Promotion to General! by Ronald Mackay

15/9/2021

With only two weeks left in the 2021 Authors Showcase, it is a real pleasure to feature the sixth story this year from our our most supportive contributor, Ronald Mackay.

You can enjoy Ronald's latest story Promotion to General! by clicking here.

If you enjoy Ronald's short stories, you should check out his memoirs: Fortunate Isle: A Memoir of Tenerife and The Kilt Behind the Curtain: A Scotsman in Ceausescu’s Romania. They are both fantastic reads. You can find the links on Ronald's Amazon Author page:
US: Amazon.com: Ronald Mackay: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle
UK: Amazon.co.uk: Ronald Mackay: Books, Biography, Blogs, Audiobooks, Kindle

Ronald Mackay

Ronald and Viviana returned from a decade of farming in Argentina and Chile and resettled among the forests, farms, hills and lakes of Ontario, Canada. Viviana designed the house for the tiny cottage lot they owned on Rice Lake, and Ronald shouldered the role of general contractor for the construction. Undaunted, they undertook the unskilled jobs that did not demand qualified tradesmen. Content, they have enjoyed “Homebank” for a decade. Nevertheless, they have one major undertaking ahead of them. In 2022, when Ronald turns 80, they plan to move to Elzendreef in The Netherlands, Viviana’s spiritual home, to be close to family and grandchildren.

18 Comments

Pamela Alvarado

16/9/2021 03:41:39 pm

Hola Ron,

I am very proud of how you both redesigned and rebuilt the little cottage into your wonderful home. It is a happy place, with lovely spaces and room for many guests. The lake view is priceless!

We will welcome you with open arms when you relocate to the Netherlands!

Abrazo,
Pamela

Ronald Mackay

16/9/2021 04:41:25 pm

Thanks, Pamela. W look forward to relocating. Best wishes. Ron

Alister Cumming

16/9/2021 08:46:52 pm

Magnificent title, Ron, to a sincerely phrased account of another of the many adventures you have plunged into with earnest enthusiasm. The story is as neatly framed and as comfortable to dwell upon as your house on Rice Lake is.

Best wishes,
Alister

Ronald Mackay

16/9/2021 10:12:25 pm

Thanks Alister. You are always welcome!

Shane Joseph link

16/9/2021 08:52:46 pm

Great work, Ron. Reminds me of how I pulled all the books together to learn to be a publisher, a scary but rewarding venture once it is mastered, but one that makes you pull your hair out at every snag along the way..
I wonder whether Joe remained in business after he made all his clients like you replace him?

Ronald Mackay

16/9/2021 10:13:38 pm

Yes, big projects require great effort.
Fortunately, Joe is still in business -- and has read this story.
Best,
Ron

Euan Lindsay-Smith

16/9/2021 11:20:39 pm

A fascinating story Ronald, and an excellent example of how planning and management skills can be transferred to a different field with outstanding results. Of course, your story shows that a meticulous adherence to common professional principles, a background in solving problems and not being afraid of hard work, certainly helped.

Ronald Mackay

16/9/2021 11:40:02 pm

These skills are, indeed, transferable, Euan, and hard work also helps enormously. Most valuable of all to me, was calling Joe Crowley when I ran into a problem I wasn't able to solve myself. Twenty minutes on the phone with him and we always had a viable solution! Thanks for your comment. You always hit the nail on the head.

Val Poore

18/9/2021 08:11:22 am

Well done, Ronald. It just goes to show that good management skills, which include being able to be hands-on when necessary, can be used in every situation!

Ronald Mackay

18/9/2021 10:47:37 am

You are right, Val, both the management perspective and the willingness to be hands-on help enormously. It was a great experience! Best wishes, Ron

Nila Mendoza

19/9/2021 05:20:35 pm

In addition to your intellectual skills, today we meet the Mackay builder. Builder of the physical space that nests the cozy home that you and Viviana inhabit and warm. You are a man with a series of gifts that I believe you yourself do not know thoroughly. The truth is that with each story told, your readers are amazed with each discovery about your qualities as a writer, academic and, above all, as a human being. Congratulations! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. A big hug.

Ronald Mackay

20/9/2021 12:25:27 am

You are too kind, Nila, I seem to have been blessed with many opportunities. Fortunately, I have been able to embrace many of them.
I am glad you enjoyed this story. Un abrazo, Ron

Heidi E Goodrich

28/9/2021 05:49:16 pm

I love this little cottage and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to stay a few nights!
I hope to visit you in the Netherlands one day!
Much love to you both ;)

Ronald Mackay

28/9/2021 06:36:43 pm

Glad you enjoyed the short time you spent with us, Heidi! Rice Lake is a wonderful place to live. Best to you and Russ.

Palmer Acheson

28/10/2021 06:20:51 am

I finally managed to read this fascinating story. From working on building sites in London as a university student to managing the construction of your own home, you travelled a long and winding road, Ron. Unlike Antonio Machado's Caminante, you have left much more than the ephemeral ship's wake in the sea! Congratulations, General!

Ronald Mackay

28/10/2021 10:38:43 am

Your unfailing appreciation (and flattery) delights me, Palmer. As one of those Antonio Machado designated "Caminante" yourself, you know "el camino" and continue to walk it fearlessly and courageously as you always have. "Al andar se hace el camino,
y al volver la vista atrás
se ve la senda que nunca
se ha de volver a pisar." -- what more challenging words can a memoirist ask for? Thanks, Palmer!

MICHAEL MOHR-BELL

2/11/2021 01:03:00 am

Great stuff Ron. Many thanks for sharing this wonderful experience and congratulations to you both on building/achieving your lovely home, but sad to think you will soon be moving away. Un fuerte abrazo.

Ronald Mackay

2/11/2021 11:58:00 am

Thanks, Michael! It was a a great experience, as you say. Since I missed out on the experience of renovating our home in San Rafael, Mendoza (Aldo had all the fun and I had to work away in India to cover the cost) -- I was intent on not missing out on this one. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Abrazos a Chu y a vos de parte de Viviana y mia.

Promotion to General! by Ronald Mackay

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