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Saturday, December 24, 2016

Nathan Speaks: About the Authors, Christmas and the Future...

Merry Christmas Eve and a Happy Hannukah (which also begins tonight) to all our friends...  

For the past few months the entries here have been erratic and I want you all to know how sorry our authors (Allan and Helen) are for these issues.  However, life has gotten in the way in many forms during this time.  First, up until November, Allan was still taking full-time classes at CSU Monterey Bay and these were very demanding classes.  They ate up a lot of his time and his mental energies.  

Then in early November he received a job offer with the County of Santa Cruz in their Assessor's office.  As you all can imagine getting settled into a new job and learning all the ropes is no easy task and very consuming of both time and energies (especially mental energies).  However, the biggest obstacle since he started work has been the fact that his commute takes anywhere from 1 - 1 1/2 hours one way, on any given day.  He rises at 5:30AM and does not get back until 6-6:30 PM, which leaves him little time to spend with Helen, who has been dealing with a major FLARE up of her Fibromyalgia.  Naturally, he has been trying to care for her as best he can when he's available.  

However, these are not the only obstacles the two of them have had to deal with.  In addition to preparing for the holidays and guests, they have also been looking for a new place to live.  Until now, they have lived in subsidized housing at CSU Monterey Bay, but that is only available to students who are full-time!  Naturally, Allan can no longer be a full-time student while working full-time and caring for an unwell spouse.  So they are hunting for a new place they can afford during the holidays (not easy let me tell you).  But as they do so, they are aiming to cut down his commute considerably to give them more time together as well as time to write.

Naturally, this has left both of them with very little time to be creative.  Hence, the lack of updates or even a Christmas-themed tale.  Two stories were well under way, but are on the back-burner until a new place has been found for them to reside and then get moved and settled in.  So please bear with them as they try to get their lives back in order.

Finally, know that the stories and more novels about me, Lisa, Marisa, Otto and our other friends in the Para-Earth Book Series, are on the way.  The hopes are for two books to be released in 2017.  The first will be "The Door" which is a sequel to "The Bridge" and "The Ship".  In December an anthology of some of the stories that have appeared on this blog over the last 2 years will be released.  The anthology will also include several brand new short stories that have never been seen before.

During 2017, work on the 2nd "Vampyre Blogs" novels will be fully under way as well, leading to an anticipated 2018 release around Thanksgiving/Christmas.  I know that's a long way off, which is why more adventures will continue to appear on this blog, in addition to the anthology for next December.

I can also tell you cross-over stories involving myself, Lisa, Marisa, and Otto, as well as characters from the other 3 novels ("The Bridge", "The Ship", and "The Door") are in the works as well.  One or two of those tales will appear in the anthology, as well as novellas, and full-length novels.  So please be patient and hang in there.  Allan and Helen are very eager to get back to their writing and bring you more adventures to tantalize and thrill you all. 

In the meantime, we and they wish you all a wonderful holiday season and as a little bonus.  For those who had not realized, in addition to writing our stories, Allan is an accomplished artist and the artwork that graces each of the Para-Earth novels has been done by him.  So here I share some of his more holiday-based art.  We hope you enjoy these works and have a wonderful and magical holiday season:

First we have a European Father Christmas, he based on several different figurines of Santa Claus he found in antique shops:


Next we have a Robin on a Yule Log.  Robins are associated with Christmas quite heavily over in the United Kingdom, but for this piece. However, Allan chose an American style Robin (which is different from those in the England where his mother was born and raised), blending the tradition between the two countries.


And finally, we have this little piece which he titled "It Was Supposed To Be A Still Life".  This is true because, he had planned on doing a pastel piece of the presents and village he and Helen had set up beneath their tree one year.  Of course, after getting things just right, he went to fetch his art pad and soft pastels and came back to a scene much like you see here.  However, rather than getting angry and trying to set things up again, he simply sat down and got to work on the piece saying, "Hey, it's Christmas for kitties too..."

  
*Note: the coloring of the cat is based on his late father's cat Spikette, rather than his own feline mistress Avalon who was jet black and had been the one underneath the tree.  Originally he started out using Avalon's ebony coat, only to find it was too distracting to the rest of the piece, so he kept her attitude and behavior while substituting Spikette's colors for a more balanced piece.  He finds great comfort in having done this since both kitties are in Heaven now, although their spirits seem to occasionally visit and cause mischief around the house when one least expects it.  

