Hot Stuff!

OK, here is a little pre-Halloween warm-up. It's based on one of my favorite gag stories. I decided to make it into a proper pre-Halloween story: John was dead, and he knew it as soon as he appeared before the Pearly Gates. Saint Peter processed him quickly; Stating there was no appeal in his case …

a nautical almanac

For many years, my go-to desk calendar was a nautical almanac. It was published annually, and every day contained unique material on the sea, seamanship, or practical nautical knowledge. In fact, they were so information-packed that all of the ones I own sit on the shelf for reference. Many of us had withdrawal symptoms when …

End of the Road

Among a close set of my friends, the term "end of the road" had a distinctive meaning. "I've hit the end of the road!" meant you were leaving our close little circle of travelers. Most often, it meant you were putting your pack down in your girlfriend's apartment for connubial bliss. We'd sip a glass of …