PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 23, 2026

 Today is the middle of the Memorial Day weekend here in the United States, when one should pause to remember those past and present who defend the freedoms citizens in this country have. Despite what others might believe, it is not a time to buy mattresses or shop other sales.

In any event, while I'm still on Chapter 18 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES, I have broken the 34,000+ word mark in the process.

For those who (fondly) remember the previous Pro Se Press books before that company went out of business, HUGH is a private detective on another planet in the far flung future as the series mixes two of my favorite genres: science fiction and mysteries.

Hugh's original first cover by David L. Russell 

But like some private detectives of literary history, HUGH is also a military veteran. In this case of Universal War 1, where the Allied Worlds fought the Purists who hated and wanted to wipe out all "aliens" in the universe.

Just remember folks, this series originally started back in 2010 and I'm working hard on trying to get the reboot relaunch up and running today. I was originally thinking of those who either hid themselves within white sheets or followed one man's nightmare of wanting to conquer the world back in the 1940s, not current events.

I have added some details to HUGH's backstory, as seen in the following snippets...

“On one hand, Major Hugh Monn, recently honorably discharged from military duty with several accommodations and medals as part of a very distinguished service record.”

“Hugh…” she began, collecting my medals off the floor from accidentally knocking their case off the dresser. “I didn’t know,” Cynthia added, studying the one’s in her hand. “I recognize the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star from human history. But what are these others?” she wondered, looking at what resembled a blazing comet, along with a star going nova and an iconic representation of the known universe.

"Acknowledgements of doing things that needed to be accomplished, no matter what the consequences," I replied, collecting them from her.

Of course there is a lot of unpresented and in some cases, as yet unwritten material between those two passages, so with that in mind, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

24 May, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 23, 2020

Still on SOLITAIRE.

Remember the fallen. Past, present, and future.

37,000+ words as of the middle of Chapter 16 and trouble in Tokyo.
The novel started in New York City for the first 12 Chapters, and there are at least two more stops planned after the Japanese leg of this International adventure concludes before the mission is over.
But who is this Clandestine Crusader jet setting around the world?
That will have to wait until the novel is published to be discovered.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day here in the United States.
Times have been tough of late, especially because of the pandemic, but I hope no one forgets that Memorial Day is for remembering the fallen. Not only those who have fought for and defended the freedoms and civil liberties you enjoy, but also those we have unfortunately lost to this {censored} COVID-19/Coronavirus Crisis.

In any event, take care.
Please rejoice that you're still alive and STAY SAFE!
Lee Houston, Junior
24 May, 2020

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 23, 2015

IT'S THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HERE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND SALUTE OUR VETERANS, WHO HAVE KEPT THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD SAFE OVER THE YEARS SO THAT YOU AND YOURS CAN ENJOY FREEDOM, LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

Now then...
Sadly, some personal problems have reared their ugly head(s) over this past week. I personally am all right, but there was a lot of stuff I had to stop and deal with concerning family back home.

Unfortunately, that seriously ate into my writing time/opportunities. It's not that I didn't do any writing at all this past week, only that I didn't get enough done where I could actually report that there was any progress on various projects since the previous week's progress report.

Hopefully this week will be better.
Most of the aforementioned issues have been addressed to the best of my ability to do so, and the rest were never truly in my hands to begin with. I can only sit on the sidelines and see how everything turns out.
Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!
Lee Houston, Junior
24 May, 2015