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From Belle Bannon No. 2: Doll Island
An exciting scene near the end of the second book in the Belle Bannon series (title yet to be determined) takes place on Doll island. While the book locates Doll Island in the Texas Everglades, the real Doll Island can be found outside Mexico City. Here’s the story: Julian Santana Barrera was a hermit…
Read MoreTime-Travel
I’m ashamed to admit that I hadn’t read Mark Twain since high school. Then on a whim I picked up A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and realized what I’d missed. This dude was funny! (And by the way, he used the term “dude” way back in 1889.) In the book a Connecticut…
Read More“ROCKY” Sex Life
A crude, but nevertheless common expletive hurled at the object of one’s anger suggests that the affronter go [have sex with] himself. Fortunately (or, depending on one’s point of view, unfortunately,) having sex with one’s self is anatomically challenging—unless you’re a rock. Pyura chilensis, otherwise known as the Blood Rock, lives in the waters…
Read MoreIs This Creepy House of Mannequins an Art Project?
It’s called the John Lawson House, located near the New Hamburg train station in New York, and it’s impressive for a few reasons. First, it’s a really old house, built in 1845. Second – and here’s the “Man Bites Dog” angle – several life-sized female mannequins can be found on the front porch, in…
Read MoreSo You Think You Like Pizza
Pizza has recently edged out chocolate as America’s favorite food. No real surprise given pizza’s place in the fabric of our culture. Comedy Central’s John Stewart continually battled with Chicago over whether New York’s pizza is best. And New York mayor Bill DiBlasio has received more criticism for eating pizza with a fork than for…
Read MoreThe Starling Murmations
Most amazing natural phenomena like Niagara Falls, the aurora borealis or a beautiful sunset are awe-inspiring, but explainable. The truly stunning phenomena can’t fully be explained. Take the common Starling. The Starling is small—sized somewhere between a sparrow and a Robin. They weigh less than 3 ounces, have an eight inch wingspan, and…
Read MoreRocket Cats (Need I Say More?)
Hey Grumpy Cat, maybe you shouldn’t feel so down. Consider the plans 16th-Century military leaders had in mind for your species (which is also proof that our online fixation on cats is nothing new): illustrated manuscripts from that time have recently been digitalized showing a strategy of what looks to be rockets or even jetpacks…
Read MoreTaking a Mulligan in the Game of Life
Everyday decisions made throughout our lives lead to unknown paths. This we know. It’s these decisions that mold our present standing, and our futures. But it’s only human to reflect on missed opportunities, which, to say the least, can be frustrating, What if there was a decision in your past that you could change?…
Read More6 Reasons Why You Should Read Stephen King’s IT
Stephen King’s IT is the bridesmaid of King’s novels. On every list ranking King’s novels, IT always comes in as number 2 or 3 — never number 1. To me it’s King’s best novel. Quick synopsis: It’s 1958 and something evil is preying on the children of Derry, Maine. A group of seven kids,…
Read MoreThe Scariest Part
As a father of three, what scared me was the core theme of my book, One to Go: Would I really do anything to save my child? It’s very easy to respond, “Of course. A parent would do anything to protect his children.” But put yourself in Tom Booker’s shoes. Texting while driving, Tom causes…
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