Texas 2014 a Year in Review

[caption id="attachment_3831" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Texas[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Shoevians to The Other Shoe. Yes, here I am again today. I know that this is highly unusual, and I am really pressing my ability to sit up and write… but THIS! Well, what I am about to share with you was posted on Facebook by a friend of mine. His name is Pat Kendrick and he still lives in Texas, in Sugarland. In the five years, well in March five years, of this blog I have never published anything posted on Facebook.

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I have never been allowed the privilege on showcasing their words here on my blog at The Other Shoe. Today that changed! Today I have been given the esteem privilege of publishing for you, My Dear Shoevians, of sharing some very powerful words directly from the heat of the Great State of Texas. Finally, I would like to say “Thank you!” to Pat Kendrick for the honor of sharing his incredible words… his insight… his vision.

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Now, without further adieu, I give you… “Texas 2014 a Year in Review” by Pat Kendrick:

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“Texas 2014 year in review: Governor Rick Perry indicted on 2 felonies.
Attorney General Gregg Abbott sues Obama twice. Once over Obamacare, once of immigration, Ted Cruz is still a US Senator from Texas, Abbott elected Governor, Texans turns their backs with hate toward kids trying to escape tyranny and terror, no Medicaid expansion leaving 10,000,000 Texans uninsured, 49th in education, 1st in minimum wage jobs, a new Lt Gov who led the charge to fire 11,000 teachers and thi...nks ISIS is our greatest threat in Texas, Kim Kardashian got married twice or 2 more than the number of Texans who died in the fake Ebola scare, open carry let people with penis envy carry AK 47s around town and in stores, voter ID laws restricted voting though no evidence at voter fraud exists, Texas women have their constitutional right of choice virtually eliminated by draconian laws, Louis Ghomert, Joe Barton, and Blake Farenthold are actually Congressmen from Texas, and our textbooks now list Moses as a founding father and slavery not such a bad deal. A glorious year in Texas politics. I'd say 2015 has to be better but I'm scared I'll be wrong.”

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And people wonder ‘why’ I won’t go back to Texas, even to visit. Yet, My Dear Shoevians, I cannot help but feel that I have… somehow… abandoned my fellow Texans to the butchers. That is how it feels to me… inside. I LOVED growing up in Texas… I LOVED being a Texan. That is… until… things changed.

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Now, the whole world can clearly see that not all Texans walk in lock step. That there are many Texans that do not approve of the dire and draconian changes happening in my home state. laugh I don’t know how long it has been since I referred to Texas as my home state. I haven’t visited in nearly thirty years. It is the state of my birth. Yet, I am ashamed. If you have read Mr. Pat Kendrick’s words, above, and you were from Texas, wouldn’t you be ashamed?

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Again I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for Pat Kendrick for the privilege of sharing his words with all of you, My Dear Shoevians.

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I have become... suddenly.. very tired. I knew that I was pushing too hard… and I still have to copy/paste to two blogs… proof and publish.

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Adieu!

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Thank you!

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© 2010 – 2015
Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

The Horror in Smithville - Review - Part 14.. So Far!

[caption id="attachment_2489" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The Horror in Smithville[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. First, I would like to express my apologies for the extended absence here at The Other Shoe. The previous forty-five days (of my cancer treatment fund campaign) took a great deal more out of me that I had imagined. AS well, my oncologist has made increased efforts to get me into the office to figure out some way to proceed. Proceed with my care… or treatment in a fashion that is viable to me.

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I spent just over two hours speaking with him, yesterday. He took nine vials of blood for serumology tests, and has sent over orders for three or four further scans. Chemotherapy is not to proceed, at this time. In the next several weeks I am going to find another oncologist, close by, and schedule a visit for a second opinion on my treatment and care. Enough of that subject!

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Now, for today I am going to share a bit of a review of the past four episodes of ‘The Horror in Smithville’. The reason for this is two-fold. First, I want to make sure that everyone of you, My Dear Readers, is up to date on the current events within the story line. Second, I am about to redouble my efforts to complete this novel by Halloween! Now, as a reminder, My Dear Readers, the story you will read here at The Other Shoe is not will not be identical as the story/novel I will be submitting to publishers.

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I have trimmed this story back substantially so that I have sections that are easily read, each and every week. I am sure that you, My Dear Readers, understand I simply cannot publish the entire novel here for FREE! Then, go to a publisher and find one willing to publish a novel that has already been posted at a blog for free! There is a great deal of; narrative, character development, and even whole scenes that I have removed from this version of the story. Trust me when I tell you, that if yo9u have enjoyed this version of this story? You will really want to read the novel I hope to get published.

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Finally, My Dear Readers, this is just story #1! I see Timmy and Archer side-by-side for many years… decades to come. This is just their first adventure (of this type) in their lifetime. It is my intention that Timmy and Archer will battle through, and prevail in many more gripping and suspenseful stories in the years to come. As I write, and publish, the middle and end of this story. You will become aware of the larger world Timmy and Archer find themselves a part. That they may have been born in Smithville, but their life experiences will span many worlds… realities… realms. Quite honestly, when I started writing ‘The Horror’ I was just looking for a little non-fiction to fill in a hole in my scheduling in Friday afternoons. Oui! How these boys… this town… and these characters grown to fill a much larger place in my heart, in my mind and in my soul.

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I very much look forward to completing this first adventure, this first story. However, in the dark recesses of my mind; Timmy, Archer, Tom, Walter and (yes, even)’The Tall Man’ have already started new adventures, new conquests, and in new and different places. Places in time, and space.

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There! That is all I am going to spill least I (accidentally) stumble into the realm of spoilers! I do not want to do that, and it would not be fair to you, My Dear Readers. Let’s concern ourselves with the current dilemma in Smithville. When we left off we see that Tom, Archer and Timmy are headed (at warp speed) to the Smithville Memorial Hospital. At the very same time we have; Walter, Roger, and Barry converging (though by different means) on the job site where Ralph is already working. Each of these characters have strong personalities and personal dynamics.

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The convergence of these many strong personalities, mixed with the ‘doings’ at the job site and under the… supervision(?)… guidance(?)… puppet mastering of ‘The Tall Man’ should serve for some very explosive happenings. Remember, My Dear Readers, that all of the events (since the brutal beating of Timmy at Barry’s malevolent hands) are happening simultaneously. As Tom is driving Timmy and Archer to the hospital, Roger Marsch, Walter Daniels, and Barry are headed to meet up with Ralph and his new ‘employer’ ‘The Tall Man’.

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My Dear Readers, I hope that I did not upset anyone with my reveal that what I am publishing here for free is not the whole story. Remember, I am creating this story in real time as it is published. Now, I am quite good at my chosen art from. However, nobody is that capable as to write, then publish, an entire novel on the fly. There will always be ‘paths not taken’ during the original draft that… well, become essential once you get past page 100. ;)

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This is not a slight to you, My Dear Readers. Honestly! If I were (already) independently wealthy. If I had already won a lottery or come across some means of financial security… already? Well, heck, I would rewrite, edit then publish the entire book as a Finished Product FOR FREE right here at The Other Shoe. The reality is that I am not “financially secure” and if this story is published as a novel? If this novel were to do ‘well’? I would very much enjoy the financial security that would come with the reality.

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Now, My Dear Readers, without further adieu I give you this review!

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• The Horror in Smithville – Part 14-A : “Principal Roger Marsch was a dour man. The son of a farmer, and a farmer before that, and a farmer before that; Roger Marsch had broken a multigenerational line of farmers to become the principal of the middle school in the town of farmers named Smithville. Principal Marsch had worked very hard, in high school, to get a football scholarship to go to college. After a terrible knee injury, and ACL Tear, in his sophomore year Roger Marsch devoted himself to a career in education.” My Dear Readers, here is where we meet Roger Marsch for the very first time. Oh, I seem to have… well, missed someone. Namely Ralph Simmner! Ralph is; Archer’s father, an alcoholic, a former proud miner, and a now ‘broken man’ looking for the path to redemption. BUT That is Rajph’s story, and THIS episode is about Roger. Ralph was brought to you in the ‘Missing Chapters’ section of this publication on my blog. Right now, due to advice of a close friend in the industry, I have ‘Locked’ these past episodes. Just as soon as we complete the many episodes that make up Chapter 14, these, too, will be locked. Roger… has a very distinct… and well, strong personality. He means no harm, but that does not mean he does no harm. Roger has left a trail of tears behind him, not his tears but the tears of the people he ‘tried to help’. We all know a ‘Roger’ personality. The man in the office, or at church, that ‘just knows what is better’ for everyone around him. Not only that, but these ‘Roger’ types also have been given the ‘Gift’ of knowing just how to ‘fix’ these ‘broken’ people around them. It is they that are the source of the tears that make a a trial in Roger’s wake. I just wonder how well Roger will mix with Walter… and ‘The Tall Man’???


