Leon Stevens's Blog
October 3, 2025
Freaky Friday: The Spooky Month of October
On the last weekend of September I saw some people decorating their for yard for Halloween. A bit too early, I wondered?
October is usually the time when TV networks and streaming services pack their schedules with horror movies. Over the decades, the horror genre has morphed from scaring the viewer with sudden appearances of the antagonist, to the gross-out gore fest.
I’ve never been an avid fan of the horror genre, but as a teenager in the 80s, you kinda had to go with the flow or you’d be called a name that I will not say here.
The first horror movie I remember seeing was The Swarm in 1978. Killer bees were all the rage as they were apparently migrating north from Mexico at an alarming rate. We never got them here in Canada, but 50 years later we do have murder hornets. I don’t know what would be more frightening.
1979 gave us Alien, still one of the greatest horror flicks of all time. I didn’t get to see it in the theater although I remember my sister saying how good it was. I had to wait until the local convenience store began to rent VHS and Beta movies, along with the player.
1980
Friday the 13th scared everyone away from summer camps and gave us the sage advice, “Don’t go off on your own.” Altered States made no one run to the local sleep deprivation clinic.
1981: Ahh, the year that spawned the sequel craze, and the sequel of the sequel. Did the Friday the 13th movies get better? How about all the Halloweens?
Bruce Campbell cemented himself in offbeat horror with The Evil Dead, although I think it was a few years later I saw this one. We also got the David Cronenberg film, Scanners. Loved when the heads blew up.
1982: George Romero took a break from zombie movies to give us Creepshow, a series of short stories written by Stephen King.
1983: David Cronenberg gave us Videodrome starring James Woods and Debbie Harry. I think that was the first time I saw a musician act in a film. Cujo, based on a King novel also came out.
1984: The year of the C.H.U.D. (Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers, of course). Wes Craven gave us the original psychological horror movie with Nightmare on Elm Street. Two more Stephen King movies, Firestarter and Children of the Corn, let us know he wasn’t going anywhere.
I’ll leave it there until next week.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
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October 2, 2025
Thursday Thoughts: Us vs. Them
Can different political parties get along? Are they elected to work together to run the country and represent their constituents to the best of their ability?
Canadian politics is a great example. In the last government, the ruling Liberals held a minority in parliament, meaning the other parties could band together and call for an election at any time.
Did they? No. Did they use that leverage to help the Canadian citizens by agreeing to support the Liberals in return for getting better prescription drug coverage and the implementation of universal dental care?
You bet they did. Now every Canadian, regardless of who they voted for, benefits. That’s how it’s done, folks.
Now let’s get working on eye care, shall we?
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
October 1, 2025
What’s Up October?
When did you first realize that October is the tenth month despite the fact that the prefix “octo” means eight? Probably at the same time you realized you still have the old Roman calendar hanging up beside your rotary phone.
It wasn’t until Pope Gregor the [insert Roman numeral here] thought that the year was too short and randomly added two months to the calendar, much to the ire of Costco, who had already planned to put out their Christmas display.
The populous was pissed because many had already booked their summer vacations. At the protest, one guy yelled out, “While you’re at it, why don’t you just add some random days to the months so we don’t know which ones are longer!”
Well, he got his wish.
Pumpkin growers however were elated. Two more months? That would mean their pumpkins could get even bigger and they decided to have a competition to see who could grow the largest misshaped gourd. The winner of the first annual “Big Ugly Gourd” festival was Miss Helenus Arlenus of Pompeii. Surprisingly, a photo of that year’s winner was unearthed in 2024:
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
September 30, 2025
Who is Tilly Norwood?
According to her website, she is a new British actor. Her Instagram page shows her enjoying life, drinking coffee, taking pictures in the park, her messy apartment, bits of slices of her life, and of course some screen shots of her work.
Here Facebook page says she is from Waterloo but now lives in London. Her relationship status is listed as “it’s complicated.”
There’s just one thing. She’s not real.
Created by Eline Van der Velden, the CEO of London-based tech production company Particle6, she, has understandably received backlash from real actors and scorn on Tilly’s Instagram page.
Will Tilly be, as her creator says, “the next Scarlett Johansson?”
Does AI have it’s place in movies? I watched the newest Indiana Jones movie, and AI was used to create the younger version of Dr. Jones in some scenes, and it was very beleivable.
