When did everything become so annoying?

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Perhaps it’s my age, because the older I get the less likely I am to ignore, well, stupid things. As a former teacher I know I’m not supposed to use the “s” word, but I just can’t help myself. For example…

I read an article recently that suggested it’s time for shoppers to tip retail workers. You read that right. Those who lead us to a dressing room or go look for an extra-large pair of pants—even though I’m certain the large pair I just tried on must surely have been mismarked—are now expecting tips. Just like the fast-food folks whose efforts on our behalf primarily include handing that bag of burgers across the counter. Now don’t get me wrong, as a former waitress and bartender, I have no problem tipping service workers who don’t get a paycheck that reflects minimum wage, but it’s my understanding that retail workers get a mandated hourly salary, so why are we being asked to tip them?

And, how about the people who think it’s just peachy to call an older woman, “Young lady”? Is there any way that form of address is not demeaning? I spent 40 years as an amateur sports official and I’ve been referred to in a whole bunch of disagreeable ways, so I’m not the least bit thin skinned. Still, when you call me, “Young lady,” I want to smack you in the head with my slippers.

I also have a bone to pick with parents who are absolutely unwilling to let their children fail. Mom, Dad, you are doing your kids a disservice when you march up to the coach and demand that your kid be a starter or complain about why your little sweetie pie did not get the lead in the school musical. Just stop! Your children are supposed to fail and then learn from the experience. If you smooth every bump in their road to maturity, they will fall to pieces the first time life throws them a curveball. So step back and let them find their own way.

Then there are men. Don’t get me wrong. I love men, but they do the silliest things sometimes. Need proof? Have you watched a football game on TV lately? Why must I see grownups strip to the waist in freezing weather while they root for their favorite team? And why is it always the guys no one wants to see with their shirts off? Note that if a bunch of Chippendales decided to go half-Monte at a game, I probably would enjoy the scenery, but it is never, ever the guys with the mantastic muscles and amazing abs that are gyrating in the stands. I wonder why?

Now let’s talk about spitting. I have spent much of my life in the sports world and have witnessed more than my fair share of expectorating. Psychologists say spitting is a form of aggression, so I guess it might be applicable in the battlefields of the sports world. And don’t you think it’s amazing how athletes seem to know exactly when they’re on camera and manage to hock a perfectly-timed loogie for all the viewers to see? As for the average dude who feels the need to spit on the street when there are no muggers around to scare off, spitting is just dumb. You need spit. It helps you chew and swallow your food, kickstarts digestion, and protects your teeth. Saliva contains proteins and other substances that keep your mouth and body healthy. Mother Nature was thinking of you when she invented spit, so savor it and quit leaving that little puddle of goo on the street for me to step in.

Finally—and I know you think I’m picking on guys, but gosh they make it so easy—let’s talk hats. Whenever I see men who feel the need to wear a hat all day/every day, I and every other person alive knows they’re probably hiding a bald spot. You’re not fooling anyone, so why do it? We live in a world where bald is cool, so why not rock that dome? As for you younger guys who feel a ballcap is always cool, it’s not unless you’re, well, at a ballgame or keeping warm in cold weather or out hunting big game. And, sure, pop on your cap when you’re just tooling around with the boys, but there are times when that green John Deere just doesn’t cut it. I can’t help but think of the kid I saw the other night in a really nice restaurant who was clearly trying to impress his date. Lovely setting, great food, two pretty glasses bearing red wine, and him peeking out from under a cheesy mesh ballcap. Was there a subsequent date? Talk among yourselves.

Phew! I feel better now. A little whining is therapeutic, don’t you think? That said…what bothers you?

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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Amazon

The last dog

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Lately, I’ve been thinking about my dog. Her name is Bella and she’s some kind of cattle-dog mix, which is apparent by her two striking blue eyes. I found Bella 12 years ago while shopping at PetSmart on a day when a local shelter was holding an adoption event at the store.

Bella, on the right, with her best friend Sadie who a while back crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

I had lost a canine friend a year or so earlier—a lovely little black-and-white border collie named Georgie who’s death at 15 left a sad hole in my world and which rendered my remaining dog Sadie home alone when I went to work.

