Hello! Benjamin from Brother’s Campfire here!
Today, I feel the need to do some housekeeping to bring as much clarity as possible as to what I do here and why I do it.
I have been taking notes ever since I was a little kid. Like 1st grade little. I have a large rubbermaid box full of notebooks of Cub Scout material, church notes, personal reasearch, journals, ect.
I also have several hundred pages of extensive notes from my various jobs.
This does not include the many hundreds of reports I have written during my career as a peace officer.
Writing has been a passion for me since I discovered the alphabet more or less.
I thought very little of writing fiction although I read a good bit of it growing up.
This game changed that for me.
It started innocent enough, walking around and finding virtual mines and resources by GPS and getting fit in the process. In reality, it was wasting my time, but I still wanted to play. I really cut back walking around with my phone looking for resources in all the wrong places.
There was a chat option to trade so I decided to write poems for ingame cash donations. Some folks wanted scary so I wrote a little of that too, so long as I could get a donation and play the game. A Bard and a Beast were born. Naturally, the requests went to the lowest common denominator and needed regulation and the Brother was necessary. Some of you have met this character.
Any way you look at it, new outlook on writing was born for me. While I had written a fair amount of poetry, I had never written stories until this point.
After listening to some preaching, I let a lot of my time consuming games go, but I took a few friends with me.
Some friends of note were the Bard, Beast, and the Brother. I knew these three characters very well from experience and the Resources game.
I started to blog about these characters on Blogger, but they did not seem to mesh well. After 50 posts or so, I took everything down and began journaling with their fictional lives by exaggerating experiences and putting them in a fictional world.
My father, Herb Thiel has been writing for years and I pitched the idea of writing from this perspective. He had seen some of it and thought it was a cool idea. He proposed the idea of a self hosted WordPress site.
I did not wish to paint myself into a corner and called it Brother’s Campfire. I am the oldest with younger siblings, so it fit the bill. My dad was handy with the nuts and bolts of web design and titled me The Storyteller.
And so I began a journey into something I had not really done before, telling stories.
I knew nothing about the WordPress app other than it was an excellent way to tell stories on the go with the handy tools it contained.
I started looking at the analytics and noticed only my few followers from Resources and my dad were reading it, but I was totally cool with that. After telling a few friends, my email list began to grow.
Kristian Weigman was the game changer. She was my first WordPress follower! She showed me how to find other blogs an reach out to people with like interests.
Steadily, my fan base grew. I began incorporating bloggers into my story by reading about them and having them participate. I also had my characters give out awards.
.
My interest in my Bard Beast and Brother stories waned and I wrote posts about it well after I was interested.
I went on to what I was more familiar with, day to day journaling, how to tutorials and fun stuff I had been doing.
What I did not realize is that when I put material out and began responding to comments and emails, I was building a community; in some cases, new family, much like Northwich in my story.
There is a sense of belonging that comes to being part of the village and the Campfire, especially if you are written in the history of it.
This sense of belonging to a fictional world spilled over into real life.
Some folks started coming to me with complex concerns in my contact page (which is ok) and others started adopting me as their real brother. (Which is ok as well)
I kind of marvelled at this transition but accepted it. It follows my line of work.
Here is my disclaimer.
(I am not liscenced in any type of counseling. I will refer you to Jesus. If you become wildly successful from my opinions, remember us little people from Northwich, La Longi. )
So, that is my houskeeping. I hope it answers a long line of questions I have recently recieved.
(My interest in storytelling has revived by the way.)
Author: Benjamin
Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...
Awesome origin story!!!
Thanks! I do my own stunts as well. 🤠🔥
Interesting. Writing never gets out of date. This I know.
Thanks Berina Berrry! Just noticed the 3 Rs in the name. I love to write. It is nice when folks like to read what you wrote as well!
As a writer myself, I love hearing other writer’s origin stories. Thank you for sharing yours!
Thank you Nourish! I am sure you have posted about it. Would you leave a link to your origin story here?
Also, we are a little hungry. Any suggestions?
Benjamin
I haven’t dedicated an entire post to it on Nourish (yet) but I touch a lot on writing in my about page: https://thenourishcookbook.com/meet-julia/
As far as meal suggestions go, we’re having homemade pizza tonight! It’s a family fav and the first meal we ever uploaded to the blog: https://thenourishcookbook.com/2020/07/06/pizza/
Way cool! I am tied up right now, but now I can swing by and read when I have a chance!
