Writing
2023 Thanksgiving
For the second year in a row, I spent the big dinner with one of my sister’s in-laws. Mom still made a few things, but at least she didn’t have to cook or host the whole thing. As a matter of fact, Mom stayed home with Dad and we brought them back plates. Talk about … Continue reading
The Return of Pumpkin Spice & Ahsoka
My second Halloween celebration was for the kids. Two local churches joined forces for a Trunk or Treat event on Sunday evening. As usual, my sister set up a face painting table, which is usually a very popular activity, but I helped direct interest her way with my costume like a living, breathing billboard of … Continue reading
Halloween 2023
Last year, I had a very low key Halloween since I didn’t dress up although I participated in a Halloween event for the children at my parents’ church. My mind was still adjusting to relocating back home. So, my energy was mostly for survival rather than creativity. Halloween had snuck up on me and passed … Continue reading
Shame Full: Indigo Moon Film Festival
One of the first things I researched when I relocated to Fayetteville from Austin was finding a local film school, filmmaking group or something, anything to continue my path as an emerging filmmaker. Apparently, a similar motivation inspired the founders of this fabulous film festival eight years ago. They had plotted all the film festivals … Continue reading
Nature Pause
On sunny Sunday mornings, I trek to my former junior high school from home. As much as I hated that walk when I was younger, I now love it since I’m not obligated to do it. Early Morning Duck Crossing For this outing, a flock of ducks distracted me more than the schoolyard litter. They … Continue reading
Early Dinner
Colorful Cousin My sister and I made a day trip out of town to rendezvous with one of our first cousins. Actually, Mom had sent us on a mission to get discounted toiletries although the former math teacher in me questioned whether the savings held up, considering we traveled nearly four hours roundtrip. The gas … Continue reading
Mom’s Hibachi Grill Kittens
All I wanted to do was take a picture of my sister’s car, which had been taking up prime real estate in the driveway. She’d had the For Sale sign on it for months, taken it down for a potential buyer, but then replaced it when that buyer fell through. The Stars of the Show … Continue reading
A Table, Chairs & Sheeple
A bout of being overly cerebral caused me to experience three strange dreams within a five-day period. During my waking hours, I pack as much productivity into my day as possible. If I focus on one thing to completion, I’d complete that one thing faster, but rarely does my schedule afford me the luxury of … Continue reading
62 Years of Enduring Love
My parents’ 62nd anniversary fell on a Saturday, which meant we could have a celebration dinner during the day on the actual day. Like every other celebration since mid-April, we reserved the setting room down the hall from Dad’s rehab room, pushed the tables together and laid out the spread: fried chicken, pulled pork, hush … Continue reading
Lending a Helping Hand
As much as I love to relax on the weekends and fully enjoy my unstructured time, I volunteered nearly three hours to help someone I care about with the manifestation of a crisis that she’s been surviving for over 32 years. It all began when she birthed a special needs child. Not that her son’s … Continue reading