100 Word Challenge: Sibling

May 2, 2018May 7, 2018 ~ Tara R. ~ 8 Comments

I’m sitting on the floor in the hallway of my house. All the rooms leading to the hallway are closed off and one end of the hallway is blocked by an expandable baby gate we’ve saved from when our children (now in their mid- and late-twenties) were toddlers. On the other side of the gate, … Continue reading 100 Word Challenge: Sibling

Socked away

February 17, 2018February 17, 2018 ~ Tara R. ~ 2 Comments

The primly dressed young woman stood nervously on my doorstep clutching a notebook. On her crooked arm, she carried a small canvas tote decorated with a stylized graphic of a cat in military garb. Feeling under-dressed in my threadbare flannel PJ pants and throwback concert tee, I let her continue her solicitation spiel uninterrupted. “With … Continue reading Socked away

The great Outside

November 3, 2017April 30, 2018 ~ Tara R. ~ 1 Comment

“You calling me an idiot?” Issy hissed. “Are you impugning my authority on this?” Mia sat down and breathed a heavy sigh. Sayuki rolled her eyes as only a teenager can. “Your histrionics are unnecessary, no one is arguing with you over your superior knowledge” Mia said, “but you’re not the only one who’s gone … Continue reading The great Outside

A cat and a cuppa tea

October 15, 2017 ~ Tara R. ~ Leave a comment

A big comfy chair and cuppa tea Grandma’s quilt a snug cocoon about my legs Well-loved pen held easy in aging fingers Blank paper thirsty for my bard’s ink Words swirl and spin around my head Fanciful yarns and chilling mysteries Feline companion, most enigmatic of all mysteries Catnip and lemon tea Soft fur to … Continue reading A cat and a cuppa tea

Say, say, Sayuki

May 31, 2017June 1, 2017 ~ Tara R. ~ 1 Comment

Sayuki, her mother, and four siblings were rescued when she was only 10 days old. The kits were hand bottled-fed until they were old enough for solid food. Mom, Mia (nee, Chaz), sick with a life-threatening infection, needed emergency medical help. Fortunately, mom recovered and the kittens grew happy and health. We were able to … Continue reading Say, say, Sayuki

Cat Paw Island

February 2, 2017August 31, 2018 ~ Tara R. ~ 2 Comments

Walking along the sandy path that skirted Crystal Lake, no one would never know that the unremarkable body of water was actually a rare phenomenon found only a few places in the world. The lake, a shimmering oasis of green on the leeward side of the ocean dunes, was a freshwater habitat until fluctuations in the … Continue reading Cat Paw Island