My final audio offering this Christmas season is from the archives. On Christmas Day 1991, I was working at WBCA radio in Bay Minette, Alabama. I was not only the program director and morning drive personality, but also the news director (the joys of working at a small, SMALL radio station). For Christmas most of the morning we had a board op play Christmas music so that our regulars could have the day off. I pre-recorded the news for that morning, giving listeners a brief history of the holiday and its traditions. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.

CLICK HERE to listen to the newscasts.

Have a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, EVERYONE!!!!

A Wish Book Christmas

As promised, another one of my holiday short stories as it appeared in my podcast, "Joe Cuhaj's Shorts". This one is basically a Christmas ramble, reminiscing on past holidays and the first indication that Christmas was on the way for us kids - the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Sears Christmas Wish Book. Oh, that Wish Book. It was the stuff kid's dreams were made of, and provided Santa with a list as thick as the book itself.

The track is titled, cleverly enough, A Wish Book Christmas. It is an MP3 file so you can download it and listen to it anytime. Click HERE to hear the story or click the image above.

I will have two more stories coming your way, both very rare holiday tracks from my days in radio broadcasting. They will be posted here and on my Facebook page on December 17th, and December 23rd.

And don't forget, you can hear all of my past short story podcasts on my website, Joe-Cuhaj.Com.

For the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting some of my holiday and winter short stories as recorded in my podcast, "Joe Cuhaj's Shorts". I'll be posting one here today then the remainder on December 13th, December 17th, and December 23rd. These are all MP3 files, by the way.

Today, one of my favorites (but really, don't I say that about all of them?) - the tale of my gang of friends attempting to break the world speed record for sledding, with not-so-pleasant results for one of the sledders (that would be me, LOL!) So here is this week's offering: Snowy Days and Mondays.

And don't forget, you can hear all of my past short story podcasts on my website, Joe-Cuhaj.Com.

Like Fruit Cake, the Yule Log Keeps on Giving

Every year, I write some short stories about the Christmas holidays, conjuring up memories of cold and frosty mornings and dashing down the stairs to the living room where I would be greeted by a dazzling light show – what seemed like a bajillion multi-color lights blazing on our Christmas tree, its long strands of tinsel twinkling from the reflection of those lights in the slightest breeze, and a blue, red, green and yellow color wheel spinning serenely before the tree, bathing it in a psychedelic light and putting the display way over the top.

In a piece I called, “A Christmas Ramble”, I made mention of my love of holiday television programming during those times, back when I was just a kid in the 1960s, and thought I’d share one remembrance from that story with you – a truly remarkable piece of history about a very odd but now traditional Christmas television offering.

I grew up in northern New Jersey just outside of New York City in the “Swinging Sixties”. During that time, I became an aficionado of Christmas programming, a true connoisseur of the genre. And it wasn’t just the classics I loved like the airing of the movies “Holiday Inn” or Alastair Sim’s version of “A Christmas Carol”. I would always search out and find the odd and off the wall stuff, and one of those programs became a staple in our household and has since become an iconic tradition all across the country.

For as many people love this show, there are just as many that ridicule it, but the story of how this show began is nothing short of programming genius. The show I’m talking about is the Yule Log.

It was a local independent station out of New York City - WPIX - that began the tradition. It was in 1966 when the President and CEO of the station, Fred Thrower, decided that he wanted to do something special for the residents of the city who couldn’t have fire places in their apartments. Additionally, he wanted to make sure that he could give as many of his employees at the station time off for the holiday.

With the permission of the city’s mayor, John Lindsay, Thrower sent a crew to the mayor’s home, Gracie Mansion, and filmed only a few seconds of a fire burning in the mansion’s ornate fire place. It is said that a rogue spark from the burning logs damaged a $4,000 rug that lay before the hearth during the filming.

That Christmas Eve, WPIX cancelled over $4,000 in advertising and the telecast of a local roller derby match to air the Yule Log. The resulting 17-second film would be looped over and over again for hours with holiday music played over the film. Incredibly, the show was a huge success and it ran every Christmas Eve and Christmas morning until it was finally cancelled in 1990. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, the station brought the Yule Log back, digitally remastered, of course, and it has aired ever since.

Today, several satellite and cable companies have produced their own version of the Yule Log and you can actually by DVD’s of the show. An unlikely but remarkable holiday tradition that has thankfully survived.

