Category Archives: Gordon’s Misc Blog

Gordon's Misc Blog, Uncategorized

A Rant

Fair warning: This is a rant.

I had to stop all comments because a certain person continually entered fake comments just to promote his own websites. I don’t understand how or why this person does this, but the only way I could prevent it was to not allow comments on all my posts.

I’ll leave this post open to comments so I can test my latest options for preventing spam. If your website or email address uses words like ‘hairstyle’, ‘hair’, ‘style’, ‘hairstylevip’, etc. then you may not be able to comment – at least I hope so.

Of course, the spammer does not actually read my posts, so this message may go unnoticed, but I’ll leave this post up for a few days and see what happens.

Gordon's Misc Blog, Novels, Uncategorized

Excerpt from Viking princess

[An excerpt from Chapter 1 “Introductions”, “The Viking Princess”, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYSS2T1.  Copyright 2021, Gordon S. Buck.]

“No wonder they call you ‘The Viking Princess.’”

Fiona was leaning over the desk and reaching for a book on the top shelf, her long, wavy auburn hair falling off her shoulder and hanging to the desk when Mary came in.

Fiona’s welcoming smile disappeared. “I’m a Scot, no a Viking. Vikings disappeared centuries ago.”

The 1970 fall semester was into its third week at Mississippi University, and student routines were taking shape. Students re-acquainted themselves and made new friends in the process. Fiona was Mary’s newest friend; they roomed on the same floor of the dormitory and had met on the first day of the semester. A six feet one-inch tall beauty, Fiona towered over Mary, a short, plain brunette.

“You know you’re a Scot, but to most people, you’re a Viking.”

Fiona made no bones about it. She was exceedingly proud of her Scottish ancestry. Scottish landscapes, castles, and the poetry of Robert Burns adorned her dormitory room walls. She was raised in Aberdeen, where her late father had been an extremely successful business owner.

“Anyway, I think ‘Viking Princess’ is an excellent description. You certainly look the part, and I mean that in the most positive way.”

Fiona regained her smile. “Weel, if others see me that way, I suppose I must become a Viking Princess.”

“I wish I could get books off the top shelf.”

Fiona smiled and sat down, holding her book. Mary sat beside her in a frilly lace-covered guest chair.

As Mary expected, Fiona had been alone and deep in study at her desk. As far as Fiona was concerned, Sunday nights were for studying––as were all nights.

“What’s on your mind?” asked Fiona. Mary sensed Fiona wanted to return to her studies, but Mary had a discussion in mind.

“I want to introduce a friend of mine to you,” Mary began. “In fact, he’s my best friend. We were neighbors and grew up together.”

“He?” Fiona peeped up from her desk. “Is this the same boy ye wanted to introduce to me the day we met?”

“Well, yes, but then I wanted to show you off and watch his reaction.”

“Mary, I must concentrate on my studies and no on my social life. This is my first semester. That’s why I’m no getting out much. It may be next semester or even next year until I feel like circulating––much less dating. I dinna ken.”

Mary argued, “Now that I know you better, you definitely should meet Alexander. Believe me, you will like him. Besides, you need to overcome your shyness and do something other than study. He can help you.” She smiled.

Gordon's Misc Blog, Novels, Uncategorized

The Viking Princess: College Romance in 1970

My second novel, “The Viking Princess: College Romance in 1970,” has been published on Amazon, see https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MYSS2T1 . No, I didn’t crank it out in a couple of weeks. In 2021, I actually wrote two novels. Here’s the explanation.

In writing “Timepath: Nature Abhors a Paradox”, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LGV94RL, I needed lots of study and help and signed up for online classes. Then I needed a practice novel for the online classes, so I created “Viking Princess”—a ridiculous “Hallmark Movie” kind of novel in which anything is possible. “Viking Princess” soon turned into a romance novel and, rather than change its genre, I determined to take on the challenge and finish it.

“Viking Princess” was a lot of fun to write and I was encouraged to publish it. Why not? I hired an artist and described the characters and scenes. Seeing her illustrations convinced me to publish “Viking Princess.”

*****

Fiona is an auburn-haired Scottish orphan called ‘Viking Princess’ because of her height, beauty and regal bearing. She is a serious, but shy, fine art student and keeps to herself. Fiona stereotypes football players as dumb bullies. Her new friend, Mary, wants to introduce Fiona to her best friend, Alexander.

Alexander is the Big Man on Campus. A handsome engineering student and star football player, his ambition is to become an inventor. Everything is easy for Alexander. Mary describes Fiona as ‘having a good personality’—intentionally not mentioning her beauty — and Alexander reluctantly agrees to meet her.

