Weekend reading.

1994. I was still photographer on a video doc on wolves in MN and spent a day with a wolf pack at the Wildife Science Center. On my return days later the alpha female came to greet me. She put a paw on each of my shoulders... and snorted into my face. I wondered later, Did I just get married?

"When the horizon's at the bottom, it's interesting. When the horizon's at the top, it's interesting. When the horizon's in the middle, it's boring as shit." — David Lynch in The Fabelmans.

Hoping yours is merry and bright.

Feast of the Seven Toppings. A merry merry to all.

Christmas wish, granted: Ready the pizza!

"And the strange trees seemed endowed with a human vitality, and waving to and fro their skeleton arms..."

Just watched the 100 Years of the New Yorker doc on Netflix. More than nostalgia and sausage-making. A refreshment, a jump start to the creative spirit, and a passionate tribute to doing the hard work.

Mary Berry is more than a baker who frowns at soggy bottoms. She’s a cook, too. Tonight I made her sausage and pepperpot stew, a welcome supper this last night of autumn.

Men of good cheer. Cue "Charlie Freak" or, perhaps, "The Gift."

Thanking my friend Alton Brown for the surprise cup of cheer. He had me at "...a dash of old library book."

A tad breezy today on Long Island Sound.

An early Christmas present to myself. Just finished the first draft of my latest spy thriller. But, as Chicago sang it, "Only the beginning."

An early Christmas present to myself. Just finished the first draft of my latest spy thriller. But, as Chicago sang it, "Only the beginning." (Yellow Sailor 1911 w Levenger Skies of Blue on Leuchtturm A5)

Rob Reiner made my years at Castle Rock developing pilots blissful. In the writers' room the best jokes won, not just his. He went with me to a network to help sell one of my projects then mentored me so I could direct it. Rob was supportive, candid, sage, and kind. And, boy, did we laugh. RIP, sir

But the choir is so delightful. (audio up)

Wake up, snowman.

The DVD that never gets old. 100 percent in style.

Ready the snow shovels. You can smell it coming.

You know it's going to be a great day when you go in the room to write and Rhapsody in Blue is just starting.

Congratulations to Denise Mina, whose novel was chosen by the New York Times as one of the best thrillers of 2025. Because it is.

Once, in Paris I crossed paths in my hotel lobby with today's birthday celebrant. We each paused to let the other pass. A stalemate of politeness ensued. "After you," he said. "No, after you." "No, after you." Finally I said, "I insist, Mr. Malkovich." He laughed and strolled out into his life.

Morning, yawl.

Weekend reading.

Frank Gehry surprised me. More than his architectural ribbon eye candy, at LA's Disney Concert Hall for a Beethoven recital by András Schiff I was blown away by the acoustics. Two geniuses filled that space with the music of the third one.

Happy 89th to James Lee Burke. One of the authors whose work inspired me to become one.

The definition of bundling.

They call it the Cold Moon. Duh. It’s 13 degrees in Vermont. Low tonight: minus 5

So much for autumn leaves. Vermont has transitioned to snow.

On his birthday, toasting 76 years of abidance.

Cold weather cuisine. Tonight I made a quiche using Craig Claiborne's NYT recipe and a panzanella salad. The quiche browned beautifully and, man, was it hearty and tasty.

Is it really pumpkin cheesecake if it hasn’t been brûléed? I’m not taking any chances.

Social media: Where else can you see friends and colleagues post intelligent, sensitive, and moving words followed in the next scroll with "Your pet's face printed on pajamas?"

As an aid to digestion, a soupçon of Steely Dan.

Nature’s ever-changing graces.

Watched the John Candy doc last night. Never met him, but to my friends who knew and worked with Johnny Toronto, I am supremely jealous.

Made some new friends today. Not sure it'll be a long-term relationship.

After the rain, I saw a puddle and thought, "This could use some spoons."

Weekend reading.

TBT: Two years ago this week. The Five Amigos at the University of North Florida Writers' Symposium. Matt Goldman, Michael Wiley, moi, Reed Farrel Coleman, Charles Salzberg.

Last night I watched the pilot of the 60s series Danger Man starring Patrick McGoohan, this scenery looked familiar, and I thought, “Could it be?” Yes! The end credits said the location was Portmeirion (aka “The Village” in McGoohan's masterpiece The Prisoner).

Weekend reading.

What a terrific day at the Imanoli Creative Writers Conference, held at the stellar Chickasaw Cultural Center. Thank you to everyone who came, and thank you to The Chickasaw Nation!

Weekend reading.

Next! Nothing like cracking open a new Leuchtturm A5. Gonna party like it's 1917.

Channel surfing tonight came upon a gem on an old Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Gena Rowlands and Hugh O'Brien in "Ride the Nightmare. Written by Richard Matheson, based on his novel.

On a cold night in New England, what's better than the simple comfort of homemade chicken soup? My variation on the Brooklyn Diner recipe. Orzo subbed for angel hair.