That's all for now.  Enjoy the holidays and stay safe everyone.  If you must travel, may your journey be swift and fun, without worry or fear.  And we will see you all in the coming year.

Love,

Nathan, Lisa, Otto, Marisa, the rest of our extended family and of course our creators Allan and Helen Krummenacker


Sunday, December 4, 2016

****10,000 VIEWS AND GROWING ****


Thanks so much to all who have helped make this milestone happen! I had hoped to hit this mark by the end of two years and here we are! I'm truly grateful

I started this blog with the sole purpose of introducing the idea of a science-fiction vampyre who was truly similiar to the traditional vampires of lore. Nathan tries to avoid sunlight (although he can step out on cloudy and rainy days, and can actually walk in the light but only if he's loaded up on blood in advance since sunlight can dry him out to the point of becoming dust). He sleeps in the ground (because certain nutrients his body needs can only be absorbed from there). And he can shape-shift becoming a horde of rats, bats, dogs, mist, grow wings... but is restricted to how big he can do these things. He cannot make more than what there is of his physical being (law of mass). And of course, he is extremely long-lived.

The blog has been chronicling short stories about his long life and some of the people he has met over the last 150 years such as Mae West



the Marx Brothers,


Silent film stars like Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle and Buster Keaton


Ballroom dancer turned heart-throb Rudolph Valentino


And many others he worked with in Vaudeville before they became movie stars, along with others whose lives he's touched such as victims of the Nazi Holocaust and simple everyday people. There are also entries from the supporting cast who allow you to see Nathan through their eyes. Their stories show many sides to him and why he has come to be a guardian angel who has watched over not only them but in some cases their parents, grandparents.

To date there are over 41 short and somewhat longer stories on the blog, with many more to come. I plan on bundling some of the stories next Christmas as an anthology, since there are so many entries on the blog for people to wade through these days.





In the meantime, please share the blog link with everyone you know and then help them to check out Nathan's first full-length novel story "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home" where he comes back to his hometown Pointer, West Virginia. He has come back many times but this time its to stay to save the manor he called home from the wrecking ball, as well as the 1000 acres of pristine land which would fall prey to ruthless lumber companies and coal mining corporations.

Its a lonely homecoming, as far as he knows, but someone has been waiting for him to come back. Someone who saw him leave to fight in the Civil War back in 1862 and a year later died in his arms shortly after his transformation which occurred in a Para-Earth where he encountered two strange lifeforms. One which kept him alive, while the other wanted him destroyed... and still does. In fact, the latter has found its way into this reality and is now closing in on Pointer to finish him off once and for all for he's the only force that can keep it from absorbing all the dead in this world, even if it has to make more people dead to complete the job.

You can find the novel both in e-book and trade paperback form at Amazon, Barnes and Noble:

Amazon:

Barnes and Noble:

For Apple and Kobo readers use Smashwords:



Thanks again and stay tuned for more short stories to be posted soon, including some new holiday tales involving Nathan and his extended family. Until then, keep reading and writing my friends.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Nathan and Company Have Just Gotten Their First 5 STAR Review!

The reviews continue to come in for "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home" over on Amazon.  Here's what the latest person had to say about our favorite paranormal/sci fi vampyre...
Format: Paperback

I read the first two books in the para-earth series by Allan Krummenacker already. Nathan had made brief appearances there and I, as a reader, was enormously curious how he got there, how his life was and what a character he is.  The Vampyre Blogs: COMING HOME is about Nathan's return...
I'm not going into details about Nathan's life. It would be unfair to other readers.

But I'd like to mention something about the style of the book: Being a vivid reader I have of course read books with current diary entries, be it in "flashbacks" or "explanations of the story line. Usually, the diary entries helped to understand the story I read. This was the first time I read myself through a story built on blog (diary) entries, which I found oddly unusual at first, but then I realized it worked. It worked for the story, for the characters and it developed the entire storyline right before my eyes.

The ability to introduce entire characters to the reader this way - as well as build and develop the as well story as also connections only with blog entries, makes me just say one word: BRAVO! I didn't miss a thing. The entries are fascinating and create an entirely impressive as also flowing book! I can't wait to read more.

