Michael McCown

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About Michael McCown
Michael S. McCown (1964-present) was born in Bakersfield, California. He has had two careers in his adult life. The first as a Police Detective, specializing in Death Investigation and the second, as a Financial Adviser with a large investment firm. These two fields give him a unique perspective on the "human condition". He and Lilly began traveling the world in 2004 and have been to Europe and Asia many times. By his own admission, he’s made about every mistake possible and has written his first book, Traveling Zen; Finding Peace in the Details, in which he details many of them. He hopes to help others avoid some of the common pitfalls. His second book, A Year of TheSunFlowerMuse.com, contains his views on the world and human interaction as well as allegories and Poems that he has written. Michael continues to write for his travel blog, Travelinggump.com and for his "Opinion" blog, TheSunFlowerMuse.com. He plans to continue writing "Grammatical Nightmares" and has two additional books on Travel in the works.
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Author Updates
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Blog postI sell pocket watches on eBay and have elected to allow potential buyers the opportunity to make offers on watches that appeal to them.
One of the watches was priced at $250.00 and I received an offer from someone for $40.00. Shaking my head, I’m thinking, “gawd, it’s another one of ‘them”
I send a counter offer of $225.00 and thank them for their interest. Then they counter back at $50.00.
Ok, why? I wonder. Am I overpriced? I check with the competition. No, I am actu5 months ago Read more -
Blog postIf you travel enough, you quickly learn the value of developing habits. For example, the passport goes into the same pocket on your pack and your phone in its pocket or place, every time, all the time. A seasoned traveler could be standing in the dark and know where everything is on their body without […]11 months ago Read more
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Blog post“Its a nice day for a walk, are you interested?” I asked.
“Sure.”
“Look at that,” I said, pointing to a neighbor who was washing his car in the driveway.
“He wouldn’t dare…”
“Wait for it…” I replied.
The Dad, garden hose in hand, was sneaking up on his unsuspecting young daughter who was busy scrubbing a tire with a sponge. He then sprayed water in her face and the little girl, who was startled and soaked, began to cry. Horrified, he rushed over and sc11 months ago Read more -
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Blog postThis is a true story about change; life change. This is also a story about saving lives, both physically and emotionally.
Personally, I am not fond of cats; at all. They obey no one, crap where they want, and when the mood strikes, which is often, they sink their claws into you. At best, we tolerate each other. Fortunately, my wife has become allergic to cats, so the problem should fix itself.
I accept that I am not a cat person.
Dogs don’t fare any better than c11 months ago Read more -
Blog postIt was time to hit the pause button and catch my breath. In times of chaos, I crave the desert and the open seas; both of which, graciously, allow me to breathe and reset my inner “whatever.” My daughter and her husband have chosen to live in the desert, simply, peacefully; shunning the hectic world […]3 years ago Read more
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Blog postI don’t mean in the existential sense, I mean here, right here; look down at your feet. Have you ever wondered what kind of bad luck, Karma or whatever, it takes to be struck by lightning or hit on the head by a falling branch?
You’ve tempted fate, driven recklessly, flown in storms and maybe even poked a screwdriver into an electrical socket and still, somehow, you’ve survived.
Yet one day, you’re in a park full of trees and people, and somehow, in all this randomness, light3 years ago Read more -
Blog postLooking for the ultimate Angkor Wat guide? Look no further, this post is full of information, guidelines, tips and photos from the Angkor Archaeological Park (commonly simplified Angkor Wat). 198 more words via The Ultimate Three-Day Angkor Wat Guide — For the Love of Wanderlust3 years ago Read more
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Blog postThis picture has been all over social media…
My thoughts:
Why, of course I can pray
that his burden goes away,
but, why ruin such a well scripted act.
For if in God he believes, then God it must be
who’ll grant relief to his poor aching back.
The issue, you see, lies in what he believes,
as he’ll insist it’s a spiritual fact,
that a preacher is cursed, by the burden of his church, to live with a hunched over back.
