Conceived Christmas Day 1945, on a houseboat tied to the Illinois banks of the Mississippi river, nine months and three days later, in Des Moines, Iowa, Ray Arthur Monigold II was born. Within three hours, he and his parents drove to Moline, Illinois. He's been on the go ever since - 

In his all too brief life Ray has lived in 40 states and several countries, attending 13 different schools, in 12 years of public education. His grandmother, who helped raise him, was born in a covered wagon as a great great grand daughter of Sir Walter Scott. She and Ray watched together as men walked on the moon. Ray has had more than ONE HUNDRED JOBS.

Some of  his experiences are documented in the short stories that make up this book. As mechanic on cars, trucks, planes and boats, soldier in Viet Nam, driver, ship's captain, flying - floating - writing engineer, computer programmer / trainer, international consultant, guest university speaker, instructor and teacher, artist, builder, pressman, author, publisher, editor, photographer, new car dealership manager, salesman, homeless wanderer, Hippie and dumpster diver, Ray has experienced some intriguing events and gained keen insight into the human condition. “Enjoy the tales!”      Ray A. Monigold II