The Next - an omen

A more up to date version of this story exists under the name, OUR ONLY HOPE, authored by Richard T. Douse. The Next - an omen is no longer available. Kelly Mason is a typical teenager . . . except for one small detail. She was born with a unique gift that sets her apart from family and friends. It will even place her in mortal danger. As all hope of a normal life fades, Kelly in despair begins a journey to find purpose and meaning for her existence. She discovers her true value in a wilderness and, in so doing, becomes part of a new generation of humanity. Dr. Samuel Morrison is, like Kelly, a gifted human being. But Sam entertains no doubts about his purpose in life. His hurried and single minded goal is to save our planet from depletion of natural resources through over-population. Sam not only has a plan, he has the skills to carry it out. What he lacks is one small and perhaps insignificant detail. A simple oversight that could lead to total disaster if not for a young woman he has never met and never will. A girl named Kelly.

R T Douse (aka Richard Douse) lives on a 38 acre piece of heaven that, for the most part, is kept in its natural state for the benefit of local flora and fauna. The property is located between the small communities of Palo Cedro and Oak Run in northern California. 

Richard and his wife Tammy live in a modern home on the ridge portion of their property that they designed and built themselves. They have lived off the grid since 1998, relying on photovoltaic panels for their electricity, collecting rainwater off their roof for their in-house use, and growing most of their own vegetables with the help of two solar powered water wells.

Richard was a photographer in the U.S. Navy, later working for General Dynamics/Pomona for many years in Publications Graphics; first as photographer, then as supervisor of the Audio Visual and Color Photography Departments. 

Yearning for the country life, Richard and Tammy left security behind them and moved their family to Shasta county. Richard is a writer/poet/photographer and is an active member and supporter of Shasta Land Trust. This is an organization that works with willing ranchers and land owners to preserve and protect open spaces by negotiating conservation easements on their property.