It’s About Canoeing, Not Corporal Punishment! LOL!

Exciting news today from one of my publishers, Falcon Guides. After 17 years, my second book, Paddling Alabama, will get a facelift. The book has performed really well for Falcon since its release in 2002, but it’s time to re-visit the paddles included in the book and add some new ones.

For those of you unfamiliar with it, the book features 50 canoe and kayak trips in the state of Alabama and, as is the case with all Falcon guides, it is loaded with information about the sport.

It was an interesting book to write. It was the first time I had co-authored a book. I recruited my office mate in my day-time job, Curt Burdick, to help with it. It was a very dry summer and as most of you know, many creeks and smaller rivers dry up or become too shallow to paddle here in the South. At times we thought we should have named the book, “Walking the Rivers of Alabama”.

As we pulled our own version of the Titanic – a 15 foot Coleman canoe – down the shallows, the guy up front would be walking along, the guy in back would stumble on rocks and pull the canoe backwards, then the guy up front would fall into the drink. By the time it was over, we hated each other (just kidding, but close). When it came time to take our author photo, we thought it should have been the two of us sitting in a canoe, facing different directions trying to paddle away from each other. The publisher said no.

There was plenty adventure during that writing. We ventured to Coosa County to do a run on one river and couldn’t find a good put in. A local resident spotted us and told us he would lead us to the spot.

We followed behind this guy’s jacked up Ford F250 (complete with a bed full of shotguns) deep into the woods. When we finally arrive at our destination, we were in the middle of absolute nowhere. Curt and I stepped from the car and to find this guy pulling a pistol on us!

He saw the look on our faces and said, “No, no!! This is to shoot snakes! I’m the local constable!”

It was a really great little book and one I don’t talk about nearly enough (for one thing, we both hated the stock 1970s looking cover the publisher used), so it will be good to bring it back to life and up to date.

My 2019 Holiday Giveaway Begins Today!

Good morning, everyone! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! As I mentioned in my last blog entry, each year as a way of saying thank you for all of your support with my books, podcasts, and articles, I like to giveaway a couple of holiday gifts and this year is no exception.

This year I have two giveaways. The first is for you hikers out there. I have been asked many times what my favorite family friendly hikes are in Alabama. The truth is - there are WAY too many to narrow it down! But I have in a new booklet titled, "My 10 Favorite Family Friendly Hikes in Alabama". This is a PDF file with all of the information you need including maps for 10 great hikes to take your kids on, and inside the booklet, there is information on how you can also download a free copy of the GPX files that you can load onto your GPS device for all of the hikes described in the booklet!

My second holiday giveaway is for you short story lovers. I have compiled my three favorite winter and Christmas short stories (all loosely based on faulty memories) into a new book, "The Christmas Collection". The book is available as a PDF file or eBook. PLUS, you can download audio versions of the stories as MP3 files that you can listen to whenever and wherever you want.

The MP3 cuts include a couple from my podcast, "Joe Cuhaj's Shorts", plus a couple that were read live on the radio during my broadcasting days at WMML radio in Mobile, Alabama, in 1985 and on WBCA in Bay Minette, Alabama, in 1991. With the radio cuts, you'll hear how the stories morphed over the years from simple story telling on the radio to written word to podcast.

To get your gifts, simply visit my 2019 Giveaway web page.

Thank you again for all of your support! Happy Holidays (all of them during this festive time of year)!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT JOE'S 2019 HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY PAGE!

Just a Reminder...

Don't forget, my annual Holiday Giveaway starts Monday, December 2nd! There will be a little something for both hikers and non-hikers. It's just my way of saying thank you for purchasing my books and following my work.

It's the Holiday Season

Greetings, all! 

As 2019 year wraps up, it’s getting busy here for me, as it always does. First of all, as in the past, I’ll be re-releasing some classic short story podcasts of mine for the Christmas holidays. And who knows, if the response is good, I may resurrect “Joe Cuhaj’s Shorts” – not from the dirty laundry but out of the dust bin of podcast history. BUT, I need to hear from you. The fun begins December 2nd. Be on the lookout on my Facebook page and website, joe-cuhaj.com.

Speaking of Christmas, I will be doing another giveaway for the holidays. I think you’ll like what I have cooked up. Details will be unveiled on Black Friday.

