Whatnot Wednesday & #ThursdayDoors — Looking Out My Back Door

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 Welcome to another double-duty post. This is about lawn work, classic rock and roll, and of course, whatnot! Let’s be honest.  My yard, front or back, looks awful.  Today I thought maybe I could just imagine seeing something fun out there.  So let’s set the tone with some music from Credence … More Whatnot Wednesday & #ThursdayDoors — Looking Out My Back Door

Who’s at the Door? (5) #ThursdayDoors

Thursday, April 11, 2024 Welcome, everyone.  Some of you will recognize the person above.  She is beloved by many small children. Others will know the lady who is right behind her, who is loved by countless readers in the blog-verse. ♣ ♣ ♣ Who’s at the door? Please welcome, mind-cultivator, teacher, and inspiration, Jennie Fitzkee. Jennie comes … More Who’s at the Door? (5) #ThursdayDoors

Vintage Vignettes — The Letter A. #VictorianSlang

Saturday, March 30, 2024 Above, two chuckaboos? Or perhaps something more? Welcome, my chuckaboos!  The vintage of choice today is Victorian.  Some of you will remember from my posts (years ago) that “chuckaboo” was slang in that era for a dear friend.  Those with great recall will notice that I posted this two years ago.  … More Vintage Vignettes — The Letter A. #VictorianSlang

Wednesday Writing & Who’s at the #ThursdayDoor? (4) A Doors Safari

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 Welcome, all.  Vehicle doors are certainly “doors.”  My guest today chose Land Rover doors.  When my angel-bots from Hullaba Lulu heard, they insisted on coming along for the ride. ♣ ♣ ♣ Who’s at the door? Some of my readers are familiar with my guest through his mom, with whom he has collaborated … More Wednesday Writing & Who’s at the #ThursdayDoor? (4) A Doors Safari

Things change — and usually not for the better. Announcement

Monday, February 12, 2024 Hello, everyone.  First, something good.  Today is the first anniversary of the day Velma and Daphne arrived.  I wanted to use names of a fictional detective duo.  During the night before they came, my mind had briefly flitted across the names on which I eventually settled. However, if Chris The Story Reading … More Things change — and usually not for the better. Announcement

Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode- 7: Strange Magic

Saturday, February 10, 2024 Welcome back to the strange town, Atonement, Tennessee.  Today’s soundtrack is Strange Magic, by ELO.  The song was suggested by Dan Antion, who also offered up one of his favorite photos.  Midweek, Dan’s photo inspired me to do a post offering a writing exercise/challenge.  You’re still welcome to come out and play … More Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode- 7: Strange Magic

Weekend Serial — Atonement Bad Bishop, Episode 6: Strange Brew, featuring Liz Gauffreau

Saturday, February 3, 2024 Welcome everyone.  Today’s soundtrack tune was offered by Liz Gauffreau.  It’s our second song by “Cream” — Strange Brew.  Be sure to click over and check out Liz’s blog. Previously With the sun to one side, I shielded my eyes, squinting into the distance.  As the black mist reached the ground … More Weekend Serial — Atonement Bad Bishop, Episode 6: Strange Brew, featuring Liz Gauffreau

Weekend Serial — Atonement Bad Bishop, Episode 5: Riders on the Storm

Saturday, January 27, 2024 Welcome everyone.  Horsefeathers!  How can it be that January has gone by so fast?  Yesterday (as I write this on Friday) I emailed several people for ideas for another soundtrack song.  Thanks to everyone for the great song ideas.  I’ll be choosing one of those for next weekend’s episode.  However, right … More Weekend Serial — Atonement Bad Bishop, Episode 5: Riders on the Storm

Wednesday Writing: A Snippet from the first appearance of the Atonement Pigs

Wednesday, January 17, 2023 Welcome, everyone.   I hope your week is going well.  Maybe it’s just that it’s early in the year, but I was feeling a little reflective.   If I had never written my first published novel, Atonement, Tennessee then I would have never started this blog.  I wouldn’t have written any of the … More Wednesday Writing: A Snippet from the first appearance of the Atonement Pigs

Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-4, Tortured Ears, Featuring Tim Price

