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What About Solar?

8/20/2022

         Have you wondered why you don’t see more solar panels on houses? I have. So, I wanted to see if it was suitable for my house. After contacting several companies in the business, I was surprised by what I learned. I’m not talking about the technology of solar panels or connecting to the power grid. This was my experience.
         Let’s explore the need for solar panels. Heat in Texas summers is always brutal, but this summer has been a killer. So is the frigid winter we experienced. Electric cars are becoming more prevalent. More people are moving to Texas. Weather, electric vehicles, and more users will continue to strain the Texas power grid.
         The United States has three power grids: the east, the west, and Texas. Electricity demand will continue to climb throughout the United States. Preparing for the future was my reason for exploring solar panels. After contacting three companies, the requirements were twenty-six to twenty-nine solar panels with no backup power supply. If you want a backup power supply, you may want to consider a natural gas generator.
         Solar panels on a home put electricity into the power grid when the sun is out. At night and on cloudy days, your home draws electricity. There are over three hundred homes in the subdivision I live in. That’s a lot of potential electricity for the power grid. It creates the problem of storage to supply the nighttime demand. Electric companies are meeting the storage issue by purchasing used electric car batteries, among other storage methods.
         Solar panels are remarkably reliable. Panels installed in 1980 are still working today. Since 2000 the quality of solar panels has continued to improve. With the current level of solar technology, the panels can last thirty-plus years. So, why don’t more homes have solar panels?
         Before speaking with representatives from each company, I did my own homework. Home Depot was selling thirty panels for $9,285, including tax. That will produce enough energy to exceed my home’s average monthly power consumption. Additional costs are installation, equipment, and connecting the system to the power grid. I estimated that cost at $8,000. In total, seventeen thousand sounds reasonable.
         I was so wrong. When I contacted three separate companies, their first question was, what are you currently paying for electricity? Odd, I thought. Why would it matter? What matters most is my electrical consumption.
         All three companies wanted a twenty-year contract or more where I would pay them $100 to $110 a month. They would provide everything plus monitoring. If you have looked into solar panels, you know there isn’t much to monitor. If a panel goes bad, your power output drops, which you can monitor. Maybe clean them once a year, if that.
         Let’s do the math. $100 times twelve months in a year is $1,200. Over twenty years, that is $36,000 for a $17,285 system. And that was the lowest offer. The highest was $44,000. The companies stated they would get any government rebates, not me. Those offers I gladly refuse.
         A system is justifiable for $17,285. To break even at $100 per month. Estimating my electric bill with no increase in electrical cost would take thirteen years and one month to break even. If you sell a home with solar panels, the current market will return more money. A nice incentive to get solar panels if you don’t plan to keep your home for thirteen years or more. Keeping it for thirty years or more saves you over $22,000 at current electrical prices.
         Shouldn’t every home have solar panels? Wouldn’t that be an excellent opportunity for the Texas power grid to meet rising demand?
         So, why are solar companies charging so much for so little, if any, return to the homeowner? That is an excellent question. Maybe new legislation is needed to require solar panels on new homes without an unrealistic contract attached?

         Thank you for reading my blog. Please take a minute to check out my songs and books. My new song “Little Texas Town” is now available music is streamed or downloaded. Type Jerry W Martin in any search window to come back or save www.authorjwmartin.com to your favorites. You can also stream my music on all major streaming services. My books are available on Amazon.

