Safe Travels, Sarah Glenn

A long time ago, back when I lived in Pasco County struggling to A) find work and B) get stories published, I ran into Sarah Glenn at the various local writers groups, especially a few NaNoWriMo events in North Pinellas County. She and her partner Gwen Mayo were looking to start up their own small press (Mystery And Horror LLC), and had plans to get some anthologies going to promote their interests in writing horror and mystery works.

It was 2013 when they got around to starting their press and asking for submissions for humorous horror stories for a series called Strangely Funny. I figured my absurdist sense of humor could apply, and I put in a new work called "I Must Be Your First" for their opening volume. They didn't have to accept my submission - they had dozens - but they took it and I was officially a published writer.

Sarah and Gwen took a number of other shorts for that series, as well as stories for their Mardi Gras Murder anthology, and History and Mystery Oh My (which received a lot of acclaim).

I hadn't seen them in-person for some time - Sarah got overwhelmed caring for her ailing mom, and then moved to Albany GA with Gwen once her mom passed away - but I kept in touch with them through Facebook and just seeing in general how things were going.

Sadly, Sarah suffered a major stroke last week, serious enough that there wasn't much else could be done to recover and... well... Gwen reported that Sarah passed away on Sept. 15th.

 

I am forever grateful that Sarah and Gwen took a chance on me as a writer, and I am hopeful her spirit is traveling well across the great unknown. Requiem in pace... /cries

A Time To Honor a Saint, A Time To Donate To Her Cause

Dolly Parton was more than just a singer or entertainer. Dolly was also an entrepreneur, an activist, a charitable and giving human being.

She started decades ago an Imagination Library program dedicated to gifting books to needy children to encourage reading and literacy across America, doing more for our nation with 330 million gifts than some of our greediest, spiteful elected officials (sorry, shouldn't be bringing politics into this, but Dolly was the 80-year-old we should have elected President).

Millions are reading because of Dolly's kindness

In lieu of flowers, Dolly's family is asking us to donate to her Imagination Library, to ensure future generations of Americans learn - and love - to read. A proper legacy to the nation and the world.

It's ALL Numbers With Dots!

I feel like everybody - not just Millennials or Gen Z - needs this refresher on public libraries:

The stand-up is Josh Johnson by the by. One of the fresh new stand-up comedians out there. Like a more even-tempered George Carlin with brilliant observations.

Raving about Star Wars: May the 4th Be With Your Groove

I should tell you, both seasons of Andor on DVD/Blu-Ray are checked out at my library system. 

Star Wars has had a long history of pop music influence - from the disco version of the main theme onward - and the "Niamos" track is no different.

If I can't dance I don't want to be in your revolution - Emma Goldman

Mal The Krazy Kat on Friday the 13th Feb 2026 Edition

 Oh my GAWD its a Krazy kat!!!

Your lap will never be safe again!!!!

Enjoy your 13th!

Update: so of course the original video refuses to upload. /sigh

Okay, I'm gonna have to go the long way around and upload the video through YouTube... which I can't do at work, so wait until this evening when I get home.

(muttering) damn Blogspot...

This Super Bowl XL This House is a 'Hawks House

On the night of February 2 2014, Ocean the Wiggle Cat decided she'd had enough of watching the Seattle Seahawks blowing out the rancid Denver Broncos to the tune of 43-8, so she hurried into the cat cave to nest and give birth to six Seahawks kittehs.

Five of them moved on to other homes through adoption, and here's hoping they are still alive and still rooting for the team they first saw winning the Super Bowl.

As for Mal the Krazy Kat, who remains here waiting for this coming Sunday matchup between his beloved Seahawks and THE EVIL EMPIRE PATRIOTS?

This house is a 'Hawks House this weekend, kiddos. 12TH CAT UP.

Next week we're back to plotting out Tampa Bay Bucs draft options.

Update: YAS, Mal's team won!

...

Whadda ya mean, they don't make cat merch for Super Bowls???

Writing Into the Year 2026: FWA Notes

Struggling a lot in my writing schedule lately, just unable to find motivation to continue/finish any of the novel projects I've started over the decades (!). One thing I had hoped to keep my interest afresh is seeing about getting things submitted to the Florida Writers Association's annual Royal Palm awards (although they cancelled the category I was good at with Non-Fiction Blogging).

Except that, well...

After thoughtful review and careful consideration, the Florida Writers Association Board of Directors has voted to pause the Royal Palm Literary Awards for the 2026 season.

This strategic pause allows FWA to thoughtfully strengthen and reimagine the program—refining standards, modernizing systems, and aligning RPLA with current industry practices and serving FWA's vision as a premier resource for writers at every stage of their journey...

Well hell.

I do know the organization had been struggling with aspects of the awards - especially with trying to find enough volunteer judges to help review submissions - but this seems to be something more troubling. Without knowing the backroom dynamics that led to this decision, there's nothing else I can think of.

So... um... does anybody know where I can hire a copy editor who owns an egg timer and a 2x4? It's the only motivational coaching that can help me now...