His Letters are Treasures ~ III (w/audio)

In honor of Memorial Day (a federal holiday that honors military personnel who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces), I am sharing a third letter written by my grandfather, Sgt. Charles L. Wilcox, during WWII. I settled in for my grandpa reading prepared to devote a few hours, if needed, when something …

Continue reading His Letters are Treasures ~ III (w/audio)

No Reservations Required

A hand-stitched sundress                         brushing against              women             who did not see their own greatness Too young to join             their chirping, chopping, stirring, and frying             I twirled through unapologetic thighs                         pillars of strength surrounding me             I admired their prominent hips,                         womanly figures draped with flowing skirts,                         some adorned with aprons             Each southern beauty wore a crown …

Continue reading No Reservations Required

His Letters are Treasures

I am trying to not cry on his letters and war artifacts, but my tears I can’t hold back. I’ve returned to a project I started before beginning my blog – reading my grandfather’s WWII letters. Inspired to do so after publishing my post, “My Last Stamp,” which has put me on a one-letter-a-week writing …

Continue reading His Letters are Treasures

Drove my Chevy to the levy

Almost three years ago I began this blog, partly as a place to write my way through the grief I was experiencing after losing my father on Valentine’s Day, 2019. I wrote my way through denial, pain, anger, and depression. Eventually, I found acceptance. Even when I wasn't writing about my dad, writing helped me …

Continue reading Drove my Chevy to the levy

Easter Eggs and a Glossy Train (personal narrative)

Easter brings an early sunrise, reflection, time outdoors, and dinner with my family. Sometimes we place flowers at the cemetery and sometimes I get to hug two adorable great nieces. Even more rare are drives to the Pacific Coast during the Easter weekend. However the holiday weekend unfolds, it is peaceful. Easter hasn't always been …

Continue reading Easter Eggs and a Glossy Train (personal narrative)

Flying Home (poem & photos)

The one slow to step returned to the state where she drew her first picture and her first breath. I am here ready with open arms – the same arms that she fell into after taking her first step. The one slow to step was ready to fly away, but in my arms, extended from …

Continue reading Flying Home (poem & photos)

A Detour & A Desert Dance (personal poetic prose)

Consider, how far you’ve come and how, with your face to the sun and with one foot in front of the other, you will get where and what you are intended. A detour on my way to a three-day desert escape… With my car idling, I was a stranger outside looking in. Beyond the (once …

Continue reading A Detour & A Desert Dance (personal poetic prose)

Souvenirs

My sweet tooth is satisfied. Must be from all the Southern Charm, because I did not have any peach pie. My curves are a little fuller in my two-piece suit. Must be from my wide-angle lens – it cannot possibly be from the skinny margaritas I drank near the dunes. My carryon weighs more than …

Continue reading Souvenirs

Candy Apple Red

There she goes bumping down the road wrapped in candy apple red Silverado short bed windows down, music up blond lift held with Aqua Net Nice truck! more than one said not talking wheels, I suspect She complements her spring birth month bull strength and stubbornness She’s no bull in a china shop though with …

Continue reading Candy Apple Red

Radish Seeds Buried under Concrete

Peel away the layers white stripes, black tar concrete, steel bars Under the commotion rolling treads, flying rocks choking fumes, forward motion Under the worn highway a lost object not protected by the endangered species act A buried polaroid is fading a vanishing family history an ongoing universal story A home once stood a girl …

Continue reading Radish Seeds Buried under Concrete