Still Atop Mount Every Day Story

"Fresh Ideas" continues holding the lead after three days, thanks to family, friends and discerning readers who happened by.

Recent Sam Art

Sam's found time to render various subjects.

Number 1 on Every Day Story

As you can see, I'm atop the Every Day Story heap (at least for a time) thanks to everyone who read and voted on "Fresh Ideas." Sterling work, I say. Keep it up!

Link to Cartoon Series Blog

Kaleb and Luke are developing a cartoon series, posting on the process as they go. Follow along behind the curtain, as it were.

If You Please...

...kindly drop by Every Day Fiction and read my short story, "Fresh Ideas." It's short, I tell you. If so moved, leave a nice comment and a swell rating. Thank you for your support. I will imagine presents and gold appearing on the front seat of your car.

My Java with Madeleine

Met Madeleine from Vasteras, Sweden for the second time. We had coffee in Sherman Oaks and discussed animation, travel and the Kroner. At first, our talk was pleasant, but I made a serious social blunder by mentioning the 1709 Battle of Poltava and the rout of Swedish forces by the Russians under Peter the I. Madeleine took offense at my comments on Swedish sovereign Charles XII. With growing passion, she argued that Charles' heavily outnumbered army pressed the action for most of the fight, finally drowning in a sea of Russian infantry. Delicately, I mentioned that Peter had trained up his army and they were no longer an ill-organized rabble, though some problems persisted. (Peter had difficulty getting the Russians to fire their muskets at the Swedes and not at the clouds which his peasant troops mistook for billowy fiends sent by the Devil to eat them. This was a problem common to northern European armies of the day.) In any case, Madeline slammed down her latte and stormed off after I mentioned the five-year exile of Charles XII in Moldavia following his defeat. So matters between us ended sharply. I hope Madeleine has a safe trip home. If anyone else is meeting her in Southern California, please let sleeping dogs - or exiled Swedish kings - lie. That would be best, I should think, for all concerned.

New Looney Toons?

Coming soon, another attempt to revive the Looney Toons. I recall the last animated TV series, Loonatics Unleashed, as being especially feckless. Still, one hopes for the best. Even a blind hen occasionally pecks some corn.