In middle school, I was assigned to write a short story. I must have mentioned it to my dad. I remember him leading me into his bedroom — the room that was always locked, always shut. It felt forbidden. There was a bathroom no one was allowed to use, a secret closet with, a door … Continue reading The Opal Ring

Our new neighbors live across the river from us. Between our small cottage and their blue‑tarped shanty runs a long, crooked river that leads to a deep, beautiful lake in New England. It wraps nearly 270 degrees around our . rolling green hills, tall maples, and sun‑dappled grasses. “It looks like a park,” my oldest … Continue reading The Shrill Loud Voice

The tiny islands of Bermuda are actually made up of more than 100 islands, formed by extensive volcanic activity. The island is known and loved for its white sand, pink beaches and turquoise waters. I find it interesting that something as ruinous as a volcano could produce one of the world’s favorite tourist attractions.

Going through boxes in the basement that have been there for twenty years untouched, unremembered and sorely neglected is no small task, but it must be done. The things of the past must be sorted. In the sorting we find ourselves again. We uncover parts of ourselves that have been lost, delayed, and sorely in … Continue reading Re-Written

It was a slight commotion that caused me to turn my head. A small bird had flown down the chimney and into my kitchen

Midlife is all about growth in my humble opinion.  Maybe we have a big midlife growth spurt to get ready for a second round of reproduction, not literal birthing of a tiny person, but birthing something that was set inside us at the beginning of time to be born and brought forth at an appointed older age, things like purpose and destiny.

A short story about cookies, finishing well and learning new ways to do things.