Much obliged
I want to say thanks, but...
If you ask most authors, they’ll tell you that the most difficult part of writing a book is handling the “Acknowledgments.”
That’s the place where you toss a bouquet to everyone who has helped you, in any way imaginable, for making your book possible.
The first time I had to do it, I wound up thanking most of humanity, including my third-grade crossing guard. By my 14th book, you’d have thought I’d mastered this chore, but no...
The “Acknowledgments” for that one included the Dixie Chicks and all the friends I’d made while living in Scotland. Not to mention a couple people in Italy and Qatar.
Thus, I have something in common with Stephen King, J.K. Rowling and John Grisham: Our sales figures have been slightly different, but we’ve all struggled with “Acknowledgments.”
ALL THAT is a way of saying that when I decided to begin 2018 by thanking some people for their assistance as I began the adventure of writing “A Brand New Day”...
I was doomed.
So the only option was some kind of mental lottery: If a person came to mind at the exact moment I was typing, great.
If not, I apologize and I still think you’re terrific.
That said, I wish to thank:
- Curran Johnson, for a reminder that the moose is back in our neighborhood, and has been spotted on Fir Lane. I’ll be careful.
- Haylie Thompson, who makes me laugh, and has suggested some really worthwhile topics. The subject of tattoos was excellent. But please get back on Facebook, Haylie.
- Duane Rasmussen, who always has an idea to share, and told us that magnificent Christmas story. Duane, I’m still working on the issue of the split between the Seventh-day Adventist churches in Coeur d’Alene and Hayden. It’s fascinating.
- Richard LeFrancis, who can give you a tip-off on, um...anything. But especially airports and museums.
- Sarah Halsted, for saving me an entire column by sending an email about Hayden Canyon Charter, a school in the making that was left out of the discussion about charter institutions in this county. HCC will be an expeditionary school, which may be wonderful but which didn’t meet the criteria of “mainstream.” But eventually we’ll discuss it, anyway.
- Tom Greene and Laura Rumpler from NIC, who found every source I needed. On any possible subject, too.
THANKS also to:
- Don Bradway, for explaining the American Redoubt, and especially for pointing out what it is not.
- Lee White, who returns every phone call. I can’t remember a police chief anywhere being that courteous to the media.
- Josh Misner, who makes me think harder about everything we take for granted.
- Bruce Becker, for lugging suitcases and sharing the best raspberries in North Idaho.
- Tony Luzzo, for being a very cool landlord. I almost felt guilty for buying my own place. But Tony, an invitation to your in-laws’ place in Hawaii would not go amiss.
- Everyone who voted in our polls for the best song, the best adventure film and/or the best movie line. That’s hundreds of readers, and I still have plenty of fun responses we’ll publish down the road.
- Bob Nonini, state senator and candidate for lieutenant governor, for having a savvy sense of humor. He saw my number pop up on his phone and answered: “Spokesman Review.” Hats off, Bob, but remember that payback is, well, you know.
- North Idaho’s legislators in general. All in all, a great group to cover.
- Tim Martin, Coeur d’Alene’s streets and engineering director, for putting up with some of my incredibly naïve questions.
- Tony Stewart, for being one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and retaining that personality despite being targeted for years by Richard Butler’s thugs. Amazing.
- That caddy (sorry, I’ve forgotten your name) who told me a 15-foot putt would break slightly to the left. It did, and I birdied the famous island hole at The Resort. Blind luck, but still...
- ANGRY NORTH IDAHO, for making me chuckle constantly as I’m beginning my professional life on Twitter. But no, I don’t know his or her identity, either.
- All of you, without whom I wouldn’t get to have this much fun while making a living.
- Finally to my bosses, Mike Patrick and Maureen Dolan, for letting me take this leap and, hopefully, add something a little different to The Press. I’m working hard on it, trust me.
•••
Steve Cameron is a columnist for The Press.
Email: [email protected].
Facebook: BrandNewDayCDAPress.
Twitter: @BrandNewDayCDA