Benjamin
Many thanks for the context and clarity. Also, thanks for your follow and likes. Stay well. Allan
Absolutely, Allen! Stay well and warm! It is freezing here!🤠🔥
Inspiring and unusual path to blogging, thanks for sharing.
Ha ha! Absolutely!
Definitely you have the skills to continuing your writing, keep on this path 👌🌹thank you for sharing it 😊👏
Thanks Carla! It is snowing over here!
Oh my God so soon… Here’s raining a lot and it’s cold!
I am sure the plants need the water!
For sure! All of them!!
Super cool! Keep writing, I look forward to reading your posts!
Yay! Thank you, friend!
😊
Writing has a very similar role in my life, since young age: Journaling, poetry, fiction efforts, and, since recently, planning. I’ve learned to make a plan for myself & stick to it. Writing keeps me focused.
I like it as it helps me benchmark. I can look how far I have come.
Thanks for resonating with me! You are awesome!
So good to know you Benjamin. I too am more of a Life Coach and can relate to you completely.
All the very best.
Life coach is a good set of words, Ashok. I had not looked at it that way. Thanks, Friend! I look forward to reading more of your posts!
😊🤗
Understood Brother Ben. Thanks for the clarification, Niow I get my role in the campfire. You gotta know, when you sent me some links, I opened but didn’t get the connection due to time and not being a speed reader. ok so drop and give me 20 and then report back as i wear many hats here. 🤣🤣🤣❤️ Cindy
Very good that you brought the guys along. Your writing is getting better all the time and it was pretty good to begin with.
Thanks!🤠🔥
Well bro thanks for the history. It’s always fun to know details and background.
You are welcome!
Thank you, nephew. Transparency can be therapeutic for all. This gave me more understanding of the depth of your writing and encouragement to bring down some walls I have kept up, far to long. So excited for you!
Wow, now I kind of want to know what these complex questions were 🤔
Ha ha. Interpersonal questions mostly. I do not want to embarrass anyone because it would offend them.
That’s fair.
All the questions I have for you are mathematical and nerdy things.
Feel free to ask, my students said I’m decent at explaining. 😅
Like, I want to make a sustainable tilapia setup with aquaponics.
Or the most effective potato gun with a pulsating compaciter
Or make plans for a land sail.
Ok, ok,ok. One thing at a time 😅 might need to get a different communication platform then
Ha ha! 🗒Got a notebook?🤠🔥
Many!
Cool! I thought it rude to solicit the expertise of the great Erratic Engineeress, but I have found otherwise!
Petra, I hope you now have your fill of complications now!🤠🔥😁
Just to clarify, I was being silly. Most of those projects have plans online. 🤠🔥🗒🗒🗒🗒🗒🗒🗒🗒
I figured as much! Would be fun to build something silly though
Indeed! 🤠🔥
Very cool to learn your beginnings!!
I still learn all the time with WP!! You taught me about the gravitar thing – which I still do not quite get? But whatever I have one somehow?? Lol
So many interesting things and so interesting to learn how someone came to be here and where the passion came from..
That’s adorable about all the notes you took!! That is also a good trait to have! Have you passed your traits to your kids?
Thank you for stopping by Trisha! Your Gravatar is a globally recognized avatar that represents you as you blog. You can access it with your WordPress login to change your picture and information about yourself.
Genetics are a strange thing. My dad is calm and relaxed. I am intense. We both write. My children have way different interests than me.
While not a psychologist, part of all that may be environmental. Who knows, but excellent conversation fodder!🤠🔥
When I actually have some time – I should go and maybe switch that picture lol – I will also have to check what info I have lol
I am a more modern carbon copy of my mother – or I was… my experiences definitely made me stronger. We both are calm, funny and kind … I have more of a fire than her lol
My oldest is very similar to me… 19 has a mix of traits… both oldest and 19 have my calmness and the girl – oh she is a more modern carbon copy of me 😮😄… she has more of a fire than I do 😄✌️
It is funny how that works and it is great conversation lol 😊✌️
It is funny how we emulate our parents.
😄😄 I know ❤️ is that genetics or because they raised us? Lol
Hard to tell. A mix I am sure.🤠🔥
My Comments are not working on your site.
Oh??? Let me check my spam??
Umm 🤔 to check spam? I just go into comments?
Not sure. I made a LOT of tries that say “Test.”
I did go to Popeyes for takeout. I personally ate 4 chicken thighs and a large portion of homemade cauliflower salad.
Hahaha ok I am getting your comments now lol
I did not get your test tries lol … watch them all come at once next week 😄😄
Sounds yummy – I don’t think I have ever had Popeyes
We will see.
