“Incurable Trump” is Published

Incurable Trump unleashes forty thousand satirical words written from a progressive point of view. If you believe the president and his administration are a danger to the United States and the world, you may enjoy some of the sharp humor in this work. All the key characters have one or more bylines. Donald Trump, inevitably,…

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Dolly

“Dolly” is a short story written in 2023.  Dolly It’s hotter than hell in Bakersfield, and Boyd, even with the air conditioner blasting, is uncomfortable at his computer.  Hours a day for months he’s been writing a screenplay he knows or at least prays will get him some real money before he runs out of…

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In the Blue House

Starring Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Ernest Hemingway, this is the first story in “Paint it Blue,” a collection of creative stories about artists. In the Blue House It can’t be too late. This is a meeting so compelling and mandatory that all rules, technicalities, and encumbrances must be ignored. It doesn’t matter they are…

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Spurs Fall to Unprecedented Comeback by Knicks

I know we’re supposed to be good sports but this Spurs fan is still seething that they squandered a 29-point lead in the second half last night and lost by 1 to the Knicks, who must be credited for forcing the Spurs into taking endless bad shots during an abject 30-point half. Congrats to OG…

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Fallen Star

This is a short story from the collection The Bold Investor Fallen Star Producers and directors often exhorted Martin Stevens to beat or at least be like Errol Flynn, and that seemed attainable. In terms of facial structure, Martin looked as if Flynn had fathered him. Hell, maybe he did. So the sequence was logical…

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Lube Job

This short story is from the collection The Bold Investor.  Lube Job They were in his backyard, and she was smiling at him. He knew what she wanted. He wanted it, too. But not now. He wanted to wait. He needed more to drink, and lifted the bottom of a cold can toward branches of…

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The Dark Side of Cesar Chavez

I never met Cesar Chavez but that didn’t preclude my having a serious discussion with him that may have proceeded about like the creative story below. As I write this introduction in March 2026, a decade later, I’m disturbed by revelations in the New York Times, following five years of investigative journalism, that the legendary…

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Remembering Jesse Jackson

The legendary civil rights leader recently passed away. Who remembers him and who doesn’t? I heard him speak in person and will never forget the experience.  Like so many, I was saddened by the passing of Jesse Jackson a few days ago, and have been thinking about images from his prime, in the turbulent sixties…

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I Shall Paint

We lived in a big, beautiful house in cold Chicago and my mother sometimes told me, “Ruth, you’re fortunate your father makes a very respectable living and someday you’ll be a lady.” I’d merely nod, grimly I suppose. I already felt I was becoming a lady, albeit a different sort than the society matrons my…

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Joseph Kleitsch at the Easel

I pull in front of the Santa Ana courthouse and tell my wife, “Hurry up and pay the taxes. I’ve got to get back to the studio.” “Don’t you think the world can wait another day for your next painting?” “Maybe, but the bill collector won’t.” “Relax, Joseph,” Edna says, leaning to kiss my cheek…

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“Hitler Here” Still Going Strong After 20 Years

About 20 years ago I entered my first book, the biographical novel “Hitler Here,” in the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest, and sold foreign rights to a Czech publisher who translated and published the work, which I just googled and noted it has three reviews and ratings, all five stars. I’m happy to see…

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Weekend Woes

What a wonderful weekend. Friday and Saturday featured 101 scorchers and last night around nine the electricity went out along with the air conditioning and my nerves. But at least the power will be on by morning, I assumed. No, PG&E texted, maybe by four or five Sunday afternoon, make that eight Sunday night, how…

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Excellent Review of “Hitler Here”

David Lambert is a writer, world traveler, and an alumnus of the University of Washington as well as Dartmouth College. I was therefore particularly pleased to see his review of my biographical novel Hitler Here. “I just finished Hitler Here and really enjoyed it! A great blend of fiction and history–excellently written as well” –…

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Letter to a Friend in Taiwan

A good high school friend, whom I haven’t seen in fifty years, has been living in Taiwan and is in poor health. Twenty-first century wonders and a genial relative enabled me to launch an email to try to reestablish connection Herr von (Germanic Surname), Wie geht es ihnen? (How are you?) I better switch to…

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The First Review Arrives

The days right before and after publishing a book are the most stressful and for me the worst is waiting for the early reviews. I’m fortunate that Claire Flanagan was the first to post an opinion – 5 Stars – of History Enhanced in NetGalley, one of the industry leaders in book reviews, on which she…

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History Enhanced is Published

History Enhanced has been published. The collection offers seven scintillating short stories about Hollywood Heartache, Mass Murder, and Cold Warriors. Introduction History Enhanced offers part of the official record, and the author’s creative writing and insights help us understand much of what else could have happened in seven penetrating short stories. Robert Walker – Walker,…

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Pete Rose Crosses Home Plate

The indomitable Pete Rose, the major league king of hits with 4,256, passed away on Monday, and I hereby honor him by linking “A Rose in the Hall of Fame,” an article that I posted in January 2004. A Rose in the Hall of Fame      

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Ruscha Torments Museum Visitor

What the hell? Last I remember I’d stolen a car somewhere in L.A. and started driving around town but now it looks like I’m somehow parked inside a big ole art museum. Right away I see a huge painting named Boss and read a label that it’s by Ed Ruscha. Who is this guy, a…

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