How to go inside the magical world of a child

 

Once a week, I have a day with my grandkids. This is a tradition of almost eight years, one I cherish.

Every grandkid day is different: they're all funny, but they're not all magical.

Magical is when a child forgets you're there - or doesn't care - and you get a chance to peek into the amazing world of the child's imagination, which is very real to the child.

If you think back, very hard, to your own childhood, you will remember the feeling that the imaginary is real, maybe more real than everyday life.

This week's grandkid visit was a magical one.

Ten reasons I'm still a Catholic

These are rough times for Catholics. The news goes from worse to worserer. The thought of the rape of children is more than I can stand. The thought of covering up the rape of children is beyond the beyond. Fighting against making reparations to survivors is unspeakable. I pray that the Church will clean up its act and sell some works of art or do whatever it needs to in order to make amends for what can never be rectified.

So why am I still a Catholic? Why have I not left the Church in disgust? Let me count the whys:

My author interview featured on Karen McQuestion's blog

Karen McQuestion

I'm thrilled to say that Karen McQuestion has featured an author interview with me on her blog, McQuestionable Musings.

Karen took my Creative Writing class at Waukesha County Technical College about 15 years ago or so. She didn't need me - she was already well on her way to being a published author, with an essay she sold to a national magazine. Now she's written nine books and is considered a best-selling Amazon author. Her books have been translated into other languages and one of those books, Easily Amused, is currently a bestseller in Germany. Ach ya! (More below the book cover photos...)



American version of Easily Amused



German version of Easily Amused

Karen's books are down-to-earth and fun, like she is. She writes novels for adults as well as for youth and for younger children.

I'm proud to say I consider Karen McQuestion a friend. I only hope I can emulate her prolific writing output and awesome marketing skills some day!

Neil Young's "Waging Heavy Peace" - an old friend's ramble

Neil Young's memoir, Waging Heavy Peace, is a 497-page sit-down with the man who has written much of the sound track to my life. I love Neil Young and I was excited to read his book.

I started it right after I finished reading Patti Smith's memoir Just Kids. To say the transition was jarring would be an understatement. Where Patti is literary, sober, and driven, Neil is an old man sitting on a porch. He rambles, has only recently sobered up, and wonders if he'll ever write another song.

It took me about 50 pages to adjust to Neil's pace, but once I gave in to a visit on his terms (has there ever been any other way for Neil?), I enjoyed the stay.

Will there ever be a good movie of "On the Road"?

I love Jack Kerouac. He is my writing guru. I love how his writing captured an era. I love his honesty. I love how he preached universal kindness.

Why has there never been a good movie made of Jack's book On the Road? Joyce Johnson, who loved Kerouac, explains it well in her blog:


Joyce Johnson's blog about Kerouac and efforts to produce a movie of "On the Road"

"Don't Worry Baby" free on Kindle Feb. 7 and Feb. 8

I'm happy to announce that Kindle readers may order my new book, Don't Worry Baby, free on Thursday, Feb. 7 and Friday, Feb. 8.

To order, use the link right next to this blog post.

Don't be shy! Order it - read it - and if you like it, tell others.

Tell me too! I welcome your voice.

Trish Andrae wins "Don't Worry Baby" give-away

I'm happy to announce that the winner of the drawing for a free copy of my new book, Don't Worry Baby, is Trish Andrae. She will receive the book soon, along with a couple of nice bookmarks.

I send many thanks to all those who entered the drawing!