A Cover Story
Some years ago, I was at a local arts center where The Magpie’s high school class was having an open mic event as part of a class project. It was a very enjoyable event with kids displaying their admirable talents (we are fortunate to have some very talented people in this area). After a while […]
It’s Cover Day!
I. Am. Thrilled. I’m assuming if you’re reading this you’ve already seen the cover for Powerless*, coming in August. Haven’t seen it? No worries, it’s right here! I’m thrilled with the cover, done by Laura Duffy Design**, and what can I say? Laura nailed it. There’s a bit of a story behind this, a 600-word […]
Where Have I Been?
It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted anything of substance. When I stepped away in April of 2019 I honestly believed that my hiatus would be pretty much like others I’d taken previously, that I’d be back in a month or so. Instead, it spun on and on and on, so where have I […]
I’m Still Here, Are You?
Well, folks, has it really been 2-1/2 years since my last post? Looks like…yes. Wow. It was never my intention to be gone so long. I think when I checked out on April 1, 2019–a whole pandemic ago!–I figured I would take a month, recharge my batteries a little, and get right back to it. […]
At Last: A Sequel I Can Get Behind
It finally happened. Yesterday, Netflix announced that El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie will air on the the streaming service on October 11. Aaron Paul, who played Jesse Pinkman on the original show for five seasons and reprises his role for this sequel, summed up my feelings pretty well: “It’s a chapter of Breaking Bad […]
Reading List 2019 Part I
Prepare to be underwhelmed. The Crossing (2018), Jason Mott Family Trust (2018), Kathy Wang Unsheltered (2018), Barbara Kingsolver It doesn’t seem possible that I’ve only read three books. On my list, I note that The Crossing was finished on February 13, which means I read nothing at all in January??? I feel like I’m missing […]
A trip to the past
Quite often, when we face an uncertain future or an uncomfortable present, we retreat into the safety of the past. Perhaps we look at old pictures or videos, listen to favorite music, pay a visit to an old haunt. We loll about in warmth and golden light, bathed in the memories of good friends, good […]
Opportunity stolen
When I was a kid, I was spoon-fed the Myth of America. You know the one. It tells us that America is the land of opportunity. The land of the free. The place where anyone could become anything. Where a boy could be born in poverty in a log cabin, where he was so poor […]
Yet another query post
And just like that we’re back in the dark. Among the many things to not like about the return of Daylight Saving Time is that, as I write this, sunrise is still 21 minutes away. Yes, it will not be dark when I start my drive to work. Yes, it will be lighter in the […]
Gearing for battle
It seems like almost every movie that includes some sort of battle–be it epic fantasy, war, even a sports film–features a scene in which Our Heroes prepare for the coming fight. We see Our Heroes gearing up for battle: sharpening swords, fletching arrows, shining armor, taping up sticks, lacing up the cleats, all while looking […]