Want to read more?  Click on the link below to read more reviews.  And remember, the holiday season is approaching fast and you can pick up a copy for yourself or 'gift' one to a friend.  You can not only buy a copy on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble, for just $2.99, but you can also schedule it to arrive on Christmas day.  So take advantage and start your holiday shopping now!
1deda-the2bvampyre2bblogs2b2bcoming2bhome2bcover2b4

KINDLE USERS: https://www.amazon.com/Vampyre-Blogs-Coming-Home-Para-Earth-ebook/dp/B01MDO8SLO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479184225&sr=8-1&keywords=the+vampyre+blogs

NOOK USERS:

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-vampyre-blogs-allan-krummenacker/1124855249?ean=2940153799605

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Nathan's Private E-Journal, April 12th, 2014 : "Fathers and Sons" Part - II


The words "You don't look like your sick or like or in any pain..." echo inside my head as I draw nearer to Ted's father.  

How many times had I heard those words?  And how many times did I want to lash out at the person who spoke them to me?  Of course back then I hadn't changed and didn't have the strength to strike back.  But these days I'm a different man.  The pain and limitations Fibromyalgia caused me are but distant memories, but I never forget anything these days.  

Oh it might take me a moment or two to sort through a century and a half of accumulated memories, but it's all there.  There's not a name, a face, or an event I've been part of or witness to that I cannot recall in vivid detail.  I can even recall things from before I was changed that were locked away in the deepest recesses of my brain, including the looks or hints of disappointment from my father for my apparent weaknesses.  They still sting as much now as they did back then, but I loved him nonetheless.  And now I remind myself that Ted loves his father, so I restrain my impulse to grab the man by one hand and shake some sense into him. 

Instead I stop just before the man and say politely, "Please, come inside with me.  Both of you.  There's some things I'd like to show you."


Without waiting for a response I walk towards the end of the building we're in front of that happens to house my private club "The Crypt".  Behind me I hear Ted's tired footsteps follow.  A second later, his father joins us.

In a few minutes the three of us are safely ensconced around one of the table inside the empty club.  It's a weekday which means the place is not open to the public.  Which makes it the perfect setting for a difficult but heartfelt talk.  Or at least, that's what I hope to keep things.  A part of me is still sorely tempted to unleash a portion of my mist form so I can enter Ted's father and let him experience my memories of what Fibromyalgia feels like.  The old saying about walking in another's shoes may be just what the fellow needs.  Yet, I restrain my impulse.  Ted is not aware of what I am and it wouldn't be right to risk revealing my 'unusual' nature to him by doing something to his father.  Still, if things don't go the way I think they should...
"So what do you want to show me?" Ted's father asks gruffly.  

Staring at the man I quietly take his measure.  Like my own father, he's tall and well-built.  His solid figure tells me he's a man who's enjoyed many sports and strives to keep in shape.  But now I'm sensing something else, deep below the surface... physical discomfort. 

Suddenly, everything becomes much clearer to me.  I begin by saying, "As I said earlier, Fibromyalgia is quite real.  And is it not just a condition suffered by women.  Men have it as well."

"Yeah, you mentioned you have it," the man snaps, but there's a trace of unease in his voice.  "Besides yourself, name one other man who has it."





"Morgan Freeman, the golden actor himself," I reply and wait.  The effect of my words has on him is clearly visible.  Before he can respond I continue by adding, "Michael James Hastings, another actor  who retired because of his struggle with the condition."


Ted's father looks stunned, "He played Captain Mike on 'The West Wing'.  I loved that show."

"Many people have it," I continue, "To differing degrees.  Some can be crippled by the pain, others find different ways of coping through exercise, nutrition, medicines to help them sleep better.  But the bottom line is that its a musculo-skeletal condition with no 'magic bullet' cure.  It's a condition where pain is your constant companion.  Many days you can get through the day, but others are harder.  And some are just so bad you can barely get out of bed."

The man looks at his son for a moment and then asks, "Is that true?  Those days you complain about getting up aren't just because you don't feel like going to school?"

Ted has the good sense to not be sarcastic and simply nods.

His father turns back to look at me.  "How do I know you're telling the truth?"  

"You can look it up online," I tell him.  "It's all there.  There's even sites by these men and others who can attest to how difficult it is to live with the condition."  With that I get up and retrieve my laptop and set it up for him.  As I do so, I give Ted an encouraging nod towards the piano.  Obediently, he gets up and takes the guitar case with him.

