A Short Story… The name Monica is a feminine name of Latin origin that means “to advise” or “to warn”. It comes from the Latin word monere. Monica disliked the name because it was easy to misspell and confuse. A number of fellow student members never could get the name right. Monica hated the name growing up and would have hated the name as an adult. As a fifth grader she used to get really steamed up when one student kept calling her “Comica” because she thought it was funny . . . and even made a drawing on the blackboard with the name “Comica.” After several comments reached the fifth grade teacher, who saw the chalk work drawing, the creator, “Angelina” was called forward and had her hand slapped with a ruler. Angelina didn’t cry out loud, but the tears ran down her cheeks. After school Monica ran Angelina down and apologized for the teacher. The two went to a candy and ice cream store just to share. The two became great friends. Angelina would often poke Monica with the name and the two would laugh together. Through high school the two remained friends but grew apart in college. After college the two got back together and worked on a new facial cream . . . Monika with a K. It was a hit right away. The two originators and several buddies of theirs worked together. The new cream was beneficial for almost any skin color, which paid off nicely for the new products. The entire friends group worked together and their big hit was based on the name from years ago “Comica.” Comica began a winner from the beginning. It was a hit immediately from clown entertainers from across the U.S. as well as sales around the world. The capper was perfect. The newly successful company had thousands of free one foot measuring sticks called “Angelinas” that could be used at no charge. They made everyone working in the company rich . . . and darn happy about it.
To Ponder
Letter: What Has Love Got to Do with It?
It wasn’t like we were going to go to our church this morning anyway. Our church is in Tennessee and we’re in Washington. As snow fell intermittently with the sun vying for equal time, we watched the service online. A pair of ducks paddled out on the lake and from our window they seemed to […]
Just Call Me Jimmy
A Short Story… Mr. James had gone by that name for decades. He had been the boss in a number of situations before deciding to retire. Although he loved flying for years and years, he was beginning to like the possibilities of working with music students, as he had some forty-five years ago. Mr. James […]
Tacoma Youth Symphony – Entertainement & Memories of Don Doman
Thursday afternoon the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 was entertained by having members of the Tacoma Youth Symphony enjoy our audience. Various pieces of musical entertainment were distributed. Tacoma Youth Symphony Association – Empowering Young Musicians – Over 60 years of symphonic education and performance that transforms young lives and enriches communities. Via music and […]
Letter: A Secretary of Peace: A Necessary Counterbalance to War
Submitted by Greg Alderete. For decades, the United States has engaged in conflicts that have yielded little more than loss—of lives, resources, and global credibility. From Vietnam to Iraq to Afghanistan, we have poured trillions into wars without clear objectives, waged under the guise of national security but often driven by political and economic interests. […]
Letter: She’s A Limited Edition
Each morning over our breakfast, sometimes crunching Honey Nut Cheerios, sometimes munching sausage biscuits, we watch the island appear in the darkness. The forested haven for eagles seems suspended in space on an almost indistinguishable line barely separating the dark water from the brightening sky. From our comfortable couch in the darkened room where we […]
Letter: The pure dairy
Submitted by Greg Alderete. In the late 1960s, Hurley, Wisconsin, was a town where the chill of winter was a constant companion, and the Pure Dairy—fondly known as the PD—served as a warm haven for its residents. As sixth and seventh graders, my friends and I would often find ourselves drawn to this iconic ice […]
Let’s Talk! – Teddy Bear Tea Time
Are you ready to switch off your screens and ponder or discuss another writing/conversation prompt during dinner tonight? You want to know about my thoughts on it? Here’s my take: When was the last time you had a teddy bear tea time? I can’t remember when, but it happens every time I’m around some little […]
Something Better to Do
Sitting in his easy chair and watching a rerun of a much earlier baseball game, Joseph was able to relax . . . well it wasn’t really relaxing, it was more like he had nothing to do anyway. His wife died several years ago. His two sons used to come over and visit from time […]