Understanding

The more I attempt to write, “Beyond the Signs,” the more of jumbled up fricken mess it becomes. There are so many people wanting to hear a conclusion but the fact of the matter is – there is no conclusion. This is how life goes and for some, it is even more of a challenge than most would like to admit. Today, for instance, I walked to the bank and followed a man who was pushing his bicycle while holding a duffle bag in one hand and had a backpack slung over his other arm. Poking out of the backpack was a sleeping bag. Need I say more?

As I exited the bank and began my day’s journey, I passed that man who was sitting in the sunshine and spreading his blankets and sleeping bag to dry out. I walked a little farther then glanced back and saw Springfield Police asking him questions. The man did not appear high or drunk to me, just cold and wanting to dry his things out in the warm sun. Where’s the crime?

Until Later,

–Kirk Toncray

After All This Time

After All This Time

When I released Behind the Signs, I hoped the book would touch a few hearts. Apparently, it is still reaching people and sending a signal that will never be forgotten. I walk every day to maintain my health and people yell at me, “Hey Kirk!” I feel bad because I recognize the faces but I cannot put a name to these persons. “I read your book,” is a what I usually hear. “It touched my heart.”

That’s what it’s all about.

–Kirk Toncray

Title

I haven't blogged for quite a while. Holiday seasons are very difficult for me for reasons I will not disclose. One of the best things we can do as loving human beings is to drop all of our selfishness, our competitiveness, forget about NASCAR, NFL, NBA and really, truly, look into the mirror and ask yourself, "Is this the person I really am, or could I do more?"

Later,
–Kirk

Something Must Be Done

Dear Senator Wyden;

This email is being sent to you as the Social Security Administration is on the federal level but I am also contacting our governor, John Kitzhaber, as the Child Support Program is on the state level. I am disabled and receive Supplemental Security Income. The SSA encourages individuals to obtain gainful employment as much as possible. I receive $721 per month in SSI. I visited the website and called the SSA about returning to work, part time, as much as my personal disability will allow. I learned that any money I earn will be deducted from my SSI income

Here’s the tricky part; I owe several thousand dollars in back child support. This cannot be deducted from my SSI but up to 50% can be garnished from any earned income that I receive. This ultimately means I would need to work full time, which I cannot, and earn $14 per hour to break even to what I receive from SSI. I strive to better myself, and be an asset instead of a liability, but these circumstances prevent it.

Thank You,
Robert Kirk Toncray

Work Together

Many of us have experienced things in life that put us into positions where we really don’t want to be. One of those positions is loneliness. We've all faced it; through divorce, death, or any loss that melts your heart until it hurts so bad you want to tip your head forward and cry. Sometimes the words don’t fit. Sometimes we are too busy to listen to ourselves and to others.

There is a thought that occurred to me that maybe we can re-focus. We are all good. We are all given the gift of an intelligent mind. We all can pull ourselves together to make this world a better place for everyone.

Despite the politics that occurred last season at Egan Warming Centers, by-golly it’s time for someone like me to stand up and shake that wonderful program back into shape!

Let’s work together. Make this happen. The cold season is around the corner.

Understanding

There are many factors that make ordinary people function in different ways. One of which is the capacity to understand what reality is and what is running through a person’s mind, some of which are untrue and only visible to the person who owns that mind.

Sometimes, actually, most of the time, things get all out of whack where day-to-day living becomes more of a nightmare than actually relieving the frustrations that may enter the mind. Let’s face it, we, as people, live like we are dumber than a box of rocks. If you dig into that box, you will find an intelligent person who will simply nod his/her head then continue with the task at hand.

Publishing a good book is very much the same. I was at a total loss as how to deal with certain things in my life when a publisher called about TOTAL DISCHARGE and when I will have the manuscript ready.

Those people are HUNGRY for publishable material.

Go get it folks; let your story be available worldwide.

Enough counseling;

Until Next Time,

Kirk Toncray

Book Signings are Unpredictable

As many of you know, local authors united and held a book signing in June. There were seven of us at the signing which was held at a St. Vincent DePaul location here in Eugene, Oregon. We all prepared well for the event–making sure we had adequate supplies of books, preparing for credit/debit card sales, ironing our Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes, and putting on our happy faces, but the turnout didn’t muster up the numbers we had all hoped for.

People are still asking me how the signing went and I respond by telling them, “Good.” That really isn’t true as it didn’t go well at all. Each author sold a book, maybe two. The reason for this is very simple. Location. People go to St. Vincent DePaul to purchase cheap books. Used books are obviously less expensive than new books and there is no shortage of titles to choose from. Since all we had were new books for sale, (much more expensive), we just could not compete even though our books would be signed by the author with the opportunity to chat and visit with seven authors. Even the free refreshments only lured in a few visitors but they didn’t go to waste. We all enjoyed the goodies.

This is not to say that all book signings are the same. A famous author, C. Hope Clark, which I have chatted with many times, explained to me years ago that book signings are unpredictable. Some go quite well with others being a total flop.

I will close by saying that I will attend any book signing that comes my way regardless of past experiences. I will keep a positive attitude and keep looking forward to meeting people and having a good time answering any questions that may come up.

Until next time,

Kirk Toncray

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