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Review of “The Man in the White Suit” (1951)

Another departure from our usual monster/horror movie for Saturday night is this black-and-white satire of the idealistic individual who upsets everybody’s applecart. It brought to mind a bit of Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Rush’s 2112, and the end of the original Frankenstein movie, but added a bit of humor. Plot:Hapless Sidney Stratton (a really young AlecContinue reading “Review of “The Man in the White Suit” (1951)”

Review of “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott

The Stuff: This book consists of short, interrelated essays and anecdotes on writing and being a writer—being a human—grouped around larger themes. The parts are 1) Writing, 2) The Writing Frame of Mind, 3) Help Along the Way, 4) Publication and Other Reasons to Write, and 5) The Last Class. One of the essays inContinue reading “Review of “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott”

Flash Fiction Published: “Words to Live By”

A little early for Halloween, but a flash fiction piece of mine, “Words to Live By,” was published in an online magazine titled Danse Macabre. I always liked this silly little piece about a university professor who is friends with the ghost of a mariner from days gone by. The captain has a fondness forContinue reading “Flash Fiction Published: “Words to Live By””

Plunder: a Poem

A curious kitten Disappeared into the bush. She reappeared, a leaf in her mouth and Cobwebs over her ears.

Review of “The Frontiersman: The Real Life and Many Legends of Davy Crockett” by Mark Derr

The Stuff: This is a non-sensationalized biography of early American Davy Crockett (1786-1836), frontiersman and congressman, written by a distant relative. Author Mark Derr seeks to wade through the many myths and find the person behind the stories. He adopts a more-or-less neutral tone, neither excoriating nor lionizing the book’s subject. He openly admits, forContinue reading “Review of “The Frontiersman: The Real Life and Many Legends of Davy Crockett” by Mark Derr”

Review of “Pale Rider” (1985)

This was a departure from our usual Saturday pizza and bad movie fare, a Western with some supernatural flavor. Not to give too much away, but the bad guys got their comeuppance in spades. Or lead. Plot:In the beginning (not the last biblical reference to come), two things are happening. First, a group of menContinue reading “Review of “Pale Rider” (1985)”

Review of “The Roman Way” by Edith Hamilton

The Stuff: The author wishes to portray Roman culture and character based on the writings of Roman poets and playwrights. Despite her awareness that this strategy leaves out vast swaths of the Roman world, including women, slaves, artisans, and the disadvantaged, she confines her study to the lettered, leisured male. Proceeding roughly chronologically, she beginsContinue reading “Review of “The Roman Way” by Edith Hamilton”

Review of “The Uninvited” (1944)

This was an enjoyable Saturday night pizza and bad movie flick for more reasons than no ghoulies popped out of a toilet. It was an old-fashioned haunted house story about the ghosts of those who have taken the lifetime squabbles beyond the grave and aren’t too concerned about who gets hurt. Plot:While on vacation onContinue reading “Review of “The Uninvited” (1944)”

Review of ““And So It Goes”: Adventures in Television” by Linda Ellerbee

The Stuff: This is a memoir/autobiography by American journalist Linda Ellerbee, covering her years in television up till the mid-80s. She describes her times as a Washington correspondent for NBC and an anchor on a late-news magazine program called Overnight, among other things. She discusses little of her private life but focuses on the professional.Continue reading “Review of ““And So It Goes”: Adventures in Television” by Linda Ellerbee”

Flash Fiction Published: “Fae: Three Views”

It happens seldom enough that I have to brag about it. An on-line magazine called Quail Bell published a flash fiction piece of mine titled “Fae: Three Views.” It begins: “She had a duty to warn—to let the family know. And sure, old Patrick was failing. His passing could be no surprise, yet, she hadContinue reading “Flash Fiction Published: “Fae: Three Views””