Previous films have used different digital techniques to allow for older and sometimes deceased actors to appear in film. Rogue One from Lucasfilm had the characters of Grand Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia in that movie.
CGI has increasingly been used in movies for decades, to the point when I see a movie without it (or very little), it’s like a breath of fresh air.
Oh, Miss Tilly Norwood is currently seeking an agent, in case you know one willing to take her on.
-Leon
Hope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
September 28, 2025
Golf Etiquette
One thing I like about golf is that anyone can be the hero.
The fans cheer every good shot. They will band behind the golfer in the lead, cheering them on as they walk down the fairway, while at the same time, shouting words of encouragement to the player slowly cutting into the lead.
Hole a putt from the greenside bunker? Everyone loves you. Hit the green on the almost drivable par 4? We can’t wait for you to march up and putt for that albatross. The lone amateur in your first tournament? Shoot +14 and you will still get a rousing applause when you walk off the 18th green.
There are spectator expectations. Your are quiet when the player steps up to the ball. You are quiet when they set-up their swing. You are quiet during the backswing.
Then you can be a loud as you want. The problem is that some people want to be the first one to yell, “IN THE HOLE!” or in specific cases, “BABA BOOEY!”
The one I found the most amusing was when Jimmy Walker, the golfer, not the actor/comedian, hit off the tee and someone yelled, “DY-NO-MITE!” That one is only funny the first time as it quickly loses its charm.
Golf has embraced a bit of rowdiness over the decades, with the par-3, 16th hole at the Phoenix Open being a prime example. Surrounded completely by spectator stands, fans can be loud all the time during the first two days, even booing the player if they don’t hit the green.
Which brings us to the Ryder Cup, the team tournament that pits the best golfers in the US against the best of Europe. Yesterday, usual fan favorite, Rory McIlroy, was heckled and booed excessively as the Europeans where handing the US team on of the worst losses.
While trying to putt, Rory kneels and told the fans he wasn’t going to make is putt until they were quiet and had to wait 30-40 seconds to do so.
At one point a fan yelled something as he was going to hit his ball. You could see his frustration reach a boiling point when he turned and yelled, “Shut the f^*$ up!”
Warranted? Debatable but I understand. When he did hit the shot, it landed 3 feet from the hole. Nice. Extra police and security were seen in the holes that followed.
Oh, Rory and his partner, Shane Lowery went on to win that match.
-Leon
In case you missed it:Golf EtiquetteWeekend Wrap-up: Spot the DifferenceJust for Fun Friday: Don’t feed the animalsThursday Thoughts: The Long WalkWeird Wednesday: The End(zone)?Hope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
September 27, 2025
Weekend Wrap-up: Spot the Difference
Would you wear something with that logo? Simple, stylized initials, right? But there is a subtle difference between the two.
There’s also a big difference between the two. One is Travis Kelce’s Tru Kolors logo and the other is Kai Trump’s.
Yes, Trump’s granddaughter just launched her new clothing line. Is it exciting? Not really. Will it sell because of the name? You bet it will.
Where exactly are the sweaters made? There is no indication of this either on the website or on her social media channels. Surprised? I bet you’re not. Is she advertising in front of the White House? Of course. Surprised? I bet you’re not.
Anyway, here are some other similar logos not ripped off a member of the Trump family. And since I’m not going to be paid for the shout-outs, the companies will remain nameless.
-Leon
In case you missed it:Weekend Wrap-up: Spot the DifferenceJust for Fun Friday: Don’t feed the animalsThursday Thoughts: The Long WalkWeird Wednesday: The End(zone)?Tuesday Tidbits: Here we go again.Hope you enjoyed the recap! Feel free to share it with others.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
September 26, 2025
Just for Fun Friday: Don’t feed the animals
A town in California is on high alert after several residents were attacked my a squirrel. One claimed it jumped on her leg while another was sent to the hospital with an arm wound.
A home owner had to hit it with his hat when it kept biting off pieces of his fence.
This is not the first time animals have exhibited strange behaviour. A few years back in British Columbia, a bear walked into a gas station and took a package of Gummy Bears.
Most unusual animal behaviour is due to them becoming accustomed to human presence or the encroachment into their habitat.
I learned my lesson during Covid. I fed birds on my balcony and they would come even while I was sitting right there. So I wondered, “Can I get them to come inside?”