Meanwhile I sit back down and watch as his father starts Googling the men I mentioned along with others.  For twenty minutes he says nothing, and I do not break the silence.  I merely wish that I'd had such resources to show my own father, back in the day.   Would it have made things better?  I don't know.  Maybe, maybe not.  As I said before, he did love me.  He just couldn't always understand why I was the way I was sometimes.  

Finally, Ted's father looks up at me with a pained expression.  "Okay, you convinced me.  It's real and men can get it.  But why do you believe my boy has it?"

I answer quietly, "Why can't you believe it?  You mentioned football earlier.  Was that your sport?  Were you simply hoping he'd follow in your footsteps?"

"NO!" the man thunders as his face turns crimson.  Then his expression softens as he explains, "I just want my son to have a chance at a good school."

Now things suddenly become clear to me. "Things are tight, I take it?" I say in a voice so low only he can hear me.

The man nods.  "Like my son mentioned earlier, his mother has Fibromyalgia and can't work.  So it's mainly down to me to bring in money, but she does try.  She does art and sells stuff on the internet.  And she's brings in some good money and we're doing all right..."

"But, the prospects for sending Ted to college aren't so bright," I supply quietly.

"Exactly.  We make too much to get him a Board of Governor's waiver, but not enough to really be able to pay for the classes over at the community college, much less a university."

Just then the strands of a guitar playing fills the air.  It's a sweet gentle melody, played with great tenderness and skill. 


The tune has an effect on my companion who closes his eyes and becomes lost in the tune until the song ends.  

"He's very good," I remark as the final strums fade away.

"I don't question that," my companion replies.  "But, is that going to be enough to get him anywhere?"

Smiling I turn to Ted, who is tuning the guitar ever so slightly.  "Are you up to a little 'Classical Gas'?"

The boy's face lights up as he adjusts the strap on his shoulder.  Meanwhile, his father is staring in shock.  "I love that song!  Can he really play it?"

Before I can answer, the familiar tune starts up with all the speed and skill it is known for.  Ted's father's eyes widen as his son's fingers fly over the strings with precision and dexterity that makes the instrument sing.  

Neither of us says a word until the song is finished, at which point Ted stretches his fingers and massages them slightly.  It obviously took some out of him, but he's grinning from ear to ear. 

His father begins to applaud and goes over to his son.  The two begin having a talk.  A real talk.  And although I try not to listen, I of course hear everything.  It lasts for several hours.  The results I'm pleased to say are better than I'd hoped. Ted doesn't have to give up the guitar.  However, his father does confess his concerns to help pay for his son's future education.  


At this point, I see the first rays of sunlight seeping through the window that peers out into the alley.  Although I'm quite safe here in the club, I'm certain Ted's mother is quite worried about what has become of her husband and son.  

Standing up, I wander over to the pair and casually mention some connections I have over in San Francisco with a certain music conservatory which has a wonderful guitar ensemble.  "I'm certain that if Ted keeps this up, he'd qualify for 'assistance'.  Plus, there's the money he can earn here at the club helping out at the turntables."

Father and son look at me questioningly.  

Smiling I explain, "Your son has helped out as a stand in DJ here at the club on a number of occasions.  I've been thinking about asking him to come on board regularly, provided it doesn't interfere with his schoolwork.  And before you ask, YES, he's as good at that as he is on the guitar."

Ted looks at his father questioningly, while the older man replies, "Let me think on it.  I appreciate what you're offering him, but I've had a lot to take in already tonight.  I'd like a little time to talk things over with my son and my wife."

I nod.  "That's fine.  It's a standing offer.  Take however long you all need."

"Thank you," the big man says and holds out a hand which I accept with feeling.  "By the way, I'm George."

"Nathan," I tell him, "And I'm very glad we had a chance to talk."

"Me too," he smiles and then says, "I think we've taken up enough of your time and we need to get home.  Ted, let's go grab your guitar.  I'm sure your mother will be worried sick about us."

Ted smiles and the two of them head over to the piano where the guitar and its case await.

As I watch them, a part of me wonders what it would've been like to have such a moment of acceptance from my own father.  Then as if in answer I feel a hand on my shoulder.  Turning I see no one's there.  But that's all right.  I know it was real, and who's hand it was.  Some things you never forget, and as I said before I never forget anything.  Especially not my father's way of letting me know when he was proud of me...

Sunday, November 6, 2016

"The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home" Is Now Available and So Are The First Reviews...


After one week, things are looking good for the latest installment of the Para-Earth Book Series as readers welcome Nathan and company with open arms...

