Mom, when did you actually know you were in love with dad?
Tag: Short story
“My nomadic travel origins,”
One aspect I thought of was my self-diagnosis of having a hyperactive personality with a dose of attention deficit disorder. 🙂
“Fellow World Travelers.”
It is always great meeting fellow travelers who seek nomadic adventures as we are a unique tribe of people whose experiences of the open road brings joys to our hearts.
“Angry voice of gratitude.”
I will never forget the sunny Monday morning inside the coffee shop, knowing you had seen me dozens if not hundreds of times reading the
“Table talk.” (short Story)
The town of Creighton New Hampshire was to celebrate the 1948 class reunion of the small towns only high school with 43 of the original 97
“Fathers Day.”
Today men all over America are celebrating Father’s Day spending time with their families, throwing a ball in the yard or enjoying a quiet day
“Juxtapose, the yearly ceremony.”
Again, as usual, I am seated watching the archaic traditions leaving no assumptions for what is to happen at this ceremony that has been held every
“Appreciating natural surroundings.”
Usually, on the weekends mostly during the morning hours, a hiking trail fills with groups of people flaunting their newly purchased hiking and backpacking gear.
“Vaguely bestowed history.” (short story)
Ms, Charlotte Wetzler, was seated on the main stage, looking out upon well over 500-hundred guests who are her former students and the recipients of
“Rubber Mallet.” ( short story)
With each swing of the mallet, I pound the spike deeper into the ground. Anger, jealousy, envy, and hate fuels my swings but, I cannot
“Identical.”
Every day since forever, I have seen you, and we are identical twins. I look into your eyes, and I see the mirror image of
“Blushed.”
Casandra entered the room, and I could not make eye contact, She walks past my table, and I look down at my paper, I sensed
“The wisdom of patience.”
I can remember as far back as a kindergartener, hearing my mother, father, siblings, friends, and teachers, telling me, or writing in the margins of
“Time to return to the trails.”
As the days of March wind down and I continue editing, re-editing and repeating the process of my short stories. The recent cold weather in
“Suddenly there is no sound.”
Suddenly there is no sound of the trail, but I feel and hear my heart pounding after my climb to summit the small peak of
Astral Congregation
At the beach, or in the park, the morning blend of sites and sounds coupled with the warm sunrise temperatures to sooth the skin adds to the beauty
“Valentines Day of love”
Well, it has come around again the commercially celebrated Valentines Day of love. It is the erotic, exotic, enticing, inspirational day for the expression and
“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #3” (Final)
The twins and Johnathan are in the rear seat of the car with their father at the wheel, as they travel along their driveway from
“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #2”
At 4:45 pm, their father, Jefferson Wheeler, was a third-generation farmer, who stood six-foot, seven-inches tall, with muscular arms, and a matching barrel chest. He
“Wedding anniversaries and a birthday: part #1.”
It was 4:30 pm on a western Nebraska farm, in the summer of 1969 with the humid July winds blowing as usual while the Wheeler
“Inscrutable trill silhouetted in front of me.”
I was scared almost out of my seat when Sister Abigale screamed at the top of her lungs forcing all of the fifth-grade students to
“I’m candid, fairly agile living on island time.”
I was born and raised in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York, and the first time I saw photos of a beach, I dreamed of
“The next dominant generation.”
I am a part of what some people call the greatest generation. When I consider how my parents who lived with nothing close to the
“Loophole.”
For twenty years’ or more, the theater’s dancers have taken a ten-minute break every hour during any rehearsal no matter how long they rehearsed. Three
“Winsome Characters.”
When a child is born, they are an unwritten computer program learning from parents teachers and society.
M. J. Leake
“Viable at any age.”
Mel and Susan Hubbard a married couple were sitting on a park bench after walking three miles along the beach which they do every other
“Atmospheric; A Short story”
Three months ago Jill and I decided to take a break with a tropical island weekend getaway. On our last evening, I dressed adorned in
“Droolling mushroom hunters.”
Hiking in the great northwest of the US brings you into contact with many types of people. My first encounter with mushroom hunters began with
“Music’s dubious riffs.”
