Accuracy in Academia

Whenever I think about the journey I'm taking with Condemned to Freedom, I am humbled by the support I've been getting from unexpected places. Mal Kline is the Executive Director of the Washington, DC blog "Accuracy in Academia" www.academia.org/ and 35 years ago, in another life, I was his guidance counselor and football coach. Mal is bright and erudite--and he is a true, by-damn William F. Buckley Conservative. We always got along very well, but our political views ... there was a respectful but obvious chasm between them, and he was always 100 per cent honest in both his agreement and disagreement with my views and values.

After Mal graduated, our paths diverged and I lost track of him. Then, through the magic of Facebook and the recent publication of my book, and there was Mal, as always honest but supportive, ready to give his unvarnished opinion of Condemned. I think it's fair to say that I was a little nervous when he was reading the book. After all, his critique would be read by thousands, if not tens of thousands, and some heavy hitters both inside and outside the Beltway would see the judgment of this well-respected blogger on the little murder mystery by an unknown author.

Well, today he published his critique, and it was overwhelmingly positive. As soon as I can figure out how to do it, I will include it on my site, but meanwhile, check it out yourself on today's edition on his website.

Cultural References

For those of you who have read, or are reading, Condemned to Freedom, I placed quite a few cultural references in the book. Start with the names of the characters, but you can move on to others, minute and trivial, that provided me with a little diversion as I wrote. Another is the name of a hospital that appears. More hints to come. Enjoy!

Newark to Dublin and Points Beyond

Yesterday, Jamie and I drove Laura to the Newark Airport to fly to Dublin, Ireland for several days before she moves on to an archaeological dig at El Miron in Spain. (I will leave the comparisons of Newark to Dublin and Northwestern Spain to your imagination.) Aside from missing my only daughter and fretting over her flight and other travels, I must say that I admire her independent and adventurous spirit. Hard to believe when I remember the toddler who got stage fright at her first gymnastics show.

It reminds me what wondrous creatures children are. Just when you think you have them figured out, they will amaze you and fill you with joy.

And then I remember what her room looks like--envision the devastation of a tornado--and I realize the true meaning of yin and yang.