Something has happened to me.  I've had an almost complete reversal of opinions held strongly in my youth.  I was a strict 7-day creationist, now...well, although I understand why many of my friends, family and fellow church-goers believe that, I no longer believe that. 

 I staun… Read full post »

College in your forties is no joke.  Or, perhaps, it is a truly fine joke played on those of (ahem) mature years by the creator of the universe.  Just when others my same age are driving their kids to elementary school, sitting through middle-school band concerts and teaching their kids to… Read full post »

Melanie

I don't know how I made it through the day, then suddenly my grandkids were there. I hugged them as hard as I could without scaring or hurting them. I needn't have worried. They hugged me back fiercely. My precious boys.

“Is Grandpa in… Read full post »

Sarah

I usually spent a lot of time getting ready to go anywhere, but I was so stressed out and upset that I changed no fewer than five times before going to see mom at the Campbell's the next day. The boys were ready, calling up the stairs and… Read full post »

I am a wife.  It is not how I define myself, as it seems such an odd thing to use to define myself.  I have been a wife for 28 years and 8 months.  I have been a wife longer than I was single, though that in itself is a huge… Read full post »

Gelatina Prugne e Port 

I am fascinated by the things I write, I will admit.  Not that I necessarily feel that I write well, but I remain fascinated with the world around me and with the words and stories that dance around in my head.  I write all the time, but am frustrated by what… Read full post »

Melanie

I lay awake in the darkness, listening to the ticking of a clock somewhere in another room. Though the curtains were open, barely a hint of light showed. There was no moon, and the stars seemed very dim tonight.

There are things that happen in a… Read full post »

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 Sarah

That witch Josie did it again. She always manages to twist things around to make it seem like I'm… Read full post »

Melanie

Dear God, I cannot do this. I thought this over and over again as Josie and I drove together to meet the pastor. I prayed silently and with no more words than these;,I/… Read full post »

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The pastor called, assuming that I knew about the meeting, so I played along. Hell, I didn't even know that mom wa… Read full post »

After some time away from the work force, in this radically different job market, I've gone back to work.  I'm working a temporary job that has been extended into the 6th going on 7th week.  The thing is, it's kicking my butt.  Getting back into the swing of things, that is. … Read full post »

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Melanie

The plane touched down with a familiar thump and light screech; gentle, but with a sensation of restrained power. Out the window were the mountains of my home, the peaks fu… Read full post »

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 Melanie

The first few days were a blur. From the knock on the door; a police man standing there telling me the surreal words “I regret to inform you...” when th… Read full post »

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So I called Josie, telling her about the kids soccer schedule. She and mom used to come watch the games together, sitting in their lawn chairs on the side of the field, cheer… Read full post »

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Sarah

I never wondered what my mother was thinking.  I should have paid more attention.

The letter arrived two days after she left here,  dad's ashes in an urn belted to the front seat of the rental car.  She had… Read full post »

He was the reason we met, but when we got married, he wasn't allowed into the church. For more than 25 years I never knew what happened, who denied him entry and why he wasn't allowed in the building. I heard tales that… Read full post »

Lovely thing, dreams. My dreams are often so intensely real, that upon waking and sometimes for a while later I struggle with whether it is a memory or a dream. I mean, I'm fairly certain I can't actually run so fast that I no longer touch the ground...right?… Read full post »

I've been ill.  Haven't read more than one or two others of these and, quite frankly,  feeling like crap puts your head in a completely different place.  For extra-special fun, after five days on antibiotics, the doc called to tell me that the tests had come back and that the antibioti… Read full post »

Life is a crazy trade-off.  Or maybe it's not such a trade-off if you haven't got the trades to make.  To work, we currently have to live in Fairfax County, one of the wealthiest and most expensive places to live in Virginia.  Actually, anywhere around D.C. is expensive.  I've gri… Read full post »

Despite birth defects, pain, misery, neglect, and abuse, she walked away with a legacy of faith.  In that faith she dealt with the other, darker legacy and learned hope.  Now she faces both the darkness and the light, moving to a place of...love. Read full post »

I've been showing my brother's rental for him.  It's a small thing, but it allowed them to move away (boo!) together, rather than her staying here and taking care of the house and showing it to prospective new tenants.  People assume, when they call, that I'm with the property management co… Read full post »

I am a bit travel-obsessed.  I admit it.  Call it a flaw if you wish.  I don't know if it is a sin, and if it is if it would meet the criteria of carnal or venal.  I do know I think about travel all the time.  I read… Read full post »

Where have you gone,

great orb of light

low-slung in the sky

reflected brilliance

softer still

more gentle, more benign

your luminescence 

calls to me

soothes my scorched soul

 peace you bring

and solace sing

in lullabies at night

 tonight I went to look for you

I sought you near and… Read full post »