Driving in twilight eliminates unnecessary distractions. Said to be the most dangerous time on the road for a driver, our eyes naturally readjust to ready for the darkness that follows—too soon. Shadows develop into imaginary features and creatures. Branches become arms, reflectors become eyes, and our imaginations must sort out the details. Distant roadside landmarks…
Author: Tim Cotton
Shameless Promotion of a Book
I spend a lot of time rewriting in my head. That’s one of the reasons why I like long drives. Book number two—out in October— is finished and has since been tucked away with Michael, the editor. I don’t follow the process, but it seems that I rewrite this stuff a bunch of times, then…
Pup Cups, and Recycling Writings
I ought to get the A/C repaired in the Green Glider, but it reminds me of all the car trips we experienced as kids. With the front windows all the way down, and the back windows dropped to half-mast, it really is tolerable. Having a reasonable recollection of lyrics helps you sing along, but the…
Wondering
Tonight, I began to wonder when Ellie transitioned from young to old. Her frosted tips have taken to spreading around a bit. I first saw the gray in her muzzle, then in her eyebrows. Suddenly, the silver highlights were everywhere. At night, she sits beside me on the couch. Sometimes, remaining completely still and staring…
Thanks, I Try
At 0405hrs on Sunday, I was awakened by my internal clock. Knowing that it was time to take the significant one to the airport, I beat her to the hardwood floor by padding my way to the bathroom to avoid the rush. We made coffees, sipped them quickly, then I loaded her luggage and…
Drafty Windows and a Dog Named Jack
My first home was built in 1865; it was about 100 years old when I was born and aged gracefully while I grew up. The deed became mine when I was in my mid-twenties. I always told people the place had been pre-owned—a lot. We bought it in the fall of the year; the only…
The Scent of a Woman (No, not the movie)
The odor is strong. It is a cross between New York extra sharp cheese, Garnier Fructis Color Shield shampoo (it’s paraben-free), and a bucket of white perch left behind under an aluminum boat seat in mid-July. While the added detail of the material used to construct the boat might not be necessary for you to…
A Nice Guy
I wasn’t trying to be nosy, but I cannot deny that I listened to the conversation between the store employee and the patron who waited his turn at getting to the cream dispenser. It was a counter area where I don’t spend much time, and I am a bit timid to admit that there are…
Left To Our Own Advices
The pickup truck was wallowing about on my last journey to the east coast. While it is heavily sprung, and the roads are bad from here to eternity, I felt that the steering inputs caused it to be a tad more squirrely than typical. I had a heavy trailer in tow, and that certainly exacerbates…
One Bad Apple
The fleeting thoughts don’t always stick around long enough for me to find the time to jot them all down. As of late, I have much about the blooming spring— and the chores that come with it— on my mind. There are undertakings at the camp that demand my attention. While I am not the…