The Phoenix Through the salt-grimed asylum windows, I watch the Phoenix enter the harbor to cheering crowds, back from miraculous wartime exploits. I launched that ship. The crowd cheered me then, right up until they stole my crown and transformed it into a ballot box. And imprisoned me here. The door opens. “Supper time, your…
Muse on Monday – April 1, 2024
Happy Easter everyone, plus April Fools Day and the beginning of a new month. Do you like April Fools Day? I didn’t do any pranks, although I have in the past a few times. Pranks work in fiction, although because fiction runs on conflict, it is much more likely for a prank to go horribly…
Audition
Audition I showed up early for the Musikour audition at the dance studio. Parkour with music, they said. The door was barred by a high metal barrier. Fair enough; I’d expect nothing less. Humming a happy tune, I scaled the fence, hoping this was being recorded. The door was locked. This was getting more intense….
Muse on Monday – March 25, 2024
Every city has its own personality. Part of that is based on where it is—if it has mountains or lakes or is by the ocean or is on an island—but it goes beyond that. Even cities that seem very similar have subtle differences based on their culture and their “feel”. You may have to live…
Muse on Monday – March 18, 2024
Happy Monday, everyone! Welcome back to the Treehouse for a new writing prompt. If you know someone very well, you might be able to tell what they are thinking just by seeing their facial expressions. That’s because we can convey a lot through our expressions even if we don’t say anything out loud. Facial expressions…
Muse on Monday – March 11, 2024
Welcome to the beginning of a brand new week. I don’t know what the weather there is like, but here it is sometimes cold and snowy and sometimes warm. That is the normal craziness of March in this area. Story Prompt: March 11, 2024 Write a story based on the picture below. This is a…
Bẻn Lẻn (Shy)
Bẻn Lẻn (Shy) “Don’t be shy.” I know that word, shy. It means I’m not trying hard enough. I smile at the American girl, pushing down my anxiety. “Where . . . you from?” I don’t understand her answer, but I nod, smiling. Everyone at the dorm mixer is chatting, even the other Vietnamese girl…
Muse on Monday – March 4, 2024
Happy Monday everyone. I’m back from my trip and it’s the first week of March. The theme this week is weapons. That might be disturbing to some people (and if so, I apologize) but weapons come up a lot in stories. There are two things to remember: first, there are many types of weapons and…
Frank
Frank “Whatcha watching?” I was just thinking how much it sucked being constantly alone when I heard the voice coming from below the TV. “Whatcha watching?” it asked again, slow and curious. “A documentary about crushing cars.” “Cool.” It was coming from the toy koala my niece made for me. “What’s your name?” I asked….
Muse on Monday – February 26, 2024
Can you believe that February is almost over? This winter has been going fast, at least for me. I’m currently spending the week with a group of people with various disabilities. It’s been a wonderful time so far and it is interesting to see people’s personalities displayed either through a disability or in spite of…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 