The new book, Hidden History of Mobile, is on track for its January 20^th release (FYI for all of my bookstore, museum, and history friends, be expecting a call from the publisher soon. I’m available for presentations, signings, and bar mitzvahs..just kidding on that last one. :). I’ve just been invited to tape an episode of the Arcadia Publishing / History Press podcast, “Author Conversations” in late December. I’m scheduled to do the taping December 18^th. I’ll post details when it debuts.

I’ve also been talking with an old familiar face to the Mobile, Alabama, community - Eric Clemmons. You Mobilians will remember Eric from his days doing sports on local news. He’s doing a new documentary on the history of baseball in Mobile and asked if I could sit down for an interview for the film. “Ready for my close up, C.B.”  I’d tell them to get my good side, but that’s a stretch. I have a face for radio. Guess that’s why that was my career of choice. LOL!

And while all this is going on, research continues on “Hiking Waterfalls of Alabama” and my new podcast, “Bama Bound”. The preview episode of the podcast will be released in December with the show debuting early next year. I think I’ve lined up some interesting topics and guests so stand by.

And So it Begins

FINALLY, after a rough year of health issues, I’m getting to hit the road tomorrow begin writing “Hiking Waterfalls of Alabama”! I can’t wait! I’ll be starting easy, just to get back into the swing of things – you know, things like, oh, reacquainting myself with the GPS, my routine for taking notes and photos, remembering how to walk without tripping on roots (just kidding). You know, minor things like that. I’m going to start with some easy hikes to get back into hiking form. I’ll be heading up to Birmingham to hit several falls – getting reacquainted with Moss Rock, Peavine, Falling Rock, and Boulder Canyon. That should get me started then the real research begins in the north of the state – the Sipsey, northwest and northeast Alabama, Talladega National Forest, etc.

Several people have asked if the book will be strictly about the Sipsey Wilderness and Bankhead Forest, after all, they are called the “Land of a Thousand Waterfalls”. No, it’s not only about the Sipsey although it will include plenty of hikes from there.

I have found over 150 waterfalls to investigate across the state. I’ll cull out the ones on private property, manmade spillways, falls next to highways, etc., to make it a true guide to hiking waterfalls in the state. The only drawback is, as always, the publisher limits the number of treks. I’m buttering them up to expand the number. Wish me luck.

See y’all in B’Ham this weekend!

And That's a Wrap

FINALLY! The final proof (what publishers used to call “galleys”) for Hidden History of Mobile arrived in my inbox yesterday. I parused it one last time and it looks great! The editors at History Press really made me look good. Next step – off to be printed then off to your favorite bookstore! You can pre-order now online through Amazon.Com or Barnes and Noble.

I really can’t wait to line up presentations and signings for this one. The book covers some history that has long been forgotten about the Port City - Mobile - and also adds some lesser known history to more well-known stories and characters from Mobile’s past. 

I really need to thank all of the journalists as well as the staff of the Mobile Museum and Mobile Public Library Local History and Genealogy for all of their help. I couldn’t have done it without them.

This book is only a VERY small look at the hidden history of Mobile and its 300+ year old history. There are many other stories out there. If you want to delve deeper into the subject after reading the book, may I suggest you take one of the Secret History tours. Full disclosure, I haven’t been able to go on the tour yet myself (I've been busy with the book), but from very reliable sources and close friends, it’s a must-do tour that walks the streets of Mobile and takes you through some more incredible history. Be sure to check it out. And who knows, I might be on that tour with you.

And a Follow Up

Just got back from my trip back home to New Jersey and had a great time. Had a chance to visit Ellis Island while I was there and almost 97-years to the day that my grandparents arrived in the U.S. on that island, the family name was added to the Wall of Honor along with 700,000 other immigrants. It was an emotional day, to say the least.

Also had a great visit with the old “gang”, you know, the friends you have heard so much about in my short stories and podcast. No one told me I got the stories wrong, so that’s a plus. :)

But the bigger news is a follow up to my last post. I finally had a chance to read through the edits for the new book, Hidden History of Mobile, made what (surprisingly) few corrections had to be made, and sent it back to the editor at History Press. Those folks have this down to a science. Like I said, I sent the edits back on Friday and Monday morning – POOF! They had the book already formatted for printing! Just needs one more read through and off to the printer it goes and to a book store near you in a few weeks.

Can't wait for the big release. I'll keep you posted.

Red Ink Time

I really don’t know what the best part is of writing a book – completing the first draft, first seeing the cover art, or seeing the ultimate layout and working through edits before it goes into production.

