To order “Evan & Elle” or any of my books, the best way is to visit www.chrisrodell.com or send me an e-mail to storyteller@chrisrodell.com
“It was 5 years ago this week my mother passed away. Here’s what reader Dave S. said about the subsequent post: “Possibly the best thoughts on a particular type of loss I’ve ever read. A little more than a month later, we lost our mother under similar circumstances. Thank you, Chris Rodell, for putting into words what I cannot. The piece still touches me deeply.”
The post: “RIP Mom: Why feeling sad is so elusive”
I need to be more robust about getting the book reviewed by, you, my core readers. Here’s the review of the week — and it is, ahem, the week’s only review:
"This book is the most irreverent, satirical tale I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It certainly shakes my foundation of long-held concepts of what I expect Heaven and Hell to be like. A truly entertaining read that gives relief, if only temporary, from the current world. Enjoy."
Book is for sale on amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and locally Second Chapter Books (Ligonier), Youngstown Grille, Pat's Hair & Nail Place, Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce, Eclectique, 512 Coffee & Ice Cream; in Greensburg at DV8 Espresso & Gallery. Lastly, I’m rarely more than 20 feet from a copy just in case.
Randoms …
• Call me paranoid, but I'm psuspicious any time a pso-called pspokesperson pstoops to including psilent letters in their name. It just pseems psneaky. pSo what else are you trying to hide, Jen Psaki?
• I never really thought about being a podiatrist, but I once repaired an Apple music device. I guess that makes me an iPodiatrist.
• I’d like to see a sensational trial where a Samsonite exec is accused of killing her boyfriend, a VP at Away luggage, just to hear crime pundits say, "There's still a lot to unpack, but I think we're looking at a real open 'n' shut case here.”
• Someone will one day identify an exclusively male condition in which men convince themselves they alone possess the virility and sex appeal to, if needed, re-populate the entire planet. These men are “egoTESTicle."
• It was a long time ago, but I still recall being a promising young writer and hearing a wise mentor say, "Kid, you're really going to go places." Some 30 years later, the only place I ever go is The Tin Lizzy. I wonder if that's what he meant. It is quite a place.
• If the love of money is truly the root of all evil then I must be one of the world's most virtuous men. Money and me, we're barely on speaking terms.
• I guess it's because the name seems both generic yet familiar, but Rolls-Royce was founded by Henry Royce & Charles Rolls. Who knew? It's like learning my favorite music genre was founded by William Rock & Todd Roll.
• Many of us try & include some exercise to keep firm & appealing. But as we age, gravity & disposition lead to key muscles we rely on to be appealing to atrophy. Abs? Butt? No ... face! Try smiling without provocation. It's not easy. There oughtta be an exercise. Now, gimme 10!
• I advise everyone to dream big. Outlandish, colossal, preposterous big. Not because big dreams will all come true. Dream big because with big dreams even the falls are more fun.
• Admitting to someone you spent the day writing is akin to admitting you spent the day masturbating: Saying so feels dirty, the results may be messy and when it's all said & done the pleasure may be a solitary affair.
• We live in an era where many men and women boast they say what they think. They fail to realize the real virtue is to think what they say.
• Today I'd like to complain about the misuse of the term "movie star." With all due respect to guys like Brad, Leo & Johnny Depp, they do not star in movies. They appear in them. Now, Burt Reynolds. There's a man who starred in movies.
• This will betray my warped priorities, but if my house is ever in an earthquake how long will it be before I can safely open a beer?
• It wasn't done by design but my go-to bourbon has become the one that best describes me. I'm not a Jack or a Daniel, a Jim or a Beam. What am I? I'm a turkey who on occasion still gets a little wild. #WildTurkey
• Do you think cavemen and women were emotionally developed enough to mourn the passing of a mate or they just fired up the grill, sprinkled on some seasonings and started inviting cave neighbors to the picnic.
• With so many superhero movies based on the mingling of DNA, I'm surprised they've yet to sketch an insect hybrid adept at calming Opie's fears, winning the Mayberry bake-off and putting the sting on Moonshiners. All hail Ant Bee!
Thanks to those of you who recently showed your support for by sending cash or the equivalent to me at PayPal, Venmo, 874 Solomon Temple Rd., Latrobe, Pa, 15650).
All Chris’s books can be purchased through www.ChrisRodell.com