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.
I Don’t Know Where I’m Gonna Go…
I Don’ Know Where I’m-a Gonna Go…when the volcano blows! What volcano? It’s the one that is located—as the crow flies—about a mile from my California home. Seriously?
Throwback Thursday: Myths And Legends—The Ghosts Of The Dakota
Does John Lennon haunt the place where he was murdered? I first presented this post in 2022.
Chance Encounter With A Rock Legend
I’m not sure of the year; had to be late 1950s, early ’60s. I do know it was summertime when I had a chance encounter with ROY ORBISON.
Throwback Thursday: “I Ain’t Got Time To Bleed”—Memorable Lines From PREDATOR
One of my “most-viewed” films, PREDATOR has spawned many a sequel. This post first ran in 2022.
Good Riddance, 2024
In a few days, 2024 will fall into the rearview mirror, and I will be glad to see it pass. The reason is obvious. Earlier this year I lost Jacqueline—my amazing bride, my best friend and soulmate—to the demon cancer. Yes, 2024 will be gone, but it will hardly be forgotten.
Throwback Thursday: Guilty Pleasures—VERTICAL LIMIT
I have no idea why I’m attracted to mountain-climbing movies like VERTICAL LIMIT, since all of them involve someone going SPLAT on the ground. This post first ran in 2021.
Beethoven Vs. Bruce: Christmas At Nakatomi Plaza
Last week, on Ludwig Von Beethoven’s birthday (December 16th), I happened to watch DIE HARD, because…well, it’s that time of year. Not until afterward did I make the connection between Beethoven and Bruce. (If you know the movie, then you know what I mean.) Anyway, in keeping with the season, here is a post from a while back.
Throwback Thursday: “I Ate His Liver…”—More Horror Movie Quotes
Gather ’round the campfire, kiddies, and let’s see if we can gross one another out with some juicy lines from a few creepy movies. The first three sets are from films that feature cannibals. Yum! (This was a 2021 post.)
THE MOD SQUAD: Together Again
A memorable tagline: “One Black, one white, one blonde.” Michael Cole, the “White Guy” from the popular 1960s-70s crime drama, THE MOD SQUAD, passed away last week at the age of 84. In death he joins co-stars Peggy Lipton (2019) and Clarence Williams III (2021).
Throwback Thursday: This Soggy Sequel Should’ve Been Deep-Sixed
I have no idea what the producers were thinking when they made this underwater dud. This post first ran in 2021.
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