Rick McBee's Writings
Explore the magic of new ideas and books to read as well as see what books I have written, my favorite photos, my opinions on may subjects, including Science, Africa, the Caribbean, the Civil War, my Book Reviews, and Much More!
Lookout Mountain – Cold! But Great Views!
My buddy Dale Hill and I took a quick hike up to the top of Lookout Mountain just South of Hood River, Oregon right after a big snow storm came through Nov. 17. We slogged through a couple of feet of powder snow in the warm sun following the storm. Look at those trees behind Dale! 
BRRR! As we neared the top of Lookout Mountain, you can see from the way the ice and snow is plastered on this dead snag how the wind whipped through the Cascade Range and plastered the snow and ice right onto the trees. 
Then just below the summit we saw this perfect little spruce all decorated out in natures finery with the watershed hills of The Dalles in the background.
Finally, looking back to the West a bit higher, Mount Hood, 11,249 feet (3,429 m) looms in the distance against the stark blue of the sky. Now that’s one Gorgeous Mountain! Love it!
Want more info on Mt. Hood? See this Wiki link!
ENJOY!
Book Review: “Higher Love” by Kit Deslauriers
Higher Love: Skiing the Seven Summits by Kit DesLauriers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have been a mountain climber since the age of 8, in 1952 when I first went up 10,110 ft. Mt. Blackmore outside of Bozeman, Montana with my father. That introduction to the heights has stayed with me spiritually for all these years. As such, I love Kit’s descriptions of both her he athletic feats on the mountains she climbed and skied, as well as her spiritual trip, especially on Everest. What always amazes me is the ability of the extreme mountaineers to withstand the cold, hunger, altitude sickness and drain if energy for not just one or two days, but for weeks on end. Kit’s expenditures of energy, the deprivations and necessity to endure on Denali and Mt. Vinson are certainly equal to or greater than the obstacles of Everest. Her feat is simply amazing, and a real model for mountaineers of all ages for all time! The dedication of Kit’s husband Rob to her goals and project is also a model for partners in marriage who need to support one another to achieve individual and joint goals. I will read this book again to re-live the high points of her journey. A great book!
Billions of Africans – Ready to Take over the Planet!
Wow! What a story! If you’ve never seen African driver ants coming through the forest, or stepped on their warpath inadvertently in your open sandals, then you’ve got something coming! …
Source: Billions of Africans – Ready to Take over the Planet!
Billions of Africans – Ready to Take over the Planet!
Wow! What a story! If you’ve never seen African driver ants coming through the forest, or stepped on their warpath inadvertently in your open sandals, then you’ve got something coming! We used to abandon our kitchens and houses when they came through in Cameroon in the 60’s and the ball of ants two feet wide and four feet high would latch onto the side of the building and clean out everything! No rustling cockroaches for weeks after they devour everything and move on. Bring on the drummers and juju men to route them into someone else’s village! 
To Check out this Ethiopian Invader! Click here!
Holiday Gift Time – Africa Novel and Shell Book still free on a couple more dates!
Dear Friends and Followers:
African Book, African Story, African Hero – The Ghosts of Ukuthula
Below: The Author – 1967 Sasse College, Buea, W. Cameroon, taking off for Christmas ride up through Mamfe to Bamenda. Traveling light! Cover of my latest novel “The Ghosts of Ukuthula”
I hope you will take advantage of my next Amazon Kindle and PC giveaway of my new 2016 book, The Ghosts of Ukuthula. It is part of the story behind the ANC liberation movement in the 1980’s leading to the presidency of Nelson Mandela. Written as historical fiction, it illustrates the conflicts, the racial stigmas and the human side of life in southern Africa as our hero, Jacob Nkwe strives to defeat a force which had its sights on taking over The Republic of South Africa.
See inside the book at: http://www.amazon.com/Rick-McBee/e/B001K8HIXI
This book is FREE on these dates: November 26 and 28 (1AM to 12PM Pacific Standard Time). That’s the same as 8AM on those dates to 8AM the following day for those of you on GMT. It is also available on Dec. 10 in time for Christmas.
My Website for more Africa pictures: Rick’s Web – Africa Pictures
Enjoy the American Thanksgiving Holiday!
Rick McBee, Author
Interactive Snapshots of Shell Book: “Beachcomber Seashells of the Caribbean” for 19 Nov. Freebie!
