Strangers on a Shuttle
They are meeting for the first time this morning, but no one in the airport shuttle can believe it. He is tall with brown eyes and a compassionate smile. She has green eyes … Continue reading
Wrinkles
The following was a new story for my book (Oh, if you want a snag a copy or send one to a friend, you can order it here at Amazon.) … Continue reading
How They Happen to Love Each Other
During takeoff, a hand appears behind the head of the man in front of me. The angle seems odd. I can’t sort out how he could bend his arm to … Continue reading
Brantley’s Big Adventure
It’s an honor to share a guest post from my second cousin, Nicole. We wrote letters on occasion growing up, and it’s been inspiring to hear about her journey with … Continue reading
Skills and Struggles
One might read the lives of the saints and think: I could be more generous, more loving, more patient, and so on. But, when he think that we have to … Continue reading
Is this a Dream?
“Daddy?” The boy is between his father and mother in the plane. His little legs so short that they stick straight out when he is moved back in the seat … Continue reading
I Am So Grateful To Write
I seemed to have lost an eye for merely exterior detail and to have discovered, instead, a deep sense of respect and love and pity for the souls that such … Continue reading
Young Love
Once the light turns green, the silver SUV blasts off, only to come to a halt at the next stoplight. This catches the attention of others on the road, who note … Continue reading
Because I am Learning
The clerks at the market wear the same black polo shirts, the same nametags, the same gazes up from where they sit to where customers stand. When it is my … Continue reading
Notes from Home
I’m watching an older man in a patterned shirt–some sort of Earth-toned hexagons–eating his dinner with one hand while holding his cell phone in the other. As I’m taking notes … Continue reading
The Best Souvenirs are the People You’ll Meet
The girl brought it out in truth as she might have brought a huge confession, something she admitted herself shy about and that would seem to show her as frivolous; … Continue reading
Not Bad
It is a blessing to live across the street from a market with such lovely fruits and vegetables. They are a feast for the eyes. Plus, it’s handy since there … Continue reading
Her Point of View
The woman totes water in heavy blue jugs. In the shade, the spot is cool–in the sun, the spot is temperate. Winter and summer must be severe, but October is … Continue reading
Airport Starbucks: No, I am not an Inspector
The people at Starbucks always spell my name Peych (or Peç), so I answer to it. At the Ataturk airport Starbucks, a barista with very dark, but well-groomed eyebrows calls, … Continue reading
Part II of the Interview with Rachael Hanel
Do people read blogs over Christmas? 🙂 I had a long, but peaceful trip home on Monday. I’m enjoying time with family and friends. Fewer strangers for the Holidays, and … Continue reading
Interview with Rachael Hanel
The awesome and prolific Rachael Hanel, author of We’ll Be the Last Ones to Let You Down: Memoir of a Gravedigger’s Daughter, interviewed me for her blog this week. It … Continue reading
First to the Top
They are brothers, this is clear. The eyes, the posture, the low chuckle as they part ways. One brother boards the 16 bus. This brother wears a navy coat, a … Continue reading
Budapest Bakery
In the bakery in Budapest, I have to rely on my “have mercy on me” skills. Even when I try to read the tags next to the pastry of my … Continue reading
My Book
So, I wrote a book. I am so grateful for my blog readers who have given me a lot of encouragement in my writing. I’m so fortunate to be a … Continue reading
Solo Flight
The little girl stands on the porch of the family business and talks to herself. She’s in the middle of a fascinating one-way conversation. She waves an imaginary friend over … Continue reading
The Nice Thing About Strangers 