Source Pitch

Note: This writing practice is just that—practice. I want to get more comfortable with my voice and get into the habit of publishing rather than editing things to death or fiddling with a piece for so long that I lose the “finishing energy.” Some days, like today, with my morning coffee and journal session, a … More Source Pitch

Poolside Patina

The Wisconsin snowbirds’ skin was a leathery Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle-like texture. They had deep tans, a patina from years outdoors poolside coaching swim teams. They must have spent hours gliding through the water, arms alternating strokes with a steady rhythm as sure as a metronome beat. They were beautiful. Their upright movement on land … More Poolside Patina

Feathers & Stacks

This my excavation and today is Kumran, Everything that happens is from now on……This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realization, It’s the sound of the unlocking and the lift away, Your love will be safe with me -Stacks, Bon Iver There wasn’t much I could do, but be present. I … More Feathers & Stacks

Earliest Memory

The soft yellow walls of the room emit a warm glow. I am standing next to Mom and Grandma. I must be 15 or 16 months old because there is my brother, Jimmy, all bundled up in a crib & my eyes are about knee-level to Mom and Grandma. I don’t understand what it is … More Earliest Memory

Sunday with Sissay

My new favorite podcast is OnBeing Project‘s Poetry Unbound. I like that each episode is less than 10 minutes & in that span of time I am always transported. The poems linger with me for days and weeks. This is my post 5 of a 30-day WriteStreak challenge and the idea for this entry came … More Sunday with Sissay

Yellow Gumbo

This is post 4 of a 30-day WriteStreak Challenge. Lary, my 2-year old yellow lab officemate, grumbled pleadingly at me around 4:30pm Friday. It was past time for his daily afternoon 45-minute minimum stroll around the neighborhood.  Hunter, my husband, Lary’s steadfast walking buddy was away in town & I’d promised both of them I … More Yellow Gumbo

Wordless Chorus

Note: This is post 3 of a 30-day WriteStreak Challenge. It is also from a Story Skills Workshop exercise. Tell me spirit, what has not been done? -My Morning Jacket, Wordless Chorus It was 2008 on a crisp, cool autumn afternoon in Pensacola, Florida. I stepped out of the 4th grade classroom where I had … More Wordless Chorus