Rudolf's Rhapsody - My First Novel

Now available through Amazon Kindle

My first novel is done and published!  I am including some new items here on my blog that were not included in the book.  I decided to keep my first product simple to ensure it's possible acceptance and financial success.  I may decide to include the new information, photos, and maps later in a paperback and hardback version of the original product.  There may even be an audio version along with being available in more languages.  My original intent was to include it all right up front.  But when I got hung up on attempts to download the photos and maps into the publishing program, I found that the efforts didn't meet what would be a worthwhile final product due to the details being too small in electronic viewing.  My skills needed to improve to better introduce the information visually.  There was also the risk of negative copyright issues since some of the inserts were taken from the internet where sufficient proof of ownership could not be found to get permission to use.  I didn't want it to be messy so I left them out and may consult professional legal aid, if needed, for peace of mind at a later date.  Right now, it is my best effort and I hope you find it an interesting and enjoyable read!

Of course, the following photos and maps will have more meaning after you read the book.  But I have included some brief narrative on each that may help you understand how it relates in the story.  Maybe you will read this blog post first and hopefully will be curious enough to buy the book afterward.  I know my blog has many followers overseas and this may also be a way they will find access to my book.

WATERSHEDS are "an area or ridge of land that separate waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.  It is the area or region drained by a river, river system, or other body of water.  It can also mean an event or period marking a turning point in a course of action or state of affairs."

In my book, I parallel boundaries defined by nature and those made by man.  Historical timelines are a great way to see changes in mankind's growth and development...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Nature in contrast, remains constant to itself.  Yes, mankind can really mess it up as well as be good stewards of the land.  But in the end, nature can renew itself and is the ultimate survivor!  Nature has no freewill and the ability to make choices and own them.  Nature and natural laws answer to the Highest Power whereas mankind can covet power to use freewill.  Mankind should be good stewards of the land in order to survive and make choices compatible with nature.  Those are good choices and will ensure our survival!

Overview of Major Watersheds in Europe 

Elbe River Watershed

Danube River Watershed

Europe Before and After World War I

Europe 1919

Czechoslovakia Area in 1928-1938

Czechoslovakia Linguistic Map 1930

Kingdom of Bohemia within the Holy Roman Empire in 1618

Historical City of Strakonice, Bohemia 

The Holy Mountain at Sveta Hora, Bohemia

Washington, D.C. Neighborhood around DuPont Circle

Historical DuPont Circle, Washington, D.C. from the U.S. Library of Congress

Washington Monument View from Under the Blooming Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C.

My book work file is done and ready to file away after this project that produced my first novel.  In it I have documented my thought process with definitions, outlines, and sources available.  Timelines from various sources were correlated and assimilated to bring history together that tells a story of my heritage.  Much genealogical research was done over the major part of my adulthood along with a passion for reading fiction and non-fiction books of that time period. I also have some first-hand narrative from family members.  But in the end, I made this a fictional novel instead of a non-fictional biography.  So many gaps were still missing from the complete story over these 50 years that in order to make the story flow I had to answer many questions that will never have documented answers.  If it didn't actually happen the way I presented, well, it could have.  No one in the story is still alive to validate and if evidence was presented to make it worthwhile,  I have the ability in this format to make changes.  I'd like to think that I was inspired and guided by those family members no longer with us.  This is our story.

I had fun researching and writing my first novel!  It didn't take very long actually.  I started on what would have been my father's 100th birthday in December 2016 and wrote a lot in the first 3 months before taking a break as the weather warmed up and I got outdoors with activities.  Then I started up again the three winter months of 2017-8, took another break, and started up again for three months in 2018-9 finishing for the most part in February.  It took me one day to publish following the Kindle Direct Publishing process through Amazon.

It was easy for me maybe because I had 30+ years as an appraiser which consisted of assimilating massive amounts of researched data into a narrative report correlating basic perspectives into one final value that I had to defend to powerful political people.  I know how to do my homework and keep a defensible work file readily available.  I got so I loved a good challenge and was always open to change when better evidence was presented.  I missed that since I retired in 2011!  I also tried to use my intuitive skills developed over many years of experience and knowledge in my field but started butting heads in the final few years as evidence relied mostly on documents.  In theory, this would be best.  But the lack of true documents was turning in the direction of watering down the data available to hit the values wanted by the mortgage lenders.  The battles were being fought between intuitive values based on years of experience and knowledge vs values based on who could produce the paperwork that supported statistically manipulated values.  I felt I was wasting my time and energy.  In the end, I likely would not survive.  Time to retire and own my own time to develop and use my intuition.  It is this intuition I relied heavily on when I needed to fill in the undocumented gaps in my story.  As in Nature, it's all about the flow.  Go with it!

