Quarantine Quickies: Pandemic in Paradise (Book) - 7/20/2020 8:08:34 AM
I can see the humor in your opening excerpt. But I'm not sure if anyone would want to read your daily postings unless they were sure that what you wrote was worthy of a daily column for you little part of the world.
As for me, my daily routine changed little. I have been housebound since last October when I decided that autonomic dysreflexia causing unnatural sweating didn't mix with cold-weather. Incidentally, it doesn't mix with air conditioning either. I have been primarily online with people nearly forever, getting out very little since quitting driving three years ago. As a result of Coronavirus, my writer's group suddenly started using a meeting platform online that I've been digesting for many years.
Good luck with your latest…
Ron
Pacific Sail (Book) - 1/18/2019 8:16:38 AM
You write of only one ship, the Azalea, but in the opening description, you describe three ships, or at least three passengers. I think it might be better for a longer and more complete, description. For example, why you are writing about three passengers in parallel? Are they coming together somewhere in the book?
I love historical fiction (but I'm not a reader, so I'm not eager to read every historical book), especially fiction that is true to history. From your very brief excerpt, I find that your writing is apparently, quite true to the period and interesting to read. The shock of arriving at a new cultural setting.
Ron
Charlie and the Derelict (Short Story) - 10/20/2025 11:34:28 AM
You bring such a fresh perspective I’d love to see where it leads us.
Charlie Joins the Navy Part 1 (Short Story) - 10/20/2021 10:43:19 AM
Thanks for the definition of Mid-rats. ;-)
What I love about your writing is how realistic Charlie's adventures are. It makes me believe that they are real and are from your own extensive experience with the sea, and now, the Navy. I have toured the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, twice. Wonderful history lesson.
I can identify. I went to something like a jamboree for our scout conference. The lasting impression I have were older scouts who brought only bacon, potatoes, eggs and survived primarily on frog legs and snakes that they caught by the hundreds. They were well known for asking novices like us to go get them a skyhook from the canteen. Supposedly to hold their tent up without any bracing. I thought it was a candy bar until I knew better.
As an explorer scout, I first took a 65 mile canoe trip on a raging flooded river at 15, and then, the next year, a trip out of the country for a seven day, hundred mile, trip through the Canadian wilderness north of Minnesota in Ontario. I was the one who thought of erecting a sail from my poncho that ended up with two sails powering our three canoes in our group some 35 miles on that single long Lake Agnes that windy day.
And I remember bus rides and the people you meet on buses and airplanes.
Ron
Charlie Joins the Navy Part 1 (Short Story) - 10/7/2021 3:46:42 AM
I took in all the sights, sounds, and smells through Charlie's wide-eyed impressions.
Charlie Joins the Navy Part 1 (Short Story) - 10/6/2021 4:45:42 PM
Interesting beginning! You took me to travel along with Charlie and I liked the journey.
Sandie
Charlie and the African Queen (Short Story) - 4/18/2021 8:30:18 AM
I always enjoy Charlie's adventures. And I know without your own experience at Morro Bay, he would not be possible. And I wonder if you succeeded in all things like Charlie does. Got to kiss the girl? Joined the elite jamboree?
I wonder where they/you got the name, African Queen? I hadn't thought of the Sea Scouts until reading your story. After obtaining my Eagle Scout badge, I was glad to be accepted into the Order of the Arrow and became an Explorer Scout. When we were 17 and working in a mobile home factory for the summer, my twin brother and I built an 8 foot skiff in our basement with so many screws that it should have sunk instead of writing so high in the water that it was easily towed around by a small fish on the line.
We never got to the ocean, but I became an expert canoe paddler and poor portage carrier on river rapid runs and two 100 mile, seven day, Canadian canoe trips. I was most proud of being an expert navigator and using my poncho as a sail to give us a fabulous 20 mile, no paddle day on a long lake with a strong north wind. Those were the days…
Ron
Charlie and the Mariner's Return (Short Story) - 7/30/2020 6:13:03 AM
i like the use of Morro Bay as the locale. i had a place there for 15 years and always enjoyed being there
Charlie and the Mariner's Return (Short Story) - 7/28/2020 8:47:45 AM
Both Charlie and Peggy have grown up a bit in this episode. I love your colorful way of expressing things like, "He checked his pockets for fish bait."
Not only is Morro Bay a great place to grow up in, a great place to have a romantic interlude like your first real kiss and your first real dance. As a landlubber, I learned to dance early but not in such conspicuous places like the yacht club.
The competition over a budding, becoming beautiful tomboy is very familiar, along with the obnoxious and arrogant jock. At least, when Charlie saved Duke's ass, Duke saw his error and began to make amends. Doesn't happen very often, but when it does makes for good reading rather than lifelong feuds over high school crushes.
Ron
Pop's Bees (Short Story) - 6/17/2020 6:24:10 AM
If your Credit score sucks, Stop being skeptical!
No one wants to steal your identity!
Alfred Nickson just trying to help you to change your life , plus they protect your identity ANYWAYS, Just chill and MAIL = A L F R E D W E A L T H C R E A T O R A T G M A I L D O T C O M OR text CREDIT REPAIR to the number 513-900-1324.
Then you can get your life back in 72 hours maximum.
FEEL FREE.