Saturday, January 13, 2024 Welcome back to the strange town, Atonement, Tennessee.  Today’s soundtrack is Tales of Brave Ulysses, by Cream.  It made me think of Donny Metatron and his predicament with the sirens.  However, the otherworldly pigs took over it — at least for this episode. The song was suggested by photographer and cat-dad (and … More Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-4, Tortured Ears, Featuring Tim Price

Wednesday Writing & Who’s at the #ThursdayDoor? (1)

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Welcome, everyone.  As you probably know, I typically only do two posts per week.  When it fits, I sometimes combine my Wednesday Writing topic with Thursday Doors.  This year, I had the idea to do an occasional blogger feature, called Who’s at the Door?  Moments later, a generous blogger had emailed … More Wednesday Writing & Who’s at the #ThursdayDoor? (1)

Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-3, Logic and Proportion, Featuring Roberta Cheadle

Saturday, December 30, 2023 This is my last post of 2023.  Before I do anything else, let me wish each of you a sparkling New Year.  Honeybell, Moccus, and Deme are having a party to celebrate. Today’s soundtrack is White Rabbit by Grace Wing Slick and Jefferson Airplane.  It fit Pepper Riley’s disoriented state, now … More Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-3, Logic and Proportion, Featuring Roberta Cheadle

Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-2, Both Sides Now, Featuring Geoff Le Pard

Saturday, December 23, 2023 It’s wonderful to see you in Atonement, TN and reading this serial.  Whether you love the holidays and are happy that it’s only a couple of days before Christmas — or if you’re glad it’s finally almost over, I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season, with joy to in your world.  … More Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-2, Both Sides Now, Featuring Geoff Le Pard

Wednesday Writing — the Unlikely Path to a Character: Enoch Metatron

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Welcome, all and happy hump day.  It’s been a while since I did a “writing” post.  I hope you’re in the mood for a ramble.  Did you ever have to find your way to a rural or remote place?  I mean the kind of destination where you have about 30 turns … More Wednesday Writing — the Unlikely Path to a Character: Enoch Metatron

Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-1, All Good People, Featuring Dan Antion & Kerfe

Saturday, December x, 2023 Welcome back to the Atonement, Bad Bishop serial.  I’m glad you’re here.  Like they say, great minds think alike.  This time, the random reader things, which drive this episode were from the “soundtrack” offerings. Two of you suggested the same song — I’ve Seen All Good People, by the group Yes … More Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Episode-1, All Good People, Featuring Dan Antion & Kerfe

Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Prologue 2, Featuring Resa McConaghy

Saturday, December 9, 2023 Welcome back to Atonement, TN.  It’s good to see you. This time, the random reader things, which drive this episode were from the “soundtrack” suggestions.  Resa McConaghy suggested Hotel California.  It seems like if a song fits my mood, the ability to write arrives soon after the tune gets embedded in … More Weekend Serial — Atonement: Bad Bishop, Prologue 2, Featuring Resa McConaghy

Atonement: Bad Bishop, Prologue-1 Adelle’s Diary

Saturday, December 2, 2023 Book-2 Begins Now Welcome everyone, and welcome December.  Wow…how did it get here so fast.  Wasn’t it just March?  Just an eye-blink ago wasn’t it September, when I finished Book-1 of the Atonement serial.  Believe it or not, I’ve been thinking about the serial all this time.  I keep changing my … More Atonement: Bad Bishop, Prologue-1 Adelle’s Diary

#ThursdayDoors on a Friday: Windmills

Friday, December 1, 2023 First let me apologize for a week’s worth of unanswered comments. Horsefeathers! Comments are the whole reason why I blog in the first place.  The latest “improvements” to WordPress apparently prevent me being notified of your comments — so I didn’t think anybody was commenting. I was very discouraged…  And then, … More #ThursdayDoors on a Friday: Windmills

Daphne-cat’s Dance

Saturday, November 25, 2023 Update: I need to share two responses to my creativity challenge.  Both fellow authors did journal entries for their characters.  Robbie Cheadle used a character from a novel in progress.  Dan Antion worked a bit about the journal of one of his bartender characters into his post today. Hello, everyone.  I realize … More Daphne-cat’s Dance

Atonement, TN Soundtrack

Saturday, November 18, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Before I get to the point, we do have a response to the creativity challenge.  It’s from fellow author Geoff Le Pard. Don’t miss his is hysterically Ruthless response. Be sure to check it out. Anyway, you aren’t mistaken — I was late publishing this post.  I’ve been banging my head … More Atonement, TN Soundtrack