I already have begun some of the thought process on where I will go from here.  I am considering a book that begins where this first one ends only I will be the main character and it could be my autobiography.  I can begin with over 65 years of chronological photo albums I had kept up; most in hard copy and about 10 years in digital.  That's a lot of data to assimilate into an interesting story of my life!  I may look to Forrest Gump for guidance!  I may just start out with simple children's books for fun and see what evolves.  I hope you, the reader, join me on this journey in my retirement continuing with this blog to wherever my intuition leads me!

Hot Springs, Arkansas - Relaxed & Renewed

Scenic stop along Highway 7 south of Harrison, Arkansas

October is our favorite time of year.  Before the trees change color and plants die, all the vegetables are harvested, and cooler weather becomes the norm, we like to extend the end of summer weather just a little by traveling to Arkansas.  The six hour drive south from our home in Missouri starting on Highway 65 then on Scenic Highway 7 at Harrison makes for a very pleasant drive.  The optional route for some good scenery but faster time would be continuing on Highway 65 towards Little Rock and at Conway take Highway 60 west until you catch Highway 7 going south into Hot Springs.  Just realize that all major roads near Little Rock are very stressful with high truck traffic.  The time difference may or may not be worth it.  It is most definitely worth the extra time to stop at least a couple times on the Scenic Route!  Another option that may be worth stopping as an extension to the trip would be Murfreesboro about an hour straight south where the Crater of Diamonds State Park is located.  We enjoyed it one time in 1992 when our children were 10 and 12 years old and our son went there again when he graduated high school.  The other extension to our regular Hot Springs trip was to P. Allen Smith's Moss Mountain Farm near Little Rock for our 40th Wedding Anniversary in 2014.  That's about an hour drive northeast from Hot Springs, if you are already there.  Most of the time we just prefer to park our car and stay within walking distance of our favorite hotel The Arlington which is the heart of Hot Springs!  Most of our previous trips included Garvan Woodland Gardens which began construction in 1992 by the University of Arkansas' Botanical Gardens.  It is only 15 minutes from Hot Springs but this trip was shorter than previous trips and sadly it was not included this year.  Next time for sure!  We have come to Hot Springs most years since the children left home and plan to make it a priority in our retirement years as Keith plans to join me in retirement at the end of this year.  This first week of October was the earliest time of the month we've ever visited as reservations were made months in advance for the hotel and time off Keith's work to attend the Art Festival and gallery tours held at this time every year.  We didn't end up attending any art shows on this short trip.  There were plenty of things to do together close to our hotel.  Best weather time is the last two weeks of October as the first week was a bit too hot and humid especially with all the hot steam coming from the open springs.  Mornings and evening were the only times to be physically active outdoors.

The best part of the trip this year was that my husband Keith and I were joined by my brother and sister-in-law from Iowa.  Brother Ed retired a few months ago and he finally had the time and desire to join us on our yearly trip.  I believe they both found a good place to be Relaxed & Renewed and we're happy to have come.  I missed having Bobi Kitty with us again this year as we have taken him and our dachshund Daffney in previous years which worked out very well.  You can see more of our Hot Springs trips with pets by typing in "Hot Springs" in the "Search" box on the main page of my blog.  It will include many of the things we didn't do on this trip and some of the same things we do every trip.  Bobi Kitty did well with car travel his first three years but now at five years old, he has developed car sickness and we found a great place for him to stay.  The All About Paws daycare and pet hotel has a great deluxe suite for him that he has stayed at when we went to San Diego recently.  He is well cared for and has known the caretakers all his life!

Owner Darwina gives Bobi Kitty lots of attention as he enjoys his large picture window in his deluxe accommodations.

The relaxation and renewal begins and ends with the hot mineral springs.  Hot Springs National Park is located across the street from The Arlington.  You can see the history and current information by clicking on the link or reading what I have included in previous "Hot Springs" blogs through the "Search" tool on the main page of this blog.  I will include some updated photos and information about this particular trip that we enjoyed with my brother and sister-in-law.  It was a memorable time that also renewed our family relationships in a relaxed atmosphere.  It is a new beginning as we all reach retirement and grow to share healing and restoration in our Golden Years.

