Somehow, his feet moved. Left. Right. Left. Right. As if walking were actually an involuntary reflex propelling him forward. Had he remembered the napkin?  He always wrote on napkins, why was that? Pat the coat pocket.  Pat the back pocket.  Dig in the pants pocket. No napkin. But here he was, feet now lead, sinking […]

Yesterday evening we took down our Christmas tree.  I wasn’t ready.  I’m STILL not ready.  I go downstairs to the living room and I’m stunned each time by the now yawning cavernous space by the front windows.  I don’t really understand how Christmas went by so quickly this year.  I know I’m getting older and […]

“Three… Two… One…” Each finger disappears along with the number, until there are none. Then I “woosh!” my hand away as your teeth arrange themselves into the smile that I can see always, even with my eyes closed, like the imprint of the light after a sunset stare. “One… Two… Three… Four… Fiiiiiiiivvvvve!” This time […]

The doorbell rings. The children sing. The adults sing, too, but only halfheartedly with busy hands full of scarves and lonely single mittens… and busy heads full of lists and anxious “what if”s rather than words to a time-worn carol. As always, there are somehow too many sopranos. How are there always too many sopranos? […]

Dear Dr. Demento, I do not know what you have your doctorate in. I do not know how you came to have your own radio show. I do not know how you managed to have so many cool friends who are so entertaining. And frankly, I don’t care. I’m just thankful you were around to […]

Long.  Long because he wouldn’t let me cut it.  Long to my butt.  Long catching on anything and everything.  Long giving me headaches. Short.  Not too short. Short because he can’t control me anymore.  Short because it’s what you do when you move away from home to college.  Short because I took the scissors to […]

My heart isn’t big enough. Not for the crashing train that hits me when you smile. Not for the iceberg that chills me when you take a spill. Not for the number of towels I need handy for your fantastic teething-open-mouth kisses on my cheeks, and nose, and forehead. Not for the monster sitting on […]

another full day much driving with bleary eyes yet, NaBloPoMo

The Solo Roadtrip. The roadtrip you take after you’ve procrastinated as long as possible because you’re not actually sure that you want to spend 5 hours in a small car with, well, yourself. After three Frappuccinos and hastily packing clothes, I’m on my way — hair pragmatically yet attractively clipped away from my face. (It’s […]

Useless! Jane’s head whipped around to stare incredulously at Tom. “What did you just say?!” Tom’s face grew hot under Jane’s focused stare. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Damn! “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, flint coming into his eyes, “was that my outside voice?” This was how they always started, their arguments. […]