Ben Mukkala, Author: Life is Not a Destination

Life is what’s happening while you’re busy doing other things. This book is a gathering of bits and pieces of my own life. I tried to live it in a way to maximize enjoyment and minimize regrets. I lived deeply every day learning to love life and little children, to laugh a lot, mostly at myself and to enjoy living. I offer it to you in a collection of short stories intended to entertain, to give pause to remember and maybe to contemplate your own future. Wealth is not measured in gold or by how many mourn when you die. True riches are the number of people along the way who are glad you lived at all. Life is not wishing for better cards but learning to play well the hand you were dealt. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Enjoy! 5.5 x 8.5 - 270 pages - Paperback - large print Here’s a fella who knows how to live. It looks like Ben has been around twice, the rest of us only get to go around once. --Fred Rydholm, author, Superior Heartland, HistorianSomething old and something new. Regular readers of Ben Mukkala’s column can reread some of their favorites. New readers have a treat in store. Vintage Mukkala. --Andrew J. Grgurich, Book ReviewerBen takes you on a great ride, the stories are wonderful, it’s hard to stop once you start. Ben, you got a winner. --Diane Weiland, Manager, B. Dalton Books About The Author Ben Mukkala was a native to Marquette Michigan, an adventurer, a storyteller and an amateur historian.In 1950 Ben enlisted in the United States Air Force and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was then commissioned a Second Lieutenant and trained as a pilot. He enjoyed flying many aircraft and was an Aircraft Commander in the B-47 Strato-jet, the B-58 Hustler and, in fact, flew ‘most any airplane they didn’t forcibly keep him away from. He also served in the Viet Nam War as a Flight Commander flying F-4 Phantom fighter-bombers in combat. He retired in 1970 with the rank of Major.As a civilian he continued to fly privately, commercially and Air Ambulance, sailed boats and traveled widely camping out and, later, in a motor home. He enjoyed life and shared his adventures through speaking engagements and writing. He has been published in books, flying and outdoor magazines, and several newspapers. Ben passed peacefully in his home with his wife Dorothy at his side in 2013. He is greatly missed by his many fans, friends and family. The legacy he left behind is still enjoyed in the books he wrote.