With Justin and Desiree, circa 1978
Greetings! My name is Roy Van Til, resident of Vienna, Maine. Here at Voyages of the Flying Dutchman you are welcome to read my occasional musings, rants, satire and maybe an insight or two about politics, sports, society, music, media and more. I live along a country highway here in the foothills with Linda who is the mother of our adult children. I have a PhD in Economics, a past career as a college professor of economics, a planned career as a freelance writer, a lifelong love of nature, a home full of lovable boxers, and a desire to communicate with some kindred folks like yourself…for perhaps you have also confronted some headwinds along your long ocean voyage.
Voyages of a Flying Dutchman...................... blog by Roy Van Til of Vienna, Maine 
“Bitchin’ Rights” —right on. You made me sit up and take notice, and I take this opportunity to apologize for all the bitchin’ I have heretofore (sp?) inflicted upon you! I will try my best to stay clear…I am enjoying the breezes from my overhead fans. I’m eating daily-picked tomatoes from my garden. The dog and cat continue to lavish me with unconditional love, and the electricity is cheap enough that I can listen to NPR any time I wish. Our water well is faithfully producing a steady flow and I have all my senses working well. Thanks for the lesson on appreciation! PW
Far be it for me to preach to anyone. I was just dreaming of a world where the reasons for bitchin’ would just disappear. I am sure you are appreciated by all the family and students and friends that you in your full and creative life have touched for the better, for you have always appreciated others so sensitively.
I love your blog
Just saw it for the first time
Hi Justin, I am glad you enjoyed some of my musings. I hope everyone forgives the obvious conflict of interest, but to me it means a lot that you expressed those sentiments. I will always try to write things of interest that are worthwhile to a wide variety of people, whether they be in our family or old friends or strangers from across cyberspace. Much love and appreciation to you, Dad
I love the blog. I’m glad I can prevail myself further of your opinions and musings through the Voyages of a Flying Dutchman. “Keep em coming Roy”.
Your fan and former colleague,
-Rich Gockelman
I used to work for PRO-ED. I worked with your dad on the publication of his book Writing for Professional Publication. I have kept a copy but need to clean out things for a move. I wondered if you would like to have it.
He was a very interesting man who i enjoyed knowing.
Hi Steve, Thanks for helping my dad on that book. He was a really good guy, as you know, and he surely lived a long and amazing life, with all the love and meaning and travel and good works any one person could ever desire. Thanks for helping him write one of his many professional books. He died at 96 about 12 years ago, about five years before my mother Bee passed. His “Danube Flows Through Fascism” (Scribners, 1938) is still my favorite book ever. I am unemployed up here in Maine now and living on Social Security. I hope you are well. Sorry I do not remember you, although I am sure we met back in the day when the book was in development. I tried to help with that project, but did not know enough to be helpful to the great scholar.
I have enough copies of the book, but thanks anyway for the offer. Take care and enjoy life, if we the people can just manage to get rid of the scourge of Trump as soon as possible. Roy Van Til, Vienna ME