what I’m writing now.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
This ‘object’ is giving me fits since I can think of nothing in the past several years mentioned that could have related to it. I’m sure though that you will get to a better explanation of it in the future. Good friends are hard to come by in the civilian world after spending time in the military. I have noticed in the comments that you are still in contact with some you have made along the way. Really enjoying the regularity of your posting new chapters. I’m sure it isn’t easy, but I know that all of your followers approve and appreciate it. Thanks, Lt.
The violations of the physics as was expounded upon and taught at the time qwew wet evident in studying the object. Back then we have 103 elements
on the periodic chart and that was deemed to be all their would be. Today we have 188 and know there are more. CERN was built because of doubt. Where did the
physical read doubt come from that drove them to build a 20 bullion dollar machine. They tested the speed of light and then exceeded it three times with
particles…shut down CERN and rebuilt it. They said it was equipment error but never retested again. The astronaut who found it wrote about it in his diary
now in the Smithsonian but not available for study. Entanglement is proven, violating all we know about relativity and they are building right now a radio
that will allow instant communications anywhere in the universe in no time. They are building quantum computers. The observer eff4ect is all but declared total
bullshit. The artifact’s effects, never revealed to be those, are all over the place. Don’t get me going! Anyway, thanks for the neat compliment and your
dedication in following me. I am working my ass, and finances, off to keep up the flow at the current rate….
Semper fi,
Jim
Another twist and turn totally unexpected Looking forward to see where it leads us At the beinging of the chapter in the garage You say would I think you mean soul
Thank for the compliment and the editorial help here Jim…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT somehow I missed the chapter on how you came into possession of the artifact. Can you reiterate which chapter it was? This is really very intense in the scheme of things. Thanks LT
Hell, Tony, I’ll have to call Chuck (Texa Ranger Chuck or maybe Cowboy Chuck now) and find out.
It’d take me too long to figure out the exact chapter and the part in the chapter.
Thanks though for being that interested. I have not heard from any current physics people
yet but they’ll be coming eventually.
Semper fi,
Uim
Chuck’s at chuckbartock@gmail.com if you want to direct
Artifact surfaces in Chapter LXI, TCL, Book Two.
THE WLATER DUKE. Well, that sure put a smile on a few faces this morning Walter. Thanks for tracking that down
and letting Chuck off the hook, as I’d tossed that one to him. Cowboy Chuck is still settling in after changing his
entire life following the loss of Shirly, his wife.
Thanks ever so much, as usual, for doing the leg and mind work here.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
Thanks to the work of another reader (and sleuth) Walter Duke, here is the data on the first appearance of the artifact: “Artifact surfaces in Chapter LXI, TCL, Book Two.”
Thanks Walter Duke!
Semper fi,
Jim
Sir your writing is awesome in this chapter, it was as if I was over your shoulder and watching and hearing it all! You have jumped up to expert level. Keep this coming, and I can only guess what is coming next. Thank you and Semper fi Lt
I can’t ask for greater compliments than you give me Bob and I have to say they are most comforting to receive.
Getting a chapter written, as well edited as possible, and then placed in all the Internet sites that have to be
accessed and copied in is one hell of a continuous labor…of love, but still. Thanks for helping keep me going and
on track. Almost missed my deadline this week! jeez.
Semper fi,
Jim
speed of twenty-thousand rounds per minute.
*revolutions
Thanks Don for the more accurate help here.
Semper fi,
Jim
“The shaft of the bit was still secured by the three nodes that secured it.”
More properly called a collett.
Don beat me to the revolutions edit.
I wish they hadn’t cancelled the Texas super collider. CERN might be having new directions to investigate these days.
Another interesting chapter, as well as thought provoking.
Thank you again Jim
Regards, Tim
Thanks for the help here, Tim, and I will get to making the necessary changes.
Semper fi, and thanks for the compliment too…
Jim
Without the readers like your to edit the work I couldn’t go on so many oh man do I appreciate…..