About
METHINKS
A Yooper's lighthearted look at life
METHINKS
A Yooper's lighthearted look at life
ISBN: 978-1877935304
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Yoopers see the world through different eyes. In his first non-fiction book, the author relates stories of his passage from a youngster growing up in rural northern Michigan to an engineering retiree returning to his roots. An often humorous and sometimes poignant accounting of his observations, distractions and errant ways, his candid recollections of his struggles and mistakes serve as lessons for younger generations aspiring to succeed and light reading for anyone curious about the small town Yooper experience. 
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As Discussed in METHINKS:
Photo 1: From the chapter "I'll Fly Away," the "Cozy" in flight. The dream of building and flying that experimental aircraft crashed and burned, but was nonetheless grand while it lasted.
Photo 2: From the chapter "Cliff Dwellers," the view from the back balcony of our condominium in Panama City Beach. Although highly enjoyable and suitable to some, high-rise condominium living is not for everyone.
Photo 3: From the chapter "Working the Rail," a motor car such as used by Soo Line railroad crews up until the mid-1970s, on display at the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor, Maine.
Photo 2: From the chapter "Cliff Dwellers," the view from the back balcony of our condominium in Panama City Beach. Although highly enjoyable and suitable to some, high-rise condominium living is not for everyone.
Photo 3: From the chapter "Working the Rail," a motor car such as used by Soo Line railroad crews up until the mid-1970s, on display at the Cole Land Transportation Museum in Bangor, Maine.
And Also Discussed...
...was Fred E. Doepke, Sr.'s military service during World War II. In 2014, a plaque honoring his service was installed at the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial near San Diego, California. A brief video associated with that event can be seen by clicking below.
...was Fred E. Doepke, Sr.'s military service during World War II. In 2014, a plaque honoring his service was installed at the Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial near San Diego, California. A brief video associated with that event can be seen by clicking below.
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About the Writing of METHINKS
Panama City Beach
The origin of Methinks dates back to 2007, prior to the beginning of my first novel, Cold Time. The effort began as a binder of several short stories involving personal experiences and observations, composed in the evenings as I pursued my interest in writing. As the collection grew in size I began to consider formal publication, but knew I first needed to come to grips with the fact that it lacked cohesion; there was no common thread to bind those stories into what I considered a "book-worthy” product.
Unsure about whether or not there even needed to be a theme, I gave the notebook to a valued friend and well-read coworker to garner an honest opinion regarding publication. After noting several references to my little-known home town, Wayne McClain told me he’d like to read about the personal journey that ended with my acceptance of a position with NAVSEA in Panama City, Florida. Since stories of that nature intrigued him, he thought others might be interested in them as well. His suggestion never strayed far from my consciousness.
So after completing and publishing Cold Time and its sequel, The Lattice of Time, I turned my attention back to METHINKS, now viewing it from Wayne’s perspective. But books, and the characters therein, tend to take on a life of their own. By the time of publication three years later, the book had become its own unique product, having the flavor of the journey Wayne suggested as well as the elements of humor and gratitude I wanted to preserve.
I didn't intend the book to be semi-autobiographical, although in many respects it is. However, I did intend it to be interesting, entertaining and helpful. Whether or not that intention was met is, of course, in the judgement the reader. If nothing else, perhaps METHINKS will serve as a good "bathroom" book and, if so, that's okay, too. Any book that's enjoyed in whatever manner the reader prefers is, as far as I'm concerned, a worthwhile effort on the part of the author.
Unsure about whether or not there even needed to be a theme, I gave the notebook to a valued friend and well-read coworker to garner an honest opinion regarding publication. After noting several references to my little-known home town, Wayne McClain told me he’d like to read about the personal journey that ended with my acceptance of a position with NAVSEA in Panama City, Florida. Since stories of that nature intrigued him, he thought others might be interested in them as well. His suggestion never strayed far from my consciousness.
So after completing and publishing Cold Time and its sequel, The Lattice of Time, I turned my attention back to METHINKS, now viewing it from Wayne’s perspective. But books, and the characters therein, tend to take on a life of their own. By the time of publication three years later, the book had become its own unique product, having the flavor of the journey Wayne suggested as well as the elements of humor and gratitude I wanted to preserve.
