Scribblings From the Desert

I am a published author and produced screenwriter living in Rancho Mirage, California with my wife, Beth, and two dogs, Crystal and Misty. I have spent most of my life in and around the Hollywood Motion Picture Business.

Name:
Location: Rancho Mirage, California, United States

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Blue Bloods

RAIN TODAY
Before daylight there was a very large crack of thunder followed by half-an-hour of heavy rain. Misty was scared out of her wits. Crystal is deaf - no problem with her anymore. By time we go to meeting, rain had let up. Stop for gas at Nader's on way home from meeting. Once home, I check e-mail and news sites with girls and cookies. Work at computer for awhile. Talk to Jimmy George for a half-hour. Make some lunch then into living room. Watch recorded segment of Lawman; followed by premier episode of Tom Selleck's new series, Blue Bloods. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail. Feed girls. Open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. Sweep inside tiles. Work in office until Beth gets home. She prepares dinner and we eat. After, to office and joined later by Beth. Later ~

Wednesday, September 29, 2010


Home after meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls and chips. Talk to Beth. To Skin doctor - Dr. Poroska - and have something removed from my forehead. By Beth''s place of employment and pick her up and take her to airport to pick up GEO. Follow her back then turn and go home. Make lunch and watch an episode of Lawman I recorded this morning. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open one piece of mail for Beth. Into office and work on Whiskey Tears dialogue. Beth home. Hep her inside with her stuff. We talk at table. I fix small salads and we eat. She off to H&I Meeting. I watch Have Gun Will Travel and part of some other show. Beth back by 7:00. We watch recording of last night's NCIS. Later ~

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Michael Pitt and Steve Buscemi of Boardwalk Empire

Stop to talk to Nader on way home from meeting. When I get home I check e-mail and news sites with girls, chips and dip. Listen to Rush for awhile while editing Whiskey Tears dialogue. Into living room. Watch recording of Lawman from this morning. Fix some lunch and watch recording of last Sunday's Boardwalk Empire. Into office; then down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. Sweep inside tiles. Beth home. We talk and eat. Then we watch last night's recording of Hawaii 5-0. Later ~

Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday, Sept. 27, 2010

Nudie's Caddy, from the Roy Rogers collection

Stage #3 - Studio Center (where the Gunsmoke Street was)

Alarm at Beth's place of employment goes off so she leaves meting early. Grocery shopping for me after meeting. Home and put it all away. Check e-mail and news sites with girls and cookies. Talk to Beth. Talk with Jimmy George awhile. Make a sandwich. Move into living room to watch recording of Lawman. Down for nap with girls. Up thinking it was time but find I'm an hour early so back to napping. Up and check e-mail. Bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Into office and work awhile. Beth home and we talk then eat. She works in office until time for DWTS. Later ~

Sunday, September 26, 2010

My High School today (it sure has seen better days)

The Lodges and the Fenadys (stock shot)

I up 5:30 - shave, shower and get dressed. Beth up and she get ready. Down to Daily Grill for breakfast. Check out and drive to Reseda to show Beth my High School. Then we over the hill to Hollywood and drive down Hollywood Blvd. and see the changes. Down to Sunset then by Columbia Pictures old studio where I worked; past old Desilu and Paramount. Finally to the Fenady's home. She shows us the house; finally into den to talk with Andy and Mary Francis. They take us to Wilshire CC for lunch (very nice). Back to their place then drive home. Hit the house at 3:30. Unload stuff and put cars in garage. Battery on scooter is out. In and put stuff away. Check our e-mail. Download pictures and put some up on Blog. Catch up on blog. Beth in and we both work in office. Finally we get ready for bed. Later ~

