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As has been the tradition for most of my adult life, the Coleman table is spread with fingerfoods on Christmas and New Years Eves, and anyone can drop by. This is the table tonight, on New Years Eve. Home grown vegetables that have been pickled, home made tortilla chips, various salamis and cheeses, breads, condiments and more. And later, dessert.
This intersection, at 7th St. in Grants Pass, Oregon, is where Cliff Rilek first appeared in town. This, in fact, was his first impression of Grants Pass - a town he had never heard of before his arrival.
After his arrival in Grants Pass, Oregon, Cliff Rilek entered the town. Still dazed and hurting from a gunshot wound and a near-drowing, he did not possess enough sense to read - and heed - this sign.
As Cliff Rilek explored Grants Pass, he discovered that he was in the heart of Josephine County - and this is where he first became aware of that. Due to the recent trauma in his life, it would be some time before he would remember that his mother's first name was Josephine.
After some time, Grants Pass was too much for Cliff Rilek. He did not fit in and he lived in fear each time he saw a police or a sheriff's car. He wandered north, up I-5, and spent a few days underneath this picturesque bridge over Grave Creek. From there, Rilek continued up to Wolf Creek.
After a few brutal days in the forests along I-5, Rilek stumbled into the town of Wolf Creek. The name of the town seemed of particular significance, but he couldn't quite put a finger on it. At this point, Rilek was barely clinging to life - not so much due to injuries sustained on Roosevelt Lake in Arizona, but from exposure and malnutrition.
After arriving in Wolf Creek, Cliff Rilek walked up a small dirt road to the cemetery.
The cemetery, an old, overgrown and somewhat spooky place, provided good cover for as long as Rilek stayed there. He lived in the brush outside the cemetery for a short time, until hired by a local to help clear land on a family plot.
Rilek worked as a laborer on a family plot for two years. He passed this house often on his trips into town, but never met the owners. At his job, he removed tree stumps and dug boulders from the rocky soil. He was fed, sheltered and clothed, but never paid a living wage for his work.
Rilek's life changed for the worse after he discovered the body of his boss out in the corner of a field, half devoured by animals. In all likelihood, the man had suffered a heart attack and had not been discovered for several days. After his terrible discovery, Rilek headed up into the Rogue River wilderness, following the historic Loop to Galice.
Life in the wild was not easy. Rilek discovered several places along the Rogue River where he could rummage for food and steal from vacationers. It was here, in Almeda Park, where Cal Blunstone camped with his wife.
Here is a view north along the Rogue River from Almeda Campground.
Cliff Rilek passed this sign on numerous occasions as he prowled The Rogue. This sign marks the site of a historic mining camp and scene of the Battle of Rogue River Indian War.
While touring the Rogue River Loop to research his upcoming book, author Jim W. Coleman drove up to this town and muttered: "Well, this must be Galice." A sharp eye can pick out a sign in front of the store that reads: THIS IS GALICE.
Just past Galice, one will find the turnoff to Ennis Riffle, a long flat wash of river rock where all sorts of humanity come to frolic. And that is why this particular area held such a fascination to Cliff Rilek.
As stated in the previous slide, Ennis Riffle is "a long flat wash of river rock where all sorts of humanity come to frolic." Here is but one of many examples author Jim W. Coleman photographed on his recent tour of the Rogue River Loop.
Much of the novel "Omens II: The Rogue" takes place in the Siskiyou National Forest, a place author Jim W. Coleman found quite fascinating. His favorite National Forest, the Tonto (Arizona), holds a unique attraction, but the Siskiyou was breathtaking all the same.
Author Jim W. Coleman parks his mobile bookmobile at a lookout point along the wild Rogue River while researching his novel "Omens II: The Rogue." It was spooky to hang once again in Cliff Rilek's domain. The fog just made it all the more interesting.
This map clearly shows where Cliff Rilek lived in the Rogue River area, in and along Taylor Creek. When reading the novel "Omens II: The Rogue," you can follow much of the search by coordinating with the sectors on this map.
Have you ever camped out along a riverbank similar to this - the Mighty Rogue? It's beautiful, it's tranquil. But it also can be dangerous. Cliff Rilek could be in those trees.
This is a photo of the turnoff that Daryl Collins and other law enforcement personnel took in the hunt for Cliff Rilek.
Little Johnny wandered off from the family campsite, and found this lovely stretch of Taylor Creek. Unfortunately, tragedy awaited in the brush.
This is the last part of Taylor Creek that little Johnny saw as he tried to make his way back to the campsite. There were rustlings in the brush, and he couldn't rid his mind of the scary Bigfoot stories his Dad had told around the campsite the previous night.
A view up the forest service road that leads to Rilek's forest haunt. The turnoff to the Burned Timber area is less than a half mile from the spot that Johnny fell prey to Cliff Rilek. It is interesting, in a historical perspective, how the search went far beyond this area - only to return again.
Here is the area where Daryl Collins and law enforcement personnel attempted to flank Cliff Rilek in their search for the evil that stalked the Rogue River, and preyed on its recreationalists.
