Pass Christian, Mississippi, where my mom was born and raised. Neither of us had been back for 33 years. This town, along Highway 90 on the Gulf of Mexico, was destroyed 15 months later by Hurricane Katrina.My mother's childhood home at 110 W. Beach Drive in Pass Christian, Mississippi. This thing is a fortress. It sits right behind Highway 90, opposite the Pass Christian Yacht Club. It survived hurricane Camille in 1969 and still stands after Katrina, while all the surrounding buildings are gone.My mom and me in Long Beach, Mississippi, just down the road from her hometown of Pass Christian. This was May 2004, 15 months before Katrina. (this motel is no longer standing.)An Aunt and Uncle, Helen and Nelson, whom I'd not seen in 33 years. I took this at their house on 2nd St., Pass Christian, Mississippi, two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico. 15 months later, Helen and Nelson were dead, their bodies discovered three months after the hurricane in a woods behind their house.My mom and me at her mother's grave, Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans. My mom had not been back here since the funeral service in 1954.Writing in my log on the beach, Long Beach, Mississippi, May, 2004: 15 months before Katrina.Martin Zender and Mark Twain. Alone with one of my favorite authors; Elmira, New York; November, 2004.Mark Twain's study, moved to Elmira College in Elmira, NY. He wrote part of Huckleberry Finn here. I honestly believe that if Mark Twain were alive today, he would love my books. The man hated religious hypocrisy and could not put his faith in the unjust Christian God. Would that someone had introduced him to the true God.Friends Anna Hanson (left) and Heidi Reimer visit my office on their way to the Willard, Ohio conference. Heidi, now of New York City, is a short-story writer and edits all my books. Anna is also a writer, and lives in Cincinnati.The Vlad family of Romania visit us, summer, 2005. From left: me, Melody, Danny, Nikola, Ramona. Danny teaches a Scripture class and Ramona is a singer. Little Nikola is Romania's version of Shirley Temple, times2.Oops, more people. Arty (left) with Star Wars the cat, me, Melody, Jean Douglas of Atlanta (hey, what's happening there between Jean and my wife), Danny, Ramona, and Shirley Temple Times 2.Danny Vlad of Romania picks me up like I am a sack of cranberries. Well, why shouldn't he? He was once the Romanian national wrestling champion. No kidding. He went to the Olympics, though I can't remember which one. His event: Evangelist Toss. (I am kidding about that.)This is Woody Allen - one of the best cats we've ever had - taking a nap. Unfortunately, he's dead now. Man, did I ever mourn for that cat. I still miss him. I'll see him again at the resurrection, along with about thirty-five other cats and dogs.I took his picture of my son Arty in Hudson, NY. Arty, a movie buff and budding director, told me one day, "Spielberg and Cruise are shooting on location for War of The Worlds, and it's not too far from here." His idea of "not too far" was a nine hour drive to Hudson, NY. His birthday was coming up, so I said, what the heck. Do you remember the ferry boat scene? This is where it was shot. That's the ferry boat in the background. Later that night, we came within eight feet of Tom Cruise as he was chauffered through a back street to this Hudson River set.
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Danny Vlad of Romania picks me up like I am a sack of cranberries. Well, why shouldn't he? He was once the Romanian national wrestling champion. No kidding. He went to the Olympics, though I can't remember which one. His event: Evangelist Toss. (I am kidding about that.)