Liz has to work on the Fourth until 8 PM, so we’re not really planning anything to celebrate our country’s Independence other than just watching the fireworks at the City Reservoir.One purpose of holidays is to get us to think about certain events, evaluate our lives, set new goals, take assessment of old goals, and to be with family, friends, and loved ones.
Holidays are also the time in which men can suddenly cook, albeit outdoors on an open flame. Perhaps it’s the Call of the Wild in men, a harkening back to the time when Humanity actually sat around campfires cooking, communing, and recalling the deeds of the hunt, which were often over exaggerated.
As I continue further in NEVЯLAND, I’ve been evaluating the various traits of the characters, how each of a character’s traits play off the traits of other characters, help each character, hender each character, and move the story forward.
I also got to thinking about what, if any, holidays the Children would continue to celebrate after all the adults disappeared and the children were totally in control.
I think the Fourth of July would take on a whole new meaning for the Children--both a time of celebrating Independence, a time of mourning for the loss of their parents, and a time to reflect on those values the Children were learning from and admired in their parents.
I made a list of those traits all Parents should extol to their children. I’m working on a scene in which the Children celebrate the Fourth complete with fireworks and a reading of the list.
They also celebrate with a big community cookout in which the various factions put aside their differences--even if only for a few hours.
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Larry Mike’s 3 Meat Firecracker Hamburgers
For every 1 lb of hamburger meat (80/20), add the following:
1 bratwurst (skinned)
1/3 lb hot sausage
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp red curry powder
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp malt vinegar
spot of wasabi
Use a food processor to blend until meats and spices are well mixed.
Shape into 1/2 inch patties and cook as desired.
I like to put my burger on an onion roll and top off with horseradish sauce or coarse mustard, fresh onion, tomato, lettuce, and Monterey Jack cheese.
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My protagonist Laynie Price of NEVЯLAND undergoes several crises of character in which she has to reassess what she truly believes. Sometimes she fails miserably and feels as though she is not up to the task, a failure, a complete worthless human being.
Sometimes, while at the depth of her greatest despair, she pulls herself up and discovers a strength within her she never knew she possessed.
To keep to the straight and narrow on this character theme, I’ve listed virtues Laynie must work through. In fact, I’m using these for all the major characters--some with triumphant results and some with deadly ends.
7 Character Virtues (not in any particular order)
1. Morality--a definite sense of Right and Wrong; brought about through trial and error and inner/spiritual evaluation
2. Courage--facing fears; standing up to overwhelming odds in the face of certain death or public ridicule
3. Benevolence--the kindness of the Good Samaritan without prejudice
4. Respect--acceptance of others despite one’s personal beliefs and sense of morality; respect is not “approval”, but acknowledgment that all people have value
5. Honesty--Inner Truth in Action in all things
6. Honor--knowing that your actions do define you as a person, that others will judge you in what you say and, more importantly, by what you do
7. Loyalty--standing by others when they are at their lowest; not blindly standing by someone when you know he is wrong, but having the courage to stand up to a friend to help him work through a moral failing
Happy Independence Day!
Larry Mike
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