When Donald Trump was on the campaign trail, one of his campaign promises was to “drain the swamp” in Washington. It looks like he might want to start in his own house—that is, the House of Representatives. Republicans met prior to the start of the 115th Congress this week and voted, over the objections of…
Author: Lee Pulaski
Lee Pulaski is a Wisconsin journalist, photographer and author of more than 25 books in the mystery, romance and fantasy genres. He writes about his Arizona upbringing combined with his life now in the Midwest. Pulaski can be reached at leepulaski2@gmail.com
One story is good, but several makes for a party
I had one idea in my head when I started my novel writing career 10 years ago—a beautiful story of two men falling in love in a rural atmosphere. That was all I was interested in writing at the time, and for many people who want to write a book, one is enough. My brain…
Visions of gingerbread and used-up rolls of tape on this Christmas Day
I’m sitting here early on Christmas morning, darkness still outside—except for the ever-glowing string of Christmas lights on the tree and fence at my next door neighbor’s house. Every Christmas is a little different, but I was a little surprised to be conscious before 5 a.m. I finally got all the presents wrapped. It’s ironic…
Some thoughts on Wisconsin winters
While December is known as the Christmas season, it also marks the start of winter. After nearly three months of going from hot to cold and seeing the leaves change color and fall off the trees, we’re rewarded with snow. Most folks around where I live in Shawano find it hard to believe that Arizona…
Torquere woes indicate professional publishing not the safest option
Sometimes self-publishers, also known as indie publishers, get a bad name. Because we don’t have the backing of a company with scores of employees dedicated to molding the books into literary perfection—if there is such a thing—we’re sometimes seen as lazy amateurs looking to sell books without putting in all the work. This isn’t going…
Playing by the rules gets you penalized
You live your life playing by the rules, not mooching off the world or sticking it to innocent people, and are you rewarded for it? Not if you’re trying to buy a car. For the last six-and-a-half years, I’ve driven a 2004 Chrysler Sebring with hardly a problem. I’ve had to replace the battery and…
A ‘popular’ idea to elect presidents has merit
We’re on the eve of one of the biggest elections in recent memory. We’re also nearing the end of a long, nightmarish year where we, the American people, have been bombarded by the most negative political campaigns for the presidency that anyone can remember. We’ve got two main candidates that most voters wish they could…
Guidelines for the dead irritate the living
There are plenty of us who would love to live forever. Besides the uncertainty some of us have, based on our actions in life, about whether or not we’re going to heaven or hell, there’s also the reality that death has become such a rigid affair. As Exhibit A, I present to you a recent…
Watch the debate or stare down a hurricane? You decide
How many of us are dreading the impending arrival of tonight’s presidential debate and wishing we were down in Florida or Georgia dealing with the flooded aftermath of Hurricane Matthew instead? The 2016 presidential campaign has been a nonstop barrage of verbal attacks and assorted scandals that have made this the most distasteful one in…
Editing a book more time consuming sometimes than writing it
I know I’ve been very neglectful the last couple of weeks posting to the blog, but there really is a good reason. My new book was holding me hostage. It sounds crazy, I know, but until you’ve actually attempted to write a novel, you can’t appreciate how much time can be sucked up with an…
When the gas cap is smarter than the driver
It has been many years since I made a trip to Arizona. It has also been many years since I needed to rent a car. That was evident a couple of days ago when my gas tank was getting low, and I needed to fill up. I pulled the rented Kia Rio painted bright yellow,…
Despite the roundabouts and more homes, Chino Valley still hometown
Chino Valley. It is the place I called home for many years. I was born in Prescott, but when I think of my hometown, I think of Chino Valley. When my family first staked a claim in Chino Valley (no, we weren’t miners, but the metaphor works), there were only 1,000 or so people. Many…
Rural Roots and American Rainbows 