During our annual concert, my high school’s jazz ensemble was playing before a packhouse of parents, students political dignitaries. We played several pieces that excited
“Faintly simmering and being beckoned.”
I stood in the doorway of the kitchen watching my mother cooking and preparing the Thanksgiving dinner as I drooled with excitement wanting to sneak
“Identifying Trademarks.”
The identifying trademarks were visible when the border officer lifted the tarp to reveal the cylindrical barrel. This story began after my best friend Charles
“A tentative short story.”
Recreating a time from the past can be an adventure. Malcolm & Ethel Marshall, lived thirty-three wonderful years in a beautifully appointed retirement transitional housing
Migrating Settlers & Rv’ers
Just like the early settlers who migrated west walking 20oo-miles, there is a current migration of travelers in recreational vehicles who criss-cross
“Funny Dilemma.”
The church elders had a horrible dilemma as hundreds of parishioners gathered for the viewing and funeral of 66-year-old Francine “Fanny” Fitzgerald, a member
“Silence.”
The sounds of silence typically heard during a hike, are footsteps impacting the earth, the rustling of leaves in the trees, along with the birds
“Perplexed, zing.”
It is early in the morning a half hour before the sunrises as I walk along a hiking trail to capture photos of mother nature, starting
Stump
The daily word prompts ignite my imagination of times in my life. The word “stump” has me reflecting on the stump-grinder, I rented to remove
Radical Moose Encounter
What would be the radical experiences to capture morning photos of the sunrise at a place called Silver Lake at Brighton Utah, 8000 feet above
“Recharge.”
During the funeral of my great uncle, Joshua, the brother of my great grandfather, I began thinking about all my blessings. I also thought of
“Sandwich.”
Since the 18th century the invention of the sandwich, named after English Aristocrat John Montauge the 4th Earl of Sandwich, humanity has made every type
“Twinkle.”
In college, there were weekends when many in my dorm would venture out to the lake near the university for a keg party. I reluctantly
“Plop.”
Commercial advertising is a powerful medium with jingles that can synch into the mental psyche forever. For me, the word “plop,” has always been associated
“Sidewalks.”
Sidewalks are the essential life blood of neighborhoods, and big cities. They suffer daily abuse from dirty feet, soiled shoes, muddy boots, canes, and wheels
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument & Museum.
I was fortunate to tour and learn about the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument & Museum that was established on June 14, 1997. It’s, location
“Fierce.”
Fierce is the adjective used to identify the individual or group entering battle, attacking insurmountable odds or challenges. Wars have produced fierce, violent attackers eager
“Vice.”
My evolution of the word “VICE.” As a child growing up, my father had a garage with a workbench with a vice similar to the
“Expert.”
A forensic psychologist, a forensic accountant, and forensic fingerprint expert, were summoned to court as witnesses for the prosecution. Because of the rule on witnesses,
“Cheats & Mistakes.”
In the Spring of 1963, Malcolm Milton University’s spring mid-term testing was in its final hours. Tenured History Professor, Wilbur Wilshire was shocked and astonished
Happy Birthday US National Parks
Today the US National Parks celebrate their 100th centennial. Yes, being 100 is cool when you have the gorgeous historic beauty surrounding you when you
Jeopardize
Police Chief Charles Chapman: Yesterday evening’s automobile accident was horrifying, and the heroic work of police, firefighters & bystanders who jeopardize their lives represent the
Ghost away
Ok, if you are a follower of this site, you know that I have begun traveling and reporting on my locations with photos. So, this
Carry
Because of my love of music, some word prompts spark my memory of songs from my past. The word “Carry” immediately takes me to the
Complicated
So, life is relatively easy. You are born, you love parents, family friends, and caregivers Follow the basic moral rules of life, don’t lie, cheat,
Reach
Reach is a movement every human has completed. However, the word reach is used more as a metaphor referring to an object or action in
“Generational divide”
Over the past one hundred years, generational divides are usually a contentious issue within families. I suspect, during the period between 1920 and 1960, the
“Joke”
Jokes are used to makes the world seem a little less horrible at the times. When humans witness horrific sights, serious thoughts prevail. However, some
“Luxury”
Luxury? During my adult life, luxuries are unique slices of life I passed up for whatever reasons or another. Mostly, because of children, you know
Realizations of a Travel Writer.