• The Horror in Smithville – Part 14 – B : “Mr. Dunahoo stood, silently, and watched as Tom Marref pealed out of the Middle School parking lot. Mr. Dunahoo knew that inside that truck, now leaving huge clouds of white/gray smoke in the parking lot; laid the unconscious and beaten body of a wonderfully talented student by the name of Timmy Marref. Truman, Mr. Dunahoo, wondered if any of the people gathered here at the back of the school (both students and teachers alike) even noticed how the billowing clouds of smoke coming from the rear tires of Mr. Marref’s truck? How those poofy white clouds resembled the wings of an angel. How, standing there watching a boy… a terribly beaten boy, being carried away by his father and his best friend, in their truck, actually looked like the truck was being lifted on the wings of an angel to take the poor boy to the hospital.” First, My Dear Readers, I need to explain something… something important. Truman Dunahoo is a real person! In Real Life Truman was a; teacher, friend, director, ally, artist, shoulder to cry on, painter, fun person to dine or party with and one of the most well-rounded theatrical artists I have ever met. He was my director in many plays and lead me to many ‘Best Actor’, ‘Best Play’, awards and honors. As well, he directed some my best efforts (ever) on stage. But, Truman’s role in a person’s life did not end at the edge of the stage apron. No, if you allowed Truman could and would help guide you in your personal life, too. He taught drama, speech, and English during class time. Outside of class, he taught; class, dignity, honesty, integrity and true friendship. I was honored to have known Truman, and blessed by his guidance and caring. If you are a reader from Pearland, Texas then you know or know of Truman Dunahoo. I have written this character as homage to Truman. I have done my best to share what we all knew of Truman mixed in with what I learned about Truman being is friend long after class and graduation had passed. These two episodes are the fate of Barry Gartuska and his introduction of ‘The Tall Man’. Barry… well Barry gets his just rewards at the hands of ‘The Tall Man’. I will say no more…


• The Horror in Smithville – Part 14-B-2 : “Mr. Dunahoo, Truman, sat there for several minuets trying to cry… wanting to cry. In just the matter of an hour Truman had; seen one of his students beat to a bloody pulp, physically dragged the offending student to the Principal’s office, struck said student in the face (even though he had it coming, this gave Truman little solace), and handcuffed the violent student to a chair. As Truman sat there, thinking, it occurred to him that this oncoming storm had a curious effect on many people. Batty Sue showed a spine of steel that she had never before shown, Barry Gartuska had nearly murdered a student, and he… HE had struck a student across the face without giving it a second thought. What was this town coming too?” OK, My Dear Readers, here is where I usually follow the excerpt from the episode with some… insight or ‘teaser’ for the episode. This episode… well, is the exception to that rule. For me to explain… to add insight, well would end up being more ‘spoiler’ than anything. I do not want to publish any ‘spoilers’. I want you to read this story and I do not want to spoil that experience.


• The Horror in Smithville – Part – 14 – B – 3 : “Barry was sitting on the floor, facing the left backside of Principal Marsch’s desk… when everything in the room… went foggy. The whole room appeared to be filling with smoke or fog. He wriggled his back into his chair, so that he was sitting down and facing the front to the desk directly. Just as he had managed to squirm his butt back into the seat of the metal chair, the fog in the room began to… well, began to gather in the corner to his right. Right behind/beside Principal’s Marsch’s desk, to the left of the Principal’s chair, all the fog in the room was gathering.” In this episode… well, Barry SHOULD be in a empty room. He is, in the beginning. Then he has a… ‘visitor’. This visitor… this visit changes Barry’s life. Changes it in ways that Barry could have never imagined… or feared.

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That, My Dear Readers, is the four episodes of ‘Part 14’ that I have published so far. I am hoping… and will all good luck, tomorrow I will be publishing the next episode of Part 14. There are… well, it appears as though there are two or three more episodes that make up Part 14. Then we will move out of this moment in time and the clock will, once again, begin moving forward.

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Remember, My Dear Readers, that while we have frozen ourselves in this moment of time? Tom, Archer and Timmy are frozen in their pursuit of treatment for Timmy’s wounds. Aye, there’s the rub! Timmy’s wounds. Do you, My Dear Readers, remember… something happening right before Tom picked up the broken body of his young son? Do you remember what Archer thought he saw?

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What he caught a glimpse of, or at least he thought he did? Well, that will come into play… just as soon as we get back to the truck. The truck that is barreling headlong towards the Smithville Memorial Hospital. Driving at break-neck speeds, Tom is desperate to get his son’s broken body to the hospital in time. In time to save his son’s life, and in the process save Tom from finding Barry Gartuska… and committing murder, too.

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/7vKh0ReY620]

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Here we are, at the end of this review. My Dear Readers, the past two months… have been very difficult for me. And, now, are more than a bit of a blur. I am hoping that my life finds clarity, again. I hope and pray that I… find(?)… obtain (?)… get the treatment that I so desperately need. Only time will tell.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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[caption id="attachment_3513" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Danny Arrives for PET Scan[/caption]

© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

A Week in Review - September 27th 2014

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. If its Saturday? Then it is time for ‘A Week in Review’! That’s right My Dear and Devout Readers, the weekend has come the workweek in done. For many of you, My Dear Readers, the work week is just too busy to take time to read for pleasure. That is why I have created and now published for three years this article series. Each and every Saturday I post a review of all the articles published during the previous week.

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I link to the article, a short excerpt from the article itself and, finally, I write a little something about the article I have linked. Bingo! How all of you, My Dear Readers, can catch-up on a whole week’s writing and publication in one place. Now, for this week, I (working, as always, completely ALONE) have managed to write and publish a record TEN ARTICLES! My Dear Readers, I simply am without the ability, to put into words, the overwhelming pride I feel. Pride that, in spite of pain and roaring depression, I have pushed myself as hard as I can to write and publish. Publish a record amount of good works to help further my cancer treatment funding campaign. I just feel, in my heart and soul, that if I can write and publish more and more “Good works’ that maybe… just MAYBE you, My Dearest Readers, will see my efforts… appreciate my work and reward my efforts by pledging your support to my battle against cancer!

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As well, each and every article is an opportunity to drawn in more ‘new readers’, new followers and new faces that just might see donating to my Indiegogo campaign as an investment. An earned investment in a talented man who, obviously, works diligently to bring; entertainment, information, laughs and suspense to these pages and your lives. I work hard band I work long hours as a way to pay honor to the support and donations already received, and as an offering to anyone that will give in the near future. ‘Near Future’ is right there are only FIVE DAYS LEFT! I am running out of time fast! Time to convince the people I love to reach out and challenge the nay Sayers by donating to a fund to help me BATTLE CANER!

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So, with each word written, each paragraph finished and every article published I am contributing and investing in our relationship… our friendship! I just hope that I convince enough of you, My Dearest Readers, to garner sufficient funds to win this battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma!

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Well, it is 11:00PM on Friday night, so if I am going to get any sleep tonight, I simply must get moving on this weekly review! So, without further adieu I give you ‘A Week in Review’ here at ‘The Other Shoe’!

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• My Two Cents – September 22nd, 2014 : “In closing, again, I never wanted to run a campaign this year. My Dear Readers I wanted 2014 to be a year where I wrote, published, and entertained without asking anything, one red cent, from you or anyone else. But as they say ‘the best laid plans of mice and men…’. I come to you, in these closing hours of my campaign, to ask, to implore, to convince, to beseech you My Dearest Readers, to reach out and help lift me so that I might stand in battle and win this war on my cancer.” It as Monday, just five short days ago, and I was already feeling the heat of failure. At this point I had raised just $150, and the shortness of support smarted! I knew not where support would come, I knew not if I would ever garner the support necessary for me to wage a successful battle with my Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer! I had been… told/whispered/hinted at that ‘somebody’ was working to undermine my best efforts. That ‘someone’ was under the (MISTAKEN) impression that if I was deprived of support that (somehow) I would ‘sprout a new spine, new nerve roots, a new leg and be FREE of CANCER’ and “be forced to return to work”. I can only imagine that this ‘person’ was totally bereft of medical knowledge, had not been around these past ten years, failed to understand the medical reality that damaged nerve fiber NEVER HEALS! That is why paraplegics NEVER get up out of their wheelchairs and power chairs and DANCE! (Except, of course, in ‘Tent Revivals’) The only way one might imagine that depriving a human being of much needed support to BATTLE CANER, is if their minds were so clouded by anger and hatred that reason had long ago left them. I was so deeply HURT, by the telling, that I had to explain to the person who told me this, that I was not “upset at them… I am upset by the actions which you tell me about”. My Dear Readers, please do tell me just WHAT KIND of person would run around sewing seeds of distrust based in falsehoods and deceit? What kind of a human being, a Christian, would seek to undermine the efforts of a disabled person to gather funds need to (now) BATTLE CANCER!?! My Oncologist, upon meeting me and hearing the story of my head injury… my further disability… my loss of mobility and NOW my CANER! He marveled at my enthusiasm, my ‘Good Attitude’ and my perseverance in the face of YET ANOTHER personal medical BATTLE! He openly admitted that he did not think he could manage to go through what I have, “and keep the same positive and enthusiastic attitude”! However, I have read that some ‘kinds’ of people ONLY have or keep sick/disabled people as ‘friends’ just so they can ‘Watch them loose their battles with disability or disease”! There are some really sick people out there… really!


