It the latest efforts in writing the fourth book of the Series I run into the question. “What should the 4 main characters be doing? They are in a cave far below Noso land and have just surfaced from traveling through an underground river to enter a new portion of the cave. I really had to think to get Charlie and Hoot through (Birds don’t swim you know). They have a purpose for being there and why do they have Tarifess with them? Something to think about. Remember book #1.

If you have been in a cave and wish to express what you saw that I might use within this new book. Post your idea and I’ll give it consideration.

In book #4, I have added “thunder”, but no rain. Pok’along, Ground Hog, and Charlie have no idea where it’s coming from. No one in the Valley of the Digadoos have ever heard thunder in their valley. Even Maetoo, the head of the council, can not offer an explanation of it’s source or purpose. What do you think it will be? Is this a door of change that has developed? I’m interested in your ideas of what it can be. You could be quoted in this, the new book that is in progress.

Book #4 is in the process of being written, but with some changes that I’m playing with.

What if:  Pok’along, Charlie and Ground Hog, that have been living in the Valley of the Digadoos since book #3, (rather then the forest), discover that their physical structures are changing. They are growing larger, walking upright, wearing clothing presented by the Digadoos, but more important becoming more like the Digadoos. Is it something the three of them can accept? Is there a purpose that they can understand? Do they have a choice or is the choice being made for them?

It’s a different avenue of adventure to add to their purpose, but would it add interest in reading book #4?

Your comments would be welcomed.

Doors sometime open that your not expecting. Received an email this morning that at one of the local schools (3rd. grade) had just finished reading “Pok’along in the Valley of the Digadoos.” Would I please consider coming  to the school and telling their class and the class next door,  more about Pok’along, and why I write books about him and his friends. And, if I could, would I bring along book #2, “Pok’along in the Land of Noso.” What a way to start a morning. You can only guess why I said, “I’d be most happy to.”

In the photo albums, under rock identification, all 419 rocks that I have stored in my garage for cutting and working with, are present. The pictures are to assist you in discovering the name of a rock that you might pick up when walking, hiking, or camping. Are the names all correct? Absolutely not. The names came with the rock when found, given by the people in that area, the person finding the rock, or named after as much time searching as I could do at the time I received them. Everything should have a name, right or wrong … it can always be changed when you know it is needed. The last 14 pictures, I have yet to find a name for. Should you recognize one or more of them, send an email and I’ll label it. All other rocks have a name. I hope you enjoy what’s out there to be found, and can say, “I wonder if I can locate a picture that will tell me what you are.”

If a rabbit can discovers a creature different then himself and what he is use to, can he become a friend? Together, what if they locate another creature that is as different as night and day from them, and rather then turn their back accept him as a friend in need. During their travel together they discover an existence they never knew was a part of their forest, and to which they could offer assistance never before recognized … can a series of books be created that teach others the importance of friendship and demonstrate through the animal kingdom what friendship can develop into. Mothers and  grandmothers have enjoyed reading Pok’along to the younger children, and 6th. grade kids have enjoyed reading by themselves. Book #1, “Pok’along in the Valley of the Digadoos” is available on this site.

We all learn by seeing, touching, and by reading. The ability to read allows one to escape from the reality around them, and to enter a world where there are no limits to where imagination can take you.

Pok’along in the Valley of the Digadoos is a story that allows you to see that what a person looks like isn’t really important to a good friendship, and that it is equally important to keep at something that you set out to do. Problems can be faced, dangers solved, and by working together, a friendship may grow that will last a life time.

It was moon lit night on a Memorial Day weekend a number of years ago. I was with a group of men, who were training younger men to be leaders for taking teenage boys on backpacking trips into the high Sierras. We were at 9,5000 ft. up in a place call Desolation Valley, which is north west of Lake Tahoe in California. It was cold, with snow still knee deep 500 ft. higher. The time was about 1:30 in the morning. We were all in our sleeping bags. Some of the men had drifted off in sleep, a few were talking and watching the moon transverse across the heavens. With slow determination the moon moved behind this large old tree. To me, I saw the dragon and guardian of the forest standing, looking over his domain. What a spectacular view, so majestic, tall and silent in the night.