Recent Reads: The Closer by Mariano Rivera

"Man proposes, but God disposes." ~ Thomas a Kempis

I'm currently listening to the audio book Baseball by Ken Burns during my commute. What struck me is how baseball is really a game of stories. Every player has a story, every great moment has a story. How each player became part of the game, his stats, his role on his team, his highs and lows. If stories are gold, Burns has identified one of the great veins and done a rewarding job of unearthing this precious metal.

The Closer is one man's miraculous story about how a 9th grade dropout from  an obscure Panama fishing village became the most feared and most successful closer in the game. It's the story of Mariano Rivera.

In the modern era, baseball has become very specialized. Teams depend on a starting rotation to keep them in the game, but have a bullpen with designated hurlers to come in later. A closer is the term used to describe a team's ace reliever, brought in to get the final outs in a close game. It's a high-pressure position to play because by the time you're brought in there's always something on the line. It takes a special breed of person to consistently perform in this role.

Most of the great teams of our time have had an intimidating closer whose power psyches batters out before he even steps on the mound. Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley, "Goose" Gossage and Trevor Hoffman are just a few of the names on nearly every list of great closers, but one name is at the pinnacle: Mariano Rivera.

Rivera's stats are simply astonishing. His 652 career saves are the most in baseball history. His ERA is the lowest in history for a career reliever. But those are just his regular season stats. In post-season play Rivera's stats are simply jaw-dropping. His ERA in 32 post-season series is a remarkable 0.70. There were streaks in which he never allowed a hit for many, many games in a row and had an ERA of zero.

Any follower of the game from the mid-90's till his retirement in 2013 knows his name, and his face. But my guess is that very few knew how he became the greatest closer of all time, and will be a shoo-in to baseball's Hall of Fame when he first becomes eligible.

Young Mariano Rivera enjoyed playing baseball, played on teams as a teen like many boys. But in his remote Pacific coast village the most likely future for him would be in fishing, as that is what kids did who were sons of fishermen. They took over the family business, the second most dangerous career behind logging.

One of the thing that he liked to do every day was throw a ball against a wall over and over and over. His goal was pinpoint accuracy, and he honed it by consistently hitting this one spot where there was a nail-head that he used as a target. He didn't draw a strike zone on the wall. He just aimed at the nailhead.

His great love was catching fly balls in the outfield, though he also played catcher and infield. He just liked playing baseball.  One day the team he played on had a big game of sorts and their starting pitcher was getting plastered by the opposing team so that before the second inning was over the team was down 9-1. The manager came out and called Rivera in from right field. "I want you to pitch," he said.

Rivera had never pitched in his life, but he knew he had a good arm, and year of hitting that nail on the head also gave him a remarkable control over where the ball went. The other team never scored another run, and his team fought back to win.

It just so happened that there was a scout sitting in the stands that day. This scout them called a man who had connections to the New York Yankees. Rivera was asked, along with a group of other pitchers, to come pitch at a tryout. Afterwards he was offered $2,000 as a signing bonus and told to report to Tampa for spring training.

The book is a story about baseball through the eyes of a simple man from a remote fishing village. It is also a story about a man of faith who sees God's hand in everything. This was an unexpected feature of the book, but is a central part of Rivera's story. The remarkable pitch for which he became famous, the cutter, he claims was a gift from God. Likewise the sizzling speed of his fastball, which when thrown with precision proved nearly unhittable.

The third feature of the story is the simplicity of the storytelling. With the assistance of co-writer Wayne Coffey there is a refreshing innocence in the telling. Despite his fame and the wealth he achieved, he never stopped being a fisherman's son. Throughout the book the author uses fishing metaphors and similes. "The ball failed to clear the left field fence by the width of a fishing hook."

Fans of baseball, especially Yankee fans, will enjoy the book and get many insights about the game. I can't recall ever reading a baseball book from this perspective before. For sports fans who dislike it when football players kneel to say a prayer of thanks after a win, this book may not be for you. Rivera is not ashamed of his faith, and tells it as he sees it.

Recommended.

Cdr. David Wheat Memorial Unveiled to Standing Ovation, Cheers and Tears

The statue before unveiling.

Friday afternoon more than 500 people gathered in the Commemorative Air Force Museum for a ceremony in which the newly completed statue of Navy Commander David Wheat was unveiled. Wheat is a Duluth native who sent seven years and four months imprisoned at the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison camp after being shot down in October 1965 during the Vietnam War.

