Thank you, Joy, for the great post about Adirondack Bear Tales and a few “interesting” facts about me. Your friendship and support means a great deal. And yes, more memoirs are coming …
Author D.C. Gilbert
Did you know Darren Gilbert played guitar in a rock band while in high school?
Here is a short excerpt from her post:
This guitar-playing, ballroom-dance-winning hitchhiker was born in Ilion, NY, but grew up in North Adams, Massachusetts, nestled in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains. An avid reader, Darren Gilbert particularly enjoys military history, epic sagas, spy novels, and historical fiction.
Joy Neal Kidney
Please click here to read the rest of Joy’s great post!
Joy Neal Kidney is a fellow blogger and author. Her two works, Leora’s Letters and Leora’s Dexter Stories are great reads for anyone interested in American history and the sacrifices earlier generations made so we could have the country most of us are so proud of today.
Please visit Joy Neal Kidney’s Amazon Author Page. And if you haven’t read Adirondack Bear Tales, check it out here!
Adirondack Bear Tales just received another 5-star review.
This review is from someone named Sarah. I have no idea who Sarah is, but this review is special to me. I have displayed the review in its entirety below. To read other reviews on Amazon, click here!
Great!!
My husband and I have our own Adirondack bear jokes and I was so very excited when I found this book! He is deployed and missing out on all the summer fun. I sent him a camping themed package and this book was the perfect addition. The short stories are charming, simple, and fun.
Sarah
Sarah, I don’t know if you’ll ever see this blog post, but thank you for the thoughtful review. It is fantastic to discover other lovers of the Adirondacks in the world, especially those who are serving their country.
I also want to thank your husband for his service and for your sacrifice. When one spouse serves, so does the other!
Set apart from the other books in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series, The Spy Who Loved Me is told from the perspective of a femme fatale in the making––a victim of circumstance with a wounded heart.
Vivienne Michel, a precocious French Canadian raised in the United Kingdom, seems a foreigner in every land. With only a supercharged Vespa and a handful of American dollars, she travels down winding roads into the pine forests of the Adirondacks. After stopping at the Dreamy Pines Motor Court and being coerced into caretaking at the vacant motel for the night, Viv opens the door to two armed mobsters and realizes being a woman alone is no easy task. But when a third stranger shows—a confident Englishman with a keen sense for sizing things up—the tables are turned.
Still reeling in the wake of Operation Thunderball, Bond had planned for his jaunt through the Adirondacks to be a period of rest before his return to Europe. But that all changes when his tire goes flat in front of a certain motel…
My thoughts …
First comment … DO NOT judge the book by the movie. In fact, starting with Diamonds are Forever, the movies bear little if any resemblance to the books.
This was always one of my favorite James Bond stories, probably because it takes place in the Adirondack Park of upstate New York. My family has a history of tenting, hiking, and enjoying the Adirondack Park for generations. We own a camp close to Raquette Lake. Because of this, I can picture in my mind, the location and region in which this story is taking place.
The Spy Who Loved Me is the tenth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series and was first published on April 16, 1962. I have a First Edition hardcover copy. It is the shortest and most sexually explicit of Fleming’s novels. It is also a clear departure from the well-established Bond formula because this story is told in the first person by a young Canadian woman, Vivienne Michel. Bond himself does not even make an appearance until perhaps two-thirds of the way into the book.
The story is essentially laid out in three parts
Her (Vivienne Michel)
Vivienne “Viv” Michel is a young Canadian woman who narrates her own story, detailing her past unsuccessful love affairs with two men who were simply out for a good time. In an attempt to restore some balance in her life, “Viv” decides to leave her native Canada and begin a journey through North America, during which she stops to work at “The Dreamy Pines Motor Court” in the Adirondack Mountains for managers Jed and Mildred Phancey.
Them (The Mob)
After the vacation season, Viv is entrusted with looking after the motel for the night until the owner, Mr. Sanguinetti, can arrive to take inventory and close it up for the winter. Two mobsters, both of whom work for Sanguinetti, arrive, claiming they are there to look over the motel for insurance purposes. These two, however, have been hired by Sanguinetti to perform a much more nefarious task. When Viv indicates she does not want to socialize with them, they attack her and it is clear she is in mortal peril. But just then, the door buzzer rings.
Him (007)
British secret service agent James Bond appears at the door asking for a room, having had a flat tire while passing. Bond quickly realizes that what is going on and that Viv is in danger. Pressuring the two men, he eventually gets the gangsters to agree to provide him a room.
Of course, after Bond saves the day, he rides off into the sunset, leaving Viv to reflect on what has happened as she motors off at the end of the book, continuing her tour of America, still devoted to the memory of the spy who loved her.