Fordyce Bathhouse and Visitor Center on Bathhouse Row Hot Springs National Park

Exercise is a major part of good health.  I have wrote extensively about the bathing process in previous blogs and additional information can be found through my links provided.  Since this trip was a minimal time spent here, I will show how a typical day was spent and add the highlights of personal experiences with my family.  The day begins with a good breakfast.  Our 50+ Senior rate at The Arlington included a breakfast value of $15 each of the three weekdays we were there.  It does not included Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.  That weeknight room rate was $103.50 (plus tax & fees of $15.11).  After breakfast, an hour walk beginning at The Grand Promenade was enjoyed before the day heated up.  There are several levels to walk or hike on Hot Springs Mountain which can include a tower.  It can also be driven to by car. There's 5,550 acres!  This trip we stayed on the street level and The Grand Promenade which is the first level up the mountain.  One time we were guided by Park Ranger Sheila Malone who include information that was new.  Every trip I see or learn something new and interesting here!  Here's a collection of recent photos together in a music video showing what our morning walks included behind Bathhouse Row along The Grand Promenade.

The walk back to The Arlington was usually along Bathhouse Row which is also included Hot Springs National Park.  Only the Buckstaff Bathhouse has been continually open to the public as the others have been under remodeling phases since we first came in 1992.  There are eight bathhouses of which only two are actually used as bathhouses now and take walk-ins.  The other bathhouses are restored and repurpose.  The European-style architecture includes interiors of Italian marble, stained glass windows with nature motifs, ceramic tile floors in intricate patterns, flowing fountains inside and outside, and flowering magnolia tree lined Central Avenue.  It is wonderful that this unique treasure is federally protected!

The Hot Springs National Park Administration Office is located at one end of Bathhouse Row at Reserve Street and Central Avenue.  Behind it is the Army-Navy Hospital which became Hot Springs Rehabilitation Center and is now the Arkansas Career Training Institute.

The Lamar is the best place to shop for Hot Springs National Park souvenirs and get your National Park book stamped if you are a collector.  There is no sales tax.

The Buckstaff Bathhouse is a walk-in bathhouse for the traditional thermal mineral bathing experience.  It has been in continuous operation since 1912.   

The Ozark Bathhouse is a cultural center open for special events and for the public but it was not open at the time we were there on this trip. 

The Quapaw Bathhouse has modern bath and spa services including thermal mineral pools of different temperatures; all with the thermal mineral spring waters.  The pools are open to both men and women and children over age 14 wearing bathing suits.  Reservations are recommended. 

The Quapaw Bathhouse as viewed from The Grand Promenade to the rear.  This first week of October shows just a hint of changing color in the trees.

The Fordyce Bathhouse should be your first place to visit allowing at least an hour of guided tour or self-tour time.  It is the official Visitors Center for Hot Springs National Park and has a book store and museum.  The rooms have been restored as the high-end bath experience showing what is was like originally.  It is not a public bath house anymore. This is our favorite bath house porch to people-watch with great rocking chairs!

Between the Fordyce and Maurice bathhouses is considered the main entrance to Hot Springs National Park.  Here is a fountain that the public can drink from and stairways to the 47 capped springs and several open springs along The Grand Promenade and Hot Springs Mountain.  There are many walking trails that spur off.

The Maurice Bathhouse is almost completely remodeled and ready for rent at this time. 

The Hale Bathhouse is not currently with tenant.

The Superior Bathhouse is now a Brewery with the world's only thermal water beer and root beer! It took a special act of the U.S. Congress to permit use of the protected thermal waters for commercial sale and is the only brewery in a national park.  There's also an eclectic pub fare that has local farm partnerships.  Wonderful atmosphere!

After walking along The Grand Promenade and Bathhouse Row, a return to The Arlington Hotel is usually in order as the businesses across Central Avenue don't open until 10:00 a.m.  There are several blocks of unique boutiques, specialty stores, museums, restaurants, and nightclubs among the commercial variety all within walking distance of The Arlington which faces Central Avenue.  Coming together on The Arlington's wonderful 2-sided porch is the common area we all meet as one or more of us goes their own way alone or with each other throughout the day.  Plans are made or to each their own for meals.  We all had made the same Arlington Bathhouse reservations on the first day for the traditional bathing experience at 4:00 p.m. for each day of our stay. I have never tried any other place for these services as I am comfortable with The Arlington.  I always include massage for what is known as The Works.  This is a good time as I feel best when not eating before.  I may consider trying services at the Buckstaff or Quapaw on the first day of arrival as sometimes we are too late for that day.  We now have the more information about the other bathhouses' closing time and prices which accommodate walk-ins.