The ceremony opened with the national anthem. After veteran Tony Guerra welcomed everyone he introduced John Marshall, chair of the committee that spearheaded this project. "What a wonderful turnout," Marshall said, thanking the long list of people and groups who made this possible. He then introduced Mayor Don Ness who made a mayoral proclamation declaring June 5 Commander Wheat Day. Ness considered it a privilege to honor a hometown hero and national hero who is the embodiment of courage, perseverance, and dedication to duty, selfless service and sacrifice. "We'll never forget those who so honored our nation."

Former Mayor Ben Boo added a special touch to the ceremony.

Ben Boo, who had been mayor when David Wheat returned from Vietnam so long ago, then took the podium. He shared how the young Wheat approached him for employment, and when being interviewed said, "My previous occupation lasted seven years and was not very satisfying."

The former mayor commented on how in previous wars there were parades for veterans who came home, but in this war there was only silence. He then expressed gratitude for all Vietnam veterans.

John Marshall thanked more people including the artist Tim Cleary who created the piece. The monument itself remained shrouded in a naval parachute for the duration of the ceremony until the end when it would be unveiled. Marshall said the contractors who brought it into the building the night before and covered it were themselves moved by it, and were grateful to be a part of the it.

Cleary spoke briefly and then another former POW was introduced, Gary Guggenberg, who was himself captive from 1969-1972.

Unveiled.

A longer speech was given by Dr. James R. Tuorila, a licensed psychologist who learned about the life of POWs by listening to their stories. The theme of his doctoral dissertation was "Humanity in the Face of Inhumanity: The POWs Search For Meaning Through Suffering." His research showed him that there seemed to be three common denominators amongst those who survived the exceptionally harsh treatment as POWs in WW2 on the Asian front. 1. Having grown up through the depression they were made tougher and learned how to stay strong on less food.  2. Belief in God.  3. The conviction that soneone has to survive in order to tell the stories of what happened, what people are capable of doing to other human beings.

Dr. Tuorilla closed with a Mark Twain quote. "The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why."

One of the speakers shared another thought and gave everyone a challenge. When you are in confinement like David Wheat was, one day is like a thousand years, which means his 88 months of captivity was like two million, six hundred and forty thousand years. It was suggested that we find a place with no electricity, no furniture, no radio, no internet, no phone, no rug or comfort of any kind and spend one hour in that situation.

Other speakers included Brad Bennett, another Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, who talked about a trip the Bennetts and Wheats took to Vietnam 18 months ago during which he brought up the local veterans' desire to fund this monument. Bennett also introduced the Vietnamese couple who funded their trip.

The statue, in the studio at UWS before being mounted.

A pair of singers, John & Andy, then performed one of David's favorite songs, "Homeward Bound." It was beautiful and in this context touched everyone in the room.

Cdr. Wheat then took the podium he shared briefly some of his experience and the lifelong impact it has had on him. He had been in alone in a cell the first nine months there, and said that "after six months we felt that qualified as being a POW. We said, 'O.K., let's quit. Let's go home.' But it wasn't a game."

One of the things that most touched me when I interviewed him a few weeks ago was the man's sense of dignity. During his remarks he stated, "We POWs had a code to live by. That was, to return with honor, and I believe we did."

Today's Duluth News Tribune placed the story on the front page above the fold. I have included a few photos here, but be sure to check out those on the DNT website here.

A Dylan Reading List: 12 Recommended Favorites from my Bookshelf

Someone recently sent me a link to a list of 35 Dylan albums arranged from worst to best. As with all lists there's bias, and it always surprises me how low some of my favorite albums get ranked in such lists. For this reason I am not ranking this list of books about Bob Dylan, just sharing the titles. I own more books than I'm listing here.

There sure are a lot of Dylan books in the world. For fans who enjoy reading and not just listening to the music, here are some volumes that I own, a relatively small collection compared to some bookshelves I've seen.

Based on comments that I've heard, or read when I reviewed one or another of these, I already know there will be some naysayers that will scratch their heads on one or more. I share these because I myself got something out of each. So in no particular order, let's begin.