Yeah I thought that. And I could. They would fly inside to feed on the seeds I put on my coffee table. One even landed on the arm of my couch while I was sitting there and voiced its displeasure in the lack of food.
As cute as it was, I decided it could only get worse from there. But I did decide to put out some peanuts for the bluejay until one morning it came and let out the loudest squawk of displeasure in the lack of food.
As beautiful as they are, not the most beautiful voice…that was the end of the free peanut tray.
-Leon
Euphrates Vanished (Kindle/KU)A Matter of Sabotage (Kindle/KU)Don’t feel like buying the book? How about reviewing for free?
Sign up to review Euphrates VanishedSign to review A Matter of SabotageSci-fi not your thing?
Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
September 25, 2025
Thursday Thoughts: The Long Walk
I first read the book, The Long Walk, by Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman in 1985. I thought it would make a good movie.
Forty years later, I got my wish.
In a post-war America, young men put their names in a lottery to be selected to participate in the annual Long Walk. The last one walking receives whatever he wants for the rest of his life.
Nice…
Of course there are consequences. You must maintain a walking pace of 4 miles/hour (3 in the movie) and if you fall below you get a warning. After three warnings you are eliminated from the race, or as they say in the competition, “you get your ticket*.” (*spoiler)
How can a book about walking be interesting? The interactions between the characters, the bonds that are made, and the underlying reasons for participating all create a psychological and emotional barrage.
Reminiscent of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, it has a competition all in the name of patriotism and demonstration of the American will while showing how absolute power is always a bad thing.
Hmmm, that doesn’t sound familiar at all, does it? But on to the highly anticipated movie.
Filmed in my backyard—not literally, but in my local area of Manitoba—it was a bit distracting to see places where I had been, but the intenseness of the story quickly took that away.
Other than actors Mack Hamill and Judy Greer, there were no others I recognized which made it easy to accept them as the characters they were as they plunged into mental and physiological exhaustion.
I have to say the word intense again because I can’t think of any other that would describe the movie. I also think this is one of the best film adaptations of a book I’ve seen.
Not for the squeamish.
-Leon
*Yeah, you’re shot in the head.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
September 24, 2025
Weird Wednesday: The End(zone)?
What’s 150 yards long, 65 yards wide, and has goal posts on the actual goal line?
Well, if you looked at the picture, you know it’s the Canadian football playing field. In comparison, if you took out the footprint of the NFL field, you can see how much more playing surface the CFL has.
Maybe you heard the news. The CFL has decided to shorten the field to 130 yards by taking out the 55 yard line and changing the end zone to 15 yards. Also they will be moving the goalposts to the end of the field.
Looks like an NFL field now, doesn’t it? But the new CFL commissioner said that the rule changes had nothing to do with trying to copy the more popular league to the south.
I call bullshit.
The longer, wider field does attract smaller, faster American players that may not have a chance to play the game they love. The current placement of the goalposts allow for missed field goals to be returned for a touchdown which is one of the most exciting plays in the league.
There was a time when the CFL expanded into the US, but that’s a story for another Wednesday.
The NFL is a juggernaut. There is no way the CFL can compete, but they can attract fans with their unique brand of the sport.
Well, they used to.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
September 23, 2025
Tuesday Tidbits: Here we go again.
I’m glad that I don’t live in the United States.
That being said, it try living next to a dumpster fire. I don’t have the stamina to go over all the s#!t that’s happening south of the border, but a couple of things stood out this week.
At the memorial for Charlie Kirk, which was more of a MAGA martyr fest than anything else, the Donald Trump said:
“That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them.”
So, Trump just effectively told every kid out there that it’s okay to hate anyone with an opposing view. A child with a parent that’s a bully has a good chance of becoming a bully themselves.
I don’t like the word hate. I try to use dislike as the alternative. I wrote a poem about it in 2019:
Mr. Trump (I don’t think he should be referred to as president because he’s not acting in the best interests of the country, only his own) also went on television, stumbled over the word, acetaminophen, and told pregnant women, “I want to say it like it is, don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it.” before saying that women with a fever should, “tough it out.”
Most doctors say that fever during pregnancy poses a greater risk than administering the US health department approved drug.
He went on to say:
“Nothing bad can happen, it can only good happen.”
I’ll give you a moment to read that again because you may have read it grammatically correct, because you have intelligence…
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Free books? Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and choose one or more!
