Conspicuous Perching

Conspicuous Perching

Bird watchers are positively giddy with the news that the first-ever bat falcon has been spotted in the United States. If you read that and had to do a double-take, so did I. Until about 10 minutes ago, I had never heard of a bat falcon.  At first, I thought it...
Critics And Soap

Critics And Soap

Critics can be tough. Particularly when it comes to friends and family. That’s why I don’t ask people if they’ve read my books. If they like it, they will tell me. If they didn’t, I know they will avoid the topic. So, why make us both feel...
I Have to Write Something Now

I Have to Write Something Now

It’s Tuesday morning. I’ve got a blog post & newsletter to get out. What should I write about?  <checks Facebook> Nothing funny going on there. Lots of people complaining about snow removal.  <reads snow removal post anyway>...
Renovation Probation

Renovation Probation

I’m feeling discombobulated. In fact, our whole house is discombobulated. My dog is stressed. My wife is restless. And everything is piled in corners. The US Department of Home Renovation forced us at gunpoint to rip out our carpet and replace it. I bet you...
The Euphemism is on Fire

The Euphemism is on Fire

A few weeks ago in Houston, a woman was playing a “gaming machine.” A gaming machine is a euphemism for gambling, much like “circle back” is a euphemism for “I really don’t want to talk about this right now.”  Anyway, she was...
Gruntled And Whelmed

Gruntled And Whelmed

We’re only a week or so away from Thanksgiving and I’m feeling gruntled and whelmed. That’s a good thing, by the way. It’s very close to being thankful —which I will be next week when pie returns to our kitchen.  I’m on a campaign to make...