I examined the photograph of the man in the Nazi-style trench coat. It reminded me of coats worn by WWII German officers but without adornments or Nazi regalia.
This man wearing a trench coat, had a Hitler Youth haircut and stood on the steps of the United States Capitol.
I pictured the January 6th insurrectionists holding their “Trump 2020” signs and bashing the Capitol police on their heads, with those signs on those very steps.
The trench-coat man stood smiling next to three other guys.
I read the caption under the photo: GOP Congressman Matt Rosendale Poses with Neo-Nazis.
I asked, “Why is it that Republican Congress persons always seem to be posing with Neo-Nazis?”
“Who knows? But it is quite a coincidence.”
I remembered many photos of Herr Hitler wearing dull brown khaki trench coats.
I recalled watching WWII movies, in which black leather, trench-coat wearing Gestapo agents scared the hell out of me when the said, “Ve haff vays of making you talk.”
Even today, when I watch, “The Man in the High Castle” the Nazis wear trench coats.
So here’s my simple advice to Congressman Rosendale and his fellow Republican colleagues: Before you pose for photos with men in trench coats with Hitler Youth haircuts ask them, “By any chance, are you Neo-Nazis?
And if they say, “Yes,” look them square in the eyes and say, “F—off!”
For if you don’t, “Ve haff vays of taking care of Nazi lovers.”

April’s President’s Message

Action

At 2:00 in the morning, I lay in bed unable to sleep, thinking about my friend and fellow writer. Louis was dying and I wanted to honor him. And then it hit me, as President of the SFWA, I should write a proclamation declaring February 16, 2023 Louis K. Lowy Day. I sat down in front of my desktop, started typing and I thought, “Am I starting a tradition? I hope so.”

So here’s what I wrote:

South Florida Writers Association’s

Proclamation

 Declaring February 16th, 2023 Louis K. Lowy Day

WHEREAS, Louis K. Lowy is an American writing treasure, and

WHEREAS, Louis K. Lowy has published five outstanding novels: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in America, To Dream: Anatomy of a Humachine, Die Laughing, The Second Life of Eddie Coyne, and Pedal, and

WHEREAS, Louis K. Lowy is the recipient of the Florida Individual Artist Award, and

WHEREAS, Louis K. Lowy has received a MFA in creative writing from Florida International University, and

WHEREAS, Louis K. Lowy writings have appeared in numerous publications including Coral Living Magazine, New Plains Review, The Florida Book Review, Ethereal Tales, The Chaffey Review and The MacGuffin Magazine, and

WHEREAS, Louis K. Lowy is a loyal and long term member of the South Florida Writers Association, and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Mort Laitner, President of the South Florida Writers Association on behalf of the Board of Directors, do hereby proclaim February 16th, 2023 Louis K. Lowy Day

Inaction

I sat in the funeral parlor listening to the loving eulogies about my friend and fellow writer Louis K. Lowy.

And I thought, “Why didn’t I write one?”

Too busy or too lazy or both and then I kicked myself.

As I sat and cried, I knew I had the kernel of a story floating in my synapse sea.

Yes, the title of one of Louis’ books: Die Laughing.

And as it so often happens, six hours after the funeral, I had my eulogy.

So here it is:

As Louis, a Jew, reaches the pearly gates, he breathes a sigh of relief, thinking, “It’s G-d and not Saint Peter. I got a chance at getting in.”

G-d: Son, why should I let you pass through my gates and into my kingdom?

Louis: Well G-d, I’ve been a loving father, a good husband and a lover of dogs. I’ve played a pretty mean guitar; my music made the people smile. I’ve saved the lives of some of your flock as a firefighter and my novels made my readers think.

G-d: I’ve read your books and I was wondering about the title of one of them.

Louis: Which one?

G-d: Die Laughing

Louis: Why that one?

G-d: Well, after all that I have put you and your family through in the last year, would you change the title of that book?

Louis: Yup. Now I’d call it, Die Crying.

G-d with a tear in his eye, stood up and embraced Louis. “Son, welcome to heaven. We always need a few more good writers up here.”

I was honored when my friend, Val Penny, asked me to post a guest author blog on my website. For Val and I have know each other for over seven years. Val’s an American living in Edinburgh, Scotland. But thanks to Amazon, we have read, purchased and critiqued each others books. (It is a small world.) Val also allows me to post numerous of my Times of Israel stories on her Facebook page. (Here I can see and hear many of her readers yelling, “Please, take Laitner’s crap of of your site.” Bravely she usually doesn’t.)

Val is a prolific writer. She’s written the bestselling series of DI Hunter Wilson’s thrillers and one non-fiction book entitled, “Let’s Get Published.”

Here’s Val’s bio:

I have Llb degree from the University of Edinburgh and a MSc from Napier University. I have held many jobs including: hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer but I have not yet achieved either of my childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store.

Until those dreams come true, I have turned my hand to writing poetry, short stories, nonfiction books, and novels. My novels can be published by SpellBound Books Ltd and are also available on Amazon.

I have two adult daughters of whom I am justly proud and l live with my husband and my cat.

With this history and her writing skills, you can see why Val is a great writer of murder thrillers.

Here’s my book review:

“Val Penny’s books cook up the perfect crime mystery— using the timeless recipe of a dollop of suspense, a smidgen of humor and a pinch of Scottish sexuality.”

Val’s just published, “The First Cut.” I recommend you give it a read. Once you start with a Penny you may just end up being hooked into spending a few bucks on the whole series.