A New Year Right Around the Corner

Three days from now we will be celebrating 2016.  I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year!
This year has had many blessings in our family.  We hope the record continues next year.

Happy Holidays

I wish all of you who celebrate Christmas a joyous and safe holiday.  May you enjoy plenty of family time and have good health.

To everyone I wish that 2016 will be a happy year and therefore I say: "HAPPY NEW YEAR".

End of the quarter fair sales report

I sold books at four fairs this quarter.  Two were in November and two in December.  The book total was 39 books.  Numerous people said they would purchase an ebook copy of my books.
My decision to replace a couple of existing fairs with some I have never tried before will be made in the first quarter of 2016.  I will need to reorder some books this coming spring after we return from our trip.

Ringing up those sales

I am pleased to say that after participating in three craft fairs between November and December I have achieved two major sales records.  One here at Memorial High School where I sold 13 books and the second one in Gilford High School in Gilford NH where I sold 18 books.  One more fair to do next Saturday here in downtown Manchester,  I'm hoping to break the thousand dollar goal.

First Holiday Greeting Card from my own photo

My wife Linda had been supplying me with beautiful photos for my holiday greeting cards.  Linda prints them out for me.  This year I decided to create a card using a photo I took in the Canadian Rockies last June.  It will have the title Happy Holidays.

A Holiday Greeting

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!  HOPEFULLY YOU ARE SPENDING IT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.  FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT, MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN WHATEVER YOU ARE INVOLVED IN.

Deer are safe in Idaho

My son and I went hunting for deer beginning the fourth weekend in October.  He told me I earned two mountain goat badges for what he had me do.  Needless to say we didn't see any bucks, but did see four does.  Sorry, no doe permits issued for us.  Enjoy some of our camp pictures.

Point of information

This past weekend I spent twelve hours of training at the NH Institute of Art learning Lightroom.  As a relatively new photographer, I wanted to learn to tweak my photos to make them more attractive.  The course was great and I highly recommend Lightroom as a more consumer friendly program.  Hope this helps others who might be thinking the same thing.

Third morning in the Canadian Rockies I was able to take this photo from the bus

Small herd of mountain goats their color surprises me.

Mountains and more mountains

Aren't these photos of the Canadian Rockies beautiful?  This tour is put on by Caravan Travel and it is the third time we used them.

Varying the pictures I post

Since I enjoy a variety of things to do and don't want to bore you with one topic I am going to continue posting different photos.  Here are the two horses owned by the Manchester Mounted Unit standing in their stalls waiting for me to put out their hay and let them loose into the paddock.

Wow what sights!

We're off to see more Canadian Highways and Rockies

From the Canadian Rockies to Manchester NH

I have been volunteering time taking care of the two horses for the Manchester Mounted Unit.  They are great horses and much larger than what I am used to riding.  Here is a picture of them feeding out in the paddock one morning after I laid out their hay.  Funny thing about these two no matter how many shots I took they were never standing in the same direction.   ENJOY!

From Chipmunks to Gorgeous Views in the Canadian Rockies

I have selected forty favorites out of over the two hundred photos I took.  Here is another one.

I love this photo

Animals are wonderful to take pictures of.  Here is one of my favorites on our Canadian Rocky trip.

Shot of the moon

Not only is this peak impressive but I couldn't resist taking the photo because of the beautiful moon.

Little critter taken with 250 mm lens

We stopped at a rest area to give us seniors a potty break.  That is one thing I can say that Caravan tours is very conscious about for seniors we stop somewhere just about every two hours.  I noticed a small critter who is probably in the ground squirrel family.  I didn't want to spook him so I used my new 55 to 300 mm lens.  You can see the lens worked perfectly.  Enjoy his picture.

Beautiful Lake

On July 20th I posted a beautiful peak along with a small portion of a lake on the left side of the photo.  Here is the magnificent scene after I moved left.

Majestic Peak

This peak is on our way to our second stop..  You will notice I caught part of a body of water besides the magnificent height of this mountain.  I am very pleased with my Nikon SLR camera.

Just a Glimpse of the Canadian Rockies

Here is a photo I took at the first stop our tour bus did in the Canadian Rockies.  I took over two hundred photos on this trip.  I did it for two reasons, one the mountains are beautiful and second photography is becoming a new passion for me.  While I am a newbie with my new Nikon camera the pictures look great and I want to share some with you.  Did you notice the couple in the lower right see how tall the mountains are?

Our Canadian Rocky Mountain Tour

In the following weeks I will be posting pictures and items from our Canadian Rockies trip.  It was a wonderful tour put on by Caravan Travel and this is the third time we have used them.  The first time was for Costa Rica and the second was a tour of Yellowstone Park and adjacent areas.

