Author Archives: Al

Road Trip — I

Posted on March 21, 2025 by Al

I’m perusing some of my old writing, looking for additional material for a memoir-ish book I’m working on. This story, written circa 1985-90, carries its own preface. I’m breaking it into 3 or four parts, lightly edited… [Ed. note: This … Continue reading →

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Which Novels Would You Read Again?

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Al

Last December, I read James, by Percival Everett. The story loosely parallels The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, told from Jim’s perspective. Since it had been 40 years since I read Huck Finn, I took the opportunity to do something I’m always putting off – … Continue reading →

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Polostan

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Al

Neal Stephenson has been churning out novels at the rate of one every four years or so since 1984. His interests are protean. Early on (The Big U, Zodiac), he skewered higher education, environmentalists and corporate polluters. He then shifted … Continue reading →

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Viagra and Aortic Dilation

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Al

On the Mayo Clinic prostate cancer forum, someone asked about the risk of Viagra in the presence of aortic dilation of 4.1 cm. An echocardiogram is often done during investigation of potential cardiac problems. I have had several done since … Continue reading →

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Is Starbucks Doomed?

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Al

Starbucks new CEO, Brian Niccol is trying to streamline the ordering process, eliminate bloat on the menu, and return the coffee giant to its roots as a nurturing place to visit. I believe Starbucks will go the way of Boeing, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Playground

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Al

Richard Powers’ latest novel, Playground, has a choose-your-own-genre feel to it. Want a straight-forward romantic comedy? He offers two meant for-each-other leads who suffer through an insurmountable split, then re-unite. Or maybe tragic rom-com…another pair, best friends from youth, suffer a falling … Continue reading →

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Palmares

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Al

Over the past 25 years, I’ve been saving my event and race bibs. I put them up on my door after the event, and remove them at the end of the year. Then I’ve been stuffing them on a shelf … Continue reading →

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Montana OF Gravel Trek, Day 3: Harlowton to Big Timber

Posted on October 23, 2024 by Al

“Do you think I’ll need this anymore?” Tom held up a mud-encrusted tongue depressor. He leaned down and scrapped a few clumps of the brown muck clogging his derailleur. “It’s not that bad, just those few puddles back there.” “I … Continue reading →

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Montana OF Gravel Trek, Day 3 – ii

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Al

Down at the junction, Michele waited with the Ram. “I’m going to drive up a bit, see how the road is, if I can see them,” I told her. As soon as I left Tony Creek, and started up Red … Continue reading →

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Montana OF Gravel Trek, Day 3:

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Al

“Do you think I’ll need this anymore?” Tom held up a mud-encrusted tongue depressor. He leaned down and scrapped a few clumps of the brown muck clogging his derailleur. “It’s not that bad, just those few puddles back there.” “I … Continue reading →

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