When law enforcement and news media personnel began using this area as a lookout and media point, Cliff Rilek headed south along the Rogue.
It's amazing, actually. When author Jim W. Coleman toured the Rogue River, it baffled him how anything bad could have ever happened there. But happen it did - and Coleman had goosebumps throughout the entire research project.
This park was closely monitored while the search for Rilek was underway. Indeed, this was one of Josephine County's most watched points as the drama unfolded.
In this men's room, Daryl Collins had a powerful vision of Cliff Rilek. This is the restroom facility at Indian Mary Park along the Rogue River Historic Loop.
Daryl Collins could not shake Irma Davenport from his mind while in this restroom, and was certain that Rilek was close. In this men's room, he let Sheriff Stapleton in on his "omens."
Author Jim W. Coleman thanks "Frank" for his help with Rogue River history and attractions. While on a book research tour of the Rogue River Historic Loop, Coleman met Frank along the banks of the Rogue - and was lucky enough to hold a quarter-ounce of pure Rogue Gold in his hand, gold that Frank had spent a day or two prospecting from the river. The character in the book, Hurley Waldrip, was inspired by Frank.
This is the Josephine County Courthouse, located in Grants Pass, Oregon. The Sheriff's office and Library are both located behind the courthouse.
One would follow this sign up the walkway into the Sheriff's station, where Graham County Sheriff Melvin Bounds argued with Daryl Collins. To know that Cliff Rilek had once peed on this very sign should give one a real case of the willies.
This is where the County Police and Sheriff's vehicles are parked behind the Josephine County Sheriff's Office. A horrific evil passed through here not long before author Jim W. Coleman arrived to document the activities of Clifford Rilek in the Grants Pass, Oregon area.
The novels about Cliff Rilek, "Omens" and "Omens II: The Rogue" will be available in the Grants Pass, Oregon Josephine County Library in early 2006.
Following a 2005 book research tour of The Rogue River basin near Grants Pass, Oregon, author Jim W. Coleman gets goosebumps just looking at this sign. After reading "Omens II: The Rogue," you will too.
The chickens endure their first winter snowfall in their Overlook Hilton Chicken Hotel built at the back of the Rocket Lane property in Port Orchard, Wash.
Pictured here, a good healthy dumping of snow on our Rocket Lane property in Port Orchard, Washington. The snowman is a bit worse for wear, but I'll put up a better picture of him later.
Back when we were young and poor, we counted ourselves fortunate that Hoooooga REALLY liked Saltine crackers! (But not the store brand...)
I don't recall what brought this on, but I'm glad I had the camera! Here, the kids show their true sides ...
When there was a "Holiday Theme" contest at work and the ladies on the top floor all decided to be angels (a REAL stretch here ...), Jim was put into a position to have to play ball. I think this photo accurately depicts his enthusiasm ...
Kayla grabs the amount of toilet paper she thinks she'll need to wipe her nose. It does grow on trees, you know ...
 We always thought there was something different about Kayla, but we never could put our finger on it ...
Snow covers the squirrel feeder on the back deck of Jim and Linda's Rocket Lane home.
After a particularly brutal Pacific Northwest snow storm, Jim W. Coleman got this shot of a wheelbarrow next to a rosemary bush near the garden.
In 2004, Jim cleared some of his property of trees. In this photo, where tree trunks still clutter the back yard, a deer picks its way through the clearing, paying no heed to the camera.
One thing Jim and Linda see a lot of on their acreage is deer. Here, one was caught on film inside Jim's garden. After this photo, he accelerated his work on the fence and it has not been a problem since. In fact, the garden now resembles a detention facility, with 7 1/2 foot wire fencing all the way around.
 When Marina graduated from sixth grade, Jim took her out for dinner at Silverdale's Silvery City Brewery. It was a $75 meal for two, but well worth it. You can see the happiness in Rina's face.
I cringe every time I see this picture - a photo of my good neighbor's car after a severe windstorm in the Manchester, Washington area.
My good friend and brother, Larry Coffey, jumps on my trampoline and speculates about body parts flying around in the air. We all were happy that he didn't carry that speculation too far...
Before her surgery on March 14, 2004, Rina is HUNGRY! She had a pin put into her hip by orthopaedic surgeon Don Bliss of Port Orchard. Bliss also rebuilt my right leg and right arm after a series of brutal accidents. Marina later recovered and the pin has been removed!
Much of Jim W. Coleman's artwork (Cherokee Art) was on display as featured art in the "Kitsap Creates" art exhibition at Kitsap Mall in 2003. Here, several art pieces of a "space theme" are displayed on a column.
Here, Jim W. Coleman is pictured with his dad, Jim W. Coleman Jr., on the banks of Arizona's Salt River, beneath Apache Lake.
 At Bremerton Printing, "Genesis," a Cherokee Art print, comes off the presses. All of Jim W. Coleman's art reprints are available for sale on his website, www.jimwcoleman.com.
Fall is Jim W. Coleman's favorite season. Here, frost highlights the contours of the pumpkins out on the deck of his Yukon Harbor funhouse, where he lived for several years following his divorce.
