OK, so I get tears in my eyes; I'm still Macho!

I had a hard time placing "Polka Dots and Sunshine Teardrops" I think because editors were leery of vernacular dialect and a stoic male writer unleashing his muse.

Likewise, I wrote "The Firelight Honor" which was then rejected by scouting publications as well as military auxillary magazines. I think mostly because I stepped on some toes by describing how a volunteer developed a very short yet extremely moving ceremony for flag disposal. (Yes, folks, you CAN burn the flag! And there is a time as I learned in True Red White and Blue.)

Oh well, at least the Heartland saw the beauty in my articles.

Prepared for a lump in the throat?

Read and enjoy "Firelight,"

then get a hanky before you click on "Polka Dots."