A Journey Across America

Oil Painting by Chris Meadows

Life of Timekeeper Then and Now

Cover Image By Sheri Mallory


A Journey Across America

By John Atkinson

I’m excited about a journey that’s been 50 years in the making. In April, 2010, I will cross America from Virginia to California and blog stops along the way. I will attempt to retrace my footsteps of 1959 when I crossed this great nation hitchhiking. I don’t expect things to be the same today, but as I drive across I will search the old roads and stay off the Interstates as much as possible. To fully appreciate the journey, one needs to read my book, Timekeeper. With the economic situation we are in today, if you can’t afford a copy, ask your local library to order one.

In the old days I feared much, not knowing there were so many more good folks than bad. Had it not been for the goodness of those who helped me I would have perished on the path to old age. I’ll take this trip for many reasons including selfishness. For those less fortunate and can’t travel, I’ll take you with me on my blog. To those who helped me long ago, brought out the goodwill and defeated my attitude that harbored anger, if you are alive or have gone on to the spirit land, the journey will be for you. Also the voyage is for my many friends in cyber space who care to know my mind.

All Aboard!

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback .To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com

A Digital World

Photo By Chris Medicine Meadows

A Digital World

By John Timekeeper Atkinson

The world is digital this and digital that. Well, grandpa is going digital. That’s not bad for a kid who pulled tin cans with a string attached for communication with a pal who was thirty feet away. I couldn’t figure out if the tin cans and string worked because I could hear my friend without the can to my ear. He yelled, “Hey, pull the string tight!” But the string snapped in two and we didn’t bother to mend it because our young scientific minds took us to far away fields to play at something else. And now I live in the digital age where kids think nothing of a flash drive that can hold more information than my old school’s library. Come on, how about a set of digital tin cans? Digits, what will they think of next?

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback .To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com

Pictures Tell The Tale

Photos Copyright 2009

Pictures Tell The Tale

By John Atkinson

What a perfect example how a birthday party can lift a soul’s spirits, or was it sugar that did the trick? Front and center: Chris Meadows is the serious bow tie kid not in the mood for friends or fun and games. But Janie, Chris’s mom knew better. Cake and ice cream with Pepsi Cola was the magic potion in those days that eased tense nerves and brought forth a child’s true temperament in sociability. Look how proud she is of her accomplishment. Bravo, Janie!

Notice the white shirt, bow tie and 75% of the cake gone.

Chris' expression? Someone forgot to turn down that Rock N Roll music

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback .To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com

An Awesome Critique Group

Left to right: Margaret Sibley, Greta Ward, Sharon Baldacci, Debbie Miller, Renee Atkinson, Barbara Shine.

I'm in an awesome writer's critique group. All have helped me with my writing. Thank you ladies.

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback .To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com

Camera Man

Left to right: Fleet Edward Meadows, unknown boy, unknown Chief and Chris Meadows in Cherokee, North Carolina 1959. It was Chris' beloved mom, Janie, who took this snapshot.

Photo By Chris Meadows

Camera Man

By John Atkinson

Chris Meadows was into photography before we had color film. Here he stands ready in August 1959 with a flash attached Brownie camera hung around his neck. He’s dripping with cool, wearing a flat top haircut, boat neck shirt, pegged pants and Indian moccasins. The dead give away for cool in those days was hands in the pants pockets. Later Chris had his own dark room. It was cameras, guitars and Rock-n-Roll music. Fort Knox, Kentucky 1964, when all the other soldiers were preparing for weapon inspection, Chris was cleaning his camera. He told his buddy, Guy Trollinger, “Hey man, they won’t pick me out of five-hundred men!” But the first soldier’s weapon inspected was Chris’. The Officer of the Day asked, “Soldier, is this weapon clean?” Private Chris Meadows answered loud and clear, “Yes sir!” With the rifle held at High Port and magazine chamber open, the OD snatched the M-1 rifle from Chris at lightning speed. He field stripped the weapon and tossed dirty parts in every direction. Standing in formation men snickered while Chris ran about picking up rifle parts. No problem, Chris was cool and savvy too. He knew well the nomenclature of the M-1 and had his weapon back together and ready for combat in less than a minute. If only they had let him wear his state-of-the-art camera it would have taken him longer, but we would have that scene well documented.

Thank you Chris for helping me with this blog. Without your expertise in photography, my blog wouldn’t be the same.

We would like to know the names of the boy and the Chief. If you know who they are please Write: John Atkinson mercyme@crosslink.net

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback .To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com

FIND OUT WHAT THE RAVE IS ALL ABOUT: TIMEKEEPER!

John Atkinson's Timekeeper has been nominated
for the Library of Virginia award in Fiction . . .

FIND OUT WHAT THE RAVE IS ALL ABOUT!

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The Feminine Touch

Photo By Chris Meadows

The Feminine Touch

By John Atkinson

Look what happened to the Saturday night poker table. My blogger buddy Janis with her Wordless Wednesday pictures, (do I have to mention the table was not set by me?) this is Speechless Saturday.

I learned from the TV show Mayberry RFD when Sheriff Taylor told Barney to never mess with the women’s auxiliary. The bull in the china shop handled this one with care. I said, “That’s a beautiful table! What’s for dinner?”

John Atkinson is the author of TIMEKEEPER, a magnificent book about a young boy who fights to overcome illiteracy. Timeekeeper, ISBN 978-0-9776076-5-5, is available in hardcover or paperback .To order your copy call 1-800-228-9316. International orders call: 00-1-831-238-7799 or visit: www.fisherkingpress.com