**Originally posted, July 2011, Revised July 2013** The sign in front of the Standard Artificial Limbs store always makes me think of my step father. On the day he died at the VA hospital in Albuquerque, after my mother and I summoned the rest of the family to tell them he’d passed, once everybody took turns patting him on his rapid cooling forehead, we all walked out into the broiling parking lot, the blacktop almost spongy under the August dessert sun, with my … [Read more...]
Peace and Love My Little Bird
July 5, 2013 By
Dinner guests gone, my out-of-town relatives tucked in for the night, I went outside last night to blow out the candles on the patio. I sat. The weather has been blessedly mild in St. Louis the past few days. Unheard of for it not to be hotter than a fire cracker on the 4th of July. The evening air was lovely, scent of gun powder notwithstanding. We'd had a good night. People I love, dotted my well worn deck, with the warped plank that's curled up on one end. I cover … [Read more...]
Never Seen So Many Books
June 8, 2013 By
Have you? Thanks to The Book House for hosting us today. Tony and I talked all about New Mexico, I left and immediately went and bought a taco at Nacho Mama's up the street, home of the drive-through marg. Note that my foot is firmly planted on Libby's leash. There was a cat in the back room. … [Read more...]
Lure of the mic, uh, I mean “road”
May 28, 2013 By
Well... okay, so most people are not tuned in to the radio on Memorial Day Morning, but me and ol' Charlie waxed poetic about the Art of Acceleration. Here's a link if you'd like to give a listen to Off the Leash Behind the Mic on the Charlie Brennan Show. … [Read more...]
Fresh Picked, Locally Grown, Locally Published
May 22, 2013 By
If you're in the neighborhood, or want to fly in for some strawberries or Kettle Korn, stop by the Webster Groves Farmers Market tomorrow, May 23rd, where my travelin' partner and I will be signing copies of Off the Leash. Well, Libby will be on the leash, otherwise, she'd take off with the first person to offer her a scrap of meat. Look for Libby to be laying on her back, letting people rub her belly. Hell, I might do that if you buy TWO books! Webster Groves … [Read more...]
Coming Soon to a Coffee House Near You
March 1, 2013 By
Well, some of you... Remy, the wonderful and pretty gal who owns Abode Coffee House in the hip, happenin' burb of Webster Groves has graciously allowed me to come and do my dog & Jean show, on Friday, March 15th. Folks can get all wound up on coffee, or wind down with a glass of wine. She's got good food too. Now, one of the other good things about being back in the saddle in the freelance (no, it's NOT free...) video business, aside from an occasional check, (as … [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...]
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...]
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...]
Nothing Like Some Funk
October 26, 2012 By
I knew it was a good omen when the lead-in to my interview on KTRS, THE BIG 550 A.M. was The Average White Band's, Pick Up the Pieces. When you get an extra fourteen minutes, (I understand that's a lot) give a listen to a fun interview, tragic backstory notwithstanding, to the interview I did on Thursday with St. Louis radio host, McGraw Milhaven. After you click on the link, click on the AUDIO tat, and it's the show dated 10-25-12. Just click the right arrow on … [Read more...]
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