In past bloggery, we've taken two stances on Paris Hilton.

The first, labled "Is Paris Burning?" was a bit depreciating: a sampling of reviews for her stunning movie The Hottie and The Nottie. The basic conclusion of most reviewers seemed to be "See Paris and die." Worldwide, it opened on several silver screens a year ago, closing after 7 days; ( Read more... )

Back around 2002-2003, when I started writing HP fanfics, I included a poem in one story. I've posted before about how this poem's developed a life of its own. Not to bore my one or two regular visitors, but here's the latest chapter ( Read more... )

Rats. Between Fanfiction.net's editing program and the dim bulb of an author who's using it, I just managed to upload another story with an editing error. Good grief. That program has an incredible ability to take a line and move it to another part of the story, on its own ( Read more... )

In The Peter Pan Book, I mention the unlikely circumstance of twins born in separate years, based on factual twins. (I stretched my poetic license by having them born on a ferry crossing the English Channel, so they were also born in two countries.) It's happened most recently in Rochester, MN; the boy arrived at 11:51 PM 31 Dec '08, and his ( Read more... )

Well, another Annus Horribilus is over, as the Queen says -- and time for another one to start ( Read more... )

The storm clouds gathering, appear
To leave us little cause for cheer
With death and fire from deceit,
Drought and famine served to eat,
Fortunes spent to profit none,
Truces written soon undone,
Wind, fire and ice bring houses low,
As likewise fire and lava's flow.
With hopeless hopes, and joyless joy,
What future faces girl or boy ( Read more... )

Present Perfect
The gift beyond your means
can be the most precious one.

At Christmas, play and make good cheer
For Christmas comes but once a year.

- Thomas Tusser (1524-1580)Outside Heron's Nest, the early December snowfall tapered off to the last few flakes, and the sun came out. Hugo Weasley looked out the window with anticipation. "Mum? Can ( Read more... )

Okay, we have to get the economy going again. Best way: get everyone to buy something. So, here's our annual gift gallery with a few choice upscale goodies for every spender's budget:


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If there's one thing that causes dissension between men and women, it's that silly hinged lid. One gender wants it in the same position at all times; the other gender decides on the needs of the moment ( Read more... )