Pop's Bees (Short Story) - 6/2/2020 4:33:53 AM
fine memories of your Pops
budd
Pop's Bees (Short Story) - 5/30/2020 12:21:46 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed your story told in such a humorous way about Pops and his bees. I recall that my cousin once raised bees when he was in high school and a friend from Pakistan who, while gaining his doctorate in West Virginia, got into gardening, fishing and raising bees, reminiscent of his family's huge landholdings in India before the separation. Anyway, he shared with me some very dark sumac honey, so very different from the light sweet clover honey from where I grew up in central Wisconsin.
Thank you for a new word, supersedure. We should use it on a few long in the tooth senators with addled brains, drooling at the mouth.
Ron
A Fish Tale (Short Story) - 5/13/2019 4:07:10 AM
Enjoyed the read, miss the sea!
Never Stop Writing!
m
Charlie and the Dipnet (Short Story) - 5/13/2019 4:04:52 AM
You stir homesick memories of my natal state, the sea and all
Thank You
Never Stop Writing!
m
Charlie and the Fuel Dock (Short Story) - 5/13/2019 3:52:21 AM
Holds Reader Interest!! Enjoyed the read.
Never Stop Writing!
m
Comet's Boat (Short Story) - 5/7/2019 1:44:50 PM
I like stories with a down-to-earth, common touch and a happy ending. Alan Strunk has managed to provide all three in his practical and salty rendition of "Comet's Boat." It's nothing fancy, but like Bob Comet's comment, this story is simple, up-front and to the point: "Besides, sirs is for officers. I work for a living.” Bingo! Mister Comet did something worthwhile at the end of his life to register a plus for his entire existence - and the kid who worked for it got his dream boat with the Evinrude motor. Everybody is a winner. How about that?
d. lid
Charlie and the Fuel Dock (Short Story) - 4/28/2019 8:05:09 AM
And what a summer it was! Charlie certainly had a great coming-of-age in Alameda, San Luis Obispo, and Morro Bay. Once again, so autobiographical. You make me remember my three years in California. Spent some time on Alameda with a friend/neighbor from Wisconsin who served his Navy duty as a driver for the commander 1967-69. Studied while waiting in the car and got his GED.
Reminded me of my fourteenth summer when I started working for Mr. Nowaki. My twin brother and I learned everything about raspberries helping him grow, pick, and trim his city plot by the railroad tracks. He also taught us a lesson about fishing one day, taking us out when he was drunk, but still outsmarting us catching a nice 28 inch northern that my brother Roger missed.
Ron
Charlie and the Derelict (Short Story) - 4/16/2019 7:15:39 PM
draws the reader into the narrative, holds attention!
never stop writing
m
Charlie and the Derelict (Short Story) - 3/29/2019 8:26:51 AM
Another, very well and colorfully written tale of the sea and salvation. Once again, Charlie seems very familiar from the last story that I read from you and the story if not true, seems to be based on true events. In any event Charlie is one helluva entrepreneur at a young age. Can't wait to read more of your stories. But if they are based on true events, I hope you would indicate that. There's nothing wrong with pure fiction, but true life stories often are more interesting than fictional ones.
Ron
Charlie and the Dipnet (Short Story) - 2/10/2019 11:24:24 AM
thank you Al, I have scads of wonderful memories at and around Morro Bay, and the rock. I once had a trailer there on a permanent space(for about ten years) I was there so often that the waitress's at the Whales Tail didn't bother asking for my order They just brought out what I always had. your story gave me a full inner smile.
budd
Charlie and the Dipnet (Short Story) - 2/10/2019 9:17:03 AM
Morro Bay sounds like a wonderful place to grow up in. But I was expecting more from this story than a simple breakdown of an Evinrude motor and a lucky break, keeping 13-year-old Charlie from drifting out into the Pacific and disappearing. I guess the heroic part was getting there in time to see his fishing friend off and get his first real kiss.
Reminds me of the time I had my 13-year-old nephew with me when I went to visit my cousin, staying on a 1948 Chris-Craft in Pompano Beach. The owner of the house where my cousin tied up his boat had a 13-year-old daughter. It was love at first sight that lasted all of four days before we had to leave again.
A famous quote from my nephew: "She's got boobs!"
Ron
Charlie and the Mariner (Short Story) - 2/6/2019 2:49:41 PM
I enjoyed this, it keeps you reading.
Charlie and the Mariner (Short Story) - 2/1/2019 11:00:47 PM
holds reader interest
never stop writing!
m
Charlie and the Mariner (Short Story) - 1/30/2019 2:54:05 PM
Fascinating story. So real and vivid. Although, I am not the type of a person, who knows anything about sailboats and so forth... it felt like I was there going through the whole thing with that young boy and the girl whom he save from a major accident.
Charlie and the Mariner (Short Story) - 1/30/2019 12:35:50 PM
A well crafted and tightly written short story told with a dash of humor. I enjoyed this fun, boaty story, partly because I like shorts that end back at the beginning -- and partly because I have a love/hate relationship with boats and things nautical.
Pacific Sail Amazon Review (Article) - 3/5/2019 1:51:57 PM
enjoyed reading your book blurb.
I am a misplaced California native and have always found the gold rush days history to be fascinating.
Best Wishes for much success with your series!
Never Stop Writing
m
Book Lovers Feature in The Sea Scoop a Los Osos publication (Article) - 1/27/2019 10:50:27 AM
An interesting revelation about how you arrived at authoring this novel. Facebook? I prefer the isolation of 12 kn across the Pacific. Alex Haley found that only on merchant ships could he be undistracted enough to write.
Ron
