Excuses, Excuses

     Well, we’re sneaking up on spring, or vice versa, and I’m sure you’ll remember that fine old line: “In spring, a young man’s fancy turns lightly to what the young ladies have been thinking about all winter.”      Postcards were never shy about romance, and the artists responsible for the images on postcards knewContinue reading “Excuses, Excuses”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXIV

     “Grobble grobble grobble.”      “Hey, grumblin’ grobbles!  Getcher big baggy shoulders outa my way!  How many we got?”      Bott looked the newcomer over.  A low gray oval with deep black eyes and long grey teeth was toddling through the forest, paying no attention to the glittering trees.  Tufts of red hair over theContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXIV”

FICTION FRIDAY: Walking Into a Barmecide

     The knock on the door of the unlikely little shop was thunderous.      “Good afternoon, sir.  How may I….”      “Remember me?”      “Certainly, sir.  You are Galliga of Coyne, who set off to defeat the Dragon of Mount….”      “You sold me the magic tablecloth of Queen Clothilde.”      “True, sir.  An excellentContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Walking Into a Barmecide”

They May NOT Be Out There

     I hang out with a number of Luddite intellectuals: that is, these are people who still read books and watch television, and wonder about some of the things they learn in these places.  But since they do not believe in allowing the Interwebs into their homes, they then tell these things to me, knowingContinue reading “They May NOT Be Out There”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXIII

     “Where is she?” Bott demanded, pulling the gold card out of his pocket.      “You know the rules, lummox.  I can tell you only where the Dragonshelf is.”      Bott glanced around the little yellow room again for impending hazards, and then demanded, “Can you tell me if I went through the same doorContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXIII”

Old Joke Archaeology

     The problem of dealing with archaic humor is that you often run into jokes which are amusing primarily if you know the context, and know something about the times.  That joke about why Santa Claus won’t bring you a television because he has so much trouble with antennas on the roof isn’t quite theContinue reading “Old Joke Archaeology”

THE MIGHTY ARREN, R.N. AND THE IMPEDIMENT MONSTER

     “She’s back!” whispered George, one of the male nurses on night shift.  “She’s back!”      Whispers became cheers as the tall, iron-thewed warrior strode along the corridor, her starched uniform rustling to attract her followers.  One by one they fell in behind their mighty hero, knowing she could not fail a second time.     Continue reading “THE MIGHTY ARREN, R.N. AND THE IMPEDIMENT MONSTER”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXII

     Bott had heard of the Biereyen, but this was the first time he’d been in a  Imperial compound rich enough, and large enough, to keep a herd of them for the torment of prisoners.  Immense lugubrious beasts, they watched with hollow eyes as the mining boat rolled toward them.      Their long horns clatteredContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XXII”

Monday Holiday

     Of course, Presidents’ Day is now a holiday for honoring Calvin Coolidge and Benjamin Harrison and other great men, but it was originally a means of saving us from the horrors of having two holidays within two weeks of each other.  Those of us who lived in ancient days celebrated the birthday of AbrahamContinue reading “Monday Holiday”

Metal Millinery

     This blog does not really concern itself with current events.  I’m going for material with long-lasting value, not observations on the passing scene.  What’s that?  You feel my observations on butt jokes on vintage postcards is material which will live on for the ages?  Thank you; perhaps it will last at least as longContinue reading “Metal Millinery”