True Stories, Honest Lies

I am always prepared for the zombie apocalypse. B...

2009-10-30T23:16:49.419-04:00

I am always prepared for the zombie apocalypse. Better safe than sorry. Always enjoy a survivors tale...

Welcome to #fridayflash! You did it...a very well...

2009-10-30T10:19:08.760-04:00

Welcome to #fridayflash!

You did it...a very well done--and scary--piece of fiction!

Happy Halloween!

Friends, kites, the smell of bread (baking) are al...

2009-10-29T18:39:25.167-04:00

Friends, kites, the smell of bread (baking) are all on my list too!

Happy birthday Laura! -- Bill

2009-10-27T22:25:56.586-04:00

Happy birthday Laura!

-- Bill

1 shot banana liqueur In case you need a "quick tr...

2009-10-26T20:59:09.210-04:00

1 shot banana liqueur
In case you need a "quick trip to Jamaica"
Chocolate Monkey!
2 shots creme de cacao
2 scoops chocolate ice cream
1 oz chocolate syrup
4 oz chocolate milk
1 1/2 oz whipped cream
1 cherry
1 piece bananas
Blend liqueurs with ice-cream, milk and syrup. Pour into a parfait glass, top with whipped cream and garnish with banana and cherry.

I, too, long for happiness in the mundane. Are we ...

2009-10-26T15:06:09.057-04:00

I, too, long for happiness in the mundane. Are we still looking for bigger moments in the mundane? Thich Nhat Hanh says: Present moment, beautiful moment. But when I try it, loving each moment sure slows me down.

Thanks for the reminder.

I thought this was really thought-provoking. Shor...

2009-10-20T13:52:09.882-04:00

I thought this was really thought-provoking. Short and to the point, too. Well done!

This is beautiful.

2009-10-12T11:36:07.879-04:00

This is beautiful.

I love reading them when the writer is as great as...

2009-10-12T11:34:13.333-04:00

I love reading them when the writer is as great as Vonnegut, and these are the best. I should tape them to the wall just above my monitor. They're all perfect, but just now I'm noticing in particular "start as close to the end as possible" and "write to please just one person." Many fiction writers make the mistake of withholding information with the idea of being subtle or maintaining suspense. (Can you tell I like Vonnegut? One of my favorite stylists.)

I enjoyed your story very much. I love your charac...

2009-10-11T22:22:38.559-04:00

I enjoyed your story very much. I love your characters and look forward to reading more about them.

I think it's sweet how Red-Haired Annie was enjoying the silence, until it spooked her friend so. The last line is so refreshing and sweet. I am jealous of their friendship.
~2

Creative use of spacing. Welcome.

2009-10-11T10:13:46.300-04:00

Creative use of spacing. Welcome.

Loved the sock soup and the runaway dough! I can r...

2009-10-11T08:31:48.873-04:00

Loved the sock soup and the runaway dough!
I can really see the characters, welcome to #fridayflash!

Your characters are well developed and their voice...

2009-10-10T11:08:04.878-04:00

Your characters are well developed and their voices clear. I enjoy reading first person narrative like this. Good job.

Beautiful; I read this story slowly, imagining you...

2009-10-09T16:51:17.656-04:00

Beautiful; I read this story slowly, imagining your voice telling it, at what I imagine would be your pace. I liked the space you left, when Crazy Jane described the silence, it fit right in with the pacing. Very satisfying.

Well sometimes I welcome the silence... But it is...

2009-10-09T14:43:46.874-04:00

Well sometimes I welcome the silence...

But it is good to wake up and realize that some things were all a dream.

Welcome!

I think that I would become a nightowl around her!...

2009-10-09T14:01:55.173-04:00

I think that I would become a nightowl around her! Savor the silence... Welcome to #fridayflash!

I read and hear so little about observance of Yom ...

2009-10-09T13:33:28.894-04:00

I read and hear so little about observance of Yom Kippur despite having Jewish friends. It was interesting to see a not-highly-orthodox reflection on the ritual. Thanks for writing!

I'm going to watch for that. Usually, I only get t...

2009-10-08T03:04:30.167-04:00

I'm going to watch for that. Usually, I only get to watch from the back when I'm in an olio situation, and hang in the periphery waiting for my turn onstage... it's fascinating to watch the audience then, when I remember too.

I've gotten into the habit of always sitting in the front row, to encourage others to do the same (performers hate having an empty front row), and to engage and encourage the performer by being an active listener.

Hi Laura, It has been fun following your daily blo...

2009-09-30T18:20:55.482-04:00

Hi Laura, It has been fun following your daily blog. Kudos for keeping your commitment to yourself, especially when it was difficult. I am glad it opened your creative side. Care to paint with me?

Part 2: Same duck walks into the same drugstore, w...

2009-09-23T12:38:32.449-04:00

Part 2:
Same duck walks into the same drugstore, walks up to... excuse me, waddles up to the counter.
"Can I help you?" asks the clerk.
"I'd like to buy a condom," says the duck.
The clerk rings up the purchase and says: "Shall I put it on your bill?"

"What kind of a duck do you think I am?"

A duck walks into a drugstore, walks up to... excu...

2009-09-23T12:36:32.082-04:00

A duck walks into a drugstore, walks up to... excuse me, waddles up to the counter.
"Can I help you?" asks the clerk.
"I'd like to buy some chapstick," says the duck.
The clerk rings it up and says: "Will this be cash or charge?"
Duck says: "Just put it on my bill."

Ah, apart from a fantastic could tomato and arugul...

2009-09-23T12:32:25.202-04:00

Ah, apart from a fantastic could tomato and arugula soup I made for dinner last night?

My children. Watching them explore, and learn, and play. Listening to them talk.

I also find stories delicious.

I've wondered about the origin of this tale for years. I see that is has both Hindu and Buddhist roots. Interesting how these older versions have a different point to make than the Zen version.

I just found your blog...love it! Downtown Chicag...

2009-09-19T15:47:43.792-04:00

I just found your blog...love it!

Downtown Chicago, mixed in with the suits who were racing to work was a man smoking a pipe.

Not quite as good as the goats going for a walk...oh well.

http://theemptypen.wordpress.com/

I wasn't even thinking of being creative today unt...

2009-09-18T14:03:36.227-04:00

I wasn't even thinking of being creative today until I read that the process comes with a chance at flying monkeys! ;-)

Thanks for walking through the exercise. I can already see where it will come in handy.

Here's my flying monkey: "I'm too tired." Aw, come...

2009-09-18T13:26:45.677-04:00

Here's my flying monkey:
"I'm too tired." Aw, come on. It's not that hard and it won't make you any more tired. You'll feel more energized by it.