The Blog of Franklin Dent

• The Balloon HatFebruary 2, 2024
  By Franklin Dent Mr. Pacioli was a quiet little man who wore a tie every day and never left the house without a hat.  The instant a car drove onto his little corner used car lot, Mr. Pacioli could tell within twenty dollars what he could sell it for.  He was a very polite man but had… Read more: The Balloon Hat
• The Messenger BirdJanuary 15, 2024
  By Franklin Dent I wrote this story twenty years ago but was reminded of it yesterday by the observance of the Baptism of our Lord. The Gospel lesson was Mark 1:4-11 where we hear “And a voice came down from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” As a boy,… Read more: The Messenger Bird
• Commonplaces: SuperbiaOctober 31, 2023
  “11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” Luke 18:11, ESV Among the different church traditions there is an inclination to identify sin as an infraction of God’s law and, historically, “God’s law,” “the law,” and “law” are… Read more: Commonplaces: Superbia
• Takeaways: Of Things PastOctober 26, 2023
  As an aspiring writer, first in New York and later in Los Angeles, I worked on a number of projects, most never seeing the light of day. There were historical dramas, romantic comedies, ensemble comedy/dramas, and experimental plays. I still have the rejection letters from major studios and production companies for a pet project that,… Read more: Takeaways: Of Things Past
• Water & Word: Understand and believeOctober 9, 2023
  I’ve been asked why I wanted to write Water & Word, the novel I’ve just completed. Although I’ve attended church most of my life, off and on, I wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of American churches for at least forty years. At some time in the early 2000’s I found a companion in the White… Read more: Water & Word: Understand and believe
• Takeaways: The Last Payphone Before the ForestOctober 6, 2023
  While driving with my son to Nuccio’s Nurseries in Altadena, CA I happened to notice something interesting on Google Maps. It was referred to as the Historic Working Payphone of Altadena. Up in the Verdugo Mountains, alongside Chaney Trail, not terribly far from Jet Propulsion Labs and in the broad general vicinity of Mt. Wilson… Read more: Takeaways: The Last Payphone Before the Forest