Granddaughter's Graduation

Just before heading off to the Canadian Rockies, I flew to Mojave, CA to attend my granddaughter's high school graduation.  Jamie has been a high honors student all through high school and graduated with a 4.0 average.  Below is a picture I took at her graduation receiving a diploma.  There was a family gathering afterward and two days later Jamie left for Boise, ID with her uncle Joe.  Jamie is now enrolled at Boise State University and is majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology.  She is very excited to start school in August.

Back from the Canadian Rockies

We returned this week after having a wonderful tour of the Canadian Rockies for nine days and then spending four days with our son, daughter-in-law and grandchild up in Idaho.  Our daughter drove from Utah along with her significant other for the weekend as well.  We did a number of things together like spending an afternoon in a hot springs and having a cookout with family and friends before we left on Monday morning.

I have over two hundred photos I took while on the trip and need to choose which ones I will begin to post so that you can enjoy some of what we saw.

Cannot wait for my next trip

Very shortly my youngest granddaughter will be graduating from high school.  She is so excited to graduate and then to move to Boise, Idaho.  She will be living with our son and his wife for six weeks before the dorms open at Boise State University.  She received a great scholarship for her first year and she will be majoring in Psychology.
I'll get a chance to ride Gregory the horse I've owned for twelve years.  He is boarded on our daughter's property. His picture is below.  He is now fifteen.
Then my wife and I head up to the Canadian Rockies for a nine day trip provided by the Caravan company.  We used them for our Yellowstone trip last summer and they are excellent.
After the tour we head to Boise, Idaho to spend a long weekend with our son and his family.  Our daughter who lives in Utah is driving up to Boise to join us for the weekend.
What a great trip we have planned.

After the Sorrow comes a pleasant surprise

We lost one of our neighbors, of twenty-eight years, this past week.  He had suffered through two strokes six months apart and his wife made the decision to take him off life support.  Four days later he passed away.  He was a great friend who would always have a kind word to say, enjoyed going to baseball games and a fan of my writings.  Before he died he had purchased all seven of my existing books.
Following the memorial service we joined those who gathered to share some food and company.  When my wife and I were ready to leave we went to say goodbye to his wife.  We knew their daughter was flying back home on Thursday, and she would then be alone.  My wife invited her to join us for the traditional Sabbath dinner on Friday evening.  The wife immediately accepted and asked what she could bring.
Then she grabbed my hand and said, "Phil has all of your books on a shelf with a heading titled, Joe Smiga's books.  He loved everything you wrote, and I want you to always sell me a copy of any future books you write in your writing career.  While I didn't read most of your books as I don't read that genre,  I read your "Tova" book three times.  Thank you for being there for me."

A Pleasant Surprise

Last Thursday evening my wife and I visited an art display put on by the Manchester Artist Association.  It was located on North Elm Street.  My wife being an artist, and a member of the group, wanted to go.  Being a creative person and appreciating art I chose to go with her.  It was a great exhibit.

While the art exhibit was very good an unusual thing happened to me when we walked into the gallery.  One of the artists exhibiting walked up to me and said, “I have a bone to pick with you!”

“Okay, I replied, what did I do?”

“I read all three of the trilogy series you wrote, I couldn’t put them down at night; I wound up not getting my usual sleep.”  Then she laughed.  “I loved them they were great, and now you have me as a fan.”

What better testimony can you get from a reader of your novels?  You can order my books on line at www.joesmiga.com. 

Day after the Robbery in the western sequel

This past Saturday, I did the book signing at the Rotary Craft Fair in Alton, NH.  I was very pleased when the first person who purchased a book said, "I loved your western and I understand you have a sequel out to the book."  I showed her "Silver Lake's Transformation and she walked away a very happy reader.

Because of her comment, I plan to continue my postings of Silver Lake's Transformation since so many people are enjoying westerns today.

Here is:  A Day After the Robbery.

After breakfast, Todd and Lenny take the wounded robber to the sheriff’s office and place him in into one of the two cells.  Doc told them he should have his wound looked at every couple of days and he could do that in the cell.

Todd heads down to the livery stable, Todd asks Sam, “Have you ever seen the brand before on the horse I brought in last night?”

“No, sheriff, I’ve never seen that brand.  You might want to visit with Jeff the blacksmith and describe it to him.  Maybe, he’s fixed shoes on horses with that brand.”

Todd visits with Jeff and comes up with the same negative answer.  He doesn’t recognize the brand either.

Todd heads back to the office.  Inside Lenny tells him, “Our prisoner doesn’t want to answer any questions.”

“Does it surprise you?”

“Hell no!  Is there any information on the brand?”

“None, you stay in the office today except for afternoon rounds.  I’m going to try and find out where his partner wound up.”