Bob Dylan in America by Sean Wilentz 
Wilentz is a Princeton historian who provides a deep dive into Dylan’s influences, historical sources and insights to many of the songs that have defined who he is.

Dylan’s Visions of Sin by Christopher Ricks 
Ricks is a literary critic and scholar who is intimately acquainted with Dylan’s work, who as a past president of the Association of Literary Scholars and Critics offers the fruit of his lifetime of study to shine an original light on the lyrics and writings of this man whom he considers a contemporary genius.

Chronicles, Volume 1
Bob Dylan Not a chronology, Dylan’s autobiographical memoir features insights from key touchstones in his life. Inventive and entertaining, with surprising revelations.

No Direction Home by Robert Shelton
Shelton was a British music critic who helped launch the career of a young Bob Dylan. When published in 1986 it was declared the definitive unauthorized biography.

Behind the Shades Revisited by Clint Heylin 
Heylin is another English author who offered up this in depth bio 15 years after Shelton’s in time for Dylan’s 60th birthday.

The Dylanologists by David Kinney 
Kinney is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who turned his lens on Dylan’s fans and followers. Gets close to home, as in Dylan’s homes here in Duluth and in Hibbing.

Bob Dylan: The Never Ending Star by Lee Marshall 
Lee Marshall's book on Dylan is an examination of the meaning of stardom and its impact. Bob Dylan happens to be the organism under the microscope here.

Restless Pilgrim: The Spiritual Journey of Bob Dylan by Scott Marshall 
Marshall’s book highlights the threads from Dylan’s various songs and interviews that show the vibrancy of his faith, which remained inseparable from the message of his life.

One More Night: Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour by Andrew Muir 
Muir's book documents the Never Ending Tour in a manner I have not yet seen. A good read for fans.

A Simple Twist of Fate by Andy Gill & Kevin Odegard 
Gill, a British music journalist, and Odegard, a Twin Cities session musician, collaborated to present the backstory on the making of Blood on the Tracks, considered by many to be one of Dylan’s great recordings, with Minnesota players very close to home.

Performed Literature by Betsy Bowden
Bowden argues that Dylan is a singer-songwriter whose art, as collected and documented by his intended audience, is the live performance. I've met a few folks who dismiss her views but she's done some homework and given an original perspective that I found interesting.

Like a Complete Unknown by John Hinchey
Hinchey wanted to write about something that would interest him for a very long time and he chose to analyze the songs of Bob Dylan as poetry. His first book deals with the songs from Dylan's first decade, and I assumed he would continue but have not seen anything since. I like the book as a reference source to stimulate idea when I write about Dylan's early songs.

* * * *
I own quite a few more than are listed here, but thought I would throw in books that I enjoyed and that bring something more than just another overview of his life. There are quite a few of those.

If I' had more time, I would have included links to reviews from my blog and to where you can find them on Amazon. Since we all pretty much know how it work, ask Google.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Engage it.

PS: Check out my Dylan-themed pins here. It's a start anyways. 

Keeping It Real: Local Arts Happenings in the Twin Ports for June

Twice this week I was talking with people who did not grow up here who commented on how vibrant the local arts scene has become. It's a fairly pervasive sentiment as far as I can tell, and this list here only hints at it. For theater and music scene activities look to the DNT, Reader, Transistor and other sources.

Last night we attended the kickoff opening for the five day Duluth Superior Film Festival (DSFF) at the Clyde Iron Works. Though many, if not most, of the films have a regional tie-in, this one did not, a New Zealand mockumentary of the current vampire genre called What We Do In The Shadows. It was a hilarious riff with cleverness throughout. You'll want to check out the other seventeen films here at the DSFF website.

And now, thanks to Esther Piszczek and friends, here's a short list of upcoming arts related events for the month of June.

TONIGHT, June 4
Opening reception for Nissa Ellen Wick at the Red Mug, 5-7 p.m.
A Minnesota native, Nissa Wick has called Duluth her home since 2007. Another self-taught artist who is pretty darn good. She works primarily in acrylics with scenic old Duluth as her subject matter.
You can hear her on KUMD's Radio Gallery here. But it's best to check out her work in person. And tonight best of all because she'll be there, so you can meet the artist herself.

Tim Miller Photography, opening reception at Pizza Luce, 7-9 p.m. 11 East Superior Street
If you're attending Day 2 of the DuSu Film Fest at the Zeitgeist, you can stroll over to Luce after Adam Swanson's film on the making of the mural for Spirit Mountain. Just sayin'.

