Tag Archives: Still Foolin’ Around in Bed

The Third Time’s the Charm — Now in Hardcover!

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Good news, friends!

The Third Time’s the Charm: Still Foolin’ Around in Bed is now available in hardcover — alongside paperback and Kindle editions.

Whether you’re reading in bed, on your favorite chair, or anywhere your journey takes you, The Third Time’s the Charm promises to entertain, uplift, and inspire. Settle in and let the journey begin.

In this third volume of delightfully thought-provoking essays, I invite you into the most intimate spaces—both literal and metaphorical—of a life lived fully and authentically.
From Appalachian coal camps to deep connections with family, friends, and a loyal canine companion, these essays explore joy and loss, solitude and connection, memory and reinvention—with warmth, wit, and unflinching honesty.

You’ll find stories of dust bunnies and online dating, gardening and global warming, grief and the wonder of AI. Each essay offers a window into the universal truths that shape our lives, reminding us that every “postage stamp” of existence is rich, rooted, and uniquely ours.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep turning pages together!

P.S. The hardcover version makes a pretty terrific gift — especially for anyone who loves life’s twists, turns, and unexpected laughter.

An Unexpected and Charming Surprise

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“Holding a book in your hands is like holding another human being.“

—Leah Price (b. 1970. Literary scholar and historian of the book, known for her work on how and why we read across time and format.)

Well, this was unexpected—in the best possible way.

The paperback edition of The Third Time’s the Charm: Still Foolin’ Around in Bed just became available—much earlier than planned! I was already celebrating the Kindle release today, and now, here comes the paperback joining the party.

So whether you’re a digital reader who likes to swipe beneath the covers, or someone who prefers the feel of a real book in hand, you now have options. The hardcover (with its fabulous dust jacket) is still on the way—but today, I’m just enjoying this double dose of charm.

This collection gathers 440 pages of essays written, as always, In Bed—thoughtful, humorous, grounded, and a little mischievous. If you decide to dive in, I hope it keeps you company, makes you smile, and maybe even nudges a memory or two of your own.

P.S. If you enjoy it, I’d be grateful if you’d leave a review. A few kind words go a long way in helping others discover this little book of big heart.

Still Foolin’ Around in Bed—Now Digitally!

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“Lovers of print are simply confusing the plate for the food.”

—Douglas Adams (1952–2001; British author and satirist best known for his cult-classic sci-fi series The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. he embraced e-books long before they were mainstream.)

Well, friends… it’s official.

The Third Time’s the Charm: Still Foolin’ Around in Bed is now available on Kindle!

This is the first of three editions rolling out over the next couple of weeks. Today, I’m delighted to share the digital version for all of you who like to read with the lights off, your glasses on, and your e-reader tucked beneath the covers.

This collection gathers 440 pages of my most personal essays—stories that stretch from Appalachian coal camps to online dating, from gardening joys to philosophical musings, all written (as always) In Bed. There’s humor, heart, and a fair amount of reflection. If you’ve followed The Wired Researcher blog, you’ll recognize the voice. If you’re new, welcome to my little “postage stamp of native soil.”

Coming soon: the paperback edition, followed by the hardcover—with its delightfully mischievous dust jacket. I’ll be sharing more when each one arrives.

Until then, if you’re eager to start reading, the Kindle version is ready to crawl under the covers with you. I’d love to hear what resonates—and what surprises you.

P.S. If you enjoy it, a quick review on Amazon would mean the world. It helps other readers discover what you’ve found—and it gives my word messengers a better chance of finding their destination.

A Glimpse Beneath the Covers (Book Covers, That Is)

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“Embrace the glorious mess that you are.”

–Elizabeth Gilbert (b. 1969. American author best known for her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, which became a global bestseller and cultural phenomenon. Her work blends introspection, humor, and an embrace of life’s messiness—much like the spirit behind my modest The Third Time’s the Charm.)

Guess what arrived in the mail today?

(Hint: it isn’t another gardening catalog—though those are always welcome at my house.)

It’s the printed proof of my next book, The Third Time’s the Charm. At 440 pages, it’s a whopper! This brand-new collection of personal essays is drawn from my The Wired Researcher Series. Today, I’m delighted to share the cover art with you. Once again, the art is by acclaimed caricaturist Mike Caplanis. Although he was inspired by the essay “What If I’m Not Who You Think I Am?”, the book’s cover captures the spirit of this collection perfectly—thoughtful, mischievous, and comfortably tucked between the sheets.

This book is close to my heart. It’s a gathering of essays written—yes, literally, as you know already—in bed, where I do my most creative thinking and, often, my most honest writing. I hope these pieces reflect a voice that’s warm, a little witty, deeply rooted in everyday life, and shaped by the rhythms of memory, nature, and reflection.

William Faulkner once referred to his childhood landscape as “a postage stamp of native soil,” and in this collection, I’ve claimed one of my own. These essays rise from the soil that grounds me—Appalachian roots, coal camp memories, gardening, grief, and joy—and reach toward readers everywhere. I hope these pieces help you discover something true in your own story, too.

The book will be available very soon—just a few weeks away. For now, consider this a soft unveiling and a warm invitation. I’ll share more details soon, including where and how to get your copy. Until then, feel free to admire the cover, fluff your pillows, and prepare to join me—in spirit and in story—In Bed.

P.S. If you’d like to be among the first to know when the book is available, keep an eye here—or better yet, follow me if you’re not doing so already.