Bravest Thing (He Ever Did)

I need to clear the air on something, as well as issue an official apology.  In March of 2022, I released my first book, Disconnected: The Broken Path . The launch went well, and I even released a sequel later in the year, Escape to the Wild . Unfortunately, I got more than a little ahead of myself. At the time, in my new-author enthusiasm, I started calling out author J.K. Rowling. On a since-deleted post on Facebook I stated: "Who is this J.K. Rowling guy? You think you're pretty good? I'm taking you down!" I then added a picture of the current book rankings of the day (where, admittedly, my book was outselling J.K. Rowling's books). I thought nothing of it until I was served notice of potential legal action earlier this year. It turns out that:           A) J.K. Rowling is not a male, but a female.          B) J.K. Rowling is not amused when women claim to be men, and vice versa.           C) J.K. Rowling is a billionaire.          D) J.K. Rowling gets ver

 

One year ago, on the feast of St. Joseph, I hit publish on my first book. What a thrill that was! And what a ride it's been. Since then I've learned more than I ever thought possible, which is to say, I've probably learned 1% of what there is to know about book writing and publishing. A few takeaways:      - Writing a book is harder than it looks.       - Writing a book is one of the most enjoyable things I know.       - The formatting/cover aspect is like slamming your head against the wall until you pass out. But when you do finally come back to sanity...you slam your head against the wall again until you pass out.      - Selling a book is the hardest thing to do on the face of the planet.      - Local is best.      - It's all addicting. When July rolled around and I finally had more free time, I jumped into writing a second book. The entire process repeated. More time to immerse myself into a story. More time to create. More time to slam my head against a wall until

Here's a bit of nostalgia. Remember those Chuck Norris lines? The ones where he is, well, Chuck Norris. Someone posted on the Book of Faces recently with the line: Some of the responses were pretty hilarious. Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience. When Chuck Norris left for College, he told his dad he is the man of the house  now. They built a bridge to honor Chuck Norris. They had to change the name because no one ever crosses Chuck Norris. He once killed two stones with one bird He once threw a boomerang   but it was too afraid to come back. Chuck Norris was bitten by a cobra; it was touch and go but the cobra is expected to make a full recovery. Chuck Norris was born May 6, 1945. The Nazis surrendered on May 7, 1945. When Chuck Norris went skydiving his parachute didn't open. Next day he took it back and got a refund. He had a staring contest with the sun, the sun lost. Chuck Norris won an argument with his wife……. Twice. Fun fact.... ...Chuck Norris once upper cut a

Disconnected: The Broken Path Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1778052509 USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1778052509 Escape to the Wild Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1778052533 USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1778052533

A player for the Buffalo Bills crumpled yesterday following a seemingly routine play. Cardiac arrest. CPR. Doctors. Defibrillation. Ambulance. All in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football. I will not say I know why he collapsed. Some are quick to say it was the vaxx. Maybe. But I also know of a 20-year-old player for the local Nipawin Hawks (hockey) who once blocked a shot in the chest, the same location that the football player got hit. This young man got up, then promptly collapsed. He died later in hospital. It's a tragedy. Sadly, it happens. Rumours are that the NFL wanted to keep playing the game . Something to the effect of: "Hey boys, take 5 minutes to collect yourselves, then we're back out there." People are jumping all over the NFL for this. Though the NFL denies this to be the case (note: they're not the most honest organization to ever walk this earth).  Not fun. I sympathize. Years back I was called to an emergency staff meeting before

Jude loves being Fr. Webb. Fr. Webb loves saying Mass. Therefore, Jude loves saying Mass. Occasionally Jude convinces his brothers to serve for him too. Here is, The Mass of a Three-Year-Old ...

Many books were read in 2022. Some of them were life-changing. Others...horrible. Let's focus on the good. Here are the top 7 books I read in 2022.  Note: The books on this list are just those that I read for the first time in 2022. So no Hobbit , etc. No, I didn't put my books on the list. I'm not that conceited... 7. Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts Ryan Holiday A bit off my usual reading-interest with this first one. However, I published two books in 2022 and, as part of the process, I've had to educate myself on how things work. This book was excellent. The emphasis was on producing quality work that, though maybe not an overnight sensation, has the qualities needed to stand the test of time. 6. Prairie Lion: The Life & Times of Ted Byfield Jonathan Van Maren Of course I grew up seeing copies of The Western Report/Alberta Standard lying around. The highlight was always Ted Byfield's column at the end. However, I really had n

Merry Christmas from the Millette Family!  Here is our annual Christmas letter, as well as a bonus video at the end: And, from the grade 5 Christmas Concert I held on Dec. 20... Enjoy!

Not to brag, but I’m engaged in some high-end professional research right now with someone named John. However, I will let you be privy to the details. You see, a staff washroom at the school I teach at has a toilet not working properly. The handle sticks when you flush it. It’s an easy fix–I’ve checked. Yet it won’t be me who has the honor of restoring this throne to its former glory. I learned my lesson that one time I changed a lightbulb in my classroom and subsequently received a lecture on how that heinous act steals jobs from union members. I practically took food out of the mouths of innocent children by changing that light bulb. Not this time. The union kids will eat well tonight. A company Help Ticket has been requested to fix the toilet. And–here is my research–I am now tracking the days… weeks… months…  before it gets fixed. In this new and improved world of equality and wokeness, just how long does it take for a toilet to get fixed? The question makes my brain swirl. Gr