Chelsey Bereiter, Beaner's Central, opening reception 6 p.m.
One of my favorite meeting places, a place to grab a bite in the middle of the day. Soup's always good and the food fresh. Friendly staff, too. They have an active night life as well, and a different artist each month. Stop by tonight and catch an eyeful. 324 N. Central Avenue.

The Duluth Depot is hosting a Design Pop-Up Show today through Saturday, 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. featuring printed materials from national, regional and local designers.

Saturday, June 6
Duluth Fire Festival, Saturday, June 6, 3-10 p.m.
I've been hearing about this and was told it will be a really fun event.
Armory Annex, 1325 London Road

Second Friday, June 12
Pierce & Piszczek Fine Pianos, 6-8:30 p.m.
405 E. Superior Street
New art exhibit this month plus one of Esther's "tangled" pianos that she's devoted immense amounts of time to ... patterns everywhere!

Goin' Postal 2015 Summer Art Show, Friday, June 19, 6 p.m.
Works by over 22 local artists will be on display with music by Mark Anderson, Theft by Swindle and possibly Revolution Jones. I'll have a few new pieces there and some older favorites. It's become a really special, much looked-forward-to event.
816 Tower Avenue, Superior

Studio 15, Emily Hayes, Closing Reception, Friday, June 19, 7 p.m.
I enjoyed her work immensely and recommend catching this one if you haven't yet been to Studio 15 at 15 3rd Avenue W.


Prove Gallery, "Exhibition that promotes skateboarding and bicycling"
If this is accurate the PROVE will feature artists Justin Anderson, Todd Bratrud, Bjorn Christianson, Jay Croft, Ben Gore, Lazy Monk Bags, SkatRadioh, Lucas Winzenburg
21 N. Lake Avenue

Zeitgeist Café: Alberta Marana

Zeitgeist: Atrium: Andy Frye

I think there's an opening at Benchmark Tattoo this week, but I don't have the information here. Openings are usuallyon the first Friday of every month.

And then there are the classes, including Esther Piszczek's Zentangle (R) Pattern Drawing for Youth (ages 8-14)
My parents enrolled me in classes at the Cleveland Art Institute when I was five years old and it changed my life. The Duluth Art Institute has classes for youth and if you pay attention you will find them elsewhere. If you'r a parent of kids with a creative bent, feed the fire, enroll them in a class. A great experience that can fire up a life.

Zentangle Pattern Drawing
Friday, June 12, 12-4 p.m., Ordean East Middle School
OR, Friday, July 24, 12-4 p.m., Ordean East Middle School

Zentangle (R) and Wine, Thursday, July 9, 6-8:30 p.m. (This one is for the parents)
Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road

Other upcoming events include
Our Zentangle zoomer will be taking over the walls of Pizza Luce in August with an Art Reception, Thursday, August 6, 7-9 p.m.

IN JULY
There will be a juried Plein Air Festival with 30 plein air painters here in the Northland plus an exhibition in the Duluth Art Institute. This six-day event is going to be seriously cool. More on this event can be found at the DAI website.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Engage it.

Monument to Honor David Wheat and POWs Will Be Unveiled This Friday

Last fall when I interviewed sculptor Timothy Cleary for my column in The Reader I learned about a new project he was working on, a monument that would honor POWs featuring Cdr. David Wheat, a Duluthian who spent seven years and four months in the infamous Hanoi Hilton during the Viet Nam War. The dramatic concept featured a shackled David Wheat in his cell, leaning toward a massive door with a slot and bars. The finished piece was to be installed at the Duluth International Airport where it would accompany the sculpture of Tuskegee Airman Joseph Gomer, also produced by this artist.

The monument, which has been years in coming to fruition, will be unveiled this Friday at 4 p.m. at the Commemorative Airforce Building across from the Base Exchange (directions at the end of this blog post.) The reason this piece is being unveiled at this location is because there had been some disagreement regarding where it should finally reside. Here is the backstory on how the monument came to be.

30 pieces were cast and welded together to form the statue.