UPDATED, Creativity #Challenge, & #1920s Recipe

Update: Saturday, November 19th.  I don’t have a post for today, but we do have a response to the creativity challenge.  It’s from fellow author Geoff Le Pard. Don’t miss his is hysterically Ruthless response. Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Where I am, I didn’t see, hear, or smell anything that seemed remotely like … More UPDATED, Creativity #Challenge, & #1920s Recipe

Wednesday Writing — Atonement TN: Artifact Notes, the Barber Pole

Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Welcome, all and happy hump day.  As I persisted in futile attempts to get my head back into the universe of Atonement, TN, I decided to do another “Artifacts” post. Update: this actually did help. Last evening I sketched out the opening scenes for part-2 of the new serial.  I hope to … More Wednesday Writing — Atonement TN: Artifact Notes, the Barber Pole

Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: Dan Antion, GP Cox, and Teagan

Wednesday, October 25, 2023 Welcome back, everyone.  Unless I’m mistaken, this is the last recap of responses to my Halloween Creativity Challenge.    His persistence paid off and G.P. Cox wrote a fun poem using the prompts for his first and last initials.  I really got a kick out of it. Since he put it … More Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: Dan Antion, GP Cox, and Teagan

Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: Geoff Le Pard, Robbie Cheadle

Wednesday, October 17, 2023 Happy hump day, everyone.  I’m excited to say that there are more responses to my Halloween Creativity Challenge.    Author and man with a wonderfully, hysterically unique sense of humor, Geoff Le Pard, of the TanGental blog, posted a fantastic short story called “The Hole in the Wall.”  Don’t miss it … More Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: Geoff Le Pard, Robbie Cheadle

Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: John Howell, D.L. Finn, Chris Graham

Saturday, October 14, 2023 Welcome to my sanctuary, everyone.  This is a safe place where you are safe from hobgoblins and any leftover curses from Friday the 13th.  (Although, personally I chose to see 13 as a lucky number.)  Today I have more responses to the Halloween creativity challenge I last weekend.    The above … More Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: John Howell, D.L. Finn, Chris Graham

Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: Kerfe, Resa, and Teagan

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Today I’m sharing some responses to the Halloween creativity challenge I posted this past weekend.   The cobwebs in Kerfe’s photo remind me of a wizard’s cape, so her post sort of gave me a double response.  Kerfe wrote a wonderful poem including three Halloween things for the letter K.  … More Halloween Creativity Challenge Responses: Kerfe, Resa, and Teagan

Announcing, A Peril in the Bayou! #NewBook #1920s #LightHorror

Thursday, October 5, 2023 Hi, everyone.  As you know, I’ve been kinda-sorta taking a blog break. I wanted to finish at least a couple of writing and/or editing projects. Then, as usual… I got sidetracked by new inspiration, and suddenly wanted to write a story in time for Halloween.  Then the story became a novella… … More Announcing, A Peril in the Bayou! #NewBook #1920s #LightHorror

Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors — Blossoms & Bears, a short story of Atonement, TN

Wednesday, September 13, 2023 Hello, everyone.   I’m easing away from my so-called break, although I’m not fully back in the blog-verse yet.  Anyhow I didn’t want you to go away, so I’m rerunning this short story from 2018.  I’m also participating in Thursday Doors, hosted by Dan Antion. by showing you VW Beetle doors. When … More Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors — Blossoms & Bears, a short story of Atonement, TN

Atonement in Zugzwang Part 2: Call for Things

Saturday, September 2, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Thanks for visiting my sanctuary.  My break from blogging isn’t precisely over yet.  As Olga Núñez Miret once told me, sometimes doing something different is as good as a break.  That’s what I’ve been doing.  But first a boo-hiss to WordPress for continuing to crop large swaths off my … More Atonement in Zugzwang Part 2: Call for Things

Before “part 2” of Atonement in Zugzwang, a break

Monday, August 21, 2023 Those of us who have been in the blog-verse for several years (or more) talk about the dreaded “summertime slump.”  It happens every year.  This year is no exception.  I realize that summer is almost over… However, many of us experienced a big decrease in followers, views, and comments throughout the … More Before “part 2” of Atonement in Zugzwang, a break

