Monthly Archives: December 2023

As he creeps up on his seventy-eleventh birthday, somewhat apprehensively, he’s discovered he can’t scratch his own back anymore.  It used to be he could get at any itch, anywhere, with a few grunts and gyrations.  But now, his arms … Continue reading →

“You’ve got a friend in me You’ve got a friend in me If you’ve got troubles, I’ve got ’em too There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you We stick together and can see it through ‘Cause you’ve got a … Continue reading →

There’s always an excuse. He means well. He’s not familiar with modern rules since he lives in isolation. He barely speaks. He is struggling with health issues- including excessive drinking and obesity. Sure, those are real issues, but it’s time … Continue reading →

The young lad’s voice was pleasant enough, if a tad off-key here and there, and he held his beer-drinking audience rapt as he began singing the song. To the tables down at Mory’s, to the place where Louie dwells,To the … Continue reading →

BOSSY ONE:  “Shall we go?” WEAK ONE:  “I don’t know.” STUPID ONE:  “Where are we supposed to go?” BOSSY:  “Unbelievable. We’ve been planning this for weeks, and now you don’t even know where we’re going or if you want to go. What’s the matter … Continue reading →

Author’s note: This story will be added to the continuing saga of memoir stories called Tales from the Backseat. As an adult, childhood memories are designed to harken back to the nostalgia of yesterday and at the same time embarrass … Continue reading →

The Dew-Drop-In bar opened just after prohibition ended.  It was by all accounts a working man’s bar.  Most of the customers were either laborers at the steel mill or construction workers.  The men earned their wages using their hands and … Continue reading →

“Come on, Lester, you’re my campaign manager. Why am I sagging in the polls? It’s time to earn your paycheck.” “Well, Mayor, voters don’t see you as someone who takes a stand on important issues. My latest surveys show that … Continue reading →

Note: This was an example of dialogue written in two different POV’s, while the core dialogue changes very little for an exercise on dialogue. #1 – Written in 3rd Person POV in past tense Earl came in from his golf … Continue reading →

“Hanukkah: To Dedicate.” Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the subsequent re-dedication of a sacred synagogue.  Also known as The Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is marked by an eight-night display of dancing flames atop candles held … Continue reading →

The prompt “light” prompted me to think about the 2014, Anthony Doer novel,“ All The Light We Cannot See” and I wrote: Our Dark Side Before there was Light, Darkness prevailed The Higgs-Boson unveils the story Of all that matters … Continue reading →

Solstice. Did you just think, Stonehenge? Well, you’re not alone. And you’re not wrong. Most people associate the summer solstice with the ring of vertical sarsen stones on Salisbury Plain in the south of England. But the winter solstice belongs … Continue reading →

It was a bitter cold day in Chicago 5 years ago when I went on the first date with my soon to be   my girlfriend for 5 years, Gigi.  Gigi was French, came over to America when she was … Continue reading →

Panhandlers, winos and drug dealers are everywhere. No wonder I rarely go downtown. I try to do everything on the internet. But today, I need to go to the main office and bring along three IDs if I hope to … Continue reading →

This bizarre and complex series of events started innocently enough. At three in the morning, I begrudgingly dragged my body out of a cozy, warm bed to answer nature’s call. I never put on a light for this journey, preferring … Continue reading →