Joseph Carrabis's Blog, page 32

The Return of Opie

The Mighty Ops has been missing from these posts for a while. We’ve known both Opie and Opalina have been about. They leave calling cards. You don’t want to know. Shy yet ferocious, The Mighty Ops takes on all challengers. Discretion is the better part of valor, of course, and still… Don’t get between Opossum … Continue reading "The Return of Opie"

Where to Go from Here

I finished The Alibi on Tuesday, 7 May 2024, and have since been taking a break. That’s authorspeak for “catching up on all the stuff I didn’t do because I was deep in the writing.” Today is Wednesday, 22 May 2024, and I’ve been itching to get back to my writing for about a week. … Continue reading "Where to Go from Here"

Proud Hawk

One day while walking, Boo and I flushed a hawk. We didn’t mean to. She expressed her displeasure by gazing down on us lividly. Ever been livided by a hawk? You just know they’re waiting. Probably drop a dead squirrel on me the next time I’m out that way…  

My second newsletter – May 2024

You can read back issues of my newsletter here. May-June 2024 Announcements Our previous RoundTable 360s were fascinating with lively discussions between panelists and audience members.Our May RoundTable 360 topic is creative block, and every creative’s been there…that dreaded feeling of hitting a wall, not knowing what to create next or even how to do … Continue reading "My second newsletter – May 2024"

The Words We Use

The limits of my language are the limits of my world. - Ludwig Wittgenstein

The Alibi (A John Chance Mystery) – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 10)

The Alibi – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 10)   Cranston stood in his kitchen going through the cupboards. An empty, resusable cotton grocery bag lay on the counter in front of him like a sleeping kitten. “Leddy? Dr. Cuccello invited us over to her place for dinner. She gave me a … Continue reading "The Alibi (A John Chance Mystery) – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 10)"

Dissed by a Hawk

Ever encounter someone who’s just going to be persnickety no matter what? You can be friendly, gregarious, giving, and they simply can’t be bothered. I often wonder how to work with such people. One of my guiding Principles is people treat you as they wish to be treated. Often I wrap that in “You’ve got … Continue reading "Dissed by a Hawk"

The Alibi (A John Chance Mystery) – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 9)

The Alibi – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 9)   John Rhinehold palmed his BPD Detective’s shield as he stepped out of his blue Suburu WRX. He parked across the street from the police barricades and crime scene tapes and the WRX, modified well beyond Suburu’s specs, locked itself and went on … Continue reading "The Alibi (A John Chance Mystery) – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 9)"

Big Family Dinners

Do you and yours often attend family get-togethers? My paternal grandmother’s kitchen was such a place. Between my father’s siblings and their various children, the smaller than average kitchen sported thirty-three individuals, ages from a few weeks old to mid-seventies. And when my grandparents had their siblings over? Oy! Because they would bring their children’s … Continue reading "Big Family Dinners"

The Alibi (A John Chance Mystery) – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 8)

The Alibi – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 8)   Willmette and Seamus sat at Willmette’s Park Plaza suite’s dining table. Willmette led Seamus down a utility staircase at Logan to a waiting limo. The driver said nothing and brought them to the Park Plaza. Another man, not dressed as a doorman, … Continue reading "The Alibi (A John Chance Mystery) – Chapter 43 Section V Mega Chapter 2 (part 8)"