What if the device doesn’t work?

Time and again I have read a story where the steampunk inventor creates a device, at the last minute or there would be no suspense, that saves the day. Is this trope becoming a clique? The villain has a time machine that always delivers him to the right time or...

On Being A Writer and Selfish

Sorry for the last two Mondays. I missed posting and feel bad about that. I had family business to settle and a friends affairs to take care of. I needed time to morn. Time to bring closure to a family member and a friend. In the last two weeks I have driven 2500...

I Lost A Friend

I was on my way to lunch today when I got a call on the cell phone. Five minutes earlier a friend had passed away. Unexpected, well not totally unexpected. He was my high school English teacher. He had a few health problems and was recovering from a bout of pneumonia....

Don’t Be Casey At The Bat

When you’re looking for ideas, value every idea that comes your way. Ideas may everywhere, but each is worth more than you can ever pay. You are constantly being bombarded by ideas. Admire each idea as the precious gem that it is. You remember the poem about...

A Black-bordered Letter

It’s an old tradition from the German side of my family. The envelope had a black border around it. That was a sign to the post office and anyone getting the letter that the letter was about someone dying. It’s much better than calling someone and telling...