Linda collects out of state license plates, preferably the personalized ones. Here, she poses with plates send by Patricia, Jim's mom. The plates have special significance, being tied to Grandpa and Uncle Ray Wolf.
Jim W. Coleman plays with his first-born child, Hoooooga. Here, she squeals in delight as Daddy acts goofy (off-camera).
Looking much like a demon-child, Marina enjoys camping out in a tent in the back yard. Night vision optical equipment makes for some interesting photos, to be sure.
Linda always has enjoyed our chickens. Here, she tries to get one to model for her, with varying results.
Here, Jim W. Coleman shows his one-year-old daughter, Hoooooga, her birthday cake. Hoooooga, in turn, decided that she didn't want to wait for everyone else. :)
In his first Thanksgiving following his divorce, Jim W. Coleman lays out a full spread for his three daughters.
Jim W. Coleman sits with his three daughters in front of the family Christmas tree in 1998.
Don't ask ... we couldn't figure it out either. But it made for a dandy picture...
Deb with Jordan at the Kitsap County Homebuilder's Association Home and Garden Show.
In a favorite photo, Hoooooga stands on the Ocean Shores, Wash., beach with an assortment of beach toys.
I don't remember what this was, but it looks like Linda downed a Snakebite too fast! (Snakebite: Yukon Jack and sweetened lime juice - not anything reptilian).
Linda downs a bottle of After Shock at the Buffalo Bills vs. Seattle Seahawks game in December, 2000. This photo was taken immediately before she nearly fell down the steps at Husky Stadium. Usually, that's me. But not this time.
One nice thing about driving an MGB is that it's low enough to the ground to allow you to reach out and scoop up neighborhood chickens...
 At a Silverdale, Washington, Support the Troops rally, Hooga, Marina and Kayla spend the day with their Daddy - and have a blast.
Wilson using a COMPUTER?!!???
Here, Linda and the kids plant a pear tree in the front yard of the Rocket Lane residence, the day before Daddy's birthday.
Here, Linda swigs from the bottle of Yukon Jack normally reserved to make Snakebites. (Sigh...)
Here, Jim W. Coleman cops a quick feel of Marina Sirtis - a lifelong dream come true, in a particularly unsettling sort of way!
Jim W. Coleman offers what would be a final toast to his beloved Grandfather, a sincere "thank you" for the elder man's huge influence on Jim. The loss of Conrad Joseph Wolf hit hard ... and continues to be top of mind today, nearly a decade later.
A favorite photo, Hoooooga and Rina sled down a short hill at the Longview condominium where we lived at the time.
Awwwwww! And just to think, I wasn't even alive to witness this adorable photoshot!
This is my favorite photo ever taken of Marina. This photo actually inspired an opening chapter of an upcoming novel, "A Far Cry."
I don't think this needs an explanation. This was made into a coffee mug but I don't know whatever happened to that.
Jim in 1999 with Abbey, before any restoration work. Here, Jim tried his best to look cool but, as usual, failed. (Maybe if it were a nicer car?)
Hoooooga's favorite food when she was very young was Daddy's home grown tomatoes. Red, green, didn't matter. Here, she'd just ... feasted.
When Kayla was a baby, she was always sticking her tongue out at everyone. It's a habit that we're glad she's broken!
Jim and Linda together on the banks of Arizona's Salt River during a fishing/camping/boating trip with some of Jim's fambly.
Here's Linda doing what she does best - wolfing down a burger at the Kiwanis food court at Port Orchard's Cruz car show in 2002.
Mt. St. Helens greets a rising sun during a period when scientists warned there was an "imminent danger" of an eruption. So what did Jim and Linda do? They rushed out to the mountain armed with good liqueur as any good redneck would do (note the skull-shaped shot glass in the picture. It's Linda's. Breakfast.).
Hooga, Rina and Kayla are all dolled up for their mom's wedding in February, 2002. I attended the wedding just to see these darling little girls participate in the ceremony.
When Jim saw this moth on the door of an outbuilding at his Rocket Lane home, he grabbed a camera and took a picture just so you could enjoy it now. He was fascinated with the pattern on the moth's wings - it was as if the moth were looking back at him.
A dear friend, Sarajean Taylor, who fought - and ultimately lost - a long battle with breast cancer. She still is sorely missed by all those who knew her - myself included.
In 1986, a VERY young Jim W. Coleman managed a 7-Eleven store at the corner of 40th St. and Thomas in Phoenix. Here, he works the cash register, hoping to get a job where he doesn't have to wear a dorky uniform.
When my Kiwanian friend, Al Cook, tried to sell me a squirrel feeder, I thought he was nuts. No squirrel would ever use such a contraption. Boy, was I wrong. Here, "Buddy" goes deep for peanuts and corn kernels. We enjoyed the squirrels immensely.
At Jim and Linda's Rocket Lane home, there was an abundance of wildlife, and the couple enjoyed every bit of it. Here, a baby bird peeks out of one of the birdhouses on the back deck. The birdhouse was built by a Kiwanian friend of mine, Al Cook, of Bremerton.