I know, the latter – working the edits – seems more like a chore than a pleasant surprise, but to me, it is exciting to finally get to see what the project will look like when completed and the editing process, at least for me, is a learning process. Only rarely do I wear my heart on my sleeve, take offense to a red mark, and fight for a position. So far, all of my editors have been great and have nailed it every time. Oh, there were times, like when they argued with me when I first wrote in Hiking Alabama that, in many years, Mobile is the wettest city in America. I had to get the staff at the National Weather Service in Mobile to set them right. Same with stating that Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America and that Mobile produced more Hall of Fame baseball players than any other city with the exception of New York and Chicago.

But I’m excited because the production editor for my latest book, Hidden History of Mobile, emailed and the edits for the book will be in my inbox this week. I’ll let you know if the editors need correcting or if they nailed it again ;)

The book is slated for release in time for Christmas with what I think are fascinating stories of the first women to arrive in the Port City and their “petticoat revolution” and invention (creation?) of gumbo to the country; the story of Elvis, the Radio Ranch, and a concert at Vigor High School; the unknown story of arguably the most successful free black during reconstruction, Reverend Shandy Jones; the tale of Harpo Marx getting his first real harp; and many, MANY more tales.

Can't wait to see the results and FINALLY, share it with all of you.

Different Year, Same Old Dilema

I’m getting really excited to be taking my first vacation after what seems like an eternity after all the health issues this year. This year I’m very excited to be heading back to the “homeland” – New Jersey – where I’ll be picking up shipping containers full of Criterion Salt Water Taffy in Eatontown, cartons of Wise Cheese Waffies from Stop and Shop, and visiting where it all started for the Cuhaj’s - Ellis Island. But more on the vacation in another post.

It’s a quiet time with my writing right now. When I get back from vacation, I have several projects – again – that need to be worked on like the edits for the new book, Hidden History of Mobile, research on Hiking Waterfalls Alabama, as well as several short stories heading to publishers, and a new outdoor-centric podcast coming soon.

In the meantime, and before the vacation, I’m really looking forward to hearing author Carolyn Haines speak at the Mobile Writer’s Guild meeting Thursday. I was introduced to Carolyn’s writing with her Sarah Booth Mysteries, but Carolyn’s writing goes far beyond a single genre and that’s what she will be talking about at the meeting – multi-genre writing, which, if you haven’t noticed, is me.

There are many authors and publishers that think writing in multi-genres is blasphemy. You should pick a genre and stick with it. It makes it difficult to have a work published when you say, “I have a mystery I want to submit” then your resume of published books says, “hiking guides.”

And that’s unfortunate because there are plenty of authors who are just as comfortable writing a travel guide one minute, then a mystery novel, then an historical non-fiction. To me, it only makes a person a better writer.

That’s my problem - getting over the marketing hurdle. It’s difficult promoting my outdoor recreation guides, short stories, novels, and historical pieces without it becoming muddled and giving readers (and publishers) more of a reason to say, “Stick with the hiking guides”.

It’s going to be a great session and if you can identify with what I’m saying, then you need to join the conversation with Carolyn Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Mobile Western Regional Library on Grelot Road.

Falcon Guides Announce Joe Cuhaj's Latest Outdoor Guide - "Hiking Waterfalls Alabama"

Falcon Guides and author Joe Cuhaj are pleased to announce that Joe has contracted to write his 9^th outdoor recreation guide for the publisher. The book will be titled, Hiking Waterfalls in Alabama.

As the title implies, Hiking Waterfalls in Alabama will take hikers of all stripes to some of the most beautiful and secluded cascades in the state. The guide will feature roadside waterfalls that people of all ages and abilities can visit, short easy hikes down a mountain or canyon trail to rushing waters with beautiful blue-green pools, and difficult hikes for more seasoned hikers to some of the state’s lesser known and more remote waterfalls.

Cuhaj says that research for the book is now underway. “The first step is to map out travel plans to visit all of these falls. As of right now, the list is at about 150 waterfalls that I will explore and from that decide the best 50 or 60 to include in the book.”

Of course, waterfalls in Alabama are mostly seasonal. “Yeah, summertime isn’t the prime waterfall watching season in the state, unless there are some decent rains. The best times are in the fall and winter months, maybe into early spring, when there is plenty of rainfall. So, I’ll actually start hitting the trails in September.”