Before he leaves town, Todd walks into the general store and checks with Randy to see what they might have taken.”

“So far I’m missing a 12 ga. shotgun, ammunition, and two revolvers of .44 cal.”

“I’m heading out to find the partner of the one we have in a cell.”

Made in New Hampshire Fair in Manchester NH

On Friday, April 17th, New Hampshire's Writers Project utilized a three day booth at the fair  for the very first time.  They invited New Hampshire authors who are members of the group to participate and they provided us with two hours of free time. I had two hours from 4-6 pm along with an author named Janis from Dover NH.  Both of us did very well for our two hour time period and I am waiting word to see how other authors did and will they continue the practice.

Next Books Signing

On Saturday, April 25th, I will be displaying and signing all seven of my books at the Alton Rotary Craft Fair from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  This will be my third year supporting the Alton Rotary and the Alton Community.  The fair is being held at the Alton High School which is off route 28 and just before you get to the traffic rotary.  Come and enjoy all of the good items the locals display.

Joe Sr. and Joe Jr.

Last September we had the pleasure of our oldest son visiting from Idaho.  He spent five days with us and left us with a wonderful gift.  Joe heads the locksmith department at Boise State University.  He installed a combination lock on our front door so that we don't need keys to enter.  We also lock the door by the push of one button.  We admired his locks in Idaho and he promised us he would send us one and install it.  Everyone who visits thinks this is really cool.  Here is a picture of the two of us.

No More Snow On The Ground

We do have soil underneath all that snow that sat around for months.  Most of southern New Hampshire can finally realize that spring is really here.  I am posting a picture of Millie our lady of the Millyard in Manchester.  

Passover 2015

In the picture below you see our dining room set up for ten seats to experience the second Seder night of Passover 2015.  Linda's two sons along with their significant others, and her daughter Dina was in from Utah for Passover.  Along with immediate family, we invited Linda's former mother-in-law, her first husband who is the second son of her former mother-in-law and Gertrude's third son whose name is Mark.  We were all together at Gertrude's house for the first Seder on the night before.

Next Book Sale

I will be selling and signing my books at the Alton Rotary Craft Fair held in Alton, NH on Saturday, April 25th from 9:00 to 3:00.  The fair is held in the high school which is located off of route 28 just south of the rotary circle.  The photo was taken at a fair I did in Nashua, NH last fall.

Photo Homework

Our evening photo group titled the Nighthawks received an assignment last Thursday to take one or more pictures of humans.  Since my wife is my favorite human and a very talented artist I chose to take a picture of her working in her studio.  Here she is:

The Mighty Merrimack

The pictures are a view of the Merrimack River.  At times its current is very swift.  The river was the main stay of the growth of Manchester NH in the early part of the twentieth century.  The river provided power to run the numerous textile mills built alongside the river.   Today it is a favorite of those who enjoy running its rapids on canoes and kayaks.  For me it is an enjoyable site to see the power of nature and to remember its history.

Winter Walk in Warner NH

On Saturday, March, 7th my wife and I along with about twenty others toured the Courser Farm Property with  a combination of skis and snowshoes.  It was a guided tour put on by members of the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust of which the Courser Farm is part of.

We had a wonderful time and my wife has arranged for her to go back and paint scenes of the property after the mud and black fly seasons are over.  Below are a couple of pictures I took during the walk.

My new camera

In January, I purchased my first SLR camera.  I have always used point and shoot cameras.  Why did I purchase an SLR, because I am studying the Fumdamentals of Photography.  This great DVD and booklet sold by the company Great Courses uses Joel Sartore as the presenter.  Joel is a photographer for National Geographic Magazine.  While you will learn from this course even if you only want to take pictures with a point and shoot, the course is really designed for learning with SLR cameras.

I purchased a Nikon D5200 with a 18-55 variable lens.  I also purchased a 55-300 variable and an exterior flash which can be used in many manners.  Why did I purchase all of this?  Well the holiday specials made it worthwhile than to purchase the zoom lens and the flash at a later date.

Here are four pictures of skaters on Doors Pond around 5:15 PM on Wednesday February 25th.  I had just dropped my wife off at her oil painting class and the lighting is what Joel calls soft light.  I hope you like them.  I was not taking pictures for beauty I was taking the pictures to see how the different lens worked.  I also notice that the pictures on my Picasa file are better that what is copied here.  I am in a new learning curve.

The Mighty Merrimack

My wife, Linda, took a photo of the Merrimack River here in Manchester, NH one Sunday morning before all of the recent snow storms began.  She painted a 16 x 20 on canvas with acrylic paints.  It is posted below.  She is currently working on a 4' x 5' canvas which is hanging on one wall of her studio with the same painting.  The larger one she is donating to a local non-profit here in the city.  She does beautiful work.

