On Writing & Storytelling: or, Gratitude, Revisions, and ‘Reunion’


A Generous Act of Friendship “Always remember people who have helped you along the way, and don’t forget to lift someone up.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart Well, here we are on Friday, March 17, 2023, on the cusp of another weekend. It’s also St. Patrick’s Day, though at the momentContinue reading “On Writing & Storytelling: or, Gratitude, Revisions, and ‘Reunion’”

Book Review: ‘The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger’


Reviewer’s Note: Thomas Wikman is one of my long-time online friends from Epinions, a now-defunct review site where we both wrote product reviews. Additionally, I adapted this review from an original version that I wrote on the book’s Amazon product page. “Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent.Continue reading “Book Review: ‘The Life and Times of Le Bronco von der Löwenhöhle: Stories and Tips from Thirteen Years with a Leonberger’”

On Books & Reading: Another ‘Downfall’ Book Becomes an Addition to the Ol’ TBR Stack


“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” ― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! Well, Dear Reader, here we are on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. The 11th month of the year began yesterday,[1] and although the weather isContinue reading “On Books & Reading: Another ‘Downfall’ Book Becomes an Addition to the Ol’ TBR Stack”

On Books & Reading, or: Reading Habits, the TBR Stack Got Bigger, and a Quick Life Update


I cannot live without books. – Thomas Jefferson I love books. I love to read.   I learned to read at an early age. I don’t remember when I started to read, but my mom used to tell me (and anyone else, for that matter) that Tata, my maternal grandmother, taught me to read beforeContinue reading “On Books & Reading, or: Reading Habits, the TBR Stack Got Bigger, and a Quick Life Update”

On Books & Reading, or: Slow Progress with My TBR List is the New Reality for Me


“I cannot live without books.”  ― Thomas Jefferson Well, it’s August 1, 2022, Dear Reader. Another month has receded in life’s rear-view mirror, while another begins. As you know, I have been a reader for as long as I can remember. Even though I was born at the tail end of the Baby Boom, andContinue reading “On Books & Reading, or: Slow Progress with My TBR List is the New Reality for Me”

Late July Diversions: An Update on My TBR and TBW Lists for the Summer of ’22


Well, with the end of July only a few days off, it’s time for an update on my To Be Watched (TBW) and To Be Read (TBR) lists for the seventh month of 2022. As you know, July is not my favorite month of the year. My mother died on July 19, 2015, after herContinue reading “Late July Diversions: An Update on My TBR and TBW Lists for the Summer of ’22”

Musings & Thoughts for Saturday, July 16, 2022, or: A First Look at Bronco’s Biography, and Other Leisure Pursuits


Hi, there, Dear Reader. It is late morning in Lithia, Florida, on Saturday, July 16, 2022. It is a humid, hot summer day in the Tampa Bay area. Currently, the temperature is 84°F (29°C) under mostly cloudy skies. With humidity at 78% and the wind blowing from the northeast at 5 MPH (8 KM/H), theContinue reading “Musings & Thoughts for Saturday, July 16, 2022, or: A First Look at Bronco’s Biography, and Other Leisure Pursuits”

Musings & Thoughts for Friday, July 15, 2022, or: Another Hot Summer Weekend is About to Begin


Hi, there, Dear Reader. It is midmorning in Lithia, Florida, on Friday, July 15, 2022. It is a warm summer day here in the Tampa Bay area. Currently, the temperature is 75°F (24°C) under sunny conditions. With humidity at 94% and the wind blowing from the east-southeast at 2 MPH (4 KM/H), the heat indexContinue reading “Musings & Thoughts for Friday, July 15, 2022, or: Another Hot Summer Weekend is About to Begin”

Musings & Thoughts for Tuesday, July 12, 2022, or: Memories, Congressional Hearings, and a Book Recommendation


Hi, there, Dear Reader. It’s afternoon in Lithia, Florida, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. It is a torrid summer day in the Tampa Bay area. As I write this, the temperature is 90°F (32°C) under cloudy skies. With humidity at 63% and the wind blowing from the south-southwest at 11 MPH (17 KM/H), the heatContinue reading “Musings & Thoughts for Tuesday, July 12, 2022, or: Memories, Congressional Hearings, and a Book Recommendation”