Several days ago, I wrote separate responses for WordPress daily word prompts for the words “stubborn,” “praise,” “muse,” “crave,” “profound,” and “apology.” As I formulated
The Great Platt River Archway Monument
For the past two decades, I have traveled in both directions on Interstates 70 in Kansas, 80 in Nebraska, and 90 in South Dakota. Most
“Clocks”
Many people around the world are pressed for time, don’t have enough time, and some run out of time. We all have a certain amount
“The things we leave behind.”
The things we leave behind are the things we collected because they were the must-haves of the moment. After fifteen trips to the local Good-Will
“Feast”
My date and I enjoyed a dinner feast, discussing our live and thoughts about our future. We decided to meet the following Saturday to attend
“Unpredictable”
As a structured life planner, I have always prepared and planned for the unpredictable, and yet the unforeseen most often takes place. My retiree lifestyle
“Nightmare”
While working at my desk, my dream turned into a nightmare I dreamed I was aware and awake of my nightmare. The nightmare never completed,
Forgetful RV’ers
Jim aged 87 and Mathew, age 89 are retirees from Florida and have been full-time RV’ers for the past twenty years. Late one night they
“Desert, which one?”
After an argument, I deserted my wife for the solitude and warmth of the desert, where I enjoyed the chocolate cake she made for dessert.
St. Louis Mo.
My journey as a travel writer begins in the city of my birth St. Louis, Missouri the “Show Me State.” On June 4, 2016, I
Voyages
The various reasons voyages are taken range from curiosity to seeking what’s’ over the next hill, seeking adventure to explore places unknown, a pilgrimage of
Island
Oh, how I would love to live on an island. I was offered the opportunity to live on an island off the coast of Key
“Pleasurable Reality”
Many pleasures can be seen watching people and pets. People’s faces reveal their pleasure during conversations producing laughter, smiles, and giggles. People show their
“Fence”
Standing in a Kansas wheat field. A fence of wheat on the left. A fence of wheat on the right. A fence of wheat ahead.
“Campanion”
A companion can be a human, animal or you, and is essential for some people and an option, for others, yet, many do not consider
“Serendipity”
I use the word “serendipity” to describe the events that have brought about my writing and photography experiences and opportunities. Serendipity took center stage Tuesday
“Rebuild”
A large part of my life for many years I worked at my father’s business rebuilding car motors and transmissions, yet, it was my first teenager
“Embarrassing”
Embarrassing moments take place throughout life, and every time I see someone spill a liquid in their lap, I think of the horribly awkward moment
“Confession or legendary tale”
I was born and raised in a fishing village on a South Pacific Island where my father died recently in a fishing accident when I
“Denying or Justifying”
Looking into a mirror many humans see something they are not. Denying the color of thy eyes Denying the color of thy skin, Denying thy
“Hope and the Westward Expansion Memorial”
The city of St. Louis is home to the 19-Acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, it is home to the Gateway Arch, the site of The Dred
“Sentimental”
Response to the one word prompt “Sentimental.” Most humans develop a sentimentality with inanimate objects, and I like many people have developed an attachment to
“Divide”
Dividing time for Parents. Dividing time for Children. Dividing time for a Spouse. Dividing time for Work. Dividing time for Hobbies. Dividing time for doing
“Secrets”
Secrets all around and held within. Secrets held for a moment can last forever. Secrets stand on the foundation of fear. Secrets first cousin
“Leap Month & Year”
Poets and Writers Prompt. 2016 is a Leap Year, meaning February gets an extra day on Monday, February 29. Push this one step further and
“The Worlds Best Gadget”
You’ve been granted magical engineering skills, but you can only use them to build on badge or machine. What do you build? For well over
“Kama Chemeleon”
Reincarnation: Do you believe in it? As a child, I played outside on my swing set, I laid on the grass staring at the
“Longing for Gravity”
You are on a mission to Mars. Because of the length of the journey, you will never be able to return to Earth. What about
“Say Your Name”
Write about your first name: Are you named after someone or something? Are there any stories or associations attached to it? If you had the
“The Stat Connection”
Go to your Statistics page and check your top 3-5 post. Why do yo think they’ve been successful? Find the connection between them, and write
“Live to Eat”
Some people “Eat to live” while others “Live to eat.” What about you? How far would you travel for the best meal of your life?