September 25, 2010


Beth and Cortney Joyner

Autograph Room

With my old friend Marshall Olyphant at RHS 50th Reunion

RHS 5oth Reunion Banquet Room

ATTEND REPUBLIC PICTURES 75th ANNI & MY 50th HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
We to pre-meeting then leave by 7:00. Home and finish packing and loading for trip to Los Angeles. Leave and get to Studio Center at 10:20 am. Park in parking structure. Stand in line for 35-minutes then they let us in. Stage #3, is right next to the parking structure. Found Courtney Joiner set up between two tented structures - No cover for Court. I sit with him for awhile and actually sell the first book - And Action! Beth and I continue on passing other vendors tents. Finally find a new cafe (studio commissary)that wasn't there when I was. Have some lunch sitting outside in the heat (103 -degrees). Then we into a cool room where they're having the panels. Finally find Cindy Mitchum and say hi. We leave at 1:00 and head for Burbank. Check in to the Marriott across from airport. To room and cool off. Eventually we down to convention center where we stand in line for photos.Finally get our seat in banquet room and meet our table mates. See Alisa and Jay Goldsworthy. Marshall Olyphant finds me and we talk over old times and take photos - he is in contact with Ted Zaske so I gave him a card for Ted. Only saw one other girl I knew; plus I had a nice talk with my drama teacher, David Farley. Nice buffet dinner and some entertainment. Up to room and get ready for bed. Later ~

Friday, September 24, 2010

Watched CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiere

Home from meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls and cookies. Call Beth. Meet her at car wash - she brought van. We talk on patio; then move to front bench. She done first and she's off; I next and home. Work at computer for awhile then into kitchen and make sandwich. Eat while watching recording of Lawman. After that, watch the conclusion of yesterday's Buster Crabbe and Fuzzy St. John western. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. Sweep tiles inside. Work at computer. Turn on O'Reilly. Beth home; help her in with things. We talk at table. I fix dinner and we eat. Watch primere of CSI: Vegas. Later ~

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Buster and Fuzzy

Stop at Nader's to gas up after meeting - talk to Nader. Home and check e-mail with girls at my feet. Take girls to groomer and drop them off. Home - change sheets as Crystal did her thing on the first sheet. Throw away first sheet. call Beth for location of new sheet. In to computer and work for awhile.Beth calls. Into make sandwich for early lunch. Eat while viewing a recorded episode of Lawman. Start to watch a Billy Carson PRC western with Al (Fuzzy) St. John. Groomer calls so I down to pick up girls. Into computer then down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. Into office and do letter for Beth. She home and we talk. Make some dinner and we eat. Both into office. I get ready and she works. I to bed while she showers. Later ~

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Steve Buscemi of Boardwalk Empire

Leave meeting early to make blood draw at 7:45. Pick up burrito at Goodies and bring it home. Watch end of Virginian episode while eating half the (big) burrito. Into office and check e-mail and news sites. Girls with me and have bits of cookies. Turn on Rush and listen while I continue surfing web. No lunch. Watchthe end of The Virginian I recorded a few days ago. Then watch recording of HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. Sweep tile floors. Work at computer. Open iron pills for Beth. Watch some news. Beth calls. I start salads; marinate steak. Watch some O'Reilly. Beth home. We talk for a minute. Finish cooking dinner and we eat. After we watch premiere of NCIC with Ralph guest starring. Into office to prepare for tomorrow. Later ~

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Main cast of the new Hawaii 5-0
Putz around Hall after meeting; then drive a few circles killing time so I can hit my 8:30 am haircut appointment with Sherry. Home after that and check e-mail and news sites with girls and chips. Work a little at computer then it's off to the Morrie lunch group at Desert Willow. Make some new friends; plus I actually had something to contribute. Home at 2:00. Feed girls and open mail for Beth. Down for nap with girls and up at 4:30. Clean up side yard. Talk to Beth and she'll be a little late. Hildagarde is in hospital and she's going by to see her. I start dinner. She home and we eat. After, we watch recording of last night's preimere of the new Hawaii 5-0. Both to office. Later !

Monday, September 20, 2010


Home after meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls and cookies - Crystal no eat her gluclosamine. Check on a dew web sites I like. Talk to Beth. Work at something I can't remember what it was. Jimmy George calls and we talk about an hour. Into living room and turn on TV. Make a 1/2 a sandwich with potato chips on side for lunch. Watch Lawman episode while eating. Then watch conclusion of The Lawless Breed, with Rock Hudson and Julie Adams. Down for nap with girls. Up by 2:30. Bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Read some of the new True West magazine. Beth calls and asks me to get some salmon out of freezer. Finish reading and to office - write here. Clean side yard; sweep tiles inside. Putz around - Beth finally home. We talk at table; then she cooks dinner. We eat and dessert. Into office and work, She shower. DWTS premiere. Later ~

