Gularte was there when I arrived. Ideas about how to do what I now felt compelled to do circulated around my brain, my tiredness from having not slept well at National Airport or being able to settle down once I got back as if I had never been there. Gularte and I were both on the schedule for beach patrol that night, which I could change but he recommended against it once he listened to my half-baked plan. The beach patrol would be great cover, as long as no one encountered the hidden Bronco or called us on the radio while we were ‘away’ doing what I intended to do. A few things had to break right, to make it work, however.
“Where the hell were you?” Gularte asked, catching me off guard.
James,
I didn’t know how else to contact you. Are there still hardback versions of 30 Days Has September available. What is their cost and how do I order?
I am at antaresproductions@charter.net or 262 581 5300. I have only a few hardcover of the Second Ten Days. Our original order of hardcover was only twenty books of each
in the series, as it costs about fifteen to have each one printed and we didn’t know what the interest would be. We can order more but have not yet done so. If you would
like I will order about five each and therefore have enough to make a set for you. I can send the 2nd Ten Days for thirty bucks which includes shipping and handling.
It will prabably take a full month for Ingram to produce the others….thanks for asking. Let me know what you want me to do.
Semper fi,
Jim
“”Might be interesting enough to hang around” Hell James no way I would miss even 1 of these!!
Thanks for the Harold, means a lot on this late summer morning…
Semper fi,
Jim
It’s getting more interesting. Again. For some reason I keep picturing a Porshe sitting in the bottom of the basin. Maybe I’ll be surprised. Only you know for sure.
I am happy to be able to set your imagination on edge Rick. Yes, I got myself into stuff that I should have remained remote from but then, if I’d don that what would I have to write about today? Thanks for the comment and waiting to see what happens next.
Semper fi,
Jim
I enjoyed this one as I have them all. This has a special type of building anticipation.
Mr. Bozo sounds like Chloe. My daughter picked up a calico kitten outside a restaurant and took her home to Atlanta. After about a year she had to move and we inherited Chloe and we already had two. She didn’t like them, she tolerated my wife and me, but she would let you know when she had enough. My brother in law thought she was a sweet cat and picked her up. She gave him the warning that he did not heed and she attacked his face. Now she was not a back away cat when she was angry, she would attack and she was mean. The local vets would not see her, and we had to take her to Vidalia to one that would gas her. An expensive ally cat, but unlike our others, she would eat anything we put down.
After the other cats passed she was my cat. She would sit on my lap, sleep in the crook of my arm at bedtime, and woe be that you disturb her. When my wife would come to bed and she was there, she would hiss and attack if you tried to move her. She developed cancer and we had to put her down and I truly missed her. Her last years were actually happy and peaceful for her, but you definitely had to know what she was saying when she said it.
Good story of yours. Again, I enjoyed it.
Combat cat. Yes, PTSD lives and breathes in animals too. Chloe and Bozo, and then Harvey later on.
Living around such presentations of other life, other than our own and outside our own experience, can be disappointing or
very educational and helpful…but the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You were as special companion for Chloe and so
you got a helluva lot back for accepting the ‘burden’ of her existence. Not that everyone would see it that way.
Cats are like aliens, or aliens as I imagine them. We can’t know how they think or even if they really do, but we sure as hell
can watch and try to measure the results of their mental process…if we so choose.
Semper fi, and thanks for identifying with Bozo…and me.
Jim
Another amazing read, Jim. Semper Fi to the Max!
Thanks Steve, for helping me keep going…as life comes at us all it is particularly difficult for writers, as we have to be in a special state of mind to exist inside the story while the winds of change and difficulty may be blowing outside in reality. You help with that and I much appreciate.
Semper fi,
Jim
Party poopers ? LOL
That’s it? From the infamous Chuck Bolam, here from the beginning? I expect more and deeper and harder commentary my friend, not that I don’t always enyoy seeing your name every time it appears here…
Semper fi,
Jim
LT as I have read the last few chapters two things have been going through my mind. First is “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we plan to deceive!” and an old Chinese curse I learned when I was stationed in Japan, “May you live in interesting times!” You are certainly living in interesting times. You have people knowing things they shouldn’t and people being where they shouldn’t. You haven’t said it but your “bush sense” should be yelling at you by this time!! A very good few chapters I await more impatiently.
