Swords, Specters, & Stuff
Welcome to My World
I started this blog in January 2012 for one simple reason: I love to write. I named it “Swords, Specters, & Stuff” because I especially love to write about writing, about books and movies in my favorite genres, about authors that mean a great deal to me. But there’s more to it than that, which is why I included “Stuff” in the title. It is “Stuff” that gives me carte blanche to write about anything, which is why you’ll see stories about special trips to Cooperstown, Sedona, and other places; about getting older; about baseball; about the otherworldly way in which I met my soul mate; about the loss of good friends, and so much more. Enjoy! And feel free to leave a comment.
Guilty Pleasures: DEATH SHIP
“Those who survive the ghost ship are better off dead.” Such is the tagline for the 1980 nautical horror film—and cult classic—DEATH SHIP. I have to admit to teetering on the fence about calling it a guilty pleasure or a guilty displeasure. But ultimately its many laughs—totally unintentional—won me over.
Myths And Legends: Alaska’s Ghost Ship
Given its vastness and minimal population, “America’s Last Frontier” has spawned many a strange tale. But none may be any weirder than the story of the SS BAYCHIMO—Alaska’s ghost ship.
What? It’s Monday Already?
So where’s my usual post? Sorry, but I’ve been so wrapped up with the NCAA Basketball Tournaments (men’s and women’s), and the opening of the baseball season, that the next REAL article won’t appear till the following Monday.
Final Four Times Two? Awesome!!!
I can’t let this week go by without a giant WOW for our two basketball teams.
Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen!
When Neil Sedaka sang this song back in the day, I was a mere juvenile (but not a delinquent). Now, I’m pretty sure Neil wasn’t referring to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, but I am, because—wonder of wonders—two of our teams are still dancing!
“Madness! Madness!”
The title of this post is an actual line of dialogue—the last in the film, actually—from the much-honored classic, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1958). It is shouted by a character called Major Clipton as he observes men destroying one another during a World War II battle and is a strong commentary on the madness of war. But hey, it’s MARCH, the month where MADNESS has another meaning.
A Pair Of 7s…Is That Lucky?
Well, I sure hope so, because I’m turning 77 today. Holy crap, how in the name of Zeus’s butthole did that happen!
Blimey, A British Royal Who Solves Murders?
Bestselling American author Elizabeth George published her first Inspector Lynley mystery, A GREAT DELIVERANCE, in 1988 to much acclaim. To date the series is still going strong both here and in the United Kingdom, with over twenty titles in print. And in 2001 the books spawned a highly popular BBC One crime drama, THE INSPECTOR LYNLEY MYSTERIES, with a two-part pilot and six seasons, which ran through 2008 and doubtless should have gone longer.
Myths And Legends: More Haunted Truck Roads
Learning about some of these spooky truck roads almost makes you not want to get behind the wheel. But drive we must, so here are a couple more that you might want to think twice about navigating.
It’s 60 Degrees Outside? Brr, Frigid!
On one of my daily walks last week—sun shining, 70° here in Southern California—I got to thinking about why I relocated to the San Diego area in the first place over fifty years ago. For sure, to be able to walk along the beach on a balmy mid-winter day had to be one of those reasons. So why was I bundled up like an off-season tourist in Barrow, Alaska?
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