For a Christmas post, how about a series of short – a few seconds each – videos. So you know, they contain SOUND.
A Sound And Video Christmas Post
Up From The Ruins
The holiday happiness all around me was not making me happier; it was getting on my nerves. I’m unhappy with certain other extended “family” so-called relationships as well. Other life issues are also frustrating me. It all became an angry jumble, bubbling under my surface as the day wore on. I was “overheating.”
Thirty Years Ago Tonight
Thirty years ago today, Pan Am 103, a Boeing 747 that departed Heathrow for JFK, was blown up at just after 7pm while at 31,000 feet over Scotland.
The Americans, Always The Americans
Through media and social media non-Americans tend to see way too much of the US of the extremes: yapping politicians, Kardashians, people waving guns around, poverty, racial discord, hurricanes, wildfires, religious “fundamentalists” who seem to dislike everybody who isn’t their sort of Christian, and a slew of negatives on a near-endless list; or they see glitter that dazzles them: gorgeous national parks, Florida beaches, Las Vegas, snowy mountain retreats, cool New York City, Hollywood, shopping, and much more.
While She Was Alive
Over the previous three years, I had also fictionalized her in three novels, the last being that one above. In them I included reconstructions of various real-life interactions and even disagreements between us from back when I was in my 20s and young 30s. She never knew I had sneakily done that.
The Questionings
I’ve been deliberately reserved especially towards younger members of the family. The reason for that is simple: aside from the first book of that trilogy, Passports, which is probably the closest I’ve come to writing what might be termed borderline “young adult,” my novels are not really meant for “under-18s.”
As Today Begins…
A few things on my mind that I just wanted to mention here this morning…
To See Our World
If you are about to take your first major international journey without Mom and Dad, I suggest you don’t rely only on your iPhone and Instagram for the memories. Taking photos is now so easy. No longer are we restricted to a roll of 24 or 36 at a time.
Making “Connections?”
My advice to any new writer is this: Spend your time 1) writing your books and 2) “connecting” with your readers who have chosen to “connect” with you. (“I wanted you to know I’ve read your book!”)
What Family Leaves Us
My grandmother is long gone. My mother is now too. My dad remains – and I know I shall miss him terribly whenever he too is gone.
This Inspirational Region
It was a pleasant week in upstate New York’s Catskill Mountains, just outside of Windham. We did some necessary work inside of the house. We are returning to England on Saturday, so we are now with my father, visiting him at his house in northeast Pennsylvania.
I figured it was a good time for another blog post.
New York Travel “Shorts”
Hello from the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. We made it…
Idea Of The Day
How about a show of hands. How many of you have ever written a serious love letter? Or – to be all 21st century-ish – how many of you have perhaps written even a love email or other similar electronic message? And by the latter I mean composing complete, carefully crafted, thoughtful sentences: texting emojis doesn’t count!😂
Author Comment Ramblings
I’m avoiding blogging “officially” for a time, of course. Then I thought, “Eh, I might as well share this prominently with all of you too!” No secrets here! 🙂
“Who let him back in?”
Relaxing is proving exhausting in its way also.