While pushing my cart past the thigh-high enclosure that housed the dogs looking for homes, I noted that Bella was getting a lot of attention, as blue-eyed dogs often do. I didn’t know if I was ready yet, so I picked up the pet supplies I needed and did my best to walk out of the store without looking back.

Clearly, I was unsuccessful, as now Bella, who’s approaching 14, is still staring at me with those eyes that at times appear almost human.

I have had a dozen dogs over the course of my life, all wildly different with their own distinct personalities, creatures that brought a dimension to my world that I don’t believe could have been filled by any other animal. My feline friends would no doubt insist that I mention the fact that I’ve also cohabitated with dozens of cats over the years and though I love them equally and the space they occupy in my heart is just as important, it is a bit different.

Bella, despite her age, is still vigorous and jumps around like a puppy when she senses it’s time for a walk or a cookie. She’s been healthy most of her life, despite a few scary trips to the vet. The one I can’t forget is the time I received a call at work saying Bella had a severely injured leg and was crying piteously.

Cattle dogs are an exception to the rule and can live up to 20 years, so even though Bella is a mixed breed, perhaps she too will continue to defy the predictions.

I rushed her to the vet who explained that Bella was in a bad way. “Probably a broken leg or a torn Achilles tendon.” The doctor then pointed out that said repairs could cost several thousand dollars, which had me convinced I might have to put Bella down. I cried as I waited for the test results.

When the vet returned she seemed a bit perplexed. “Well, the X-rays show there is nothing wrong with Bella.” She stared at my dog. “I think she’s just a drama queen.”

I glared at Bella who blinked those blue eyes and appeared to be smiling. Then the vet handed me a bill for $645.

The question I’ve been pondering lately is what happens when Bella mounts that Rainbow Bridge. She’s an old girl, though a recent article in USA Today gave me hope that she may have more years to go than I previously imagined. The story, titled “Which dog breeds have the longest lives?”, enumerated the number of years a dog might be expected to live based on their size. Small dogs can live between 14 and 16 years.  Large dogs—those over 50 pounds—usually live only seven to ten years. Those in the medium category, of which Bella is a member, should live about 10 to 12 years. However, there is one strange exception to the rule. One medium-size breed defies the predictions. It seems that cattle dogs can live up to 20 years. Why? No one has any idea.

No matter how long Bella gets to stay with us, I now know she is my last dog. The idea breaks my heart, but as I approach 70 and do the math I realize that I do not want to leave a cherished pet behind, an animal that someone else must care for.

I’ve given this a lot of thought. It’s a difficult decision, as I so enjoy the evenings when there’s a cat in my lap and a dog curled up at my feet. But in my heart I know it’s the right thing to do.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

Authors, even if you don’t sell a lot of books at a signing it can still be a success

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Authors often have high expectations for books signings, but I wonder if they understand that it’s not all about how many books one manages to sell at an event. I’ve been behind that table, exhorting passersby to stop and take a look at my novels lots of times, and I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed on those occasions when no one seemed interested in buying my books.  However, that doesn’t mean the whole endeavor was a waste of time.

Authors need to consider all the promotional opportunities when participating in a book signing.

Note here that I am not talking about a book launch, which is generally a one author/new book event. It’s any other time an author sets up a table in public, especially those times when authors come together in groups, which means there are lots of people hawking books in the same place at the same time, so there’s an immense amount of competition.

We need to think of a book signing as more of an overall promotional opportunity. A chance to meet people and hand out business cards. Note that I’m a big believer in those humble little bits of paper. One should never head to a book event—or anywhere for that matter—without a bunch of well-designed business cards boasting a lovely photo of their most recent book cover, as well as a website address and contact information. Remember that today readers have options, and while we authors lug suitcases filled with physical books to our events, we should not forget about the folks who prefer to read audio and e-versions of our work.

Authors should also consider what they’re asking for their books. At a recent event where maybe 25 authors had gathered, the nice man next to me inquired about whether the $28 price he was charging for his paperback book was excessive, since no one was buying his books.

“Yes!” I said without a moment’s hesitation. “It’s too much!”

He looked perplexed.

I didn’t know the guy, but since he asked, I felt compelled to explain. “These events are not necessarily about making money. They’re about getting the word out,” I said. “I’ve given away lots of books, because I want people to read them. If you charge too much, you’ll never get your books in readers’ hands.”

