Author Archives: Sparky
Drag queen bingo
Yes, “drag queen bingo” is a real thing, at least in Ft Myers. It is a popular dinner show option. Ooma and I went to Drag Queen Bingo night at The Standard restaurant, had a good meal and an evening of bingo and raunchy fun. I was the big winner, too, winning both the first … Continue reading
Nighttime hibiscus
I didn’t plant my hibiscus bushes – they were already on the lot when I purchased it. I did, however, install nighttime lighting to illuminate my flag and address. By a happy coincidence, the lighting sometimes makes a hibiscus blossom glow at night. It is almost enough to make me wander around at midnight, photographing … Continue reading
The first Texas trip (TX1) preview
I agonized for about 6 seconds over what label I should give to this trip. It certainly isn’t my first trip to Texas – I flew to Austin at Christmas – nor is it the first time I have traveled to Texas by car or RV. It is, however, the first road trip where Texas … Continue reading
“ZOO” by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Copyright 2014 by James Patterson. Published by Grand Central Publishing, New York. Yes, another book where James Patterson slapped his name on someone else’s work. This time the actual writer is Michael Ledwidge. You can tell that Patterson didn’t write this one because it is science fiction and Patterson doesn’t do science fiction. I won’t … Continue reading
The Morse Museum
Ooma and I had a free day in Orlando last weekend and we chose to visit, at Ooma’s suggestion, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park FL. It was a good choice. It has works by other American artists, but the thing that makes this museum unique is the collection of … Continue reading
The IBPA Ben Franklin Awards
Ooma and I traveled to Orlando this past weekend. It was partly just a weekend getaway, but the raison d’etre for the trip was the IBPA Ben Franklin Awards. I was, in effect, a “proxy finalist” as I was representing David Benjamin and Last Kid Books. Fat Vinny’s Forbidden Love was nominated in the “best … Continue reading
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