Gary holding the author in 1963

Gary holding Michael (that's me!) in his hands. This is only 3 months after his academy graduation in November 1963. He was 24 years old. He and Marianne's daughter Melissa had died only 18 months prior.

The family story goes like this... Melissa was beautiful, with big round blue eyes and a perfect face. I, on the other hand, was born cross eyed and my head was a bit contorted from the birth... I was an ugly baby.

So when my parents saw me they cried. At least that's how I hear the story. Hah! Well, I got to write the book so paybacks suck!

Ethel Barrett - Chapter Six

Here's Ethel Barrett in a 1950 public relations photo. She recorded hundreds of children's stories for companies like Gospel Light, Regal Books, Sincord, and Christian Light Publications. In addition, she published over 40 books with many of those same companies in addition to Zondervan Books.

Ethel was nominated for a Grammy Award, received the Story Teller of the Century Award at the Christian Storytellers Convention in 2007. She was also a close friend of Henrietta Mears.

Only part of her story is told in "Life Attempt". I need to write another book to tell the rest of her story.

Gary earned the Sergeant rank in 1970. He was 31 years old. The person on the left is a Captain I believe... if someone recognizes him it would be good to know his name.

Medal of Valor Award Ceremony at Dodger Stadium

In recognition of being awarded the Medal of Valor, LAPD Sergeant Gary W. Barrett stands before a huge crowd at Dodger Stadium in 1972. In the background are the other LAPD officers who were recognized for their own acts of bravery that year.

One of them, second from the left, is a woman... the first female officer to be awarded the medal in the history of the Los Angeles.

Life Attempt for Kindle

Not sure how I did it - but I found the time to do a rough edit on Life Attempt and get the entire book posted on Amazon.com for eBook readers. Anyone with a Kindle or iPod eBook reader can read the book. It's available here for the cost of a Venti latte. I'll post some pictures next so you can see the faces behind the powerful story. Please get the word out about the book.

BTW, if you don't have a Kindle or iPod you can still read the book on your PC. Just download the free Kindle reader for PC at Amazon.com.

Willamette Writers Conference

Going to meet with some editors and agents between Aug 5th and 7th at the conference here in Portland. I have "Life Attempt" all packaged up and ready to go... just need someone to listen long enough to catch the wonder of the story. Here we go!

Driving Down Risk Road

No matter what I do in life I can't seem to avoid turning down this road. It's uncanny. When faced with a decision of safety versus danger... I still pick danger. This is playing out its unmelodic tune in my personal life now. There are downsides to the life of adrenaline love. I'm sure you can attest.

Peace. MB