To sum it up …
While James Bond novels will never be considered literary classics, Ian Fleming’s character has lasted as an iconic hero for several generations to enjoy. While I really enjoyed the books so much more, the movies have entertained millions of people around the globe, and continue to do so today.
I give The Spy Who Loved Me4 out of 5 Stars. If you are looking for a James Bond story without space stations, a man with metal teeth, underwater cities, or space-deployed EMP weapons, and a Bond story with a touch of romance in a picturesque setting, this one is for you.
July 4th, 2019: 243 Years of American Exceptionalism
The 4th of July is just around the corner. Take a minute and think about what that means, and think about how many patriots gave their lives so that we have the opportunities we do have as Americans.
America is a land of equal opportunity. Nobody has the right to tell you how to live, what you can be, how you have to think, what you can say, or whether or not you can protect yourself or your loved ones.
In this country, you have the opportunity to be whatever you choose to be. Yes, you may fail a few times. But you get to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again.
That is America. And, it is an America we all need to fight to protect from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Anyway, that’s my political 2 cents for the day.
To help celebrate the 4th of July, check out my great Kindle sale!
On July 4th only …. just .99 for 1/2 day, then 1.99 the second half of the day.
If you are looking for great tales to share around the campfire, then Adirondack Bear Tales is for you. If you are looking for a patriotic action thriller that you won’t be able to put down, then Serpents Underfoot is for you! Get yours at these great holiday prices!
Sophie would certainly appreciate it. It helps keep her in kibble and biscuits!
I was never quite sure which it was. And, since I have spent the last few days battling a cold, or maybe the flu, I decided to check. It seems starving is never correct! A well-balanced diet can help you stay healthy and defeat either a cold or a fever! How about that? This is really good new for me because I hate to starve!
Other possible remedies
I was certainly relieved to read I did not have to starve to beat whatever it is I am dealing with. But, being a bit bored, I still looked for a few other possible cold remedies. I came across a few others that might be worth trying … or not.
The Naval Cure (I like this one)
An author friend of mine, D (Joe) Guy, who writes fascinating tales of of romance, love and tragedy with an Italian twist is a retired Navy man. He told me they had a sure-fire cure for any cold in the Navy. You just get a bottle of good whiskey, some honey and some lemons. Then you throw away the honey and the lemons and drink the whiskey!
Cold Wet Socks?
This one did not sound very appealing to me, but many people claim it does work. All you do is soak your feet in hot water for about three minutes. Next, you wet a pair of cotton anklet socks with cold water and put them on. Then, you put thick wool socks on over those and go to bed.
Supposedly, while you sleep, the blood vessels in your cold feet will constrict and push good nutrients up to your organs to help fight the infection. Then, as your feet start to adjust and warm up, your blood vessels will dilate and help send all the “junk” from your organs into your bloodstream, allowing your body to remove it naturally.
Not sure I want to try this one, but hey … who knows? MindBodyGreen.com
Get Down to Your Local Chipotle
Chili peppers, it seems, are what you need when you have a cold. I might be willing to try this one since I don’t have to starve and I do like spicy food!
ABCNews claims this works because chilis contain a compound called capsaicin which is an irritant as well as the thing that makes them spicy.
I guess, if you are all stuffed up, it does kind of make sense to eat something that will make your nose run and your eyes water. So, have some hot wings, spicy chili, some Korean BBQ, or hot Mexican dish. Or, maybe some chili powder in your tea or brownies. Chilis are nature’s remedy for congestion.
Okay then!
I tried the Naval Cure and I now feel a little better. Therefore, I am done with the whole cold-battling thing. I may have one more snort and then crawl off to bed.
Check out my other interesting blog posts by clicking here!
An important question. Writing is not a get rich quick scheme. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with seeking to earn a few buck from your writing. I must confess that it was a pleasant surprise when people began to buy my books and actually enjoyed the stories I’d written.
I just like to tell stories. So, the question for me was, how do you know people are enjoying your books? It is one thing to tell the tale! It is quite another thing when people truly enjoy your tales. Probably for me, a reader’s enjoyment is the biggest motivation behind why I write.
Question #2: How do you know people enjoy your writing.
I think this question is answered in several ways. Talking to your readers and asking them for their thoughts on your book is one thing I have done.
There is a real difference between, “I thought it was good” …
and,
… “Dude! I loved it. That part where JD spent the night trapped under the NVA tank rocked” or “that barroom fight scene was totally awesome. I loved that line … ‘my mother taught me!’ “
Reviews can also answer this question …
When a reader takes the time to write a review for something you wrote, that really means something.
