Category Archives: Uncategorized

Well I’m delighted to announce that it’s finally here—the cover for my new novel. I love the way this cover hints at so many intrigues of the novel, especially the dangers faced by women partisans who had to throw themselves into the perilous task of saving Allied airmen because the men of their country betweenContinue reading “Night and Fog cover”

During my career as a civil engineer and land use planner I learned more outside the classroom than I ever did within. I’m not talking about working in the field on road construction or utility installation—although watching skillful craftsmen at their trade certainly helps to educate an engineer—I’m talking about what I learned by lookingContinue reading “A Writer’s Vacation”

As I write this, there seems to be two things on everybody’s mind—the corona virus and the U.S. presidential election. I’m not going to write about either. Well actually, I guess you could say this post’s about something related to the virus—the quarantine. Sitting in lockdown trying to find ways to stretch our food suppliesContinue reading “Un-Canny”

I was listening to an on-air personality, today’s politically correct term for what we used to call a disc-jockey or DJ, who was lamenting how lame his father-in-law was for thinking that dancing at record hops and hanging out in malt shops listening to the juke box and drinking Coca Cola when he was growingContinue reading “What’s So Great About Malt Shops?”

We have been invaded by an army of viruses so small they cannot be seen with the naked eye, yet they’re the most difficult enemy we’ve ever tried to defeat. Unlike all wars before it, this one isn’t fought with guns and bombs. But like all other wars, doctor, nurses, medical professionals and support staffContinue reading “PAYING HOMAGE TO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS”

The best historical fiction breaks free from the confines of its genre. Unlike fans of Sci-fi, romance, mystery, horror and suspense who generally know what to expect from a book in those genres, readers aren’t drawn to historical novels simply because they’re historical. They are instead attracted to specific eras or events. People who likeContinue reading “LEAD ME ON”

At a recent talk, author Steve Snyder discussed his book, Shot Down, the story of how his father trained as a WWII B-17 bomber pilot, bailed out over Belgium, was aided by the underground and fought with the French Résistance. What culminated in an informative PowerPoint presentation began with an email I sent to SteveContinue reading “POINT AND SHOOT”

“G.W.,” our history teacher would shout as he pranced from one side of the room to the other. “Come on. You know this. G.W … father of our country … chopped down a cherry tree …” “George Washington,” someone would finally respond and end the torture. To drum history into those students who find theContinue reading “G.W. The Father of our Country”

You just never know. For quite some time, my only contribution to the local historical society was a check for my annual dues. This was an embarrassingly poor showing on my part. I resolved to do better and get more involved. I don’t act, so getting dressed up in period costume to partake in skitsContinue reading “You just never know.”

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