Quite a few years ago, when I first read Stephen King’s excellent book On Writing, I thought about how cool it would be to have as many rejection slips as King, the ones he talks about collecting in a desk drawer. Submit a story, get a refusal, into the drawer it goes, out with another submission. […]
Holding Out for Acceptance: Submission, Rejection, Submission, Repetition Read More »
Charlie approached the steam table, held his steel tray out above the sneeze guard, and waited to be served. Sylvia, the blue-aproned lunch attendant, held her spoon poised and waited for his order. Charlie, though, was silent. “Meatloaf?” she offered at last. Charlie shook his head. “Soy burger?” Sylvia asked. Charlie shook his head. Behind
One Morning in the Lunch Line Read More »
I’m always scared when I first point down range, thoughts racing, imagining every grisly scenario, “What if it misfires and blows off my hand?” Or my face. Deep breath in, index on trigger, deep breath out, and BOOM! Momentary surprise when sound echoes through the protective earmuffs, sudden images of backyard boys with toy rifles and coonskin caps
Backyard Target Shooting Read More »
Sometimes, life happens, whether we want it to or not. Filled with optimism, we make grand plans and promises, setting out to take on the world in our own inimitable way. Soon, however, reality sets upon us, barging in with a vengeance, and we end up missing the mark. The reasons vary. We oversleep, forget,
Droppings! Telltale evidence leaves no doubt. I have a mouse in the garage. I refuse to say “mice” as the thought of more than one of the furry creatures inhabiting secret corners, freaks me out. I coexist fine with spiders and snakes. Only a mouse can make me stand on a chair and scream. Fear
What Would Thoreau Do? Read More »
Those who live in Colorado know how beautiful the scenery is, no matter the season, and the wildlife abounds. As the cities grow, though, they have been encroaching on the habitats of local animals. Deer are common sights in yards of homes near the foothills, and pronghorn are abundant on the plains, whether houses are
