I'm happy to say that this time next week, we will be in Astrakhan, Russia! We leave the States on Friday, September 28 and arrive in Moscow on the 29th. Depending upon the schedule of the flights to Astrakhan, we may have to stay in Mosco ... read more
OK, now we're home! I'll try and do a trip summary tomorrow after a good night's sleep ... in my own bed. Tara says she feels like Dorothy, There's no place like home! ... read more
It was horrible! I was at Walmart again, but that's not the worst part. There was a teenage/early-20's girl with boobs out to here, wearing the most form-fitting outfit you ever saw. I tried to ignore her because she RE ... read more
United Airlines says Thank you, American Airlines. Now everyone knows we're not the ONLY a--holes! Yes, the woman was apparently belliger ... read more
Aren't you glad we don't have any of those annoying pop-up ads asking you to join our newsletter? Ironic, isn't it, given that we are an online newsletter?Please support this website, should you be so inclined: buy one of ... read more
Spice-lovers can celebrate! Early results from a study show some promising developments for people that enjoy eating hot and spicy chili peppers. A fairly recent study conducted by the American... Initial Research Finds That Eating Chili P ... read more
Long before winning the lottery and running for president, Benny was living in L.A. working as a word processing temp. He thought his latest assignment was just another gig, never anticipating Venelia and the Dynamos. The what?
first few lines
Benny was on the elevator of a building he'd never been in before. It was climbing fast. Too fast. "It didn't stop on those floors," he said, looking at the still-lit numbers as it sped upward.
When no one replied, he looked to see if anyone heard him. Apparently not.
To his right stood an attractive blonde woman, thirtyish, in a blue blazer, matching skirt and white silk blouse. Seeing the crazed look in his eyes, she turned away and clutched her purse with both hands.
No, not how to write a mantra. I mean here are a couple of mantras to keep in mind:1) Most stories are about having something, losing it, and finding it again2) Just explain (clearly and concisely) WHAT HAPPENED, and keep it RELATABLE and ... read more
Is there a single, decent series available online that isn't depraved you know, doesn't involve zombies or some sort of depressing, apocalyptic, loser view of the world? Just wondering. Thanks. UPDATE: ... and three years later, we have a ... read more
If you've ever felt the need to do it yourself when it came to one of your crafty/artsy ideas, you might try CafePress and make something exactly as you want it. Yes, we'll get a small commi ... read more
Clay and his adopted daughter, Jenna, look forward to their upcoming homeland tour to Russia. His intentions are pure. Hers, not so much. When she goes missing, his worst fears are realized. She is not the innocent little girl he thou ... read more
covid-19 was a pandemic of cowardice, a pandemic of hypocrisy, a pandemic of ignorance and decadence, a pandemic of collaboration, a pandemic of horrific betrayal in a nutshell, covid-19 was a pandemic of evil that makes the blood run cold. ... read more
We made it to Astrakhan, but I've lost my immigration form that goes with the passport and visa. It's just a little sheet that they have you fill out on the airplane before you land. If I'd known it was so important, I would have stapled ... read more
We just got back from today's first visit with the child (we're not supposed to mention her name online). We'll be going back this afternoon. In the meantime, Tara's trying to catch up on her sleep. She had woken up around 5 this morning ... read more
I slept on the floor most of last night. It's a little after 7 a. m. here. Elizabeth refuses to sleep in her crib, even though we're told that's what she slept in at the orphanage. So, she sleeps with us in our bed. That bed is barely ... read more
Just now I perused some of the family newsletters Bill wrote about 35 years ago. So funny!! They are a real family treasure now. Of course, these were all kept in a folder by Dad. Included there was something I remem ... read more
There's something on the kitchen counter. I'm thinking it's a shriveled, rotting potato. Not that we usually have that sort of thing on the counter, but that's what I'm thinking. I point at it and ask my wife, What is that?Elizabeth's ... read more
Read, listen or watch the rest here: tornado video (156mb). It was taken March 11, the week after the tornado, on Eastgate Blvd. in Mt. Juliet where they have that big auto auction site you can see from I-40. ... read more
from Lori's emailHello Everyone!!! I am so excited to tell everyone the great news!!! We did it! Cure JM was number 1 at midnight last night! Because of all of our wonderful friends and family we were able to wi ... read more
Jump straight to the video, here, if you want. I was in Bratislava, Slovakia for Doug and Jana's wedding, but this doesn't include the wedding itself. That was filmed by a professional. This video is s ... read more
Legally, they apply ONLY to that executive's employees and any property under their legally-limited purview. Here's an open letter to all airlines... I thought I would educate you on the federal law you cite as justification for your ma ... read more
The Holmes Family Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 7, October 5, 1989Let's face it, these things are going to just keep coming. Steve arrested Steve received his first-ever speeding ticket recently. Of course, this is the first car he's ever had ... read more
Once in a Blue MoonVol. 8 No. 1, February 1997A lot has happened since our last newsletter, so let's just jump right in with the news... Mike and Evelyn get married Almost two years ago now (June 21, 1995, actually), Mike married his l ... read more
Old stuff, but some of it's still funny ... It's basically the precursor to this website. Click the links in the table of contents, above. Otherwise, just do a search in the home page's search b ... read more
Hoot and a HollerVol. 5, No. 6, September 28, 1993 -- Nashville editionJournalism at its finest! -- Yearly subscription rate: $135 Brouns family buys propertyLATHROP, CA -- John, Jeannie, their kids, Tiffany and Thomas, John's sister and ... read more
the rabblerouser Vol. 5, No. 5, August 8, 1993Bill moving to NashvilleBill is moving to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue his boyhood dream of being a country singing star! Oh wait, that's Do ... read more