Here, I like to share some personal history, reflections on life, and my thoughts on the nature of consciousness and the philosophy that drives my fiction.
The Day I Played Hooky with a 1.2-Million-Pound Giant
I’ve been writing the three-book Kiara Series since last August (2025), but a few weeks ago, I decided to play hooky and take an afternoon off. What pulled me away? Per a Union Pacific press release: “The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 is embarking on a historic coast-to-coast tour to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. The locomotive departed Cheyenne, WY, on May 25, 2026, for its eastern leg, featuring major public displays, whistle-stops, and special July 4th celebrations in the Northeast.” The locomotive was going to pass nearby, presenting a great opportunity to see it in person. Stretching 133 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, No. 4014 was built in 1941 and was restored by the Union Pacific Steam Team. It is the only operational Big Boy remaining, and it represents the absolute end of an era. Memories of the Vista Dome Era I find myself deeply drawn to the 20th-century railroad, as I have wonderful memories of traveling by rail during childhood. My aunt lived in Denver, Colorado, during the 1960s, and my grandmother and I would travel by rail from Illinois to visit her.
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