Category Archives: The Troubles

When my parents told me I’d be going to boarding school, I felt excited. I loved Alaska, for sure; the fun and friends and coming home everyday after school. But going to Ireland offered a whole new world of exciting … Continue reading →

The Mystery of the Witch’s Broomstick (October 1975) One dark and scary night, in the tomb of the Ghastly Goblin, a party was going on. Everybody was invited, except the old witch who lived in Franklin’s castle, which had, on … Continue reading →

Boarding school offered me few pleasures, and what there were I usually had to create on my own; except maybe fishing, especially at Portora. I enjoyed fishing, and Lough Erne was said to offer some of the best in the … Continue reading →

For some reason the feed seems to be clogged. This is just a test.

For some the image of Saudi Arabia may be one of foreboding, where Western culture clashes with strict Islamic law, and to some degree that is true. And yet despite the rules and regulations there was life there. As Roger was so fond of … Continue reading →

Q: What is Over the Hills and Far Away about? A: It’s a memoir of how I got caught in the current of my parents’ desperate attempt to save my brother from himself, how I dealt with the circumstances I … Continue reading →

In 2008 I got back into writing after a decade-long hiatus, and the buzz I felt with my first new short story filled me with a tremendous amount of hope not because the story was particularly good or worthy of … Continue reading →

(from the Portora magazine 1979) In October, 1978, the school got a new colour television and so the pupils were for the first time able to choose their viewing carefully, where formerly the only set available picked up BBC 1 … Continue reading →

After discovering a postcard placing me in Ireland in early August 1976, I thought I’d share a letter I wrote in November 1976. November 14, 1976 Dear Dad, How are you? I’m glad we’re coming back at Christmas. How’s the … Continue reading →

Those who help others help themselves are angels. Those who merely tell others to help themselves are assholes. Yes, life really is that simple.