• A ‘Shout-Out’ to ‘The Solitary-One’ : “Sherri Mikeska aka‘The-Solitary-One’ I would like to “Thank YOU!” for; your donation, your time, your kindness, your generosity… AND for picking the “Multi-SOCIAL-Media ‘Shout-Out’!” as it was the ‘Perk’ that I created all by myself! I have been waiting for someone to pick this ‘Perk’ so I could do this… procedure. I really hope that you Sherri Mikeska ‘The-Solitary-One’ sees ALL of these ‘Shout-Outs’! Now, I did see the ‘RL’ name of the person that made the donation. Well, the first name. However, since I DID NOT receive; an email, an Indiegogo PM, or any correspondence giving me permission to use the contributors Real Life name? I DID NOT reveal even the first name that I have record.” The very FIRST of its kind, but hopefully not the last! This is part of the (personal brainchild of ME) ‘Multi-Social-Media SHOUT-OUT!” as a ‘PERK’ for ANY donation of $40 or more! There are STILL 13 (Thirteen) of these ‘Social Media Wonders’ left! You get mention in/on; BOTH Blogs, THREE Facebook Accounts (Mine, The Other Shoe and Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund), TWO Twitter Accounts AND One YouTube VIDEO just FOR YOU! This is a GREAT Perk and one that I was SURE would be a HIT! With FIVE DAYS LEFT I am SURE that there are STILL a few people out here that would REALLY enjoy a ‘Multi-Social-Media’ SHOUT-OUT! Drop $40 of MORE at the campaign, PICK the PERK and WAIT for the WAVE of MEDIA Recognition! (The Net will NEVER be the SAME!) AGAIN ““Thank YOU!” to Sherri Mikeska!!!


• The Mars Report – September 22nd, 2014: “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today I bring you, yet another, edition of ‘The Mars report’. There are a great many events transpiring, here on Earth in regards to Mars, and in the Martian orbit. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is about to have some company in the Martian orbit. The MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft achieved Martian orbit roughly twenty hours ago, late Sunday night. The most tremendous thing about MAVEN is that this spacecraft will help mankind discover just what happened to the, once thick, atmosphere of Mars.” Determined to keep up the ‘regular’ publishing schedule, regardless of the; pain, confusion, depression and everything else. I put my nose to the grindstone, my mind into ‘Creative’ mode, took an extra pain medication and plunged, head first, into he awe and wonder that IS Curiosity’s adventure on the Martian Surface! This week was no different. I managed to find more than a half-dozen images to share, some really great narrative, and even shared some science! I am always happy to share the science and images that come from the rovers on the Martian Surface. My Dear Readers, I have been focused like a laser beam, devoted to my work, and hopeful that my HARD WORK and DILLIGENCE would be rewarded with YOUR DONATIONS! I hope, and pray, that I am right!


• Multi-Social-Media Shout-Out! For Jason Kleppinger! : “So, Jason Kleppinger HERE IS YOUR ‘Multi-Social-Media Shout-Out!’ As well, I wold like to express my heartfelt THANKS for your kind contribution(S) to my cancer treatment funding campaign. Shortly, I will be broadcasting your name via; YouTube, Facebook, BOTH Blogs and my Twitter account(s)! By the time I am done… hundreds of people around the WORLD will KNOW of your kindness and GENEROSITY Jason Kleppinger!” And BAM right on the heals of the FIRST one comes the SECOND ‘Multi-Social-Media’ SHOUT-OUT! I am SO happy that these ‘Perks’ became so popular! I am only HOPING and PRAYING that many more will want to partake in this GREAT Social PERK. You get KNOWN on the internet FAST! Again, “THANK YOU JASON for your DONATIONS, your KINDNESS and you SUPPRT!” Thanks!


• Lost in Space – Tour of Our Solar System ‘Review’: “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Welcome to a review edition of ‘Lost In Space’. Last week we completed the series ‘Tour of Our Solar System’ with the publication of Jupiter. Today I am going to share a look back over all of the editions of ‘Lost in Space’ that made up the series ‘Tour of Our Solar System’. From looking at the ‘Likes’ and the traffic reports it is easy to see that this sub-series within ‘Lost in Space’ was a huge success.” As PRMISED (in Last week’s edition) and ON SCHEDULE I wrote and published this ‘Review’ of ALL the edidtions of ‘Lost in Space’ that made up the ‘Tour of Our Solar System’! I am so very happy that, at this point in the week, I am STILL staying on schedule, publishing FINE WORK, and not ‘skimping’ of taking shortcuts! Regardless of my pain (both physical and EMOTIONAL) so SOUJURN forward. I just Keep Moving Forward. Placing FATIH in you, My Dearest Readers, my family, and my very good old friends from Houston and Pearland! I just know that if I can manage to KEEP writing and publishing that my hard work and efforts WILL be REWARDED!


• Notes From Behind the Keyboard – September 25th, 2014: “THAT, My Dear Readers, brings us to the end of this article, for today. I hope that I have opened some eyes, and shared some insight. It is always my intent to share, and inform. Never to judge or inflame. My words are just that, MY words. Nothing more, and certainly nothing less. I look forward to seeing you here, later today, and again tomorrow. On FRIDAY there WILL be an episode of ‘The Horror in Smithville’!” And into every life a little rain must fall. Yes, it is Wednesday and (when I wrote this article) my doubt had found its way into my heart and mind following my pain. Funny how pain is almost always accompanied by doubt. That being in pain, makes a person more susceptible to doubt. Even myself, I have found that there is doubt, along with some fear… and some genuine… confusion. I FEAR that I will be too short of funds, have to forgo chemotherapy… and fear that my cancer will overcome me… and take me from you, My Dear Readers. I am also confounded by the deafening silence coming from people I have known since I was a pre-teen and a teenager. One would think, since you are STILL in contact with them, they DO know of your malady… well, a friendship that spans FOUR DECADES? Should be a friendship that bears fruit in a time of need. Support, when one stands to face cancer and death, alone.


• News From Around the World – September 25th 2014 : “Well now, My Dear Readers, that brings us to the end of this revival of ‘News From around the World’ here at The Other Shoe. As most of you are aware, I am running a running campaign at Indiegogo to help me with the mounting costs of battling my cancer. Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund at Indiegogo is now in its FINAL WEEK! That’s right only seven more days for me to raise as much money as I can! I hate to be so brutally honest, but I am a ‘man on a mission’. A mission to raise money to help me with; transportation costs, pharmacy costs, treatment costs, and home care costs.” This article series has been absent for nearly TWO months. However, I brought this one out of mothballs JUST FOR YOU My Dearest Readers! I am working so hard, spending hour upon hour everyday behind the keyboard and on the net. Doing everything I CAN to curry favor and EARN/WIN YOUR SUPPORT! I JUST KNOW that IF I can manage to FINISH OUT THIS WEEK… PUBLISHING ALL THE REGUALR ARTICLES PLUS MORE!!! That I WILL see MANY ‘Good’ DONATIONS!! CORRECT!