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 23, Featuring Marian Allen

Saturday, August 19, 2023 Welcome back to Atonement, TN.  It’s good to see you. Today I’m welcoming fellow author/blogger Marian Allen back to the blog-verse.  Marian hasn’t been able to post much this year because she fell and broke both wrists.  Back in DC, I had a severe break to my right wrist (that of … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 23, Featuring Marian Allen

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 22, Featuring Teri Polen

Saturday, August 12, 2023 Welcome back, everyone.  I’m happy that you’re following this urban fantasy serial. To drive this episode, I used John W. Howell‘s “finger point prompt.” Here’s how John uses this prompt, “The idea is to open a book randomly and, without looking, point to the page. The word or words closest to the … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 22, Featuring Teri Polen

Wednesday Writing — Atonement TN: Artifact Notes, the Mirror of Truth

Wednesday, August 10, 2023 Welcome, all.  Thanks for opening this door to “Atonement, TN” in the middle of the week.  If you opened the door to Annie’s Antiques and Consignment Shop, you’d hear the old-fashioned tinkle of a little bell attached to the door.  It wouldn’t be unusual for you to smell home-baked cookies. Often … More Wednesday Writing — Atonement TN: Artifact Notes, the Mirror of Truth

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 21

Saturday, August 5, 2023 Welcome to my sanctuary, everyone.   Thanks for following this wild, urban fantasy serial.  When I asked Pat at e-Quips blog for the random reader things for this episode I asked her to think about things that might be at or near a lake.  Pat gave us boat house, hammock, and oar(s). … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 21

Cover Reveal: The Delta Pearl, Book-1 — Coming Soon!

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 Coming Soon to a Steampunk Port Near You! Hello, everyone. I’ve been hinting around now and then, that I’m working on an editing and illustration project.  I reached a good milestone with that over the weekend, so now I’m talking, not just hinting. Back in 2016 I wrote the original version … More Cover Reveal: The Delta Pearl, Book-1 — Coming Soon!

Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors to Atonement in Zugzwang — The Good Guys.

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 When you open a door anywhere in Atonement, TN, you’re bound to find friends. I’ve done a lot of long-running blog serial stories (at least eight, but I always overlook a couple when I try to think of them all). At some point during any of them, I do a post … More Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors to Atonement in Zugzwang — The Good Guys.

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 19, Featuring Fraggle

Saturday, July 22, 2023 Hello, everyone.  This is a rather long episode, although it’s still under 2,500 words.  I didn’t want to split it, because we’re going to be hanging on the cliff about Donny Metatron for long enough as it is. So, there’s not much preamble today.  Fellow blogger, Fraggle. posted a photo that inspired me, … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 19, Featuring Fraggle

Adelle’s Teapot, a short story of Atonement, TN — Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors

Wednesday, July 19, 2023 Hello everyone.  It’s good to see you. My post is doing double duty today, for Wednesday Writing and Thursday Doors.  I wrote the story below several years ago as a teaser for book-2 of my Atonement, Tennessee series, Atonement in Bloom. In this story I bring up the grandfather of mysterious … More Adelle’s Teapot, a short story of Atonement, TN — Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 18, Featuring Dan Antion

Saturday, July 15, 2023 Welcome back to my sanctuary in the town infested with “supernaturals,” that I call Atonement, TN.  Before we get to the story, I need to apologize because I haven’t been around the blog-verse as much as I would like.  As you know I’ve had Internet problems ever since I moved into … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 18, Featuring Dan Antion

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 17, Featuring Anita & Jaye Marie

Saturday, July 8, 2023 Thanks for coming back to Atonement, TN.  As you know, I first wrote the Atonement “universe” back in 2012, and there are two novels and one collection of snort stories.  This serial uses several of the minor characters from the books, and a new heroine.  I’ve avoided using the main characters … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 17, Featuring Anita & Jaye Marie

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 16, Featuring Kamal Roohani

Saturday, July 1, 2023 Welcome back to the strange little town of Atonement, TN.  I’m very happy to see you.  If you’re in the USA, you might be doing some preliminary celebrating for Independence Day, so I appreciate it even more that you’re spending part of your weekend here. This is a week when my … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 16, Featuring Kamal Roohani

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 15, Featuring Olga Núñez Miret

