When I travel, I tend to get myself buying into the idea that “when I get back,” I’ll start _______ing and I’ll stop _______ing. Somehow being away from the place which defines me allows me the freedom to try on the notion that I would adopt a beneficial practice and/or break myself of something “not […]

Read more "Habits: good vs. bad. Discuss."

“So, that’s your one and only run in with the law?” he asked. “No, I got tagged here in town,” she said. “When?” “When I was thirteen,” she said. “Vandalism?” “Nope.” “Under-age drinking?” “Nope.” “What then?” “Truth or dare,” she said. “You want ot play that now, Esquire?” he said with an edge of flirt […]

Read more "A Sleeping Bag is Not a Scarf"

I’ve been away from home for the past four days. I’d every intention of reading a book on the plane which I’ve been asked to review for a literary magazine, but a reality TV show about a chartered, luxury yacht crew — and their in fighting and dangerous liaisons —  was more compelling. (I know those are […]

Read more "With One Foot in the Past and the Other in the Future, my Heart and Mind are Dead Center"

Kale. Why my life went close to four decades never having had this remarkable green, leafy vegetable is nearly unconscionable. (I will admit that it is possible that in the heat of the 1970s, I may have had kale in its dried state in a package of Knorr’s Vegetable Soup Mix which promptly was mixed […]

Read more "Three Things I Love in My Mouth"

This quote has been attributed to Socrates by Plato in his Apology. I first read it the quote while studying philosophy at Purdue University. I was nineteen, and at that age, “examination” of my life focused on narrow issues like whether I was studying hard enough, whether I had applied my mascara well, and whether my choice […]

Read more "The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living"

I’m in California with my sister and her family. I just woke up.  3:08AM. It’s three hours later at home and I know I’m not going back to sleep. I’ve had enough sleep. I’m wondering if the coffee which my brother-in-law set up last night and I’m listening to brew will be any good. I’m […]

Read more "Most of One Molar"

This is how I would describe my novel, My Plus One: “Augusts off” was the promise given to Callie and Ray when they committed to a life helping others: Callie as an animal-behavioral psychologist, i.e., “pet whisperer,” and Ray as a psychotherapist to a more pedestrian breed of clients, i.e., damaged humans. Callie and Ray […]

Read more "My Plus One: Book Blurb"

I came across this quote, in a collection of “harsh but true” thoughts on writing by famous authors: Notice how many of the Olympic athletes effusively thanked their mothers for their success? “She drove me to my practice at four in the morning,” etc. Writing is not figure skating or skiing. Your mother will not […]

Read more "Running Away is Really Not an Option"

At first glance, annus horribilis does not look like something you want any part of. I suppose it’s safe to say that when you see horribilis, you conclude something pretty horrible. (Well done.) And for all of us who thought that French was a better choice over a dead language, we’re looking at annus and thinking […]

Read more "How are you managing your Annus Horribilis?"

On those days I spend writing, I apportion time toward the end of the day to read to Rob. Most days, I just read; but sometimes, we talk for a while about the arc of my story. Last night, when my story arced into a character who began talking about his involvement in S&M, Rob […]

Read more "I can be whomever you want me to be"