Amazon: October 25, 2016

Second book I've read by this indie author. Allan has now partnered with his wife, Helen.

Characters are fun. If you like vampires, you'll like this story. A little Twilight, a little Bram Stoker, a little Stephen King. You can see Allan's influences in his works. Nathan is a fascinating take on the immortal vampire. His family and friends are as dysfunctional as any modern group. He negotiates the modern world with great agility.

The monsters appear, the battles arise. A fun read and a nod to Helen for the scientific additions.

This is the 1st book I have read by these authors and I was hooked!

Such a different approach to the "birth" (of the vampyre),,, and the para earths are fascinating! I look forward to the next installments!

Care to see more?  Then just click on the appropriate link below and see what all the praise is about:

KINDLE USERS ($2.99):

https://www.amazon.com/Vampyre-Blogs-Coming-Home-Para-Earth-ebook/dp/B01MDO8SLO/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V3E8AEVCQ4EWAR5NTH9V 


NOOK USERS ($2.99):
APPLE AND ALL OTHERS E-READERS (INCLUDING PDF) CLICK HERE ($2.99):

Friday, October 28, 2016

Halloween Starts Today With The Release of "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home"


Welcome to "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home".  My name is Nathaniel Eoghan Steward, and I hope you'll be as pleased to meet me and my friends as we are to meet you...  



After two long years of brainstorming, writing, re-writing, editing, and planning Helen and I are proud to present to you all our first collaboration: "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home".

Those who've been following this blog for the last two years will be familiar with Nathan and some of the other characters who appear in this novel, but for those who are not here's a synopsis:

 In 1861 sixteen year old Nathan Steward joined the 7th West Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment to help end slavery and preserve the Union.  Before he left home, Nathan promised his sister Isabella that he would not let the war change him... he was wrong.


While serving in the Union Army, Nathan found himself fighting on many battlefields.  But his toughest fight took place on a parallel version of Earth (a Para-Earth) where evolution had taken a very different turn.  Although he managed to get back to his own world, this particular battle left him so altered there was no going home.  For now he needed to drink blood, sleep in the ground, and avoid the sunlight.


Today, after 150 years of wandering the world and touching the lives of others, he is finally coming back to claim his family mansion which has stood empty for the decades.  However, unknown to Nathan, his homecoming will not be as lonely as he anticipates. For someone has bee waiting all this time to welcome him back.


But, there is another who wishes to meet up with him again as well.  The being he faced and defeated in that Para-Earth, back in 1862, has found its way into this world and has caught his scent.  Now it is drawing closer to his hometown, bent on his complete and utter destruction.  For this foe knows he is the only force that can stop it from enveloping this world and its dead...





The book is available in Trade Paperback (including signed), and all e-reader formats.  To get the version that suits your needs click on the link below which will take you to our new Para-Earth webpage.  There you can find all three installments of the every-growing Para-Earth Series.  Simply, choose the button for whatever format you need for any book, and a new page will appear to take your order.

Webpage for the Para-Earth Book Series

Helen and I thank you all for your support and patronage, and promise you all that we have many more stories to tell, involving all your favorite characters from the series, as well as many new ones.   We also ask that you please share the links and help spread the word about "The Vampyre Blogs - Coming Home" and the rest of the Para-Earth series.


Finally, we want to wish you all a Happy and Fun-Filled Halloween!





Friday, August 12, 2016

Nathan's Private E-Journal, April 12th, 2014 - "Fathers and Sons"


I was making my way back to "The Crypt", after having visited my family's plot tonight.  Everything was just as I'd left it a few months ago.  Except for the weeds which I made short work of.  And of course the flowers needed a little freshening up, so I circled the graves and released some of my green mist, which brought them back into a healthy bloom.  

Went inside the mansion briefly because I thought I saw a figure at one of the windows.  A small figure... holding a... never mind.  I didn't find anyone inside, so I headed back towards town.

Naturally, my thoughts drifted to the days of my youth, before I left for the war.  Unfortunately, not all my memories were happy ones.  Mind you I have a lot of good memories, but there are a few involving my father that still sting from time to time.  He loved me, of that I have no doubts.  Heaven knows he told me and showed me enough times, but there were some days when I could see and sense his disappointment in me.  I wasn't always the son he really wanted me to be, but I had limitations that he couldn't understand at the time.  Of course, I no longer suffer those problems these days, but it would've been nice to let him see how far I'd come.


