Today concludes the 2012 “Nanowrimo,” which stands for “National Novel Writing Month.” The challenge is to write a whole novel (minimum 50,000 words) in just 30 days. I’ve always wanted to do this, but it’s the wrong month for me to...
I just spent three days at Ocean Shores. Or to be more specific, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center for the “Winter Fanta-Sea Holiday Bazaar.” Hawking my books is a lot of work. There’s a definite art to engaging people as they bustle by, aggressively...
A little over a month ago, everything ganged up on me at once. I was rendered absolutely powerless by a debilitating and continuing low mood. Call it depression if you want. For over a week, I could hardly shower or dress, which meant I spent all my time just...
By popular demand (one person asked about it a couple weeks ago), I am reprinting one of my favorite newspaper columns of all time. Think back now to 1981… to the plight of an unfortunate newlywed… Mr. Ex informed me just a few weeks after we tied the knot...
I grew up in the greater Seattle area. Crinkly cellophane bags of dried and cubed Langendorf bread were the basis of our turkey stuffing. (Franz acquired Langendorf in the 1980s, so don’t go out and look for it now.) Thanksgiving morning, we measured the water, added...
