Chicago

Having a family history that spans pretty much one state (I’m looking at you, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania!) and the Eastern Seaboard, I never really thought much about the city of Chicago. I read about it for my history classes. I learned facts that seemed to go in one ear and then out the other about […]

Why can’t we all just get along?

America is known for being a place of freedoms. Look at the first amendment to the Constitution, where the freedom of speech, freedom of the presses, freedom to peacefully assemble, freedom to petition the government and freedom of religion are all protected, even valued as fundamental to the lives of the citizens. We have the […]

Following in my great-great-grandfather’s footsteps

I mentioned in a previous blog post about how I was working on a sequel to my serial novel, The Magician (which if you haven’t read it, you should.) I also mentioned that I was using the city of Philadelphia as the inspiration for this sequel, creating the fictional urban city of Lefteria. In doing […]

ALL means ALL!

I recently saw an article of clothing worn by an older gentleman that read “I miss the America I grew up in.” And since I am not the kind to be confrontational, especially to strangers, I did not ask what America he misses. Does he miss the America where women were not able to open […]

Postlude (The Magician – The Final Chapter)

This is the twentieth-fifth and FINAL chapter of the serialization novel I was working on, The Magician – < click here to read the other chapters if you missed them or have no idea what this story is about. Postlude The gilded opera house was once again filled with spectators, buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The […]

Be amazed and perplexed

This past Sunday was Pentecost, traditionally considered the birthday of the Christian church. For those who have heard the story countless times, it’s the day the Bible states the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and they were given the ability to declare the “good news” to those gathered in the area in any language. […]

Reconciliation (The Magician – Chapter Twenty-Four)

This is the twentieth-fourth chapter of the serialization novel I am working on, The Magician – < click here to read the other chapters if you missed them or have no idea what this story is about. Reconciliation Vanessa collapsed on the sidewalk, utterly spent from the tremendous amount of magic she had just exerted.  […]

Sometimes, you just feel like throwing in the towel

Thursdays are usually my days for writing what I call my “sermon reflections.” Those blog posts, often filed under “church topics,” are my takes on the sermons that are preached at the little church I attend in my tiny swath of the Midwest. But this past Sunday, while I attended church, I was also feeling […]

Treachery (The Magician – Chapter Twenty-Three)

This is the twenty-third chapter of the serialization novel I am working on, The Magician – < click here to read the other chapters if you missed them or have no idea what this story is about. Treachery Swayed by the persuading of Evelyn to give Ignace a second chance, the collective Tamberlane, Rankin and […]

April has been a crazy month… so far

I’m writing this as I have said goodbye to an out-of-town friend who has visited for the last few days. As I pack away the air mattress and wash the sheets and towels, there’s a certain sadness to saying goodbye. As I clean the kitchen, I know I will miss my friend until he plans […]