Jim W. Coleman has basically owned the same computer for ten years - but he continues to upgrade it continuously, eventually recycling the entire computer several times over the years. Here, he is assembling a Pentium 4 1.8 gz machine, which now has already been upgraded since!
In 1983 (or 1984 not sure) Jim W. Coleman was in Mark's Sunderlin's wedding. This photo was shot as he was walking out the door of his bachelor pad to travel to the wedding.
Jim and Linda happened to be in Glendale, Arizona (where Jim was raised) in 2001 and stopped in at Bitzee Mama's for a good lunch and a cold beer.
Jim (Cabrio) and Linda's (MGB) cars are pictured at Port Orchard's The Cruz car show. People wondered why a newer Cabrio was in the show but it was in mint condition and all doubts were erased when the 650-watt sound system was turned on. The car was a hit, as was Linda's MGB (which three years later, won a top award in the show in 2005).
Jim W. Coleman with his good friend, John E. Taylor (who is now a Windermere Realtor, in case you are looking for a home! John, not Jim...)
Linda's dad, Wilson Stewart (Stu), enjoys a little drinky-poo in the back yard of Jim and Linda's Rocket Lane home.
Jim W. Coleman languishes in his natural habitat, the Manette Saloon in Bremerton, Washington. The bar is mentioned in several of his novels.
Sarajean Taylor laughs and has a grand time with her son, Ryan, carrying on in the background.
Church, the Russian Blue pussy cat, bathes right in front of God and everyone ... and while sitting on Linda's lap. If only I could get away with that ...
In this photo, Jim W. Coleman patiently draws his showcase art original, "Indiana." To this day, the reprints remain his best seller.
CHEROKEE 2003: This print, drawn in 2003 by Jim W. Coleman, captures the Klingon Bird of Prey escaping from an exploding Genesis planet as seen in the third motion picture.
Standing near the end of a runway at Biggs Airfield in Hell Paso, Texas, Jim W. Coleman got this shot of the space shuttle Atlantis taking off atop the NASA 905 transport plane.
Here, Linda and two of the three Jim W. Coleman's pose for a shot inside Jim's exhibit at the 2003 Kitsap Home and Garden show. Jim sold quite a number of art prints to decorate homes and bedrooms all over Kitsap County.
Jim W. Coleman works on an art print at the Kitsap Mall "Kitsap Creates" art exhibit. As a featured artist, numerous Coleman art prints and originals were on display and here, Jim takes his turn in the center court interacting with passersby and demonstrating his craft.
Here, Dad, Jim Jr., plays with Jenette's new baby. Jenette is Jim 3's youngest sister.
Patricia Nunley, mom, visits and is caught on camera in the Rocket Lane house.
Hoooooga gets silly only six days after her birthday. Jim told her to hold that face as long as she could - Hoooooga didn't know he had a camera behind his back. :)
This, a favorite picture, shows Jim and Linda having a good time together at Port Orchard's Bay St. Ale House.
Jim and Linda stand together on the beach in San Diego, Calif. Back home, there was a foot of snow on the ground but things were lookin' good in San Diego!
Here, Jim W. Coleman sits at a weapons firing console on board the Trident submarine USS Alaska, while underway on a day-long submerged media cruise.
Jim Dawson at a Jim W. Coleman book signing party at Stuart's Deli. The question originally was: What Would Jim Do? but then, eventually, changed to: Who Wouldn't Jim Do?
I saw this walking around at The Cruz car show in downtown Port Orchard in the summer of 2002 and just had to take a photo of it. :)
Leanne Foliet, Linda's sister, acting up somewhere between Seattle and Leavenworth, Washington.
Jim W. Coleman at age 19, standing outside of his bachelor pad with his "Sex Symbol" shirt. Back then, he could almost get away with it. Now, he'd probably be arrested. ;)
On Feb. 11, 2001, Jim and Linda had to leave at 4:30 a.m. to get to SeaTac airport for a flight to LAX. When Jim got up, this is what he found - 11 inches of snow on the ground. "We've got to leave. NOW!" :)
At Bremerton's The SUN newspaper, Jim W. Coleman won the Halloween costume contest in 1996 with his "Lord of the Nerds" costume ... little did they know that this is just how he dresses on weekends...
Marina, age 6, with her 'tooter' in a photograph so cute that it defies description...
In this photo, Jim W. Coleman, age 27, didn't get enough turkey at the regular meal and comes back for more ...
Jim W. Coleman sits at the kitchen table in his bachelor pad at age 20 (half a lifetime ago) dressed as Star Trek's Mr. Spock.
Jim W. Coleman, President of the Port Orchard Kiwanis Club, steps out of Air Force One with a grin and a wave.
Here, Jim's pet project VW, "Abbey," parked beneath a sign that says it all!
This photo pictures an assembled AMT model kit of Star Trek's starship USS Enterprise. Jim built the model with lights and then photographed it against a backdrop to simulate stars and planets in space. The photography was done in the back bedroom of an apartment in Phoenix.
