Or how did I write so many words without getting to the topic? — This started with a simple road sign indicating I was not getting to the topic right away. But first, a history lesson One thing that draws me to writing is the opportunity to use the extensive vocabulary provided by English. …

Because 52 things or moments would sound like bragging and still would not be exhaustive — First, I wish I could be grateful that some things will never happen again. Unfortunately, there are few things that I can do to prevent painful life events from happening again. Second, we kick off with two gardening items. Gardening produced a cornucopia of things to add to my gratitude…

Twittle a little, Skinny then, Haiku I do — Most everyone is introduced to Haiku in school as far as I know. It is one of several short forms of poetry, a subcategory of the various rhetorical devices (like iambic pentameter) used by poets to demonstrate their creativity within a structure. Among them are: Haiku has three lines, the…

The simple task of closing out the year gets complicated — Virtue has her foot at the neck of the vanquished tyrant. The tyrant’s crown is on the ground. Virtue’s left breast hangs there in the style of the Amazons. Given the figure’s short hair, the round line is the only giveaway it’s a female. Virginia adopted this image for its…

Created at the end of year 62 — Every day begins at one past midnight The raven ignores the lack of sunlight Black as that blackbird every day starts out In a moment defined without any doubt But as the seconds' tick and the day is created Certainty escapes and our hopes are deflated We must tell the…

Is it December 23 already? — I was digging in the far end of my closet last night pulling out boxes. That’s where I stash gifts for Christmas. I start shopping for Christmas gifts in the spring. If I see something I want to give someone, I purchase it. This tradition has a flaw. My memory…

I gave time time and now… — Ten years ago yesterday, I was required to meet with the HR Director and VP for Administration at the community college where I worked. The day before, December 11, I spoke in the Academic Senate. I accused the college’s administration of systematically harassing me. I had called them out on…

Or not worth your time — $1.62 up from $1.52. Those are my revenues from Medium the last two months. Boy, am I excited! (I am?) Granted I have 254 followers and I usually only avail myself of one publication, Refresh the Soul, published by a fabulous person, Nancy Blackman, MASF. And a lot of people…

Holidays are everyday days — Prologue I was in an outpatient rehab relapse prevention group in May 2003, just before Memorial Day. I was there because I had been trying (well, not really) since November 2002 to stay stopped. I did everything I was told to do. …