For a number of years some of the veterans in this area had been talking about a way to honor Commander USN (Ret.) David Wheat, a radar intercept officer in Vietnam whose plane was shot down in 1965. After being taken prisoner he endured one of the longest POW terms on record before his release in February 1973. This past year, through the efforts of the Northland Veterans Services Committee, the project began to come together.

According to a Duluth News Tribune story in May 2014 quite a few people had a hand in bringing the monument to fruition including Mike Forsman of the St. Louis County Board, commissioner Pete Stauber, veteran Tony Guerra, the late Durbin Keeney and veteran John Marshall, project chair of the "Commander David Wheat and the Prisoner of War Project."

Cleary welding earlier this spring.

John Marshall stated that the original plan was to install a monument in February on the date of Commander Wheat’s return to the Duluth in 1973. "The sculpture will be of Commander Wheat. He'll be kneeling, with his hands behind his back, and looking up through a prison cell window. It's very powerful," Marshall said.

Frequent travelers through the Duluth International Airport are probably not aware that Timothy Cleary, who teaches metal sculpture at UWS, was the creator of the sculpture honoring Joseph Gomer, a statue especially impressive because of the flowing delicacy of its remarkable details. The artist approached this new piece in an entirely different manner, and the result makes a powerful statement that is impressive and memorable.

Cleary stated that the project involved numerous creative challenges, including this one: “My work is usually very self-centered, with the audience only playing a peripheral role. In this instance my personal impulses need to work in concert with the intent of the commission.”

Early sketch of the concept.

One facet of this project that was important to the artist was meeting Cdr. Wheat whose humility touches everyone who meets him.

David Wheat expressed gratitude for the efforts behind this monument. In addition to his own story being told on panels surrounding the sculpture, the names of all Northland POWs will be listed as well.

I had a chance to visit with Tim Cleary in his Hermantown studio early in the project. Here are some shots from that visit and a later visit after the bronze pieces had been cast in preparation for final assembly. In a later post I will share more of Cdr. Wheat's story, whom I also had the privilege of meeting.

The artist studied photos to reflect his subject's features and character.

An early sketch that was ultimately discarded by the artist.

Life-sized clay model helps artist see he's on the right track.

In a later blog post I will share details of the Cdr. David Wheat's experience. In the meantime, Friday will be the unveiling of the completed monument. I was asked not to share photos of the completed statue until after the unveiling, but I can attest that it is impressive.

To attend the unveiling: If coming from the Mall area drive north on Hwy 53 make a right on Stebner Road (at Gordy's Farm market), which becomes Airport Road and circles around to the left. The Commemorative Airforce building is just before Cirrus Designs at 4931 Airport Road.

JZ Howard Talks About Why He Writes Edgy Christian Fiction

Managing our relationships is one of life's hardest challenges, especially when it comes to our most intimate relationships. JZ Howard's latest novel All of Me Wants All of You deals with some of the complexities of marriage, and life. No one starts a deeper relationship with the intention of failing, so it's a life skill we need to master, or at least work at improving. Howard takes aim at addressing, with frankness, one of the central issues that upend our good intentions.

EN: What’s your take on contemporary Christian fiction?
JZ Howard: Mostly, today’s Christian novels are tame and safe and sanitized, at least they are for non-Christian readers who represent fully half of the readers I’m aiming to reach. Overall, Christian novels reflect a “rose-colored-glasses” view of life. They do not, I believe, reflect real life as most people know it. That’s probably true for a large number of evangelical Christian readers as well. My take? Christian novels are basically G or PG rated, and for many Christians that’s exactly what they’re paying for — no drugs, no violence, no profanity, no sex; certainly very little that’s R-rated and never X-rated. For another kind of reader, R-rated is more like it.

EN: Ok, then describe your alternative. On your website you say, “If you go looking for my books in a Christian bookstore, you won’t find them there.” So what alternative are you offering readers?
JZH: Well, basically a story that’s more realistic and adventurous, but that doesn’t pander to vile behavior and evil themes. That’s a heck of a fine line, to be sure. All of Me Wants All of You is a contemporary love story about a 20-year marriage that’s gone stale sexually. The Christian couple’s libidos are miles apart and each spouse is feeling hopeless. The husband is tempted to plunge into an affair with an attractive younger woman. So right off the bat there are sexual attitudes and behaviors, including descriptions of sex, in the plot. Hardly subject matter that traditional Christian novels venture to explore.

