Swords Against Boredom

Happy Vampire Day.

No, I’m not referring to Halloween — although vampires are one of my favorite things about Halloween.

Monday was my Vampire Day, the day every six months upon which I wake up way too early to have my blood drawn by a phlebotomist. They measure my blood glucose level from the previous three months, then in a couple of weeks I’ll see my doctor and he’ll tell me how I’m doing against my Type 2 diabetes.

Vampire Day itself isn’t so bad. It’s Vampire Day Eve I detest. Read more »

I just had to share a story that points out what a wonderful woman I married.

Our daughter Libby, 5, is a huge fan of “My Little Pony” movies and toys. She has a huge tub full of the little plastic darlings, knows their names and jumps for joy whenever a new pony DVD falls into her hands. So what did she want to dress up as for trick-or-treat?

Yep. A “My Little Pony.” Read more »

Way back in May, I posted about my intention to do some Zen meditation regularly.

Well, I’ve been meditating nightly ever since then. I think it’s doing me some good, overall, and I’m going to keep at it. But recent meditations have been more difficult, rather than easier.

The problem?

It’s called “monkey mind.” It sort of hops and jumps around where it will. And it’s been hopping around in my head a lot lately when I’m trying to do zazen (that’s the formal name of the type of meditation I do). Read more »

This blog, started in May 2006, generated its 1,000th comment today.

Thanks, all, for the good conversations.

– Steve

Flashing Swords has an e-anthology offer, and I’m in it …

Support free S&S fantasy fiction online at SwordandSorcery.org. Read more »

Howard Von Darkmoor offers new reviews of a couple of Carnifex Press products, Clash of Steel 3: Demon and Freehold: Southern Storm.

I’m not reviewing them as I have stories in both, but curious readers can go see what Von Darkmoor thinks of them.

– Steve

P.S. — And Howard, if you are reading this: I hope it wasn’t my story that dissappointed in “Clash.” But if it was, feel free to let me know what you didn’t like. I don’t mind constructive criticism, and I know you read a lot of stuff and have an opinion worth airing.

– S

For my Halloween reading this year, I selected Bram Stoker’s wonderful “Dracula.” Read more »