Penetrating comment, Terry, and I am thinking about what you wrote. Many of the ‘fans’ on here write but not that many write that expansively and I much enjoy those comments that bring the reader right into the fringes of the story, as strange as that may sound. Thanks for the support and the positive commentary to to mention the compliment buried in the writing and then obvious at the end.
Semper fi,
Jim
Quick question on your backup. I love the AMT pistols. Was it the full size 5″ Hardballer, the 4″ Skipper, or 3″ Backup, all available in .45acp? Just trying to gauge the weight on your ankle..I am assuming the 7″ Longslide is off the table due to size..
AMT Handballer 3″ backup. The only one they made that was truly small enough to be a backup unless
you might be some professional basketball player in size! Thanks for the question and the comment.
Semper fi,
Jim
Sounds like a nice little, but very tricky, move is in the works. And you are leaving us on the edge of the cliff just before the magnitude 8 earthquake strikes!
Your wife is an angel, knowing you’re planning something tricky, but not guessing as to who, where, when, or how.
I think that cat knows more than he’s letting on.
Semper Fi, my friend!
My wife was, and remains, tough as nails, and if she is overlooking something its because she sees some ultimate good for the family that’s likely invisible to me. I had to be me when I came home, while I was finding me, so I didn’t do everything, or really much of anything, that was regular or truly understandable by everyone around me. I made it to this point which has surprised me (and probably some others!), but what I made it into being, well, that’s kind of a judgment thing that is up to you…the readers of what I’m writing about. This strange diary I am writing is rather peculiar, I know, but I am driven to get it all down.
Semper fi, and thanks for being whom and what you are.
Jim
You are an astute man to realize the gift that Jim was blessed with when he married his wife. I have been honored to know and appreciate the “Irish Angel” for over 50 years.
Jim is truly blessed.
Thankfully, he knows it ~~smile
Interesting chapter
Thanks, Robert, for chiming in and saying something. And that something is a two word compliment. Smile on my face.
Semper fi,
Jim
Jim,
As always, thank you for yet another chapter of sharing your adventures.
Can’t wait to read and experience what your ‘plan’ is,
and how it all goes down.
Walter, the Duke, thanks for coming in with your compliment and your expectations.
Always good to read what you write and the well-meaning and supportive words.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
“I don’t want to know what you ( are? and?) your strange assortment of whatever they are (, )(are) up to now, (not) that I’d get a straight story, anyway. I want it back before this shift ends and I want it back washed, waxed and polished.”
Thanks for your sharp eyes, Kevin,
Corrected
My my my, but what witches brew are you cooking up now? You have me hook, line, and sinker!! Great read Thank You Lt. Semper fi sir!!
Thank you, Bob. Nice to read what you wrote this day and helps me, of course, to continue.
The next chapter is brewing and will have more than ‘set up’ action in it, as was the case
back in those days. Thanks so much for the compliment too, Bob.
Semper fi,
Jim
James, I enjoyed your interaction with Bozo. His supposed recommendation to stand down may have been the prudent course of action; but the present circumstances dictate both of you must use your claws. We shall see how that works out.
It’s good to see how loyal your friends are. They help even when things seem a bit sketchy.
Some minor editing suggestions follow:
from having not slept well at National Airport or being able to go down once I got back as if it had never been there.
Maybe “settle” instead of “go” before “down”
Maybe “I” instead of “it” after “if”
from having not slept well at National Airport or being able to settle down once I got back as if I had never been there.
were both on the schedule or beach patrol
“for” instead of “or”
were both on the schedule for beach patrol
to flirting with women, almost any women
“any” seems singular – so “almost any woman”
to flirting with women, almost any woman
although we intended to show on one such identifiers
Maybe “No” rather than “on”
although we intended to show no one such identifiers
“That camera is too small for night vision and the lights at the harbor are way too dim to allow for regular light to give us away, not at the distance the ramp is from his slip, anyway.”
Seems the above is a reply from Gularte
“That camera is too small for night vision and the lights at the harbor are way too dim to allow for regular light to give us away, not at the distance the ramp is from his slip, anyway,” Gularte replied.
technology had come along way during the intervening years
Make “along” into “a long”
technology had come a long way during the intervening years
The one’s they use from the compound
Drop apostrophe. Plural not possessive.
