We wrapped up watching Psycho in my high school film class today. Showing a film made in 1960 to students is interesting, because none of them have ever seen it. They’ve heard about it, and they have ideas about it, but every year that I show Psycho I’m deliciously surprised by the parts that catch …
I ALWAYS finish books. I've read a lot of good books, and I've read a lot of less-good books. And to be clear, I like holding on until the end, because a novel or collection of stories or whatever that may initially not be so hot might have some redeeming quality by the end. But …
Continue reading The First Book I’ve Ever Failed to Finish: BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES
Last Easter Leah and I closed on our first house. It's a fixer-upper, which we bought despite being warned by friends who in the past also bought fixer-uppers. But hey! Everyone’s doing it, and our parents all did the same, and so far it has been a joy. Without getting too into the intricacies of …
Something Wicked This Way Comes is the best Halloween book ever written. Also (since that’s somewhat of a narrow category), it is one of the best all-around books ever written. And I truly think that Something Wicked is Ray Bradbury’ best. In fact, I’m kind of shocked at times when people tout Fahrenheit 451 as …
Continue reading It’s October — Time to Read SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES!
A few days ago The Norwegian American published a short story that I wrote: “Sebastián and Greta,” which you can read by clicking here. The Norwegian American is a somewhat particular publication, in that they focus on topics that are about Norway AND America. And it just so happens that I wrote a story about …
Continue reading “Sebastián and Greta” Published in THE NORWEGIAN AMERICAN (608 words)
Eunoia Review published another drabble that I wrote. This one is called “Writing Advice,” and I think the title’s pretty self-explanatory. You can read it by clicking here. I’ve written about drabbles quite bit in the past—flash fiction that is either under 100 words or is 100 words exactly. It isn’t fiction that I can …
Continue reading “Writing Advice: A Drabble” Published in EUNOIA REVIEW (100 words)
October is a wonderful month. When I lived in Boston, it was typically the last month before winter set in. And when I lived in San Antonio, it was the first month that was consistently not hot. Either way, it tends to bring back memories of kitchens I have been in, as it's the the …
Tennis season is in full swing. Which explains why I haven’t been active on the blog in about two months—and much appreciation to Leah for holding down the fort! I'm primarily a high school English teacher, but teachers often coach, and I do enjoy my time out on the courts and in the sun. The …
Continue reading In Brief: Almost Done With Tennis (Coaching) Season
I love steamed rice. In contrast, Jeff does not love rice due to eating said starch during his four years of teaching (and eating) in South Korea. To my surprise though, he picked up a bag of rice at the store and was enthusiastic about trying it again. This is a simple sauté over steamed …
Continue reading Shrimp and Broccoli Stir Fry with Lime Rice
I've been watching "The Great British Baking Show." And I so wish I could apply to be a contestant (there must be a loophole, right?). So in the meantime, I will continue to practice and I present you with a banana muffin recipe -- perfect for when you have two bananas that are past their prime …
BATCH & NARRATIVE 