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A Six-second Challenge

7/20/2022

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         We all know to be cautious about trusting what we read on the internet. It is essential to check the source of information. So, I was skeptical when I read a story about improving my vision with a six-second technique.
         Years ago, I had heard about this but didn’t try it. I was as skeptical then as I was this time. So, what am I talking about? Without your glasses, focus on an object in the distance for six seconds, then on an object close up for the same length of time. Repeat the process several times, once or twice a day. That sounds simple, and there is nothing to buy.
         Think about it. The promise of improved vision in less than a minute and a half each day. The price was right, free. I thought, why not try it.
         My distance vision is good, but I couldn’t read text messages or anything close up without glasses. So, I started the challenge. The process sounded simple enough, but I wanted a way to gauge if my vision would really improve.
         Each morning, my wife and I walk about three miles. There is a sign near an intersection on our trek that states, “ROAD WORK AHEAD.” Before I started the six-second exercise, I could clearly see the individual letters on the road sign at twenty-one steps. It seemed the perfect standard for my test.
         I counted each step when I placed my left foot down. That might be slightly off based on how I felt each day or how fast I walked one day compared to the next. So, I counted my steps for several days. It was consistently twenty-one steps. That was my baseline.
         A month has passed, and here are my results. I counted my steps this week for several days. The letters of the road sign are now clear at fifty steps. That is an improvement of twenty-nine steps. I can now read text messages without glasses. These are my results. It is enough improvement that I will continue with the exercise. I’m starting this week with both eyes open about five or six times, then each eye separately.
          What am I not saying? Well, as with any exercise, results will vary. Some people will have better results than others. By doing the exercise, you will probably still need your glasses. I do. I just need them less than before.
         Think of it this way, what have you got to lose, a minute and a half a day? It has been worth it for me. Why don’t you give it a try? Better vision is always a good thing.

         Thank you for reading my blog. Please take a minute to check out my songs and books. My new song “Little Texas Town” has been released to CD Baby for distribution and will be available everywhere in the next few weeks. Type Jerry W Martin in any search window to come back or save www.authorjwmartin.com to your favorites. You can also stream my music on all major streaming services. My books are available on Amazon.

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An Amazing Island

7/2/2022

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         Twenty-six miles off the coast of California is Santa Catalina Island, one of the California Channel Islands. Earlier this summer, we spent several days there. By boat, it’s over an hour and well worth the trip. Every time I’ve traveled to the island, I’ve seen whales or dolphins on the trip out or the trip back. Once you arrive on the island, the real adventure begins, or you can relax, shop, and eat at one of the many restaurants.
         Two towns on Santa Catalina Island are Avalon and Two Harbors. Each town has its own unique attractions. Avalon is the most visited with many attractions, palm trees, shops, restaurants, and more. Two Harbors sets in the isthmus between the two island peaks that make up Santa Catalina. The breeze off the ocean makes me wonder why I waited so long to return.
         Avalon’s Descanso Beach is a place to relax, enjoy a cold beverage, have a nice meal with a beautiful ocean view, or lay in the sun. Activities at the beach are snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, or swimming, with rental fees for equipment. They also have cabanas if lying on a towel on the beach isn’t your thing. There is a small fee to enjoy the beach but well work the price. There is a free beach near the bay by the main shopping area if you prefer not to walk over to Descanso Beach.
         The submarine tour that leaves from the pier. The boat doesn’t submerge, but passengers sit below the waterline creating a unique underwater experience. You can shoot fish food near your porthole to attract fish for a close look at an extra fee. It is a tour worth the money.
         When you want a break from the beach, there are hiking trails, tours inland, ziplining, and plenty of things to see in town. What you can see inland is wildlife, including Bison. Filmmaker Zane Grey brought Bison to the island while filming The Vanishing American in 1924. The herd grew to about 600 Bison. Many have been relocated to the USA mainland, and the remaining herd is managed by the Catalina Island Conservancy.
         All that activity will prepare you for one of the many restaurants in town, ranging in price from a quick burger to steak or seafood. One of our favorite places is the Lobster Trap. Their salad topped with lobster or crab is as refreshing as it is delicious.
         There is a casino on the island in the art deco style. Sorry, no gambling. It was built as a meeting place. What you will find there is a history of the island and art. It is well worth the price of admission to learn more about the history and the people that made it. There is more on the island’s history below.
         Catalina has more to offer than I can describe in one blog. To see photographs of the island, click “Adventures” from the menu. For more information about Santa Catalina Island, visit www.visitcatalinaisland.com.