“The Eight Sin”
Do you know the seven cardinal or deadly sins? If you had the task of adding a new trait or behavior to the list, for
“Just Another Day”
Our days are organized around numerous small actions we repeat over and over. What’s your favorite daily ritual? Usually, before the sun rises, a simple
“Not Lemonade”
When life gives, your lemons make something else. Tell us about a time you used an object to resolve a tricky situation in an unorthodox
“Learning Style”
What’s your learning style? Do you prefer learning in a group or an interactive setting? Or one-on-one? Do you retain information best through lectures
“B+ Weekend”
Write about what you did last weekend as though you’re a music critic reviewing a new album. This past weekend reading, writing, and the NFL
“Now You See Me”
You have a secret superpower: the ability to appear and disappear at will. When and where will you too this new superpower? Tell us a
“ If I Could Turn Back Time”
If you could return to the past to relive a part of your life, either to experience the wonderful bits again or to do something over,
“Sink or Swim”
Tell us about a time when you were left on your own, to fend for yourself in an overwhelming situation — on the job, at
“Happy Endings”
Tell us about something you’ve tried to quit. Did you go cold turkey, or for a gradual change? Did it stick? In the early 1980’s,
“Ear-Worm”
Write whatever you usually write about, and weave in a book quote, film quote, or song lyric that’s been sticking with you this week. Many
“Safety First”
Share a story about a time you felt unsafe. When I began kayaking fishing, I was never worried about my safety with my personal floatation
“Unexpected Guest”
You walk into your home to find a couple you don’t know sitting in your living room, eating a slice of cake. Tell us what happens
“Everything Changes” (A love story)
Walking down the street, you encounter a folded piece of paper on the sidewalk. You pick it up and read it and immediately, your life
“Pick Your Gadget”
Your local electronics store has just started selling time machines, anywhere doors, and invisibility helmets. You can only afford one. Which of these do you
“Pour Some Sugar on Me”
What is your favorite sweet thing to eat? Bread pudding? Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies? A smooth and creamy piece of cheesecake? Tell us about the
“Sorry, I’m Busy”
Tell us about a time when you should have helped someone… but didn’t. Sorry, I’m busy, is the phrase, I have used for myself, as
“Strike-a-Chord”
Do you play and instrument? Is there a musical instrument whose sound you find particularly pleasing. Tell us a story about your experience or relationship
“This is your life”
If you could read a book containing all that has happened and will ever happen in your life, would you, if you choose to read
The Wanderer
Tell us about the top five place you’ve always wanted to visit The word “Wanderer” is the name I gave my motorcycle nine years ago.
“The Outsiders”
WordPress Daily Post Prompt Tell us about the experience of being outside, looking in — however you’d like to interpret that. During the summer of
“The Great Pretender”
WordPress Daily Posts, “The Great Pretender.” Are you full of confidence or have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome? The imposter syndrome describes a feeling
“1984”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “1984.” You’re locked in a room with your greatest fear. Describe what’s in the room. Oh yes,
“Fright Night”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Fright Night.” What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you
“Out of Reach, Until I’m Older”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Out of Your Reach.” Was there a toy or thing you always wanted as a child, during the
“Trick Questions”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Trick Questions.” A Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter is writing an in-depth piece — about you. What are the
“By the Comma”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “By the Dots.” We all have strange relationships with punctuation — do you overuse exclamation marks? Do
“The New School”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The New School.” You get to redesign school as we know it from the ground up. Will
“A True Saint”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “A True Saint.” In 300 years, if you were to be named the patron saint of X,
“Saved by Safety Equipment”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Saved by the Bell.” Tell us about a time when you managed to extract yourself from a sticky
“Express Yourself”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Express Yourself!.” Do you love to dance, sing, write, sculpt, paint, or debate? What’s your favorite way
“Singular or Multiple Sensations”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Singular Sensation.” If one experience or life change results from you writing your blog, what would you
“Connect the Dots”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Connect the Dots.” Scour the news for an entirely uninteresting story. Consider how it connects to your
“Good and Evil”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Wicked Witch.” Write about evil: how you understand it (or don’t), what you think it means, or
“Papa Loves Jazz”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Papa Loves Mambo.” What sort of music was played in your house when you were growing up?
