Little Richard

When Richard was a boy we called him Little Richard because his dad was Richard, too. After a while we just called him Little. He’s a grown man now, over 6 feet tall and big as an outhouse, but everyone in the family still calls him Little. He gets angry and wants us to use his name. The name he wants us to use is Stella. He wants us to use different pronouns, too. It’s very hard to change after all these years.

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A Party

It’s a party outside! Everything is waking up, coming alive. New shoots, new blooms, leaves bursting from buds. Spring is not just a season, it’s a metaphor for burgeoning life and hope. The longer days, the sun, the daffodils! Let’s all party.

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Highway to Hell

There was no internet at this lake. Her parents were crazy if they thought this trip was a vacation. She was on the highway to hell and she knew it. She clapped earphones over her ears and refused to talk to anyone. Her little brother bounced up and down in the seat and chattered about deer and squirrels – she hated him! What a jerk!

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Pull

The sign said ‘Pull’
But I didn’t read.

The earth said ‘Danger’
But I didn’t listen.

The man said ‘Hate’
And too many obeyed.

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Admire

First 50 many years ago in Italy

I admire and am attracted to intelligence. An intelligent, well-written sentence or poem impresses me. All my life I’ve strived to write to write impressive sentences. Once in a while I succeed.

Recently I was reading an old journal I wrote while on a trip to Italy. There were a few good sentences in it. You have to admit it’s pretty funny when a writer impresses herself with her own sentences!

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The Sunset

The sunset blazed outside the window. Glen stood red faced, veins bulging, as he screamed at me. I knew what was coming next and I tried to calm him with my voice. I sat down and averted my eyes.

Then something snapped. I wasn’t going to take it. Not again. I picked up the heavy stone carving we’d brought home from Poland. I stood up and swung it. . . .

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Morning Routine

I rise
Eyes puffy slits
Bladder bursting.

I shuffle
Or rather stagger
Toward the coffee maker.

The magic caffeine
Brings me alive
And I’m a puppy again.

Hello! Want to play?

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Superpower

There are so many superpowered heroes littering the entertainment landscape these days. They can do all sorts of superhuman things. If you had a superpower, what would you use it to do?

Make all the billionaires less greedy? Remove the excess CO2 from the air? Go back in time to the good old days (whenever they were?). Bring back lost loved ones? Stay young forever?

We already have enough superheroes who are strong enough to punch you through a wall. Now we need some superheroes who are smart.

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Oh, no!

“Oh, no! What have you done now?”

No answer, just big brown eyes staring at me. Waiting. Was trouble coming?

I opened the door to the back yard. “Out,” I barked. He went – running like a devil was after him.

I took up a broom and began sweeping up the remains of a full can of oatmeal that had gone from counter top to floor in what must have been a whirlwind of activity. I was only gone long enough to pick up my glasses and come back to the kitchen.

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My Favorite Aunt

Kala is my favorite aunt. She’s also my only aunt. Even if I had a dozen aunts, she would still be my favorite. She doesn’t have any kids, so I’m sort of her substitute kid. She’s not judgmental like my mom. I can tell her stuff and she just listens. Sometimes she gives me good advice. She likes to do cool things, too, like rollerblading. She’s the best.

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