athesaurus.com

…breathe deeply and often…

  • Welcome Back

    No. I’d been gone four days, strangers had been in to feed him, and he needed cream now. 

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  • Skipping Stones

    Bart Goins, ten-year-old, Davis Lake Rock skipping champion has been suspected of cheating.

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  • Reflection

    Susan would have been hot anywhere, anytime, wearing anything, with or without the fan.

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  • Bring it

    Is it terrible that I look for her obituary on a regular basis?

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  • Will stole their words and actions for his newest play. Bad juju. Bad, bad juju for Will. 

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  • Writing Space

    The sun doesn’t shine a lot back here, so it’s always cooler, much cooler, back here in the woods where the flowers grow. 

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  • DP Benches

    To see the edges of the art deco bank covered in blue and green sparkles was something out of a snowglobe.

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  • Palms

    I was developing a terrible dislike for dragons. 

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  • Wishes

    “Well, why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind so I can deal with it,” said Betty.

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  • My Origin Story

    We’ve seen you coming for a long time now. We cast the calling spell. We been waiting for you.” said Florie.

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  • Good King Wenceslas

    “I love the way the full moon glistens on the snow when it’s deep and crisp and even like this, not a mark on it,” the good king said. It was St. Stephen’s Day, Boxing Day, the patron saint of stonemasons and bricklayers, the first martyr, stoned to death for blasphemy. He was also the Read more

  • Gilly and the Peashooters

    “Gilly and the Peashooters” was first published in Appalachian Fusion, Pine Mountain Sand and Gravel, Contemporary Appalachian Writing, Vol 27 Read more

  •   Creation sans fear

    I  don’t have to practice transcendental meditation to create masterworks, maybe I do. Read more

  • Memory is the Truth Glorified

    Memory is the Truth Glorified Dad buffed his shoes, he wouldn’t look at us. “It wasn’t like that. We didn’t have big Christmases when you all were little.” “What do you mean? Presents covered the whole living room. There were dolls with dresses. We both got Chatty Cathys that matched our hair. We got high Read more

  • My Angels

    On Monday, my twin premature babies will be twenty-six. I shake my head in disbelief. “We were angels before we were born, and we were sent to your tummy for our wings to grow off so we could take care of you.” Big silver two year old eyes looked up at me. He was speaking Read more

  • She’s back

    Her worst nightmare had come true. Diane was due back to assume command of operations in two weeks after being out for twelve for surgery. Her employees were happier without her. People got along better, things ran smoother, life was more relaxed. There were fewer feuds among staff, fewer emergencies popped up, things were just Read more

  • Welcome Back

    No. I’d been gone four days, strangers had been in to feed him, and he needed cream now. 

    Read more

  • Skipping Stones

    Bart Goins, ten-year-old, Davis Lake Rock skipping champion has been suspected of cheating.

    Read more

  • Reflection

    Susan would have been hot anywhere, anytime, wearing anything, with or without the fan.

    Read more

  • Bring it

    Is it terrible that I look for her obituary on a regular basis?

    Read more

  • Will stole their words and actions for his newest play. Bad juju. Bad, bad juju for Will. 

    Read more

  • Writing Space

    The sun doesn’t shine a lot back here, so it’s always cooler, much cooler, back here in the woods where the flowers grow. 

    Read more

  • DP Benches

    To see the edges of the art deco bank covered in blue and green sparkles was something out of a snowglobe.

    Read more

  • Palms

    I was developing a terrible dislike for dragons. 

    Read more

  • Wishes

    “Well, why don’t you just tell me what’s on your mind so I can deal with it,” said Betty.

    Read more

  • My Origin Story

    We’ve seen you coming for a long time now. We cast the calling spell. We been waiting for you.” said Florie.

    Read more


  • Hall Pass

    The state took over our school and taught me how to teach the way they wanted me to. They didn’t demand I command a hundred seat auditorium, they were more concerned that I orchestrate three classes in one classroom. They noticed I had leadership skills. They didn’t say        whether they were good…

  • Fashion Emergency

    I had on boots, leggings, a sweater dress, and vintage jewelry. The brooch was a stone blue, grey, and weird white that went perfectly with the black of the dress. It had matching clip earrings that were so perfectly cut they glistened in the dark. They were even comfortable to wear. I had lost twenty…

  • Parable of the Long Spoons

    Parable of the long spoons Hell is where the spoons are so long you can’t feed yourself the luscious food on the table. Heaven is where the spoons are the same size as the ones in Hell, but everyone is willing to feed you. I hope there’s a special place in Heaven for those who…

  • A Prayer for School

    Dear Lord, Take the thunderstorm out of my brain when my lightning temper flares. Let my past stop ruling my head and teach me silent grace. Teach me to accept my students as humans with quirks, and humor,  not the hateful banshees I see them as. Lead me to peace and joy with them rather…

  • Patience of the trees

    I grew up on a dirt road with quiet skies and darkened rooms where there was one light in the center of the room and two table lamps, a luxury beside a rocking chair and one end of the couch for reading. The kitchens had a dim bulb in the middle as did the bedrooms.…