Weekly Weekend Washing Ritual

by Frances Tate Check weather forecast. Cast skeptical eyes skyward. Flip a coin. Load washing machine. Finger hovers, nuclear nervous over the start button. Commit… door locks, water rushes. No going back now. Cycle completes. Dozens of socks and smalls damply dangle like chandelier pendants from two, one-hook carousels; the washing line equivalent of a cyclist’s quick-release wheel. I promote Read More

The Armadillo

by Jerry K. Robbins Of all creatures the armadillo is most fineIt is one part turtle one part porcupineChasing bugs with an anteater snoutStubby legs to waddle about Known to speak French with savoir faireAlso a sense of humor rareA preference for puns and plays on wordsFits in comfortably with computer nerds So, when my friends ask me,“Ever had one Read More

Radio Advice

by Thomas M. McDade My Sox were facing Chicago – Pale Hose, as newspapers said, headed for a pennant, and called the Go-Go Sox: sinker, slider specialist Bob Shaw to start. My dad kept a radio on his bedside table, volume low for my mother’s sake when he couldn’t sleep. He hunted the dial for interesting stuff. He’d picked up Read More

After the Charleston

by Elodie Rose Barnes I’d never been to the Dingo before, and so you took me by the arm. 3 a.m. at the Coupole was deadly, you said. Perhaps Nancy will be at the Dingo to liven things up. My drooping eyelids and numb feet – too much dancing – followed you down the boulevard, drifting from one pool of Read More

Cat Dreams

by Shirley J. Gregory I need help. My neighbor has a little problem, and I feel partially responsible for his predicament. Well, we both got a little excited about my idea, and didn’t stop to really think through what we decided to do. It happened so suddenly we were caught off guard. And, now he’s … well … he’s sort Read More

Lost My Voice

by Joan McNerney Around the house under the bed,on top of book shelves,perhaps flung over my closet door,or hidden inside cubby holes. Have to look for it at all my usual haunts.Check out the library, ask my pharmacist,circle gas stations and stomp up downthat damn old supermarket. Not anywhere… geez this is tiringbetter sit down and think.When did I last Read More