It Just Doesn't Want to Stop!

Last week I posted, "Enough is Enough Already."  The snow gods weren't listening, and this past weekend we received another 9.5 inches.  Many seacoast communities received twice that much.
Anyway we learn to deal with it and sore backs.  Here are some photos, hoping everyone is keeping warm.

Enough is Enough Already More coming Thursday and the Weekend

This has been one hell of a snowy winter.  Thank God for our snowblower.

September Sunset in Manchester NH

Last fall the most beautiful sunset we had since we have lived here for 28 years happened.  I couldn't resist not taking some photographs of it.  I believe this photo and others inspired me to think about taking a photography course.  While this gorgeous picture was taken with my great Panasonic point and shoot camera, I have now purchased my first SLR digital camera.  What I am learning in my studies is that I can create my own art with the benefit of my new camera.  Wish me luck!

This blog is going to have a major change.

While I continue to write and publish, I have been studying photography and have become interested in showing the beauty of life and all that is part of it.  New and old passions of my life are coming to the surface, and I wish to express them.  Hopefully you will enjoy some of what I post.  I would appreciate your comments.

Sometimes you will find a book excerpt on this blog, other times pictures, and other times a few paragraphs about life and its blessings.

Joe

Robbery in Town

The two lawmen like this town, it is quaint, yet still moving forward.  Todd wonders how long it will be before another saloon moves into town.  He envisions the next one to have dancing girls and those who rent rooms by the hour.

As they walk near Maggie’s and Randy’s general store, they both hear someone stumble in back of the store. 

Todd moves into the alley and Lenny crosses the street to back him up.  They hear someone yell, “Danny wait up, don’t leave me.”

The sound of a horse taking off at a gallup is very evident.  As Todd nears the end of the general store he sees a rider climbing onto his saddle.

“Hold on there, I have questions for you.”

The rider spins his horse around and fires two shots at the sheriff.

Todd takes careful aim and fires once, knocking the rider out of the saddle.

Lenny yells out, “Todd, you okay.”

“Yeah, I’m okay, come back here and help me get this guy to the doc.”

Lenny nears the end of the buildings and looks around before he ventures over to where the wounded man is lying.  “What happened, I hear three shots?”

“Two were his and one was mine.

Jose Arrives

Jose arrives at the J & T at 8:00 am.  He is a half hour early.  Tyler sees him coming onto the ranch and he walks out to meet him.  “You’re up bright and early.  Actually you are a half hour early.”

“I couldn’t sleep, I was so excited.”

“I understand,” says Tyler.  I’ve been through some of the same feelings.”

“Look, secure your horse to the rail post after you water him.  I am going to finish my breakfast and then I will be out to work with you.”

“Si Senor!

“Jose, put your gear in the bunkhouse.  There are four unoccupied bunks, so take your pick.  I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

When Tyler exits the house he sees Jose admiring the horses in the corral.

“I see you admire good looking horses.”

“Oh yes, and these are beautiful.”

Tyler looking for extra ranch hands

Arriving at Jose’s house, Tyler dismounts and after securing his stallion he knocks on the door post.

A Mexican woman, with dark black eyes that match her hair, answers, “What can I do for you?”

“My name is Tyler Martin and I wish to speak with Jose about a job.”

“Miguel said you would be calling, Jose didn’t think it would be so soon.  He is running an errand in town.  Come in, would you like some coffee or water?”

“Coffee would be fine.”

Jose’s mother pours him a mug and sits down at the table with him.

“Miguel told us you are looking to hire more hands.  My husband and I feel it would be good experience for him to learn something besides farming.”

“I agree, but how does Jose feel, does he want to learn ranching or be a farmer?”

“When Jose heard you were hiring he tried very hard to persuade Miguel he was right for the job.”

Miguel Arrives at the Ranch

Carla’s brother Miguel arrives at the J & T ranch.  He is not expected, so he is wondering who he will find home when he knocks on the door.

Katiana answers the knock and she is pleased to see him.  They give each other a hug.

“Is Tyler around, I have some information for him?”

“Tyler is working the lower range today.  Joan is here, let me get her.”

Joan comes into the living room where Miguel is standing.  “Miguel, it’s so good to see you.  Is Tyler expecting you?”

“Not really, but he is waiting for word from me.”

“Can I pass on the message for you?”

“Of course.”

“Before we continue let’s sit down,” says Joan.

“Thank you.”

“Would you care for something to drink?”

“I am fine.  Tyler visited me about ten days ago looking for two ranch hands.  I found them for him.  They are Jose and Manuel.  They are aware of Tyler’s plan to train them one at a time.  Both young men are anxious to start.  They hear from their relatives who already work here, how this is a great place.”