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Welcome to the home of LSR Books!

Thank you for visiting my page. I’m grateful you’re here. This blog is a large first step toward the realization of my lifelong goal to become a published author. That goal grows nearer by the day!

How Many Joules is an Eagle’s Life Worth?

I am not against clean energy renewables, but there is one part I cannot abide, and that is wind farms and the damage they do to bird of prey populations, particularly the Bald and Golden Eagle species.

Writing and Blogging in the World of A.I.

Where do you stand on using AI in writing? Is it fair to have a bot write your content and then claim it as your own work? I say it is cheating the reader.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: My Personal Paranormal Experiences

In this episode, I’ll share with you my own personal experiences with the paranormal, both as a child in Florida, and as an adult in Tennessee. These are the true stories of my experiences that made me a believer in the world beyond.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Legend of the Tennessee Pygmies

In this episode, we’ll explore a folk tale that has endured in Tennessee history since the early 1800s, where farmers in White County discovered hundreds of graves under their crop fields. Allow me to introduce you to the archeological mystery of the Tennessee Pygmy tribe.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Bleeding Mausoleum

We begin season two with a strange urban legend. In this episode, you’ll be introduced to the tragic story of Little Nina Craigmiles, and the unexplained mystery of Cleveland’s Bleeding Mausoleum.

The Seafaring World of Arctic Artist William Bradford

Join me on a visit to the Cheekwood Mansion’s Morning Room, where next to a large marble fireplace and mirror hangs the realistic landscape painting titled Sunset in the Arctic, painted by American artist William Bradford in the early 1870s.

Stonehenge: Archeological Myths and Truths

Stonehenge is on my bucket list to visit one day. Until then, I had the opportunity to dig in to some of its history for my anthropology class research paper. I received an A, so here it is in all its APA glory. Enjoy!

A Case for Birds of Prey and the Importance of Raptor Conservation

Just as dogs are considered man’s best friend, hawks and owls could be considered a farmer’s best friend. A farmer who sells their bushels of grain to market should thank raptors for their pest control services.

Digital Jekylls and Hydes: The Two Faces of Humans on the Internet

I wrote this paper for a college English class and thought it would make a thought-provoking blog post. I am a tremendous supporter of free speech, but words matter. Choose carefully. You are free to speak your mind but not always free of the consequences that your words create.

Tennessee Ghost and Legends Podcast Season 2 Episode Line-up is here!

Warm up those iPhones and hunker down on your Androids because Tennessee Ghosts and Legends second season is launching this Halloween 2022! Read here to see what’s in store for the second season.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Bell Witch of Robertson County

In the early 1800’s John Bell and his family were tormented by a witch that took up residence at their cabin in Red River, Tennessee. Why did the witch hate John Bell so much? And what about his young daughter, Betsy? Join me for a jaunt through Tennessee’s most famous haunting, The Bell Witch.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Shelby Forest Pig Man

What is haunting the bridge on Shakerag Road to the west of Millington, Tennessee? An old munitions factory from World War II my hold the answer to the bizarre tale of the Shelby Forest Pigman.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: Pink Lizzy and the Mystery Jar

On today’s episode, we’ll travel to the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock-n-Roll to explore a peculiar, haunted tale that includes a startling apparition, seances, an untimely robbery, and an old musty jar full of treasure. The event took the entire city by storm, giving everyone “ghost fever” as the odd circumstances unfolded. Allow me to introduce you to one of Memphis’s most famous ghost stories, Pink Lizzie and the Mystery Jar.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

Take a stroll through the haunted, sordid, and violent history of Tennessee’s long-time maximum security prison, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary! Learn about the strange happenings and recorded paranormal encounters in one of Tennessee’s most haunted sites.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Mysterious Death of Meriwether Lewis

Listen in as we explore the bizarre circumstances surrounding one half of the most famous American exploration duo in history, Meriwether Lewis. What happened to him at Grinder’s Stand on the Natchez Trace? Did he commit suicide, as the popular theories say? Was it an illness or overdose? Or was Governor Lewis murdered? Listen in and decide what you think happened.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Beast of the Land Between the Lakes

What is hiding within the 276 square miles of The Land Between the Lakes National Park? Many cryptid investigators believe that beautiful wilderness is home to a Bigfoot or werewolf type creature with a murderous appetite. Join me as we explore three supposed eyewitness accounts of the terrifying creature known as the Beast of the Land Between the Lakes.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: Haunted Battlefields – Shiloh and Chickamauga’s ‘Old Green Eyes’

In this episode, we’ll explore two of the hardest-fought battles in the southern theater of the American Civil War: Shiloh, with it’s random wandering spirits, and the entity that haunts Chickamauga known to the locals as, ‘Old Green Eyes’.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The White Bluff Screamer and Werewolf Springs

Just what are people seeing and hearing in the woods around Montgomery Bell State Park near White Bluff? Eyewitness accounts have reported seeing and hearing the eerie wailing of the White Bluff Screamer. Join me as we discuss the legends from Dickson County.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Headless Signalman and the Chapel Hill Ghost Light

Chapel Hill, Tennessee is home to one of the most haunted tales in the state. The strange lights that haunt the train tracks have been seen by hundreds of people, but where do they come from? Listen in on this episode to hear the story of the Headless Signalman and the Chapel Hill Ghost Light.

