I’ve just returned from what has become my annual international trip, this time to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A modern airliner sure beats the historical alternatives, like a clipper ship. But even in this age, Murphy’s Law (“If it can go wrong, it will”) still reigns. My travel difficulties this time were so frustrating, they
This story was originally published at BewilderingStories.com in Issue 612, and was an Editors’ Choice in the 2015 First Quarterly Review. I first posted this on December 29, 2015 and thought this would be a good time to post it again. By the way, one of these segments actually happened! The Joy in Forgotten Objects
After work Friday, I went downtown to the Dayton Auto Show. Not that I need a new car; mine is only five years old with 33,000 miles. I don’t get a new car that often — I’ve only owned six in 54 years of driving, but I couldn’t resist seeing what was new. Also, I’m
Tonight I ate out at a sports-oriented casual restaurant with TV screens visible from almost every table. I always enjoy these places. Except tonight the screen directly above me was showing my least-favorite sport. Boxing. I consider this one of the testosterone sports — whenever more than one man gathers, conversation devolves into a question
If anyone is looking for an offbeat vacation idea, I’ve just read that the Police Chase Experience ( https://policechaselv.com/ ) has opened in Las Vegas. Billed as the only provider of police pursuit and intervention driving tactics for public in the United States, Police Chase Experience Las Vegas’s program is based on the Las Vegas
From my younger days, I still remember watching how an animated character was courting his girlfriend on a Saturday morning cartoon show. He had composed a love song — I love you, Stella. I think you’re swella. Sure glad you’re not a fella. Terrible! No wonder he was still single! Then it dawned on me.
Last year at my 50th high school reunion, I renewed acquaintances with a dear friend. His main job now is as a township trustee, and when I asked why, his answer was simple — “It’s a way to help people.” I was reminded of that today as I watched excerpts from the funeral of President
I guess it’s a sign of my advancing age that I can get excited about a pair of pajamas. This weekend I stumbled across a sale, and purchased a pair that I normally would’ve considered too pricey. Not that they were extravagant to begin with, but I must confess to having a cheap streak. This
Since it’s officially the Christmas season, I’m re-posting my Christmas story as my contribution to the holidays. This story is included in my book Stories Short and Strange, available on this website and on Amazon.com in both hardcopy and downloadable formats. Thanks, Santa I guess I shouldn’t complain. I live in a nice house on
When I was about ten years old, my grandfather showed me how to wiggle my ears. It took some time to figure out how to control that muscle (it actually goes from the eyebrows back), and they don’t wiggle very much, but they do move. This always seemed like a good life example — if