We all wonder this. Anyone who creates anything has this thought every once in a while. I do, as well. I have an idea that I’m excited about, I work on it, maybe a first draft, maybe two. Then that self-doubt creeps in. Is this any good? Will anyone read it? Like it? Tell their…
Carnivorous Plant Update [Nature]
It was ridiculously dry here in North Florida this past spring. We’ve gone for weeks without a single drop. At least at my house. My partner and I have watched storm fronts plowing their way towards our location, only to see them dissipate or break around us. We joke that someone built a dome over…
Music Moment – Year of the Cat [Music]
If you’ve read a few of my other Music Moment posts, you know that I love story songs. You know, where the lyrics meld with the music to tell a story. Most songs are about conveying a feeling, an emotion, or setting a mood, which is fine, but I guess it’s the storyteller in me…
Book Review – Buddhism Without Beliefs [Books]
I’ve been a follower of Buddhist philosophy for over twenty-five years. Not the religious aspect of it. I can do without that. But the philosophy behind it, the way to look at life, at the people around me, my perception of my world, that all appeals to me. And although I’m far from perfect, I…
A Little Motivation [Creativity]
“Commitment to the most worthy purpose is of little value if we lack confidence in our ability to realize it.” – Stephen Batchelor, Buddhism Without Beliefs I’ve been reading the aforementioned book the past few days, and this line stuck out to me. I read it several times because it resonated and made me think…
Sunday Roast Chicken [Cooking]
Cooking a chicken on Sunday is a tradition in my house. It’s part of my meal prep for the week. Once or twice a month I cook a whole chicken, then shred it and store it in smaller freezer bags so I can use it throughout the week. Some makes it into lunches, some ends…
Book Review – The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch [Books]
Philip K. Dick is one of the founders of modern science fiction. I see him as a writer who straddled the line between the old guard – Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein – and the new school. He, along with writers like Harlan Ellison, ushered in a deeper and more surreal aspect to the genre. If you…
What’s the Best Writing Tool? [Writing]
This is one of those topics that can be contentious. There are so many tools available to the modern writer that it can be overwhelming. I can’t promise you that I’ll answer all your questions. However, I think I can provide you with some valid options and, hopefully, help you make an informed decision. First,…
What I Learned From Comic Books [Creativity]
When I was a kid I adored comic books. I was (and still am) a fan of Marvel titles, especially Spider Man, The Incredible Hulk, Doctor Strange, The Silver Surfer, and The Uncanny X-Men. I’d run down to the local convenience store the first of every month and pick up my favorites, along with a…
Complacency and Change [Creativity]
It’s good to have routines, like writing every day, exercising regularly, doing positive things on a schedule. Routines help us to get things done, stay healthy, keep us on task. The more often we do things the easier they become (usually) and the better we get at doing them. For example, writing every day keeps…