Giving a book away also promotes goodwill. You’ve made someone’s day. That little bit of kindness just might drive business to your website, and the reader might like your book so much they’ll tell others about it. Yes, it’s a bit of a financial hit, but giveaways should be part of doing business. And, hey, you can take the cost off your taxes.

The most important thing an author can do is to bring their most personable self to an event. Your book won’t sell itself. That’s your job. So, look people in the eye. Stand when someone approaches your table. Have a very short speech that explains what the book is about and, if the patron shows interest, explain why you felt the need to write the story. Smile. Be animated. Hand out that business card and thank them for stopping buy even if they didn’t make a purchase

The idea is to get them to remember you and your book. And while you won’t see a rise in your book sales that day, you certainly may see one later on.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

Saving wild horses one at a time

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I recently visited Georgia where I did a book talk at the Richland Rum Distillery, located in a verdant, tall-pines area a couple of hours south of Atlanta. There I met Karin Vonk who owns the distillery along with her husband Eric.

The mustangs that live on Karin’s ranch are wild, but if you‘re very lucky one might come close enough to touch.

Karin and I had been in email contact several years earlier when I was working on my novel Wild Horses on the Salt, a story which discusses, among other things, the plight of the wild horses here in Arizona. Like many places in the West, our wilderness areas are being eating up by development, putting the animals at risk.

You are probably wondering how a rum maker might have been a useful contact in regard to a book about horses. Well, when Karin is not making rum she’s saving mustangs. Following my book presentation—and, lucky me, a rum tasting—Karin invited me to her ranch, a sprawling 2,000 acre spread with rolling hills and lakes, streams and forests.

We parked near a line of oak trees by a fence, behind which multiple mustangs grazed. Black and brown, spotted and white, 26 in all, though many were not visible, since the animals have over 150 acres of their own upon which to roam.

The horses are wild. None have worn a bridle or saddle, and Karin confirmed they never would. Note that mustangs are by definition free-roaming horses that are descendants of those bought to the Americas by the Spanish conquistadors. Though horses were once indigenous to this continent, they died out around 10,000 years ago, possibly due to climate change and human predation.

I met Karin Vonk at her beautiful Richland Rum Distillery where I spoke about my new novel Your Forgotten Sons. Then she took me to see the horses.

At the turn of the 20th century, roughly two million wild horses roamed the West. Today, the Bureau of Land Management estimates the number at 73,520, a count that includes free-roaming burros. Despite the dramatic drop, the animals are running out of room, and the question is what do we do with them.

The BLM conducts roundups, often by helicopter, where some horses are sterilized and released, while others are offered up for adoption. But horses are expensive, as are the efforts involved in training a creature that has always been wild. Despite financial incentives from the BLM, only 6,220 wild horses and burros were adopted in 2023, leaving many thousands languishing in holding facilities across the West. That’s where Karin and others like her come in, many of whom scour the Internet for mustangs in need of a home.

As we stood inside the fence and gazed at the animals placidly grazing beneath a bank of bluish-gray clouds, she told me about one specific horse, a 25-year-old black-and-white paint, an animal that tugged at her. Eventually, she brought him to the ranch and only then did she notice the many pictures of him online. The paint was a long-time photographers’ favorite and in those pictures Karin noticed another animal, a black mare who was always by his side. So, again, Karin went to the Internet, hoping to find the mustang’s mate.

“She was very tentative when she came out,” Karin said when the mare arrived at the ranch. “I wasn’t sure what he would do, so I kept her on the other side of the fence. Then their noses touched and he started jumping and kicking.”

The mare perked up as well. While it was unknown how long they’d been apart, they clearly recognized one another. A short time later, they were reunited.

“See, over there, on the hill?” Karin pointed to the couple, who grazed alone near a thick stand of trees.

A white horse wandered over at that moment and Karin gave him a pat on the neck. I reached out and touched the mustang, as well. Then she nodded at the couple. “They won’t come to me yet,” she said, not seeming the least bit displeased. She explained that the horses are not pets. She tries not to give them names. An effort perhaps to keep them always wild.

Karin wants nothing from these animals except what she can give them. A little bit of open land to live out their lives in peace.

WILD HORSES ON THE SALT

A WOMAN FLEES AN ABUSIVE HUSBAND

AND FINDS HOPE IN THE WILDS OF THE ARIZONA DESERT.

