Blog

The Trumps: “Just Plain Folk”

If this happy family photo needed a caption, it could be---let's see, ummm---"Just Plain Folk." But I wonder why nothing is heard about POTUS Trump's mother. Or perhaps it appears in cousin Mary L. Trump's soon- to-be-published book, Too Much and Never Enough.

July 10, 2020 SK FiglerTrumpNo Comment

"Ah-humanity"

Wisdom from Chief Acevedo

Wisdom trumps Wisdumb Please watch this video from Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo. He is wise and straight-forward. My only kick is that he isn’t tougher on Trump, although he really can’t be in his position. But we’d be far better off with more like this guy in positions of authority. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/6/2/1949766/-Police-chief-to-Trump-If-you-don-t-have-something-constructive-to-say-keep-your-mouth-shut?detail=emaildkre. Let's be wise in these tough times. ...

June 3, 2020June 3, 2020 SK FiglerArt Acevedo, Trump, wisdom1 Comment

"HUDSON SCHOOL"

Jackass

Chapter 16 Jackass The class was outside by the horse barn. The sun was warm and Henry smelled lots of different things, dirt, hay, old wood, Miss Lenahan's stinkwater---That's what Jacob called a lady's perfume--- and of course poop, which didn't smell so bad. Henry watched Miss Lenahan stand tall, stretch her neck up, and pull her shoulders back like...

May 25, 2020May 25, 2020 SK Figlerjackass, Miss Lenahan, Miss Potter, Mr. RapNo Comment

Thoughts on writing fiction

Dash Hammett on Crime Writing

Dashiell Hammett on writing crime fiction (The Brooklyn Eagle Magazine http://www.thrillingdetective.com/non_fiction/i006.html, 1929): What I try to do is write a story about a detective rather than a detective story. Keeping the reader fooled until the last, possible moment is a good trick and I usually try to play it, but I can't attach more than secondary importance to it. The...

May 25, 2020May 25, 2020 SK FiglerDashiell Hammett, detectivesNo Comment

"HUDSON SCHOOL"

Our Own Iwo

Hudson School Chapter 14 Our Own Iwo Henry is sitting on the floor up near the front with the other little kids with his legs crossed. Most of them are talking and poking each other. They’re excited about seeing another war movie. Henry’s elbows are on his knees and his hands are propping up his face. Mr. Rapaport in...

May 6, 2020 SK FiglerNo Comment

"Ah-humanity"

Will we learn?

The crucial question of our time: Will we learn from this coronavirus self-isolation and slow-down in our economy and whirlwind activity/cancerous growth/speed-drive? Will we ADJUST? Will humans become more humane (regarding not only animals, but the planet and each other)? But this is true: There will be tremendous pressure to go back to being the over-striving, self-important jerks we've been...

May 3, 2020 SK FiglerNo Comment

"Ah-humanity"

POTUS Ditty #1

He is my Nero, My only Nero, He makes me weaker Day by day. He'll never know, dear How much I hate him. Please take my Nero away.

April 23, 2020 SK FiglerCoronavirus, Trump1 Comment

SHORT STORIES

“Crisco,” a short story

This week's post of fiction will be a little different. It's a short story with the same main characters---Jacob and Henry---but it doesn't take place at Hudson School. Rather, it occurs at summer camp around the same year. It's from Henry's point of view looking back, but he relates the story in 1st person, rather than in 3rd, as in...

April 5, 2020 SK FiglerNo Comment

"HUDSON SCHOOL"

Chapter 13 – Lost in NYC

Hudson School Chapter 13 Lost in NYC Bela slid Henry over on the big slippery leather chair and sat on what was left of it. Half of her tuchas was on the seat and the other half wasn’t. She smiled at him but didn’t seem very happy. She dropped her bag on the red rug and plopped her...

March 29, 2020 SK FiglerBela, New York CityNo Comment

"HUDSON SCHOOL"

Chapter 12 – Fighter Pilot

Hudson School Chapter 12 Scrunched down in the cockpit, Henry flew by his gauges. Air-speed of 550 mph, above the clouds at 2000 feet, into in the Roor Valley, solo strafing run, mop-up action. "Hey, boychick. Vassamatta?" Henry raised his head to peek over the wing of his P-51 Mustang, careful not to lean on the stick because...

March 24, 2020March 24, 2020 SK FiglerNo Comment