The Colorado Kid-Stephen King: Book Review

“The Colorado Kid” is a short, rich story that lets us sit back and have a Coke with Stephen King and his characters.  Most of the story takes place as Stephanie, a young intern at a newspaper in present day Maine gets to pick the brains of her mentors, Dave and Vince, as they unravel a mystery about a man, The Colorado Kid, who died on a local beach a generation before.
We learn the dead man is from Colorado, as he has carried a pack of cigarettes from that state.  The more stones that are overturned about the man, the more baffling the story becomes.  We learn he is a Mr. James Cogan with a family he loves.  Why did he them to die on a beach in Maine?  Why did he charter a plane to do it?  Why did he leave no paper trail?
Stephanie is a smart girl.  Getting to learn this mystery, pick it apart and give insights to it is an opportunity for her young mind.  As a reader, take this opportunity.

Back to Barstow

My Christmas present this year is a trip to Barstow.  Sixty trains a day ply the rails.  Refrigerated trains carry goods from California valleys to the east coast.  Amongst the throttling trains, my artist’s muse refills my spirit for another year’s drawing.

BNSF ES44AC by Andy Fletcher

The Crayola Artist

Into the Sixty-Four Brilliant Color Crayola Box my hands fly. A composition dances in my mind as the Burnt Sienna lays the foundation. A star’s-spangled banner waves with a dash of Navy Blue. My agile fingers reach for crayons, Brick Red for the barn. I draw the border of Sky Blue with the shine of a ball of Golden Rod sun. Take this home for the fridge.