I didn't intend the book to be semi-autobiographical, although in many respects it is. However, I did intend it to be interesting, entertaining and helpful. Whether or not that intention was met is, of course, in the judgement the reader. If nothing else, perhaps METHINKS will serve as a good "bathroom" book and, if so, that's okay, too. Any book that's enjoyed in whatever manner the reader prefers is, as far as I'm concerned, a worthwhile effort on the part of the author.
Personal Background that Influenced the Content of METHINKS
As loosely chronicled in METHINKS, I was born and raised in Gould City, Michigan, a small Upper Peninsula town located 56 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. My father worked for 34 years as a depot agent for the Soo Line railroad, which passes through the town but no longer stops there. My mother, an extremely hard working woman, was for years a short order cook at my Uncle Phil's restaurant, preparing breakfasts and lunches daily for the locals and tourists. Both my parents have long since passed away, but my two sisters and brother still reside in Gould City.
I attended Newton Township School for the first eight years of my education, then Engadine Consolidated High School before going on to Lake Superior State College in 1971. After receiving my bachelor of science degree in biological science I moved on to Michigan State University, where I eventually received my master of science degree in zoology in 1980 and a second bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1982. To help pay for my education I worked a variety of jobs, most notably that of section laborer on the Soo Line, tender for two stone and brick masons in the area, and bartender over the course of ten years. While at Michigan State, I met and married Jolene Lancour, my cherished companion since 1980.
My professional career was exclusively as a civilian engineer with the Naval Sea Systems Command, specifically with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division located in Panama City, Florida. During the course of my thirty-year career I had the honor of working with the finest military personnel in the world, including the Navy SEAL teams. I also had the opportunity to hone my writing skills by preparing system specifications, statements of work, organizational charters and other scientific/engineering documentation required of the various technical and managerial positions I held throughout my tenure.
After retiring in 2012, Jolene and I relocated back to Brighton, Michigan to be nearer her parents, her sister's family and my family in the Upper Peninsula. We currently reside in Brighton.
As far as my interests go, I enjoy writing, design in all its forms, book collecting and travel. Jolene and I have visited Hawaii, Alaska, Great Britain, Russia, several countries in Europe and Scandinavia, Mexico and a dozen or so islands in the Caribbean. We are now focused on travel to areas of North America we have not yet seen and are continually planning trips. Our favorite place, though, remains Mackinac Island, the “Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes," which we visit yearly.
I attended Newton Township School for the first eight years of my education, then Engadine Consolidated High School before going on to Lake Superior State College in 1971. After receiving my bachelor of science degree in biological science I moved on to Michigan State University, where I eventually received my master of science degree in zoology in 1980 and a second bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1982. To help pay for my education I worked a variety of jobs, most notably that of section laborer on the Soo Line, tender for two stone and brick masons in the area, and bartender over the course of ten years. While at Michigan State, I met and married Jolene Lancour, my cherished companion since 1980.
My professional career was exclusively as a civilian engineer with the Naval Sea Systems Command, specifically with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division located in Panama City, Florida. During the course of my thirty-year career I had the honor of working with the finest military personnel in the world, including the Navy SEAL teams. I also had the opportunity to hone my writing skills by preparing system specifications, statements of work, organizational charters and other scientific/engineering documentation required of the various technical and managerial positions I held throughout my tenure.
After retiring in 2012, Jolene and I relocated back to Brighton, Michigan to be nearer her parents, her sister's family and my family in the Upper Peninsula. We currently reside in Brighton.
As far as my interests go, I enjoy writing, design in all its forms, book collecting and travel. Jolene and I have visited Hawaii, Alaska, Great Britain, Russia, several countries in Europe and Scandinavia, Mexico and a dozen or so islands in the Caribbean. We are now focused on travel to areas of North America we have not yet seen and are continually planning trips. Our favorite place, though, remains Mackinac Island, the “Crown Jewel of the Great Lakes," which we visit yearly.
The view west from Fort Holmes, Mackinac Island