I sit at my desk and crank out a 500-word post. I struggle at first, but once I come up with an enticing lead, the post "writes itself." Key sentences and phrases originate in my head. I can't write them down fast enough. I try to keep pace. I don't want to lose any of... Continue Reading →
Six unwritten rules of life
There's unwritten rules in life. You're walking into work or a store, you hold the door open for the person behind you. If you see an older person or someone walking with a limp, you hold the door an extra beat longer. It's an unwritten rule. Life is full of rules like this. I'm noticing... Continue Reading →
Giving poetry a chance: I Am From
When I was in fifth or sixth grade, I had a teacher who would use the Mad Libs books or some version of them to help make grammar fun and interesting. The Mad Libs contain short stories on each page with key words replaced with blanks. She would prompt us for specific parts of a... Continue Reading →
On the run from the police
I take a peek out the front window every few minutes. I pace the floor. I expect a team of police officers in riot gear and a battering ram to knock down my door at any minute. A whole week has gone by and I'm still waiting for them. In my mind, I see them... Continue Reading →
A twist on The Purge
The other day a friend was giving me the run down on the futuristic sci-fi horror movie series, The Purge. The gist is pretty simple. Once a year, crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours. The government suspends all laws, allowing citizens to commit any crime without fear of punishment or police intervention. A family must... Continue Reading →
Things people want to know, but rarely ask
We all have questions on things that don't always make sense to us. Here's a few questions I have on life. Some are whimsical, some are serious: --When you open a door that says "Emergency Exit Only. Door Must Remain Closed At All Times," what really happens? Will a blaring alarm go off? Or is... Continue Reading →
If I ever . . .
Hear me out. If I ever finish my book. If I ever sell millions of copies and become moderately famous. If I then get asked to speak before a crowd of adoring fans and readers and need to come up with a funny entertaining speech . . . I want to be just like Fredrik... Continue Reading →
Writing for mental health
(A version of this story ran in February 2023) Early in my work career, I walked out of a team meeting with a friend of mine. I had slipped in late and he was giving me the rundown on what I had missed. When we were alone and could talk freely, I asked him about... Continue Reading →
People watching gone wild
I sit in my seat in my local library and sneak a peek at the guy with the long sleeve Henley shirt, jeans, and running shoes with orange bottoms. I give him a long look. He's head down, his face in a notebook. He's got a backpack and jacket spread out on the table in... Continue Reading →

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