Category: Short Fiction
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On A Warm Halloween, Here’s Something For You
[The author at Highgate Cemetery, September, 2024. London. Photo is mine.] When I was a child, I was afraid of ghosts. When I grew up, I realized people are more scary. ~~Anon Once more, another year, another Halloween and another opportunity for me to share something spooky with you. No ghost photos this year. Not…
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Twelve Days With A Sad Little Tree
Ho ho the mistletoe Is hung where you can see Somebody waits for you Kiss her once for me… ~~Burl Ives (Lyrics by Johnny Marks) [The sad tree. Photo is mine.] Once upon a time, I was sitting in a small inexpensive apartment in a city quite far from where I’m writing this, and I…
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This Is Not Me
[The Wind Star. Photo: Windstar Cruises.] I know it’s April Fools Day but this is not a trick or prank. {NOTE TO READERS: The name of this post says it all. I did not write it. Backstory: Several weeks ago I had a dinner conversation with my son, Brian. He is almost always one step…
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My 600th Blog: Lat. 24 N./Long. 81 W.
[Ernest Hemingway’s typewriter. Located at the Hemingway House Museum, Key West, Florida. Photo is mine.] Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be. ~~Ernest Hemingway I am sitting in the air-conditioned Monroe Country Public Library (Key West Branch). It’s quiet, cool and has a WiFi that takes no prisoners. I…
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Mr. Peanut Gets Unshelled
On a recent road trip, I was driving through Georgia and noticed that peaches were a big item in most roadside food stands. But there was also billions of peanuts: salted, unsalted, boiled, plain, shelled and unshelled to satisfy any taste. It was outside the Peanut Emporium in Lumpkin when I noticed a swanky peanut…
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I Failed the Pepsi Challenge
It was a bright autumn day. The cirrocumulus and stratocumulus were fighting a war to dominate the sky. The altocumulus and mammatus clouds stood out of the way in the western sky. It wouldn’t rain that day. I entered the Mall, full of anticipation. I loved Malls, all the stores would be bustling and the…
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A Guide to Delivering the Perfect ‘Father-of-the-Groom’ Wedding Toast
Let’s say that you find yourself in the position of having to write and deliver a wedding toast at the rehearsal dinner. If you’re more than a little nervous and uncomfortable before a crowd of strangers, then pick and choose some of the pointers I’m providing. Above all, don’t be scared because no one will…
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Too Old, Too Soon: Two Friends
“I want to go for a ride,” said the car that had a teal fender. “You can’t. You’re a mess. Your engine hasn’t run since the early sixties. A car also needs four wheels and you need three. Your ride isn’t going my friend. This is going to be where you will stay until someone…
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Winter
Old Nan: Oh my sweet summer child, what do you know about fear? Fear is for winter, when the snows fall one hundred feet deep. Fear is for the long night, when the sun hides for years and children are born and live and die, all in darkness. That is the time for fear, my…
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