The island’s history:
         Several owners left their mark on the island, hoping to develop it into a resort destination. The first was James Lick, who bought the island in 1864. After several attempts to develop it into a resort, he sold his interests to the Banning brothers in 1891. In 1894 the Banning brothers established the Santa Catalina Island Company. They built hotels, attractions, and a road to the island’s rugged interior. Tours by stagecoach were established along with Lovers Cove, Descanso Beach, and Sugarloaf Point. In 1909 they built the Pleasure Pier, which still stands in Avalon Bay. In 1915, tragedy struck when half the buildings in Avalon were destroyed by fire. The Banning brothers were forced to sell.
         William Wrigley Jr., of the chewing gum empire, invested millions of dollars in creating a “playground for all,” his vision. In 1919 William Wrigley Jr. bought a controlling interest in the Santa Catalina Island Company. In 1921, Wrigley invited the Chicago Cubs for their Spring Training home and built the Catalina Country Club to house the team. That relationship continued until 1951.
         The island became a popular location for Hollywood’s elite from the 1930s until the 1950s. More than 500 films, documentaries, commercials, and TV shows have been filmed on or around the island.
         By 1975, the Wrigleys deeded 42,000 acres of Catalina Island to the Catalina Island Conservancy, a non-profit organization established in 1972. The Conservancy’s mission is to “be a responsible steward of our lands through a balance of conservation, education, and recreation.”

         Thank you for reading my blog. Please take a minute to check out my songs and books. Type Jerry W Martin in any search window to come back or save www.authorjwmartin.com to your favorites. You can also stream my music on all major streaming services.

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A Life-changing Event

5/6/2022

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   There have been many important events in mankind’s history. Take a moment to reflect on events throughout history you believe were life-changing. What comes to mind for me is the use of the wheel. A discovery we see all around us today in the automobile and many other machines. Beer is another one. Okay, I know what you are thinking, but that’s not where I’m going with this. To make beer, you must filter and boil the water, killing bacteria and germs, among other things. It was essential to reduce sickness and disease. The first evidence of beer comes from the Sumerians in about 4,000 BC. Archeologists made the discovery in Mesopotamia. For more information on beer, check out brewcurise.com.
   Take a moment to make a list of events you feel are important. Your list might contain events another person didn’t think of or feel are important. That’s okay. Now, stack rank your list with the most important on top to the least important. Do you think to include the printed page?
   An important distinction is the printed page, not the written page. In 1440 inventor Johannes Gutenberg experimented with printing in Strasbourg, France. He returned to Mainz, Germany, several years later, where he finished developing the printing machine. By 1454, Gutenberg began producing thousands of documents for the church. You will find many sources on google regarding Gutenberg and the printing press.
   Why is this important? It began an intellectual revelation. Handwritten copies were slow and expensive. Reproduction of a document wasn’t always 100% accurate. Printing presses reproduced thousands of identical copies. Books disseminated knowledge to everyone equally. Books grew in popularity as a form of entertainment and education.
   Books may not have been on your list, but it is hard to deny their impact on human society. Computers and the internet have placed millions of books and authors accessible to most of the world’s population. As an author and Lyricist, I’m glad we have computers to speed up the process, so I can share stories and music quicker than handwriting it all down. Making copies by hand would be a nightmare.
   One book has been shared worldwide in more languages than any other book. That book is the Bible. There is one story that I’ve recently discovered that not only tells the story of Jesus, our savior but puts the struggles of that period in perspective with the story of Jesus. Many movies have portrayed the story of Jesus or stories related to Jesus. “The Chosen” may not have actors and actresses you are familiar with. After a few scenes, they draw you into the story taking you back to approximately two thousand years ago when Jesus walked among us.
   If you haven’t discovered this for yourself, come see. https://thechosenapp.org/ You will find it a life-changing event. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
   Thank you for reading my blog. For all of my songs and books, visit www.authorjwmartin.com or type Jerry W Martin in any search window. You can also stream my music on all major streaming services.