Saturday, June 24, 2023 Thanks for coming back to Atonement, TN.  My featured guest today has been a blog-friend all the way back to the creation of my Atonement series.  She even did the Spanish translation of Atonement, Tennessee.  (The Spanish version is called Expiación y Magia.) Of course, I’m talking about Olga Núñez Miret.  … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 15, Featuring Olga Núñez Miret

Happy Midsummer — Celebrate with the magical friends of Thistledown

Monday, June 19, 2023 It’s time for Midsummer — Thistledown: Midsummer Bedlam! Some of you are already familiar with Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam.  With Midsummer at hand, I thought it would be fun for us to play the “name game” that got that story started. I had found a “What’s your fairy name” thing online … More Happy Midsummer — Celebrate with the magical friends of Thistledown

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 14 — & Recipe from Robbie Cheadle

Saturday, June 17, 2023 Welcome back to Atonement, TN.  Last week I hosted a Roaring Twenties blog party, featuring S. R. Mallery.  With all those links to so many other people, it was a big undertaking for me.  As a result, I had little time for this serial, or for arranging to feature someone. Roberta Eaton … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 14 — & Recipe from Robbie Cheadle

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 13 part 2, Featuring John W. Howell

Saturday, June 2, 2023 Welcome back to our weekend sanctuary in the weirdly magical town of Atonement, Tennessee.  The residents of this town are just like everyone else— Well, that’s way off.  Some of them are like everyone else, but others…  Anyhow, now and then, they all enjoy watching a game or going to the … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 13 part 2, Featuring John W. Howell

Atonement in Zugzwang, Episode 13. #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Old Green Eyes

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 Welcome to my sanctuary in the fictional town called Atonement.  I have two novels and a small collection of short stories set in this town.  Doors afficionados might not have visited this place yet, but I hope you will for this “short story.” It’s actually an episode of my blog serial.  … More Atonement in Zugzwang, Episode 13. #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Old Green Eyes

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 12 — Featuring Rebecca Budd

Saturday, May 27, 2023 Welcome back to Atonement, TN.   Today we are joined by Rebecca Budd, who has been a wonderful source of encouragement. On Wednesday I shared a link to a podcast we did together.  I was honored to be interviewed. She has quite a number of blogs including Tea, Toast & Trivia, and … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 12 — Featuring Rebecca Budd

#ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Number What?

Thursday, May 25, 2023 Hello, all.  I usually keep it to two posts a week, but yesterday I couldn’t resist sharing my visit with Rebecca Budd.  Also, until a little while ago, I didn’t think I would have another short story for Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge.  However, something about a fierce looking metal … More #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Number What?

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 11 part-2 — Featuring Jennie Fitzkee & Dan the Tool Man

Saturday, May 20, 2023 Hello, all.  Thanks for coming back for part 2 of Episode 11 of Atonement in Zugzwang.   As you’ll recall, Jennie Fitzkee from A Teacher’s Reflections provided this episode’s three things.  In part-1 the only thing I used was Nancy Drew book.  Today I’m using emerald, and grandfather clock.  Jennie recently had an in-person … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 11 part-2 — Featuring Jennie Fitzkee & Dan the Tool Man

Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — It’s My Job

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 Hello, all.  I hope your week has been good so far.  Today, I have another short story for Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge.  This time I used one of the images I submitted as inspiration to other writers. The mood of my background music is nothing like my story, but … More Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — It’s My Job

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 11 part-1 — Featuring Jennie Fitzkee

Saturday, May 13, 2023 Welcome back to my sanctuary in the very strange little town called Atonement.  It’s a relief to be here with all of you. I admit that my “stuff” has made coping with an unpleasant neighbor situation even more difficult. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to write (or anything else for that … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 11 part-1 — Featuring Jennie Fitzkee

Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Come to My Window

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 Welcome everyone. I have another short story for Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors Writing Challenge.  This one is very short.  Also, since it’s Get Caught Reading Month, I’m including a link to a free Victorian novel at the end.  Thursday Doors followers were asked to submit “doors” images to inspire writers, and … More Wednesday Writing & #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Come to My Window

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 10, & Doors Writing Challenge & the Kitten is Named!

Saturday, May 6, 2023 Welcome back, everyone.  Three is certainly my number today.  As you know, this is one of my “three things” style pantser serials.  So of course, there are three random reader things driving the story. Beyond the three random reader things, I’ve tied this post to three other types of things.  First … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 10, & Doors Writing Challenge & the Kitten is Named!

