Thank You For Your Service
He ambled through the aisle of the convenience store. His hat read “Veteran: World War II.” I beamed at him, as I do at most elderly people, and he stopped … Continue reading
How Little I Know
He looked at the snail. Can it see me? He wondered. Then he felt, how little I know, and how little it is possible to know; and with this thought … Continue reading
Tomatoes and Crushes
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
He had been handsome when younger; he remained handsome, but had reached an age where people gazed at him like his days…
Love Grows Here
My mother’s flower gardens in the fall. Her father was a farmer and often raised fields of flowers for seeds. She grows flowers to give (I frequently see her cutting … Continue reading
Peace. Or The Days When You Could Fit Your Knees Into Your Shirt.
They’re early for Mass, the Dad and his tiny son. The boy totes a plush Luigi from Super Mario Brothers. He wears black and neon yellow shoes that light up … Continue reading
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
She parks in the first spot outside Arby’s, and he waits patiently in the passenger side, readying his oxygen tank as she…
In-Flight Entertainment
The flight was half Coloradoans catching the first leg of a trip to the US, and half Icelanders heading home after a tour in Germany. I had been trying to … Continue reading
Watch Your Step
Thank you Lord that I spotted the three little old ladies in their long skirts and head scarves recoiling in horror at the prospect of riding an airport escalator. Made … Continue reading
Saturday-Ja-Vu: Shimmy in the Suburbs
Heading home, I began to worry that I might run out of stories–or that my stories may not be as interesting when they all took place in English. I stocked … Continue reading
Postcard for Addy #2: Budapest and Vienna
Dear Addy, Greetings, dear niece of mine. I’ll see you soon (just in time for your 6th birthday!), but I wanted to share a few more pictures from my trip. … Continue reading
Inspire Curiosity
Men who sell simits–a bagel-pretzel coated in toasted sesame seeds–are almost as ubiquitous in Istanbul as ankle-breakable holes in the sidewalk. Since I often took the same streets, I often … Continue reading
Saturday-Ja-Vu: Things to do in Indiana
Even if you can’t get to a keg lifting contest like this one, you might enjoy a trip to the movies this weekend. I’m Saturday-Ja-Vu-ing a story from guest blogger … Continue reading
It Takes One to Waltz
A boy in a hooded sweatshirt tips back his generic energy drink, then pauses under the illuminated sign for a dance studio. In the window, a display of streamers and … Continue reading
Grasping at Grandmas
I’d been on a mission: to get old Turkish ladies to like me. I love elderly people, but I wasn’t getting a warm reception when I beamed at the grandmas. … Continue reading
Saturday-Ja-Vu: The Bus Boys
Two boys on a bus that you may have missed, or may enjoy re-visiting. Have a nice weekend! A Seat of One’s Own
Postcard for Addyson #1
Dear Addy, The two postcards I sent from Turkey took about 6 weeks to reach you. So I thought I’d send an update that would show up in Colorado before … Continue reading
Manners
On the busy road, a taxi driver slows, inspiring a concerto of honking horns behind him. A red soccer ball rolls into traffic. I notice the children, the owners of … Continue reading
The Joy of Forgetting
This morning I took my notebook out for a date at the park. We had a delightful time. I ran a pen dry. While taking notes on what I’ve seen … Continue reading
Free.
One minute I am straining every nerve to be the sort of person I was expected to be and shaking in my boots for fear I would fail–and the next … Continue reading
Palms
Two small boys track the line of workers trimming the palm trees. The men in green jumpsuits stare up at the man-lift. The boys nod at each other with tight-lipped smiles … Continue reading
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