This last weekend I attended the 38th Annual Willamette (rhymes with damn it) Writers Conference held at the Sheraton near Portland International Airport (Is Idaho another country?). I went to the 37th conference last year. The WWC (Willamette Writers Conference not the World Wrestling Commission) runs as if it were a Swiss watch. I haveContinue reading “Willamette Writers Conference”
Author Archives: Norm Benson
Harry Splutter and the Lure of Hollyweird
Episode 2 The hexatometer that Harry had to pass under is a monstrous thing and monstrous is the right word. It’s a green-scaled dragon that’s been taught to sniff out wands, potions, and Old Spice deodorant. Harry took a deep breath as the TSA witch waved for him move through. “Here goes nothing,” muttered HarryContinue reading “Harry Splutter and the Lure of Hollyweird”
Harry Splutter and the Lure of Hollyweird
In the vein of the Cookenflagen’s on Alan’s website. I would love to continue this story, so email me and I’ll post the continuation. Episode 1… Harry stuffed his wand in the back pocket of his jeans and placed the locket with the horcrux in the plastic bin on the metallic table. A tall wizardContinue reading “Harry Splutter and the Lure of Hollyweird”
Take Off Your Shoes and Say Aack
“Make sure your seat backs are in the upright position and that your tray tables are locked.” Mary and I fly Southwest Airlines. The attendants are friendly (if just a little loud), it’s efficient, and it’s cheap. We are not frequent travelers but we just got back from a family reunion in Corolla on NorthContinue reading “Take Off Your Shoes and Say Aack”
Forestacean
I don’t know what these crabs represent—other than the Chesapeake—or why they’re around what are called the inner banks of North Carolina (abbreviated IBX—Outer Banks is OBX). I do know that Santa Rosa (northern California) did something similar with Charlie Brown figures—Charles Schultz lived in Santa Rosa until his death. People, shops, and companies decoratedContinue reading “Forestacean”
Sleepus interruptus
First off, congratulations to Colleen and Brian on tying the knot. May the wind always be at your back or something like that. Lucky 7s are a good way to start the new life. Now, I need to say that this will sound unpatriotic of me. I hate the 4th of July. I hate 4thsContinue reading “Sleepus interruptus”
Dana’s here
The Dana wireless by Alphasmart showed up yesterday. It is way cool. It found my Powerbook G4 with no problem. I’ll be able to do my work on it and send the text to the Apple for editing. Now if it would only write a universally beloved novel for me, I’d be a happy guy.Continue reading “Dana’s here”
Dana's here
The Dana wireless by Alphasmart showed up yesterday. It is way cool. It found my Powerbook G4 with no problem. I’ll be able to do my work on it and send the text to the Apple for editing. Now if it would only write a universally beloved novel for me, I’d be a happy guy.Continue reading “Dana's here”
Cool Running AlphaSmart
Well I’ve gone and drunk the Kool-Aid. I’ve ordered an AlphaSmart Dana wireless. I can’t wait for it to get here. When it does, I’ll take a picture to show you. I know I said the fact it only lasted 24+ hours on a charge vs the 120 hours of the Alphasmart 2000 or theContinue reading “Cool Running AlphaSmart”
A Tale of Two Carls
My friend Carl celebrated his 30th anniversary in ministry Sunday. Carl’s been at St. Luke’s Lutheran (ELCA) for about 15 years; he’s one of the most grounded and compassionate people I know. I met Carl, wife Triss, and daughter Holly when Carl answered the call for pastoring at Trinity Lutheran in Porterville, CA where IContinue reading “A Tale of Two Carls”
Nullius in Verba 