The doggie loves me…

… or he wouldn’t have gone. Tucker hates riding in the car. It takes him a mile or two just to stop shaking like a meth-sizzled Chihuahua, then he settles into whistling and drooling his discontent with motorized transport. Stands to reason, I suppose. His first experience of automobiles was getting stuffed into the back … [more]

A few of my personal veterans

Thanks, Dad.  Thank you for ferrying those air-sea rescue birds back from Da Nang, for rescuing that family in Alaska, and for letting me wear your retired F86 helmet — that rubber-faced sorting hat of dreams — when I was four years old. Thank you, Paul, my other dad.  Thank you for exemplifying quiet professionalism, … [more]

Night Driver

Written in 2006 and excerpted from a previous manuscript, this another snippet that didn’t make the cut for my book, Nothing In Reserve.  As mentioned previously, I’d like to put a couple of these out there during the week before Veterans Day (during which Nothing In Reserve will be on sale in recognition of veterans). Please note that, although written … [more]

110 Percenters

What does it mean to be elite? Does it mean you give the most, or take the most? Does it mean you gain the most influence, or does it mean you set a selfless example? Does it mean you do your own job with particular excellence, lead others to do their best, or take on … [more]

Battle Hymns

Written in 2006 and excerpted from a previous manuscript, this piece didn’t make the cut for my book, Nothing In Reserve.  I’d like to put a couple of these out there during the week before Veterans Day (during which Nothing In Reserve will be on sale in recognition of veterans). Hope you find something worthwhile … [more]

ANOTHER READING?!

  If thou’lt permit… We’re having a reading from Nothing In Reserve: True Stories, Not War Stories at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA. This is the last anticipated reading in the Seattle area. The reading takes place at 1830 (6:30 p.m.) on Saturday, November 19 and will run for about an hour … [more]

NaNoWriMo boo-boo!

It is the month of noveling dangerously. National Novel Writing Month started ten and a half hours ago, and so far all I’ve written is the previous sentence and a half. Plots? I don’t got ’em. Since I’m currently on a fast until I get blood drawn in a couple of hours, I’m not phantastically … [more]

Something is rotten in Danemark

A low rumble issued from the house as I stumbled up our brick-laid path, interrupting the wet sounds of a loose, flopping jaw tearing clumsily at fresh meat. Inside, I could sense its presence evaluating me. With the house lights off and no illumination save for the guttering of a tea light in the jack … [more]