I was eating lunch at a Chili’s in McKinney, Texas today when over my husband’s shoulder I saw President Obama’s face appear on the television screen mounted on the wall. The caption read: Obama moves on Dream Act. I tried to read the rest but the waitress came with our check and when I looked…
Category: Writing
Neighborhood Fire
The people behind us here in Texas had a house fire the other night. I woke up at 3:30 probably to the sound of fire sirens, but I don’t recall hearing anything. I saw my neighbors out at that hour – kids and adults – but they were calling their dog and I thought perhaps…
Flash Essay: Travels, a Wedding, and Now in Texas
Hi everyone, Sorry for the silence over the past several days. I have been traveling across the west and southwest, have attended a family wedding, have traveled some more, and am now in our Texas house, where a train whistle is blaring out in the night, sounding just like it did when I was growing…
Texas Border Checkpoint
My family and I are driving cross country from California to our native Texas to attend a family wedding in Austin. This picture was taken an hour east of El Paso. We just went through an immigration checkpoint, where we had to stop and report how many people were in the car. When my husband…
Prompt: Irritating Phrases
Today has been full to overflowing: writing, students, more writing, editing, a writing group and now home to write some more before bed. And I can’t wait for bed. I feel as if that’s all I talk about on this blog, how much I’m looking forward to sleeping. It’s just that it’s my routine at…
Flash Essay Prompt: I’ve Always Wanted…
I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish and Italian (better than my grasp of 30+ years ago. I’ve always wanted to go to India. I’ve always wanted to wear long flowing skirts. I’ve always wanted to learn how to drive a motorcycle. I’ve always wanted to return to singing in a fine chorale again (I sang…
One More Big Paper Finished!
I have been working with a student from 7:30 this evening until now – 1 am. We’ve been online working on a paper together. I have never been so happy to finish a project before – well, yes – I have on several occasions, but right now I am just relieved and happy. I am…
Flash Fiction Prompt: Almost Impossible
It’s almost impossible to explain why I did what I did. I have no real answers to give you. Just that one day I was fine and the next day I wasn’t and it could be explained perhaps because of the death of the girl or my reaction to the accusation of my involvement or…
Prompt: No Internet
For some reason, my computer won’t go online. I’m not sure why, but after a day of helping Rachael take photos all over town for an English project, and then assisting with the writing of two stories, I don’t even care. Tomorrow I will muster up concern, but tonight has bed calling my name. All…
Flash Fiction Prompt: What Can I Do?
“What can I do?” I asked and they said, “Nothing.” I didn’t know what to say so I left and headed down to the river where I could hear the waves lapping onto the shore and I could sit in the dark and feel safe for the first time all day. I wasn’t a bad…
20 Minutes a Day 