• The Horror in Smithville – Part – 14 – B – 3 : “Betty Sue and Truman are leaning up against the door, when they hear Barry form inside the inner office. They hear him screaming! They had smelled cigarette smoke, again, a few moments earlier. Then it got really quite. Now… Barry was screaming AGAIN! This time is was so loud that it forced Truman and Betty Sue away from the door to the inner office. They heard Barry’s screaming twice, then they could have sworn they heard… Barry begging for his life! Truman got right up against the door, again, and put his ear hard up against the door. He could barely make out Barry saying “PLEASE just STOP right NOW!”” AS PROMISED!!! This week, we return to Barry Gartuske, Truman Dunahoo, and Betty Sue. We have Deputy Darryl on his way to “apprehend the MURDERER”… (Is Timmy DEAD?) AND we have the REAPPREAENCE of ‘The Tall Man’ in all his gory… or is that ‘glory’… Anyway, it is a GREAT episode and REAL ‘MUST READ’ for any of My Dear Readers that enjoy suspense novels or horror! And who DOESN’T at THIS time of year, right? I am HOPING BEYOND HOPE that I WILL have this story FINISHED just in time for HALLOWEEN!!! Now, My Dear Readers, I just CANNOT think of a BETTER motivator… to get me TO finish this horror novel IN TIME for HALLOWEEN than to have a GREAT Ending to my CAMPAIGN! The more money I garner? The BETTER the CHANCES are for me to FINISH! Simple!


• INTERNATIONAL Traffic August – September 2014 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Now, My Dear Readers, I have always wrote and published for the largest possible audience. Seems to me that the greatest accomplishment for a writer, of any kind, is to have their work read by the largest possible audience. Sure, Domestic audiences are great, it is gratifying to have the people you grew up with read and like your work. Although, the greatest test of a writer’s chops (it would seem to me… as logical) would be so demonstrate that one’s work has international appeal. If you, My Dear readers, have been a long-time reader of this blog, what I am about to publish will be rather familiar.” Well, My Dearest readers, I was looking over the traffic reports for the past month. Nothing out of the ordinary… except there is a LOT MORE traffic at the secondary location that EVERY before (that is over at Word Press). Then, I noticed something ELSE. I was looking at the SOURCE of this great influx of traffic. Low and behold, I find the source… and it knocks my socks off! The ‘source’ of the great increase in traffic? INTERNATIONAL READERS! That’s right, over the past several months, the better part of this year, my Internationla readership has been on a gradual increase! For the purposes of this article I have limited the graphics to the increase in just the last thirty days. But, just at the ‘secondary’ location? There are more than THIRTY nations where I have readers! Still the majority of my traffic is in the ‘GoodOl’USA!’ but now I have ‘regular’ readers in; England, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and India just to name a handful! In the article (linked above) you can see all the nations listed with the number of readers by the name of the country. I am just FALBERGASTED! The NUMBERS are just MINDNUMBING! Over all, between the TWO locations? In just ONE DAY I now have OVER ONE HUNDRED SEPARATE VISITORS! Even BETTER it shows that TWICE A WEEK I have 100+ days! This is better than ever before! Between the increasing international traffic and the several 100+ visitor days my blog(s) have gained a popularity… my WORK my WRITING has gained a level of popularity that I had not even noticed, and am just HUMBLED by!

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So, My Dear Readers, that brings us to the end of this weeks’ edition of ‘A Week in Review’ here at ‘The Other Shoe’. If you have read this entire article, then I think that you, My Dear Readers, now understand why I have managed to keep in a ‘Good Mood’ regardless of the dismal sate of my campaign. I can take heart in the fact that my writing and my work is gaining an international audience! That, overall, my traffic is on the up-swing, and that more and more people, every day, are learning just what a joy it can be to read something written by Danny Hanning!

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YES! I really do need for donations to increase… either in frequency or size… or BOTH! I simply will not be able to afford to restart my treatments and care with the $280 I have raised. However, I will Make A PROMISE right here, right now’! That if (somehow) I manage to break $1,000.00 before the end of the campaign that I “will restart and STAY WITH my chemotherapy/radiation therapy. PERIOD! I do NOT want to shorten my life by refusing these treatments, However, I will NOT allow myself to be without enough money to pay the rent just so I can afford; transportation, food, a caregiver, and medications. PERIOD!

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So, there it is My Dear Readers, a FULL and complete week of writing and publishing. JUST AS I PROMSIED! Now, I have done MY PART. It is TIME for you, My Dear Readers, to do your PART! I have sojourned on through pain, doubt and fear these past four weeks. I have done so without ‘seeing’ the financial… or friendship support that I need to battle and beat cancer. Regardless, I have managed to write and publish TEN ‘Good’ articles for your reading pleasure. Now, won’t you PLEASE click on the link below… and make my life BETTER and SAFER by pledging YOUR support?

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!
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Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo

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PLEASE Shop at The Other Shoe eBay Store!

PLEASE SHOP at The Other Shoe eBay Store!

.

PLEASE DONATE to

Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo

..

Danny in Rolling Hills Estates August 12, 2014

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Danny in Rolling Hills Estates August 12, 2014

PLEASE GIVE!?!

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© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

My Two Cents - September 22nd, 2014

[caption id="attachment_3371" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My Two Cents[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe another edition of ‘My Two Cents’. It is been many weeks since my last edition of ‘My Two Cents’ was published here at The Other Shoe. I could sit here and enumerate the myriad reasons for the absence of any edition of this article series. However, instead of looking back My Dear Readers I will choose to look forward. Since my last appearance, in this franchise, I have been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Upon the receipt of this; untimely, unfortunate, unwanted, frightening news I immediately snapped into a ‘Critical Thinking’ mode.

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For now two generations, that I know of, the Hanning family has been periodically plagued with that parasitic pathogen cancer. Each and every time I have seen it rear its ugly head, in my family history, it is wrought financial disaster wherever it went. Due to my physical inability to perform any kind of work that would pay a wage, I saw the onset of this cancer is the tip of the sword. A sword that would lead to the undoing of my life, my life of 28 years with Alan, and my ability to keep a roof over my head. Now, My Dear Readers, you want to know something even more frightening than cancer? Think about having cancer and being homeless at the same time.

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That, My Dear Readers, was the fear that rose its ugly terrifying head August 8, 2014. The reality of my familial- existence is that I could count on only one thing. I could not count on my family to come to my assistance. Whereas that might seem brutal, harsh, unfeeling, and insensitive, and for the majority of you a frame of reference we could not possibly share, it is just the reality of the past 40 years of my life. That is not to say, My Dear Readers, that the family I have does not love me. For all I know, they do. However, since my father walked out on his wife and his two remaining sons in the late 60s? I have learned that to be a 'Hanning' is to learn how to make it from one crisis or event, to another completely alone.

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So be it. Now, My Dear Readers, I had every good hearted intention to not hold a fund-raising campaign this year! I remember the parable of ‘The Boy who Cried Wolf’. Having remembered this parable well I, myself, did not want to fall into a pattern of behavior that left those that do care (about my welfare) feeling spent by their efforts to assist. Allen and I were making it just fine. Like a good many millions upon millions of Americans, Allen and I were living paycheck to paycheck, month-to-month, hand to mouth. There is no great pride, in living that way, but we were making it and we were making it on our own. My Dear Readers I struggled with the next decision of my life greatly.

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Over the next week, starting August 8, 2014 when I was told I have lymphatic cancer, I’m willing to bet I did not sleep one night in three. I laid awake each and every night tossing and turning and struggling with a decision I had prayed God I would never have to make. I could go forward, and battle my cancer alone with no help nor assistance from friend or family or acquaintance. Following this path, most assuredly, at some point in the next 18 months, 'needs' would far outstrip 'means'. At that point Allen and I would be left with a choice of stopping any current treatment to battle my cancer, or lose their roof over our heads.

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Now, My Dear Readers, the decision-making process was not one I made solely alone. I discussed this, at length, with Allen prior to making my decision. I touched base with the family members that I am still in contact with, only to find them quite bereft of the ability to help. On August 15, 2014, at about seven the evening, I came to my final decision. My Dear Readers I had struggled now a long and sleepless week with a difficult ’no-win’ situation. On one hand, I could move forward with treatment Allen would lose days and days of work for weeks at a time, and in a matter of months our needs… The demands of my cancer would far outstrip our means to meet these demands.

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At which time, My Dear Readers, we would find ourselves completely in able to pay our rent thus resulting in our eviction from our home… And homelessness. The alternative would be to tell my doctors, my primary care physician and my oncologist, that I was to refuse treatment for my recently diagnosed cancer. To do so would be to challenge my primary care physician’s judgment about the best course of treatment for my health. I understood that if I chose this course of action my primary care physician and oncologist could refuse further treatment, based on my poor judgment regarding my health. Under Medicare any doctor that is currently treating you can, at any moment at their discretion, choose to halt their participation in your healthcare. I do this from reading the literature provided by Medicare, and I knew this because my primary care physician had explained it to me previously. So you see, My Dear Readers, to initially refuse any staging of my cancer or following chemotherapy would be to risk the loss of all my practitioners.

