Iris

Kate leaned slightly to get her iris near the scanner. The door clicked open almost immediately and she entered her work area. Her mind was on the night before, and the irises in the eyes she had enjoyed studying all through dinner. She wanted to get closer to those eyes. She wanted to throw aside the long table between them, displace all the others seated there,  and move close enough to share breath, share heartbeats, share long gazes into the eye’s secret soul.

She knew other people found ways to make that happen. She’d heard whispers about people who were expelled for becoming pregnant. She could find out how to arrange such a meeting, but what if the object of her attention wasn’t willing? What if . . .

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “iris.”

August Rush

August Rush is a feel-good movie that will bring a smile to your face. If watching the evening news is bad for your mental health, August Rush is the antidote. Determined little boy overcomes all odds, wonderfully evil bad guy (Robin Williams), great music and a fairy tale happy ending.

Everything in life doesn’t have to be grim, everything doesn’t have to be Tommy Lee Jones or George Clooney facing down Tilda Swinton.

So relax. Maybe you can even go see Enchanted this weekend too. Get the full treatment.

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “August rush.”

Rake

 Recipe for fall fun.
Take your rake.
Go outside.
Rake up a pile of leaves.
Drop your rake.
Run and jump in pile.

Dust off.
Repeat.

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “rake.”

The Lovely Bones

I’m reading The Lovely Bones, a novel by Alice Sebold. I think Alice Sebold is going to become a favorite of mine. This book is written from the point of view of a 14 year old rape and murder victim, who observes her family’s reactions to her death from “her heaven.”

Sebold has a bestseller on the charts right now, her latest novel The Almost Moon. I haven’t read this one yet, but certainly intend to do that very soon.

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “the lovely bones.”

Cozy Jammies

I was fingering the fabric in the toddler pajamas, searching for the perfect pair of cozy jammies for my grandson when a tall and healthy looking man about my age stopped in front of me.

“Janet Gleason?” he said.

“I’m Janet Friedenberger now,” I said, “but Gleason was my name. Do I know you?” I looked at him more closely, trying to subtract the years from his face to when I was still called Gleason. Suddenly I smiled, and I may have flushed, because I realized who it was. . .

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “cozy jammies.”

Crashed

People are crashed on my couch and in my spare bed. Not unusual in this place. The place where I lived before this place drew few visitors. I can’t think of a one. How did I go from lonely to popular? I moved to a new town. A place where potential couch crashers abound.

Having people show up and want a place to sleep for a night or two is actually a very nice thing. It keeps a stream of conversation and activity coming my way. It . . .

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “crashed.”

Snow

Jim staggered from bed and went straight to the window to see how much snow had fallen. The yard was mounded with purest white. Soft curves hid the bushes and fences, trees hung low with pillowed branches. No one had driven down the street yet.

He threw on snow clothes, jerked on his boots, and headed for Steve’s bedroom. Knocking full force on the door, Jim shouted, “Come on, bro. We’re sledding today!”

He didn’t wait for an answer but headed to the garage where . . .

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “snow.”

Foreign Films

 Rayanne stood before the foreign films section at Blockbuster. She scanned the titles for something new in French. She’d been brushing up on her French for the past few months, preparing for a trip in the spring.

A tall, thin woman paused next to her. She picked up “Amelie,” which Rayanne had watched three times. Rayanne looked at her, trying not to be obvious. The woman was older, as thin and desiccated as straw. But vital somehow, almost electric. Rayanne ventured a comment, “That’s . . .

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “foreign films.”

Sacred Life

I discovered a blog today that encourages a practice called “Sacred Life Sunday.” The practice suggests you take one day a week to celebrate the simple, sacred things in your life in some way. Just taking notice of them may be celebration enough. A few minutes of attention and appreciation can change your outlook, your attitude, your spiritual appreciation of life.

What could you do to celebrate sacred life Sunday?

Please leave a comment with your first 50 words on the topic “Sacred Life.”

Family traditions

It’s the time of year when family traditions get dusted off and brought out to play. Some are good ones, and some plain stink. I like sitting around the table, with each person telling one by one what they are thankful for that year. I hate the football and the drinking. I love the cranberries and turkey. I hate the sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. I like . . .