A CHIN-UP BOOK for those Who have run Smack-Dab into the Hard Place
JUDGE THIS BOOK BY ITS COVER :
Prototype bestfrienddog says, "Hang in there chums. Don't ever give up. Never allow life to put a leash on you."
After you read this book, "giving up" will never again be an option. The author, identified only as "the man", is ably assisted by real and imaginary characters.
"the man" has the audacity to claim Jonathan Swift as his Mentor Gulliver's Travels this book's genre.
THE PLAYERS "the man" - Ted M. Miller (1913- ); Mentor - Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) Imaginary Friend - Edward (Ed); Retired Housedog - Dora (1982-1994) "bestfrienddog" - Theodore (1993-)
CONTENTS
Foreword -------"Wildegeest" and J. Swift share Spotlight Introduction----"the man" bids Farewell to a Settled Life Chapter 1.--------"the man" finds New Life Support Systems Chapter 2.--------Dora joins "the man" in a life of adventure Chapter 3.--------Theodore and "the man" respect Dog's Rights Chapter 4.--------"bestfrienddog" advocates People-Training Chapter 5.--------"Rusti" turns into a Peppery Loudmouth Chapter 6.--------"the man" and the dog travel on their Stomachs Chapter 7.--------Chow, Chuck, Grits, Nosebag, Vittles au naturel Chapter 8.--------Projecting for a Life Crammed with Activities Chapter 9.--------Friendship and ability to handle Solitude Chapter 10.-------Drop the Deadline and Grab the Lifeline Chapter 11.-------Eighty-seven Year Obstacle Course
Chapter 12.-------Adventures? NAY! Close Encounters? YEA! Epilogue.-----------The Sum does not equal its Parts
Society sez, "Thou shalt not pass!"
"the man" replies, "NUTS!, I SHALT"
"At age 86, "the man" and "bestfrienddog", the leading characters in this saga, traveled fifteen thousand
miles in a half ton van with a cargo trailer converted to serve as kitchen and computer center. Their two
month journey began in North Carolina, ended in Newfoundland, with an adventure-laden detour in
between. Last October, just before "the man" and "bestfrienddog" reached ages ninety and ten,
respectively, they completed a 6700 mile tour in the same rig, to the southern and northern outer
reaches of the St. Lawrence River.
WILDEGEEST! A Search for Last Places is a living document with
twelve fully completed chapters and an Epilogue.
Now there’s a sequel, published in 2003 by Xlibris Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
See: www.xlibris.com/TedMMiller.html
Please send COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, BRICKBATS to:
<wildegeest@starfishnet.com>
In the book, Wildegeest! A Search for Last Places, the narrator is identified only as "the
man," frequently called to task by his imaginary friend, Ed, because of his "olde farte"
meandering style. He is also critiqued by the spirit of Jonathan Swift, that wonderful teller
of tall tales and satirist, who wrote Gulliver's Travels in a similar genre.
The man seeks to overcome loneliness by recalling past events that link with the present, and by creating imaginary tales which swirl in every direction. The book is a wild trip through time and space, loaded with meanings which challenge the reader at every twist and turn.
"the man" and bestfrienddog Theodore Tony Wright photo
The book insists that joy of living is within reach of every normal, healthy person, regardless of age, and should not be regarded as the sole possession of the young. On the contrary, a properly motivated oldster is likely to find it the most rewarding part of his or her life - a time to think, a time to enjoy, a time to do, and a time to fully mature.
This is the story of one old man who refused the rocking chair, dodged the nets that Society deploys for the elderly, and set out on an odyssey that has so far given him eleven active, meaningful years. Each morning and evening he takes Theodore for walks on the beach to view the sunrise and sunset. He insists that "sunset should be as memorable as sunrise."
WILDEGEEST! As used herein, is meant to be a synonym for
EXCELSIOR!, Alley-Oop!, Onward and Upward!, Upsey-Daisy!
The shades of night were falling fast!
A banner with a strange device.
EXCELSIOR!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Wildegeest! is a made-up name meaning upward and onward - life is not to be wasted - never give up. It is suggested as a battle cry for the "UNSEEN MAJORITY," persons in that segment of our society who have butted into the hard place - death of a partner, or other traumatic event - that suddenly destroys an established lifestyle, and leaves the person stranded like a beached whale.
Younger segments of our hard-edged society try not to see these rejects, a mind-set similar to discrimination, xenophobia, and prejudice, called "AGEISM."
Still, the author insists it is the comfortably entrenched "middle-aged group" who are most likely to need a contingency plan for dealing with terrifying, inevitable events that can suddenly isolate one of them from the rest of the uncaring world.
This book was written to show victims of AGEISM there remains a wonderful alternate universe for them to seek and explore. But the person must decide it is evil to waste a single moment of remaining years and must then undertake to build an even better life.
The author's "traumatic event" occurred when he was seventy-six. At first he depended heavily upon canine companionship and travel, but gradually realized that reliance on scenery can be unproductive. Instead, human contacts, nutrition, exercise, and writing were some of the elements that so far have added thirteen productive years to his life.
He credits Dora and Theodore for their active role in helping him survive the hard lonely places, and suggests that dogs who perform this special support role for elderly people be called, "bestfrienddogs." Much space is devoted to the importance and meaning of this special HUMAN/CANINE relationship. Daughter Jennie Puts in Her Oar
The olde coot hath thrived on disrespect, so why should I adopt company airs? Even his dog acts like his brother, has stolen his name (Theodore), and claims he's my Uncle! Never did I call him "Daddy." He's been "Ted" since the pacifier dropped out of my mouth.
Some time ago my father told me that he planned to write Wildegeest! A Search for Last Places as a legacy for his children. My reaction was that of the porter who, after helping a lady with her baggage, was rewarded merely with a simple "Thanks." He replied, "Great, I can't wait to get home and eat your thanks on a slice of bread."
But as I peruse portions of Ted's manuscript, I feel lucky to have a father who is trying to leave the gift of life to his children and others. Among the many things he has managed to restore is the sense of wonder that a vivid imagination can generate.
Last year I found a collection of watercolors that illustrate the "tru'lyin'" adventures he told us children, more than thirty years ago. My friend Jayne and I agreed they merited an exhibition, held at our studio in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The number, quality and versatility of paintings and collages that Ted had produced in recent years, was a complete surprise.
Seventy paintings and collages were on display, and the attendance, lively interest of the audience, and favorable media response, helped motivate Ted to start his book, partly illustrated with some of the same pictures.
In the book, he is only identified as "the man," a person who strongly defends his own identify, but is concerned about his four children who are by now middle-aged. The primary motive for writing this book is indeed to prepare a legacy for his own children, a book which has no tolerance for wasting a moment of your own precious life in the face of adversity.
Learn more about
‘bestfrienddog"
Theodore
And be sure to visit "EarthWise Farm"
Other fine sites to visit:
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