Sunday, September 19, 2010

John Mitchum

Sleep in day. Beth up early and off to Hall (no Brenda). I up 5:30. Shower, dress, breakfast, and trim beard. Beth home and dives right into doing something. I work in office. She does my pills. I help her close boxes and put away. We off to Sam's so she can shop and I can get new updated card. Lunch at Yellow Basket. Home and have ice cream for dessert. She dives into paper while I down for my nap with girls. Up in an hour. Feed girls. Talk with her at table. I read comics. Into office. Receive an e-mail from Cindy Mitchum inviting me to the Republic deal next week. Beth and I discuss the possibilities and agree we can go early then to Burbank for my high school 50th reunion. Trade e-mails with Cindy back and forth. Write here. Beth is cooking dinner. We eat and talk. Dessert. Both into office until: Later ~

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Huell Howser

Stop at Von's on way home from meeting to pick up potato chips and cookies. Home and check ed-mail and news sites with girls and cookies. Crystal eats her glucosmine. Answer a few e-mails. Order camera case from Amazon.com. Talk Beth a few times. Watch episode of Lawman. Meet Beth at Elephant Bar in Palm Desert for lunch. Home after for cookie dessert and nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. Beth calls - meet her at airport where she drops Tracker for pilot. We have Jack-in-the-Box Oreo cookie shakes. By Edie's to pick up mail; then drop Beth at her place of employment. Home and check e-mail. Beth home and we talk at table. To office to watch Huell Howser. Write here then: Later ~

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Beth with one of her employers' Labs

Stop and talk to Nader at his station on way home. Home and check e-mail and news sites with girls and popcorn. 9:00 am call to Toby from North Carolina. He's a western fan. We talked about westerns for awhile. After the call, I drove to Best Buy and bought a camera case and memory chip for the new camera. On to Carl's Jr. to pick up a western bacon cheese burger - then home. Watch recording of Lawman while I eat. Start a Gene Autry but stop. Into office and read more about the new Kodak. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. Sweep tiles inside. To office and continue working with new camera. Beth home and we eat and talk. To office and both work. She started proofing Whiskey Tears today. Watch Huell Houser episode. Later ~

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Some of the Tarantulas from Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)

Home from meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls. Off to UPS store and send box of And Action! to Cortney Joyner so he can take them to Republic Pictures 75th Anniversary Weekend. Then it's to appointment with Dr. Karl Shultz - just a checkup. Then I'm outa' there. By Beth's place of employment where we listen to Rush and talk for awhile. On to golf club for Morrie's conservative lunch and discussion. Home by 2:15 - feed girls, open mail, call Beth, and down for nap. Up and work at computer. Brian Potter calls just to check in. Write here. Finish cleaning up before Beth gets home. Beth home and we talk shortly. Make an easy dinner. She runs to Hall. I to office. Trade e-mails with some fans. Beth back and we watch Huell Howser (on Tarantualas). Later ~

Monday, September 13, 2010

James Coburn

Home from meeting and check e-mail with girls and cookies. I set up and print my latest version of Whiskey Tears. Beth will now proof the manuscript for me. Work at computer until 10:30; then into TV. Fix a sandwich then eat while I watch Lawman episode with James Coburn and a recorded Huell Howser California Gold segment. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. To office and start this blog. Cortney Joyner calls re: Republic Pictures weekend. He wanted me to join him in buying a vendor's table. I can't go as it same weekend as High School Reunion; so I'm sending box of And Action he will sell from his table. Clean up side yard. Sweep tile inside house. Work at computer and Beth home. Help her bring her stuff inside. We talk at table for awhile; then she starts dinner. We eat and have dessert. Both into office where I turn on Huell Houser and we watch show on Pio Pico Ranch Park. Back into office and finish up here. Later ~

Sunday, September 12, 2010

With Beth and Brenda

Sleep-in day. Beth up early and off to Hall to meet Brenda. I up 5:30. Shower and dress - eat breakfast and trim beard. Beth calls to say Brenda is on way. Brenda here and before she can come in Beth shows up with van. Then both inside and they start filling out paperwork for Brenda. I to office and continue working on Whiskey Tears. They leave for shopping at Sam's for Hall. I watch a recorded Huell Houser about Mt. Wilson. Then I finish up this edit of my manuscript and save it on a memory stick. Into kitchen and talk with Brenda and Beth. Back into office and surf. Brenda leaves. I call Papa Dan's. Down to pick up pizza in 20-minutes. Home and we eat. She washes her hair. I work in office writing here. Both putz around either in office or kitchen. Later ~