The Inyan Beacon #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Story-1

Wednesday, May 1, 2023 Welcome everyone. It’s Get Caught Reading Month, which is all about reading books and raising awareness regarding the advantages of indulging in literature. Get Caught Reading is year-round for children, but during the month of May it encourages people of all ages to read. As many of you know, May is … More The Inyan Beacon #ThursdayDoors Writing Challenge — Story-1

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 9, Featuring D.L. Finn

Saturday, April 29, 2023 Welcome back, everyone.  After doing various types of refresher posts during the past couple of weeks (here and at my midweek posts), I’m going to move straight into the new episode. Today the random reader things, which drive this episode are from fellow blogger and author, D.L. (Denise) Finn.  She already … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 9, Featuring D.L. Finn

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: a Refresher

Saturday, April 22, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Welcome back to my very strange fictional town, Atonement, TN.  Pepper Riley, and the guardians of this small town that is full of (secretly) supernatural beings are about to be placed in “zugzwang.”  To over-simplify, zugzwang (German for “compulsion to move”) is a situation found in chess and other … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: a Refresher

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 8, Featuring G. P. Cox

Saturday, April 15, 2023 Thanks for coming back to my sanctuary, everyone.   I put the chessboard (above) on a tropical shore.  It reminded me of the blog, Pacific Paratrooper.  Actually, the special guest this week is GP Cox, who runs that blog.  He provided this week’s random reader things:  Musket, pawn, and barber pole. One … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 8, Featuring G. P. Cox

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 7, Featuring Teri Polen

Saturday, April 8, 2023 Hello, everyone.  The month of April has begun with odd weather again for many of us.  Not to mention the odd happenings under my kitchen sink.  I’ve had the plumber out for my badly leaking sink three times in as many weeks.  “Nothing is wrong” with the sink.  I guess that … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 7, Featuring Teri Polen

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 6, Featuring Fraggle

Saturday, April 1, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Welcome back to my new, spontaneously written, reader-inspired serial, Atonement in Zugzwang.  If you missed the beginning of this serial, or if you need to refresh your memory about where it began, click here for Episode 1.  Each week I feature the person who provided random reader things that … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 6, Featuring Fraggle

Wednesday Rerun — The Glowing Pigs Meet Artie the Genius Chimp

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 What a relief to be in my sanctuary.  Sit down and relax relax with me.   One day about five years ago, I remarked on my dislike of acronyms.  Actually, I hate the blasted things.  It inspired our marvelous Story Reading Ape to be a bit of a prankster.  He spontaneously created … More Wednesday Rerun — The Glowing Pigs Meet Artie the Genius Chimp

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 5, Featuring John W. Howell

Saturday, March 25, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Welcome back to our weekend sanctuary.  It’s in the weirdly magical town of Atonement, Tennessee.  Today’s random reader things are from a blogger-author I’ve been privileged to collaborate with several times.  That goes all the way back to Pip’s adventures, set in the 1920s, which were my first blog … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 5, Featuring John W. Howell

Wednesday Writing — an Atonement TN Short Story

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 Welcome to my sanctuary.  I hope everyone is safe, warm, and dry.  Sit back, have a cup of coffee, a snack, or whatever pleases you.  There aren’t any calories here!  Now, I invite you to enter my “Atonement universe” for this story I wrote back in 2018.  I never furthered one … More Wednesday Writing — an Atonement TN Short Story

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang Episode-4, featuring Robbie Cheadle!

Saturday, March 18, 2023 Welcome back to Atonement, TN, everyone.   If you saw my post yesterday, then you know that this new installment of Atonement in Zugzwang was driven by a recipe (from which I chose 3 things) created just for this post by the amazing Robbie Cheadle.  Here’s a link to the post where you … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang Episode-4, featuring Robbie Cheadle!

Prelude to Episode 4 — A Special Recipe from Robbie Cheadle!

Friday, March 17, 2023 Hello, everyone and happy Saint Patrick’s Day.  I put a lot of thought into how to handle the next episode of Atonement in Zugzwang.  You see, I asked Robbie Cheadle for a recipe to use to drive the next installment.  I randomly chose the “three things” that drive that episode from … More Prelude to Episode 4 — A Special Recipe from Robbie Cheadle!

