The journey continues. Amidst dreams fueled by my own shameless desire for fame (at least I'm honest) and those who lovingly feed those delusions (maybe, maybe not) that Off the Leash will eventually become a best seller, then a screenplay, and then of course an Oscar nominated film, where I’ll stride the red carpet confidently thinner and face lifted, somewhere amongst that fantasy lies the snow-turned-to-charcoal-slush mounds of the perilous here and now. The way … [Read more...]
Overstimulated at the Airport Bar
February 5, 2013 By
Logan International - Boston, February 5, 2013 TV monitors everywhere.Hillary in the flippy-do debuted her new website today. Pundits pounce. Pakistan is erecting a theme park near Bin Laden’s former lair,amusement by any other name. Pat Boone’s become a pitchman for geriatric bathtubs. Get a grip, sister. Your old man is only draggin’ you into the tub cause you stinky.He’s not trying to drown you.Portugese water dogs, oh man! Obama! No fear of going under there, cept’ … [Read more...]
Off the Leash Featured in First Book Review Publication!
February 3, 2013 By
Maybe it's the Texas connection, maybe it's the dog, hell, maybe it's the odyssey, (I didn't make that shit up, you know, about the musicians on the highway, the three of spades floating in the stream, the Jean sign telling me to "kindly park....") but I'm so excited to tell you that Off the Leash is being featured in the February edition of Shelf Unbound. It's a book review magazine which reaches more than 125,000 readers in the United States and 56 countries … [Read more...]
They Work Hard for Their Money
February 2, 2013 By
So the blog's been neglected, as if you've been pining way for witicisms from Jean, right? It's because I've been a workin' fool lately. Good thing, as the wolves, in the form of not only one, but two goons with missing teeth have, of late, been knocking at my door. I won't go into detail, but I ain't lying. While I continue to do book talks (shout out to Kenn Ann Smith and Victoria Babu for hosting this month!) and I've been seen out on street corners selling books … [Read more...]
Te’oed
January 21, 2013 By
I was talking to a friend the other night about the travails of on-line dating. We're not big fans. It made me think that maybe I could REALLY hit pay dirt by writing profiles for on-line suitors -- of course, I guess, they'd have to hire me to do their on-going correspondence. But then, what happens when they show up for a date and, uh, well, they're not quite what they pretended to be. Talk about Te'oing. It reminded me of a story I wrote in my blog, A Woman With a … [Read more...]
No Ruts In Our Shoulders
January 14, 2013 By
My friend and I were laughing smugly the other night about being Kate Hudson-like when it comes to our endowment -- modest. That's okay with us, less gravitational pull you know and no disfigurement from overburdened bra straps. Then I read a comment this morning from Sioux, a reader who had commented on my Death By Girdle post. It reminded me of something I wrote three years ago, about the unblinking truth of the YMCA locker room, which seems particularly prescient … [Read more...]
Death By Girdle
January 5, 2013 By
Name one person in this country who isn't in the "eat less, work out more" mind set at this very juncture. Okay, maybe Keira Knightley. The vast majority of us are experiencing post-seasonal guilt. So when I got back a batch of photos that my son had taken over the Christmas holiday, it was another nail in the coffin, or cookie tin. Don't get me wrong, I actually really like this photo because it shows off my new $40 couch I bought at Goodwill (I'm serious) and I do … [Read more...]
Because We Still Can
December 31, 2012 By
It was the damn bells. Those annoying, clanging, anxiety inducing bells being rung by well-intentioned bell ringers manning their battle stations at every grocery and drug store in town got on my last nerve during this most recent, most wonderful time of the year. It continues to creep up on us, you know, the “holiday season.” No time to savor autumn, we skip right past the maroons, golds and browns of harvest, and leap from jackolantern’s to Santas on the front porch. … [Read more...]
Be Careful What You Ask For
December 22, 2012 By
Hey y'all, So we, (my publisher and I ) have been wondering if the esteemed St. Louis Post-Dispatch would write a review on Off the Leash. They did. I don't think she really got it. But then, what do I know.... I think the first mistake was calling me a "Missourian." No offense. Hmmmm... next time I guess I'll write about what I purport to write about. But if a Gargoyle can wear a Santa hat, I certainly can take this one on the chin. Peace and … [Read more...]
Ain’t No Sunshine
December 10, 2012 By
And now, for your insidious inner-soundtrack pleasure, the minute I snapped this picture, "Ain't No Sunshine" cued up in my brain. Indeed, now, yours. But in the interest of mitigating the musical interruption, I'll add a short excerpt from Off the Leash. This is from Chapter Three, "Somebody Broke In Here in the Middle of the Night and Stole My Sanity." "When fiery dreams burn up our beds and spring us to our feet on the cold floor, calling us to the window … [Read more...]
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