The Arlington has much history and with that much remodeling.  It is so large that there's always something in need of repair or refurbishment.  We have experienced some highs and lows since we first stayed here in 1992.  We keep coming back because the positive qualities far outweigh the negative and that's how we roll in life anyway!  But if you are one that gets irritated and finds faults easily you might be overwhelmed here and should find a more standard modern motel off the downtown area because this is the best one in the middle of all the action.  It is clean but old, restored but not cheaply replicated, it is in a class of its own.

I prefer the glamorous Art Deco styles of the 1920's which is very much appreciated here and goes along with the prohibition and gangster atmosphere which is promoted throughout the downtown area.  It is the era of the bathhouses, illegal gambling, prostitution, and bootlegging.  It is the place where enemies all came together in peace to soak and drink of the mineral spring waters.  Even the law looked the other way.  Then a governor decided it was time to stop and cracked down in the 1940's. Las Vegas began when Hot Springs ended.  For more detailed history a good place to tour is The Gangster Museum just across the street from Bathhouse Row.

I have included many photos of The Arlington on previous blogs that are easily accessible using the search tool on the main page.  Here I have included the most recent photos to show that the building is kept up and just really cool to stay there!  It is definitely the heart of Hot Springs and has more things available in one place than any other at a very good price.  

Maxine tells of her time as a Madame in the heyday of crime in a video. 

This trip was a short one but we were close enough to walk and enjoy a variety of activities everyday.  It worked well for us since my brother drove us all in their roomy van and it stayed parked in the hotel's covered garage.  No time was taken to drive until it was time to go home so our time was well spent.  Everyone was free to be together or wander off individually or in mixed groups.  We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon and left Saturday morning.  Every Friday night there's an award-winning seafood buffet at The Arlington and my brother treated us all.  I was sure not to eat much all day as I'm not use to eating a lot in the evenings.  It was so very good!  Of course, we had a good walk afterwards and then later in the evening I treated everyone to a horse carriage ride around the city to enjoy the Friday night city lights.  Many more people come into Hot Springs for the weekend and we saw a lot more people activity!  We usually leave on a Sunday after the amazing Sunday Brunch offered each week but that can wait until next year.  Typically, our trips are from Monday to Sunday allowing 5-6 traditional bath experiences.  Any amount of time is a good time in Hot Springs!

Saturday morning checkout went very well with a major reduction in our hotel bill that was unexpected.  There had been some water pipes break on our 7th floor but it didn't much affect us as it was during the time we were out and about.  It only lasted a couple hours with the water shut off.  Also my bath attendant was new one evening and didn't allow me enough "hot wrap" time so an adjustment was made to my bill.  They were very accommodating taking off about 18% of our total bill!  We definitely will come back again and again!  I hope my brother and sister-in-law had a good enough experience to join us again next year.  We certainly enjoyed their company and our shared experiences!

On our way home, we stopped to take our daughter and grandbaby out to dinner at Garfield's at The Landing in Branson.  It was a perfect ending to a relaxing and fun trip and there's nothing like family together to feel renewed!

Standing ovation with applause from our sweet granddaughter!!!!!

2018 San Diego Adventure Part 1 of 2 - The Indigo Hotel, Liberty Public Market, and Balboa Park

For a couple of people that have lived together in the midwest for 40 years in the county's largest city of about 400, going to a large city like San Diego, California is quite an adventure!  This is my third trip to San Diego and my husband's second.  This is where our son and daughter-in-law live and work in as many years.  We had eight full days which covered several returns to favorite places and a few new experiences.  This year we flew out of the Springfield, Missouri airport instead of the Kansas City airport which shortened our driving time significantly and was worth the extra expense!

Sunday was our travel day which put us in San Diego early that evening to get settled in the beautiful Indigo Hotel after our son picked us up at the airport and showed us his new condo which he and our daughter-in-law had just moved into the day before.  Soon after we were all settled in for the night to be rested for the next day which was Labor Day.  Woke up to made some coffee and sit looking out the huge window in our room amazed at all the LABOR it took to make this view!

Hotel Indigo morning view looking west from our 11th floor room with a full wall window

New home for our son and daughter-in-law located cater-cornered from The Indigo Hotel.

Zoomed-in view from our hotel of the San Diego Bay a few blocks away.

On Labor Day we all slept in late and then got together for an afternoon at Liberty Public Market which has all the best that San Diego has to offer.  It was a good time to walk around especially after we all found our favorite foods and sweets!

