In a bizarre moment I had long forgotten, I once hired a private investigator to sweep an office for bugs. Hidden microphones, not insects.

My love for—no, my need for—the great outdoors led to an unusual rain date last week.

My father taught me the importance of using people’s names, but did I learn the lesson?

Tropical Storm Fred hammered us with rain, forcing rivers out of their banks. One frantic plea hit me more than others – left or right?

With the name of my next novel announced (Liar’s Table), I’m preparing for the liars, liar’s, and liars’ debate.

This time last year, we were dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias—fallen trees, flooding, alligator burglars, and social media scorn.

When a creative idea hits, I need to remember it. When I forget how I remember, though, I know my memory fails me.

You would think someone who makes his living writing wouldn’t have a problem with hard words, but this will convince you I do.

Walking the dogs is challenging enough in our ever-changing weather, but the weather app I use for guidance is all wet.

A regular encounter with a communication barrier taught us something the dogs already knew – you can find joy in any language.

I have a ridiculously over-sized, over-built, and over-weight workbench that has made two house moves. I’m happy to report the bench is back.

Too many story ideas and too many distractions mean my editors have imposed deadlines on me. That’s good — and painful.

A recent summer evening brought back the magic of fireflies flitting about on a summer evening.

A meme sparked memories of what I read as a kid, and the books were not exactly children’s classic literature.

Kids today have it so much easier, even if they might be a wee bit safer than my own generation.

Memorial Day is a solemn day for honoring the fallen—the brave men and women who have given their lives for our country.

He extended his hand. I gripped and shook. A simple handshake. No big deal, right? Except it was my first in over a year.

After multiple moves, I discarded a box with a tangle of cables. Of course, you know exactly what happened next. Or do you?

I impressed Landon, one of my dogs, with my ability to produce never-ending, magic kibble for a recent meal.

A friend died last month and left me wondering about the way we meet people in today’s interconnected world.

A recent incident left me thinking of the ways we affect our environment and how we can make a positive impact.

Why do companies think burying an obscure item in their favor deep in the terms of service is a good idea?

Clear communications are critical as a writer to avoid misinterpretations. Also important as a home owner, as I recently discovered.

In a cosmic revenge for my own behavior as a child, my dogs ask “Are We There Yet?” on long car trips.

A simple good deed involving my toboggan—a hat, not a sled—once again shows me more good people exist than bad.

I canceled Netflix. No, I’m not mad at them. This isn’t some political protest. I’ve simply grown bored with TV and movies.

Which is worse? Packing to move or getting a shot? My answer is simple. One’s a pain in the arm and other is a pain in the … you know.

We’re moving to Asheville, back to the mountains after our great experiment with coastal living in Murrells Inlet.

A couple of encounters on our walking trail reminded me of an important truth—more good than bad exists in this world.

Can you pronounce the town name Beaufort? The explanation of this trick question in today’s Monday Musing.

Quality control for writers, app designers, or candy makers—How many mistakes are too many?

So many weird experiences in a very strange year, and the parking lot gourmet is just the latest.

Mother Nature simultaneously reminds me of her beauty and her gritty reality in a Majestic Indelicacy.

An unusual request during a package delivery to the house has left me puzzled. Maybe someone else can explain this.

Finally, I had my second vaccination day and know my health is better protected. Unfortunately, not the vaccination you think.

We all need a break from work sometimes, so we took off on a quick vacation down to Charleston SC last week.

A packed schedule and deadline pressures can’t be dealt with when my internet connections screeches to a full stop.

The first step in annual goal setting is to review prior year achievements, not something particularly impressive in this weird year.

My highly-suspect present-wrapping skills don’t really yield better results than wadded up paper and a hot glue gun.

How many M&M’s are in an individual bag? I know. Trust me, I know

Our recent encounter with a massive beast and its magical rider… or is this just another shaggy dog story?

I love Thanksgiving, but the day it is over, we move on to the best part of the year—Christmas Decorations.

Despite everything this year has thrown at us, we still have lots to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Holiday.