This is a response to the Muse on Monday prompt for January 26, 2026: Write a story where the character finds something in their food The Key to Life I find that the key to life is to go with the flow. Sure, you can plan things out, but life will just happen if you…
Muse on Monday – February 2, 2026
This past week, a lot of the United States has been enduring winter conditions they are not used to. It’s been cold and snowy but we’re used to it so it’s not as big a deal as it is in, say, Texas or Georgia. I’ve lived in cold areas my whole life and maybe because…
Go Big, Go Home
Go Big, Go Home I was sitting on the porch at 10 am when I saw my neighbor’s teenager approaching. “You’re home early,” I said. “They sent me home.” He shrugged. “I brought a cake in for my birthday.” “You got in trouble? For a cake?” “It was a big cake. Seven feet tall. I…
Muse on Monday – January 26, 2026
Story Prompt: January 26, 2026 Write a story where the character finds something in their food The stereotypical version of this is a customer in a restaurant finding a fly in their soup. However, try to think of where else this could take place (at a friend’s house, in a military cafeteria, cooking for themselves…
A Study in Excitement
A Study in Excitement I’ve got a Spanish exam tomorrow, but of course my lame family has to go to the amusement park together. My academic future means nothing, I guess. Lead on, Mom. I smuggle in a notebook to study while we wait in line. I pull it out again on the rollercoaster as…
Muse on Monday – January 19, 2026
Imagine what we could call a courting scene. There are two people with a spark of attraction between them but they don’t know each other very well, maybe at all. Now take out any dialogue and look only at what they do, where they look, their posture, what they do with their hands. There is…
Asile
Asile You lie on cold marble staring at the dome above. Blood leaks onto beautiful tiles. “Back!” you hear. “This is a sanctuary. You have no right.” You turn your head and see the priest standing in the doorway, keeping the mob out with his body. You close your eyes. The door slams and the…
Muse on Monday – January 12, 2026
A story where the conflict is between two parties of very unmatched power is known as a David and Goliath story, from the story in the Bible of the shepherd boy who took on a 9-foot-tall warrior. Examples of this could be Star Wars, where the rebels take on the Imperial forces or Avatar where…
Muse on Monday – January 5, 2026
We don’t usually think much about time unless it’s at a demarcation point, like the new year last week or a birthday or other milestone. Time just flows by in the background of our lives. However, there are times when significant things happen quickly and we are very aware of how fast (or slow) time…
Humanity’s Day Out
Humanity’s Day Out The humans were restless. Gryxad glanced at them on the holding bay monitor as the ship pulled up to the orbiting inspection booth. “Purpose of visit?” “Just vacation,” Gryxad said. “And letting the critters run around a bit.” “Critters?” “About 50 humans, a few canines and bovines.” “Length of stay?” Gryxad exchanged…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 