The Blackbird's Reward (Short Story) - 4/19/2017 1:57:06 AM
Nice story. I agree, it would make a great story with an illustrated children's book.
The Blackbird's Reward (Short Story) - 4/16/2017 6:09:55 AM
Sounds like a Native American origin story. Has a built-in nice lesson about helping and sharing.
I grew up in Wisconsin and love the sound of redwing blackbirds. But I've never seen a yellow headed blackbird… Many goldfinches. And just discovered house finches (brown with red coloring on their chests and heads--males only) in my backyard here in Houston.
Ron
The Blackbird's Reward (Short Story) - 4/15/2017 2:43:34 AM
This would make a great storybook as you've imparted an important message of selflessness.
Goblin Grabbing (Short Story) - 10/13/2016 6:51:51 AM
I was half expecting some hand bones and parts of the wrist. The problem is, because we have a bone in our wrist it takes a saw and a great deal of effort, unless you break the bones, to cut off a hand with a camp knife.
It is obvious that the preacher's little scam was carried out by his accomplice, his wife, like all magic tricks. I'm also not sure how the preacher was able to use the camp only on the weekend of Halloween unless he paid the state for the privilege of using it.
But, it certainly does sound like mythology from camps and the kind of story told around campfires. Did you find any of Jesse James's jars of coins and cash?
Ron
Goblin Grabbing (Short Story) - 10/13/2016 12:39:07 AM
An entertaining campfire story, for sure! The ending left me puzzled as to the wife's role in all this--and most certainly the preacher's. And, her hairy arms which weren't mentioned at the beginning of the story unless the full-moon madness brought out the beast in her.
The Dragonfly Question (Short Story) - 7/12/2015 7:04:42 AM
A wonderful story to read to children. While I think the allegory may not be appropriate because it fosters the myth of an afterlife, I like it when insects like the dragonfly are given more credit for what they are and do, rather than considered pests.
For some reason, except in the family, elderly today are not given credit for what they can do for young children and are often forced into retirement and warehoused away to be visited on occasion rather than be a bad influence on young children for their old ideas. Your story tells that lesson well.
Ron
The Dragonfly Question (Short Story) - 7/12/2015 1:22:45 AM
A beautiful allegory explaining the afterlife, now giving pause to ponder when one espies a dragonfly.
When the Last Flock Flies (Poetry) - 12/29/2017 8:21:06 AM
Wild geese are wonderful birds to observe in their annual migration. It is amazing that some flocks do not fly south as long as there is food available for them. I recall one below zero day when I drove to Rochester Minnesota and observed Canada geese flying near the snow-covered city. I later learned that when Canada geese were hunted to near extinction in the early part of the 20th century, the people of Rochester kept a small flock alive by feeding them through the winters. Eventually, bringing back the great migrations we see today of healthy geese populations.
Ron
When the Last Flock Flies (Poetry) - 12/28/2017 7:15:56 AM
The sight of geese flying in that V formation still fills me with awe.
When the Last Flock Flies (Poetry) - 12/28/2017 3:31:02 AM
i'd rather be here to witness winters delights
Snows of Spring (Poetry) - 3/1/2016 7:49:53 AM
Many snow geese winter here in South Texas. So the spring heralds their leaving for points far north. Your poem makes me long for the time, both in fall and in spring, when the skies were filled with migrating ducks and geese. The sounds of their honking filling the air with the gladness of their joyous flight.
I live in the suburbs of Houston, and occasionally, especially in winter, hear them talking overhead as they fly in small groups from their nesting sites near Katy to the coast to feed.
Ron
Snows of Spring (Poetry) - 2/29/2016 11:49:40 AM
Yeah, you're right Mick, and I'm ready for it. Although we have had a mild winter, spring has the magic I like.
The Cottonwood (Poetry) - 1/4/2010 11:06:19 PM
Excellent. I love trees and hate to see them disappear around me. This is so well-written, I have to save it in my library to read again and again.
The Cottonwood (Poetry) - 1/4/2010 4:54:07 AM
nicely done
The Cottonwood (Poetry) - 1/4/2010 3:48:29 AM
Yes, I like the idea of residual energy living on despite how we move on. You gave this a romanticized feel; she took her secrets to the grave. Nicely penned!
Sheila
