Knock-Out Hero I was at my niece's birthday party last week (her mom took the picture above), when a former student asked me, "Have you ever saved someone from drowning?" The young lady had just finished describing a rescue she'd witnessed. She'd felt helpless, unsure of her swimming abilities and unable to help a friend … Continue reading Knock-Out Hero
What the Twerk? I don't know how to process it. Last week, I chaperoned the local high school prom, and thing is, the kids weren't twerking. Not a one of them. Not at all. Not one booty bounce among the hundred-odd teens gathered on that dance floor, living it up. None. Instead, they were happy-dancing, … Continue reading What the Twerk?
Nature: An Unrequited Love As Valentines approaches, I'd like to declare my undying and unrequited love for nature. Nature, of course, doesn't care about me. Red in tooth and claw and all. But, like other quasi-relationships I've known, a lack of reciprocity doesn't phase me. This love for nature has now led me into the … Continue reading Nature: An Unrequited Love
My Wolf-Dog You should not get a wolf-dog for a pet. For one reason, I'm pretty sure it's illegal. Also, it's not fair to the wolf-dog - they're too wild to tame. With over 360 dog breeds, there's a better choice available. But do as I say, not as I do. My dog Triton was … Continue reading My Wolf-Dog
And the Cat Came Back On to the second pet-post to celebrate the publication of my essay "Pet Pack" in Next Chapter LitMag and a definite-maybe from Chicken Soup from the Soul: What I Learned from my Dog, for my essay "Rebel Heart." Fingers crossed, ya'll. Now let's talk cats. But first, a full disclosure: … Continue reading And the Cat Came Back
Lizardo In honor of Next Chapter Literary Magazine publishing my essay "Pet Pack" in their upcoming issue, I'd like to kick off a series of pet posts. Let's start with my lizard, Lizardo. My brother won Lizardo in a dart game at the Seafood Festival when I was in high school. Lizardo was one of … Continue reading Lizardo
The Dog That Almost Killed Me Keith Whitley’s song "Tell Lorrie I Love Her" was my college roommate Lorrie’s favorite, for obvious reasons. It's been almost two decades since I saw Lorrie (that’s how old I am), but that song will always make me think of her, even though we did not part on the … Continue reading The Dog That Almost Killed Me
How I (Never) Learned to Surf Y’all, this is my best story, and I hate to give it away for free. Suffice it to say, you’re getting a bargain here. Considerate it your early Christmas present, a gift nearly as valuable as a shattered surfboard.The summer I was fifteen, I wanted to learn how to … Continue reading How I (Never) Learned to Surf
What doesn't kill you These blog posts could be considered memoir, and I've heard it said that memoir should be 90% truth and 10% lies. What part isn't true? The part that you don't like, of course, I promise. Whatever part you find most offensive, disturbing, or unbelievable – that's the 10%, so just relax … Continue reading What doesn’t kill you
Breakfast Confidential I don't eat breakfast. Well, that's not true. I eat a piece of cake, a brownie, or other dessert first thing every morning. Then a banana. Then coffee coffee coffee until noon. Every morning except the weekends, when my husband cooks bacon. Then, I eat just as much bacon as I possibly can. … Continue reading Breakfast Confidential
Jessi Waugh Writer 