Sweetie Pie

Sweetie Pie sashayed through the restaurant. She knew she was looking good. Heads turned to follow her progress and, she’d swear to it, she even witnessed a well-dressed couple drool at the thought of just a few minutes alone with her. But she had other plans.

Throughout her life Sweetie Pie had been oohed and aahed over. There was something about her that promised deep satisfaction to all who saw her. But she knew she was so much more than just a tasty piece. It might sound cheesy, but she was determined to make something of herself before life could get stale and boring and her looks melted away.

Sweetie Pie pushed through the door to the sidewalk. Temporarily blinded by the setting sun glinting off a passing car, she didn’t even see the man camped out near the corner. Before she had time to slip her sunglasses on she went tumbling, frothy hair flying, and landed in his lap. His warm touch melted her brittle shell and she knew fate had found her at last.

Photo copyright Irene MacFarland.

Curtain Call

Swirl of velvet, freshly dropped

and topped by

remaining strains

of music and ideas

mixed with magic...

Applause met by bows

recalls the splendor of

performance.

Walking in Muir Woods

Tall red sentinels line the path,
surround the spot where
UN delegates met to honor
conservation and
FDR.
My hands itch to run across
trunks gnarled and ridged
to read their history
with my finger tips.

Tunnel Vision

Photo Tunnel Vision copyright Irene MacFarland

Nobody wants to enter the tunnel

But to get from here to there

We must pass through its blind walls
 
Travel with trust that we will

Be greeted by light

On the other side.

Presenting at the 2015 UW Madison's Writers Institute.

This spring I will be doing two presentations at the UW Madison Writer's Institute. One will focus on book trailers - what are they, why would you want one for your book, and how do you go about creating one. The other workshop will include my friend and creative collaborator Irene MacFarland. We will talk about our six year project in which we swap work on a monthly basis and create a new piece based on the prompt.

You can get more details about these - and many other - workshops at https://uwwritersinstitute.wisc.edu/?source=uwwritersinstitute.org.

steamed

Obedient pans hang in rows

dangling above the steam,

a free spa treatment while they

await employment.

Some will enjoy a long slow burn

teasing the sweet release of

aromatic garlic, onion and herbs.

Others will know dangerous heat

searing flesh infused with time tested sauces

dangerous, delectable and

quickly finished.

Growing Up

Jimmy walked into the living room dressed in brown corduroys, brown socks, and a brown plaid shirt. He carried his notebook under his arm and his hair was neatly combed, cowlick tamed and all. She was so proud she could sing. It had taken him 36 years to get to this point, but the important thing was that he had made it.

He stood there, grinning like a maniac. Estele wondered if Jimmy's newfound interest in his appearance had any thing to do with his new co-worker at the Opportunity Development Center, Jenny. She was about his age, adorable in her long blonde braids, and just as high functioning as he was.

"OK Mom. Let's go."

Estele closed the kitchen door behind them and followed him to the car.

"You look very nice Jimmy. Is something special happening today?"

"I have to train Jenny on my machine... and I want her to like me."

Oh boy, thought Estele, here we go.