Knocking down sand castles

May 31, 2011January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 10 Comments

“I should have taken ‘before’ pictures.” That was my first thought when I finally had a chance to witness the extent of the destruction. My second thought was, “Well, shit!” Of course foresight being what it is, I had no way of knowing there would ever be an ‘after’ moment and a need, a fervent … Continue reading Knocking down sand castles

Chilly

May 26, 2011January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 15 Comments

“I’m starving!” “Dinner will be ready soon, just go sit down and I’ll call you in a few,” she laughed, waving a wooden spoon at him to keep his fingers out of the stew pot. Rolling his eyes at her, he reluctantly left the kitchen. She watched his back as he walked away. Stirring the … Continue reading Chilly

Teach your children well

May 25, 2011January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 13 Comments

For the last six summers, my daughter, JM, has worked at a local Gulf front seafood restaurant, first as a hostess and later as a server. Having worked as a server myself during college, I empathize with how difficult this job can be. Long hours, unpredictable customers, low wages, and physically demanding, working in a … Continue reading Teach your children well

Better now

May 23, 2011January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 9 Comments

She moved home, even if only for a few months, along with everything she owned, minus the old TV and cabinet she sold on her second trip to empty out her old apartment. The $40 she got from the new tenant paid for her gas on the drive home. She accumulated a lot of junk … Continue reading Better now

Lies and kisses

May 19, 2011January 5, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 17 Comments

“Oh, what lies there are in kisses.” ~ Heinrich Heine It was his idea and she loved him all the more for it. They sat together on a surprisingly comfortable couch in a room that looked more like a favorite uncle’s den than a therapist’s office. Thighs touching, he held her hand on his knee. … Continue reading Lies and kisses

Teenage angst revisited: circa 1978

May 18, 2011January 6, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 10 Comments

This past weekend my family held a yard sale, our first in several years. After the first hectic hour, I remembered why I prefer to simply donate items to our local Goodwill and church charities. Sketchy people show up at yard sales, and now they all know where I live... Other than the handful of … Continue reading Teenage angst revisited: circa 1978