I love the chance to get the word out about the suspected reason for our honeybee decline. When I received Prime Magazine’s May monthly writing contest prompt, a flower, I knew that I had to incorporate my girls into my 53-word story. Again, another “loser” submission, but fun to write just the same! On the Brink … More On the Brink of Biocide
Another loser in the eyes of Prime Magazine, but a submission that I wanted to share with you, my dear readers. A bit dated, I know, but April’s theme was “a shower”. Instead of going the ‘April Showers’, rainbows, and butterflies route, I decided to lean into the darker side of what came to mind … More Down the Drain
Dear Mr./Ms. ‘1st Grade Teacher’: I changed my daughter’s name today. My daughter, Mackenzie, will now be known as ‘M’. Has a nice ring to it, huh? Eh, not my first choice either, but it was either change her name or set the poor girl up for failure before she even starts the 1st grade. School … More An Open Letter to My Daughter’s New Teacher
Two months ago, Pinky ran away for the first time. My five-year old daughter was heartbroken. How could her best friend of over four years just up and leave without any explanation? There was no goodbye note, no hints that the little pink cat was unhappy. One day she was there, and the next she … More Pinky: The World Explorer
A week and a half ago, approximately 30,000 honeybees were delivered on my front doorstep. I have to admit that I was a little surprised to see my purchase of three, 3-pound boxes of bees delivered. I must have a ballsy mailman. Bees in shipment are notorious for picking up “hitchhikers” or other honeybees in … More Amateur Hour in the Bee Yard
Another “loser” in the eyes of Prime Number Magazine, but I thought decent enough to share with you, my dear readers. Again, PNM puts on a free writing contest each month. The piece must be exactly 53 words and follow the specified prompt. March’s prompt was: a march. The New Recruit With sweat dotting her … More The New Recruit
A good friend of mine often comments, after reading some of my stories, “Care,” (that’s what he calls me) “Care, your family should be a freaking sitcom.” I always laugh it off, but this morning? Let me tell you, this morning would have made one hell of a hilarious episode. Not so much for the actors, but seriously, … More My 1st Drill After Retirement: Poopapalooza & Other Fun Happenings
Writing Maps holds a monthly themed writing contest, where two winning entries will be published in The A3 Review, a fold-out literary magazine published bi-annually. Entry is $5 and a specific 150-word count requirement (once again, the title does not add to the word count). There is no restriction on theme – they encourage prose, poems, … More The Postcard Home
I have been having a lot of fun lately entering various writing contests. Some of my favorites are the exact word count challenges; specifically the free 53-word contest put on by Prime Number Magazine. Being more of a descriptive (read: wordy) writer, the contest forces me to drill down my thought processes into a tangible, extremely short story. A prompt … More By the Light of the Hunger Moon
If ever I needed a sign to tell me to stay the fuck out of my kitchen, two nights ago I got it. One of my newest addictions is creating delicious variations of water kefir. What is water kefir, you might ask? Water kefir grains consist of bacteria and yeast existing in a symbiotic relationship. … More It’s Raining Water Kefir
