Baby It's Cold Outside

When I grow up, I am going to be a snow bird.  

Winter is for crazy people

You know - summers up north and winters down south? I grew up in Michigan, lived in Arizona for a while, and am now I'm back in minus zero temps. I don't like it one tiny bit. 

 I am hoping my husband sees fit to join me when I go. I'd hate to do it alone. I'd miss him. 

I Want To Listen To A Story

Do you remember radio plays? I was a child at the tail-end of that wonderful form of entertainment. I used to love listening to radio plays on my mama's favorite station. It was like being read to, but watching a movie at the same time. At least that is how I described it, then. The truth was that it got my imagination running and I could get lost in the story just. Like. That.

It took a while before I gave in and  tried Audible books. I have always been a reader and something seemed, well, lazy about it. I am not a child, anymore. I can read for myself, thank you very much. That is why when an old friend of mine suggested that I should try listening to books on audio while I was busy with housework or driving, I smiled slightly and changed the subject.

Three years later, I finally tried it. I started yesterday and I have listened to two lectures on writing creative fiction and half of a novel. I want to point out that I have been busy while listening to the novel. The lectures? I take notes and then do the assignments that he suggests. I've been listening for two days and I am in love with Audible.

Honestly, I am a little frustrated at the thought that I won't have time to listen tomorrow. TWO, count'em TWO family Thanksgivings to attend. How dare my precious family time take up my audio book time? 

No, really. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. Honest. I can listen on Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Grief and Loss

From the outside it looks like any other building, but as I draw closer, the stark blackness of it engulfs me.  There is a light on in there, but it isn't very bright. The moon is behind me and I see my own reflection in the broken window. I am in pieces and splayed out in a circle. I think someone should break it out and put a new sheet of glass in there. If it breaks unexpectedly, people could get hurt. I have climbed the steps and reached the door.  I can hear them inside. There is laughing, shouting, and singing... I hesitate. If I knock on this door, someone will answer, and then I will have to go inside- where happy people play around me. In the dark.

My response to a course assignment - Describe a place from the point of view of a parent who has lost a child without pointing out they have lost a child.  

I have never lost a child. My nephew died in a car accident  three years ago and it was a living hell, but my grief was not the same as my sister's. And just this last weekend, my cousin lost his youngest - only slightly older than Danny was... and in a car accident. Life is so unpredictable. So is death. :(