Here, Jim sits on the lap of Santa - a dear family friend by the name of Chuck Conners - a man who needed no 'fat suit,' and had the perfect Santa disposition. Chuck was a large man, and was a huge influence on Jim when he was young. Chuck introduced Jim to BB guns, CB radios and all sorts of other 'manly' things a young man enjoys. Chuck died some years ago and this picture has since been very special.
This photo, taken in 1983, was a special effects time exposure shot, a self-portrait of Jim W. Coleman, back when he was convinced that he had multiple personalities. Since then, he's realized that he's just nuts. The photo was a 30 second exposure taken with a Minolta X370.
This photo, taken in 2000 at our Rocket Lane residence, is of a particularly friendly neighborhood bunny whom we called 'Smokey.' He later was likely reincarnated as our cat, Church. The resemblances, especially the ears, can be uncanny. Or is that, uncatly...
Linda greets Jim's mother as only she can!
In yet another trip to the now-familiar USS Carl Vinson, Jim W. Coleman sits with his girlfriend, Linda, on the Primary Flight deck (PriFly) of the USS Carl Vinson while underway.
In 2001, Jim W. Coleman was allowed to fly a COD flight from San Diego, CA to the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson, which was "somewhere out in the Pacific. Once there, Jim spent several days on board with the sailors and was then catapulted from the flight deck (inside of an airplane) for the long flight home. Here, he is ready to leave San Diego!
Jim W. Coleman DJ'd parties for many years, and still does on the side. Here, he is pictured taking a request at a company Christmas party for Red Lobster employees in Phoenix, Ariz.
My good friend, SteveMark, at The Manette Saloon. I say good friend, but it's very likely that he won't buy me a bottle of good, aged single-malt scotch for my upcoming wedding!
Herb Himes, from Knoxville, TN, dropped in for a visit in September, 2004. Here, he sits in Linda's grandma's chair enjoying a cold one.
When and IF a Nascar track is built in South Kitsap, this is among one of the first things lucky Nascar fans may see on their way in! There are more than enough single-wide house trailers and trucks up on blocks around here to keep ANY Nascar fan feeling at home.
Here, the JimWColeman.com Bookmobile is up at Mt. St. Helens where we stopped to spend the night on the way back from Grants Pass, Ore. We go to Mt. St. Helens several times a year and always stop by when travelling between Seattle and Portland.
Jim W. Coleman and Jim Dawson star together in this wonderful shot at The Manette Saloon in Bremerton. We both acknowledge it happened, but deny it at the same time ...
Outside of going to the Verde River or tubing the salt or The Manette, there's no where I'd rather be than at Mt. St. Helens during an eruption advisory. Here, we rushed to the mountain but nothing happened outside of a bunch of ground tremors and a few steam emissions. Mainly a lot of peeing out in the cold wishing that we were home ...
WOW. Saw this and forgot about anything else, the active volcano included. Herrrrrrbie!
I have a friend, Seabury Blair, who goes by the name of 'Mr. Outdoors.' But I've never seen him with Sponge Bob Underwear over his head, sneaking off through the brush to the base of Mt. St. Helens while the mountain is in full heat. THAT'S Mr. Outdoors. (Pictured: Jim W. Coleman and yes, you can see his undies!)
When we heard that Mt. St. Helens was rumbling to life again, we rushed to the mountain and camped out for some time. Nothing happened (and we walked away alive) but it sure was fun. This vantage point is .08 miles from the crater.
Church Lady does the MoMo! Go for it, Church Lady!!!
There's probably not another picture of this brochure ANYWHERE on the Internet, and yet I boast that I have a high-resolution image of it here at home! And it probably doesn't matter a hill of beans to anyone but me. My dad printed these brochures. I can still feel the texture of the paper and still smell the ink. These were very strong when printed - I think the glossy texture of the paper didn't absorb the smell of the ink as well as other things Dad printed. At any rate, this means something to me. So I included it here...
Here, an excited Jim W. Coleman leaves the field after graduating from Glendale High School in Glendale, Ariz., in 1982. Go Cardinals!
 In 1986, Jim W. Coleman married Stephanie Brown. At the ceremony, Jim paused for a photo with his dear Aunt Barb of Tempe, Arizona.
Jim W. Coleman, back when he made his living producing imprinted apparel with Cherokee Art designs (beginning in 1982) and back when his heartthrob was forcibly turned from Tonia Bodine (Stapleton) to Margo Sosnicki.
Being goofy and corny (again!) Jim W. Coleman poses for a memorable picture. What's funny is that now, more than 20 years later, he would do the exact same thing again if handed a similar pair of glasses. Except now, he might wear them on his butt.
Back in 1984, Jim was really into Alice Cooper and Pink Floyd, as demonstrated at this party. Come to think of it, not much has changed. Not really. :)
 Okay, isn't it time to check your mail ... or something?
This photo, taken by Adam Shelton, has appeared on the back covers of five Jim W. Coleman book titles and continues to be a favorite picture.
This shot, Jim W. Coleman's favorite for many years, ran in a special double-truck feature position in the local newspaper. For several years, Jim ran a local BBS in the Port Orchard, Wash. area (MLP Net, MLPNet, Darkstar). Eventually, Jim went to work for that same newspaper, running its online operations from 1996 to present.