As they become acquainted, Fiona and Alexander must overcome cultural differences, jealousy, punishment for PDA, harassment, and family.

Gordon's Misc Blog, Retirement, Uncategorized

SealFAQs

For many years, I worked with a device called a “mechanical seal” – kind of a large and expensive version of the seal in your automobile water pump. I’ve been intrigued by these devices ever since I first saw one in the early 1970s.  Some people have even said that mechanical seals were more like my hobby than my job.

In retirement (3 years now!), I’m still interested in mechanical seals and have put (much of) what I know on a web site: “SealFAQs”.  Although my web site is not finished (and may never be), I’ve decided to announce it and open it to the public:  SealFAQs.com .

Really, I’m just bragging but SealFAQs was a lot of work. If you happen to be or know someone who deals with centrifugal pumps or mechanical seals, please tell them to check out SealFAQs.com.

Gordon's Misc Blog, Uncategorized

My Craftsman Tool Box

When I was a Junior in high school, my parents gave me a set of Craftsman tools. I still have them; in fact, I still have all of them.  One day my dad put my young son up to asking me how many of those tools I had lost.  I replied, “Well, none” and my dad just laughed – says something or other about me, I suppose.  Until recently, I’d never lost a pocketknife either but that’s another story.

The story behind my Craftsman tools is that we had an old Chevy, my dad’s “work car” that needed an engine overhaul. When my dad was not using the car, I considered to be my car.  Of course, my sister considered it her car but, again, another story.

With the new tools, my dad’s guidance and funding, my friend David Ayers and I went to work on the old Chevy. We didn’t have a garage so the overhaul was done in the front yard.  We didn’t have a means for removing the engine so we removed the hood and left the engine in place.  Our primary objective was to replace the piston rings and re-seat the valves.  Soon the engine was completely disassembled – and that’s when the weather turned cold and the snow began to fall.

South Mississippi does not get much snow but David and I had the bad luck to schedule an outdoor overhaul during a record snowfall.   The snowfall was 5 to 12 inches in South Mississippi and temperatures were in the low 20s.

My dad needed the car to return to work but, more importantly, David and I had arranged for a “double date”. We needed that car – and soon.  My mother still laughs about the memory of David and I working in the snow for a while then coming into the house, standing over the floor furnace to warm up, drinking hot chocolate and then returning to the job.   We did manage to get the car working in time for my dad to use it but without a car and with heavy snow on the ground the dates were cancelled.

That set of Craftsman tools is a box full of memories.

Gordon's Misc Blog, Uncategorized

The Great Flood of 2016

Ascension Parish Flood Zones 2http://www.thecreole.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/apfloodzone.pdf

First of all, my family and I are OK; in fact, relatively unaffected.  We didn’t even lose power or cable/internet service.  ATT Wireless was out of service for about a day but our land line was working.  We are inconvenienced in that many roads are blocked, stores closed, etc.  To some degree, our immediate area is an island.

What is now being called the “Great Flood of 2016” began as rainfall on about August 11 and the rains continued for four days (more or less, depending on location). The rainfall is usually summarized as two feet of rain in 48 hours.

Here in Ascension Parish (south of Baton Rouge), there are about 15,000 homes flooded with some 5,000 people in shelters. Some homes had only a few inches of water but many had several feet of water and some were submerged to the roof line.  Many people were evacuated – typically by the “Cajun Navy” (volunteers in their fishing boats).  Ascension Parish is one of the 30 parishes expected to be declared disaster areas.

Even the governor, John Bel Edwards, and his family were evacuated from the governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge.

Many of the major rivers in the area are at record levels and exceed the previous records of 1983.

Interstate highway I-10 (towards New Orleans) is flooded in enough places that it is essentially not useable. Interstate I-12 is flooded for many miles, especially around the towns of Denham Springs and Walker.

Livingston Parish was among the hardest hit. The estimate is that three-fourths of the houses there were destroyed – among them some of our good friends.

What a mess!

 

 

Gordon's Misc Blog

Michael Reichmann (1945 – 2016)

The internationally renowned photographer, writer and founder of the website Luminous-Landscape, Michael Reichmann, has died at the age of 71.  More information, condolences and remembrances can be seen at the following sites:

https://luminous-landscape.com/sad-day-luminous-landscape/

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2016/05/20/photography-world-loses-an-artist-visionary-and-mentor-michael-reichmann-di

Gordon's Misc Blog

Themes

Not that it will matter because the blog is so new but I’ve already changed the “theme”.  I didn’t realize that all themes do not support all features so had to play around with several  to find one the looks and features that I (think) I need.  I’ll probably go through several iterations before settling into a theme.