As part of my ongoing research on a historical novel I want to write set in the 1930s and 40s, I bought this book on the Battle of Iwo Jima. My father was there as a radioman and gunner on a landing craft, and I had known some basic information about the battle, but this … More Review: “Iwo” by Richard Wheeler
I’m a pretty driven person. I feel guilty when I am not accomplishing something. But as a writer, I have discovered the value of downtime. The mind–and the body–need time to recharge. And occasionally weather provides the excuse to do just that. You see, north Texas is currently socked in with extreme winter weather. Yesterday–Friday–I … More Downtime
I’m back in my office after a totally different kind of day for me. I cancelled my classes this morning because I had been asked by the president’s office to serve as faculty observer for the University board of trustees meeting. I am to serve in this capacity for the next two years, which means … More Movers and Shakers
I’m remodeling our kitchen. For those of you who have done it, you’re either thinking, “Wow, expensive,” or “Wow, a lot of work.” And yes, you’re both right. But Shelly has been talking about redoing the kitchen almost since we moved in 15 years ago. So when the pipe broke in our kitchen wall, dumping … More Backbreaking Work…and Fun!
First, the good news. I am slowly getting better after suffering my concussion Tuesday night. The headaches, soreness and dizziness are still there, but are a lot more manageable than they have been in the past few days. I suspect that by the time I go to the office on Monday, I will be back … More Last Gasp of Summer
You’ll have to excuse me if my typing on this particular blog isn’t up to my usual standard. I am writing this on a computer that isn’t really meant for this stuff, and it will be tomorrow or the next day before I can access my laptop, which is in my office. The doctors have … More Losing My Mind
Shelly and I are finally headed out of town for a couple of days. We have meant to get a weekend away for a long time, but time, obligations and money always seem to get in the way. We’re not planning anything major, just headed to the north side of Dallas, but that’s not the … More Cutting Out
I have a wonderful, patient wife. I can say this, because I tend to test that patience pretty regularly. Sunday was no exception. I wasn’t in the best of moods, and had to go to my office to get something. I got in my old Ford F-150 pickup and promptly backed into her brand new … More Misteaks I Make
We just came back last night from a family reunion in Heavener, Oklahoma. My mother’s maiden name was Haynes, and she had eight sisters and four brothers. That means a lot of cousins, aunts and uncles and other relatives for me. In addition to the Hayneses, her mother’s maiden family, the Stacys, were there, as … More Generations
I can still remember the day when my mom brought me to Mountain View Academy to register me as a high school freshman. Part of the registration process was getting your photo taken for the “Funnybook” and adding a word to describe yourself. I couldn’t–or wouldn’t–give them a word, but after I left that table, … More Let Your Freak Flag Fly