This photo, shot onto slide film in 1978, shows the back yard of the house at 5407 W. Orangewood Ave. in Glendale, Ariz., as it appeared at the time. Note the broken backboard on the basketball hoop. Everything was basically broken.
In this photo, Jim W. Coleman poses (very excitedly) in front of the space shuttle Atlantis. Later, he would be able to see almost all the shuttles in the fleet, but this was his first time, and at a great distance.
Those of you who know Jim well know that he loves two things (okay, three things, but we'll just deal with two for now): FISHING and TRUCKS. Here, his 1988 Nissan Hardbody is backed up to the Rio Grande river outside Hell Paso, Texas, with fishing poles sprouting from it in all directions.
Jim W. Coleman works on collecting firewood in this vintage photo just discovered from the year 1989. Those who know Jim know that in time, that chainsaw kicks back to get him - and boy does it ever ... 15 years after this picture is taken - but a much much larger chainsaw ...
If you've read Jim W. Coleman's latest book, "Level Heads XE: The Deluxe Edition," you'll know that Jim loves to go catfishing - often with as little as possible. Here, he shows off a nice catfish pulled from Arizona's Verde River.
No, it's not a scene from the movie "Weekend at Bernies!" Here, a VERY YOUNG Jim W. Coleman prepares to climb on board a flight to tour Arizona's Grand Canyon.
My sister, Janese Schauer, does my mother's hair before the funeral of Grandpa Conrad Joseph Wolf. This photo has always captured the solemn heartbreak of the occasion and demonstrates how the living must continue to care for one another in spite of grief and tragedy.
This photo, taken in Rigby, Idaho, shows Grandpa Conrad Joseph Wolf with his two of his great-granddaughters, Marina and Kayla.
During a March, 2000 visit, Jim W. Coleman got to spend time with his beloved Grandmother Wolf. Here, they sit together with a bug-eyed, oogly-eyed HOOOOGA MONSTER right behind them!!!
Grandma Wolf with her dog, Scout, in front of the single-wide mobile on their property in Rigby, Idaho.
Here is yet another photo of a dear friend, Claudia Nysoe. Here, she works in her booth at the 2002 Homebuilders Home Show at the Kitsap Pavilion in East Bremerton, Wash.
There have been some real fun times up in the Crow's Nest at the annual Home Show at the Kitsap Pavilion. Here, during one annual party in the 'Nest, Stacy and Lisa enjoy themselves as the show goes on far below ...
Sunset in the Safe is miraculous. So is a clear afternoon in Seattle. Here, two miracles come together. And if I recall, the Mariners won. So that's three in one!
This is Seattle's Safeco Field. If you've never been there, you've just got to ... wait a sec. Okay, Marina! I see you down in the bottom of the picture. You silly goose!
This is Kayla being silly and enjoying herself at a Mariners baseball game. Sometimes I wonder where she came from but then realize that she has some of my own DNA. That might explain this photo ... (grin)
You know life is good when you can take your three daughters to a Mariners baseball game and watch them having this much fun!
Jim W. Coleman got this great photo of Andrea fiddling away during a show at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle on Jan. 22, 2000.
The Clumsy Lovers rock in this photo at Seattle's Tractor Tavern, by Jim W. Coleman on Jan. 22, 2000. What a way to bring in the new year!
In this photo, Grandpa Munster from the hit tv series 'The Munsters' was spotted at The Manette Saloon in Bremerton, Washington - posing as one Mr. John Taylor. Like I can't see through THAT one. ;)
Here, Linda makes it with a monkey in the Student Activities room at Sidney Glen Elementary School in Port Orchard. Actually, that's Jim W. Coleman inside the monkey suit at a PTA fundraiser for the school. Hoooooga!
As is tradition, Jim and Linda always enjoy a venison or elk feast on Halloween. In 2000, it was very tasty venison ...
Jim and Linda at Christmas inside the little waterfront cottage on Yukon Harbor Drive in Port Orchard. We sure had lots of fun in that little house ... ;)
 In 2000, Jim and Linda enjoy the sunshine while sitting at the waters' edge on the LWMD dock, off Yukon Harbor Drive in Port Orchard.
'Nuff said about that. This is the master bedroom in the little waterfront cottage on Yukon Harbor Drive in Port Orchard.
In this photo, Sarajean Taylor, takes a break from cancer treatments and physical challenges to laugh with her friends in the back yard of Jim's home on Rocket Lane. Good times.
Here, Sarajean Taylor talks to her friends Jim W. Coleman and John Taylor (both off-camera and no relation) while visiting one afternoon at The Manette Saloon. Sara was always trying to illustrate a point with her hands and I can tell by her expression that she was quite engaged in whatever the conversation was about and was doing her best to get her point across. She must have been talking to John ...
Stephen King once wrote, "Sometimes they come back."
And here's Church, coming back. :)
I don't know how he does it, but my little devil-cat can sure charm the pants off old ladies. Here, our beloved Aunt Kathryn, spoils the little devil-cat even more.
