WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VA . . . STAYCATION

The aircraft carrier USS Hornet in 1942.

It’s been a rough year for me—in truth, for everyone—and I decided I really needed to get away from it all.  I needed a vacation.  Unfortunately, that little virus thingy dictated that the v-a part of the “cation” word be substituted with s-t-a-y.

Stay?  Nope, not me.  Why let a trivial matter like a pandemic stop me?  I made up my mind that I must go, the specter of death and depression lurking just outside my front door aside.  I had to get away.

Best decision I ever made . . . putting some time and distance between me and the real world.

So, I flew an antisubmarine patrol off the coast of Oregon, traveled half way across the Pacific on an aircraft carrier, fell in love with a missionary’s daughter in China, became totally enamored with Madame Chiang Kai-shek in Chungking, and spent a few minutes in the Oval Office with FDR.

And those weren’t even the most exciting moments of my journey.  I’ll tell you all about everything in detail early next year.  But, you see, that’s why I love writing.  I don’t have to stay in one place or in one era.

I’m talking, as you’ve probably guessed, about my novel aborning, the one I’ve given the working title The Shangri-La Raiders.  I don’t think that title will stick, however–I’ll let you know when it changes.

I’ll tell you one thing that scares me to death about my new work-in-progress, though.  My most recently published book, When Heroes Flew, has garnered decent reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.  Better than I ever could have imagined, to be honest.  So how do I top that?  Or even equal it? 

Maybe I can’t.  Maybe I should quit while I’m ahead.  You know, go out on top.  What do you think?  Stand pat?  Or gamble on a new hand?

7 Comments

  1. Denice Short on July 28, 2020 at 10:25 am

    Keep writing! I loved When Hero’s Flew. I need to get some of your other books. I’m sure they are as good or even better. Keep writing

  2. Kathy on July 28, 2020 at 11:08 am

    Gamble, Buzz! Or, as Josey Wales would have put it, “well, are ya gonna pull them pistols or whistle Dixie?”
    Really looking forward to this next book….loved When Heroes Flew!!

  3. Barbara on July 28, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    I can tell you one thing: You don’t quit!
    If you were willing to go all those places and do all those things over your summer stay-cation, then you’re ready to gamble on a new hand!

  4. SHEILA Hudson on July 28, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    Don’t stop

  5. Ernie on August 1, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    Buzz I think each one gets better, keep on.

  6. Buzz Bernard on August 17, 2020 at 7:19 am

    Thanks, everyone. (Sorry I didn’t check for comments sooner. ) It looks as though the next one will be titled: WHEN HEROS FLEW: THE SHANGRI-LA RAIDERS. It will probably be released in spring 2021.

  7. Joan. Coakley on October 9, 2023 at 9:20 pm

    When Hero’s Flew…I read all four of your series and enjoyed everyone so much and hope there will
    be a number five in the series.. I could relate to them in part. I lost a brother in World War II He was
    a tail gunner in a B 24 lost in the Bay Of Biscay, and my husband was a naval aviator,.a Captain with
    thirty years of service..
    So, again, I hope there is a fifth in the series..

Leave a Comment