Tag Archives: memoir

On Rereading Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness by Edward Abbey

Not long ago I did some research and wrote up a list of books on solitude. I thought that if I could absorb some of the viewpoints of other writers on the subject I might find some clues on how … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Life in a Storage Unit; or, How to Declutter Without Losing Your Sanity

This all began with my desire to do a deep cleaning of the apartment. As I contemplated the task, I began to realize how difficult it was due to the overwhelming presence of – stuff. All kinds of stuff that … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review:  Lion (original title A Long Way Home) by Saroo Brierly

In my view, this book has two strikes against it before I even initiate the reading, which makes it unusual that I would have picked it up at a used bookstore and read it all the way through. First of … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Unintended but Vivid Flashbacks

Recently my sister gave me an envelope full of memorabilia saved by my mother, who died decades ago while I was living in South Asia. Evidently she was quite a hoarder. As I perused the material, I came across class … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Tread Water When You Think You’re Drowning

The last few years have been difficult, haven’t they? They have been for me too. COVID knocked us all for a loop. More than anything the pandemic clarified for us just how vulnerable we all are. Seemingly out of nowhere … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

2023: A Personal Overview

What can I say about 2023? It started out with a bang with a great event: I finally got a chance to meet my grandson Charlie. I flew down from Seattle to Los Angeles to spend a couple of weeks … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Septuagenarian as an Aspiring Artist

I suppose the first item on this essay’s agenda is to explain why I call myself an “aspiring artist” when I have numerous traditional publishing credits and have self-published thirty-five books. Perhaps at least part of the explanation lies in … Continue reading →

Posted in On Writing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Christmas Gift for My Blog Followers

As a Christmas gift to readers, I have enrolled electronic editions of some of my books and stories in the Smashwords End of Year Sale, which runs through January 1st. Complete books are half price, marked down from $3.99 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review:  When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Paul Kalanithi, the author of When Breath Becomes Air, majored in literature in college and then decided to go into medicine. He chose to become a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist, which involves some of the most difficult academic and residency training … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Journey into the Wasteland (of Downtown Seattle)

Downtown Seattle isn’t what it used to be. In my youth it was a wonderland, a special place to go for shopping and entertainment. It was safe enough that my parents felt comfortable dropping a group of us kids off … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment