Author Archives: Sparky
Long COVID
COVID-19 is a nasty disease – the 990,000 people who have died from it in the US would agree, if they were alive. And many survivors have endured near-death experiences but have recovered. Or mostly recovered. A distressingly high percentage of those who survive have lingering long-term effects. These people are “long haulers” or victims … Continue reading
Buckingham Blues Bar
A couple of weeks ago, with Ooma on my arm, I attended the Sunday afternoon blues jam at the Buckingham Blues Bar in (no surprise) Buckingham FL, not far from my RV resort. This joint is Ooma’s go-to place for mellow music. She has been attending these (free!) concerts for years and knows most of … Continue reading
“Fat Vinny’s Forbidden Love” by David Benjamin
Copyright 2021 by David Benjamin. Published by Last Kid Books, Madison WI. First, the usual disclaimer: David Benjamin is one of my oldest and best friends. Also, this book is nominated for a “best comedy book” award by the Independent Book Publishers Association and, if it wins, I will be accepting the award in his … Continue reading
A most unusual spring training game
I attended the last Red Sox spring training game in Ft Myers in this truncated spring training season. It was the most unusual spring training game that I have experienced. First, I got the day wrong, thinking the game was Monday, March 28. But when I texted George, my friend who was buying the tickets, … Continue reading
Introducing Ooma
That isn’t her real name, but that’s the way we roll here; are you surprised to hear that Sparky is not my real name either? Anyway, I have been keeping company with a lovely lady who will be known as Ooma here. She is older than I – by about 10 days – and is … Continue reading
A foggy morning
I will skip the long ode to foggy mornings. I will simply say that a foggy morning in a tropical climate can be downright spooky. This is a color photo, not black-and-white.
“Violets are Blue” by James Patterson
Copyright 2001 by James Patterson. Published by Warner Books, Inc., New York. This is not so much of a review as a rant. WTF is wrong with James Patterson? Why is he a popular author? If you recall I characterized his “Sunday at Tiffany’s” as “dreck.” This, too, is dreck. But this time he can’t … Continue reading
Plans for summer 2022
I have mulled over a lot of different options for what to do this coming summer, including the option of staying in Ft Myers all summer. I think the plans are taking shape. Here is the brief synopsis: The decision to not take the RV north was driven primarily by the lack of a place … Continue reading
1,000 and counting
I just noticed that I have passed the 1,000 mark in the number of posts that I have made in this blog. I believe this is 1,009. Not a big deal, but worth noting. I suppose I should have a drink to celebrate. Maybe several.
“The Promise” by Robert Crais
Copyright 2015 by Robert Crais. Published by G.P. Putnam & Sons, New York. Robert Crais spins some good yarns. His most popular books are those featuring Elvis Cole, the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest detective” and Joe Pike who defies a simple description. Maybe “mysterious mercenary?” He is an iconoclast, for sure, and has amazing skills at … Continue reading