Published by Liaison – A Next Chapter Imprint

Rebecca Quinn escapes her controlling husband and, with nowhere else to go, hops the red-eye to Arizona. There, Gaby Strand – her aunt’s college roommate – gives her shelter at the Salt River Inn, a 1930’s guesthouse located in the wildly beautiful Tonto National Forest.

Becca struggles with post-traumatic stress, but is enthralled by the splendor and fragility of the Sonoran Desert. The once aspiring artist meets Noah Tanner, a cattle rancher and beekeeper, Oscar Billingsley, a retired psychiatrist and avid birder, and a blacksmith named Walt. Thanks to her new friends and a small band of wild horses, Becca adjusts to life in the desert and rekindles her love of art.

Then, Becca’s husband tracks her down, forcing her to summon all her strength. But can she finally stop running away?

Wild Horses on the Salt Universal Buy Link

Anne Montgomery’s books can be found wherever books are sold.

If it sounds too good to be true….A cautionary tale for authors

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“I’m George Watson, a film and talent agent based in Los Angeles. I represent producers dedicated to bringing exceptional literary works to the screen, working closely with both authors and producers to secure impactful film deals and connect outstanding storytellers with Hollywood’s unique opportunities. I recently had the pleasure of reading your book, and it left a profound impression on me. I truly believe your work holds outstanding potential for a film adaptation.”

There it was in my email, the subject line saying, Your Forgotten Sons – Book to Film Adaptation. I’m sure you can imagine the delirious thrills that ran through me. But I’m not a dope, so I did some digging, and after some researching George seemed like a real guy from a real company. So we emailed back and forth for a few days, me noting the perfect prose and punctuation with which he wrote.  “My project manager will be in touch with you today to outline the next steps and address any outstanding details.”

Then I got a call from Tim who explained that the investors group included Prime, Netflix, and Amazon—which seemed a bit odd, since you wouldn’t expect those guys to sit around, have drinks, and purchase options on books together—still I listened.

Tim was from First Look Studios. “Can I have the link?” I asked.

“Of course.”

He pointed out that I would need to create a trailer for my book, implying that the investors needed a three-minute video to learn about the book. My Spidey senses perked up at that point. Would one invest a shit-ton of money in a film without reading the book it’s based on?

Before ending the call, I asked Tim to email me the information we discussed, a document that magically appeared in my inbox in seconds, but sans the link I’d requested. So, I typed in First Look Studios and found that, yes, it was a film production company. Because I could find no website, I read the information on Wikipedia, and it was only when I got down to the bottom of the article that I found this: “In November 2010, First Look Studios filed for bankruptcy…”

I then went back and called the number that popped up on my Goggle search and left George a message. Later on, a man sent me a voicemail explaing that he was George Watson and that others like me had been in touch. “It looks like a scam, “ he said. “It’s certainly not me so good luck and be careful.”

Here’s the thing. Unlike most scams I’ve encountered, this one, at first glance, seemed legitimate, mostly because the emails were so well written and detailed. I have no doubt AI played a role. I’ll now admit that the first flush of excitement stopped me from doing a more thorough background check. And the scammers know this. Almost immediately, I began preparing that speech thanking the Academy for my Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

I’m still unsure what they wanted from me. They only asked for a copy of the book and a trailer. I’m going to guess it would have had something to do with the cash they were waving around. They probably would have asked for money and/or my bank account information.

The point, of course, is that we have to be vigilant, especially with AI smoothing out all those rough scam edges. Just remember, if it seems too good to be true…It is!

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

A return to Georgia: Join us if you can

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Forty-one years ago, I arrived in Columbus, Georgia. I’d been out of college for six years, and this was the first time I’d been offered a job in my field of choice. I wanted to be a sportscaster, but back then the doors to that world were mostly shut to women.

Still, I’d been given an opportunity at WRBL-TV. I was assigned the job of sports director and sports anchor on the Monday through Friday six and 11 o’clock newscasts, and I was both thrilled and terrified, because while I’d spent the previous five years officiating amateur sports—football, baseball, ice hockey, soccer, and basketball—in an effort to understand the games and be a competent sportscaster, I knew nothing about producing and anchoring a sports segment.

