Category Archives: Red Writing Hood

Fast Food

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Bread – that this house may never know hunger
Salt – that life may always have flavor.
Wine – that joy and prosperity may reign forever.
—  It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Let’s talk food. Specifically fast food. Though I typically don’t, I’ve been eating a lot of it lately. Holiday travel necessitates relaxation of all rules. (Not to mention, I knew when I started that I’d be taking December off from my diet to make it possible for others to live with me).

There’s a great deal of bread and salt (two of my favorite ingredients) in the typical fast food meal.… Read the rest

Post-holiday peace

Posted on by February 25, 2020


The doorbell rang at half past four, and Scott and I were gone by quarter ‘til five, before the sitter could change her mind. Even almost two years ago, it was hard to get somebody to watch Sam. Not to mention that she was fifteen and being dropped off by her Dad, and it was snowing in central Alabama.

I don’t remember exactly where we went. Dinner at least. Probably a movie. Anything at all to recover from the holidays. I do recall wandering around Whole Earth (or whatever that store is) one of the few venues that hadn’t simply shut down because of a few centimeters of white precipitation.… Read the rest

8AM

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Oct. 31 8PM

Nov. 1 8AM

“Coast is clear. Car pulled out of the driveway.”

“OK troops, let’s do this.”

“I thought they’d never leave this morning.”

“Kids probably ate themselves into a sugar coma last night and couldn’t move.”

“Less talking, more climbing, troops.”

“To the victor go the spoils.”

“Dig in, baby.”

 

“Oh God, I can’t believe I ate that much. I can’t move.”

“What will they think when they find us here, your majesty?”

“Your majesty?”

_______________________________________________________
This version of what really happens to your kids’ Halloween candy every year was written in response to this week’s Write on Edge Red Writing Hood prompt, which asked for an under 200 word story describing my version of 8 o’clock in tribute to David Wiesner’s  children’s picture book Tuesday.… Read the rest

Rabbit Run

Posted on by February 25, 2020

I don’t understand why people run marathons. I have runner friends competing in everything from 5ks up through the real thing. (Bloggers, too.) I always tell them “Great job” when they share successes. I understand that this is a difficult goal they have set for themselves. I recognize that physical achievement is lauded in our society and that some people get an endorphin high from cardiovascular exercise.

But I’m really thinking, “Wait. The original marathon runner delivered his news and dropped dead.” Why do we want to repeat this? Why is doing so a feat of excellence?

I have walked in a couple of 5ks in pursuit of physical fitness.… Read the rest