My paternal grandfather was one of the most well-rounded people I’ve known. He was charming, witty, well read, smart, talented, and, my favorite, funny. He was not stingy with his smile. It was one of those smiles encompassing the entirety of his face. It illuminated a room. He loved a good joke or story. Even if his story was… Read More
Death and the Empty Chair
Juneko. She was an acquaintance of mine. We were once friends, but time and distance separated us from building our close friendship. Even so, knowing she was on this earth, walking around and smiling, gave me great peace. When she died, the emptiness I felt was curious to me. She was not a part of my everyday life. We barely… Read More
Retarded
retard: a contemptuous term used to refer to a person who is cognitively impaired. Dictionary.com The term “retarded” didn’t appear in the slangy, usually offensive sense until the mid-20th century. Frank Rooney’s 1954 novel “The Courts of Memory” contains an insulting use that should be familiar if not comfortable: “God, you’re simple, Dick. . . . You’ve got an I.Q…. Read More
What’s His Name?
It was a gorgeous day. Wind was blowing the tall pines shading the playground. I could hear the laughter and smell the aroma of food from the family reunion being held at a gazebo nearby. I hoped for an invitation to eat their fried chicken, potato salad, and casseroles of all kinds. Maybe around 11 years old, a little boy… Read More
The Green Swag Lamp
Garage sales are a big deal. When I was a kid, my mom had me up and at ‘um at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings. I grabbed my pillow and blanket for backseat napping while she shopped. As I got older, my love of garage sales grew. In my early 30’s and single, I used garage sales to find home… Read More
Fields Of Lavender
The ground was weary soil. As far as my eyes could see, in every direction, the land belonged to me. It was ugly and in ruins. The cracks in the ground were deep and dehydrated from years of neglect. I fell to my knees and wept for these lands. I covered my eyes, and the tears streamed down my hands,… Read More
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