Hot Writer Summer It's been a month since I last posted. You deserve better, readers. But let me tell you what you've missed: It's summer. In coastal NC. It's hot. The kids are home and every thought is interrupted by someone yelling, "Mom, this remote control won't work!" or "Stop touching me!" (that was me). … Continue reading Hot Writer Summer
Wed to Water Water. Its molecules bind and bubble, strongly pulling one another into droplets, rivers, oceans, and human bodies. We're made primarily of water, and our aqueous aspects yearn to join the flow, to dissolve and just float. They say the human body can vary in hydration from 50-75%. I propose that the more … Continue reading Wed to Water
The End of the World I'm currently reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette, a book recommended by my friend Shazam. It's an engaging read - interesting format and great build-up. The **** is about to hit the fan, and I'm enjoying my front-seat view to the chaos. What Bernadette doesn't realize is that it's unwise, dangerous, … Continue reading The End of the World
Heroic Instincts In the novel I just edited (yet again), my main character encounters life-threatening danger. It's a fight or flight situation, an opportunity for heroic valor and lightning-fast reflexes. If this was fantasy, action, or sci-fi, she would kick ass and take names. But it's historical women's fiction, and there's a third option, one … Continue reading Heroic Instincts
It's Nothing Main Street Rag Literary Magazine published my poem “It’s Nothing” this month in their Winter 2023 issue, bless their dear hearts. I hate to tell them, but “It’s Nothing” isn't literature. It's a poem about my old truck. I loved that truck, with a visceral and romantic love. What other reason could there … Continue reading It’s Nothing
Where you been, Old Blue? It was 2am on a rural highway near Greenville, NC. Farmland stretched for miles. I was in my twenties, driving a friend home from the clubs, when I saw a dog walking by the side of the road. He was just trotting along like he owned the place, a pointer … Continue reading Where you been, Old Blue?
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
Nanny and Willie These last few days, I’ve been listening to Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson, cover “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” at his dad’s 90th birthday concert (Willie and I share a birthday, April 29th). Lukas nails it. He sounds more like Willie than Willie himself. I wish I could send the song … Continue reading Nanny and Willie
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner It was supposed to be a reward, a reward I'd been working toward all year. The three kids who read the most books would receive a grand prize: a mystery celebration. We were guaranteed to love it. Sure, there were coupons for personal pan pizzas along the way, but … Continue reading Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
Sangria Mom My mom was in court the other day, with her friend Carol. It’s not my mom’s fault. It’s not Carol’s fault, either, but the judge hasn’t determined that yet, because they got thrown out of court for not following directions. Clearly, this debacle called for a bottle of muscadine sangria. If you’re not … Continue reading Sangria Mom
Jessi Waugh Writer 