The James Webb Space Telescope, a 21st Century Marvel

We live in exciting times! I am passionate about astronomy, space, and science-fiction. The barriers between the three blurs as we make more and more advances in technology. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), named after the NASA administrator who crafted the Apollo program and who was a staunch supporter of space science, constitutes a

A Raftin’ We Will Go

I stepped from the porch into the Great Smokey Mountain air. It was fresh, clean, and crisp. Nature was alive and sung to me. This would be a glorious day for adventure. We began our ascension up the steep, twisting, barely wide enough driveway that had been hidden by the darkness of our late arrival

A Short Story Break

Suppertime Rue surveyed the dinner table and smiled. Garlic roasted lamb with potatoes Au Gratin, freshly baked rolls, sauteed asparagus, and a medley of other mixed vegetables flavored with the finest olive oil, all piled high on the family’s best china. Amid all that cooking, Ma had found time to make banana pudding. Rue brought

The Dirty Truth About Writers and Writers’ Groups

TRUTH #1: Publishing without editorial input is like skydiving without a parachute. It is unlikely to end well. TRUTH #2: Writing will not be successful among readers if the author can neither spell well nor select the most effective word for the intended connotation. TRUTH #3: Word connotation is society, culture, and language-specific. TRUTH #4:

Clearing the Clutter

I think every household has one, you know, the kitchen drawer that’s the catchall for everything else. Everything else is a term I use to describe anything that doesn’t have a designated spot. Things like old movie ticket stubs, various business cards, locks without keys, old birthday greeting cards, pens, pencils, dried up sharpies, highlighters

The Corpse and I

I found the corpse this morning. In the middle of the floor of my sunroom, the body lay twisted as though suffering convulsions before expiring. Once so lively and active, now unmoving, lifeless, a carcass, a ghost of a former self. I knew it might happen, but now am trying to decide how to handle

Writing Through the Pain

During my sophomore year, my advisor suggested I take African American literature. I loved to read, so I took his advice. We started out with reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings with Maya Angelou. I could not put the book down. It was just what I needed in college because for the year

No Is Not The End

Sometimes things just don’t work out the way we hoped. This is as true in writing as it is in life. I submitted a piece to a journal that I thought fit perfectly. It didn’t work out the way I had imagined. Does it suck? Yes. But in writing as it is in life, you

The Coffee Break

Cast of Characters:  Abby (mid 40s divorced – single mom) Sue (late 30s – single) Christine (late 20s – recently engaged) Takes place in a law office breakroom around 10:00 a.m. on a Monday.  Abby and Sue are standing at the counter near the coffee machine.  Abby: Happy Monday! No seriously. Anyone who says “Thank

A Frustrated Fourth

I’ve found it difficult to write this week. Since finding out about Roe v. Wade, it’s been difficult to concentrate because it feels like yet another huge step in a very wrong direction. The fact that I’m writing this on July 4th and spent most of last week having people tell me “Happy 4th!” and