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: JONATHAN CREEK: Magic, Mystery, And The Macabre
Jonathan Creek is a narrow tributary to a Canadian river. JONATHAN CREEK is also the title of a venerable British TV mystery series, as well as the name of its lead character. And I must say, this exceptional series deserves its cult following.
Women’s Basketball In The…1970s?!
One of my favorite—yet little known—inspirational sports movies is the 2009 drama, THE MIGHTY MACS. This true story factors strongly into this post, though for the moment I’ll put it on the back burner.
Throwback Thursday: Curious Possessions IV
With seven-plus decades in the rearview mirror I’ve had plenty of time to collect a whole lot of “stuff.” Here is a look at some more “Curious Possessions” floating around my domicile.
Riding Privileges Revoked On The Ultimate Bike Path?
In my comedy/science fiction novel, BACK ON THE BIKE PATH—the fourth in the series—my protagonist, Jack Miller, has done something unthinkable—though morally justifiable—in the cosmic tunnel. His alien handler, the Old Guy, has brought him back to the Starting Point on Camp Pendleton to face the music.
Throwback Thursday: Dashing Through The Snow…
Why gripe about “bad science” when you can go on a two-hour thrill ride by watching THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW? This post first ran in 2021.
You Do NOT Want To Go On This European Cruise
The source material for the 2023 horror film, THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER, is a chapter titled “The Captain’s Log” from Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, DRACULA. That should be enough to keep you from boarding the vessel. I mean, who would want Transylvania’s most famous vampire as a shipmate?
Throwback Thursday: Bad Science? Gimme A Break!
I strongly believe in science, especially when it comes to dealing with major issues such as global pandemics and climate change. But when I watch a movie, primarily in two of my favorite genres—disaster films and sci-fi—I’m doing it to escape from reality for a couple of hours, and I’m not particularly concerned with whether the scientific aspects of the story are entirely accurate.
In Memoriam…Jacqueline Sirota
Jacqueline was my world, my everything. The bravest person I’d ever known, she battled and beat the demon cancer many times during our 3+ decades together.
Throwback Thursday: The Caribbean: Fun, Sun, Rum, And…Murder?
Thirteen seasons now for DEATH IN PARADISE, and still going strong. This post first ran in 2021.
A Cult Classic…Maybe
In a previous post I mentioned that the “guilt” in guilty pleasures comes from worrying about what others might think about one’s tastes, maybe seeing you as a real lowbrow, or an eccentric. In the case of the 1983 sword & planet movie, KRULL, that actually happened.
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