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.
Another Jason Bourne Movie! Or Not…
Oh babe! Then it fell apart. But if there is indeed a new Jason Bourne thriller on the horizon, I would definitely stand in line for this. Who knows? Secrets and lies abound in the spy universe.
Myths And Legends: Excelsior House
Located in rural Jefferson, Texas, the Excelsior House Hotel is considered a focal point for paranormal activity. You don’t believe it? Just ask Steven Spielberg.
Myths And Legends: Clinton Road
You’re driving down the long (10 miles), lonely, poorly paved Clinton Road in West Milford, New Jersey. It is late at night, but you’ve heard about the Ghost Boy, and you want to check it out for yourself.
The Strange Case Of The Dead Fish
Sounds like the title of a Sherlock Holmes story, doesn’t it? But this incident was real, and I happened to have a role in it, so let me tell the tale.
“Roll In Ze Hay”—RIP Teri Garr
We lost another gem last week. Comedic actress Teri Garr, 79, passed away from complications of multiple sclerosis, a disease she was first diagnosed with over two decades ago.
My 2024 Halloween Playlist
These days I spend Halloween enjoying a horror movie marathon…three or four shockers, at least. I may scare the crap out of myself well into the night, assuming I can stay awake. Here is the likely playlist.
Myths And Legends: The Emily Morgan Hotel
“Across the alley from the Alamo.” That’s the first line of an old Mills Brothers song. Actually, across the STREET from the Alamo in downtown San Antonio stands the Emily Morgan Hotel, renowned in paranormal circles as one of the most haunted places in America.
Thank You, Padres
To be clear, 2024 has been the worst year of my (long) life. It had to be after losing Jacqueline, my wonderful bride, life partner, and passionate San Diego Padres fan, to insidious cancer in April.
RIP Pete Rose
An exercise in hypocrisy. Last week, baseball legend Pete Rose passed away at the age of 83. The all-time MLB hits leader (4,256), Rose—a polarizing figure throughout his career—was given a lifetime ban in 1989 for betting on baseball, apparently wagering on his own team.
“Cancel Christmas””—More Gems From The Language Of Baseball
The wonderful language of baseball must be quite extensive for author Paul Dickson to create a dictionary of nearly a thousand pages! Here are more of my favorites.
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