This is the backstory on Internal Lockdown, my first novel. (This appeared on lfbooks) I began writing a short story about a normal day interrupted by an announcement to lockdown and it quickly becomes obvious that this is not a drill. Now what? I did not go outside the “known”. The point of view was strictly… Continue reading The Story Behind the Story
My Novel
My novel, Internal Lockdown, will be published in October by Prodigy Gold Books. Here is the first review by Laura Freestone (@freestone_laura and lfbooks.blog) Rating: 4/5 (Really liked it) Official Summary: “Over a morning, you can tend to your garden, paint a room, watch the morning news repeat its talking points. Over a morning, you can do… Continue reading My Novel
English Speaking Only
I recently came across an advertising flyer for a house cleaning service. An industrious young white woman in jeans and a sweatshirt is pictured cleaning a toilet and a mirror. According to the brochure she works for a company that trumpets: “Family owned and operated.” “Reasonable rates.” “We provide all supplies and equipment.” “Pre-screened, trained,… Continue reading English Speaking Only
Intersection: a Senior, a Teen, and a Cop
My jaunt through historic Philadelphia included a moment that reminded me that most Americans are good people at heart. During my walk from the Betsy Ross House to Ben Franklin’s grave, I came upon an elderly woman on the sidewalk, hunched over her walker, seemingly waiting for a blue-shirt-clad tour group to pass by. She… Continue reading Intersection: a Senior, a Teen, and a Cop
Planless
Spontaneity is not in my comfort zone. I like plans! However, last week, I stepped outside of that zone and it turned out pretty well. My son’s employer, Linode, was showing off the refurbished bank building in Philly that is now its headquarters. I dreaded the thought of getting caught in rush hour, navigating through… Continue reading Planless
Where is Everybody?
On Sunday, The Philadelphia Inquirer ran an article by Bob Brookover about attendance at Phillies games this season. The writer pondered why fans have not taken to the Phillies and why attendance so far is mediocre. The article was titled “Where is Everybody?” I was moved to write the author a response. It appears below: Speaking… Continue reading Where is Everybody?
The End of (Dom) Days
With the end of the semester at Montco, I had my last Dom Day of the year. It was hectic! Before we had even left the parking lot, Dom made it clear from his car seat that he wanted to go to “his house” and see his “mama”. I broke the news that she was… Continue reading The End of (Dom) Days
Is Daisy Coming?
For me, one of the most memorable scenes in The Great Gatsby, for several reasons, is the preparation for the Gatsby-Daisy reunion at Nick’s house. The work included a landscaper cutting the grass in the pouring rain. I thought about that scene after enduring five days of rain last week, including an all-day monsoon on… Continue reading Is Daisy Coming?
Focus
I exited the blogosphere for a month to concentrate all my writing time on responding to the developmental editing notes I received as part of the process of getting my novel, Internal Lockdown, published, hopefully, this fall. The novel is about the terrifying situation of being on the inside of a lockdown when an intruder… Continue reading Focus
Sk8ters
I certainly received an education yesterday. I learned a few things about the world of skaters and their views of how they are perceived. The local anti-drug task force I belong to held a day to clean up the local skate park which had fallen into disrepair. The idea was to build connections with a disaffected… Continue reading Sk8ters
The Q-View 