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With that in mind, My Dear Readers, I concluded that the best and most logical course of action would be to chance becoming a character in a parable, to risk excommunication by my fellow Texans, to invite the dissolution of multigenerational friendships, and to seek the kindness and support (I now much needed) to battle this cancer. Over the next 48 hours I put the final finishing touches on a preliminary campaign I had drawn up, earlier that month. I had never intended on using the draft campaign I shared with you, My Dear Readers, on August 11, 2014. I didn’t sleep much, over the next 48 hours, as I tried to come up with a ‘Mission Statement’ that didn’t sound too trite, to pathetic, or too demanding. I hope and pray none of you never have to experience what that feels like.

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On August 17, 2014 I, with a heavy heart and deep regret, launched Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo[1]. My Dear Readers since that day I have done my level best to; write every single day that I am physically able, publish every single day I have something written worth publishing, update the campaign with every event in every publication, publicize the campaign via Facebook and YouTube to the best of my ability and financial means, post regular and informative updates via Facebook and both of my blogs, and to keep myself from reaching to deep in the depths of depression. That’s a lot of goals My Dear Readers, and I am but one man. I will never know, for sure, why this campaign did not catch on like my two previous campaigns.

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I may well never know why many of my; friends, family, acquaintances and readers of my two blogs helped twice previously, but did not hearken to my call for assistance in my battle with cancer. All I do know is that in 35 days I have raised $150. Starting today I begin the 10 day countdown to the end of said campaign. My Dear Readers, I have a little less than 10 days to raise enough money for my continued treatment in my battle for cancer. In the first 35 days I have provided; pathology reports, biopsy reports, physician’s notes, images from scans, and test results. There are at least a half dozen incidences where, in these reports, it clearly states Danny Hanning has a lymphoma. That Danny Hanning has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

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All that remains, in this part of my battle with cancer, is a little less than 10 days of me writing and publishing and promoting and praying that more will come forward and join the few that have already donated to help me battle cancer. The facts are there, my writing this here, my need is genuine, my cancer quite real. It is my, now published, desire to continue with and win my battle with this lymphatic cancer. It is my intent and desire to use money raised from this campaign exclusively in the battle with this cancer that has invaded my body and life. It will be the focus of the next 200 hours of my life to convince you My Dear Readers, to come forward and pledge five dollars, $10, $20, $200 to enable me to battle and beat cancer and keep a roof over my head.

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In closing, again, I never wanted to run a campaign this year. My Dear Readers I wanted 2014 to be a year where I wrote, published, and entertained without asking anything, one red cent, from you or anyone else. But as they say ‘the best laid plans of mice and men…’. I come to you, in these closing hours of my campaign, to ask, to implore, to convince, to beseech you My Dearest Readers, to reach out and help lift me so that I might stand in battle and win this war on my cancer.

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My Dear Readers I thank you for your time today, I thank you for your patience your understanding your kindness and your support. I look forward to writing and sharing them with you again tomorrow, until then please click the links below, take a moment and help change my life for the better.

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!

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Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo

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PLEASE Shop at The Other Shoe eBay Store!

PLEASE SHOP at The Other Shoe eBay Store!

.

PLEASE DONATE to

Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo

[caption id="attachment_3338" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Danny in Rolling Hills Estates August 12, 2014[/caption]

PLEASE GIVE!?!

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© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

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[1]https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/danny-s-cancer-treatment-fund/x/753895#activity

A Week in Review - September 21st, 2014

                        Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today is Sunday, and I have no ‘Sunday Funnies’ planned or completed. Whereas Saturday is the usual day for my weekly review, this week I have chosen to publish this article on Sunday. With the publication of this article, this review, I have completed six articles in the past seven days. As well, last week I promised to “do my best” to publish all the regular articles that you, My Dear Readers, have become accustom. I have accomplished said goal regardless of personal/medical problems.

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Regardless, I am a man of my word. Now for a brief moment of candid honesty. My Dear Readers I am confused and dejected by the apparent lack of fiduciary support for my battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. For a time (a short time) I was genuinely depressed by the apparent lack of empathy and support for my engaging in battle with a deadly cancer. That has passed, for why would I allow myself to be effected in such a base negative fashion by what amounts to a callous disregard for one’s fellow man.

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I, now, understand that this is not personal. I looked around the Indiegogo web site and, in just a matter of thirty minutes; I bore witness to untold levels of callous human indifference. Children, whose parents have started campaigns to help with the mounting costs of cancer, garnering only token support. CHILDREN WITH CANCER! This is not personal, this is endemic of our society. Of the overt avarice that is infected our zeitgeist, and permeated even our base relationships.

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For if, in fact, we cannot depend on relationships forged in the cauldrons of youth and adolescence then what, pray tell, are we?

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My campaign (Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo) will and does continue for another ten days. There is nothing I can do; to stop the humiliating continuation, halt the embarrassment that is the failure of faith, or negate the confusion and frustration which is every day. However, each and every day I just remember this:

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“The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience.”[1] Pope Francis – 11/24/13

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That quotation, alone, brings solace to my aching heart, mind and soul. The words of Pope Francis have helped me to understand the underlying avarice, that is to blame, for the shortcoming that is my campaign to garner support in my battle with Cancer.

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And now, without further adieu, I give you ‘A Week in Review’!

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• Sunday Funnies – September 14th 2014 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. My love for Alex knows no bounds. Alex’s love for me, knows no bounds. So long as I am alive Alexander R Hanning will live a blessed life. He will want for nothing and spend his days; eating, playing, and sleeping beside his Daddy. He is a wonderful young rat, and his time with me has been special.” Alex is such a beautiful and wondrous animal, a gift to my family and now… to the world! Alex and I just love sharing our antics, together, and… in time, will continue. Alexander is beside himself. He loves his Daddy Daniel, so very much and to see him suffer, gives him paws.


• The Mars Report – September 15th 2014 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Welcome to another edition of ‘The Mars Report’ and some pretty incredible images, and science, from the surface of Mars. Over the past couple of week Curiosity has given me more than enough images to power this edition of this storied franchise. I must admit, My Dear Readers, that it is ‘Good’ to be ‘Back in the Saddle, Again’! Back in the saddle writing the articles that I enjoy, and back in the saddle of publishing on a regular basis.” After a more than a month hiatus, this storied franchise has made a generous return. With eight images and photos, this edition of ‘The Mars Report’ is not one to be missed. My Dear Readers, I made a promise… and even unto death, I am a man of my word.


• Lost In Space – Solar System Tour – Jupiter : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. As another week has passed I bring to you, My Dear Readers, another edition of ‘Lost In Space’. This week I bring to you, out of our ‘Solar System Tour’ series, the behemoth of Sol Jupiter! The single largest planet in our solar system, with a surface area of just under twenty-four BILLION square miles, a mass that is nearly 320 times Earth’s, a radius of 43,441 miles, and an orbital period of twelve years![1] Jupiter is the first of the Jovian ‘Gas Giants’ and lies just beyond the asteroid belt separating the terrestrial planets from these Jovian ‘Gas Giants’.” Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. What better subject to end this series ‘Tour of our Solar System’ of the mainstay of The Other Shoe, ‘Lost in Space’. Next week I will publish a review of the complete series, then we will return to the weekly series as it originated. Yes, I will return to sharing several incredible images of far-flung galaxies and nebula as seen by the ‘Hubble Space Telescope’.


• Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo Video #5 : “Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Today we reached Twelve Days LEFT to Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo. Over the past THRITY-TWO DAYS I have; written as much and as often as I am physically able, published on a regular basis, refrained from publishing or writing ANYTHING political in nature, PUSHED myself harder than I have in YEARS to gain your TRUST. I have kept everyone apprised of my medical appointments to the extent that I have openly published notes from; TWO appointments with my oncologist, P.E.T. scan, C.T. Scan AND blood tests!” Written, My Dear Readers, during the (self-described) “short period” of depression, prior to my reflection on the words of Pope Francis that brought clarity. It is a very short video, totaling just over two minuets. I hope that some people took the 2 mins out of their lives to watch, and listen.


