While working on my Certificate in Writing from the University of Washington, I had this method of making my way down to Seattle for classes. One of my stops was the parking lot for the University Bookstore. I befriended a homeless guy that would sit by the door into the bookstore. One day, I asked him if he would like to have his family tree done. He was both surprised and flattered and said that he had always wondered if his family could be traced back to the American Revolution. I took out some paper and got the basic information I needed and his cellphone number. I told him I would text him with what I found. After class, I went home and got to work on his family tree. After about twenty minutes I texted him and gave him the great news that I had indeed traced his family tree back to the Revolution. The next week I brought him a printed copy of his family tree. We still keep in contact.

I will have to learn how to Monetize this blog.

I have no published Fiction, in fact, I have very little attempted Fiction.

“Do more things that make you forget to check your phone.“

Be free — Wandering Ambivert

Can’t Wait Wednesday: You know what this week needs? A little magic.

Can’t Wait for … How Magicians Think by Joshua Jay — Plucked Stacks

When I was in high school, I used to keep a tiny notebook with me whenever I was reading a library book so that I could quickly jot down quotes I loved. Ray Bradbury broke me of this habit. I still remember the first time I was introduced to his work—the unsettling short piece “All […]

In the Words of Ray Bradbury: Ten Quotes — Plucked Stacks

In honor of the great Ray Bradbury who died in June 2012, I’m reposting this story about what I learned from him. I was looking through my book shelves for summer reading. I picked up Ray Bradbury’s Zen and the Art of Writing: Release the Creative Genius Within You. It’s a small paperback book that […]

Remembering Ray Bradbury — bleuwater

“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Today’s Quote — Chateau Cherie

Lenos Submarine Sandwiches in Waukegan

Lenos Submarine Sandwiches in Waukegan — Blake Branch

“Cagnes Landscape” by Renoir, 1910 This continues my historical-fiction story about Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir in their later years. To read from the beginning: Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 Part 5 A train brought Claude from Vétheuil to Paris, then another train in a longer journey south, releasing […]

‘Claude,’ Part 5 — Dave Williams