I will be forever indebted to the late Dan Lynn who accepted me at WRBL-TV back in 1983 and taught me to be a sportscaster.

I was rather stunned when I arrived in that small town that housed one of the largest infantry bases in the country. It was then Fort Benning. Today Fort Moore. Since I was a Jersey girl who after graduating from college in Ohio moved to Washington D.C., I had little knowledge of the South, and to say I didn’t completely fit in would be an understatement.

Two people saved me. One was my sports partner Dan Lynn who—despite being passed over for the top job for a woman with no broadcasting experience—did all he could to help me acclimate to the business. The other was Reg.

Regina Liparoto and I became friends while working at WRBL-TV in 1983. We’ve been buddies ever since. When she asked me to write a book about her Uncle Bud, I, of course, said yes.

Regina Liparato—a spritely blonde with a big smile and a bit of a Georgia drawl—was the newsroom assistant and we became friends about three seconds after we met. She helped ease me into the Southern culture I sometimes found baffling. The night she and several station employees took me out to dinner remains stuck in my mind.

A waitress looked at me and asked, “You want grits with that, honey?”

Since I didn’t know what grits were, I made what was to me a reasonable reply. “I’ve never had any.” I smiled. “Could you just bring me one?”

The waitress was incredulous. My dinner mates hysterical with laughter. I was just confused. Then Reg patted my hand and said, “You can have some of mine.”

Neither Reg nor I could have guessed that four decades later we’d embark on a project that would consume five years of our lives. She asked me to write a book about her Uncle Bud, a man who like millions of others had been drafted and sent to fight in World War II. But Bud’s story was different than most. Assigned to what was probably the most difficult job in the military, Sergeant Joseph “Bud” Richardville served in the Graves Registration Service where his job was to locate, identify, and bury the dead.

The novel Your Forgotten Sons is inspired by Bud’s life and dedicated to the men with whom he worked tirelessly to honor the fallen. That care is visible today in the 26 graceful cemeteries they left behind in 17 countries worldwide.

On this Veterans Day weekend, I have returned to Columbus, Georgia where Regina and I have reunited. We will talk about Bud and his men and ask others to remember them, as well. If you happen to be in the area, come and join us. Here’s where we’ll be:

Schedule

Saturday, November 9th, 2024

Tri-City Veterans Day Parade Columbus, Georgia

10:00 AM

Richland Rum Tasting Room 1 Richland, Georgia

2:00 PM

VFW Catula, Georgia

6:00 PM

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Ruth Ann’s Restaurant Historic Uptown Columbus (Reservations Required)

706-325-9111

1:00 PM

Monday, November 11, 2024

VFW Columbus Victory Drive Veterans Day Cookout

12:30 PM

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

Football: Too much of a good thing?

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I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I must. I, Anne Montgomery, am getting sick of football.

I spent almost 40 years as an amateur football official, so I never imagined I could get tired of the game.

I know what you’re thinking. Clearly, I must have hit my head since football was a big part of my world for such a long time. I routinely covered football as a sports reporter, and was even the beat reporter for the Arizona Cardinals when I worked in television in Phoenix. That means I covered their games and practices, and was expected to know everything that was happening with the team on a daily basis. On top of that, I officiated amateur football for about 40 years, 24 of which I spent as a high school referee and crew chief.

So what gives?

I am old enough to remember the kinder, gentler days of football, when one could expect games on a simple timetable that even a child could comprehend. High school football reined mostly on Friday nights, Saturday was college ball, and the NFL took charge on Sundays. Of course, pro ball changed a bit in 1970 when the first Monday Night Football game aired, but that didn’t seem too overwhelming at the time.

Today, however, there is almost no escaping football. The NFL bled into Thursdays in 2006, which in my opinion is barbaric. How is it even remotely fair to make teams play just four days after suiting up for a Sunday game? Feel free to laugh when the league says the health and well-being of its players are of utmost importance.

In olden times, there were two time slots for pro games, quaintly referred to as the early game and the late game. Now, we sometimes have an early-early game—a 9:30 AM EST matchup courtesy of NFL Europe—as well as a Sunday night contest.

And college football has expanded as well. Now, instead of ruling just on Saturdays, you can catch games on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. But don’t worry, the NCAA cares deeply about the student-athletes who represent State U. I’m sure all those kids are making it to their classes.

