A New Book: The Art of Money-Getting: The P.T. Barnum Code

 

What if America’s original showman left behind the ultimate code for wealth, respect, success, and resilience?

The Art of Money-Getting: The P.T. Barnum Code is not a reprint. It’s a re-invention.

This no-nonsense guide extracts timeless truths from Barnum’s life and legacy — then updates them for anyone navigating today’s chaotic, hustle-heavy world. It’s not about get-rich-quick; it’s about get-rich-smart. Get-respected. Get-free.

Each chapter is a modern playbook for bold living: building trust, surviving failure, ditching perfection, and turning reputation into revenue.

If you’ve ever been broke, stuck, underestimated, or starting over — this book is your second wind.  Now available on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/1FMgz7z

Another Day Another New Book: A Historical Guide to Bread

So... recently, I released a new book that will appeal to everyone from history buffs to home bakers to those who simply believe that some things — like bread — are worth doing the good old-fashioned way.

Titled A Historical Guide to Bread, the book blends practical insight with historical reflection, tracing the story of bread from ancient civilizations through to the modern artisan revival as a history book of sorts — with a twist. Drawing from a long-forgotten 19th-century treatise and his own reflections growing up in southern Indiana, as well, I attempted to reconnect readers with the fundamentals of real breadmaking — flour, water, salt, time — and the patient, practiced hands that have shaped it through the centuries.

The book also features a chapter on home baking with the simplest recipe for everyday use, making it accessible for those who’ve never baked a loaf but have always wanted to try.

As a Linton native and longtime contributor to local causes and small business, I'm certainly no stranger to big ideas with rural appeal. A couple of my past works include The Chronovisor, a speculative history exploring Vatican technology, and Modern Psalms, a bold social commentary rooted in personal experience.

The Historical Guide to Bread is available now in paperback through Amazon. For those interested in a thoughtful, grounded read — or just looking to reconnect with something simple and timeless — this latest release from this 'hometown author' may be worth a look.

And speaking of food and recipes, whether you’re feeding the family or just fixing something for yourself, I’ve got several recipe favorites waiting on The Lintonian’s Recipes page. From skillet suppers to old-fashioned Sunday desserts, come see what’s cookin’ — and definitely don’t be a stranger! 👉 Browse our full recipe collection here.

Finding Telly: A Playful Romance is now available

Boy, it's been a long, long while since I posted here.  But here I am again -- safe and sound -- and I have books to compensate for my absence! 

A few months ago, I announced the publication of one of my then-newest book, Finding Telly: A Playful Romance. The work presents readers with an engaging and passionate exploration of love, self-discovery, and life’s unexpected adventures.

Finding Telly follows the story of Teleatha, affectionately known as Telly, a young single mother navigating the complexities of raising four children while yearning for a love story uniquely her own. Her life takes an exciting turn when she encounters Christopher (isn't it great when you're the writer and you can write your namesake into the book?), a charming, sophisticated man who reawakens her passion and zest for life.

With humor, sincerity, and an honest look at the challenges and joys of romance and parenting, I attempted to craft a fictional narrative that I believed would resonate with readers. Set against backdrops ranging from playful dates to intimate evenings in secluded places, Finding Telly is a testament to the exhilarating yet tender journey of finding love when it is least expected.

The storytelling blends romance and realism, addressing relatable themes such as societal expectations, personal growth, and the courage to embrace life’s unpredictable moments. The novel reminds readers that love, in all its forms, is a cherished guest whose visit should always be appreciated, however fleeting or enduring, but never a possession itself.  And, as I already mentioned, I really enjoyed writing my namesake in as one of the main characters, along with my observations about human relationships, but that’s where it all turns fictional.

Along with my other publications, Finding Telly: A Playful Romance is now available for purchase online on Amazon.com here: https://a.co/d/0jm1gVv

If You Build It in Linton, Wathen Knew They Will Come!

It certainly didn’t start as a “Field of Dreams,” but rather as a blighted, very overgrown property up for tax sale. But Linton, Indiana native Christopher M. Wathen had a dream of his own: a garage. So, he built it

The “it” became known as “Railside,” which was aptly named because the property is literally situated adjacent to the railroad tracks south of town on 2nd Street Southwest. And Railside was more than just one garage, but rather the plural — garages. “If I needed a garage for projects now-and-then, probably so do others,” Wathen reasoned.

The Railside bays offer radiant floor heat in colder months, several electrical receptacles, a garage door opener, and even a toilet and utility sink, making them perfect for housing racing sports, woodworking equipment, an auto restoration project, or even a small business.  "We've had a couple auto repair businesses, as well as a couple internet businesses, so the applications for garage bays run the gamut" Wathen said.  Wathen went on to say, "In fact, the garages have become more than just storage space, housing those technology start-ups, an auto tinting business, and even a fish farm for a while." “

When the garage door was open late at night, having a huge pool in the two-car bay drew a lot of attention from passersby,” Wathen recalls with a chuckle. "That experiment is over," the Linton native said.

If you’re in need of a garage or not, one thing is for certain and that’s the property looks far better than it did for years previous. "The neighbors agree, "Wathen said.

To follow the happenings around the garages, or for leasing information, Railside can be found on Facebook here.

Linton: Much The Same, Really

Nearly 14 years ago, the Linton Comprehensive Plan was published, and it's interesting to go back and read this again.  For instance, most all of the community issues listed as concerns among survey results remain, as shown below:

Based on 881 returned community surveys, community leader interviews and input from the Comprehensive Plan Committee, the top 15 issues facing Linton are: 

• Lack of employment opportunities, 
• Decayed and blighted properties, 
• Keeping the “best and brightest” young people in the community, 
• Vacant buildings, 
• Communications between all parties involved in economic development in Greene County, 
• Storm water drainage facilities, 
• A shared vision for the future of Linton, 
• Sidewalks for the handicapped, 
• Encouraging new home building, 
• Visual appearance, 
• Affordable housing, 
• Needs of the aging population, 
• Additional recreation facilities, 
• Housing for the elderly, and 
• Lack of capital and business support systems to foster entrepreneurship/small businesses in Linton.