Stories, Poems, and Secrets Beneath the Waterfall

Some call the Army Residence Community an “old soldiers’ home on steroids.” It is an unusual residence for veterans, spouses, and civil servants, some arriving here before they can draw social security. Most residents are active, referring to themselves as “inmates” (those who live in the Highrise) or “street people” (those living in Legacy cottages, or Lakeside homes). For the most part, they willingly revealed their secrets as did Count Rostov, “The Gentleman in Moscow,” living in The Metropol. Resident writers may have altered names and embellished some stories, creating a mixture of fact and fiction, but in truth ‘life is how we tell it.’ This is not a daily diary of events at a retirement home, as penned by Hendrik Groen in The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen. Groen spoke of “weak tea and potted geraniums, exasperated by the indignities of aging…” and did not inspire this collection of stories.

These are stories of people who lived a life of service. There are more stories to be told by retirees and centenarians living among us, waiting to be discovered if only we listen.

Do Dandelions Grow in Heaven?

Have you ever noticed dandelions appearing in the grass after a beloved dog has gone? Some say it’s a sign—a whisper from heaven that our furry friends are still with us.

This gentle, heartfelt story brings comfort to children who have lost a cherished pet, showing them that every wag, every pawprint, and every dandelion is a message of love that lasts forever.

Shoes to Kill

Shoes to Kill is about the case of a media mogul found murdered at the home of one of the nation’s leading college basketball coaches during a nationally televised game. It plays on the State’s and South’s obsession with college sports, particularly basketball and football.The protagonist, Detective Hatchell Breeze, seeking retribution for a previously botched and forgotten case involving the university football team, enthusiastically takes on the investigation and an inevitable confrontation with the powerful players of the state university once again.This leads him to prostitution, illegal drugs, errant boosters, big business, university stonewalling, and the prominent men and women of college sports. As he tries to connect the two cases, he is reminded of his own bitter history with the university, forever embedded in his mind as his own life spins out of control.

Maggie, the Dog with a Heart: Book 4

What’s so special about Maggie? She looks pretty much like most other dogs of her breed with one exception…there are two large black spots on either side of her body that join together to form a heart when she curls up. That’s why she’s also known as “the dog with a heart.”

“Furry Friends” is a charming story about Maggie, a special Jack Russell Terrier puppy. After being adopted by her forever family and settling into her new home, Maggie realizes she is not always going to be the center of attention. Sometimes, her family doesn’t have time to spend with her as they go about their busy lives full of work, school, and sports. Maggie is left alone occasionally, trying her best to play the role of “watchdog.”

Maggie observes the enjoyment the family’s children experience when they have “playdates” with friends. Hmm...she wonders if she could have playdates as well. But first she must find some friends.

Everyone needs friends…even dogs. Read this heartwarming story to discover the friendship tips Maggie learns as she embarks on her quest for friends.

Highway to Holiness

For God and country, after trying holiness in the seminary, I enlisted in the Navy. There, I protected others and my country while serving God. I discovered that both serving God in the seminary and serving my country in the military could lead me to heaven after my life here on earth. Both taught me about loyalty, courage, discipline, and putting the needs of others before oneself. At my old age, nothing stops me from finding my destiny with my Lord Jesus Christ as long as I follow my Highway to Holiness.

Misadventures of Licorice and Black Jack

The Misadventures of Licorice and Black Jack

In the mid-1700s, two mischievous brother cats, Licorice and Black Jack, and their clever companion Pepper, a black-and-white African parrot, sailed the seas aboard the Fair Winds. Known for their unmatched rat-killing skills, they were beloved by their owner, Captain Benjamin Schiff.

But when a rat chase goes awry, the duo accidentally embarks on an unexpected journey far from home. Chaos follows as they cross paths with a mysterious wizard and his bright assistant, leading to several wild adventures.

It is a light-hearted tale of mischief, magic, and high-seas adventure. The Misadventures of Licorice and Black Jack is a journey where trouble and fun are never far behind.