I worked for several years at KFC as a teenager. They would be up in arms about where I eat on Tuesdays!
Hahaha sorry I keep getting phone calls too 🤨
I was a Arby’s girl ✌️ my first job ❤️ still love Arbys ❤️
Hahaha that’s hilarious
I like sliders. A Lot!
Those are yummy!! Perfect little pops
Ohh, the horseradish sauce…. I love!
Oh yes yes yes!! Their sauces are incredible!! ❤️❤️❤️ I love them both!!!
The onion rings always give me hiccups!🤠🔥
Yeah I am all about that roast beef!! ❤️❤️ fricken awesome!!
We only have 2 or 3 in our area… and they are each really far from each other
KFC is joined with A&W
We have Popeyes – but not many (although I don’t really do fast food or look for them so maybe I don’t know? Lol) I know we have them – I just don’t know how many- I don’t see a lot but have seen them
I think we have churches chicken and also kiki’s?? I have never had those either
Churches is good, I have not heard of Kiki’s. I don’t out to eat often.
I don’t either but Sacramento has everything!!! Anything you desire
I don’t think I will be in the area any time soon. I do want to see California.
You should … I have Sacramento right here … Tahoe is hour and a half and San Fran is about 2 hours … that’s my circumference
But you should I could show you guys around
I would not turn it down!
Well when things are better – you guys should come visit and I show you around
There is a lot to see!! San Fran itself is cool… fisherman’s wharf and pier 39 … Alcatraz
San Fran not as amazing as used to be but still pretty cool… they have an incredible science museum with a planetarium ❤️
Lake Tahoe is so beautiful… depends on what you like… casinos or nature? Do you want to lose money? Or breathe in the beauty? Lol
It’s beautiful and breathtaking any time of year (but of course I prefer summer) it’s known for its ski 🎿 resorts though
And then Sacramento – you come back to the old west in old sac – that’s pretty amazing … Train museum – lots of old building and cobblestone streets… the river is right there – and Joe’s Crab Shack if you like
They even have some hotels on a old restored river boat “The Delta King”
Pretty cool
And then Sac has underground history tours and they have those touristy shops and souvenir places
Is cool… you can do horse drawn carriages all of it lol
Wow! Thanks for the info! We do want to see Alcatraz!
Yeah Alcatraz is really cool!! But I would definitely recommend summer time for that lol … it’s cold on the rock
I bet. I think it would enhance my career to see history.
You have never been?? I have been many many times
Oh you would love it then… that history is incredible… one of my dads friends – his father ..was a guard on Alcatraz… they lived on Alcatraz!!! His family grew up there
Can you imagine ??? 😮
Yeah the whole thing will blow you away!! You have to come see!
I imagine living in Alcatraz is much like Canon City, Colorado, a prison town.
Ohhh I don’t know that place ??
But Alcatraz is out in the middle of water… you are on a rock… only way to get to civilization is by ferry
Unless you like swimming in cold water and sharks and think you can survive lol
Alcatraz was some serious shit back in the day
When you visit – you can just totally imagine!! It’s insane!!
Summer is beautiful to go see … cause you comfortable and can enjoy it …take it in
But if you go in winter – you really get a grasp for how umm?? What it must have been like??
Imagine hearing the city sounds from San Francisco and the smells wafting over
You can’t just jump in the car lol
Yeah that was a pretty serious prison
I’m sure you have watched some of its documentaries and or movies lol
I have read about it. I want to see the redwoods. I suppose that is quite a stretch from where you are.
Well Ft Bragg is beautiful area with some redwoods and this amazing beach called Glass Beach…
But the actual Redwoods state park is about 5/6 hours northwest from me, going up the coast there
I want to drive the coast one year, but I have a few things at home that need doing first.
Oh yeah that coastline drive is amazing ❤️
Hey!! Are you learning from 2020? Take your moments lol ✌️
Yeah, great idea! I am raising teens so I have to prioritize.
I am also still raising one teen… yeah I get that…
My parents used to take us all of the United States and show us so much and that can aid in school too
I do expose my daughter to really cool experiences too… but just since covid and all my cancer stuff I haven’t
So I get it
We do go out though.
We do not currently…
I was handling cancer all that time… and then isolated after last surgery – covid hit … so yeah we take walks and stuff … but no
It has been hard. I cannot imagine a battle with cancer.
I got through it – survived … that was a very terrifying and difficult experience.
Anyway… cancer free currently now 🥰❤️ new boobs … so not all bad – got a bonus out of it ✌️ kinda
I had just finished that right before covid 😳😞 lol
Life lol… I tell ya!
