A Honey of a Smile

  Patrick Square’s Farmer’s Market was buzzing with activity yet the sky behind Liydia Vdovichenko had grown menacing.  The threat of a thunderstorm was in the air yet she wasn’t fazed.  There were shoppers with money in their hands and she had something precious for sale.  Honey.  Made by her family’s bees, gathered by the […]

“At This Performance”

  Tears had formed in the eyes of Eric Ruiz and there wasn’t a tissue within 300 feet, and I suddenly felt stupid for not being prepared.  But I didn’t think I would need tissues.  After all, Eric plays a character capable of murder, one so intimidating that an entire community cedes to his demands, […]

I’ll have St. Pete with a Squeeze of Lime

The rain pelted against the house, sounding like rocks tossed by an angry neighbor, waking us well before our six am alarm went off. I trudged out of bed, turned up the heater then returned with two cups of strong coffee and crawled under the blankets. A strong gust lashed against the windows as my […]

The Ripple Effect

  “Mom?  It’s John.  Just calling to say we’re home now.” We had spent an entire week with my mother.  We cooked for her almost every day, took her out for oysters, looked through old photos, sat with her in the kitchen and shared coffee, and listened as she told stories of her childhood to […]

Raising Six Grand

For the last four years I’ve made a donation to our local Juvenile Diabetes (JDRF) fundraiser.  This is a great charity, the local group raises hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they always score very high for efficiency and effectiveness.  And our community gets very involved in the fundraising.  This group never sits still; they sponsor […]

February

  February’s winds brought heavy grey skies Thick with a Southern surprise I stood at the window, took in the sight Of a tree, sturdy and aged, that’s brought us many a morning delight A home to sparrows, mockers, Juncos and warblers that Enchant with song, dazzle our eye, and often confound the cat She […]

Sky Dive

At 7,000 feet, the jump master opened the door and offered me a thumbs up.  The air whooshed through the cabin, animating the nylon of my jumpsuit.  As the green patchwork gently retreated past the spinning props and whistling wingtips, I stood up, gripped the hand rail, and hesitated. “John, I have a job I […]

My Underwear was Showing

  Rob’s face held no secrets. His last six days had been sleepless, full of pain and suffering, tears and anguish and it showed. His brother, just 34 years old, lay in a linen-draped casket just an arm’s reach away. What must have been going through Rob’s mind? Perhaps visions of the two of them […]

Blondie in The Water

I love salt water.  I love being tossed about by the wave and I love feeling the tug and push of the tides.  I find it mesmerizing.  I can’t think of a better example to describe our planet’s forces of nature.  Get into the salt water on an East coast beach and you won’t need […]

Our Last Kiss

  Our last kiss Was it that long ago? A smile, a hug, a caress Once so abundant Promise me Never taken for granted A hand Delicate, steady, firm Tell me, it’s still there A laugh, a twinkle, applause Thank you, it meant so much A dream, a wish, a prayer Persuade me, it’s all […]