Meet Julie -- The Voice of Reason at Prairie Winds Golf Course

Another Julie who kept the guys in line

Many of you probably remember Julie from The Love Boat. She was the cruise director who made sure that all of the travelers had a fun and memorable time. She was that "open smile on a friendly shore!" But, Julie also played another equally important role. Julie had to keep all of her male co-workers in line when it appeared they were too disorganized to make it to the next port! What would Captain Stubing, Doc, Gopher, and Isaac the bartender have done without her?

My series of novels that revolve around golf and the life lessons discovered by the men and women who spend time at Prairie Winds Golf Course also feature a character named Julie, and she finds herself in a similar situation as her Love Boat counterpart. She runs the clubhouse at Prairie Winds, keeping track of the accounting books and providing friendly service to the players. She is well-known by the regulars, some of whom are not always gentlemanly in their conversations with her. But, deep down, everyone knows that Julie is essential in holding the operation together.

Prairie Winds Golf Course needs to appreciate her while they have her, because Julie is definitely a woman who can hold her own and who knows that her dreams will not allow her to stay in the clubhouse forever.

Have you ever held a job at which you felt like one of the only normal people surrounded by a group of eccentric characters? Did you have to bite your tongue while customers or co-workers used language or discussed topics that were not appropriate for the environment?

Underdog Status is Unknown Territory for Tiger Woods

The world of golf certainly has undergone a shift in its foundation with the fact that Tiger Woods is considered a serious underdog as play in the PGA Championship begins today at Whistling Straits.

The most successful golfer in the history of the sport just has not been himself since returning to the game after an explosive several months. Coming into the PGA Championship, Tiger has just finished the worst series of four tournaments in his entire career. In May, he parted ways with his coach of six years, only the second coach Tiger Woods has had in the history of his amazing career. He has stated that he now intends to coach himself, with the assistance of friends who will videotape his swing while on the course.

After a hot start to this morning's first round of action, Tiger found himself in a bit of a slump and ended the day one under par. This is certainly a better showing than his other recent efforts, but still not the play that we expect from Tiger Woods. We'll have to wait and see how the rest of the weekend unfolds for the fallen champion.

In my first book, Lifetime Loser, readers are introduced to a character who would have given nearly anything to be playing where Tiger is today. J Dub Schroeder finds himself one shot away from qualifying for the PGA Tour and fulfilling a lifelong dream, but one moment of lost concentration destroys his chances.

There are thousands of men like J Dub on golf courses around this country. I wonder if Tiger Woods realizes how fortunate he is to be in a position that is envied by so many!

Connecticut Shooting Offers Real-Life Example of Senseless Violence Based in Frustration

On popular television shows like Law and Order and CSI, you often will hear as part of the promo for an upcoming episode that the plot was "ripped from the headlines." When a news story captures the attention of a national audience, network executives see the opportunity for great ratings. This same concept also can happen in reverse, as my third novel and a recent tragedy in Connecticut illustrate.

Earlier this week, Omar S. Thornton opened fire at the Hartford Distributors beer distributorship and left eight people dead. Then, he turned the gun on himself. The violence occurred as Thornton was being escorted from the building, having just been given the choice to quit or be terminated. Apparently, he had been caught on video stealing cases of beer.

The mother of Thornton's girlfriend said that Thornton had complained about racial harassment at work, but no official complaints had been filed with the company or with his union representative.

In my book Tuey's Course, the title character is a man who becomes frustrated with years of discrimination, poverty, and a power structure that is unwilling to listen to his concerns. Just like Omar S. Thornton, Tuey eventually reaches his breaking point and leaves innocent people the victims of his violent rage. While there is no comparison between a real-life tragedy and a tragic life that is played out on the pages of a work of fiction, both speak to a feeling of hopelessness and the culture of violence that surrounds us.

My thoughts go out to the families of those who were killed in Connecticut on August 3. May you someday be able to find answers to the reason behind this senseless tragedy.

Meet Tuey and Feel His Frustration!

It is not difficult to turn on the television news these days and find someone who is mad at the government. The Tea Party movement that has been building over the past year is one powerful example of citizens who are fighting back against their elected officials. The antiwar marches that were common during the Bush administration also are well-documented efforts of our citizens to share their displeasure at certain policies that have such a profound effect on our country. But, what about frustration displayed on a smaller scale? I am sure that many of you have written angry letters to your representative on the city council or grumbled over the latest decision by your mayor. Let me introduce you to WeWildapheet Ulisees O’Tweety, a man who has done the same.