#ThursdayDoors in Atonement TN — The Chessboard in Play

Thursday, March 16, 2023 Welcome to my sanctuary.  I call it the Teagan Zone.   Take care as you enter — it can be a strange and mysterious place.  My fictional town, Atonement, Tennessee is filled with strange and mysterious things.  An item that is about to come into play (pardon the pun) in my blog … More #ThursdayDoors in Atonement TN — The Chessboard in Play

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 3, Featuring Dan Antion

Saturday, March 11, 2023 Welcome to my sanctuary, everyone.  After another rough week, I hope you are ready to enter this safe place and relax. The random reader things, which drive this episode are from fellow blogger and new author, Dan Antion.  Last year he gradually released three books of a series.  And a little bird … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 3, Featuring Dan Antion

Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 2, Featuring Resa McConaghy

Saturday, March 4, 2023 Hello, everyone.  Welcome back to my new, spontaneously written, reader-inspired serial, Atonement in Zugzwang.  If you missed it, or if you need to refresh your memory, click here for Episode 1.  Many of you know Resa McConaghy for the mural photos, Art Gown sketches, and the gowns she actually makes.  Did … More Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 2, Featuring Resa McConaghy

#ThursdayDoors — To a New Interactive Serial

Thursday, March 3, 2023 Welcome to my sanctuary, everyone.  A decade ago, I made my “brand” in the blogosphere by writing serial stories. Those stories were completely spontaneous and driven by random things from readers.  The things set the location, most of the characters, and the plot.  After finishing The Armadillo Files in 2022, I took … More #ThursdayDoors — To a New Interactive Serial

New 3-Things Serial! — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 1, Featuring Chris Graham

Saturday, February 25, 2023 Hello, everyone. I’m finally ready to take the plunge into an all new, three things style serial.  You may have noticed that strange word in the title. To over-simplify, zugzwang (German for “compulsion to move”) is a situation found in chess and other turn-based games when a player is forced to … More New 3-Things Serial! — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 1, Featuring Chris Graham

INTRODUCING…

Saturday, February 18, 2023 Welcome back to my sanctuary, everyone.  It’s serene here… and at once it’s utter chaos.  How’s that?  I have a new family.  A few of you from Facebook already know this. Pixabay  Of course, I had that longstanding vow that I would never go through the gut-wrenching pain of losing another … More INTRODUCING…

A Personal Update

Sunday, February 12, 2023 I know my presence in the blog world has been unpredictable lately.  This is a personal update.  Don’t worry, I’m not going to delve into my heartache, past or present.   When Aspen died, eight years ago, I swore that Crystal would be the final feline.  Throughout her 16 ½ years, Crystal … More A Personal Update

New Year, New Look — Atonement, Tennesse

Saturday, January 14, 2023 Welcome back to my sanctuary, everyone.  Ha.  Not that kind of look.  Although I’ve had my eye on an idea.  You see, I’m still not feeling up to starting a new “three things” style blog serial.  However, I’ve been thinking about preselecting the setting for the next serial, and the setting … More New Year, New Look — Atonement, Tennesse

#ThursdayDoors to Enchantment — San Miguel Mission

Thursday, January 5, 2023 Doors to Enchantment Welcome to my sanctuary.  It’s the first week of January in southern New Mexico, and I’ve already started the backbreaking chore of weed-pulling.  That awful “artic blast” only touched the north and east of the state, but temperatures were still very low.  This week has been rather mild … More #ThursdayDoors to Enchantment — San Miguel Mission

Collaboration with the Story Reading Ape — Pip & Artie in Outer Space

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 If this sounds familiar, then you’re right.  I’m posting a rerun. This story is from 2019 and it’s in my Pip-verse.  It’s a collaboration with Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape!  How could I resist sharing it again?  Over the years, we’ve done several short stories for the Pip-verse, adding Chris’ creation, … More Collaboration with the Story Reading Ape — Pip & Artie in Outer Space

Weekend #ShortStories — a Rerun from Atonement, TN

Saturday, December 17, 2022 Welcome back to my sanctuary, everyone.  I hope the holiday season is bringing joy your way.  I know all of you are busy, so today’s short story will be quite short.  Actually, it’s a rerun from 2015, a little slice of life from my Atonement, Tennessee universe.  It seems like a … More Weekend #ShortStories — a Rerun from Atonement, TN