• The Horror in Smithville – Part 14-B-2 : ““Yes, Truman… I remember you! You are the English and Drama teacher at the Middle School, correct? You say you are holding the boy that beat up Timmy Marref? OK... I understand. No, you are right you shouldn’t be holding be holding a murderer there at the Middle School! I am the only one here, right now. Sheriff Daniels is out on a call, all that is left is Linda, our dispatcher, and me! I really shouldn’t be leaving Linda here alone… but I don’t see as I have a choice, right now. You are right. You don’t have the ability to hold a violent criminal, and we need to get him… locked up BEFORE this snowstorm hits Smithville! Truman, just hold on to him for another 10 to 15 minuets. I am leaving NOW! I will get there as quickly as I can to pick up the offender… just keep him locked up, and I will be right there…”” TIMMY IS DEAD! Barry Gartuska is a MURDERER? What has transpired, on ‘The Horror in Smithville’, since you last read? Only way you will find out, for sure? READ and BE entertained!

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With that, My Dear Readers, we come to the end of this week’s ‘A Week in Review’. I do genuinely hope that people have enjoyed my works, and my words. I do not write out of vanity nor do I publish in the pursuit of fame or awards. I write to entertain and inform. Period. I am glad for the readers I have, I enjoy sharing and writing and publishing for their entertainment, alone.

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Throughout the majority of the year, there are no advertisements here at The Other Shoe. I pay a yearly fee so that they are removed. I do this as a courtesy to you, My Dear Readers. Until I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma I had no intention of running an Indiegogo campaign. This year, 2014, was to be ‘Campaign Free’… but life intervened and I was forced to either ask for your support… or face a life with cancer without much needed treatment. I made my choice, and I will stand by this choice.

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I do not know if I will publish… as much… at all, next week. I hope that I feel up to writing and publishing. I still have over twenty pages, yet unpublished, of ‘The Horror in Smithville’. I would be happy to edit and publish them, next week. Right now… I just do not know. What happens… tomorrow… what transpires will have impact on my decision, and my actions.

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In closing, I will take a moment to ask for your support. If you take a few moments, at the Indiegogo campaign web site, and read the doctor’s reports, test results, post operative reports, and BIOPSY reports… it will become abundantly clear that I (in fact) do have cancer. My Dear Readers, I would very much like to battle this bodily invader! However, as I have stated time and again, I need your support!

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One moment… just a ‘look’… and consider, PLEASE?

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!
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Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo

.

.

PLEASE Shop at The Other Shoe eBay Store!

PLEASE SHOP at The Other Shoe eBay Store!

.

PLEASE DONATE to

Danny's Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo

[caption id="attachment_3338" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Danny in Rolling Hills Estates August 12, 2014[/caption]

PLEASE GIVE!?!

.

© 2010 – 2014 Hanning Web Wurx and The Other Shoe

The Horror in Smithville - Part - 14 - B - 2

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[caption id="attachment_2489" align="aligncenter" width="500"] The Horror in Smithville[/caption]

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Welcome back My Dear Readers to The Other Shoe. Let’s see, today I am going to share the very next chapter in my favorite and beloved horror classic ‘The Horror in Smithville’! Yes it has been a long time since I posted any of this story. To be exact the last time I posted anything of this story was on August 29^th, 2014! That is pretty much a whole month since we last checked in on our story in Smithville.

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The pages have been written, it is just that I have been so preoccupied with the (futile) attempt to gather funds to help me battle my recently diagnosed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer. For those that have not been around, I am working a campaign (just as hard as I can) named Danny’s Cancer Treatment Fund @ Indiegogo to help me out with the costs of; treatment, medications, transportation, Caregivers, and everything involved in a battle with a lymphatic cancer. It has been an ‘uphill slog’ that has bore little, if any, fruit. With just a matter of days left I fear that I will be completely unable to resume treatment for my cancer.

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Regardless, if that is what my; friends, family, and followers deem as ‘my fate’ then so be it! Today we rejoin ‘The Horror in Smithville’ with Truman Dunahoo, Barry Gartuska, and Betty Sue in the Principal’s Office at Smithville Middle School. Barry has, just moments ago, finished beating Timmy Marref with within a inch of his life. Now, Tom, Archer and Timmy are in transit to the Smithville Hospital. Timmy is unconscious, but I have a ‘Good Feeling’ about his prognosis.

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Mr. Dunahoo has taken Barry to the Principal’s office in hopes of holding him until he can be arrested, and booked for, assault on Timmy Marref. There will be no shortage of witnesses, as a majority of the student body and a good number of teachers bore witness. Betty Sue is quite beside herself, and (at first) is of little help to Truman. Well, before I publish any ‘spoilers’ let’s get ‘On With The Show’!

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[caption id="attachment_3239" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Horror in Smithville[/caption]

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Part Fourteen – B – 2

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Mr. Dunahoo, Truman, sat there for several minuets trying to cry… wanting to cry. In just the matter of an hour Truman had; seen one of his students beat to a bloody pulp, physically dragged the offending student to the Principal’s office, struck said student in the face (even though he had it coming, this gave Truman little solace), and handcuffed the violent student to a chair. As Truman sat there, thinking, it occurred to him that this oncoming storm had a curious effect ton many people. Batty Sue showed a spine of steel that she had never before shown, Barry Gartuska had nearly murdered a student, and he… HE had struck a student across the face without giving it a second thought. What was this town coming too?

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Truman had been sitting in the Principal’s office lobby chair for several moments, when he felt a warm hand on his left shoulder. He looked up, from his hands, and saw Betty Sue with a coffee cup in her hand. She brushed back the hair from his face, and handed the cup of coffee to Truman. Truman loved his coffee, he often drank ten to twelve cups a day. As he grabbed the cup from Betty Sue’s hands, he looked up at her with a new found respect.

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Truman had known Betty Sue since her first day as Roger’s secretary. She was a very nice person, often given to flights of fancy and had more than her fair share of difficulty with focus and authority. However, today he had seen something different in Betty Sue. Taking the cup of coffee, from her hands, Truman spoke.

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“Betty Sue, I just wanted to express my thanks for all your help with Barry, today. As well, I have to congratulate you on… well, your show of strength, earlier. I have known you as long as you have been Roger’s secretary, and never have I seen you ‘take charge’ the way you did, today. Kudos, Betty Sue!”

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She turned away too quickly for Truman to be sure, but he thought he had seen Betty Sue begin to blush. Blush at the compliment that Truman had just paid. She had earned that compliment… earned it and then some. She had overcome her fears, marshaled her inner strength, and helped Truman secure an unruly and potentially dangerous student. Potentially dangerous… Ha! Barry Gartuska had nearly killed a fellow student, in cold blood. Whatever fate befell Barry Gartuska, from this day forward, was none of Truman’s concern. What ever he got? He deserved!

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Batty Sue started speaking, just as Truman finished his thought.

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“Well, Truman, if it hadn’t been for your quick action, and strong hands, Barry might have gotten away. He might have hurt other people. You took command over the situation, brought a violent student right here to the office. And we worked together to detain the violent student before he had the chance to hurt anyone else. I am just glad that I remembered that we had those handcuffs…”

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“You did brilliantly, Betty Sue. I had no idea that Roger had handcuffs’ n this office! I am sure glad that he did! Oh, have you reached Roger yet, on his cell phone?

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Betty Sue looked down at her feet, and scuttled back behind her desk. She kept her head down, as she spoke.

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“Truman, I keep trying his number… but nobody answers. I have left several voice mails… and Roger has not called back… yet. I have called the Smithville memorial hospital. They have no record of Timmy being admitted... yet. I can only guess that they are still on their way to the hospital. I will keep trying to get Roger on the [hone…”

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Truman could clearly see that Betty Sue had become bothered by her inability to get Roger on the phone. Truman could see that this setback had caused Betty Sue to retreat, some, back into her old habits. Right now, he needed the other Betty Sue, and he thought he knew how to get her back. He took a long drink, from the cup of hot coffee. Man, Truman did love his coffee. If he’d had his way? He would just sit here and drink Roger’s office coffee, for about ah hour. Seems Roger uses a different brand of coffee, for his office than they have in the teacher’s lounge. Truman would talk to Roger about that, but right now he needed to help Betty Sue find her grit, again. Looking up from his coffee cup, at Betty Sue, Truman spoke in a clam and relaxed tone to Betty Sue.

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‘Betty Sue… tell me. Tell me what happened… earlier when you found your strength? What... what went though your mind... what brought you to that place?”

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Betty Sue sat behind her desk. She sat there for a moment, that it was obvious that she was working it out in her head. Then, Betty Sue spoke…

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“Well, I would have to give credit where credit is due, Truman. For months… years now Principal Marsch has been drilling the same thing… over, and over, and over into my head. He is always talking about (Truman and Betty Sue say this word together… simultaneously) ANARCHY!

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They both laugh… look at one another, then Betty Sue continues. As she does Truman can see her self-confidence return. This is exactly what he had wanted.