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Ursula and Sean in Dr. No (1962)

Grocery shopping after leaving meeting five minutes early. See Theresa Grippi at market. I didn't leave early and can see I'm behind schedule and won't get to nail place by nine. Call Beth so she knows I'll be late. Home and put away cold stuff; then drive to nail place. I'm 15-minutes late. Get my pedicure while Beth gets same beside me. She gets nails done while I head home to put rest of groceries away. Work at computer. Beth home and into office. I fix sandwiches for lunch and we eat. I down for nap while she heads to Edie's to work. I up and Beth is back - she brought in mail and fed girls. She does my pill boxes while I in here to start blog for today. Watch Hannaty - 9/11 Special show. Start dinner and eat. Then we watch Dr. No - the first James Bond movie. Later ~

Friday, September 10, 2010

Watched another New PRC release today

Home after meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls. Brenda hot on my tail. She begins cleaning with the office. I wait. Make some popcorn and share with Brenda and girls while I work at computer. Work on Whiskey Tears for a few pages. Sort though old shows and boots - most going to mission. Into make lunch; then I watch Lawman episode and Return of the Lash, with Lash LaRue and Al "Fuzzy" St. John. Brenda leaves while I'm watching. Down for nap with girls. Up with a cramp then write here. Bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard; and put out recycle bin. Let the girls out back for a run. Then it's into office and work on book for awhile. Beth home and I help her in with stuff. We talk for awhile at table - then both make our own dinners. We eat and have dessert. Both to office. Watch Huell Howser. Later ~

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Scene near the ending of Rebel Without a Cause
Sal Mineo; James Dean; Natalie Wood

Home from meeting after meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls. Work on novel for awhile. Beth calls. Back to writing and correcting book. Make some lunch and watch Lawman episode while I eat; then watch the end of Rebel Without a Cause before taking my afternoon nap with the girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. To office and work on book for the rest of the afternoon.

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

My Mississippi friend and ex-costumer, Jimmy George

Stop to say hi to Nader on way home. Once home, check e-mail and news sites with girls and popcorn. Surf some sites; then get down to working on book. Talk to Beth. Ross Salamone calls and we talk. Around 10:30 drive to Carl's Jr. in Palm Desert and pick up a Western Bacon Cheeseburger. Home and have lunch while watching two episodes of Lawman. After, I down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Into office and work at computer then work on book. Jimmy George calls and we talk. Beth calls - she'll be home in awhile. I hang up. Clean side yard. Sweep inside tiles. Unload dishwasher and put away. Back to office and write here. Beth home and help her bring in her stuff. We talk for awhile; then she starts cooking. I to office while she cooks (this is non-microwave cooking). Finally in for dinner and we eat. Close to 7:00 when we finish - she cleans up. I to office and write some here. She in and we watch Huell HOwser. Later ~

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Morrie Beschloss

Home from meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls and cookies. Surf the web for news. Then start in on working Whiskey Tears. Spend most of the morning on book. Change pants and drive to Desert Willow Golf Club for my first Lunch with Morrie (Beschloss). Ross calls me in lobby - I step outside to talk and see George Gallagher through window. Quick bye to Ross and catch up to George. I'm introduced around and shown where to sit (main table). Meet some more people. Sandy Hellman and Pat from our morning meeting there along with Darlene Cassella. Cold cuts as dining room under reconstruction. Enjoyable time. Home to feed girls and call Beth. Leave a message for Ross; and down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; open mail for Beth. Clean up side yard. A lick and a swish with the floor mop. Work on book. Beth home and we talk. She cooks dinner. We eat. After, to office while she washes her hair. Botgh in office. Watch Huell Hoswser. Later ~