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Striking Out

8/20/2021

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     So, is it ever okay to strike out? I find myself saying that a lot to my teammates. Not because I want them to do poorly. Remember, they are my teammates. I'll explain why later in this blog.
     If you are a baseball fan, the term "Striking Out" could bring to mind standing in the batter's block with three swings of the bat, the umpire yelling, "You're Out." It is a disappointing moment for many of us, followed by the embarrassment we failed to hit the ball in front of our friends and family. At that moment, we don't think about the last time we connected with the ball to get on base. Maybe we hit a home run or batted a run-in.
     How about striking out on your own for the first time? Maybe it was leaving your mother and father's home for the first time when you went to college or joined the military. Maybe you moved out to have your own place. When I struck out for the first time, it was to join a boat club. At that time, we had the largest fleet of ships in the world, We also had more firepower than any fleet of ships in the world. You may have already guessed it was the US Navy.
     Compared to the risk of striking out in baseball or striking out on your own in a new business venture carries a lot greater risk impacting more than a moment of feeling uncomfortable in front of people. A failed business could have consequences lasting for year to come. That's to say nothing of losing your home, friends and possibly ending your marriage. There are many success stories about people striking out in business and becoming successful.
     According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 30% of new businesses fail within the first two years. After researching a little deeper, I discovered that 20% of new business fail within the first year, and by the fifth year, 50% fail. What statistics don't tell you is how many businesses close only to reopen. The housing industry is an excellent example. A downturn in the housing market can cause business owners to close for a short period, only to restart when the market turns up.
     If you are thinking of starting your own business, please keep in mind that business owners are the backbone of our economy. Every employee has an employer. In my years in business, I have know many people that have made millions of dollars, lost it, and made it back again. It is the profit of a business that is reinvested by financial institutions spurring our countries economy.
     My hat is off to people that have the fortitude to start their own business. If you plan to strike out on your own in business, find something you love to do enough that you want to do it every day. Start in your spare time, if you can. You may also want to learn basic accounting, finance, and calculating a breakeven point. You'll understand your cash flow better. It will increase your changes of success.
     So, is it ever okay to strike out? The answer depends on the context of the conversation. When I was a young man, I often thought about starting my own business. For me, that would have meant leaving a well-paying corporate job with good benefits to take a risk on something that might have failed. Overall, there was a fifty-fifty change of success after five years. The things I loved to do were play music and writing. I have done both on the side after completing my MBA.
     Now that I've left corporate America, I find myself telling my teammates to strike out. If you think of the baseball reference at the beginning of this blog, that isn't it. In the 10th frame, thee strikes increases their total pin count or raise their score when we're bowling.
     Remember that no matter how devastating one event is, it doesn't define who we are, only the moment. I've lost many things precious to me over my lifetime, but I never let them define who I am. We are all much bigger than any moment or an event in our lives, even if it is the worst thing we have ever done or survived.
     During the blog, I talked about context. In bowling, three strikes are always good, not matter which frame it is. Bowling is a passion I've discovered in the last couple of years. Whatever your passion is, I hope you pursue it. Even if it doesn't make you financially wealthy or become your business. You will find a richness in life so many people search for but never find. May God bless you in your passion.
     While you contemplate your next big adventure, visit www.authorjwmartin.com for more blogs, books, music, and more. On my website, you will discover other passions of mine. Thank you for reading my blog and watch for my next blog.

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Eddy and Albert Rabbit (a short story of nature)

