I really did have a great time in America. I spent quality time with all four of my children,

Progress that I had hoped to make seems to be elusive. I had planned to release Escape from the Inferno in January.

It all began with the words of my now ex-wife. "You need something to do so get off your dead ass and write, it's what you do best." That one sentence spoken in contempt and received with disinterest initiated the process which became one of the most enjoyable experiences in years.

It has often been said that bartenders are the greatest psychologists. The mixers of drinks, pourers of wine and beer and polishers of glasses listen to citizens around the world as those human subjects celebrate in their conquests or slide further into depression at their failures.

When I first visited Marseillan, I was convinced it would be the only time that I stepped foot in the village. Its location was a negative, too far from the area in which I had anticipated relocating

There are times when as a parent and a teacher and a coach it is difficult to know with whom you spend more time, your child or those of countless others in the community.

When I was old enough to know better-rapidly closing in on 40-I approached life with a degree of carelessness that in retrospect I am not terribly proud of.

History can relate many stories of being exiled for heinous acts, mostly heinous only through the eyes of those in power. Dante Alighieri could never return to Florence, Italy because of perceived political wrongs in the struggle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines.

Each year as I arrive in the US for three weeks reuniting with the kids I dread the adjustments which are required. The six hour difference takes a mild reset of nature’s clock. Monetary differences need rethinking as does tipping and taxes on damn near everything.