About Curt

 

 

 

​​​​​

A Lifeeime of Writing

As I mentioned on my Home Page, writing has been the common thread throughout my life.

​

It has lighted the way to careers, military service, teaching, tutoring, and friendships that have spanned decades. Along the way I've written newspaper columns, magazine articles, blogs, historical essays, memoirs, poetry, instructional materials, opinion pieces, and—more recently—reflections on technology and artificial intelligence.

 

Today, this website serves as the home for that lifetime of work. 

​

​The Journey

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where an early fascination with words eventually led me into a career that was anything but ordinary.

​

In 1962 I enlisted in the United States Navy as an E-1 Recruit. Twenty-four years and six months later, I retired as a Lieutenant Commander, having served nearly seven years at sea aboard several aircraft carriers and other commands. The Navy took me around the world, introduced me to remarkable people, and provided experiences that continue to inspire many of the memoirs and historical articles you'll find on this website.

​​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

 

 

That's me at the beginning of my last tour at sea on board  USS Coral Sea. That's the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor in the background.

 

After leaving active duty, I entered education, teaching office computing as an adjunct college instructor and later serving for ten years as a vocational education specialist at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California.

​

My Bio:

• Born in St. Louis, Missouri. Joined the U.S. Navy at age 19 in 1962..

• Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander at age 45 in 1986.

• Twenty-four years, six months of naval service, including nearly seven years at sea

• Former adjunct college instructor and vocational education specialist

• Lifelong writer, tutor, and student of history

• Proud husband, father, grandfather, and great-uncle

• Happily writing from Colorado's beautiful Front Range​​

​

Retirement simply meant changing course.

Today my wife and best friendI enjoy life along Colorado's beautiful Front Range, where I continue writing, tutoring, researching history, composing poetry, and occasionally trying to convince Google that another one of my articles deserves to be discovered. ​

​

Why I Write

People occasionally ask why I continue writing after all these years.

​

The answer is simple.

​

Writing still gives structure to my days. It keeps me curious. Every article sends me down another fascinating rabbit trail. Every memoir preserves another piece of family history before it slips quietly away. Every poem challenges me to say something meaningful with fewer words.

​

I've discovered that retirement isn't really about slowing down. It's about finally having enough time to pursue the interests you've accumulated throughout a lifetime.

​

If something I write teaches, entertains, encourages, or simply leaves someone smiling, I've had a good day.

​

Poetry, History...and the Occasional Hockey Fight

One unexpected chapter in recent years has been poetry.

​

Don't worry—I haven't gone all Sylvia Plath.

​

My poems are more likely to celebrate baseball, honor veterans, laugh at growing older, remember family, reflect on history, or marvel at everyday life. Every once in a while they even wander into a hockey rink.

​

I suppose that's also a good description of this website.

​

It isn't devoted to one subject:  It's a collection of the things that have interested me, amused me, challenged me, and inspired me throughout a lifetime.

 

Writing, Tutoring & Coaching

Although this website primarily showcases my own work, I continue to work with selected clients who need assistance with writing or tutoring.

​

Over the years I've written hundreds of blog posts, articles, white papers, instructional materials, and website content for businesses, educational organizations, and online content companies, including BrightHub, Verblio, WriterAccess, and independent clients.

 

I also provide one-on-one tutoring and coaching in:

​​

• Writing

• Spanish

• History

• Microsoft Office

• Windows and Mac computers

• Study skills

 

Whether you're looking for an editor, a tutor, or an experienced freelance writer, I'd be pleased to discuss your project. Email me at cjsmuz@vivaldi.net or go to my tutoring website linked at the bottom of this page.

​​​​​

Thank You for Visiting

Thank you for spending a little time here. 

​

This website continues to grow as I rescue older writings from my Scrivener archives and add new articles, memoirs, poems, and essays. There are still many shelves left to fill.

​

So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, browse the bookshelves, and stay awhile.

​

You're always welcome here.

​

—Curtis Jerry Smothers

 

Explore Further

My BlogSpot Collection

My Verblio Profile

My nDash Profile

A link to my Historical Articles on TheCollector.com 

A link to my Spanish tutor profile on Superprof​

A link to the Table of Contents for my 8-week Spanish Course

 

​Social Links

My Facebook Poetry Page

My LinkedIn Page

My Navy Service Timeline