6/10/2021

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     It was dark in the burrow when a thumping waked eddy. Eddy looked up to see Albert, his older brother scratching behind his ear with his back paw. “Albert, why are you doing that so early in the morning.”
    “Wake up, sleepyhead. Fresh grass is calling to us. I’m hungry.” Albert hopped over to Eddy to push him with his front paws before rolling over on him, laughing the whole time.
     “Leave me alone.” Eddy protested as he bounced on his brother. They wrestled around giggling until their mom came in. She was the fastest rabbit in the family.
     “What are you boys doing? Are you two going to play all morning or go with me to get something to eat?” She waited at the entrance to their room in the burrow, thumping her back paw impatiently. “On the way home last night, I saw some new growth that will make a tasty way to start the day. It’s a little far, so we will have to be careful.”
     “An adventure,” Albert exclaimed. “Let’s go. I’m ready for an adventure.”
     “I’m not sure,” Eddy added. “That sounds fun, but isn’t it dangerous?” He was always cautious. Stories mom told about the coyotes, predatory birds, and the most dangerous of all, humans. Doubt filled him.
     “I’ll be with you, Eddy.” Mom tried to reassure him.
     “Afraid of a flying rodent? Come on, Eddy, it will be fun.” Albert rolled over Eddy as he teased him.
     “Okay, okay.” Eddy reluctantly replied.
     Albert waited for Eddy to follow behind his mother so he wouldn’t back out. Finally, they made their way to the surface where they had burrowed down from a fallen tree. The tree trunk rotted out enough, so it was easy going through. Mom stuck her head out first to make sure it was safe.
     Mom’s nose twitched as she slowly stepped out of the safety of the tree trunk. Not far away was a trail used by humans. She turned to look at her boys. “Okay, let’s go.” As she started toward the meadow, the boys followed. Carefully, they moved from tall grass to tress and back to tall grass. Eddy was sniffing all the tasty flowers and grasses as they passed some of his favorite weeds. Eddy spotted a family of deer grazing in the grass. He couldn’t watch them because mom was moving fast, and he didn’t want to get left behind.
     Soon, they reached the meadow. Mom was right. It was a field filled with new growth of weeds, twigs, and fresh grass with the right amount of morning dew. Eddy quenched his thrust while eating breakfast. What a perfect morning. Suddenly a shadow blocked the sun for a moment. He froze.
     “Run, Eddy, it’s a vulture,” Albert warned as he ran past Eddy.
     “Run, boys,” Mom called out as she caught up to them. “Hide behind that tree.”
     Hopping as fast as they could, all three made it to the tree. Eddy’s heart was racing. He was trembling with fear. He had seen what a vulture could do, and he didn’t want that to happen to him, his brother, or his mom. Albert stopped behind the tree, and Eddy was running so fast he ran into Albert.
     “Hey, watch it. You almost pushed me out where the vulture could see me.” Albert exclaimed.
     “Sorry,” Eddy replied as his mom peeked around the tree.
     “Don’t look, boys,” Mom whispered firmly to them. “Oh.” She exclaimed as the boys heard the cry of a field mouse. “I think it’s time we go.” But, before they could leave, the screams of the field mouse stopped.
     Eddy knew what that meant. The joy of the morning faded as they hurried back to the meadow of their burrow. The sun was high in the sky now. Hunger overshadowed the terrible cries of the field mouse as the three of them went about the meadow eating.
     Albert finished first and ran over Eddy rolling over him as he was eating. Eddy laughed and did the same thing to Albert. Mom yelled out. “Quite boys. I think I hear something coming.” Mom was on her back legs setting up, twitching her ears, and sniffing the air. “Back to the burrow, quickly.” Mom started back to the burrow behind Albert and Eddy. “ Don’t look back, boys,” Mom yelled as they headed for the hollow tree trunk.
     That’s when they heard a dog running toward them through the meadow. It was moving fast. Eddy was frightened and running as fast as he could. When they reached the hollow tree, Albert entered first, with Eddy close behind. That’s when they heard the dog growl. Mom hit the tree hard, scrambling into the hollow before letting out a cry. “Oh.” Humans were yelling outside as the dog growling and scratching at the tree. Eddy turned to look as mom limped down the hollow tree toward him. “Get into the burrow. We’ll be safe there.”
     Eddy and Albert waited inside the burrow as mom poked her head down to look at them. “Here I come.” She landed hard, not like the graceful way she usually did. She kicked her leg a couple of times while the boys stared, fearing how bad she got hurt.
     “I’m okay, boys. When I crawled inside the hollow tree, I hit my leg. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.
     Eddy and Albert went to her sniff her leg as she lay on her side. They didn’t see any blood. Then, after a few minutes, she got up and cuddled with them to reassure them. “Tomorrow, I think we will stay here, in our meadow.”

     I hope you enjoyed the short story of Eddy and Albert. Hiking is a passion of mine. A trail by the lake filled with wildlife is inspirational. Red-tailed hawks, vultures, rabbits, and deer are always there, even if they are just out of sight. Nature is a wonder. I hope to inspire you to take a walk through a nature trail near you. Take time to see what wonders God has placed in your area. For me, it can be breathtaking.
     Visit www.authorjwmartin.com for more blog posts, books, music, and more. Watch for my next blog.

