Jeffrey Penn May

I hear the call of the mountains of my youth suddenly now discovering that I am sixty-two and my muscles are stiff and my tendons ache yet I still long for the miles winding through forest and above timberline. I will go there and if I do not return then so much the better for what better place to rest forever than beneath a giant Redwood tree or sitting silently next to a glacial lake while … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

“Jeff possesses that rare blend of exceptional focus, talent, and experience.  His professional expertise brings both skill and intuition to the publishing process.” ~ Paula S. Stone, wellness advocate, author “Jeffrey Penn May formatted and placed several of my novels on Amazon as eBooks. I am one of those people who missed the computer generation and must depend on experienced people to do various chores. Jeff was patient, answered my questions, gave direction and very importantly, … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

Can you control your death, give it parameters, give it stage direction and make it dramatic, pastoral, humorous? Sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it? Most of us have trouble managing life, and death just happens. Typically, it’s out of our control. That doesn’t stop us from trying, nor should it. After all, we try to avoid head-on collisions. But, aside from the various purgatorial outcomes, you either make it or you don’t. Perhaps that’s why … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

I continue to scan old letters onto my hard drive. (An act that in itself defines our time.) This note about my writing is perhaps the “best.” I think it was around 1982. “Jeff, thank you for sharing your work with me. I think we should stop seeing each other. If you’d like to talk about it, give me a call. If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine too. See you around.” Share on … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

My kids are kind, considerate, and empathetic. Where did I go wrong? 1. Money really is power, freedom, and pretty teeth. While it can’t buy you perfect health, it can help – a lot. While it can’t “buy you love,” it can help – a lot. People are often attracted to money. Freedom isn’t free – it’s expensive. 2. Volunteer work is good for a hobby if it makes you feel good, but don’t count … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

Recently, I began unearthing old letters with the intention of scanning them onto my hard drive. (An act that in itself sort of defines our time, doesn’t it?) I started with letters from Ingomar Robier (for no reason other than they were “on top”), a 1976 classmate from English Lit classes at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Since I had a habit of befriending people who didn’t seem to fit in, I insisted … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

Social Security will be there for me, more if I make enough money in my six years past sixty. Curious, the money is based on thirty-five years “highest paid.” So be careful of years unemployed, years for schooling, for children, for illness and for saying goodbye to parents. A welder gets less security than a surgeon, a retail manager less than a lawyer, and me, a private sector educator, far less than a financier. Sort … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

Recently, fellow writer from the St. Louis Writers’ Guild Linda Austin asked me to participate in what apparently is called “blog tag.” Normally, I might shrug off such a request, with its specific guidelines, and go back to twittering away my time with what passes for social networking. However, perhaps because of Linda’s unique St. Louis perspectives stemming from her Japanese culture and history, I have obviously convinced myself that this specific tag tour might … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook

I have an obsession –words must mean something – must be read, spoken, and especially written for a purpose. Useless words are an abomination. Conversations should be calculated to inform while entertaining your partner and being sensitive to their idiosyncrasies. The goal of artful writing is to produce a group of words informative and entertainingly arranged in a series while understanding the nuances of your audience. Too often writers write for themselves and expect everyone … Continue reading →

Share on Facebook