The ones they use from the compound
three times the size of Richards
Add apostrophe in “Richard’s” possessive
three times the size of Richard’s
since their about half as much as you paid for the Volks
“they’re” instead of ‘their”
since they’re about half as much as you paid for the Volks
Gularte said, sitting across from me, as he waved around
OK But could add “his hands” after “waved”
Gularte said, sitting across from me, as he waved his hands around
died in my arms who didn’t have, shouldn’t have in that war
Maybe add “to” after “didn’t have”
died in my arms who didn’t have to, shouldn’t have in that war
The following paragraph –
People died in my arms who didn’t have, shouldn’t have in that war. I didn’t die and I should have, many times over. We never see the other side of the moon because it spins at exactly the same speed as the earth. Really? The oceans are seventy percent of the planet more than two miles deep, but they never dissolve or eat away the small amount of land we survive on.
/ Is this your introspection or are you speaking this to Gularte?
If the latter then it should be in quotes./
that you thought it was a great part of the plan.
Close quotes
that you thought it was a great part of the plan.”
But were not going out without flank security
“we’re” instead of “were”
But we’re not going out without flank security
you’re in command and you’re track record is pretty good
“you’re ” before “track” should be “your”
you’re in command and your track record is pretty good
We had not control over that whatever.
“no” instead of “not”
We had no control over that whatever.
I was dues paying member of the California Peace Officers
Add “a” before “dues”
I was a dues paying member of the California Peace Officers
Most of the guys don’t use them
Open quotes
“Most of the guys don’t use them
rescue’s going to be long distance the swimmer probably unable to hold onto a buoy
Maybe add “with” before “the swimmer”
rescue’s going to be long distance with the swimmer probably unable to hold onto a buoy
not because he’d ever performed to earn such a thing.
…Well he did save the beached yacht.
“Who’s the watchman tonight,” I asked
Question mark instead of comma
“Who’s the watchman tonight?” I asked
I can make it fourteen if we use the 3rd garage.
Close quotes
I can make it fourteen if we use the 3rd garage.”
and change back into regular police uniform right in the garage
Maybe “uniforms”
and change back into regular police uniforms right in the garage
Bob Elwell the providing the key to the entire enterprise.
Maybe “was” after “Elwell” instead of “the”
Bob Elwell was providing the key to the entire enterprise.
right to trust him, and that in of itself was a relief.
Add “and” between “in” and “of”
right to trust him, and that in and of itself was a relief.
a recent part having proven to a cat-loving
Maybe “event” instead of “part”
a recent event having proven to a cat-loving
I’d tried to warn here as she moved to touch
“her” instead of “here”
I’d tried to warn her as she moved to touch
I knew from knowing him that he was simply waiting
“knew” and “knowing” similar. Maybe another word like “understood”
I understood from knowing him that he was simply waiting
I went on, “but then, your cat, your nobody, like me
The “your” can be “you are” and/or “you’re”
I went on, “but then, you are a cat, you’re nobody, like me
I was only fooling here about what the details
“her” instead of “here”
I was only fooling her about what the details
I needed something as dark as I could be
Maybe “it” instead of “I”
I needed something as dark as it could be
sitting there was Lieutenant Gates Marauder
Apostrophe after “Gates”
sitting there was Lieutenant Gates’ Marauder
Gates continued, his pause between is and of taking a good five seconds.
Maybe add some single quotes
Gates continued, his pause between ‘is’ and ‘of’ taking a good five seconds.
With his left hands he reached down
“hand” not “hands”
With his left hand he reached down
know what you are your strange assortment of whatever they are up to now, that I’d get a straight story, anyway
“and” instead of “are” after “you”
Drop “they”
Substitute “or” for comma
know what you and your strange assortment of whatever are up to now or that I’d get a straight story, anyway
“Yes, sir,’ I replied
Double closing quote
“Yes, sir,” I replied
“Here,’ he said
Double closing quote
“Here,” he said
My AMT Hardballer was loaded with the first round being birdshot
/ Just asking. Since the AMT is an semiautomatic pistol, will a birdshot round have sufficient power to cycle the action?/
I’d left my tactical gear at Gularte’s, so we stopped back there to have everything set up as planned.