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“Roger is always talking about “Confusion leading to anarchy”. And, you know what Truman? Today I saw it! I saw it happening to me! As sure as if I was standing outside myself. For five years Roger has been harping on anarchy… and, Truman, today I SAW IT in myself! I did not like what I saw… nope, not at all! So, I thought about what Roger had told me, screwed up my courage, and took control of my own; emotions thoughts and actions. It felt great! I could ‘see’ what needed to be done, where things where and what to do in what order. Truman, I have never seen life so clearly!”

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Now Truman understood what he had witnessed, earlier. This is an ‘all new’ Betty Sue. New and improved, to say the least. He hadn’t been close with Betty Sue, since she started working for the school district, that was about to change. Truman just loved to support people making change in their lives, and Betty Sue was a prime example. Truman took another, long, drink from his coffee cup, then spoke.

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“Betty Sue, I am… well, I hope this doesn’t sound… odd… but I am very proud. Proud to see someone take such control over themselves, and in the midst of crisis, too! I am proud of you Betty Sue, and proud of how you handled yourself. You had best believe that I will be telling Roger all about how wonderfully you handled yourself in this... crisis. I would have never thought of handcuffing Barry to the chair in the other room. I didn’t know, till you told me, that chair was bolted to the foundation! I guess they did that just for circumstances like… this. It is troubling. Thinking that someone actually… foresaw something like this happening… in a Middle School.”

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As Truman said those words, in his mind images came flashing back. Images.. most upsetting. Images of poor Timmy Marref’s broken body. Images of Barry bouncing his head on the cold hard ground, and worst of all images of the red red blood mixing with the stark white snow. A shudder went right up Truman’s spine, and he thought that he might cry, all over again. Truman’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Betty Sue’s voice, she was talking to him, and she was very upset!

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“Truman… Truman! I just got off the phone with the Sheriff’s office. Sheriff Daniels is not there! I managed to talk to Deputy Henning. He told me that the Sheriff was headed out to the Carnival job site… too. That Darryl had tried to raise him, over the car radio, but wasn’t able to reach him. What should we do?”

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Truman sat, quietly, for a moment. Took a large sip off of the, now cold, coffee and thought. Things had to be getting pretty crowded “out to the Carnival job site…”. First, it was the Middle School Principal Roger Marsch getting called out there. Now it is the only Sheriff for the town of Smithville, Sheriff Walter Daniels. Next, nobody was able to get a hold of anyone once they left for the Carnival job site. Something was rotten in Denmark, at it lived at the Carnival job site! Truman knew enough law to know they had no right to hold a minor indefinitely. Especially one that was handcuffed to a chair bolted to the ground. Soon enough Barry would need to go to the bathroom… or something! Truman had transported Barry, once, he was not too fond of the idea of that happening again, today.

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Truman put his, empty, coffee cup on the corner of Betty Sue’s desk. Stood up, and decided it was time for him to make some calls and get things moving. There was a storm headed directly FOR Smithville and soon, nobody was going to be able to go anywhere! Truman turned to Betty Sue, and used his Command Voice for his next requests.

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“Betty Sue, I want you to write Principal Marsch’s number and the Sheriff’s office number on a notepad for me. While I am calling those numbers, I want you to get on the phone with the hospital, again. I want to KNOW if we have just the perpetrator of an assault locked in Ralph’s office… or do we have a murderer locked in there!”

Betty Sue wrote the two phone numbers on a sticky notepad, and handed them to Truman. They, both of them, began dialing numbers. Betty Sue was connected to the hospital, after a couple of rings, Truman was not having such ‘Good Luck’. Not wanting to disturb Betty Sue’s phone conversation, Truman stepped out into the hallway to make his phone calls. As soon as Truman stepped into the hallway, he noticed it. It wasn’t but four in the afternoon, but the hallway of the Middle School was dark like it was midnight. Truman hung up the phone. It was obvious that, whatever Principal Marsch was doing and wherever Roger had found himself, Roger was not answering.

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Truman decided to take a short walk, outside, to check out the weather and the oncoming snowstorm. He began dialing the number for the Sheriff’s office, hoping to finally reach Sheriff Daniels! No sooner that Truman had stepped out the door, that he noticed the sky and clouds. The sky was darkish blue, and the clouds completely covered the sky from horizon to horizon! The storm, that was on its way, was going to be a huge storm! By midnight tonight, they would be measuring the snow in feet and not inches!

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Truman was smelling the air when Deputy Henning answered the phone at the Sheriff’s office. The air smelled of something foul, it made the hackles on the back of Truman’s neck stand up on end. The voice, on the other end of the line, was familiar… and it sounded scared.

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“Smithville Sheriff’s office, Deputy Henning here. How may I help you?”

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Truman had met Deputy Henning on several occasions. Darryl was a mostly unremarkable man. He was of average height, average weight, an average build with unremarkable brown eyes. To be honest? The most remarkable and/or memorable aspect of Deputy Darryl? Was that Deputy Darryl was a Grade ‘A’ klutz! On the first occasion of him meeting the Deputy, Darryl had knocked a cup of coffee out of his (Truman’s) hand and caused it to end up in his lap! On the second occasion of them meeting, it was at the end of a PTA meeting where Deputy Darryl had given a talk to parents about ‘Finding out IF your Child is Using Drugs!’/ Deputy Darryl had knocked over a whole table of refreshments! His gun holster had caught on the table cloth, on which all the foods, snacks, cake and sandwiches were spread, and Deputy Darryl had dragged all the food on to the floor!

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The third and last meeting he had with Deputy Darryl was when he had pulled Truman over for a “busted headlight”. Truman had known that the taillight was not working, properly. However, it still came on, for a time, and then would not work. If he pumped his brake, for awhile, the light usually came on for the rest of any given trip. When he was pulled over Truman explained that fact to Deputy Darryl. Well Darryl, in his infinite wisdom, decided it “must just be a loose wire… let me knock on the light cover and see if I can get it working… so I don’t have to give you a ticket”. Darryl went back, removed his extra large and long flashlight from his gun belt. Then Deputy Darryl went about tapping the gel cover on the brake signal. The next thing Truman knew? He was standing beside Deputy Darryl at the rear of his car and the (expensive) cover over the left back brake light lay in pieces on the ground!

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“I won’t give you a ticket, tonight, Mr. Dunahoo. Just get that tail light fixed. OK?”

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It cost Truman $150.00 to “get that tail light fixed…” because of Deputy Darryl. That was a lot more than the cost of the light bulb, which was all that was wrong with the brake indicator. Truman had sent a copy of the paid invoice for the broken tail light, but had never heard back from Deputy Darryl or Sheriff Daniels. All Truman knew was that he was glad that Timmy was already gone before Deputy Darryl came out to the Middle School. Now, Truman was inviting disaster by trying to get Deputy Darryl out to pick up Barry, but something had to be done.

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“Deputy Darryl? This is Mr. Truman Dunahoo… at the Middle School? I don’t know if you have heard from Sheriff Daniels.. but we need someone out her to pick up Barry Gartuska. Barry is the student that beat Timmy Marref to the point he is on his w3ay to the hospital. Now, we need somebody from the Sheriff’s office to come and pick up Barry.. BEFORE this snow storm hits!”

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Truman was surprised by the pregnant pause that came after him speaking. Truman stood there, outside in the freezing cold, waiting for Deputy Darryl to answer. He heard nothing, finally Truman repeated himself, even louder.

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“Deputy Darryl? Do you hear me, Deputy Darryl? This is Truman Dunahoo… Teacher over to the Middle School? We are holding Barry Gartuska, and we need someone from your offices to come and pick him up! We do not have the facilities to hold students… indefinitely. Do you hear me, Deputy Darryl? Do you understand me Deputy Darryl?”

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Truman was sure that Deputy Darryl had heard him that time. People over at the end of the parking lot, had heard Truman… and were waving at Truman. Truman didn’t have to wait long, this time, for Deputy Darryl to answer this time.

