icon caret-left icon caret-right instagram pinterest linkedin facebook twitter goodreads question-circle facebook circle twitter circle linkedin circle instagram circle goodreads circle pinterest circle

Blog and Newsletters

How to Live with a Ghost

October 29, 2014
Not Pictured: Mr. Frelick

How to Share a rental with a Ghost

A few years ago, I rented a house on Peaks Island, Maine while writing one of my books. The house had been unoccupied for a year. The ferry arrived just as it was getting dark. I called the island taxi and a ruffled man drove me  Read More 
7 Comments
Post a comment

The Cure for Political Gridlock

June 2, 2014
Anne and Jacqueline breaking the political divide.
I have a plan for the political gridlock and general bad behavior in Washington, DC. They’re going to hire my friend Anne and me to take them to Adventure Camp. By them, I mean our Senators; the Congress may require more help than we can offer.

Anne and I have been friends for  Read More 
8 Comments
Post a comment

Yard Sale Rules Revealed

May 27, 2014
Tag Sale Treasures
Yard Sale Rules Revealed

It’s that time of year again. Someone has hauled their treasures to their yard, driveway, or carport and we are free to treasure hunt. Here in Western Mass we call them tag sales. Everyone else in the country insists on calling them something else, like yard sales or garage  Read More 
6 Comments
Post a comment

Selling Great Aunt Hilda

May 15, 2014
The Hilda Couch
I sold Great Aunt Hilda. I tried to sell her on Craig’s List, but it was not until I listed her in the local paper that the deal was closed. As soon as I met the buyer, I understood why Craig’s List hadn’t been the right place for her. Hilda had  Read More 
5 Comments
Post a comment

Evidence that Typos Are a Unique Life Form

May 1, 2014
Typo Life Forms Revealed
Evidence exists that typos are in fact sentient beings. Or in this case, they look a lot like horses and they are plenty sentient. Please note the photo. For years I had suspected that I had examined every word of stories, essays, newsletters, and most recently Facebook postings, until there were absolutely no typos.  Read More 
Be the first to comment

RIP Laptop

July 29, 2013
RIP on Cape Cod
After a long life, my Mac Book has gone on to its eternal rest. I purchased it in 2005, used, and I couldn’t ask for a sturdier work horse. I was not initially an Apple fan, and in fact, I still live a 50/50 life, pounding away at my Dell PC when I’m at  Read More 
2 Comments
Post a comment

A Snowy Day for Two Writers

March 27, 2013
New Englanders love spring and the evidence of spring’s arrival was everywhere last week. Migrating birds had returned, tiny buds had popped out of the ground, and the air had a delicious sweetness to it. And then slam! A late snowstorm rolled in and dropped six inches of snow that had the consistency  Read More 
Be the first to comment

My Favorite January Movies

January 31, 2013
I love everything about going out to the movies. The test of a great movie is that I’m still thinking about it one week later and something in me has changed. It’s the same with great books.

I love the smell of popcorn, the anticipation, and especially the collective emotional responses when  Read More 
Be the first to comment

The Next Big Thing!

January 10, 2013
The Next Big Thing

Right before Christmas, Maura Lynch asked me to participate in The Next Big Thing online event — a way for authors/bloggers to share news about upcoming projects.

Maura Lynch lives in Manhattan , New York , and is a former film, television and publishing executive. She is writing a memoir about having  Read More 
Be the first to comment

What's in a name - Guest blog by Alan Lipp

December 28, 2012
Alan Lipp
For 68 years I have been contented with “Alan,” but as a soon-to-be grandfather I suddenly need a new name. “Daddy” arrived with the birth of my daughter and all too soon became “Oh Dad,” with a level of dismay only possible from an adolescent. But other than that natural passage through fatherhood I have  Read More 
5 Comments
Post a comment
Loading…}