Beti, Jake, & Keith standing in front of amazing succulent wall

Beti with favorite jacaranda tree which casts a "purple haze" all around especially when the blossoms fall 

Cora & Keith in the courtyard

Tuesday was the first of two days Keith and I had to ourselves as both Jake & Cora went to back to work.  We would meet again for late suppers.  We can always find things to do at Balboa Park.  Last year we easily mastered the trolley system which was just a couple blocks from where we stayed.  This year we were challenged somewhat as Keith used a knee-bike and walking cane due to foot issues.  It was back to taxi-time which was easy but cost more.  I had an easy time with taxis my first year when I traveled alone.  We also don't need a smart-phone as one would need apps for Uber and it's not that much cheaper anyway.  We were smart enough on our own!  

First order of business at Balboa Park was eating before we spent the rest of the day walking!

The Prado Restaurant  had the best meal of the whole trip!

Prado Paella
fresh fish, mussels, shrimp, calamari, chicken, chorizo, lobster saffron broth 

Beti in Casa Del Prado Courtyard Patio

Keith in The Casa Del Prado Courtyard Patio

The Casa Del Prado Courtyard Patio

The Casa Del Prado Courtyard Patio

The Casa Del Prado Courtyard Patio

Our favorite place in the whole park is The San Diego Museum of Art and we spent hours here including a tour where we learned a lot more than we would on our own.  Below are several of my favorites! 

Lovely walks through varandas make for a great choice in any weather!  Access to most venues can be done through continuous pathways.  Sometimes this is where musicians set up and play.

Always enjoy sitting at the Plaza de Panama which is in the center of everything and has awesome plants to enjoy!

Plaza de Panama Fountain 

Plaza de Panama view 

Plaza de Panama view of California Tower at the Museum of Man

After a long day at Balboa Park on our first day on our own, we got back to The Hotel Indigo and enjoyed more time by ourselves as Jake worked very late and Cora had to stay overnight on ship.  Lucky for us the hotel has an outdoor lounge on the 9th floor terrace wrapping around 9th Street and Island Avenue with a great view of Petco Park Stadium and all the lights around the East Village and Gaslamp District.  We ended everyday of our trip here enjoying the nightlife from above when we weren't below walking around.

Beti on the 9th floor Hotel Indigo outdoor lounge with Petco Park Stadium on the right (Home of the San Diego Padres Baseball Team).  The lighted dome on the left is the library.

Late night snacks included hummus & pita with veggies & olives and a small pizza.  A couple nights we had the best chocolate lava cake with salted caramel ice cream!

The next day started with a good breakfast at The Indigo Hotel.  Most mornings we sat at the corner table at 9th and Island so we could see Jake's building as sometimes he joined us after walking the dogs.  We had a variety of breakfast items during our stay which included Eggs Benedict, French Toast made with brioche, bacon & eggs with sourdough toast; all with fresh fruit and coffee.  The best crispy rosemary potatoes seemed to be a signature side dish in the area as we knew from previous stays.  Definitely included here as well!

So our second day at Balboa Park began with a morning walk around the Rose Garden.   I took so many wonderful photos so I put them in this music video which also includes other plants around Balboa Park and The Botanical Gardens.  Best viewed at full screen!

Lunch at The Prado was yummy Fish Tacos this day.  Then we walked a long ways afterwards to the Automotive Museum.  This was a new place for us both.  We had the best time looking at all the old motorcycles, cars, and strange vehicles!

1916 Harley

1926 Harley

1942 Harley

1969 Easy Rider "Captain America" Harley (good to see it didn't really crash & burn with Peter Fonda!)

Brings back memories of my chopper rides in the early 1970's (a minor crash and a little road burn!)

1977 Pontiac Firebird - all original interior

1977 Pontiac Firebird - all original exterior including paint

Evil Knieval's Stratocycle

1947 Indian

By now Keith's foot was getting pretty sore from the long walk which included hitting a pothole so he settled in around the Plaza de Panama while I climbed the California Tower which I had never done before.  Here's a few photos and a video I took from the top.

Beti at the top of the California Tower

The beautiful dome as viewed from the top of the California Tower

I called Keith from the top of the tower while he was below on the Plaza and we waved at each other!

After another full day at Balboa Park, we taxied back to The Indigo Hotel and took a nap.  After awhile we awoke and went down a couple floors to the outdoor lounge on the 9th floor and ended the evening with a lava cake and sea salt caramel ice cream enjoying the city lights.  The next day we were spending with our son who had the rest of the week off work.  Cora would have Friday off also and we could all be together.  Those days were pretty full so I will add another blog post which includes these Family Time days.

City at night as viewed from our picture window room on the 11th floor of The Indigo Hotel