Standing under the dogwood tree, I place myself so that the brightest star in the sky is aligned with the top of the biggest fur tree, making it look like Christmas. The moon looking on is a bald-headed profile in need of a fedora. I stare for a long time, like watching a clock that [...]
But what you cannot bear to see is all that you will find … as mine is now and always yours, and yours is always mine … From “For Wayne” by Mara This is the page in my son Josh’s collage journal that he randomly opened to while talking with a friend named Melissa last [...]
The number of a friend who does plumbing and electric The number for a counselor in Blacksburg A burned piece of bread left in the toaster A closed door to a room upstairs A note in red ink about kissing An abstract painting I don’t understand
1. The first night was like knowing one of us would die in our sleep. It would be Joe. He would get up at 6 a.m. and slip out before I was awake. Gone for a month long meditation retreat. No phone calls. No emails. No letters. I found myself staying up late, watching him [...]
~ The summer in review, taken from first lines in past posts. Click on the last word in each line if you want to read more. 1. By the end of June the Parkway rhododendrons are weeping petals and roadside lilies are looking sassy. ‘Fireworks For Sale’ signs have become evident and everyone seems to [...]
1. If THIS is the National Geographic’s Photo of the Month (seen at Sandy’s) then the photo to the left is my answer to it. 2. My nephews, pictured jumping off a Blue Ridge Parkway Mountain, are not named This and That but are Mat and Pat. 3. Worst political T-shirt hoisted on a kid [...]
1. Toe the Line 2. It’s High Time 3. Are My Bangs Straight?
~ The following was published in The Floyd Press September 17, 2009 and online HERE. On October 10th, Floyd Countians are invited to join more than 1,000 communities in 100 countries around the world in a grassroots action to draw attention to global warming. The 350 action initiative was created by bestselling environmental author Bill [...]
~ The following is a sampling of photos that was published in The Floyd Press September 17, 2009. 1. Last weekend I took pictures for our local newspaper of the second annual Fashion Show and Silent Auction, held in the backyard garden of Jeanie and Tom O’Neill. The event is a fundraiser to benefit the [...]
Does ZAG exist without ZIG? I played UNITE rather than UNTIE because I like the word better and Mara wondered why she saw VOLE instead of LOVE in her letters. We learned that GEEZ could be spelled with a G or a J and was used as a “mild oath,” but SHANG (maybe we were [...]
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1. The World Health Organization ranked the U.S. health care system only 37th in the world. Nothing to sing about, but HE DID. 2. At the recent year celebration of the local literary magazine Floyd County Moonshine and tribute readings to the late poet Elliot Dabinisky, my friend Mara brought me a confusing gift: a [...]
As an Independent who votes Democratic because they represent my views on women’s rights, civil rights, labor rights, and the environment better than their counterparts, I often disagree with my Republican friends but can understand and respect their conservative views. What I can’t understand (and what I have only disdain for) are the far right [...]
~ The following was published in The Floyd Press on August 20, 2009. The literary flavor of summer’s Floyd County Moonshine is as striking as the bright red wildflowers on its cover and as local as the next door neighbor. The issue spotlights Floyd writers and features the poetry of the late Elliot Dabinsky. A [...]
I don’t know why but when I stare at this picture I keep expecting Mr. Ed the talking horse to come out and snort hello. This time of year, my favorite summer sundress is almost as worn as this butterfly’s wings. There was a time when I thought hay bales were put there by farmers [...]
~ The following was published in The Floyd Press on September 10, 2009 and HERE. Black bean paté, pork ribs from Bright Farm, bread from Sweetwater Bakery, a casserole, fresh peaches, and apple pie were some of the dishes enjoyed at the Time for Lunch potluck, held on Labor Day at the Floyd Country Store. [...]
1. While driving home from the grocery store I passed my black Honda CRV with the license plate LETITB parked downtown and had a pang of panic, like I had astral projected out of my body and was watching it on the bed sleeping. Of course, I had forgotten that Joe borrowed my car and [...]
(Or at least get a face lift.) When my local webhost server told me he could no longer afford to host Loose Leaf and was planning to shut down his operation, I seriously thought about not blogging anymore. Being on an out-of-date Moveable Type publishing platform with a blog the size of Texas, I knew [...]
