A single tissue flaps in the wind, waving hello at me from the corner of the room. The air is on, and I’m nervous. That the upstairs thermostat is in my office and therefore under my control is a good thing, but that twice now the masseuse next door has asked me to turn itContinue reading “Red Hot Venti Preppers”
Category Archives: Writings
Queen Of The Road
There are twenty-three minutes until my next session. It’s with a couple that lives in their car. The summer was good to them, dry and warm and easy for the most part. But now? The temperature’s dropping fast, and I’m curious to hear how it’s going. I told them about my stint with car livingContinue reading “Queen Of The Road”
Tree Fallin’
“I need to put water in my belly,” Evelyn said, hiccupping and running to find her glass. Remembering what my Mom used to do for me, yet unsure of its efficacy, I said, “Come on, let’s try a teaspoon full of sugar.” “Yes, sugar!” She shouted in delight. Sitting on Dave’s lap for a pre-bedtimeContinue reading “Tree Fallin’”
Take It Slow, Joe
“The Gentle Art of Loving Your Trauma Clients” is a continuing education course that appeared in my inbox this morning. Ninety-six percent of the time, I delete invitation’s like these from WMHCA (Washington Mental Health Counseling Association) like the junk they are. But not this morning. I clicked on it; not only was I curious,Continue reading “Take It Slow, Joe”
My friend, Peter
It’s the usual “Talk?” text–and since I had a minute yesterday–I called and headed for a place on the back porch to chat. Still in his bathrobe, Peter tells me he just put another log on the fire. I listen, but my attention’s also on the hovering hummingbird dropping noticeable lines of urine/feces. I’m pickingContinue reading “My friend, Peter”
Pumpkin Party
My body is abuzz from all the activity, and now that the final guests have exited, I can take a few moments and write. Pumpkin carving was the highlight, for sure. Dave and Evelyn went for the essential triangle eyes and wide half-moon month, whereas I went for a top-skill-level Mexican skeleton. I told DaveContinue reading “Pumpkin Party”
Sex, Drugs, Cock N Roll
Nailed it! This post’s image, my friends, is of the oreo mummy balls Dave, Evelyn, and I made. Now, please don’t go on Google to see how better the professional’s creations are. After an early morning wake-up from the rooster (my bad for forgetting to pen him up), I’m in hyper-vigilant mode. There’s a screech toContinue reading “Sex, Drugs, Cock N Roll”
Money For Nothing
I’m in the bath, watching a candle as it casts shadows on the wall. I am transported to a distant future after seeing the green blinking light from my Sonicare. One where the demands and stress in my life are minimal, and I am old. Like, maybe 70. It felt friendly and gentle. The demandsContinue reading “Money For Nothing”
Nobody Puts Baby
“Go get more education,” a defensive, cornered-feeling client told me in session today. Little did they know that being perceived as an idiot or a shitty therapist is an insecurity of mine, so the attack caused a few stars to swirl above my cartoon anvil-hit head. Thankfully their focus returned to the conversation with their partner givingContinue reading “Nobody Puts Baby”
Outlook Not So Good
“There was a code brown at the Y today.” Although I don’t think Dave mentioned the pool’s color system, I’m no dummy. “So what do they do if it’s not solid,” I ask when a cloudy, peanut-y mess comes to mind. “Well, there’s a vacuum with a big tube thing.” Which I ponder, but IContinue reading “Outlook Not So Good”
Going On 40 