I’m writing this instead of watching the NFL draft. My main interest, if I were to watch, is that it’s in Cleveland, where I grew up. Cleveland sports teams have let me down so frequently that I know who to call when it’s time to have my coffin lowered into my grave. Still, I’ll watch as much of the Browns I can this fall, just like I’ll get my hopes up for the Michigan Wolverines.
I was at my wits end with my son’s puppy, Ollie, because taking him on walks was untenable. The dog had grown, and we used a harness with his leash, so with his weight and leverage, I didn’t have the strength to control him. Luckily, my wife brought home a tip from obedience class (dog obedience, not wife) and we switched to a collar and use treats to keep him in the *heel* position. Basically, we go through two slices of Oscar Meyer bologna on each walk, but he doesn’t stray from my side.
Let’s face it: processed meats are like foreplay for people of Eastern European heritage, and bologna is at the top of that list. Even when you’re a very naughty boy, you still eat well.
Meanwhile, at My Writing Desk…
I remain in-between novels, but I wrote some short fiction. That’s a thing I haven’t done in over a decade. However, with what I’ve learned the past four years about story, character and setting, I think these short pieces are better. Three of them have been sent to a journal for consideration.
I’ve renamed the novel I published four years ago and I’m in the process of launching it anew. That was Fugue (the amnesia love story to make you forget every other amnesia love story) which will soon be: The Forgettable Marriage of Lina and Joe. Here’s the new cover:
Maybe You’d Like
I had two pieces published recently. On the humorous end of the spectrum, there was:
As a Formerly-Frozen Cave Dweller, I Worry About Food, Fire and Voter Suppression
On a more technical note, have you ever wondered…
What is WordPress?
I’ll tell you up front, WordPress is not for everyone.
Recommended Reading
If you’re a writer, I urge you to read The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick. It’s about personal essays and memoir, but it offers insights into story that fiction writers will love.
(Again, not for everyone.)
Next Month
I went through a photography phase when our kids were little but growing fast, and took thousands of photos. I always wanted to upgrade my camera but never did. Then smartphones with their convenience showed up, and for the past five years I’ve been a smartphone photographer. Really, it’s not as much fun as messing with a camera, but a phone is always there, so…
I read an article about small cameras a few weeks back, became obsessed, and ordered a Pentax Q with a primary (i.e., pancake) lens on eBay. It’s on its way from Japan as we speak, so I’m hoping to get back into photography. If the camera shows up, I’ll have some really super-duper photos to share in the next issue.
Probably pictures of our dog eating bologna, but who’s to say they won’t be super-duper?
Thanks for reading the Mickey Picayune