EN: I suppose there's a plot twist.
JZH: Right. Conscience-stricken, the guy voluntarily honors his marriage vow and ends the flirtation before it ever gets off the ground. His doing that early in the story makes a strong statement about his faith in God, and he manages (despite his pent-up physical desires) to stay faithful to his wife and committed to a healthy sex life (in the face of their mutually neglected emotional needs). Meanwhile, she struggles to rekindle her own desires and embarks on a roller-coaster path to change and transformation. I describe the intimate scenes of this process realistically based on a biblical vision of sexual pleasure and unity. Sensual Intimacy, Sacred Sex is the book’s tagline.

EN: The term you use to describe your work is “edgy Christian fiction”. Can you elaborate on this?
JZH: The minute I heard that phrase, I knew it described my work. During the five years I spent writing the book, I never once heard it; I wrote purely on instinct. Since the novel was published last summer, I came across the term and have discovered around a dozen other Christian novelists who are writing their versions of edgier storylines as mysteries, thrillers and science fiction.

EN: But wouldn’t you say that there have always been Christians writing for the secular market? Graham Greene comes to mind here. Is there a classical author you would say who was an example of this? I mean, the whole Christian bookstore subculture is a relatively new phenomenon.
JZH: Well, let’s see, there’s Victor Hugo for one. His Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Miserables were edgy and dark for his day. I’ve always admired Charles Dickens, too. He wrote gritty, even shocking stories about characters who find redemption and love. He was quoted saying: “Depictions of cruelty and viciousness must be allowed. Though darkness must be part of a story, the darkness shall not overwhelm. But if the dark is not truthfully dark, the light cannot be truthfully light.” If anything nails what edgy means, that says it for me. We simply cannot have it one way, and our way only — the sinless way we’d all like it to be.

EN: Your book does touch upon some issues usually addressed less graphically, but in some ways it feels the same as the lighter traditional stuff. Your hero actually curbs his affections for the young woman before he “crosses the line” so to speak.
JZH: Yes, because of his faith. He experiences an internal shift spiritually when he opens himself, while tempted, to the Holy Spirit, and then makes a choice to honor God and his wife rather than his passions. The wife is the heroine of this story, and she does something similar. She’s been shut down for years in certain emotional areas until she risks opening her heart to the Spirit’s leading, which triggers a roller coaster ride of transformative change. Also, a genuine friendship between her and the young woman develops which revolutionizes both their lives. God’s vision for healthy sex becomes the goal for both spouses, and finally their reality. As one book reviewer wrote, “God designed us for love and beauty, and that includes beautiful sex.”*

EN: Issues of love and sex have been addressed for ages. I’ve been re-reading The Scarlet Letter, for example. First time since high school, actually. There’s no description of the sex that took place but it’s a central piece of the story. What’s new in this current wave of contemporary Christian writers?
JZH: Edgy authors are reflecting the age we live in. Our culture exposes us to profanity, addiction, violence, and crimes like sex abuse and terrorism. Sensational news fills our TV screens 24 hours a day. Children witness bizarre behavior at the movies and hear songs with twisted lyrics from their early years on. We are saturated with it. If today’s secular readers open the pages of a sanitized version of life based on moral standards and images of 50 years ago, they get turned off. And rightly so in my book. How then are they going to hear the gospel of Christ and God’s eternal promises if they shun the medium we messengers use?

EN: You mentioned that there are other contemporary Christian writers exploring these waters. Would you say then you’re one of a group now?
JZH: Yes, and it feels great. There are edgy author groups on Facebook and Goodreads, and edgy reader groups, too. A couple of great sites are edgychristianfiction.com and a Google+ community. ECF is today’s equivalent of the Young Adult (YA) category that emerged in the 1980s for teen readers, which filled the gap between Children’s and Adult fiction. Something like it also occurred around 2000 when New Adult (NA) emerged, which defines its audience as 18 to 25. In the case of YA, pioneer authors like Judy Blume wrote savvy, contemporary coming-of-age stories for junior high and high school readers — an underserved market at the time. That’s how I see what I’m doing.

EN: So does this mean you’re going to do a sequel?
JZH: Yes, absolutely. I’ve started drafting the next novel in what I hope will become a series, and I’m thankful there’s a growing number of readers who want such stories. Before last summer, I was writing purely on speculation and gambling that I’d somehow find readers. I was trusting my instincts and leaving the rest to God. And I believe He came through! Now I have faith that there’s an identifiable home for my work that embraces this edgy philosophy.

