Sunday, August 31, 2014

The Reddish Dog



A hundred or so homeless are outside the window of the lodge.
They sort of form together to get food, but first they must listen
while the mayor or someone tells them a lesson. I look away.
On the ledge above the window are a bunch of Salish crows
or maybe they’re children, it’s hard to tell. Some of them
wear cedar masks. I speak to them in a crow imitation
that comes out, “Hah.” I have the sound right but there’s
no meaning to it. I don’t seem to know that crow language
has words hidden inside the sound. One of the children
up there looks at the others and says, “Hah.” I leave there
and cross a street running like a river to a parking lot
on the other side. There’s an opened-up abandoned car.
Something is moving in a paper bag. At first it’s a cat
but it becomes a reddish dog. It looks so hopeless
and forgotten and hungry. I pet the sad eyed dog
and comfort it and tell it I’ll be right back
as I wake up. 

Friday, August 22, 2014

beckett beach bucket


Many moons ago, some summer night
in Maine, I remember my cousin Coley
and I catching sight of this crazy play
on television. We kept laughing at how
more and more absurd it became.
I finally found out what it is:
Samuel Beckett, Happy Days.


garbage day poem

In honor of garbage pickup day today
here's a new poem:

crows
spilled out
around
a garbage can


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Ray's Goldfish



I'm rereading one of my favorite Raymond Chandler
short stories, GOLDFISH. It takes place right here in
Washington state. Here's an excerpt:


"A small rabbit-faced man with freckles was 
waving a garden rake at two black chickens. 
The chickens appeared to be sassing him back. 
He turned when the engine of Sunset’s car 
coughed itself still."



Friday, August 15, 2014

The Bureau of Historical Investigation


I am very thankful to The Bureau
of Historical Investigation on
West Holly Street, Bellingham
for accepting my books for sale!
They have a beautiful store and
truly do support the local artists
writing, visual, sound, clothing etc.
Please do take a look in there
you'll also find my signed books.


reading for dollars


I was visiting the local bookstore in Fairhaven
in hopes of selling copies of my books there
however, they now charge a $25 shelving fee!
They also charge well over $100 to give 
a reading there. I know they pride themselves
on supporting authors and books, but I remember
when bookstores were pleased to accept local
author's books and provide them with readings.
It was part of the relationship.



Tuesday, August 12, 2014

the fifth novel edits


I'm editing the fifth novel for my next big collection.
This one was written in 2005 (another plot I forgot!)
Here are some hints to it, allusions to A BARGAIN
FOR FRANCES (one of the characters is named Frances)
and SAM AND THE FIREFLY (featuring a gigantic
silver car roaring the foggy beaches at night).
Also there's a boat in this novel named after
Harry Stephen Keeler. (Many moons ago
my friend Aaron got me interested in Keeler,
one of the most amazingly mysterious writers,
and a big inspiration for me).
Meanwhile, my 1942 book should be forthcoming,
just waiting for the completed illustrations,
and next I'll publish the five novels collection.
So stay tuned, two great books on the way...











Sunday, August 10, 2014

the fourth novel edits


I'm working on the edits for the fourth novel
for my next collection. It's from 2004 and
I forgot about this plot. I'm up to Chapter 6
and without giving away too much, let me
just say it has something to do with
Charlie Chan and Encyclopedia Brown!







Saturday, August 9, 2014

on to the fourth novel for collection


I finished the revisions for the third novel in
my next big collection. That novel was a Western
featuring an Abominable Snowman in Mexico.
Now to revising the fourth novel, the one that
features this flower petal lantern I made.
(Alas, only moments after I took this photo
the lantern broke all over the ground.)


Friday, August 8, 2014

the phil harris alice faye show


I'm editing the third novel for my next
book collection. Listening to one of my
favorite radio programs, The Phil Harris
Alice Faye Show. The only problem is it's
too funny to concentrate on my writing.
Many moons ago, when I was in grade school
I used to get up early on Sunday mornings
to tape their show off the Seattle radio station.


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

movie time


I watched The Crimson Kimono (1959)
while editing my next book. Good to have
a movie in the background while working.






















Monday, August 4, 2014

thank you, Rockford


Oh, the ways of The Force...Here, let me admit
my love of The Rockford Files. What a fantastic
program and very, very inspiring to my writing
as you will see. Thank you Senor Garner, well done.




Movie Time










I just watched YOU CAN'T RUN AWAY FROM IT (1956)
a remake of one of my favorite movies, IT HAPPENED 
ONE NIGHT (1934).


Sunday, August 3, 2014

american graffiti


I'm watching one of my favorite movies
AMERICAN GRAFFITI.


Saturday, August 2, 2014

volvo time machine

I just got back from driving
this 1966 Volvo 122. Holy Cow!
What a fun car, like driving a
time machine.







Friday, August 1, 2014

that flower


This is the Queen Anne’s Lace
I pass everyday on my way to work
Finally wrote this poem yesterday:

That flower
calls out
to be seen
tipped
just right
to catch light
I almost
fall in