I don’t collect as many kinds of things as I used to (no more room!) but I still love to buy signed books, particularly if they’re by local authors. A few years ago, I got a copy of a slim book called Cibola’s Promise at a convention and promptly forgot about it. I rediscovered it while […]
Tag: Arizona
Coin Operated Critic #5 – Serra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
Reviewing Arizona’s Eateries Serra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse 16160 N 83rd Ave, Peoria 2-14-18 First impression: 3 out of 5 croutons. There is a large bar area to the side, and the hostess station is right in front The ambiance: 1 out of 5 croutons. The many tables are so close together that you must inch […]
Coin-Operated Critic #3 – Top Shelf Mexican Food
Reviewing Arizona’s eateries. Top Shelf, 35th and Peoria Avenue, Phoenix 2-17-18 First impression: 3 out of 5 croutons. The lobby was spacious, with a fountain in the center. Lots of cheerful disembodied voices greeted us as we were seated immediately. The ambiance: 3 out of 5 croutons. Nothing special here. It is the same as […]
Incident at Dragoon Pass, Part 4
The following is the conclusion of the origin story of the Clockwork Caballero, by Vaughn Treude. Earlier installments are part1, part2, and part3. The Captain spat out the chewed-up cigar he’d had clenched in his teeth and replaced it with a fresh one. From his pocket, he pulled out a match, struck it on his […]
Sometimes I Actually Miss the Snow
When I was growing up in North Dakota, we had long, harsh winters, lasting at least five months. On Halloween night, we often wore our parkas as we went trick or treating on snow-packed sidewalks. By Christmas, the snow drifts would be high and sparkle in the moonlight, as the days get really short when […]
A Pause To Appreciate
It’s become traditional for people to express their thankfulness each year at this time. Yes, it’s a cliché, but I don’t care. It’s a good cliché. This holiday reminds us that as much as we may complain, we’ve still got many good things in our lives. The pilgrims were thankful to survive a year in […]
Incident at Dragoon Pass, part 2
Today’s post is the long-awaited second installment of “Incident at Dragoon Pass,” by Vaughn Treude. Read Part 1 here. ****************************** While the chained-up guards watched helplessly, the two desperadoes attached the heavy sacks of gold to the hooks on the chain. The Caballero gave the chain two jerks and it began moving like a vertical […]