EN: Say more about that philosophy. Can you define it a bit more?
JZH: Sure. My fiction does not shy away from issues of sexuality and pleasure, spiritual confusion and fear. Human relationships are complex, nuanced, and full of emotional and ethical gray areas. My characters struggle to connect with the Sacred to find the faith and strength to make good choices. As both an author and human being I want to engage with the world rather than to separate from it, to associate with a wide variety of people — whether secular or of other faiths or fellow Christians — rather than excluding them. Jesus was inclusive. In fact, He was edgy!

EN: Then essentially you’re writing as a secular author with a Christian worldview?
JZH: Actually, I’d turn that around and say that I’m a Christian author writing from a secular worldview. Sounds a bit funny, but when I was a new convert to Christianity in the Hollywood TV industry thirty years ago, I wrote my new purpose on a napkin: “My main goal is to present the Gospel in dramatic and far-reaching ways to secular readers.” Basically, that means I identify with all kinds of decent people who live in this fallen world. I want my stories to shine Christ’s light on humanity’s redemptive struggle, so it follows that I write what reflects their reality. Within the boundaries of good taste, my consistent goal is to spin an entertaining tale that carries substance and meaning.

EN: Have you ever had doubts or thoughts of doing something else?
JZH: Doubts, yes. Something else, no. Although, like many debut authors, I’ve worked at other careers to make a living.

EN: So the bottom line is …?
JZH: Millions of people today need the saving grace Jesus Christ and assurance of eternal life, and I see my role as being a servant to that mission and to the message of reconciliation Jesus came to earth to deliver.

* * * *
The book is available here at Amazon.com.

It's Summer Art Show Season: Here Are Some Events You Might Want To Check Out

I first saw Tonya Sell's work at the Park Point Art Fair.

For those who participate in art shows and art fairs, most of these are old news. For those who follow the art scene here are some of this year's regional art events you can place on your calendar. And if you've never been to an art fair (I would assume some have not) then I recommend checking one or more of these out sometime, especially if it's a sunny day and you have a little free time.

What you generally won't find at an art fair is ultra-esoteric conceptual art or performance art, though you may find performances of the musical sort. Many if not most of the artists who work the art show circuit are entrepreneurial artists. This is a livelihood in addition to a passion.

And it's a lot of work. No matter how efficient you are, setting up takes time. And no matter how spectacular your art, there's always the possibility of a thunderstorm to dampen the enthusiasm of your "audience."

What I like most about attending local art fairs is seeing in one place the wide variety of work being created. If you're a regular attender you will see many of the same faces so that it's like a family reunion of sorts. You can catch up on family happenings since the previous reunion.

Photographer Ryan Tischer was kind enough to forward to me his agenda for the year.  Some of these events have a long history and others are relatively new. The Park Point Art Fair, for example, has been running for more than four decades.

June 20-21 Land of the Loon Festival - Olcott Park - Booth #103W - Virginia, MN (not much art, mostly crafts)

June 27-28 ~ Park Point Art Fair - Duluth, MN

July 11-12 ~ Grand Marais Art Festival - Grand Marais, MN

July 24-26 ~ Blueberry Arts Festival - Ely, MN

August 9 ~ Lake Superior Art Festival @ Brighton Beach in Duluth

August 15-16 ~ Art in Bayfront Park

September 19, Chester Bowl Fall Fest

October 2-4 ~ Bayfield Apple Festival... mostly apple everything, but also some artists in the park by the lake.

November 14-15 ~ Festival of Trees (a real mix with everything from high quality art to Tupperware)

In addition to traditional wall art, such as painting a photography, you will find unique jewelry, sculptures that you can set in your yard or garden, and plenty of gift ideas for loved ones.... things you will not see again till next year's show. Art doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to lift one's spirits, whether yours or someone else's.

You don't have to wait for art fairs or art openings to see art. We have a number of galleries here in the Twin Ports where you can stop in and see, experience, the flavor of what's happening here in our regional arts community. If you've not been to an art gallery lately, why not make it a point to do a walk-through next time you're downtown or in Canal Park? Consider it a warm-up for your next art fair.

Meantime, art goes on.... all around you.