The book is scheduled to be completed by March, 2020.

Cuhaj’s other books for Falcon include:

·     HikingAlabama (formerly Hike America Alabama, now in its 4^th edition)

·     Hiking the Gulf Coast

·     Hikingthrough History Alabama

·     BestDog Hikes Alabama

·    PaddlingAlabama

Joe has also penned a book for Menasha Ridge Press titled, Best Tent Camping Alabama, and a brief history of baseball in the state’s Port City titled, Baseball in Mobile, for Arcadia Publishing. He is currently wrapping up work on a new book for History Press titled, the Hidden History of Mobile, that will be released fall of 2019.

The Great Lemonade War of 1965

Good morning, all. Time for another episode of my short story podcast, "Joe Cuhaj's Shorts". This is a quick one about something we all did as a kid (or most of us, anyway) - make some quick cash with a lemonade stand. It's called, "The Great Lemonade War of 1965".

And don't forget, you can find all episodes at JoeCuhaj.Com. Enjoy, won't you?

The Beat (Heat?) Goes On

Hi, all. Hope you’re having a great summer. I took a short break from the madness of writing but I'm back armed with a full ink cartridge, plenty of blank paper, and a ton of projects.

The completed manuscript for Hidden History of Mobile went in to the publisher, History Press, a few weeks ago. I'm just waiting for the edits to come back so I can look at all the red ink and say, “did I write that? No way. Had to have been someone else!" Only to realize - sigh - it was me. Ah, the editing process.

Anyway, we did decide on the cover photo. I was hoping to use this shot from downtown Mobile. I think it’s a nice photo highlighting old and new Mobile.

But, what do I know? They selected a unique old photo from Mobile’s past to grace the cover courtesy of the Mobile Local History and Genealogy Museum. It’s an interesting shot of a promotional event held by the Mobile Gas Company somewhere in the late 20s, early 30s maybe. A man dressed in a polka-dotted outfit and conical hat is driving a cart pulled by a donkey advertising that residents are “invited”  to the “Old Stove Roundup” where they will give you $13.15 for your old stove then set you up with a credit plan - $1 down, 12 months to pay.

How much are stoves and ranges going for today?

We’re still shooting for a fall release on the book.

Meanwhile, work is just beginning on the new Falcon Guide, “Hiking Waterfalls Alabama”, another title I’ve been dying to work on for years. Trouble is, many waterfalls in ‘Bama are seasonal, so, I’m biding my time writing the front and back matter as I await the fall rains. 

That reminds me of the book I co-authored with my friend (I think he’s still my friend..better check), Curt Burdick. It’s titled, Paddling Alabama, and no, it’s not about corporal punishment – or general punishment, for that matter. It’s about canoeing and kayaking the state. We would be sit at our desks at our day job every Friday afternoon and watch the Christmas tree lights of the American Whitewater website, waiting for the reds on the rivers to turn green meaning that the rivers we wanted to check out were flowing enough to paddle. 

Many times by the time we made it from the Gulf Coast to north Alabama, the rivers had dried up again. At times we thought the book should have been called, “Walking the Rivers of Alabama”.

PS, we have no idea who that is on the cover.

But that was then, this is now, and I’m ready to hit the trail again!

Till next time – cheers!

50th Anniversary

Good morning, everyone. Just a quick note to announce that, as promised, excerpts from my manuscript, "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" have been posted for your reading pleasure on my website, joecuhaj.com, just in time for the50th anniversary of Apollo 11. Hope you enjoy it. I look forward to hearing yiur feedback. Till next time...

To the Moon, Alice!

Greetings, all!

Before I start rambling off the tracks like I'm prone to do, I want to remind everyone that I will be doing a book signing at the Barnes & Noble in the Eastern Shore Shopping Center in Spanish Fort, Saturday July 6^th from 11am to 1pm! Another great store with a great staff that I love to visit and they’ve always been very supportive of my writing. Can’t wait! I hope to see you all there. (Directions)

Oh, and one more thing. You never write anymore! :) Of course, that's probably my fault. I never let anyone know how to reach me.

I'd love to hear from you! If you have comments or questions about any of my books or other musings, maybe questions about not only outdoor recreation in Alabama or the Gulf Coast but outdoor recreation in general, or maybe you want to tell me how much you love my podcast series, Joe Cuhaj’s Shorts or my videos, please feel free to drop me a line. 

