Submitted by Aaron Arkin, Steilacoom. One TV show I regularly enjoy is a PBS formulaic but very watchable detective mystery series set on a small Caribbean island (Death In Paradise). With its colorful Creole characters and who-done-it and how-was-it-done plotting, conundrums and misdirection, it engages the audience as they try to solve the mystery. Its […]
To Ponder
Let’s Talk! – The Moment Before the Alarm Goes Off
It’s only shortly after one in the morning. Why am I awake already? It makes no sense at all. I still have another three hours till my iPhone’s melodious sound will do its work to rouse me from Morpheus’ arms. How lovely to know. How relaxing, right?! Ah, wishful thinking. I change my position in […]
Across the Fence: Bismuth
How do you feel about chemistry? I’m not talking about that between people but that of the periodic tables in your former classrooms. As uncomfortable as I do? I have to admit that I had to look this one up because I knew it was on that table but never had to deal with it. […]
Letter: The Day We Set Sail
She had to choose. One foot was on the dock, her other foot on the gunnel of our little sailboat pram that was departing in the gentle breeze. As the gap steadily widened, I shouted from where I manned the tiller, “Jump! Now!” With terror etched in her young face, our daughter leapt and landed […]
Bits and Pieces on a Foggy Day – A Local Short Story
It was a cold day in Tacoma. Vashon Island was hidden in it’s own blue-gray haze and the wind found the open spaces of my red ski jacket. I had already walked around my house and yard four times. Five times was a good goal. Just plain gave up and settled for four and went […]
Letter: He Walked Her Home
Yesterday, just over 10 months after having lost my wife of 50 years to cancer, I designed our granite companion grave marker. Though my name will be engraved there, right below hers, at the moment there is no date after the dash for me. But there is for her. Do you know how hard that […]
Letter: Shiny Things and All Things Sparkly
What attracts you to something or someone? Oooh, Shiny! From flashy cars to solid gold toilets, from she-or-he’s cute to pretty eyes or great figure, we are culturally conditioned to be captivated by charms that glitter, and charms of a suitor. From infancy. “Babies,” writes Linda Rodriguez McRobbie, “can’t tell a diamond-coated Rolex from a […]
Letter: Stay Tuned
Do you have a ‘it-wasn’t-supposed-to-end-like-this’ story? Sure you do. We all do. A fire destroys all you held dear. Cancer takes your life-long traveling companion. The one who promised “to love and to cherish you until death do you part,” departs, maybe for someone else, leaving you alienated, isolated, rejected. An unhappily-ever-after story is likely […]
Let’s Talk! – Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
“What’s wrong with gentle?” was my first thought upon reading today’s conversation prompt that popped up in my friend Tyrean Martinson’s book “A Pocket-Sized Jumble of 500 + Writing Prompts.” What context does this line come from? Though well-read, other than “Under Milkwood” and “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”, I can’t remember anything that I […]