I had just reached the downtown area of Pointer, when I spotted a figure carrying a guitar case I knew only too well.  It was young Teddy and he was looking pretty down as he walked.  Concerned I started to quicken my pace, only to be passed by a car which pulled up next to my young friend.  Immediately, a man got out of the car and started scolding my young friend rather vociferously. 

Even though they're a fair distance from where I'm standing, my hearing is exceptionally keen and I hear everything as if I was standing right there with them.

"I told you it could wait until tomorrow," the older man says in a very annoyed voice.  "But, no, you have to make a scene."

"You were already making a scene by yelling at me in front of everyone, Dad!" Ted shot back.

I wince at that.  Family arguments have never been my favorite thing to walk in on, much less be a part of.  I consider taking a different route home at that point but then Ted's father says, "I told you not bother with getting a guitar months ago.  It's not going to win you any scholarships for college.  Now if you'd get into football like I keep telling you..."

"Dad I've got Fibromyalgia, I don't have the..."

"That's a made up thing, and even if it was real, only girls and women get it," his father yells, cutting him off.


That tore it for me.  Suddenly, the scenery on either side of me blurs and in the blink of an eye I find myself standing next Ted and his father.  

Luckily the two are so focused on each other neither even notice that I've suddenly appeared on the scene.  "Good evening, gentlemen," I say clearing my throat meaningfully to get their attention.

Ted reacts first.  "Oh, hello, Mr. Backman.  I was just coming to return the guitar you loaned me," he says in a quiet voice.

"Whatever for?  Don't tell me you've given up playing?  You're really good," I tell him, mainly because it's true.  But I also know what playing music does for him.  It gives him a way of forgetting about his Fibromyalgia for a while.  Everyone who fights a daily battle like his needs a coping mechanism and I don't want to see him lose this particular one.

"He's not going to have time to be playing music," his father replies, before Ted can speak.  "I appreciate the fact that you let him practice with that thing, but it's not helping."
"Not helping?" I repeat curiously.  "From what Ted has told me in the past, it helps him deal with his condition..."

"He doesn't have a condition, he's just too lazy and delicate," his father cuts in again.

I nod and reply, "It's my understanding he has Fibromyalgia.  Is that not the case?"

"Fibromyalgia, if it exists at all..."

"For crying out loud, Dad.  Mom has it, you said so yourself," Ted exclaims.  

"Of course she has, but it's a condition women get, not men!" his father explodes. 

"I have it," I say quietly. "In fact I've had it all my life, even when I was little.  Growing pains they called it.  Told me I'd grow out of it, but I never did.  It's been my constant companion every day of my life."

Ted's father studies me for a moment and then says, "You don't look like your sick or in any pain."

"Looks can be deceiving," I reply cryptically and take a step towards him.



****TO BE CONTINUED****






Sunday, June 19, 2016

E-Journal of Brian Weston, June 17th, 1990 - Father's Day and Nathan's Extended Family

We finally got him, hallelujah!  After all these years we finally got Uncle Nate but good, and he never saw it coming.  It all happened over at The Crypt, the nightclub Uncle Nate owns downtown, which is located in the basement of a big old building he bought back during the Great Depression.




It all started back on Mother's Day.  We'd spent the day spoiling and pampering Mom, and had gone out to dinner when the topic of Father's Day came up.  I asked my dad if there was anything he'd like to do on that day.  He didn't answer right away, instead he thought about it hard for a few minutes before finally saying, "I'd like to do something for Uncle Nate believe it or not."
This didn't come as a surprise to me and I told him so.  "I remember all the stories you've told us about how Uncle Nate stood in as a second father for your after granddad died.  Uncle Nate has also acted like a father figure to me whenever you were stationed overseas during your stint in the army."
"That's true," Dad nodded and then looked at me, "But did you know he's also been a father figure to a great many other people?"
"Of course I know, I hang out with a number of them like Jack, Tom, and..."
"I don't mean just here in Pointer, Brian," he interrupted me.  "I mean elsewhere.  There are a lot of families here in the United States, as well as across the sea who he's watched over and been second father to as well.  And they don't get to see him nearly as often as we do.  But they stay in touch with him all the same."
"What do you have in mind?" asked Mom at that point, with a knowing look on her face.
"I think you already know, my dear," he replied and then proceeded to outline the plan.





