KUDOS for SIGNAL HILL
MUSINGS
2003 Comments
In a message dated 1/2/2004
2:19:13 PM Pacific Standard Time,
seifried@ipa.net
writes:
"Fully aware of what was transpiring, I began to observe the
emergency room from somewhere above where my broken body
was. A nurse dropped an
instrument and I could see
her picking it up. I thought that was humorous.
Sound, vision, possibly even smell, were acute, far more
intense than now or any
other time before or after the
crises had terminated.
My sharply focused eyes experienced something quite
profound. I
was moving away. Doctors,
nurses, lights, the whole room before me, became
more
distant, moving more and more rapidly toward something behind
me. Soon I
was observing the room as if I were
looking through binoculars, backwards."
RICHARD, YOUR MUSINGS ARE
POWERFUL. THIS PIECE SHOULD FIND ITS WAY INTO
READER'S DIGEST OR SOME OTHER NATIONAL PUBLICATION. THE
NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE AND
MOTHER TERESA'S QUOTE AND YOUR
REFLECTIONS ON LIFE COMING OUT OF THE COLD
SNOW MAKE
THIS MUSING A KEEPER. HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN AT THE CREATIVE
WRITERS
CONFERENCE. HAPPY NEW YEAR
MAL
KING
*Dear Rich:
I read your message twice.
It rang of Mark Twain and St. Augustine at the
same time! Age
is not a factor in the contemplation and meditation of our
capacities. You spoke so elegantly to it. I wonder if you
should just sit on
the porch a few more times and let your
thoughts flow to the title of a
book, "From My Front Porch."
Such writings continually amaze me that man has
such a
potential to reflective thought, and so few reflect. That you are
a
'writer' is beyond question, it comes from every pencil you
hold. Love to
you, John
*2003 comments, June Issue:
I shall
NEVER discontinue my free musings! They are terrific! This one was
very good and the timing perfect. Love, Brenda
*Hi, Richard:
I just wanted to tell
you how much I enjoy your Signal Hill Musings. I
often
find myself nodding my head in agreement with this or that
observation you've made, or a truism that strikes me as so
relevant, or
just a description of your surroundings
there in NW Arkansas, which must
be truly beautiful and
awe-inspiring. Your account of your Near Death
Experience intrigued me, not because I've had such an
experience, but
because they have long fascinated me.
I've read a number of books about
them, and my latest
novel (Work-In-Progress) opens with a chapter-long NDE.
Chet
and I would still like to get together with you and Jean one
of
these days, but life has kept us tied pretty close to
home for over a
year now. Still, I keep hoping. My
writing has taken a back seat, too,
due to family
concerns, but I'm very much hoping I will get back to it
full time in 2004.
Be well.
Paula Gorgas
*Hi Richard and Jean!
Loved your
musings! How about this -- my father had a doctor named "Dr.
Bonebrake," from Springfield, MO. Also, I have a
chiropractor named "Dr. Hug," here in Lake Ozark, MO.
I'll bet you'll get a lot of responses like mine!
Recently, a black bear appeared in
Osage Beach, in a highly populated area. We haven't seen a
black bear around here in forever! They caught him and
transported him to who knows where. We had mountain lions
and even a panther on my father's 800 acre farm growing up in
central Missouri. The panther's sound was terribly
frightening, like a woman's scream of horror. All of we
children were afraid to wander around at night, for good
reason. We saw their tracks, markings of their claws on
trees, and my father had some baby pigs whose bellies were ripped
open and eaten. I am sure they were killed or left of their
own accord, for their sign disappeared after about 1 year. I
never got to see one, but heard them on several occasions.
We had wolves there, too. Until the local farmers killed
them all....there was a bounty on them then and all they could
think of was their own selfishness in protecting their
livestock. I remember something that made me very sad as a
child, the sight of a neigbor farmer driving up to the house to
proudly open his trunk and display 12 little wolf pups, all
dead. He had found their den and killed every one. I
remember asking him why he did it. There have been no wolf
sightings or sounds for at least 40 years that I know of, so you
are wise to keep your news quiet. I always hated it when the
hunters took down these animals. I seemed to be the only
one, though, I remember everyone else rejoicing about it and
telling me to go inside. Occasionally we still see a bobcat,
but they are very scarce.
Hope all is well with you both and
have a very Merry Christmas!!!
*How are you this fine evening? I just
wanted to let you knowing that I have read your musings and they
are wonderful! It was so wonderful to have met you, everyone we
met on this trip was so wonderfully warm and kind. I hope our
paths will cross again. I have been to Eureka several times in the
past few years and I Love it, but because of my shy nature, I have
never met anyone until this time. I feel truly blessed, and left
there with such overwhelming warmth in my soul. Again thank you
for the book, and I love the web site. You are a wonderful
writer. Blessings to you both, MOON (Debbie)
*This is long overdue to you. I
received your book on Friday eve and it was Monday before I
cracked it open. OOPS, big mistake!!! I finished it 7
hours later. I truly enjoy your ability to keep me engrossed
with the character Douglas Jakowski and his adventures throughout
the country (US of A). Mystery, action, folklore, ufo
mystique, religion, and sex - so when do the movies start?