Born That Way, Within & Through – Kindness Is You

To the Children: Do you know that you have an incredible superpower that’s always with you? You don’t have to try really hard to get it or to keep it. It’s free and easy and always with you. You can count on it! I bet I can prove to you how easy your superpower is to bring up in you. Imagine your teacher dropped her book right in front of you. I bet you would automatically bend down to pick it up and give it to her. And I bet you would even do it with a smile because it came out of you so quickly and naturally. Now think about a friend asking you to hold the leash of his puppy. I am sure you would not only hold the leash to keep that puppy safe, but you would also pet the pup and show it love. Your superpower is KINDNESS. It wells up in you, flows out of you, and shows you care. Wow, you are amazing! Open these pages of the book and see how great you really are by just being you. And guess what? Kindness can never be taken away from you, can never run out, and every person has it inside of them, so we do not have to worry that there’s not enough of it to go around! Enjoy being the wonderful, caring, loving person you were born to be because you were born that way!

To Parents, Teachers & Caregivers: Born That Way, Within & Through – Kindness Is You, helps children strengthen their innate ability to naturally draw upon their inherent goodness and kindness. With humor, children will recognize their own ability to act with compassion towards themselves and others while growing more at ease in their instinctive drive toward growth and development. This book shows readers how to trust in their own capabilities to build their self-confidence.

The aim of this book is to help children tap into the unending and unstoppable loving current that is part of our human existence and lineage. Born That Way, Within & Through – Kindness Is You celebrates the deep connection readers have with those that have gone before us and the resourceful gifts instilled in us that affirm good qualities and promote healthy habits of kindness, care, and generosity. In identifying ordinary activities in daily life where compassion is demonstrated, as well as extraordinary times when helping another in immediate need intuitively evokes empathy, children will naturally be practicing mindfulness, thus increasing awareness, focus, and attention. The book utilizes children’s love of playfulness and feel-good scenarios to reinforce their personal agency, empowerment, and fulfillment through their natural responses.

Possibility Pig and the Roller Skates

Possibility’s birthday gift was a pair of skates

And he put them on with uncontrollable haste

But do you think pigs can skate like you and me?

Who knows? You will just have to wait and see

He skated into the bathroom and down the hall

Past the kitchen and into a wall

So his mom sent him outside to roller skate

Where he would find nothing to break

But was she right or was she wrong?

You can find out if you follow along

Real Life

We all experience good and bad times in life. This book touches on some situations that occur, expectedly and unexpectedly, to all of us. Some of the stories you will find inside include the heartache of losing a child, the experience of living the single life, and a husband and wife working together to solve problems. Other stories inspire themes of seeing and accepting others, handling retirement, and realising that what you have is better than what you think you want. You will find hope, sadness, and happiness in these short stories. It will give you laughs, possibly some tears, and inspire you to think about and contemplate your own life, as well as understand the lives of others. Enjoy the characters. Get ready for Real Life.

Two Days in August

Alex Knight and his daughter, Aia, while early on in their motorcycle road trip to the Sturgis motorcycle rally in South Dakota, are threatened with death by Fatso and his troop of outlaw bikers.

Alex will not back away from any threat against him, his family, or his friends, and he has always maintained the best defense is to go on offense.

Alex and Aia meet four couples—regular husband-and-wife bikers—going to Sturgis. Then, at a Montana campground on their first night, they meet Mike, a special ops soldier on leave. At a convenience store in Glacier Park, Alex meets three vacationing Seattle SWAT officers.

Forces are combined to deal with Fatso’s gang, and the Warriors, another violent gang, join Fatso to take care of Alex and his daughter.

This is a high-octane adventure with a heart-of-gold hero who will protect those he

loves with fearless resolution.

Little Bird Park

In this age of artificial intelligence and handheld devices, we can lose touch with the natural world, and yet nature is an essential source of quiet comfort, beauty, and serenity. We can easily fail to hear the charm of a bird’s song or the calmness of a babbling brook. Much can be said for seeking a gentler life. We need look no further than to nature. It is our home.

Connecting with nature can be as spontaneous and simple as a chance encounter with an inquisitive chickadee in a neighborhood park. In this short story, young readers may see themselves in Kevin as he discovers nature’s wonder and the way home.

Avery’s Bravery

Eight-year-old Avery was on his way to school on the bus. He didn’t know that a surprise adventure was around the next corner. Would Avery be brave enough to face it? Read on for this exciting story and find out.