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.
From Concentration Camp To Film Stardom
The late actress, Ingrid Pitt, gained a great deal of notoriety while starring in a number of 1970s horror films from Britain’s Hammer Film Productions and other studios. But no fictional movie could match the unthinkable, real-life horror she experienced as a child.
Throwback Thursday—Myths And Legends: “America’s Most Haunted Hotel”
What? The MOST haunted? That is what the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas perceives itself to be. And whether we believe it or not, there is an extensive history of paranormal activity at this venerable building.
“Ode To Joy”—Exercising To The Oldies
A question: does Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” which is the fourth movement of his Symphony #9, qualify as an oldie? Well, he wrote it between 1823 and 1824. Old enough for you?
Throwback Thursday: Cannot Hit Curveball? Jobu Maybe Help…
My Padres are doing well this season. Maybe Jobu is helping. This post first ran in 2022.
Who Was Moses Fleetwood Walker?
Sixty-three years before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier during MLB’s so-called modern era, a professional baseball catcher was credited with being the first black man to play in the major leagues. His name was Moses Fleetwood Walker.
Throwback Thursday: FROZEN HELL—The Novel That Formed The Basis For THE THING
This sci-fi thriller amazed readers nearly ninety years ago. I first presented this post in 2022.
Did Sexism And Ageism Doom An Excellent Series?
The BritBox original series, McDONALD AND DODDS—a British crime drama whose setting is the historic city of Bath—ran for four seasons. There will not be a fifth. And that’s a bummer.
Throwback Thursday: Part Two—Which Kong Is King?
No secret, I already answered that question last week. Yes, KONG: SKULL ISLAND is my favorite, though I absolutely love the classic 1933 version and Peter Jackson’s awesome 2005 remake. It just so happens that I grab KONG: SKULL ISLAND off my shelf more often than the others.
Val Kilmer: Out Of This World
In my post earlier this month, which chronicled Val Kilmer’s untimely death, I mentioned some of his most noteworthy roles, such as in THUNDERHEART, TOMBSTONE, TOP GUN, THE DOORS, and others. But neither my post, nor the majority of other articles and obituaries, acknowledged that the versatile actor starred in a science fiction movie, RED PLANET (2000). I had written about this underappreciated film in the past and am repeating it here.
Throwback Thursday—Part One: Which Kong Is King?
Yes, this is going to be one of those IMHO posts, and you may or may not agree with which KING KONG film is my favorite. No problem, we all know what we like. I might also add that I’m only talking about the three American-made films actually titled KING KONG, as well as the 2017 version, KONG: SKULL ISLAND.
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