As a sports reporter, I covered football for years, but now my love for the game seems to be waning.

Perhaps you are now scratching your head and wondering why football has literally taken over every night of the week. And I bet you know the answer. (See what I did there?) Though no one is saying so, the idea that we are all free to gamble on the game has made more football equate to more money. Tons of it.

According to the American Gaming Association, it’s estimated that approximately $35 billion will be wagered on the NFL with legal sports books this year, 30% more than last season. The NCAA, meanwhile, is rather opaque in regard to how much legalized gambling on football brings into its confers annually, but I’d wager the sum is easily in the billions.

Note that 48% of sports gamblers are 18-to-34-year-olds, and according to the NCAA’s own 2023 study, 67% of 18-to-22-year-olds had engaged in sports betting in the previous year. But the ruling body in the college sports world says not to worry.  Last March the organization announced that, “The NCAA’s longstanding efforts regarding sports wagering, which aim to protect the well-being of student-athletes and the integrity of competition, continue to evolve alongside the (gambling) industry’s rapid growth.”

Well, now I feel better. Don’t you?

Humans love things that are rare. Which football used to be say in comparison to the pretty endless Major League Baseball season. The NFL had just 16 regular season games, before a 17th matchup was added in 2021. Still, the relatively short football season was something to look forward to. The anticipation—for you younger readers who are used to instant gratification, look it up—was delicious as we waited for that opening kickoff.

So, why am I getting tired of football? It’s like anything else we can do anytime we want. It becomes a case of too much of a good thing. After a while, the shine wears off. Simply put, football has lost its sparkle. But I haven’t given up on the game yet. I’m holding on. Here’s hoping my passion returns.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

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Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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Lies: We can and should do better

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Truth should matter, don’t you think? I mean, it’s fundamental that in order to make sound decisions that benefit ourselves and others, we should gather the facts, ruminate a bit, and come to a logical conclusion.

And today—Wow!—we have the world’s knowledge at our fingertips. Never in the history of man has so much information been available to so many. And yet, we seem to know less about the truth today than we ever have.

Why? The guardrails were smashed when anyone with a computer or phone could say anything at any time about anyone or anything, anonymously and without limits. Yes, I know that here in the U.S. we have free speech—and we could debate what that exactly means for a millennium or two—but let’s look at this like when we were kids.

Remember when your mom said, “Did you take that Snickers bar from the store?” And you pressed your lips together, and scrunched up your eyes, and considered which was worse, stealing or lying? Then you confessed and she made you apologize to the store owner and you had to put the candy back? There was probably some kind of punishment for your youthful transgression, but when it was over, well, at least you told the truth, right?

It’s pretty clear that the vast majority of us learned that lying was bad about the time we figured out how to color inside the lines. And yet today grown-ups of all stripes lie with abandon, then say something silly like, “Yes, I lied. But the underlying topic of my lie was important, so I thought I’d bring it up by um…lying.”

Does your head hurt? Mine does.

Now some of you may say that lying in certain situations is just fine. Like when mom is twirling around in a godawful dress clearly thrilled to death. When she says, “Don’t you love it?” You say…haltingly perhaps…“You look great, Mom.” And that’s just fine. No harm, no foul, in my opinion. Others might believe you need to bring the hammer of truth down on Mom and her purple-plaid dress, but not me, so we shall agree to disagree. However, when a lie can hurt others—human, animal, or the natural world itself—these fabrications should never get traction anywhere in our world.

So, what can we do to filter out the lies? Don’t share anything that you haven’t personally verified. Check the source of the information, check the bias of the source, cut and paste the information and do your own check, then pass it on to reputable fact-checking organizations. And please don’t tell me the fact-checkers are lying. I saw that recently and almost fell into despair.

And let’s not forget that words aren’t the only things that lie. Please put on your skeptical glasses and investigator’s hat when looking at those pictures of mermaids, the Loch Ness Monster, and other plants and animals that are clearly not real. Why add fakes to an already breathtaking world?

And here’s the really important thing. Get your facts from a bunch of different sources. Please, never, ever justify passing on a fact because you heard it on the one media outlet you’re glued to. It’s fine if you have a favorite news source, but be brave and check out a few others, especially those you don’t normally listen to.