Tennessee Ghosts & Legends: The Legend of Sadie Baker

This unique Coffee County, Tennessee legend features the sad tale of a young girl accused of witchcraft, and becomes a local story that is still told, and feared, over 150 years later. Allow me introduce you to the strange legend of Sadie Baker.

How to be S.M.A.R.T. and Lead Your Team

Is your team struggling to hit its stride? Interpersonal conflict interfering with your productivity? Check out this article on how you can recognize your team’s weaknesses and find ways to turn your ship around.

Communication Barriers and How to Overcome Them

This is my first article in a series I’m calling Be a Better Leader. Each month in 2022, I will share with you some useful tips and tricks on leadership that I’ve learned through the years. For this month, we dive into the murk of communication!

The Call of the Sea: An Essay

The oceans and the age of sail is a fascinating time that captured my young imagination on the first pages of Stevenson’s Treasure Island, and the first time I read Melville’s opening words, “Call me Ishmael.”

Lifeboat: A Star Wars Fan Fiction, Part VI

Rejoin the Imperial refugees aboard Emperor Palpatine’s shuttle for Part Six as they fend off a bounty hunter and prepare to attack the Stargazer!

The Day I Became a “Rocket Boy”

The universe is smart. It knows things and has an uncanny sense of timing. It knew I needed a kick in the pants, and delivered it wrapped in twenty-seven typed words from a good friend.

What Happens When You Run Up Against a “Box-Checker”?

I’m going to brag on myself for a moment and say that I am pretty damn good at my day job. But now, let me tell you why that makes no difference.

The Top Ten List of My Favorite Rock and Roll Songs of All Time

While doing my Sunday morning workout and listening to my rock playlist (which consists of 316 songs), It occurred to me there are really only about ten of those tracks that really get me moving. There are many lists out there, but this one is mine. Get ready to rock!

Writing with Fitz

Cat-owner problems are expounded when you’re a writer. Meet Fitz.

Would You Want to Know When it’s Your Time to Die?

If you could know the appointed date and time of your demise, would you want to? And if you knew it for a loved one, would you tell them?

San Jacinto

I’ve always loved Peter Gabriel’s song, San Jacinto. The lyrics rolled around in my head long enough to create a short story based on the Apache ceremony he refers to in the song. This is in no way accurate to any Apache ceremony. It’s just my interpretation of what the lyrics conjured up for me. Enjoy!

What Rush’s Song, Cygnus X-1, Can Teach Us About The Current Political Climate in America

Political commentary is a dangerous minefield these days, but art does imitate life. This song is no different and was a prophecy before its time.

Chewbacca: The Best Friend We All Wish We Had

This is an article I wrote for That Hashtag Show, originally published in August 2019. I felt it relevant to bring back into the light during the troubled and divisive times we find ourselves in today. Keep in mind, this was written before the release of Episode IX.

Reverend Wrinkle

The beginning of a supernatural short story based on the lyrics of “Reverend Wrinkle” by Black Stone Cherry. Enjoy!

Lyle’s Sketch/Project of the Day: Fenrir-themed Viking Shield

This art/wood/literary project was fun and educational at the same time, teaching me some of my ancestral mythology. Check it out!

My Dream Set List: Pink Floyd

Follow along our journey of dream set lists! This time, I take on the sonic psychedelic sounds of prog-rock super group Pink Floyd!

The World According to Me: To “Ma’am” Or Not To “Ma’am”. That, Sir, is the Question

Where do you fall in the debate on using sir and ma’am to address others?

My Dream Set List: RUSH

The R40 Tour in 2015 was their last, and it featured songs from across their catalog, but it needed more oomph in my opinion. So now, let’s turn their final set list on it’s ear and speculate on what it should have been!

Lyle’s Sketch of the Day! May the Fourth: Star Wars Edition

In honor of Star Wars Day! May the Fourth be with you.

Lifeboat: A Star Wars Fan Fiction, Part V

Now, in Part V, we flash back a final time to join Darth Vader and Lieutenant Seeda at The Temple of the Kyber on the ancient moon of Jedha. The Emperor has ordered his apprentice to restart the stalled Kyber crystal excavation and retrieve two artifacts from the temple. While the crystal mining gets back underway, a rebel faction on Jedha, led by the outlaw Saw Gerrera, learns of Vader’s arrival at the temple and attempts to take him out!

Lyle’s Sketch of the Day! – April 11th – Heroic and Villainous

Feeling heroic and villainous today, so here’s a little of both!