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A Vision to Behold

1/27/2021

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Blog Update: January 27, 2021, by Jerry W. Martin

     Change is one constant in life. My mother was born in the 1920s. The only form of entertainment was the radio, books, or stories a family member might tell about their day or something from the past. Automobiles were not common as they are today. Electricity changed our world forever. There are so many other inventions made available through the marvel of electricity. It is my opinion that electricity is the single greatest invention in history. Think of the things you use every day. Most run off of electricity. The internal combustion engine is possible because of the electrical system that starts it and keeps it running, as an example.
     Televisions are in almost every home. It developed over time. They started out as black and white, but it was television. Programming improved as color made its debut. Picture quality got better too, along with television shows. Today there are so many channels to watch over a fiberoptic network with speeds at 1,000 Mbps. Images on a LED screen are so clear the people look like they’re in the room with you.
     By the mid-80s personal computers became available. Quantum leaps in computing technology have expanded our horizons in so many fields. We are on the brink of self-driving cars. Solid-state batteries are about to hit the market. Robotics have been around for decades in industry. Homes have more automated features than every before. This is only the beginning.
     In Triangulum: Battle for Earth, Emma and her team build the first artificial intelligent robot, known as RAI. That idea develops RAI into what I see is a natural development of robotics. RAIs develop their own programming language exceeding binary code. In Triangulum: Earth on Fire, RAI takes the leading role to stop global war. They also play an important role in cooking, cleaning, security, and communications.
     Today there are autonomous vacuum cleaners, floor mops, and lawnmowers. Intelligent homes unlock doors, turn on lights, set the temperature in your house and many other tasks. There are many other things, I feel, will drive the demand for an intelligent robot in your home. All the jobs we don’t want to do around the house, no problem with an intelligent robot to do them. The one I envision will be an amazing chef as well. At some point in the future, I see them as a first responder living in your home. If something were to happen to you, they will be able to provide emergency medical assistance while contacting 911, if it is necessary.
     No one can know what the future holds, but in the Triangulum series I see a bright spot for autonomous robots playing a part in our daily lives. It’s like a pet that never pees on your floor or leaves unwanted presents in your backyard you have to clean up several times a week. Visit www.authorjwmartin.com for more blog posts, books, music, and more. Watch for my next blog.

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Soaring High (a short story of nature)

11/20/2020

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Blog Update:   November 20, 2020, by Jerry W Martin

     While on one of our daily hikes, several red-tailed hawks flew over the treetops. This story came to me, which may turn into a children’s book. There will need to be a least three before I will spend time working out the artwork. For now, here is Soaring High.

     Trees were still budding as days were getting warmer. Hank, a red-tailed hawk, watched the ground below searching for food. Riding air currents off the lake he soared above the trees as he swung over the land. Maybe he would spot a mouse, a squirrel, or another snake would be nice.
     Two days ago, a snake was sunning on a rock in the early morning hours. Hank felt lucky to find sure a treat. What a nice break from the mice he dined on so often. Swoop, Hank's friend was off hunting another part of the woods that day, but Hank wanted to stay close to the nest. Rumors around the forest was an owl had been spotted. Owls liked to disrupt hawk’s nests to take it for themselves.
     Suzie, Hank’s mate, had just laid a second egg and Hank was feeling the pressure to bring home breakfast so she could eat. That’s when he spotted something that jumped from a tree to the ground heading across a grassy meadow. As Hank rode the breeze off the lake inland, he picked up speed while diving toward the ground.
     There it was. A plump squirrel the perfect size for Suzie and him. Swinging low over the grassy meadow to keep his shadow from alerting his prey, he extended his talons out embracing the squirrel as he turned toward the trees. In one swift motion, the squirrel was secure within his grasp as they reached skyward.
     When Suzie saw Hank coming, she perked up. Fatigue from laying eggs had caused her to stay in the nest. Now she could build her strength before going on a hunt herself. Worry over the news of an owl in the area concerned her as much as it did Hank.
     When Hank reached the nest, Suzie and Hank had just begun to eat when Swoop called out a warning, “Owl.” Immediately, Hank left the nest and joined Swoop.
     Mr. Owl had used the trees for cover looking for hawk nests. He planned was to disrupt a few hawk nests and take the best one for his very own. Hank and Swoop had other ideas and they chased Mr. Owl between the trees. It was a dangerous game swinging back and forth. Striking a tree limb with a wing would most likely result in a broken wing.
     Mr. Owl was swift and a great flier skillfully maneuvering between the trees and limbs always heading further away from the hawks nesting ground. The chase went on for a long time before Hank began to worry about Suzie. Was she okay? Was there any squirrel left for him? He hadn’t eaten in two days.
     “I’m turning back,” Hank called out the Swoop. “I think Mr. Owl knows not to come back.”
     “You’re right. He’s still running for it.” The two hawks headed back to their nesting ground.
     When Hank reached the nest, Suzie had finished eating leaving more than enough for Hank. Today, they had secured their nest and the two eggs Suzie had given them.

