Smell the sea and feel the sky, let your soul and spirits fly! ~Van Morrison     My wife Ann and I have been on two cruises. Our first cruise, shortly after we married, was on a ship called the Tropicale of the Carnival Cruise line. The eight day cruise departed out of Los […]

            Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. ~Voltaire       Recently I came upon a Facebook page for The Palomino; a night club that was located in North Hollywood, California. I was sad to hear that The Palomino […]

  When you’re in jail, a good friend will be trying to bail you out. A real good friend will be in the cell next to you saying, ‘Damn, that was fun.’” —Groucho Marx                                               ***     On one breezy day back in the seventies, my late friend Jim and I were out driving […]

  Sometimes good material just presents itself. ~Joe         I’ve met my share of celebrities over the years. Living in Southern California for a time, as well as a life of travel seems to have brought me my share of opportunities in rubbing up against some of the rich and famous.   […]

I have received many kind letters, notes, and emails regarding “The Kansas NCO”. This is one that is very special to me.   Dear Joe I’m writing to tell you I very much liked your book The Kansas NCO. Right off the bat I got into the flow of it. I appreciate your racial inclusiveness. […]

  My best friend of almost sixty years, Jim Booth, passed away this year. His passing was sudden and unexpected. James Melvin Booth used to call me on the phone every morning, come rain or shine. He would call when he was on vacation and he would call when I was on vacation. He would […]