1) Either they hated it (I had one reader who hated the fact that I had some adult scenes in Serpents Underfoot so much that he never finished the book and gave me a 1 Star review just so he could vent his outrage.)
2) Or, they liked your story enough to take the time to say so.
The Few, the Proud, the Marines!
I really loved this review of Serpents Underfoot because it is from a USMC veteran. Getting a 5 Star Review from a USMC veteran for a book that includes all branches of the U.S. military including the Coast Guard, really meant something special to me. Marines are not noted for lightly giving out praise which is why this review does mean so much!
Definitely a five-star adventure. I was hooked from the first page and read it in one sitting. The plot, which revolved around a conspiracy to detonate nuclear bombs in the U. S., includes many unexpected twists and turns. JD quickly becomes the dominant character with Ajax a close second. I’m looking forward to the next book. ~ usmc – mike
Warning: Bears ahead!
This 5 Star Review of Adirondack Bear Tales made me chuckle. This reader obviously enjoyed the stories and even took the time to write a carefully crafted and entertaining review! Very cool! And, very much appreciated.
Reviews like this are one of the main reasons I enjoy writing. This reader clearly enjoyed this short collection of bear tales from the Adirondacks!
Adirondack Bear Tales is a first-class collection of gripping encounters with Ursus Americanus. Gilbert enjoins readers with the inviting and entrancing aspects of the Adirondacks, only to rapidly transform each tale into a suspenseful and terrifying experience! Suitable for all ages, I could not put this 42 page book down. Adirondack Bear Tales is a superlative blend of family, nature, humor, and fright. ~ Eric Ewald
Pursuing reviews for the sake of pursuing reviews is probably not the best use of your time as a writer. Above all, you need to be writing. However, it doesn’t take too many reviews such as these to give you a good feeling about what you are doing! In addition, reviews such as these can be very motivational!
To read other posts on DC Gilbert’s blog … click here!
I stumbled on this wonderful tale over at Charles H. Eldridge’s blog, Adirondack Native Photography! You should check it out (both the blog and the story)! This young black bear was one lucky bear.
“RAQUETTE LAKE BEAR ENCOUNTER”
A great post by Charles H. Eldridge
One day my fiance (now wife) Amanda and I decided to take a nice long road trip through the Adks. We were making our way through the Raquette Lake area, looking for photo ops. Amanda was keeping her eyes peeled on her side and I was covering mine, when all of the sudden she said, “There’s a bear!”. I recall saying, “Yeah right?”, when she came back with a quick “I’m serious!”. I looked back through my rear-view mirror to see a Black Bear on top of a crate. As still as it looked, I thought it had been taxidermied, until it turned it’s head! I exclaimed “Holy Shit!” as I swung the car around, then proceeded with caution; as to not spook the young bruin. Read the rest of the post here.
Now, that was one lucky bear! And, the incident did also result in a great photo of a young black bear as well!
Also, check out my new release … Adirondack Bear Tales!
This delightful book contains 11 short stories about true encounters with black bears in the Adirondack Park of upstate New York. Enjoyed by adults and children of all ages, these stories will make you smile, chuckle, and sometimes, even feel a little sad.
Imagine a 12-year-old girl meeting a black bear on the trail to the women’s bathroom late at night. Or a grandfather being chased around the car by a hungry black bear while carrying a bag of garbage. Or imagine what you would do if you met a bear in your kitchen while frying bacon for breakfast. These are just a few of the wonderful tales included in this book.
So, do you need a quick relaxing read? Or, maybe some great “sitting around the campfire” stories for children? You get to choose! Click on the links below and order your copy now!
Available in paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon.com. Order your copy today! And, for other great posts, click here!
A reader who did not leave a name just gave Adirondack Bear Tales its first review … Five Stars. So, thank you whoever you are. I am glad the stories were enjoyable!
DC Gilbert has done a masterful job of recreating the Adirondack camping experience of his childhood. Each of these stories involves a personal (or family) encounter with the local Black bears. Not to give any plots away, no bear or human was seriously maimed or killed by any of these stories. If you like a good North Woods story, with a personal touch, then this short entertaining volume is for you.
Bringing back fond memories!
I was talking to a friend at the dog park the other night and Joe told me that he and his wife both greatly enjoyed the bear tales.
In previous years, they did a lot of camping on Sacandaga Lake, also in the Adirondack Park. Therefore, they really enjoyed the details in the tales about the camping experience. Joe said his wife called her sister on the phone and she read some bits of the stories to her. They had a great time laughing over the fact they shared a lot of similar experiences while camping themselves. Joe said that his wife laughed several times while on the phone, exclaiming “that’s exactly what we used to do!” Needless to say, we had a great conversation about camping and bears while the dogs romped about.
