DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XVIII

     Bott’s hands dropped to the console.  His fingers jammed down on the tabs he had figured out.  Then they hit the ones he hadn’t.  Even those that were still lit refused to change under pressure.  After a moment’s hesitation, he jammed one thumb down across the Mess Call.  Nothing happened.      “Ship!” he bellowed. Continue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XVIII”

Optional Additional Note: Bobbed

     Okay, I have been putting this off for a while, and you msay well decide to put it off indefinitely, because it is an obituary for a couple of guys named Bob, but, in the end, it’s more an article about me.  I hate obituaries and eulogies like that, but let’s see if IContinue reading “Optional Additional Note: Bobbed”

Get Busy, Hallmark

     I have a very poor record when it comes to proposing new holidays.  I have sought to increase the market for holiday observances which can help me sell more greeting cards or postcards, but despite my mercenary motivation, my heart is pure.  (The jury is still out on “Pure WHAT?”)      But while lookingContinue reading “Get Busy, Hallmark”

PRESIDENTIAL TALL TALES XI

     As noted, the ground is getting treacherous underfoot as we sally forth in search of conspiracy theories about the U.S. Presidents.  Ideally, you will recall, we are looking for stories more or less contemporary with the Chief Executive which have since been dismissed by most “mainstream historians”.  We hit quicksand hunting for anything aboutContinue reading “PRESIDENTIAL TALL TALES XI”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XVII

     “It’s only a surface scratch,” Bott said, swiveling the captain’s chair left and right.  “I can fix it myself.”      “Don’t you touch my ship!” Nubry shouted.  The librarian strode halfway across the Drover’s bridge and back, shaking both fists above her head.  Bott noticed the dark spots under her arms again.  “Just leaveContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XVII”

MORE Holiday Needs

     Of course, I reckoned without the ingenuity of Madison Avenue.      Those of you who have read the last column in this space will be aware that I have so far failed utterly to find any conspiracy theories about Theodore Roosevelt.  It isn’t that he is not liable to accusations—no one whose name appearsContinue reading “MORE Holiday Needs”

PRESIDENTIAL TALL TALES X (with trees)

     Listen, I am NOT giving up on my countdown of presidential conspiracy theories, false tales of conspiracies, preferably contemporary with the man himself, but I MAY have to skip Teddy Roosevelt.  This would make me unhappy, as Teddy seems to me the sort of person who would ATTRACT conspiracy theories.      But the InterwebsContinue reading “PRESIDENTIAL TALL TALES X (with trees)”

DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XVI

     Being an Imperial Sheriff did not allow for any display of nerves.  Her father had told her as much while breaking her of that childhood habit of thrusting her entire right fist into her mouth.  But Sherriff Parimat was unable to keep herself from rubbing that hand on her right thigh.  She had noContinue reading “DRAGONSHELF AND THE DROVER XVI”

FICTION FRIDAY: Rendezvous

     “Oh no!  Who’s that out there?”      “Hush, darlin’.  Ain’t no one but me.”      “At last!  I’ve been waiting….  I wish we didn’t have to meet up in the old burying ground!”      “Well, Nellie Belle, I cain’t come into town.  Not since they figgered out who looted the stage an’ broke theContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Rendezvous”