Monday, September 06, 2010

Beth and I enjoying the Holiday

Labor Day.
Home after meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls and snack. Beth home after awhile and we talk. I show her dog video on computer. Work on Whiskey Tears some. Beth and I off to Macy's where I get new shoes and some pants - also pick up my suit pants. Then it's off to Costco which is closed for the holiday. Stop at Yellow Basket for lunch; then home for dessert. I down for nap with girls while she heads off to El Paseo to shop. I up and she's home - watching golf in dining room and working at her computer in office. I feed girls. (No holiday mail). Talk with Beth in office and we go over our cruise papers; plus we review the cruise line's web site. Realize she has to meet Terry at 6:15 for a jail H&I meeting tonight so we start dinner. We eat; then talk for a few minutes. And she's off. I into office and finish a chapter of Whiskey Tears. Write here. Watch some TV. Get ready for bed. She in later. Later ~

Sunday, September 05, 2010

James Dean and Natalie Wood - Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Sleep in day. Beth up early and off to Hall to meet up with Brenda. I up 5:00. Shower and dress. Read paper while eating breakfast. Start to trim beard and Beth and Brenda show up. Continue trimming. They off to shop for mission then deliver goods to mission. They eat at Costco - see Bill White. I watch TV - the beginning of Rebel Without a Cause. Down for nap with girls. Up and Beth is home in office - also watching golf and reading paper. I work on two chapters of Whiskey Tears. Then I join her in kitchen and we talk when we can. I clean up side yard while she starts cooking dinner - steak and corn-on-the-cob. She cleans up while I write here. Called James Jenkins in Florida earlier. Take out trash. Relax after meal with a mini-cone. I to office to work on blog. She in office for awhile. Later ~

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Dinner out with the Grippis

Grocery shopping after meeting. Home and put stuff away. Check e-mail and news sites with girls and cookies. Surf around. Do Survey. Beth home. Work some more at computer; then into kitchen and make sandwiches for lunch. Beth and I eat and talk. Dessert. Check e-mail; then it's down for nap with girls. Up and she's in office. I bring in mail; feed girls; so little mail no need for opening. Into office and work at computer. She picking out clothes to wear in Bozeman for wedding (cold climate clothing). I write here. We talk.Both get ready for dinner out - I change shoes; she changes pants. Then we drive 2-miles to an Italian joint and meet Steve and Theresa Grippi for dinner. Nice discussion and food. Home and write here. We have mini-cone for dessert. Later ~

Friday, September 03, 2010


Home from meeting and do the glucosimine bit with Crystal. Brenda here and starts in on our office. I watch yesterday's Lawman which I missed. Then I move into office and start working on Whiskey Tears - correcting and rewriting. Fix a sandwich at 10:45 and watch today's Lawman episode. Brenda finishes up and is out of here. Watch the beginning of Valley of Fire, with Gene Autry, Pat Buttram, and Gail Davis. Talked to Beth. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Work some more on Whiskey Tears. Clean up side yard. Back to office. Beth home. Help her unload her stuff. Inside, we talk. I fix dinner and we eat. After we to office and work. Watch Huell Houser. Later ~

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Huell Howser - California Gold

Home from meeting and check e-mail and news sites with girls and cinnamon roll. Work on Whiskey Tears for awhile. Talk Beth. Then I take off for Indio - the La Quinta Office Depot - where I buy more ink for my printer (using refund money we got from them). Girl from the old store is now working there and she waited on me. Sit in parking lot and talk to Jimmy George for about 15 minutes. To Leather Plus to spend some time with Joel. Then down the street to Chinese place for monthly Conservative Round Table. Good discussion and good food. Home and call Beth. Feed girls. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; open mail for Beth. Work on Whiskey in office. Clean up side yard; sweep lightly. Beth home and help her in with her stuff. We talk. I fix dinner and we eat. After, into office and we both work on our projects. Watch Huell Howser's California Gold. Later ~

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Yours Truly on Rio Diablo set - Alamo Village, TX - 1982

Straight to car wash after meeting and get my car washed. Pick up shoes nearby at Mikes Shoe Repair. Talk to Beth. Home and check e-mail and news sites. Then off to pick up Beth at her place of employment. We off for Walmart where she buys computer printer ink on sale. Next door to Sam's Club for some Hall shopping. We have some pizza for lunch. Drop her and I home. Dessert while watching Lawman recording. Down for nap with girls. Up and bring in mail; feed girls; open mail for Beth. Work on Whiskey Tears in office. Beth home and I help her bring in her stuff. We talk at table. I cook dinner and we eat. To office - she orders Kodak camera from QVC. I work on novel. Later ~