     I hope you enjoyed the short story of Hank, Suzie, and their friend Swoop. Hiking is a passion of mine. A trail by the lake is filled with wildlife. Red-tailed hawks are always riding air currents overhead swooping down sometimes within a few feet away from us. Nature is a wonder I hope to inspire you to take in. Take time to see what wonders God has placed in your area. For me, it can be breathtaking.
     Visit www.authorjwmartin.com for more blog posts, books, music, and more. Watch for my next blog.

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Round One, Done

11/13/2020

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Blog Update:   November 13, 2020, by Jerry W Martin

     Triangulum: Earth on Fire is now a complete first draft. Earth on Fire continues where Battle for Earth ends. Emma and Jerry face catastrophic events that affect them personally as old hatreds and the desire for global conquest spring up as World War III ignites. Earth on Fire is much more than a global war. Jerry’s brother gets into a legal issue that could send him to prison for the rest of his life. Politics in WSOC, the World Security Organization Commission, goes against Emma.
     Part of my process, when writing a book, is to make a couple of passes through after the story is written. As a first draft, the story is complete with several stories within the book to give the novel more depth. Overall, the storyline for Earth on Fire takes global tenses from around the world and expounds upon them.
     In the second draft, I make sure that all of the storylines have continuity. You may ask yourself what does that really mean? An example is to be sure a character’s name is spelled the same throughout the novel. A more difficult facet of continuity is the timeline. If events don’t flow in a consistent sequence along the timeline it becomes confusing for a reader. If Joe dies in chapter 5 but is seen again in chapter 8, the timeline is off. There are times a character will flashback in a dream or recall a memory of a person. That is much different than having scenes out of sequence.
     Imagery of the scene is important. Too much can bore the reader where too little isn’t enough for the reader to use their imagination. Conveying feelings characters experiences during a scene is just as important as the setting of the scene. Before my editor is engaged in the process, I try to alleviate as many issues as possible.
     When I worked as a journalist for a college newspaper, our managing editor told us almost weekly that writers write and editors edit. He followed that statement with, “So get your work in early.” He added several descriptive words that I don’t feel the need to share. His message sticks with me echoing through my head every time I rewrite a draft. If you are a writer or want to become one, his message may help you.
     Visit www.authorjwmartin.com for more blog posts, books, music and more. Watch for my next blog “Soaring High.”

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A look to the future

11/4/2020

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     Writing the Triangulum series allows me an opportunity to explore how current technologies might advance in our lifetime and beyond. Might is a principal word when looking toward the future. There are so many theories in various fields of science that could impact our lives. No one knows how technologies will develop as we move forward in time, but it is entertaining when you wrap guesses up in a story.
     Battle for Earth sets the stage for the five books series by introducing the conflict between Triangulum and Earth. By using conflicts around the world as a source of distraction, the characters in the first book are introduced. With a lot of embellishing, I create a scenario leading to World War III. That’s when the aliens attack. Wars throughout history have accelerated the development of technology. This is the foundation for the last three books of the series.
     Emma Henderson is at the forefront of technological advancements that are explored throughout the series when the RAI (robotic artificial intelligent) humanoids are developed. As a spoiler, I will tell you RAIs don’t save the day in Battle for Earth. Emma does have a significant role to play in developing new technologies as she finds and loses love.
     An example of how technology can progress over time is solar energy, a product in our lifetime that has reached the market. In 1839 Edmond Becquerel, a French physicist, at age 19 discovered the effect of photovoltaic. Click the link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmond_Becquerel) to learn more. Becquerel probably never envisioned how solar power would develop into the products we see today. It wasn’t until 1954 that the first silicon solar cell was developed at Bell Labs, a gap of 115 years. In the 1980s, solar panels gained market share as the price of solar panels lowered and government incentives made them more affordable. What is amazing is that states don’t require solar panels to be part of every new home build.
     I hope you enjoyed my first ever, but brief blog. Look for my next post. Leave me a comment or ask a question.

Jerry W Martin

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Jerry W Martin

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