I'm not sure of the year, but I think it was the close of 2003 and the beginning of 2004. As is tradition, my good friends Bonnie and Paul stop by for some finger-foods and bubbly. Here, Bonnie just can't help herself (as usual) to a good time ...
Jim W. Coleman is caught by his own webcam on June 05, 2005, right as someone speculated that Hillary Clinton might run for President in 2008.
This is a photograph of the craters of the moon taken by Jim W. Coleman using a Celestron 8 and an Olympus Digital Camera. The photo was taken in the back yard of a Port Orchard, Washington, home.
For several years, Jim banged around on Volkwagens, rebuilding their motors and restoring interiors and exteriors. This particular vehicle was a fun car to work on and to drive, but Jim - to this day - thinks it was possessed by some sort of heinous spirit. (But he didn't mention that to the prospective buyer when putting the car up for sale!)
In November, 2002, Jim W. Coleman shows his latest art piece, a portrait of Star Trek's "Mr. Spock." The piece, still underway in this photo, was later reprinted and sold at numerous Pacific Northwest art exhibits, and is available still on jimwcoleman.com.
This is a photo Jim took of Saturn as a seventh-grade astronomy student in 1977. The photograph was taken through a Celestron 8 telescope from a back yard in Glendale, Arizona.
For Halloween in 2004, Jim W. Coleman lived life for one day as Alice Cooper - and wowed everyone everywhere he went on that day. Here, he stands on stage in a composite photo - the background actually is the Alice Cooper state from his 2004 Tacoma, Wash. show.
This photo was taken of a partial solar eclipse June 10, 2002 in the front yard of the Rocket Lane house, using a C8 telescope and 35mm film camera.
Here, the Celestron is prepared for a day of solar photography ...
Photo taken at the Alice Cooper concert in Tacoma, Washington.
Here, in my all-time favorite composite photo, The Reverend Jim imitates the Pope and gives blessing to the masses at the Manette. He had to borrow the hat from his buddy, Paul, and because he didn't have a cross, he had to wave a bottle of Jamaican Red Stripe beer. But it seemed to work. The Yellow Prowler is there just-cuz. Hey' it's Jim's picture, he can put whatever he wants in to.
You never know who might show up on the Author Cam. This time, it's Paul Zimmerman, familiarly known as "Feller 2" - one of them two fellers. Paul will be conducting the marriage ceremony at noon, New Years Day, 2006.
The 2 Fellers witness - and properly celebrate - the beginning of all life on Earth.
The 2 Fellers boarded the Space Station Freedom to introduce astronauts from three countries to the wonders of 2Fellers IPA.
The 2 Fellers were on hand to witness the landing of the space shuttle after a top-secret, highly classified mission to test proper fermentation in weightless conditions.
The 2 Fellers celebrate after preparing yet another orbiter for a successful launch to deploy a satellite that will map the world for good hops.
The 2 Fellers greet the mighty warriors of the USS Carl Vinson as they pull into Bremerton, Wash., on Jan. 23.
The 2 Fellers were caught in this stunning photo taken during the Prohibition era.
The 2 Fellers and an invited guest tour their "2 Fellers Brewing Company" plant to inspect product. From left to right: Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, English Pale.
Here, Jim W. Coleman gets into it with a Bobcat as he works to clear more space at the rear of the Rocket Lane property.
Four to six inches of snow blanket the back yard of the Rocket Lane House.
Here, "Them 2 Fellers" inspect a batch of home-made brew for imperfections in color and viscosity. Okay, actually, we were just trying to determine if we could get one more drink out of the bottle or if we needed to open a new one. Or three.
We think she may have been a Golden Sex Link but she also could have just been an ordinary Rhode Island Red hen. At any rate, she made good eggs and later in her illustrious career, good chicken stew.
Here, "Buddy," our favorite Rocket Lane squirrel, pauses for a photo while making off with a large hunk of hamburger bun.
Here, deep snow blankets the slopes of Mount Rainier in a photo taken near Paradise.
Three daughters, three keyboards. Sometimes, life can be boiled down to very simple equations...
Marina wanted a guitar for Christmas and that's exactly what she got from her daddy, but not until the following year. Here, she practices with JIm's Fender 12-string.
The aircraft-carrier USS Carl Vinson returns to Bremerton after striking Afghanistan to kick off the War on Terror. She was greeting by a huge throng of people, all waving red, white and blue.
In 2002, the first day of Spring was marked by snowfall in Port Orchard, Washington. Here is a shot as the snow began to fell - accumulating on the spring flower whiskey barrels.
Jim W. Coleman poses with his dear friend, Claudia Nysoe, at the 2002 Home and Garden Expo at the Kitsap Pavilion. Jim was chair of the show committee in 2002 and 2003. Here, he did his best to keep his friend Claudia from falling over and hurting herself . ;)
Here, Kayla Coleman carries on a family tradition by mastering the keys...
In 2002, while returning from a shopping trip to Fred Meyer, Jim and Linda hit a horse while driving the 2001 VW Cabrio. In actuality, the horse hit the Cabrio - it had escaped from a pasture and was running down a side street and literally t-boned the front of the Cabrio as it ran across Bethel road. Everyone survived.
