Category Archives: Writing

To be a Daddy

Posted on by February 25, 2020

 

These two pictures hang above my desk. They say an awfully lot without my needing to interpret them for you, but let me talk awhile anyway. My husband is not just a father to our children. He’s their Daddy. Sam, who is a Mama’s boy, has lately started demanding his Daddy-hugs at bedtime again and saying, in a worried little voice, “I like Daddy best.” He doesn’t yet understand the ebb and flow of a parent-child relationship, and he worries that he’s hurting me. He always seems surprised by my delight. I tell him, “That’s wonderful. I love you, and sis, and Daddy best.”… Read the rest

Humane Society Volunteer

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Doot-doot-doot-doot-doot. My daughter’s first impression of volunteerism was sheep plop. I took her to the humane society for her orientation into the junior volunteer club. It was supposed to be an hour of paperwork followed by a short tour. However, about half of the regular club didn’t make it, so the new members were invited to watch the presentation that the regular club had come to attend.

And seriously, who wouldn’t want to meet sheep? We sat down in the floor of the volunteer office, listening all the while to the mewling of a couple of litters of kittens in need of foster homes.… Read the rest

Three wrecks

Posted on by February 25, 2020

I was 19 and lost. I didn’t see the stop sign until a truck struck my sedan. No injuries, but the car was totaled. I thought I was taking my friend to research.

I was 21 and new to Kentucky. I stopped at the light, but the car behind me didn’t. She thought the light was yellow. I thought I was taking Mom to the castle.

I was 35 and composed. I had the green light, but the other car didn’t see me. He thought he was moving a vehicle. I thought I was taking my kids to swim.… Read the rest

Because elephants should live forever

Posted on by February 25, 2020

After my grandmother lost her vision to glaucoma, her engagement ring went missing. We tore up the house, but it was gone. She talked about it all the time, but talking couldn’t bring it back. When she eventually entered her final decline, she had a few tests run, more for the rest of us than herself, to make sure there was nothing at all we could do. The doctor called my grandfather over and said what everyone expected, but added, “she has something lodged in her intestinal tract.” Nobody had the heart to tell her we’d finally found the ring.

Look at me, 100 word songing 2 weeks in a row.… Read the rest

The Marriage At The Rue Morgue

Posted on by February 25, 2020

 

When the search for an abandoned orangutan leads to the death of their best man, primatologists Noel Rue and Lance Lakeland find themselves in a wedding quandary. Police suspect the ape, but Noel and Lance know better. They cannot call off or delay the big day, and they must juggle their search for the real killer with last minute details like convincing half the family the wedding isn’t cursed just because it’s being held at a former funeral home.

This cozy mystery set in a fictional town in Northwestern Ohio shows the inner workings of a primate sanctuary, even as it explores deeper questions about the secrets we keep from each other.… Read the rest

On trains

Posted on by February 25, 2020

It wasn’t the first time. I want to travel. I  want to ride Eurail and sleep on the Berlin Night Express. I want to wear metal shoes, let scream my brakes, and chuff down the line to forever.

This weekend at Trifecta, we get to add our 33 words to the five “It wasn’t the first time”.  In case you wonder, because Madame Syntax would, the tense change is deliberate.

And hey, notice anything DIFFERENT? Looks nothing like my test, does it? That’s because I got awesome feedback about what looked good and what didn’t. And it’s also because the amazingly generous Marie Nichole of My Cyber House Rules made me a header and a button.… Read the rest

When The Morning Comes

Posted on by February 25, 2020

Here we go with the 100 word song! This week, it’s OK Go’s “This Too Shall Pass”.

 

Since Tuesday, I’ve watched this video twelve times with Sam. He finds something new every time. I’m trying to teach him to step back, when his heart explodes, to breathe and say ‘this too shall pass’. I know I’m doomed to failure. My Mom pressed “Let it Be” on me in the same way, but I can’t let anything be. Nothing at all. So I know that Sam has to find his own song to speak peace to his heart. And yet he sings it, and when he sings, I hope it will pass, so he can enjoy his childhood.… Read the rest

Spectacle

Posted on by February 25, 2020

“I’ve never seen such a spectacle!”

Darcy stumped past her mother into the kitchen.

“You’re a teacher! You’re a role model now!.”

Darcy found a bowl, poured cereal and milk, then sat down opposite her father and took the top section of The City Star off the table between them. “Doesn’t seem like your business,” she finally said.

“What would your principal say if he found out?”

Darcy folded her newspaper back to the comics section.  “OK, then. Let’s think about this another way, Mom. If you don’t want to see your daughter stripping, then don’t go in the club.”

 This week, Velvet Verbosity wants to see a spectacle.… Read the rest

Let’s talk about my dog

Posted on by February 25, 2020

OK, it looks like my dog ate the internet. That’s the only explanation I have for the posts that won’t show on my site. It’s getting WAY annoying people. But. Hopefully it works again today, and the dog will be allowed to live. Oh wait. Update. He ate my blog. Same diff. Thanks to … I don’t know what, I’ve had to change my WordPress Theme. Please be patient as I work through customization to get things up and running again.

As you know, Fudge died a couple of weeks ago at the age of eleven, and we’ve been dogless since.  … Read the rest

More shots from the train

Posted on by February 25, 2020

In light of the fact that I spent most of the day keeping a hacking-sneezing Sam quiet in preparation for his birthday party, then had an intense two hours of PARTAY, I’ve gotten no writing done today. Luckily, I’ve got some train photos that didn’t fit with the memories captured theme, and this is the perfect moment to show them. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

… Read the rest