Simply comment on this Facebook post or directly on this Blog entry, or you can send a message through my website, JOECUHAJ.COM.

Moving on…

As you know, we’ll be celebrating the 50^th anniversary of mankind’s first steps on the moon in July. Yes, I am a space geek at heart. I loved following the space program in the 60s. My folks would let me be late getting to school to watch the Mercury launches, even skip school for special manned spaceflight events.

Of course, I had to build model rockets (long live Estes and Centuri!). Two of my best friends from the gang and I made up the Mahwah (New Jersey) Model Rocket Club where we terrorized the neighborhood with wayward Mars Landers and Big Bertha rockets. Ok, maybe that was ME that couldn’t get them to fly.

Anyway, the point being that I’m still a space geek. My DVR is already locked and loaded (the correct phrasing for that saying, by the way LOL) for all of the anniversary programming on the old TV.

To help celebrate, I have a few things coming up for all of you that I hope you will enjoy. First, I’ll be posting a brand new video in July that I think everyone will enjoy, especially all of you late-Baby Boomers who grew up with the space race.

And do you remember that book I was writing, Everyone’s Gone to the Moon? Sadly, while several publishers REALLY wanted it (or so they said), the book never did pass through their acquisitions process. Needless to say, it won’t be published in time for the anniversary. BUT, for your reading enjoyment, I’ll be releasing select chapters that you can download before it is released as an eBook.

Jonathan King "Everyone's Gone to the Moon" video

It will be a busy July, to say the least – I’ll also be posting some excerpts from the new book, Hidden History of Mobile, that will be released this fall AND, of course, a brand new podcast.

Well, better get to it! Be on the lookout for all of this in July and I’ll see you July 6^th at the Barnes & Noble in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

The Hidden History of Mobile - Uncovered (Mostly)

Good morning, all! I was going to follow that with “been hot enough for you?”, but I can’t stand when someone says that to me. Before the monsoon season hit the other day here on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the heat index was cruising up to 105. “No, it’s not hot enough. Turn it up to broil!”

Anyway, the latest on “Hidden History of Mobile” – the photos for the book head to the editor this Friday! Whoo-hoo! That means it’s nearing the end. Trouble is, the deadline is in 30 days and I keep uncovering more great stories to tell. Yikes! Stop it, Joe!

I need to say a special thank you to all of the members of the Mobile Creole Cultural and Historical Preservation Society. I put out a question or two on their Facebook page the other day and the response was overwhelming! I can’t thank you all enough for your input about the extraordinary Creole history of the Port City.

I really think you’ll love the stories I have picked out from the city’s 300+ year history. A lot of them really surprised me. There are many gems you probably haven’t heard before as well as some stories you know about, but have a twist or two. It’s going to be a fun book and it will be out this fall.

And by the way, it's not all ancient Mobile history. I cover all the way up to at least the 1960s. A little something for everyone.

I was at Mobile’s second oldest cemetery yesterday, Magnolia, to get a few photos for the interior of the book. It’s a fascinating place to just roam and read the tombstones. If you go (it’s located on Virginia Street and Ann), be sure to pick up the self-guided tour map and read the incredible stories of the luminaries buried there.

A couple of notes about upcoming releases and events. First, a brand new episode of the Joe Cuhaj’s Shorts podcasts takes to the air (or over your internet provider's cable or WiFi) this Thursday. It’s titled, “Prom and Circumstance”. Bet you can’t guess what it’s about?

And I have one more book signing coming up on Saturday, July 6^th from 11am to 1pm at the Barnes and Noble in the Eastern Shore Center, Spanish Fort, Alabama. I hope to see you there and we can talk all things hiking and outdoors.

Have a great week everyone. Till next time…Cheers!

Just Another Manic...

How’s it going today for you, gang? I trust your Monday isn't manic.

Me? I’m up to my eyeballs in writing assignments, which is a good thing. I’m tracking down the waterfalls that I want to explore this fall (when there’s rain) for my new Falcon Guide, Hiking Waterfalls in Alabama. So far, I’ve come up with about 150 to take a look at and from that, I’ll cull down the numbers and choose the ones to put in the book. Once again, it will have plenty of information, much more than just maps and directions.