Moreover, it really meant a lot to me to hear how much they enjoyed reading Adirondack Bear Tales.
I think you will enjoy these Adirondack Bear Tales as well!
You can download a Kindle version or order a paperback from Amazon.com. I would love to hear from some other readers about what you think about the stories in my book, Adirondack Bear Tales. Most importantly, it costs less than a large cup of coffee at Starbucks!
In addition, you can also read other great blog posts by clicking here!
Will you please help me with this cover contest by picking which cover you like best for my next book. It is a collection of family-friendly tales about true encounters with black bears in the Adirondack Park! I have two cover designs and both of them are pretty good.
Below is the link to the poll. Thanks, in advance, for your help!
Click here to go to the contest page and make your choice.
Again, thank you for your help with this. Also, if you like military action thrillers, check out my novel, Serpents Underfoot, available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover from Amazon.com!
What do you do when you encounter a black bear in the wild?
First, it is important to know your bears! Black Bears are different from Grizzly Bears, which are different from Kodiak Bears, which are different from Polar Bears. These differences are more than color and size. Different bears have different mannerisms and habits.
In this post we will focus on the black bear, which is the most common bear in North America.
Meet the Black Bear
Color: Black bears can be found in a variety of colors ranging from black to light brown, or even blond.
Body Shape: Bears all have a similar build. They do vary a great deal in size, and black bears don’t have the large shoulder hump that grizzly bears have.
Weight: Black bears are smaller than grizzly bears. Though they can occasionally get bigger, the average male black bear can weigh between 200 and 300 pounds, with females typically being somewhat smaller.
Claws: Yes! They certainly have claws and, while not as large as those of the grizzly bear or polar bear, you still don’t want them swiping at you with them.
Location: Black bears are the most commonly found bear in North America. They range thought all the provinces of Canada and 41 of the 50 American states. Black bears are very common in the Adirondack Park.
How to Survive a Black Bear attack!
American black bears are know to occasionally attack humans. But given the choice, they would rather flee than fight. They’re smaller, faster and better climbers than grizzlies.
1. Be bear aware!
This means leaving your damn earbuds in the car! Traipsing through the woods with Welcome to the Jungle blasting your eardrums is not a great idea, especially in bear country. Bears are quiet, and almost impossible to hear coming as it is. Stay tuned to the environment, not your music. Carry bear spray in areas where black bears are active. Keep food and trash packed away. And make some noise while walking through the woods. It is not a good idea to surprise a mother bear with her cubs.
Carry a good bear repellent spray!
Bear Spray can certainly help, but it’s not as critical as with grizzlies. Black bears are less aggressive and will move off if they hear you coming. However, a mother bear will still protect her cubs if she thinks they are threatened. This is deeply ingrained in her, because male bear will often kill cubs. Try to spray when the bear is within 40 to 50 feet of you, creating a barrier of bear spray between you and the approaching bear.
Stand your ground!
Since black bears are less aggressive than grizzlies, you should try to present yourself as something large and loud and something to be feared; they’ll usually leave you alone. Shout, wave your arms, and create a big commotion. Do anything you can to make yourself look bigger. Most importantly, just like with grizzlies, never run from a black bear. First, they can outrun you. Second, they often will charge in an attempt to bluff, and the best strategy is to stand your ground with your bear spray ready to fire if the bear gets too close.
Keep your feet on the ground!
Never, ever climb a tree to escape a black bear. They’re really excellent climbers, and they tend to chase anything they think is running away. There’s a good chance the bear will simply trap you in the tree, and could even climb up after you.
Do NOT play dead with a black bear!
This has been known to work with grizzlies which are true predators, and unless starving, will only eat what they actually kill. Black bears, on the other hand, are scavengers. If you play dead and they are hungry, they may decide to eat you.
Fight back!
Unless you’re physically not able to, it’s far better to defend yourself against a black bear than to simply fall down on the ground and play dead (See previous section). If you end up in “close quarter combat” with the bear, use any available object as a weapon to defend yourself. If nothing is handy, punch or kick at the bear’s nose, eyes, and ears. Attack the sensitive areas that are more likely to get an immediate reaction. Do whatever is needed to scare it away. Work to create distance between you and the bear, but do not run away. The bear will simply chase you. You have to make the bear decide to run away.
New Release
I am soon releasing a a collection of short stores called Adirondack Bear Tales on Kindle and in paperback. The book is based on my series of blog post on Adirondack Bear Tales. You can read one of these posts here. I hope you will check my new book out when it becomes available.
If you enjoyed this post and feel like you want to buy me a cup of coffee, just click the link below. Thanks!
D.C. Gilbert 