Any Day Now…
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
All that he had now was an idea that one day something would happen. And he would be taken by a set…
The Storyteller
The man in the red Hawaiian shirt is telling a huge story to his friend while they wait at the bus stop. His gestures make it seem like a fish … Continue reading
Groove, Death, Italians
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
Nervous Italian Tourist holds on for dear life with both hands. “Groove is in the Heart” is on the radio and the…
Used Book
Someone in Stonybrook, New York paid cash for this book in 2007. The past owner left their receipt as a bookmark for the title poem from Billy Collins’ “The Trouble … Continue reading
A Coastal Renewal
I spent the last week on the Oregon coast with my aunt, sister, and niece. It was a gift to watch my niece as she experienced the ocean for the … Continue reading
Lightbulb in the Lighthouse
Before taking the lighthouse tour, visitors loiter at the Interpretive Center. A family with four children waits for the 1 pm tour. In the meantime, they explore the exhibits and … Continue reading
Mr. Independent
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
A little boy in a blue t-shirt acts tough, strong, fearless. He clutches a toy truck low at his side and eyes…
From the Subjects of my Blog, Perhaps
Vade Mecum I want the scissors to be sharp and the table perfectly level when you cut me out of my life and paste me in that book you always … Continue reading
The Lunch Date
The little old man settles into the booth with his wife. He sits on the same side with her, though the waitress set the menu on the left, expecting them … Continue reading
Unrecognizable
A great deal has been said about love at first sight; I am perfectly aware of love’s retrospective tendency to make a legend of itself, turn its beginnings into myth; … Continue reading
Serenade for the Sheepish
From the moment she and her husband are seated, they eat and drink in silence. They don’t discuss the menu. They order by pointing. He looks through photos on his … Continue reading
Special
“You say you’re not special because the world doesn’t know about you, but that’s an insult to me. I know about you.” –John Green. The Fault in Our Stars.
The Impatient Italians and the Fighting Irish
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
In Medjugorje, there’s a crowd of people entering the church, praying at the grotto, climbing steep hills in prayer. It’s a place…
Best of Intentions
I’m delighted to share this story from the clever and insightful SFC Keith Hummel, a former student and current friend. ** I make it a point to avoid social interactions … Continue reading
I Wear My Sunglasses Mid-Day…
Sorry, I’m relocating! Oh, no, not the blog, just this car full of 1/4th of my worldly possessions. I hope you don’t mind a detour to a happy summer from … Continue reading
Guest Post: Rachael Hanel. We’ll Be The Last Ones To Let You Down.
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
Photo credit: Steve Pottenger Thanks so much to Paige for allowing me to guest post on her fabulous blog! If you’re like…
Guest Post by Steven Lincoln: Know Your Audience
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
He sat in the center of the third row, the person nearest the screen in the movie theater. It was a weekday,…
Guest Post: The Huffy Prophet by Sarie Fischer Norval
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
I hope you’ll enjoy this guest post from my dear friend Sarie. I think her story helps explain why we’ve been friends…
You Can Tell Me
Originally posted on The Nice Thing About Strangers:
Yes, it’s true, I was speaking to myself, but don’t we all? We all have a second person buried inside us, a…
A Thank You Note on a Gloomy Day
I’m sorry. It’s been one of those days where I can’t seem to focus on anything for more than a few minutes. Tonight, I was preparing my coffeepot for tomorrow … Continue reading
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