admin, Author at Mike Hays Books

Normal?

‘What is normal? Normal is yesterday and last week and last month taken together.’ – Lord Vetinari from Snuff by Terry Pratchett Since the COVID pandemic hit in early 2020, people have lamented the desire to return to “normal”. Normal. What is it? How do we define it? Is “normal” even a real thing? We… Continue reading Normal?

Valentine Lament

In one of my daughters’ classrooms this week, she overheard a group of boys talking. One boy said, “I actually really don’t like Valentine’s Day. Like, at all.” My first response was, “YES! Fight the power, boys!” My next response was that someone should tell those boys, or everyone for that matter, that it’s okay… Continue reading Valentine Lament

A Words Look: Cole Younger

Cole Younger has fascinated me for nearly 25 years. In fact, in my first book, The Younger Days, he plays a prominent role in my fictitious historical world in post-Civil War Missouri. He was smart, brash, tactical, a tremendous leader, and loyal as hell. He would often say his goal in life as a young… Continue reading A Words Look: Cole Younger

A Words Look: Texas In My Rear View Mirror by Mac Davis

I hadn’t heard this song for years but the line, “And when I die you can bury me in Lubbock Texas in my jeans”, popped into my head the other day for no particular reason. The mind is a weird thing—an amalgamation of stored experiences, thoughts, and dreams. I was thinking about home and found… Continue reading A Words Look: Texas In My Rear View Mirror by Mac Davis

Wildlife Ranger Action Guide by Mary Kay Carson

As adults, we often look at children’s books through the lens of our adulthood. We also, however, can look at these same children’s books with child-like eyes. The best books for me are the ones that flick the switch of curious excitement in my brain. As a scientist and a writer, I’m blessed (cursed?) with… Continue reading Wildlife Ranger Action Guide by Mary Kay Carson

A Words Look: As If to Demonstrate an Eclipse

As far as poems go, this poem sits in the center of my sweet spot. Not too long, plain language, science or sport themed…perfect. I read this Billy Collins poem, As If to Demonstrate an Eclipse, a few years ago and loved it. It is a perfect poem for the Thanksgiving holiday. In the Brain… Continue reading A Words Look: As If to Demonstrate an Eclipse

A Words Look: Highway Song by Blackfoot

This great Blackfoot song wormed its way into my head three weeks ago and won’t go away. It’s a great song from the height of the Southern rock movement in the late 1970s. “Highway Song” belongs to the canon of great rock songs, like Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty”, Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page”, or… Continue reading A Words Look: Highway Song by Blackfoot

Shut Up & Dribble?

‘Shut up and dribble.’ Damn, I hate this so much. When I hear a politician, a businessman, an administrator, or a franchise owner use this phrase, they immediately get kicked off my team. I will never vote for, or support, someone who believes that the athlete’s worth is only measured on a single layer without… Continue reading Shut Up & Dribble?

Chains of Leadership – @FHWP – 042120 In

The Flint Hills Writing Project (@FHWP) at Emporia State University (Go Hornets! #StingersUp) started a Writing Into the Day/Writing Out of the Day writing prompt series during this period of social distancing. This is a great idea from a great group of writers and writing enthusiasts. I’m going to try and keep up as I… Continue reading Chains of Leadership – @FHWP – 042120 In