Writing, Fighting Fire, and Your Pal, Jerry

Dear Readers: I just read a review about my memoir, Ahead of the Flaming Front: A Life on Fire, which I quote as it appears: If you are going to read memoirs about fire fighters, here are the two you must start with: Young Men and Fire by Norman McLean and Ahead of the Flaming …

Portrait of an Artist as a Single Dad – Look at the Light!

I awoke. The light streamed slantwise through louvre style blinds across the double bed for one. Groggy and reaching for the iPhone, I knock over the wine glass. It falls and hits the carpet with the thump of a cat paw. At night, I have a glass of wine or a bottle of beer or …

Pushing the Frontier of Sentimentality.

My daughters have spring break the last week in March.  A twelve and ten year old, they have big plans for me when I arrive.  It is a 15 hour drive from Mordor where I live to Boise, Idaho where my daughters live.  It is a trip I look forward to even though I leave …

Sobbing for Home

My friend, who I liked to call Beezer, had an unlit cigarette dangling from her mouth, hiked her butt onto the edge of the pool table and took a shot, sinking the number she had called.  Before her next shot she took a big drink.  I told her, “Is this the day we chase the …