We just returned from seeing the film Nightcrawler starring Jake Gyllenhaal. I can say without qualification that this is a must-see. You don’t have to take my word for it. This film has a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as well. Jake Gyllenhaal, who lost 30 pounds for this film, is superb in his…
Category: Stories
Lucky
Sometimes people described me as the Marilyn in my family. That is a reference to “The Munsters” from television in the 1960’s when Marilyn was the only “normal” person in a family of vampires, werewolves and several more other worldly creatures. If you knew my family, everyone had a special something that made them unique…
A 5-Star TED Talk
If you haven’t discovered TED talks on YouTube, you have missed a jewel that is free for the taking. TED stands for Technology, Education and Design and this network is devoted to exploring “ideas worth spreading.” The talks are given by experts in a variety of fields and are on widespread topics. There is also…
Twirling, Band and Tommy Nugent
When I was a senior in high school, I decided to try out for twirler. I had been a devoted band member, starting out with a cornet in 5th grade and eventually graduating to French horn. I definitely wanted to play French horn in concert band, but it was my senior year and I thought…
Thanksgiving Anticipation
I am getting ready for an onslaught of visitors. I am excited about this, so “onslaught,” with any negative connotation that might accompany that term, is perhaps not the right description. Whatever word best describes the arrival of happily anticipated guests is what I’m going for here. Every year at Thanksgiving, our family from Utah…
Flash Fiction: When Life Gives You Lemon Sherbet
“You’re mother lied to you. That’s the truth.” Those were the first words my father said when he came to see me in the hospital. Thanks, Dad. I appreciate your sensitivity. Why was I in the hospital you might ask? I was having a delicate brain operation to remove a tumor. I had been suffering from…
In Memory of Dr. Jim Leatherwood on Veteran’s Day
My brother, Jim, rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S Navy, serving as a medical officer to the Marines. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton after graduating from medical school. He loved the military and often said that if they had been more kindly to gay men, he would have been…
A Publication!
I am happy to report that one of my memoir pieces, My Mother’s Pain, has been accepted for the 2014 True Words Anthology. This is the story of my mother’s reaction after she learned that my oldest brother, John, had been diagnosed with AIDS. I am not sure of the protocol of sharing my work…
Money Relief
Today is a good day. Ray and I have made some big financial decisions and changes that will affect our future. We have secured a private loan on the house that is for sale in Texas, which means that we are taking it off the market. Instead, we will keep it and lease it out….
Flash Fiction: Lies
My grandfathers lied to my grandmothers. I guess it runs in the family. You can always tell when my family is lying, just watch their mouths moving. Yes, that’s the truth. I am from the most dishonest family I’ve ever come in contact with. I don’t quite know how to explain it, but I’ve watched…
20 Minutes a Day 