The an3 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe White Pass and Yukon Route were brutal, but, if you wanted to join the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897, it was the route you took. In 1900, train tracks were laid and gold ore began its journey to Skagway, Alaska where the ore was loaded onto ships. That train and Skagway are still active […]3 years ago Read more
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Blog postThis beastie is mounted on a retired train, which is on display in the heart of Skagway, Alaska. Imagine this coming at you! The video below shows this monster in action.3 years ago Read more
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Blog postJuneau was such a surprise! So much color! …and sights to see! …and the Alaskan sunset!3 years ago Read more
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Blog postTomorrow we explore the wilds of Juneau, Alaska and I’m told there may be bears wandering around. My twisted little mind drifts to the story I wrote for “A Year of the Sun Flower Muse” called “Travel Safety and the First Rule of Bears.” Here is the gist of the story: 1. If pursued by a […]3 years ago Read more
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Blog post“If there’s one thing in my life that’s missing It’s the time that I spend alone Sailing on the cool and bright clear water” (Little River Band) This is my view this morning. It’s been a hectic couple of months and I welcome the peace of the open sea.3 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe cemetery Spider has told on me… Today, as I’m leaving a restaurant that serves delicious specialty tacos, I see another Bold Jumping Spider on the side of our truck where the cab and the bed meet. “Hey, here’s another one,” I said, “I’ll get a picture.” And as I did, I saw it’s face, […]3 years ago Read more
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Blog postSo, I went to a rural cemetery, wandered around for a bit and then returned to my car. Apparently, I left it unlocked, because he’s on the inside looking back at me through the glass. The car is yours pal, I’m not opening that door!3 years ago Read more
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Blog postEnjoy Choice while you still have it!
A couple in their early 50s were celebrating. The last of their 5 children had moved out on her own, and they were now, finally, “empty nesters.” The house was quiet, a bit too quiet they thought, but they agreed to hold off making any big decisions for at least 6-9 months. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months and soon they again, began thinking about down-sizing and retirement, “oh, but what if we have grandchildren?” “we’ll need the spac3 years ago Read more -
Blog postOn a whim, we’re off to St. Louis. Where to stay? Downtown? Yes! The St. Louis Hotel, by Marriott Autograph collection. 35k points for a king room, check, done. Auto-upgrade? Yes, please. 1-Bedroom Junior Suite, with King Bed and walk out Balcony; if we must.3 years ago Read more
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Blog postRecently, I was helping a couple prepare their new 5th wheel trailer for a long drive home.
Earlier in the day, somehow, my having Parkinson’s disease came up and I, as usual, quickly steered the conversation elsewhere and we moved on.
When it came time to leave, he politely reached out his hand and asked if I would pray with him. He said that he was concerned about my “eternal future,” asked me if I had been “saved” and then handed me a Christian flyer. I was speechless3 years ago Read more -
Blog postIn the beginning, a parent, for the most part, dictates the relationship that they’ll have with their child. As the child matures and becomes an adult, it’s more 50/50.
I have had two fathers in my life. The first, of course, biological and the other, a step-father. As an adult, I chose to be distant from both. Neither possessed qualities that I liked or admired. One an alcoholic fighting his demons and the other, a dishonest man who “played games” with people’s minds.
T3 years ago Read more -
Blog postA trip to Disney World is an all out assault on your eyes and ears. The place is mindbogglingly busy and none of your senses are spared. It’s loud everywhere, all the time. Your eyes are quickly overwhelmed by the spinning, twirling and flashing of everything that can be spun, twirled or flashed. Even in […]3 years ago Read more
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Blog postThe SunFlowerMuse/Travelinggump Books at Amazon Click the link above to view all the books at Amazon.com via Introducing the third book of the Miguel Sanchez Children’s Series. “The Miguel Sanchez Egg Company.” — TheSunflowerMuse.com3 years ago Read more
Titles By Michael McCown
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