Richard puts the joy back in reading. Thank you from one
reader that is becoming one of your biggest fans.
*Hey guys,
I wanted to tell you,
the other day I was looking at this book cover again, for Medicine
Grizzly. I know I've told you this before, and maybe you're even
tired of hearing it, but that is such an absolutely stunning
cover. I just love it!
Kirby
-------- Jean says Thanks, Kirby!
*Dear Jean,
Please pass this along to
Richard. I read MEDICINE GRIZZLY and enjoyed it
thoroughly. In the beginning I struggled with some of the
description and sentence structure but was soon caught up in the
characters, the scenery, the imagery and the story. It must be
difficult to be grammatically correct yet write as though
you are having a conversation with the reader. I have passed
my copy along to my Mom and I look forward to reading the next in
the series.
Congratulations, Richard!
Mary
*Please do not discontinue my
subscription. I enjoy hearing from Richard. He writes
with his heart as well as his mind. I may not always agree
with what he has to say, but I always enjoy hearing what he is
saying. Tom
*Richard: Thanks for sharing that story.
I'm one of the "in-between" folks that never went to war, never
was in the military, but am so aware of the blessings we Americans
have to celebrate, and so thankful for the many men and women that
were a part of the war(s). I'll pass the story along to a couple
of other friends that will also appreciate it. Shalom Gerry
*Thanks Richard for your words, I really
enjoy them ...... especially the words about our brother the
winged people! Peace, Peggy
2002 comments:
Richard....I just wanted you to
know that. I thoroughly enjoyed your 'musings' for August.
Just beautiful, full of reflection and wisdom. You truly are
what we Lakota people call an 'elder'. You sure there wasn't
an Indian in the woodpile....? *grin* Just
teasin.... You surely don't have to be an Indian to be wise....
Good words my hunkakepi ciye....Good words indeed.
In
beauty,
John Two-Hawks
*Dear Rich: I read your message
twice. It rang of Mark Twain and St. Augustine at the same
time! Age is not a factor in the contemplation and meditation of
our capacities. You spoke so elegantly to it. I wonder if you
should just sit on the porch a few more times and let your
thoughts flow to the title of a book, "From My Front Porch." Such
writings continually amaze me that man has such a potential to
reflective thought, and so few reflect. That you are a writer' is
beyond question, it comes from every pencil you hold.
Love to you,
John Del Monaco.
*August, 2002....... Oh Richard, you are
such an incredible writer. I am sitting here at work reading
your Musings and am almost brought to tears. I can picture
your front porch, the dogs, the fence--you bring that all to
life! Your words at the end spoke directly to what I have
been thinking and trying to express—that there is so much I still
want to do and I have to keep reminding myself that I no longer
have the many years ahead of me to do all these things, nor the
physical strength or agility to perform them.
Thank you for sharing your musings!
Much Love,
Ellen
* August, 2002 (ON MEDICINE
GRIZZLY) Dear Richard: I read the whole thing! Throughout the book
I keep picturing the cover, and looked from the Indian into the
eyes of the bear. It's a phenomenal feeling. I was astounded at
your knowledge and details describing parks where you worked, the
atmosphere of just walking around in the open and your instinctive
understanding of it all. Your descriptions are worth reading slow,
letting the picture frame itself in the mind. One can conclude
that you must be a sexy guy for you enliven the imagination with
just enough to wish for more and say, "Damn it, why doesn't he
finish it?" It created vibrations of good times!! Your
conversations were interesting and typical of the ones who said
them. I'm constantly amazed at the gift of memory God had
given to us. Moreso, that one can recall such detail and be able
to give it the blessing of having it part of one's life, to
intermingle with all the other experiences and find blossom on the
written page. I marvel, knowing what it takes to push a pencil to
paper and having it express in its magical manner, and what it
means to say it in just that particular way. I frequently
just opened the book to whatever page and studied what and how you
said what you did. Most mysterious of all is the persistence to
prod the memory and be able describe a tree, lake or the
wonderment of just being in a place and having feelings. To be
able to 'read between the words' is the mastery of the writer;
it's there, constantly popping up because he too didn't how to
describe that miracle he was experiencing but it oozes from his
meaning. You did it. And, continue to do it. It's a blessed
gift.
Love to you and Norma.
