Death is a major change event and not just for the person that just got ejected into the Great Beyond. It’s a huge adjustment for the people left behind. Beyond dealing with the grief and loss, there are financial issues like inheritance or losing money to creditors. If a leader dies, there might be huge…
Probably a Phase
Probably a Phase “It’s a dreamcatcher,” his son said. “Ah,” Tim said, staring at the artistic horror. “Why are there chicken guts in it?” “Because it’s an evil dreamcatcher. To curse people.” It’s a phase, Tim thought. He’s going through a phase. “Cool . . .” he said aloud. “How?” “It uses a person’s possession…
Muse on Monday – April 20, 2026
What do you think of when you think of a first date? Maybe two people meeting nervously in a restaurant or coffee shop, maybe going to a movie. However, people meet and fall in love in all sorts of situations, ideal and otherwise. This week’s prompt is to think of one of those less-than-ideal situations….
Muse on Monday – April 13, 2026
I think everyone should travel to a foreign country where people don’t speak your language. If nothing else, it gives you a lot of empathy when working with people who are learning your language, but it can be a great learning experience as well. However, it is undeniably a stressful situation with lots of opportunities…
A Year in Abeyance
A Year in Abeyance I decided to take 2026 off. No social media; no media at all: just me and my sailboat meandering around the Pacific. I left San Diego on December 31, 2025. “Call if you need anything,” I told my brother as I left. I’d left my phone at home. 365 days. Warm…
My House Doesn’t Trust Me
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt of April 6, 2026: Write a story about a character breaking into their own house. My House Doesn’t Trust Me I was five steps down my front path on the way to the car when I realized I’d forgotten my keys inside the now-locked…
Muse on Monday – April 6, 2026
Different writing prompts bring different questions to mind, as a writer. For instance, if the story is about a murder, the overarching question is who did it and maybe how. For this prompt, the main question to answer is why. Story Prompt: April 6, 2026 Write a story about a character breaking into their own…
Grandpa’s Head
Grandpa’s Head “There’s a head inside that.” Grandma pointed to the box on the highest bookshelf. I mentioned this at dinner, expecting laughter. Everyone just nodded. “Your great-grandfather found it a century ago, completely mummified.” “That slash across its mouth, ugh!” “And the naked lady tattoo.” The adults snickered. The kids looked fascinated. “Can we…
The First Night
This story is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt of March 23, 2026: Write a story about going to sleep. The First Night The lights die with a mechanical clunk and darkness suffocates me like a woolen shroud. I try not to move on my bunk. Every breath seems to make the metal…
The Webs
The Webs The webs felt like a shriek of horror in a fetid boneyard. I staggered, almost blind with despair. Just cut one. The air felt tainted, a gaseous rot that crawled over my boots, turning everything leprous and foul. Cut one. My spirit screaming for me to run, I brought my knife blade against…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 