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“Yes, Truman… I remember you! You are the English and Drama teacher at the Middle School, correct? You say you are holding the boy that beat up Timmy Marref? OK... I understand. No, you are right you shouldn’t be holding be holding a murderer there at the Middle School! I am the only one here, right now. Sheriff Daniels is out on a call, all that is left is Linda, our dispatcher, and me! I really shouldn’t be leaving Linda here alone… but I don’t see as I have a choice, right now. You are right. You don’t have the ability to hold a violent criminal, and we need to get him… locked up BEFORE this snowstorm hits Smithville! Truman, just hold on to him for another 10 to 15 minuets. I am leaving NOW! I will get there as quickly as I can to pick up the offender… just keep him locked up, and I will be right there…”

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“Murderer?” Truman thought to himself. Last he had heard was that Timmy had not even made it to the hospital. Now… Timmy Marref… was DEAD?!? Truman tried to ask Deputy Darryl to repeat what he had said, but the phone was disconnected before he got the chance. This was a bad turn of events. This was a very bad turn of events. Truman and Betty Sue were now holding a pre-teen murderer handcuffed to a chair in Principal Marsch’s office! That changed everything! Truman had not smoked a cigarette in more than ten years. Right now, Truman wished he had a cigarette to smoke! Truman was unnerved, he needed some time to think… and unwind before he went back into the office and told Betty Sue. Told Betty Sue that litte Timmy Marref was dead!

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Truman decided to try calling Principal Marsh’s cell phone, again. He was quite cold, so he started walking around the teacher’s parking lot, as he dialed the number, and let it ring and ring. The funniest thing happened, as Truman was walking around letting Roger’s cell phone ring. Truman heard a cell phone… ringing! JUST as Truman realized that his phone was ringing in his ear, that outside he as hearing another phone… ringing! The call went to voice mail, as Truman had already left several voice mails for Principal Marsch, Truman hung up. He immediately called Principal Marsch’s phone, again.

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Ring… Ring (in his ear)… Then, all the sudden, Truman hears another phone… ringing just a few feet away from him! Truman leans down, close to the ground, and tries to see the phone that is ringing. There is already several inches on snow, on the ground, which is making it more difficult for Truman to locate the ringing phone. Again, the phone goes over to voice mail and, again, Truman calls the number back. This time Truman was much closer to the phone on the ground. Within in two rings Truman is nearly on top of the phone he is calling. Then, it switches over to voice mail.

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Truman dials Principal Marsch’s phone fro, what he hopes to be, the last time. Truman is on his hands and knees, now, and as soon as the phone begins to ring, Truman begins sweeping snow out of the way. In one of the big sweeps, Truman’s hand knocks something back up against the rear tire. BINGO! Truman hangs up his phone and heads to the rear left tire. He reaches around the tire, and grasps something in his hand. It is small, cold, and in a leather case. Just like Principal Marsch’s phone is kept, in a leather case.

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Truman picks the item up, brushes off the snow, and sees that he has Principal Marsch’s phone in his hands! He takes the phone out of the leather case, pushes the power button on the right side. Right under the time and weather he sees the ‘Return if Found’ information. It is Roger Marsch’s cell phone, and it has ten missed calls. Truman’s heart fell into his stomach, because he knew that they were not going to be able to get a hold of, or talk to, Principal Marsch until he returned from the Carnival Job site. This was not ‘Good News’ at all! Truman put the phone back into its leather case, and put the case into his front pants pocket. As he did this, again, Truman had an irresistible urge to smoke a cigarette.

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He wasn’t going to fall for the impulse, but it was disturbing that it was happening now, after a decade of not smoking. He walked back into the Middle School, and headed to Principal Marsch’s office. He was sure that Betty Sue would be as crestfallen, by his discovery in the teacher’s parking lot, as he was. It was only 5:00PM but Truman just could not wait till this day was over! Now Truman had to go into that office and tell the very sweet secretary, Betty Sue, that; Timmy Marref was dead, that a murderer was locked in Roger’s office, and that Principal Marsch had left his cell phone in the teacher’s parking lot. Probably he missed clipping the cell phone case to his belt, and never even thought about it until he went to use his cell phone. BOY! Truman thought to himself, BOY I sure hope that it wasn’t an emergency when Roger reached for his missing cell phone! That would be terrible!

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Betty Sue was on the phone, when Truman walked in through the Principal’s office door. He sat down, right where he had left the empty coffee cup, and waited for Betty Sue to get off the phone. The ‘Bad News’ he had to share could wait a few minuets more. After waiting for several moments, Truman got up and went over to pour himself a fresh cup of coffee. Well, this coffee had been sitting here since this morning… so (realistically) fresh was not a correct adjective to be using. Nevertheless, Truman loved coffee and the brand that Principal Marsch had chosen for his office was better cold than what they picked out for the teacher’s break room was hot.

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With full cup of coffee in hand, Truman turned around to see Betty Sue hanging up the phone. The time had come, Truman reached into his front pants pocket and pulled out Roger’s cell phone. He held up the phone and began speaking to Betty Sue. They ended up speaking to each other, at the same time.

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“Betty Sue I just found Roger’s cell phone…”

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“Truman I just got off the phone with the hospital and…”

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Both Truman and Betty Sue now, simultaneously, begin laughing. The stress of the day, the injury of Timmy (maybe the death of Timmy), the physical confrontation with Barry Gartuska, the suspense of the oncoming blizzard, and it being well after when they usually lave the campus caused Truman and Betty Sue to engage in a very long and intense bout of laughing. Once complete, Truman (again) held up Principal Marsch’s phone and explained how and where he had found it. Betty Sue sighed and lowered her head, it was plainly visible that she was upset that Principal Marsch was out therewith no way of calling them, and no way for them to call him.

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Truman was about to relay the… information Deputy Darryl had shared about Timmy’s condition, when Betty Sue spoke.

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“Well, I finally got ahold of the hospital, Truman…”

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Before she could finish the sentence Truman spoke…

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“I am so sorry that you had to hear, that way Betty Sue. I found out while I was in the parking lot talking to Deputy Darryl. This is the worst possible news for the Marref family!’

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Betty Sue cocked her head sideways, the way dogs do sometimes when they are curious or confused. She shook her head, and then spoke to Truman.

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“Truman, I just talked to an orderly over to the hospital. He told me that Timmy, Tom and Archer had just arrived. That Timmy was conscious but awaiting examination, x-rays, and an MRI of his head. They said he was awake and talkative. Seems Timmy is going to be just fine!”

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Truman, at first, didn’t say a word. He just stood there, slightly embarrassed, thinking ‘Deputy Darryl Strikes AGAIN! He smiled, then laughed under his breath. Shaking his head, Truman spoke. He explained how Deputy Darryl had told him “Timmy’s dead” and how he did not want to be the one to tell her. They both stood/sat there, for a moment, and then broke out into laughter, again. Truman walked around to the front of the desk. As he did so, Truman smelled something… burning! Truman was standing directly in front of the only door leading into the inner office, Principal Marsch’s private office. The room where, cigarette smoking, Barry Gartuska was handcuffed to a chair bolted to the foundation. Nevertheless, Truman walked up against the door and called out to Barry inside.

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“Barry Gartuska… are you smoking in there?!?!”

Truman waited a couple of moments, then he repeated himself even louder.

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“Barry Gartuska, are YOU smoking in that office? Answer me!”

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No answer, but the smell of… burning was growing STRONGER! Truman was going to have to open the door and find out for himself. He had to be careful, though, if Barry had.. somehow gotten out of his restraints? He could ambush Truman as he entered the room. Truman’s day had just gone from ‘Bad’ to “Worse’. Truman turned back to Betty Sue and…

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“Betty Sue , hand me the keys, again. I have to check and see if this reprobate is trying to burn the building down! I am just concerned that he might be out of his restraints… and he might try to ambush me... when I enter!”

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Betty Sue open the top center drawer to her desk, removed the key chain and handed it to Truman. Then, Betty Sue reached back into the drawer and pulled out a very formidable looking letter opener. She got out of her chair, walked around the desk and took up a position right between Truman, and the door. If Barry was going to try something, then he was going to have two people to get through!

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[youtube=http://youtu.be/7vKh0ReY620]

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My Dear Readers! WOW! So, we have Barry handcuffed to a chair that is BOLTED to the FOUNDATION… Betty Sue and Truman think TIMMY IS DEAD… and Barry is fixing to get a very… SPECIAL visitor, next week. ;)

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You just read eight pages of my story. Eight pages, single spaced with a 12p font! Like I said, in earlier posts, I still have another… ten to twelve pages left! That is written, unedited, and ready to be proofed then published! OMG! The next scene (Part – 14- B – 3) is just frigging incredible! I have been ‘planting seeds’ all through the first 128 pages (FYI what I have published, so far, IS 128 pages!). Now, in the upcoming chapters I will be reaping what I have sewn. I, already, know how this all ends. I know what happens with Timmy after his savage beating… what happens (at the Carnival) on Saturday night… and what happens to Archer… OMG! What happens to ARCHER! INCREDIBLE!!!

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So, My Dear Readers, stick around as we approach Halloween I will be unfolding this tale and scaring the Dickens Out Of YOU!

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Adieu!

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Thank YOU!
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