It took us a week to get in touch with all the people we knew about, and another week for them to contact others we were unaware of.  But soon enough we had a solid list of who could come for the planned gathering.  
      















The only thing missing was the guest of honor himself.  That became my job.  Luckily, I knew an easy way to get Uncle Nate to come to town.  I simply sent him an e-mail saying there were reports that the town council was thinking of trying to put his family manor up for sale, again.  They've discussed this several times in the past, but never made any headway.  Mostly because Uncle Nate would show up and pay a 'visit' to certain parties that always led to the motion being shot down.
Admittedly, this could be considered a little underhanded, but at least it would bring him running when the time was right.  And sure enough he did.  
In the e-mail I told him a bunch of us were meeting down in The Crypt this Sunday night to see what action we were going to take and that his presence and advice would be greatly appreciated.  Naturally we all knew he wouldn't show up until the evening, or even if he was already at the club, he'd be in the lower sub-basement resting.  In either case we'd be able to set things up for the party without his knowing.


As it turned out we got there way before he did and decorated the place in record time.  With so many people it was really easy.  Communications were a little hard sometimes between us and some of our visitors from overseas, but there was always someone who spoke both languages to help bridge the gap. 

In any case, we were more than prepared for Uncle Nate when he entered the club that night.  All the lights were off, of course so he couldn't see us.  But we could see him just fine as he opened the door and stood silhouetted from behind by the moonlight. 


As he stepped into the room the lights came on and all three hundred of us greeted him wildly.  


  To say he was surprised would be the understatement of the century.  He confessed to me later that he suspected something was up, but he never dreamed it was on such a scale as this.  Looking over the photos I took tonight I can't blame him.  I've always known Uncle Nate had network of people he referred to as his 'Extended Family', but I never dreamed how big it really was, or how much it varied.  We had one elderly couple from Poland who told us how he'd rescued them as children from a Nazi Concentration camp and then whisked them away, along with a bunch of others to a safe place.  For some reason they wouldn't talk about that 'place' but assured us that it was something wondrous.  
There were many others present but one man stood out in particular, in spite of his small stature.  He arrived a little late once the party was in full swing, but when he entered the room fell silent.  The white hair, the round thick glasses, and the cigar in his hand made him very easy to recognize.  At least one person murmured, "Oh my God..."
At which point the fellow shook his head and said in his famous gravelly voice, "Not really, but close enough."  



The place exploded with laughter, and Uncle Nate suddenly appeared at Mr. Burns' side and embraced him warmly.  Mr. Burns was accompanied by his son Ronnie and daughter Sandra, along with their spouses.  Mr. Burns shared some stories with us about his early days in vaudeville, and how he met Uncle Nate who had inadvertently demonstrated some of his powers without meaning to.  Mr. Burns also proceeded to give us a song or two with Uncle Nate on the piano.
Being it was Father's Day, Uncle Nate didn't let us forget to celebrate all the other fathers in the room and those who were soon-to-be-fathers.  It was obvious he was touched by all we'd done, and it thrilled him to no end that so many had come all this way for the occasion. 
Towards the end of the evening Dad took me aside and thanked me for all I'd done to help make this happen.  "It's amazing isn't it, that all these people are just a part of Uncle Nate's Extended Family.  There are still so many more out there."
"How did he get to know them all?" I asked curiously.
"The same way he got to know ours," Dad smiled,  "It just started out with a person or two here and there who learned his secret, and found a deep friendship with him.  As those people began families, he was there for them and soon their children would learn about our godfather, and ask him to help watch over the next generation as he had for them."
Startled I looked at my father, "Uncle Nate is your godfather too?"
Dad nodded.  "He's been godfather to a great many people in this room.  We're just lucky to see him more often because this is his hometown and we help watch over his family's estate.  He's been a part of our family for generations. He watched over my mother, her father, her grandfather and so on all the way back to the end of the Civil War.  And he has every intention of continuing to watch over all of us for a long time to come"
I found this a great comfort as I stared out at the crowded floor.  It's good to know that when I have a son or a daughter, he'll be here to help watch over my kids as well.
 Now, Uncle Nate is raises his glass in a toast saying, "I want to thank you all for including me in this Father's Day celebration.  But I also ask you all to remember your own fathers, and stepfathers, mothers, stepmothers, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors who've also filled the role of a father figure in yours or another person's life.  For their efforts help shape the people we become in the long run, and their legacy leaves in each one of us.  Happy Father's Day everyone..."