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.
Throwback Thursday: Blimey, Those Wacky Brits—They Sure Love Their Murders!
There are not many TV series that survive for two decades. But England’s detective drama, MIDSOMER MURDERS, has been aired on ITV for even longer, with the twenty-third installment currently airing. Wow, that’s impressive!
Revisited: The New Year Coming—Do Things Ever Change?
I first ran this post eight years ago, and a few times since. Does life change much? You be the judge.
Throwback Thursday: MORTAL ENGINES—A Guilty Pleasure? No, A Genuine One!
I’m usually not fond of dystopian movies, but MORTAL ENGINES rocked! This post first ran in 2019.
Short And Sweet Again: Happy Holidays!
High hopes for a much better New Year from Jacqueline, Mike, and our little buddies!
Throwback Thursday: “Enough Is Enough!” Lines From A Snake-Centric Movie
Last week, when I wrote about the horror/comedy/thriller/creature feature, SNAKES ON A PLANE, I mentioned that there are enough outrageous quotes in this film to warrant its own post. Time to justify that comment.
An Icelandic Christmas Tradition
My bride and I visited Iceland during the summer many years ago. At that time of year there are more than twenty hours of sunshine each day. In December, not so much. Hardly any, in fact. Still, they have a Christmas tradition that rocks!
Throwback Thursday: “Sir, You Need To Fasten Your…Seat Belt? No, It’s A Snake!”
It’s always a hoot to revisit SNAKES ON A PLANE, a slithery cult classic. This post first ran in 2019.
Christmas At Nakatomi Plaza
The discussion has gone on for decades. Is DIE HARD, the 1988 Bruce Willis-fueled thriller, a Christmas movie? I’m sure you have your own take on this (non-earth-shaking) issue, but in my humble opinion…yeah, I’d say it is. Here are a few bullet points—without the bullets—to support this.
Throwback Thursday: ENDGAME—How Do You Top This?
If you are a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), you have more than likely seen the eagerly awaited AVENGERS: ENDGAME. But in case you haven’t, you need not worry that there are any spoilers in this brief homage.
Guilty Pleasures: THE BLOB (1988)
Whether you’re a casual or serious fan of horror/sci-fi films (I’m the latter), you probably associate THE BLOB with the classic B-movie from 1958. After all, it was Steve McQueen’s first starring role. In subsequent years it produced a few sequels, but the first remake came about in 1988.
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