You are strong!
Eh sometimes lol… not always… but ya know you have to live life lol … you do the best you can.
I have wonderful and amazing people in my life – I am lucky for that ❤️
🤠🔥Born in California?
Nope … my parents moved everywhere – we from Massachusetts – but at the time of my birth they were in Ohio – I was born in Ohio
Have you ever heard of a dish called three ways? It is like shepherd’s pie. A number of folks from Ohio have said it is delicious.
I was only in Ohio for my first year of life … first 6 months Youngstown, other 6 months Cincinnati and they didn’t place roots there… I don’t know much about Ohio or the things there
In New England we have this amazing meal my mom called American Chop Suey ❤️❤️ I love that meal ❤️ some people call it poverty meal or goulash?
I do know shepherds pie but not the 3 way??
American Chop Suey! I like it. Can I do a post on it!
Yes is very yummy ❤️ you can do a post on whatever you want lol ✌️ 😊
ha ha! Cool!
That firehouse subs was incredible – you need to try that… they have some around Denver – you will be floored / is sooooo yummy omg – I don’t ever eat out but today we did at work and ordered from there – my new favorite ❤️❤️❤️
I was talking to my friends in between comments and they say it is amazing!
Oh yes!!! Omg sooo yummy!!! You have to try that… and then you tell me cause I know you gonna love it – it is that good – I am sure of it!!
Perhaps when in Denver I will!
If you go to website you can see where locations are … maybe is one close to you? Or lol… DoorDash it lol
That would be a stretch. Looks like Denver is closest.
Awww you need to try that – seriously!! Is incredible – not joking!
I am always hesitant to try some new place I don’t know… I had ordered steak and cheese … one bite and omg … SOLD!! Hand down!!
California sounds expensive.
It is… it doesn’t just sound that way! It is 🤨
Eww!
Yeah a lot leave cause California has issues
🤠🔥
Not like Hawaii though!!! They are worse than California lol
How much is gas? It is around 2.88 per gallon here.
Umm… I think about $3.15/$3:20? I have to fill up soon so I will let know when I do
That isn’t as bad as I thought.
Yeah it’s not $4 or anything lol … it has been in the past – before covid it was expensive … but it’s been alright currently … during initial shut down was awesome!!! Like $2.50!!! Wooo hooo
But typically currently – we can be anywhere from $3 to maybe $3.50 – that is current fluctuations
And it obviously depends on gas station and where
Right around initial lock down there was some oil issue or something? I forget there has been a lot this year lol .. but that took the gas prices down and then add the pandemic and hasn’t been bad gas wise
Not as much travel right now.🤠🔥
Well for me yes lol… I drive alot to and from work!!
Ps… I’m gonna age myself here – but I remember gas at .89 a gallon in Massachusetts in the 1990’s lol
That was during the gulf war?
Yeah that would have been around that time period lol
I was 7 in 1990
I was 17 haha I am 10 years your elder lol 😄😄
👵 🤠🔥
I don’t act it or look it lol 😄😘✌️
I am playing a dangerous game. I fold.
Hahaha smart man lol 😄✌️
Joke!🤠🔥
So then 82? You are a year younger than my sister
83
Hahaha I was in the 5th grade 😄… and you are 2 years younger than my sister
My earliest memories of the time were stone washed jeans and high tops. I will have to post a picture of my Billy Idol smile.
Oh the 80’s were fricken awesome!! 🤙
Music was phenomenal and was a really great time period to grow up in ❤️❤️ maybe possibly the most perfect decade?? Or could I be biased? Lol ✌️😄
Biased…. A little. I like the 80s better than anything the 2000s have brought. I like the 1990s cargo pants. Still wear them.
The 90’s were pretty cool too!! I was not fond of grunge 😝😝😝 eww
Me either!
Do you have one site or 2? Sometimes it lets me see sometimes I get a message
I will show you on email – hold on…
I have one site.
Ok I wasn’t sure? That’s what I thought but again I’m not very technical – I am an elder lol ✌️😄
Ha ha. Are you using apple?
Yes sir I am
I get that on apple devices frequently and have no way to test it out. I am self hosted. I would recommend clearing your cache. It worked for the last person.
Hahaha… you say that like I know how 😄😄✌️
I just like things such as cars, phones and blogs to just do what I want and work lol
Ha ha! I sent you a link as to the how.
Cool I think it just came through… I will do that 👌✌️
Just the chicken.
Well there is some, but ones I have seen
Hmmm.