It's Back to School...wait...
Back to school...wait...not for me...not this year. I am retired, no more lesson plans, not more books, no more nasty student looks...or other teachers either. It was one hot summer, but at least I do not live in Arizona where they have had over one hundred days in a row with the temperature in the triple digits...which breaks the old record of 76 by quite a bit if my math is correct which is a hit or miss with me. I'll be honest, I do miss not teaching, but I am getting used to not knowing what day it is when somebody asks me. I come offering you, free of charge, three new stories and some more of my memoir. I also went into the attic to dig out three poems that I've had filed for quite a while. Cry Over Spilt Ink is a like an autumn stroll through a pumpkin patch, isn't it? If not how about front row of a political debate? Now, doesn't that stroll through a pumpkin patch sound a lot better framed in that context with a warm cinnamon pumpkin latte in your hand? I'm a writer, it's my job to paint a soothing picture with words, now isn't it?
Included in this edition are the following my creative efforts:
- "The Spy Who Came in from the Moderately Warm Temperature (with a 90% chance of precipitation) Accepted by Reedsy Sept 7: Easily my longest title of a short story, but this rather satirical piece is when novelist Percy McIntyre meets his protagonist Rex Roget (pronounced like the Thesaurus) who is quite upset that Percy has changed his occupation from private eye to spy and tries to change the writer's mind. In the end Percy Gibson talks Rex into giving his new profession a try.
- "Journey Me to Me New Home" (accepted by Reedsy August 31, 2024): Journey with Patrick McGonnal as he takes a journey across the Atlantic Ocean abord the HMS Raliabill as Captain Codswell sails Patrick to his new home in America in 1825, where his father has been forced to sell him into indentured service to pay the rent. The journey is perilous, and he soon finds himself struggling against the wind and weather. Many Americans have family roots deep in Ireland as does Patrick.
- "Plus-One Perspective" (accepted by Reedsy July 2024): When I was five years old, my dad married Carole after my mother passed away in 1957. How many kids get to attend their parents' wedding as a plus one? I have. Carole would adopt me as her son after their wedding. This is the actual story I took away from their wedding. I hope you enjoy it.
- Old Poems: Silverback,
I hope you found something to make stopping on my blog worthwhile. Thank you for taking the time. I am not selling anything. I do not want your money. I just publish this blog for your enjoyment. Hope it was enjoyable. Until next time, enjoy the rest of your summer...