WeWildapheet, known to most as "Tuey," is a man without much money to his name but who is determined to make an honest living. However, Tuey is facing corrupt elected officials in his town who seem to have a relentless desire to make his life miserable. Local ordinances that could easily be ignored are strictly enforced and, in other instances, violations against code are simply invented for the purpose of bothering this one man.

While out in the greater community, Tuey faces the prejudice that his socioeconomic status and dark skin unfortunately so often bring. It eventually all becomes too much to bear. Tuey tries everything possible to have his voice heard, with the ultimate result being a moment that the town will not soon forget.

Have you experienced a moment of complete frustration or anger at elected officials, whether they be at the federal, state, or local level? What did you find to be your best way to make your feelings known, if you did at all?

Meet Justin Ventimiglia

Just about everyone who has lived through their teenage years can point to at least one instance in which they made a poor choice in actions. Whether you sneaked out of your bedroom window to meet up with friends when your parents thought you were doing homework or you pulled the fire alarm right before fourth period in order to avoid a big math exam or regularly took the speed limit as a suggestion when flying through the neighborhood in your brand-new car, there is a story somewhere in your past.

For Justin Ventimiglia from my book Finish Line, his bad decision was to join his friend Keith in vandalizing the home of a cranky old man who lived down the street. With bills to pay for the damage to the house, and as a way of keeping the boys out of future trouble, Justin's mom arranged for Justin and Keith to spend the rest of the summer working at Prairie Winds Golf Course. What began as a way of keeping teenage boys busy becomes a life-changing experience when course manager Curt Schroeder offers lessons in positive thinking, a strong work ethic, and determination.

Justin lives with a single mom and struggles with the need for a male authority figure in his life. The opportunity he receives to spend time with Curt and simply observe a role model who can make a positive difference in his life is something that many teenagers in our society need.

Did you have a difficult time as a teenager that was improved by the genuine concern of someone who became your mentor? Do you think we would have a better society if more adults took it upon themselves to work with youth who need more men and women to take interest in their happiness and success?

Meet J. W. (J Dub) Schroeder

Have you ever had to reorient the direction of your life when you realize the dream that had been the focus of all of your efforts will never come true? Maybe you always wanted a large family with the man of your dreams but a tragic car accident takes his life one month after the wedding. You have been going on auditions for seven years and you have come no closer to an Academy Award than a thirty-second spot for deodorant. In my series of novels that take place at Prairie Winds Golf Course, readers will meet a character named J. W. Schroeder who is facing the death of one life goal and striving to become satisfied with another.

J. W., known to most as J Dub, had worked for years towards his dream of being a member of the PGA Tour. When he falls short of the needed score by one poorly executed shot during the opening scenes of Lifetime Loser, J Dub must face his professional future without a golf club in his hand. Lured to Illinois by a businessman with shady intentions, J Dub begins his tenure as manager at the Prairie Winds Golf Course.

Perhaps it is difficult for J Dub to spend every day in an environment that reminds him of his failed efforts to play his beloved sport for a living, especially when he discovers that he is being used for illegal endeavors. But, he teaches all of us that a positive attitude and strong values will go a long way in making the most of any situation.

Can anyone relate with J Dub, as he tries to make the best of a situation that did not match his desires and for which he did not plan? What advice would you offer others who find their life shifted in a new direction that will alter their long-term goals?

You'll have to pick up my latest, Opur's Blade, to see what J Dub does to fulfill a shattered dream.

Single Moms in the Movies

In my upcoming release, Opur's Blade, readers will meet a single mom who is trying to create the best possible life for her son out of very difficult circumstances. She arranges for the boy to begin golf lessons at the Prairie Winds Golf Course and a world of new possibilities opens up for the young prodigy.

Previous posts on this blog have looked at how family is portrayed in various forms of popular media. She can be the saint who sacrificed everything to provide a better life for her children. Sometimes she is seen as a selfish woman who puts her own interests and desires above that of her kids. In the worst cases, we see single moms in books and on the screen who take out their own life's frustrations on their children through various kinds of abuse.

Today, let's focus on some famous single moms in the movies. Here are a few examples:

Erin Brockovich -- Based on a true story, Julia Roberts portrayed an exhausted mom who is desperately trying to make ends meet and who uses her instincts . . . and other assets . . . to bring down a major corporation.

E. T. -- Sure, the alien who loved Reese's Pieces was the main focus of the movie, but did you remember that the dad took off with another woman and there was a single mom raising those adorable kids (including a very young Drew Barrymore)?

Jerry Maguire -- Renee Zellweger's character put everything on the line to follow Jerry and his mission statement, but she got the famous "You complete me" line for her troubles. Who could forget her bespectacled boy shouting out random bits of trivia for Jerry's amusement?

Can you think of others movies that featured a single mom? Do you think the portrayal was accurate and/or fair?