In the end, the world will be a much better place if we put in the work and verify the information we’re passing around, because lies can hurt.

I know we can do better.

Now let’s all hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

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Amazon

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Preparing for retirement: It’s not all about the money

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I do a lot of podcasts on all kinds of subjects, and lately I’ve been invited to speak on a bunch of shows about retirement.

I know what you’re thinking. “We’ll of course you have, Anne! After all, you’re pushing 70.” Which makes me perfectly qualified to discuss all I didn’t understand before those Social Security checks began appearing.

First—and I’m guessing many of you already know this—prospective retirees must focus on their post-work financial lives long before the day they punch that last clock. Having enough money to live comfortably is incredibly important. However, a fat bank account and sound investments are not enough to make one happy. We retirees also need to consider how we’d like to spend our days.

Some of you are surely thinking, “I’ll play golf every morning!”, or “I’ll see my grandchildren all the time!”, or “I’ll travel the world!”

But here’s the thing. In regard to golf and other sports, though it pains me to say it, there will come a time when we are simply unable to participate in the sports we love. As far as the grandchildren are concerned, they have lives—school and sports and music lessons and camp and their peers. And as much as they love you, Grammy and Grampy, you are probably not anywhere near to the top of their to-do list. (Don’t hate me for that statement, just think about it is as dispassionately as possible.) As far as traveling is concerned, have you been out there lately? While I’ve traveled extensively and still do, all I can say is it’s exhausting, especially those long-haul flights with your knees scrunched up against the seatback in front of you. Navigating airports and time zones and hotels just isn’t as much fun as it was in my thirties.

Now, despite the relatively bleak retirement picture I’ve painted, let’s think about the things we can do. We can and should participate in sports and exercise regularly, for both the physical and social benefits they provide. We just have to adapt to our changing bodies and acquiesce when our bones suggest we try something less strenuous. Not easy, I know. I can’t ice skate or ski anymore, but I never considered pre-retirement that I would also be unable to officiate football and baseball. The good news is I can still swim and scuba dive. So branch out physically before you retire. Sure, go golfing if that’s your thing, but maybe try yoga too. Just find something that keeps you moving on a regular basis.

As for the grandkids, for the vast majority of us, that’s not an everyday thing, especially when the kids live far away. Travel, too, is mostly a special occasion, which means there’s still a lot of free time left in Retirement Land, so we must make a plan. For example, those who have a hobby in mind for those after-work years— like gardening, or cooking, or coaching, or painting, or playing the zither— should take a pre-retirement course. Check with your local college or community center and see what’s available. Doing this before retirement will let you know if you really do want to pursue the hobby. And if you don’t enjoy it, try something else. Just be open-minded and you might be surprised by what you fall in love with.

Now let’s talk about your social life. You need to get out in the world on a regular basis. Remember when you were working and you had to get up, get dressed, and deal with other people every day? That was good for you. You made social connections on the job. Approximately 76% of workers admit to having a close friend at work. But often, when we retire, relationships change dramatically. While we should do our best to stay in contact and get together when we can, remember that as we age friends tend to drift away, so our social circles shrink considerably, unless we make an effort to meet new people.

How do we do that? Find something you’re interested in and join a club where you’ll meet others with whom you share a passion. Also, don’t wait until your practically paralyzed by boredom to volunteer. We retirees are filled with knowledge and myriad skills that we should share with others. Sites like https://www.volunteermatch.org/ can help you find opportunities in your community. And don’t forget, no one says you can’t work part-time. So if you loved your job or always wanted to try a different one, go ahead. The idea is to get on a schedule. Even something as simple is deciding to read at a certain time every day will help.

Of course, I don’t mean your retirement world must be packed with never-ending commitments. Pick and choose what works for you. Stay in touch with family and friends, exercise, get out into your community on a regular basis, and I promise you’ll have a happier, more fulfilling retirement.

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

.

A life lesson from a Major Leage Baseball player

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One of my favorite interviews of all time took place one lovely afternoon in Arizona during Cactus League spring training. Some of you may know that the Phoenix area bursts with ballplayers and fans every year in a runup up to the regular Major League Baseball season. It’s a pretty big deal, so it was no surprise that I found myself holding a microphone while basking in the popcorn-and-hotdog-infused air, waiting for the man I was going to interview.