This set of pictures, some of which are interactive, will give you a good view of what is inside my Kindle free book being offered for 24 hours (PST) this week on November 19, 2016. Make sure you check out: Beachcomber Seashells Freebie – 19 Nov. 2016
Cover Some Sanibel Island Shells
Beachcomber Seashells of the Caribbean has over 300 pages of photos, identifications and keys so that you can take your IPhone/Samsung (the non-explosive type)/ Laptop/etc. to the beach with you and DO IT!
Here is what it looks like! shells-caribbean-book-snapshots
Enjoy! Here are some places to look on Sanibel! Sanibel Shelling
All the best, Author, Rick McBee
A Quote from “Ghosts of Ukuthula”tells it all about politics. Don’t for get Saturday’s Giveaway!
My old Peace Corps buddy from Cameroon (19666), Mickey Johnson,(That’s him with the Green Mamba – one lucky fellow it didn’t bite him!) made a gret observation about “The Gh…
Source: A Quote from “Ghosts of Ukuthula”tells it all about politics. Don’t for get Saturday’s Giveaway!
A Quote from “Ghosts of Ukuthula”tells it all about politics. Don’t forget Saturday’s Giveaway!
My old Peace Corps buddy from Cameroon (19666), Mickey Johnson,(That’s him with the Green Mamba – one lucky fellow it didn’t bite him!) made a gret observation about “The Ghosts of Ukuthula.”
He pointed out a quote from on p. 25, Chapter 3, that fits with a whole lot of what comes down politically to us little folks about what ‘went down’ in the world. Here it is –
“Look at this pile of shit!” Jim’s finger jabbing toward the long work table covered with piles of newspapers from all over the world. “Do you see any patterns in the reports on the airplane massacre?” He stormed around the room to where his assistant, Abe Miller, sat in front of a yellow tablet.
“Sure, I see lots of patterns but not what you want if I get your drift.”
“Tell me what you see?”
“It’s all ‘spin’.” replied Abe. “Our politicians use it all the time. It isn’t about what really happened, it’s about saying your special version of blaming the other guy often enough so that everyone believes your story no matter how outrageous. Spin makes you quit looking for the truth of what really happened.”
“Fine!” snapped his boss, “so here we have a whole pile of spin about a bombing, none of which makes sense. Is that what you’re saying?”
Don’t forget these words six months from now as you see the reality of our new President’s first 100 days and compare it to what you were told to expect. The World has a way of taking the men who occupy that office and chewing up their promises and spitting them out (both Presidents and promises). Stay tuned.
While you’re at it, take advantage of a great book on FREE Offer for Kindle and PC All day Saturday Pacific Standard time!Here’s the Link!
Enjoy the Read! Author, Rick McBee Check out my Web Africa Pictures!
Just Updated My Web Site on Africa!
I just spent several hours updating my website with pictures of my 1973-76 work at Maun Secondary School in Botswana,Africa and also putting on pictures of my 2014 Botswana 10 day Safari and return to Maun Secondary School to see how it had grown! The link is below:
Check out Botswana – Then and Now!
Worldwide Free Kindle Book Giveaway
Worldwide Book Giveaway! My 3 Kindle
Books Free! 7 Days – See Below!
From Author: Richard H. McBee Jr. 4 November 2016
For the holidays, I am giving away my Kindle Direct Publishing books on 7 days before Christmas Customs, Hanukkah Hanukkah Customs and Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Customs.
A. Read my new South African Liberation Novel “The Ghosts of Ukuthula” based on the times of Nelson Mandela! Available November 12, Nov. 26, and Nov. 28, as well as December 10 between the hours of 12AM and 12PM PST (GMT is 8 hours ahead so London so free is from 8AM GMT on those dates to 8AM GMT of the next day) See inside the book!
B. Or, for fans of the American Civil War, get my Civil War History book “Rough Enough” One more day only!Nov. 5, 2016 PST See Inside the book!
C. Or, if you are traveling to Florida or the Caribbean get “Beachcomber Seashells of the Caribbean” on Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, and Dec. 17, again between 12AM and 12PM PST Check out the best interactive shell key.
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ISBN-13: 978-1532995347 ISBN-13: 978-1589827134 ISBN-13: 978-1495464034
ASIN: B01GNGCKHK ASIN: B00HCQNBB0 ASIN: B00IP954W2
Want a Paper Copy? Be sure to order it through your local book store!
South Africa Book Group on Goodreads
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