Jim and the kids would spend countless hours gazing up at the moon, planets and stars out back behind the Rocket Lane house in Port Orchard.
The campus of the former Western Christian School (Phoenix, Ariz.) as it appeared in December, 2001. Jim attended the school from 1972 to 1980, before attending Glendale High School.
Ever seen a turkey on a trampoline??? Marina hadn't either, and she watches in wonder.
Here is a photo taken inside a Rite-Aid store shortly after the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake that originated near Olympia, Washington. This particular store is located in Port Orchard, Wash. Linda Batt, pictured, died late in 2006, and will be remembered fondly by all her friends and coworkers.
 Daddy gives Kayla a hair cut at the Rocket Lane house. Kayla, as always, found it a good excuse to be a silly-willy.
Jim W. Coleman got this photo of hummingbirds feeding in Silverdale, Washington, on the front porch of his in-law's north Silverdale home.
Hooga practices her flute. She later gave it up for trumpet. (Arrrrggghhhh!)
Moving to the Rocket Lane house afforded Jim more room to garden, and better growing conditions. Here is the growth of the 2001 garden, the first serious gardening effort at the new house.
The girls with their Easter Baskets in 2001, in the kitchen of the Rocket Lane House.
Here, Jim W. Coleman stands with his friend, Larry Coffey. Larry used to come over a lot just looking for something to set on fire. Here, it was part of a chicken coop. Poor hens...
 Soon after the new parking slab was built in front of the garage, the kids and their buckets of chalk were drawn to it like bees to honey ...
This is a lovely view out front at the Rocket Lane house with snow blanketing everything in sight. This view, down the driveway shows snow accumulated to a depth of about five inches, if memory serves.
Willie Nelson signs a CD jacket for Linda. Later, when we showed this picture to Wilson (Linda's Dad) he was amazed that I got Linda to even see a Willie Nelson concert, much less go backstage with me to meet him in person.
Here, in 2000, the girls play with Linda and stick their tongues out at one another ... while Marina shows off her back side on the deck.
This is the little house I rented on Yukon Harbor Dr. following the 1997 divorce. Have a lot of good (WILD!!!) memories associated with this house, as well (but that's additional blogs...) The kids enjoyed playing in the large front yard and watching the lights of Seattle at night.
In this 2000 photo, Jim and Linda paddle about on Kitsap Lake, trying to stay one paddle ahead of the sprinkles...
Jim W. Coleman poses with his three girls on the back deck. The girls were all decked out in Mardis Gras attire and just being goofy.
In this 1999 photo, Kayla bounds into the air while playing on the trampoline at the Yukon Harbor rental house. The trampoline, located very close to Mt. St. Wiggles, delighted the kids for years.
This photo pictures my dear friends Bonnie and Paul, photographed at The SUN Newspaper employee summer picnic some years back...
This photo, taken in 2000, brought back tons of memories. It is attached to the wall of the home I grew up in as a child, a home I left in 1982. I recognized this instantly and just had to photograph it ... it's amazing the memories a simple piece of mirrored glass can dredge up. Hence my novel, "Glass."
This, a portrait of photo of Willie Nelson, was taken by Jim W. Coleman in Tacoma in 2000. Later, Jim met Willie Nelson after the show (photo of that meeting also on this blog).
This is a photo taken of the back of Willie Nelson's tour bus in 2000. Absolutely beautiful! If I had his money ... (the IRS wouldn't!)
This photo, taken 12/23/05, shows our cat, Church, snuggled up on top of a salmon he obviously thinks that he "just caught."
In this now infamous photo, Willie Nelson autographs the Cherokee Art original, "Permanently Lonely," drawn by Jim W. Coleman (left).
Here, in 2000, Kayla has a blast in the snow and runs around catching snowflakes the way kids like to do...
This, a favorite picture, shows my simple fishing setup on the Rogue River at Indian Mary Campground. I shot this photo while on a research trip for my upcoming novel, "The Rogue." Great research, eh?
The beauty of this is that it was the first time I'd gone river fishing in many, many years. Now, hunched over a laptop computer and listening to the Home Shopping Channel (because I'm too busy to get up and turn to something else) I'm just wishing I was back there on the banks of the Rogue. Or better yet, the VERDE!
This is a before and after photo of Jim W. Coleman's garden - the photo was taken in 2000, shortly after Jim began work on his prized white picket fence...
Here, in 2000, the kids draw with colored chalk on the concrete slab of our garage, which way back then, was still under construction.
Here, a tiny chick hatches from her egg. All the neighborhood kids loved to come over and watch the chicks hatch from the incubator, which was kept in the humid environment of the bathroom.
Here, in this 1999 photo, Hooga and Rina pose with one of their beloved pets ... a chicken! This photo, taken when we lived on Yukon Harbor in Manchester, Port Orchard, shows the love the girls had for their chickens...
Your kids should never see this - turn the monitor away NOW! This, a 1999 photo of Jim W. Coleman, is a BUFFALO BILLS fan in FULL HEAT!
Photo of Jim on a Washington State Ferry. Photo taken by his brother, Jason Coleman.
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