“Our House”
y In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Our House.” What are the earliest memories of the place you lived in as a child?
“Mirror ,Mirror, On the Wall!”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall.” Think of your blog as a mirror: what does it reveal? Consider your
“Flangipropt and Whatchamacallit”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Flangiprop!.” Invent a definition for the word “Flangipropt,” then use the word in a post. The invention
“Ode To A Playground”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Ode to a Playground.” A place from your past or childhood, one that you’re fond of, is destroyed.
“Immortalized in a Hologram”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Immortalized in Stone.” Your personal sculptor is carving a person, thing or event from the last year
“Out Of Reach”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Out of Reach.” Write about the one X that got away — a person, an experience, a
“Night and Day”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Night and Day.” Have you ever had an experience that was incredible the first time, but terrible
A Storybook Day
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “A Storybook Day.” You have to spend one day as or with your favorite fictional character. Which
“Take Me To the Moon”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Take Me to the Moon.” How far would you go for someone you love? How far would you
“Mountaintops and Valley”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Mountaintops and Valleys.” Describe a time when you quickly switched from feeling at the top of the
“Phobia, Shmobia”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Phobia, Shmobia.” Fears evolve over time. What is one fear you’ve conquered? During the holiday season, at
No Cliffhangers: “Duty” a Short Story
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “No Cliffhangers.” Write a post about the topic of your choice, in whatever style you want, but
“Mouth Dropped”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Mouth Drop.” In exactly 100 words creatively describe one moment when your mouth dropped open, chin hit
“First Crush”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “First Crush.” Who was your first childhood crush? What would you say to that person if you
“Decisions or Gut Instinct” (A couples Weekend Short Story)
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Decisions, Decisions.” How are you more likely to make an important decision — by reasoning through it,
“Green-Eyed Monster” (A Short Story)
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Green-Eyed Monster.” Tell us about the last time you were really, truly jealous of someone. Did you
“Helpless”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Helpless.” Helplessness: that dull, sick feeling of not being the one at the reins. When did you
“The Perfect Game, A Short Story”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Perfect Game.” You’re set to play poker (or Scrabble or something else . . .) with
“Sunset Bicycle Ride, Dead Insects & Some Photos”
“Sunset Bicycle Ride, Dead Insects & Some Photos” I was enjoying a beautiful warm summer evening viewing the sun settling in behind the trees when
“Brilliant Disguise”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Brilliant Disguise.” Tell us about a time when someone had you completely fooled, where the wool was
“The Kindness of a Stranger & Honoring a Bet”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “The Kindness of Strangers.” When was the last time a stranger did something particularly kind, generous, or selfless
“Hear No Evil”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Hear No Evil.” Tell us about a conversation you couldn’t help but overhear and wish you hadn’t.
“State of my Year”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “State of Your Year.” How is this year shaping up so far? Write a post about your biggest
“Once Upon A Time”
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Once Upon a Time.” Tell us about something that happened to you in real life last week —
“Let it be”
(Daily Prompt) Write a post about something that should’ve been left untouched, but wasn’t. Why was the original better? One month before Christmas a divorced mother
Truth Serum or are you listening?
Most mornings I people watch the many walkers, and joggers passing by along the beach as I sit at a picnic table, underneath a pavilion facing
“Nightmare Jobs” (Short Story)
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Nightmare Job.” In honor of Labor Day in North America, tell us what’s the one job you
