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Author on Reedsy Prompts since Jul, 2021
Submitted to Contest #234
Trip to Tomales My clangy calendar alarm clock jars me out of a restless dream into an extraordinary reality. It's 8:00 AM, July 3, 2008 – my birthday - I'm one hundred years old. I toss off my quilted coverlet, swing out my legs, and put both feet on my oriental carpet. I’ll sit on the bed with my hands on my knees for a moment while I draw a long breath of the honey-suckle-scented air that's breezing through my veranda doors and ponder about the coming day. My ranch-style home will be filled with family and friends, just what I had in m...
Submitted to Contest #230
I heard Susan. “Andrea, it’s so comforting to have you and Travis here.” Then, I realized it was Dolly, the only one of our three daughters who inherited her mother’s voice. I’m flopped in my TV chair. My eyes close. I hear quiet laughter, a jumble of shared memories, and a hush of sorrow. Appetizing aromas drift from the kitchen. The fridge and the cabinet doors open and close; tableware clatters. Familiar feminine voices confer about the buffet. Teenage cousins visit on the patio while their parents browse through our albums and chat a...
Shortlisted for Contest #228 ⭐️
A reflection of the azure-blue sky must have been the last thing the ring-necked pheasant saw before he flew into my floor-to-ceiling panorama window. I heard the house rattling thud and rushed to my balcony where I found the stately bird looking like a pile of pretty feathers. Sadly, the angle of his neck, and his half-opened vacant eyes told me he was a goner. It was a distressing moment, for sure, but the home chef inside me soon pictured a steaming, crispy-skinned entree stuffed with apples and brown rice. The living and dying were don...
Submitted to Contest #222
A good friend and colleague who knew I had several weeks of summer hiatus from teaching design at Claremont College, asked me if would volunteer to teach a summer school art class for high school freshmen. I agreed and this announcement was included in the Spring/Summer issue of the City Civic Arts Newsletter: ’Scapes: Land and Sea. Learn to draw the world around us. For young artists interested in taking their drawing to a higher level. Explore a variety of subjects, developing an understanding of form, composition, line, ligh...
Submitted to Contest #219
I finally got to the Redding bus depot. After ten hours in a droning Greyhound, I was beaten and wanted nothing more than to stand up, stretch my body, get on solid ground, and try to relieve my mind about an upcoming do-or-die job interview. The meeting with three interviewers would include questions about my general knowledge of the position I’d applied for as well as my demeanor. A degree in Forestry from Oregon State was a huge plus but the job required the facility to deal affably with the general public as well as all the people I’d be...
Submitted to Contest #202
The Whole Wide Whirl Writer’s Guild The Whole Wide Whirl Writer’s Guild began when Libby Devlin placed an announcement on gather2gether dot com: “Are you like me? Do you dream of becoming an author of praiseworthy literature? If you would like to be part of a small group that meets to discuss our writing with that dream in mind, please sign on. I’m thinking of calling our group The Whole Wide Whirl Writer’s Guild, but once we Gather2Gether we can decide on a better name if you please. Libby did not place any requisites to join. Sh...
Submitted to Contest #199
Team Building An hour after I got his text message I sat in front of the big man’s desk. He informed me that the selection committee had recommended Clara North for Regional Sales Coordinator. “It was a tough call, Bob. It came down to team building, and they think she has the edge over you. You’ll have other chances.” He walked me to the door with a hand on my shoulder then dashed back to pick up a humming phone. He gave me a thumbs-up send-off while saying, “Hi, Clara. Good news.” I dreaded the inescapable, mortifying talk with my...
Submitted to Contest #197
Sometimes You Get What You Need I was the only one left aboard by the time the Greyhound’s droning engine throttled down and the passenger P.A. system squawked, “Redding. Last stop, Redding.” I rubbed my eyes, stuffed my dog-eared study manual into my backpack, pulled on my parka, and walked up the empty aisle while checking my phone for the time − 12:08 A.M. The driver said, “Good night. Watch your step.” Inside the terminal, I went to the food counter, but looking over the days-end assortment of wilted sandwiches and stale pastry, I sett...
Submitted to Contest #185
Let me dispel the rumors. There’s only one winged dragon, not “a dozen or more” as some lazy and irresponsible news media have reported. The creature apparently arrived from The Land Where Stories Begin when it flew (or was blown) off course, possibly because of anomalies in the ocean and wind currents due to global warming or some other glitch. Zoologists confirmed that the winged dragon is of the Asian, non-fire-breathing genus (Volans Draco) and very unlikely to distress damsels, or anyone else. Additionally, the dragon mimics hum...
Submitted to Contest #162
Sam Ting’s Family Restaurant I told my daughter I didn’t want to cause any awkward moments at the family Christmas dinner so I’d booked a week in Hawaii for the holidays. It’s better to be lonely in Waikiki than in my newly rented, snow-bound bachelor apartment in Denver. During the drive to International Airport, Haley and I avoided discussing the looming divorce. I wanted to explain what was going on, but how could I? Ever since she and my son, Jack, Jr. went off to college their mom, Darlene, and I had been just two people with nothing...
Submitted to Contest #146
Team Building Bob, find Lew before you leave. An hour after I got the worrisome email I sat in front of Lew Cook’s neat desk while he informed me that the selection committee recommended Clara North for Regional Sales Coordinator. “They decided she’s better at team building.” I felt my face turn red as I tried to form a thanks-for-even-considering-me smile. “I know you feel lousy, Bob, but people skills are acquired. You’ll have other chances.” He walked me to the door with a hand on my shoulder then dashed back to a humming phone wh...
Submitted to Contest #131
Fine Dining at Speedy Mart I parked my car and was walking in when I realized I couldn’t avoid a scruffy guy hitting up the Speedy-Mart customers. Just to keep him from having to ask, I handed over three one-dollar bills from my breast pocket while I pulled open the glass entry door and walked in. Inside, the well-kept store was hectic with working stiffs grabbing beer, soft drinks, sandwiches, candy bars, and other fast food that could be munched on the run. Rolling papers, cigarettes, lotto tickets, hot pizza slices, and chicken wings had...
Submitted to Contest #119
Team Building“The purpose of team building is to increase trust, improve communication, expand collaboration, and broaden, or maintain motivation.” Unknown The office memo had a worrying tone: “Bob, find Lew before you leave.” An hour later I sat in front of Lew Cook’s neat desk─so neat there was nothing on it while he informed me that the selection committee had recommended Clara North for Regional Sales Coordinator because they felt she’s better at team building. I felt my face turn red as I tried to form a thanks-for-even-considerin...
Submitted to Contest #116
Fine Dining at Speedy MartI pulled my new Porsche 911 into a parking stall and was on my way toward the 7-11 Speedy Mart when it became obvious to me that I couldn’t steer clear of a scruffy, homeless, guy who was standing on the sidewalk hitting up customers for a hand-out. To spare both of us the discomfiture that comes with begging, I reached into the zippered pocket of my leather flight jacket and found three one-dollar bills which I handed to him while I pulled open the glass entry door and walked in.Inside, the convenience store was he...
Submitted to Contest #114
Emma’s Gift I had no believable excuse for saying no, so I agreed to teach a summer school class for high school freshmen. The announcement came out in the Spring/Summer issue of the City Civic Arts Newsletter: ’Scapes: Land and Sea. Learn to draw the world around us. For young artists interested in taking their drawing to a higher level. Explore a variety of subjects, developing an understanding of form, composition, line, light/shadow, perspective, and color. Tuition: $20 + $15 supply fee due at first class. Starts July 5...
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