Monthly Archives: April 2021
Boy Am I Glad That Time Travel Doesn’t Exist
My latest novel centers around time travel. There are countless ways a story line can travel when encased in such a vast subject. After penning this manuscript, I came to many conclusions; the most important of which was how happy I am that time travel does not exist. Boy am I glad that time travel doesn’t exist.
Filed under On writing
I Acquired my Love for Hot Peppers from My Grandfather
We are approaching the time to begin planting our summer vegetable gardens. I remember as a young fella spending summers in the dirt with my grandfather. We would plant everything from Asparagus to Zucchini to Hot Peppers.
As a matter of fact, I acquired my love for Hot Peppers from my Grandfather. Every year we had a bumper crop of Cayenne Peppers, which is still my favorite Pepper today. Coming in at 30,000 Scoville units, they’re about as hot as I want to get.
How I came to love the oil that gave Hot Peppers their sting (capsaicin) is a funny but painful story. When but a toddler, during a cookout, I happened to notice a bright red long thing sitting among the food. It looked pretty good to me, so it was an easy matter to grab and insert it into my mouth. The next ten or so minutes were excruciating for a little one such as I. Once the pain subsided, my love affair with “hurts so good” had begun. It seems eating hot peppers releases endorphins in the brain which is why pepper lovers seem a bit masochistic
After us men had toiled for months to produce the crop, my grandmother would work her fingers to the bone canning the summer’s harvest producing numerous jars of vegetables. The one thing I still cannot understand, is why do we put vegetables in jars and then call them canned?
Something to think about while you plan your Pepper crop.
Have a fantastic week, and may God bless!
Filed under On writing
Being An Author, Along with Two Dollars, Will Buy Me a Cup of Coffee, Depending on Where I Go
I’ve made mention more than once that I am an author. Well, I came to the conclusion some time ago that being an author, along with two dollars, will buy me a cup of coffee, depending on where I go.
What I’m getting to, and pardon this around your elbow to get to your thumb segue, is no matter your occupation be it a doctor, carpenter, retail worker, or pipe fitter, we are all appreciative of indoor plumbing.
I know we’ve all had the pleasure of using a port-a-potty during outdoor events, and what a sheer delight during the summer at a crowded venue.
Just think, not so many years ago an outhouse was the norm. I’ve never lived in a home without plumbing; however, have been to those who were without. Not optimal conditions to relieve oneself, but folks do with what they have. As a matter of fact, the outhouse came with its share of danger. Case in point: my grandfather was bit in his derriere by a black widow spider, proving that even going to the bathroom can be deadly. FYI, he made a total recovery.
I can’t resist finishing this post with a little slice of heaven I saw as a child. To keep from having to wander into the backyard at night, especially during the winter, a device referred to as a slop-jar would be incorporated. This bucket of (use your imagination) would be emptied each morning.
Please don’t take this as a slight to anyone who grew up without indoor plumbing . . . it’s just the way things were.
Have a wonderful week, may God bless, and thank goodness for innovations that make our lives better.
Filed under On writing
What Could Be Better Than Using Your Imagination to Invent a Menagerie of Never Before Seen Creatures?
If you read this blog regularly, you know I’m an author of science fiction and fantasy. One of the most enjoyable aspects of writing in this genre are the varied types of monsters, beasts, beings, and assorted creepy crawlies I have the opportunity to bring to life. What could be better than using your imagination to invent a menagerie of never before seen creatures?
The different attributes each demon entails run the gambit from A to Z. One that comes to mind is hair. Now, when I say the word hair, I can equate this keratin derivative not only to every galactic inhabitant, but also, animals and humans alike on our own planet, Earth. This in turn brings me back to the curly red mess on top of my head. When I was but a young lad in my mid to late teens, I attempted to grow a head-full of long hair. Needless-to-say, I looked like an orangutan that was struck by lightning multiple times.
I kept this hair style through high school, though I cannot understand why. When I look at photos from those days, I’m surprised people weren’t throwing rocks and running away in fear.
It is utterly amazing how our tastes can change from one generation to the next. I was not a, “Wow, get a load of him” . . . I was a, “Hey, look at that!”
Have one fantastic week. May God continually bless you and yours, and let’s do it again next week.
Filed under On writing