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Chapter 2 of The Silence of Sorrowful Hours is here. If you haven't read Chapter 1, you can read it here. I hope you'll enjoy it and offer feedback. Below is the first paragraph of the manuscript.
In September, the wilting heat was more oppressive and the sound of sluggish flies bzzzz-ing in ever-widening circles was more monotonous. The smells of ripe apples, horse droppings, and lime from the garbage dump were dragged on the wind. But in September, as well, a soft morning breeze could carry the scent of wheat chaff as it floated across her face. All of it conspired to remind her of years of Septembers. Osborne had gone to war in September. Angelise pushed up the loose strands of damp hair that had fallen out of the combs holding her hair in place.
Story published! in the San Francisco Chronicle. A short story about my old dog Max was published in the Chron on November 11, 2009. You can read it here or at SFGate.com. The photo below, taken in 1982, is of one of my sons and Max.

New Essay: A letter to my grandchildren upon the election of Barack Obama is now available on the e-publications page.
1st Prize: I Know You by Heart won First Prize in the Novel Contest at the East of Eden Writers' Conference on September 5, 2008. To read the winning submission, click here. To see the award listing on the California Writers' Club site, click here.