Pitcher Jim Abbott played ten years in Major League Baseball despite being born without a right hand.

But first, let me mention that about two months ago I tripped in a pothole and suffered a severely broken arm, one that had to be surgically repaired and fitted with some mean-looking pins to put everything back into place.

I can’t say it hasn’t been a struggle. I really thought that when the cast came off and pins were out I’d instantly be running around like when I was 12 and fractured my wrist ice skating. I don’t recall any long, drawn-out rehab. It was just no more cast, you’re free, bada-bing bada-boom.

But, no. Two weeks after I had the cast and the pins removed, my biggest success was being able to touch my thumb to my forefinger. That was the moment I realized it would be a long time before my arm would be fully functional.

If you’ve never lost the use of an appendage, let’s just say it can be rather daunting. The idea that I needed help pulling up my pants was my first hint that things were going to be difficult. Put peanut butter on my toast? Nope. Fold the laundry? Nope. Unscrew a jar? Not a chance. So, as you can imagine, I was both feeling sorry for myself and was immensely grateful that my sweetie pie was doing all the things I couldn’t.

Still, I’m an independent sort and quickly got tired of asking for help. So, recently, when I found myself staring at my shoes, I knew something had to change. And that’s the moment I thought of that interview back in 1989.

A severely broken and surgically repaired left arm prompted the memory of an interview I did 35 years ago.

The ballplayer in question was Jim Abbott, a pitcher who over a ten-year career played with several major league teams and was on the California Angels roster that year. I can still recall being charmed the first moment he smiled. As a woman sportscaster back in a time when we were almost as rare as unicorns, I didn’t always get a positive reaction from those I interviewed, so I was delighted when Abbott put me instantly at ease. Still, I shouldn’t have been surprised, because Abbott understood about being different. He was born without a right hand.

“As a kid I really wanted to fit in,” Abbott said on his website. “Sports became a way for me to gain acceptance. I think this fueled my desire to succeed. I truly believe that difficult times and disappointments can push us to find abilities and strengths we wouldn’t know existed without the experience of struggle.”

I considered Abbott’s words, flexed the fingers on my broken arm, and remembered watching video of him fielding. Opposing players often tried bunting against him, thinking to exploit any limitations his missing hand might cause, but he would almost magically flip his glove, grab the ball, and throw the runner out at first.

That day, in the bright Arizona sunshine, I asked Abbott how he managed day to day with just one hand. “How do you tie your shoes?” I asked.

He laughed and explained that his parents never babied him. “They would just look at me and say, ’Figure it out.’”

With that in mind, I wandered over to the Internet for a solution and here’s what I found:

One-handed shoe tying

1. Hold one shoelace down with your foot, and pull the other lace tight. Make sure the laces cross over when you do this.

2. Make a loop while still holding the lace under the other shoe.

3. Bring the loop behind and under the straight lace.

4. While holding the loop in place between your thumb and index finger, let the straight lace out from under the other shoe.

5. Use your other fingers to wrap the free lace completely around the loop.

6. Use your thumb to push the middle of the lace through this newly formed loop.

7. Holding one loop in place with your free foot, pull the other loop tight.

That’s it!

Easy peasy, right?

Um, no. I still haven’t mastered it, but with the words of Jim Abbott ringing in my head, how can I quit?

“Figure it out.”

Your Forgotten Sons

Inspired by a true story

Anne Montgomery

Bud Richardville is inducted into the Army as the United States prepares for the invasion of Europe in 1943. A chance comment has Bud assigned to a Graves Registration Company, where his unit is tasked with locating, identifying, and burying the dead. Bud ships out, leaving behind his new wife, Lorraine, a mysterious woman who has stolen his heart but whose secretive nature and shadowy past leave many unanswered questions. When Bud and his men hit the beach at Normandy, they are immediately thrust into the horrors of what working in a graves unit entails. Bud is beaten down by the gruesome demands of his job and losses in his personal life, but then he meets Eva, an optimistic soul who despite the war can see a positive future. Will Eva’s love be enough to save him?

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Universal Buy Link

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes & Nobel

Google Books

Kobo

Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.

Anne Montgomery’s novels can be found wherever books are sold.

Goodreads

Amazon

.