  

I’m really looking forward to hitting the trail again. The last time I went hiking was for my latest book, Best Dog Hikes Alabama. Seems forever ago. Had a serious little surgery that put me down for about 6 months. I’m starting to walk locally here on the Alabama Gulf Coast again and my body is saying, “what the heck are you doing, man?” LOL! It will all come back.

But in the meantime, I’ve been delving deeper into the Hidden History of Mobile. I’m uncovering some fascinating stories including some really neat (there’s a word you don’t hear much these days) tales about the old and long since forgotten Frascati Park just south of the city, a young piano prodigy that played exclusively for the Queen of England, and so much more that I’m having a hard time organizing my notes (a good problem to have). All of the history in the book is not ancient history from the 300 year old city, there are a lot of more recent gems as well about Elvis, some of our famous musicians that have been forgotten like the rockin' and rollin’ Treniers and big band wizard Cootie Williams.

I could go on and on. And I will in later installments.

Don’t you hate it when you realize how fast the year has flown by? Here it is, almost June already. There’s a change in the seasons, that time of year between spring and summer – Prom season! Oh, do I have a tale to tell about that! I’ll have that story for you in the June edition of “Joe’s Shorts”. I think you’ll relate to this one. And don’t forget, my “blast from the past” podcast from the archive will be posted May 29^th. Watch out! Uh, I mean, watch for it.

Oh, and don't forget, two presentations and book signings fast approaching - Saturday June 1st at 3pm at Page and Palette in Fairhope, AL (well-behaved dogs are welcome), and Tuesday June 4th at 6pm at Red Beard's Outfitter on Old Shell Rd. in Mobile. 

Here’s to a great week, all! Until next time…

Loose Ends and New Book Announcement

Good Monday morning, everyone! Hope all of you Moms out there had a great Mother’s Day.

This morning I have a few loose ends to tie up and another announcement to make.

First of all, a very special thank you once again to Betcei Butler Ford and the staff at the Bailey Cove Library in Huntsville for the hospitality during the presentation and book signing Saturday in Huntsville. They always make me feel so welcome and again, I had a great time.

We had a great discussion about my latest book, Best Dog Hikes Alabama, and even a good Q&A about my book, Baseball in Mobile (we’ll miss you, Mobile Bay Bears!)

My next two presentations and signings will be on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay here on the sunny Alabama Gulf Coast. We’re working out details of one of the events, but the other is slated for Saturday, June 1^st at 3pm at Page and Palette, 32 South Section St., Fairhope, Alabama (click HERE for directions).

  

It’s been a while since I did a signing/presentation at Page and Palette. It is a great little bookstore, very cozy. Best of all, the management is allowing well-behaved dogs to join the fun! I hope to see you – and your best friend – there.

Several people have asked about when I release my podcasts and videos. I try to produce and post new videos on different topics – the outdoors, travel, etc. – the second and last Thursday of each month.

Brand new short story podcasts on Joe Cuhaj’s Shorts are released the second Wednesday each month on SoundCloud (where you can subscribe) and my website, with a link posted for a “classic” the last Wednesday.

Complicated, isn’t it? LOL!

And now, the announcement. To have a book published, a writer usually has to send in a big, thick proposal outlining in detail what the manuscript will be about. You have to outline what the book will cover, the target audience, your marketing strategy, identify competition and how your book differs, and outline each chapter. Many times that includes an annotated table of contents where you flesh out each and every detail of each chapter.

I am very fortunate. I have not had to travel that route in a long time. Every time one of my outdoor recreation books hits bookstores, the fine folks at Falcon Guides call me up and ask, “what do you want to write this time?” I write a few titles down and send it to them and they tell me which one they want.

The reason for this is because of YOU – all of you who have purchased and read my books over the years and I can’t thank you enough.

Well, it happened again. Best Dog Hikes Alabama hit bookstores March 1^st and as soon as it did, here comes the call: “What do you want to write this time?”

I gave the acquisitions editor four titles, two of which we both agreed should be put on the back burner for the time being. One title is a definite go, but after I complete the fourth title that I submitted.

So, the contract is signed and a new adventure begins for Hiking Waterfalls Alabama! Another one that I have been dying to write, and the time is now.

It could be a challenge. Many waterfalls are seasonal here in Alabama with the summertime heat, but when they flow, they are spectacular! I have identified about 125 falls so far. I know many may be on private property with access limited or denied, but, I’ll be checking them all to bring the best to you.

So there you go – one adventure ends, another begins. Thank you all again for your support over the years!