On Writing: Dorothy Parker

Categories: Writers Write

Clear and Present Dangers……Ariel Dorfman

“The creative process is messy, full of doubt and uncertainty. Embrace the chaos, for it leads to growth.”

~Ariel Dorfman

U.S. Navy Jack Flag

April 30, 1798 — The United States Department of the Navy (DoN) was established by an Act of Congress to provide a government organizational structure to the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps (from 1834 onward) and, when directed by the President (or Congress during time of war), the United States Coast Guard, as a service within the Navy, though each remain independent service branches.

2024 Shaving the Yak Gallery

 

Categories: Shaving the Yak

“Knife makers are never dull…”

Book Review: Open Cockpit

 
Open Cockpit
 
Open Cockpit is a well-written account of a Royal Air Force pilot during World War I, from Arthur Gould Lee’s initial instruction, deployment, and return to England to command a training squadron. The book’s best parts were the descriptions from the cockpits of Sopwith Pups and Camels he flew during the war. I had no idea that pilots patrolled up to 20,000 feet exposed in the open cockpits of the Pups, where they had the only performance advantage over the German Albatross aircraft. Lee also has some less-than-favorable things to say about ground strafing. There are insights into the thoughts and feelings of pilots and comparisons between life on the air base and the trenches. One of the best WWI aviation books written. (5 of 5 Stars)
 
 
 
 
 

Categories: What I've Read

Clear and Present Dangers……Richard Carlson

April 29, 2024 Leave a comment

“Happiness is a state of mind, not a set of circumstances.”

~Richard Carlson

Conch Republic Flag

April 27, 2024 Leave a comment

April 23, 1982 — The Conch Republic (República de la Concha) declared itself a micronation as a tongue-in-cheek secession of the city of Key West, Florida, from the United States.

2024 Shaving the Yak Gallery

 

Categories: Shaving the Yak

“Math is Hard!”

April 26, 2024 Leave a comment

Book Review: The King Tides

April 25, 2024 Leave a comment
 
The storyline in this mystery is okay, though please bring a healthy suspension of disbelief to make it to the end, but that’s okay because the plot moves along quickly. Frankly, the main characters aren’t all that memorable and the author invests an awful lot of narration explaining things that need no explanation—like what a calculator app is on a smart phone. And why in the world is the hero, Jon Lancaster, reading a weather app on a suspect’s phone? Don’t ask, just move along. (3 of 5 Stars)
 
 
 
 
 

Categories: What I've Read

Clear and Present Dangers……Ellen Glasgow

April 22, 2024 Leave a comment

“The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions.”

~Ellen Glasgow