Birds made of stone reside at the base of a long forgotten grave. I imagine they were real birds once. Birds that lived and live on, preserved forever in the moment they alighted, long, long ago on soil bogged and thick with tears. Birds mired in grief that was too fresh to tread upon. Grief that solidified their hollow bones, made their hearts and wings too heavy; made flight impossible. Birds that envy the sky and those who are weightless soaring above them. Continue reading Stone Birds

***Quote of the Week***A place for me to share with you some of my favorite quotes from literature, music, overheard conversations etc. Some are profound, others ridiculous but all have stuck with me for one reason or another… “The old man was dreaming about the lions.” —Ernest Hemingway; The Old Man and the Sea Continue reading To Dream of Lions

Short Story Sunday There used to be an online site that would issue a weekly writing challenge. One week to write a flash fiction story no longer than 1500 words which incorporated a word, phrase or situation of their choosing. I was always excited when the new prompt was posted. My mind would scramble and conjure and race in every direction. I would entertain many ideas and dismiss many, many, many more. I would spend the week percolating, jotting notes on scraps of paper at work, backs of receipts in the grocery store parking lot. And then……. The anxiety and … Continue reading ROSEBUD

Scavenger Hunt Saturday It is a picture from a long ago birthday. Before I realized how quickly the passage of time and people moves. My stepfather smiling his big genuine smile as I presented him with a tie or trinket or token. Teasingly he would complain that he wanted a Mercedes; ask if it was time for apple pie. “Passage,” fittingly came up on the word generator; today of all days. Today which is his birthday. A birthday far removed from those days where although there was always one more candle on the cake, time seemed to stand still and … Continue reading Passage

Despite his mostly cranky demeanor; “little dog” remains, well below the surface of his agitated appearance, buried beneath barks and behind bravado….cautiously optimistic. His pragmatic nature reminds him that “the people” rarely drop food onto the floor. Whispers that hot dog pieces and cheese bits and rolled up slices of lunch meat usually contain a bitter pill, meant to cure this or prevent that. Assures him that bunnies and squirrels and birds are meant to be chased but will forever remain just out of reach. Reaffirming and validating his belief that strings are usually attached, vigilance is always needed and … Continue reading Eye on the Sky

I was lured off of the path this morning. On my way to the market. On my way to pick up eggs and milk; peaches and plums. It was not a wolf that led me astray; smooth talked me into taking a shortcut, reappearing with eyes and ears and nose too big. Flattery on his tongue, evisceration in his oversized toothy grin. Claiming to be someone he wasn’t. Changing himself from this to that. It was instead an elephant. Eyes closed, trunk high, reveling in the freedom and weightless the sky afforded him. I followed this pachyderm down side streets … Continue reading The Rapid Evolution of Cumulus Clouds

***Quote of the Week*** “While out on the beach there are two empty chairs that say more than the people who ever sit there…”. —Jimmy Buffett Continue reading Lone Palm

I planned to return a few weeks ago. But you know what they say, about mice and men, and plans that go awry. So I mark my days in pencil. Write my plans in sand. Speak my intention softly to the breeze, close my eyes, hold my breath, count to ten. Dare to make a schedule, hatch a plan, draw a map. Dare to declare tomorrow the day. Count only to five this time. Hold my breath, hit “Enter” and exhale. Starting 5/10/21 MONDAY: I will be sharing a quote, a book passage, a song lyric..(with photo) of something that … Continue reading Better Late Than Never….