/ Sentence seems out of place. You just came from Gularte’s place. You are now at the station; but have not yet left it./ either change to pick up tactical gear when you were at Gularte’s OR wait until next chapter to return to Gularte’s./
Lieutenant Gates stepped out of back of the building
Add “the” before “back”
Lieutenant Gates stepped out of the back of the building
back at our Bronco. He made no mode though
“move” instead of “mode”
back at our Bronco. He made no move though
Why’d you borrow his car?
Close quotes
Why’d you borrow his car?”
Blessings & Be Well
Dear DanC. Love your ‘minor’ corrections that are truly major to me and Chuck. This would not be the same effort without you as a master player on the team. Cannot thank you enough. Thanks for the commentary on my first cat, when I didn’t particularly like cats. Coming home from the Nam as I did does not allow me to turn away waifs or those in destitution or despair. Those are my ‘company’ members, as it has turned out. I wonder how many combat vets are that way for the rest of their lives? Not at all like the movies or television. There is a sweetness to the bitterness of combat, damage and coming home. I think combat vets are gentler and nicer than most others, or at least I see myself the way…but then I was truly working on that back in those days I write of back then. I was ‘evolving’ as was delivered in a great line in the move Big Chill.
Semper fi, and thanks for the great help and comment.
Your friend,
Jim
I must find out from you. How are you got involved with this Nixon crew while you were still technically on active duty who was your China man?
chapter setting the stage
it has been very well done. You really are a master at your craft. This is where Homan is not correct attention to detail is critical, and setting up the drama of the action.
I just like discussing and rehearsing and discussing and rehearsing a recon app, making sure each and every man knows his exact movement at a certain time, and trusting that it will come together not the actual action will take less than a minute, but ours will be poured into preparation for the time span and not every plan comes off as anticipated and not every contingency has been planned for, but if you’re painstaking about the efforts of planning and getting the details, do you have a far greater chance of success than winging it planning is the key and once you initiate the plan, then action becomes the key and reaction I can’t wait to see what happens next you’ve built the suspense. You’ve obviously got some type of no pun intended black ops going on and what it is and what it’s going to concern I have some ideas but you’re too crafty to show your hand this early, although I do suspect that it’s going to be a Porsche at the bottom of the bay better reports than little mardarian
Erudite and penetrating, as is the custom for you in these rather meaningful comments you make on here Rich.
Thank you for making me read and think while I take a break from the work on the other side. Working with capable people
is more effective than all the training in the world if dealing with those not so capable…in the world of ‘black’ operations, as you termed them. That’s simply because adaptation is everything as the conditions always change as the mission begins and goes on. Without that adaptability it all comes off the rails. Thanks for your writing here and compliment of your so excellently doing so.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
people tend to steal (*then) when * them
OK, this is going to be good , can’t wait James !!!!
Semper Fi
always there with the sharp eyes, Bob.
Thank you again for your support,
Semper fi
Jim
Quite an accomplishment my friend; the stage is set! Gates is under control and you have to have assessed Marsdon the Elder will back you when you “change” his son…or at least not retaliate! Very Interesting
Thanks for your ‘take’ on what’s going on, although things were so much more fluid at the time. Gates was never under control, as he was nuttier than I was and control was not a word that could ever be applied to him. Mardian could not be trusted to back me in any way. Hw was a black Mamba snake aggressively working this way through the thickets and bramble of difficult and complex political life. Not to be trusted at all. Appreciate the depth of your thought about the developing story, however.
Semper fi, my friend,
Jim
I can’t wait the four hours!!!!
Great reply Cary. Yes, those times when a mission was portending but the wait, whether at an airport or doing some other ‘marching in place’ kind of thing was required, were difficult, indeed. That comment is a compliment, however, and I’m taking it that way!
Semper fi,
Jim
The suspence isn’t the same as the valley , but pretty darn close. Eagerly awaiting the next chapter !
Thanks a lot my friend. Yes, the is only the three books of the 30 Days set. I’m not sorry but the rest of the
stuff might be interesting enough to hang around!
Semper fi,
Jim
One of the best chapters yet for leaving us wondering what you’re up to next 🤔 I can’t wait to find out !! But I will .Thanks again James
My great pleasure Tim, and thanks for the great compliment written on this site…
Semper fi,
Jim