What follows is a short diddley-doo that I wrote a few years ago in honour of the American Independence Day. It’s quite a load of rubbish so enjoy. Philodendron. Common name, Pothos. Derived from the Latin Vulgate meaning that which grows and spreads like wildfire yet can grow even in dark closets. This “devil’s ivy” has sprung up in every restaurant, every airport, every hospital, everywhere! The obvious benefits of such a plant is well…obvious! They add a sparkle of green and yellow to the decor; they easily spread to cover a large area, and can be used to accent ...

If what I read in the news today is to be believed, Obama has lost my vote. (emphasis is my own) CHICAGO - Reaching out to religious voters, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama called for expanding President Bush’s program steering federal social service dollars to religious groups and — in a move sure to cause controversy — supported some ability to hire and fire based on faith. [Link] I fully support groups that provide food, clothing, and shelter to those in need, but to make hiring decisions based on religious beliefs (or lack thereof) is pretty offensive in a country founded ...

I’m running a promotion!! Program One

• You buy one of my paperback books from amazon.com, read it and write a review, and you can participate in the Buy-One-Get-One-Half-Off Program, and will receive an amazon.com gift certificate for half the retail price of any other paperback book by me. You are only responsible for 50% of the price plus shipping costs associated with the purchase! Once you’ve written your review, send me your email address using the secured contact form and I’ll get your gift certificate right out to you!

Program Two

• If you have an Amazon Kindle you can participate in

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First, a joke: How many ADD kids does it take to change a lightbulb? I don’t know, how many. Hey, let’s go ride bikes! I don’t think that’s exactly how it went when I first heard the joke but it’s pretty darn similar. Anyway…over the weekend we went bike shopping for David. I already have a bike (Specialized Hardrock - similar to this picture), and have had one for about 10 years now. For the better part of those 10 years it’s either been sitting in a closet or hanging in the garage waiting for someone to do something with it. I think I rode ...

As most of you know I’m terribly fond of words and language. Rachelle knows this, and she gave me a Forgotten English Page-A-Day Calendar way back at the beginning of the year. I am pleased to share with you the calendar footnote for June 25, because I think it’s topical and an interesting concept that is still practiced today in Neopaganism. Guid Nychburris, a fair whose name meant “good neighbors” was held in late June in Dumfries, Scotland. Its medieval origin is steeped in a tradition of helping quarreling citizens reconcile their differences. John Sinclair’s Statistical Account ...

I am in urgent need of your help. Someone is missing their gum! Is it yours? I am sure that they are worried sick about their gum - I can only imagine what it must feel like to be on-site, enjoying your chew, “accidentally” spitting your gum out onto the floor without knowing it, and then hours later realize that it’s missing. I can’t even imagine the pain and mental torment I would go through knowing that my gum is out there… somewhere… desperately trying to find me again yet not knowing where to look. Would I report the gum missing? Would ...

I’m thinking it might be time for another writing retreat. Last time, I flew up to Oregon for a few days and relaxed on the river while starting a new sci-fi book. I hadn’t really intended on starting a new book, but what can you do when the inspiration hits? What worries me about doing this again, however, is that I really need to finish the 3, 4, 5 books I have in progress right now vs. starting an entirely new book, which I think is what will happen. Just the other day I kicked off a new 4 ...