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: Myth And Legends—The Chindi
In the Navajo culture, the Chindi is a prominent—and feared—figure. “Chindi” is the Navajo word for “ghost,” and this one is no Casper, not by a longshot. This post first ran in 2015.
“I Love My Rejection Slips…”—Writing Quotes From Writers
Thoughts about writing from successful writers can inspire—or perhaps deflate, depending how they are taken. Here are a few gems.
Throwback Thursday: Guilty Pleasures—Nightwing
I should feel quite guilty about enjoying NIGHTWING, the 1979 horror film based on the Martin Cruz Smith novel of the same name—a movie reviled by both critics and viewers alike. But, as usual, I don’t give a rat’s (bat’s?) butthole about what anyone thinks. For sure, Nightwing is not Citizen Kane, but it does have its moments…
Curious Possessions
With seven-plus decades in the rearview mirror, I’ve had plenty of time to collect my share of “stuff.” I thought it might be fun to have a look at some of the more interesting things, so consider “Curious Possessions” the first of a new, occasional series for my blog.
Throwback Thursday: Blowing Shit Up—Twister And Into The Storm
Yes, in case you didn’t know, tornadoes are responsible for blowing lots of shit up. Mother Nature does get pissed upon occasion. And nowhere is this better illustrated than in the two disaster movies, TWISTER (1996) and INTO THE STORM (2014).
Guilty Pleasures: 47 Ronin
By my own checklist the 2003 historical adventure-fantasy film, 47 RONIN, is the perfect Guilty Pleasure. It bombed at the box office: check. Critics hated it: check. Yours truly loved it: double check.
Throwback Thursday: Verevolf? Vot’s A Verevolf?
Last week’s post about memorable movie lines included one from the 1941 horror classic, THE WOLF MAN, specifically from the old gypsy woman named Maleva. The renowned Russian actress, Madame Maria Ouspenskaya, played the oft-imitated role with dead seriousness. It reminded me of an outrageous scene I’d written in the second book of my satirical sci-fi Bicycling trilogy, THE ULTIMATE BIKE PATH, so I thought that I’d share it with you.
“Suppose You Were An Idiot…”—Quotes From Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), known by his pen name of Mark Twain, is considered this country’s greatest humorist. William Faulkner even went as far as calling him “the father of American literature.” Here are some of his best and most meaningful quotes.
Throwback Thursday: “Take The Cannoli”…More Great Movie Lines
There are countless memorable lines from movies both classic and not-so-classic. Here are a few more of them. This post first ran in 2015.
Myths And Legends: The Island Of The Dolls
There is an otherworldly place not far from the heart of the sprawling Mexico City called La Isla de las Muñecas—the Island of the Dolls. It is located in one of the channels off Lake Xochimilco. For those of us creeped out by the “true” stories of Annabelle and Robert the Doll, or the fictional Chucky, this island can be a waking nightmare.
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