John Del Monaco
*Note from a fan:
I have heard this
word (kudos) used allot lately, and basically it seems to have
been used very little until the past few years. Webster's
Dictionary describes it as: "praise given for achievement";
"award, honor, compliment, praise"; "fame and renown resulting
from an act or achievement" For the published writer all are
applicable simply for refusing to succumb to the long, lonely list
of disappointments and continuing to write, write,
write! Here are Kudos for you,
Richard! Thank you for the years of effort and
perseverance!
signed: One of your fans
|
WHAT PEOPLE
ARE SAYING ABOUT MEDICINE GRIZZLY
Mr. Seifried,
I
cannot even begin to tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed your
book. If you recall when you called to speak with Julie awhile
back I was right in the middle of it.. You have such a marvelous
talent of letting mere words take your reader into a different
world. I could actually picture the wonderful nature scenes you
described. They were glorious. I gained much knowledge not
only about the beauty of nature, but insight into the Indian
ways and so very much more..I have referred your book to several
of my friends and I know both my sons will enjoy the ones I plan
on ordering them.. Thank you for such a great reading
experience!
Brenda S. Krueger
*Dear Richard:
I read the
whole thing! Throughout the book I keep picturing the cover, and
looked from the Indian into the eyes of the bear. It's
aphenomenal feeling.\. I was astounded at your knowledge and
details describing parks where you worked, the atmosphere of
just walking around in the open and your instinctive
understanding of it all. Your descriptions are worth reading
slow, letting the picture frame itself in the mind. One can
conclude that you must be a sexy guy for you enliven the
imagination with just enough to wish for more and say, "Damn it,
why doesn't he finish it?" It created vibrations of good times!!
Your conversations were interesting and typical of the ones who
said them. I'm constantly amazed at the gift of memory God had
given to us. Moreso, that one can recall such detail and be able
to give it the blessing of having it part of one's life, to
intermingle with all the other experiences and find blossom on
the written page. I marvel, knowing what it takes to push a
pencil to paper and having it express in its magical manner, and
what it means to say it in just that particular way. I
frequently just opened the book to whatever page and studied
what and how you said what you did. Most mysterious of all is
the persistence to prod the memory and be able describe a tree,
lake or the wonderment of just being in a place and having
feelings. To be able to 'read between the words' is the mastery
of the writer; it's there, constantly popping up because he too
didn't how to describe that miracle he was experiencing but it
oozes from his meaning. You did it. And, continue to do
it. It's a blessed
gift. Love to
you and Jean.. John
*Richard,
My wife got your book
"Medicine Grizzly" in the mail on Thursday, 20 June 2002.
She asked me if I wanted to read the book first; to which, I
accepted. I left for noon shift at approx 3pm, taking the
book with me. I returned home at midnight - DONE!!! I have
only read 2 other books in my life with such fervor: "The
Godfather" and "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young". "Medicine
Grizzly" is a whodunit that kept me prisoner with suspense and a
thirst to see what would happen next. Richard's writing
style made reading an enjoyable and fun time. I thoroughly
enjoyed this story of Indian folklore and have no problems
recommending your book to my friends and family. I close all
my e-mails with your web site: http://www.richardseifried.com
and/or
http://www.richardseifried.com/AboutTheBook.html
embedded as a footnote. I look forward to your next
novel of the Wolf Man Trilogy.
signed: A Fan, Ed,
Arlington, VA
*Hi: I WENT TO BED LAST EVENING WITH
A NEW BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It's a page turner.I find myself reading
it differently from other books. I'm reading commas, and
expressive terms; like studying from a master who has dug deep and
reflective about what he is writing and expressing. Richard, that
fact you are so much a part of me in so many intimate and personal
ways, I'm seeing you in the creative act and allowing myself
to be free and have you take me on this wonderful trip through the
pages.I'm also more aware of the agony of what it takes to produce
something from the imagination and spirit. It's an
inspiration to me to dig in again and produce. For the first time
in many months I've opened my folders and looked upon what I've
done and sense an anxiety to 'get to it.'The inscription on the
book to me reflects the deep mutual respect and spiritual
relationship I share with you. I've always walked close to you as
one I've known all my life. The good Lord has been good to us, to
give us the mutuality of drive and desire to express and to seek
that which has not been said before in the unique ways in which we
alone can say. We share His blessings, in friendship and the
bonding of who we are.
My love to you both. John,
Kingman, AZ
*
Hay, Richard, I am mid-way
through Medicine Grizzly and you rascal, you really did a great
job. You got a winner here cowboy! Hope you make a
fortune there good buddy! We'll be in touch. Take
care.
Hank Thompson, Harrison, AR
*
Dick,I received your book last
Wednesday or Thursday. I was busy that day and Joni grabbed
it. Read the whole book in a couple of days. Couldn’t
put it down.(Must be the sex in it.) I finally got to start
on it on Friday. Over half way. Enjoying it so far. Did you
(named Douglas in the book) have all of those experiences?
Did you enjoy having all the babes looking at you? Or was that
wishful thinking?Did you really get into those fights?
Shame, shame. I am eagerly working toward the climax (oops)
end of the book. Thanks for the inscription in the front.
Don, Dayton, OH
*
Richard:I finished Grizzly
yesterday, Good Job! You are a great story teller. I read it
rather quickly, for me, as I ama slow reader, so that means that I
was "into it". R hasn't started it yet, but she will. We wish you
much success with your enterprise.
Shalom, Gerry,
Eureka Springs, AR
* |