The months-long delay between Dad’s death and the funeral service felt like a good idea. I firmly believe in making decisions based on facts, not feelings. In this case, my sibling-centric vote fell between feelings and facts. Delay seemed like a good idea. As Friday closes in, I cradle some regret. I should have voted…
Author: Tim Cotton
Memorial Drive
The sun’s late afternoon trajectory, a fiery arc, pierced through the dense forest on my right. As it descended lower on the horizon, the trunks and branches, like sentinels, intermittently blocked my view, teasing the shards of light that danced and shimmered as I pressed on, maintaining a steady pace. The Memorial Day wind, at…
Fiddleheads
We fed on furled fronds from a fledgling fern; fantastic they were. The S.O., a female, fawned over the ferns since arriving in Maine from further south. “Can you grab some fiddleheads in your travels? Please. I can’t get them down here,” she said. “I am waiting for the roadside sellers, dear. None have revealed…
Negligible Acts
I’m trying to be a good steward. My plan won’t change the world, and in the interest of full disclosure, I don’t do it every single time, but it’s a start. Frankly, sometimes, I forget. I take my shopping carts from the parking lot corral instead of from the static display inside the store. Pushing…
The Ears Have it
Thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap, thwap—never another, always with the five thwaps. It’s a reset to stop the clinging. With her head shaking and ears readjusting, Ellie is like a lady poufing out her skirt after being seated too long or a man doing that grab ‘n pull on creases of his dress slacks when standing…
The Mundane—Reflections from South Dakota
I’m spoiled. I’ve seen the country on someone else’s dime, but it very well could have been yours. If so, I thank all of you. I’ve been to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, thrice within a month and a half— and I’ve enjoyed every visit. I found the people genuine and the scenery breathtaking (for a kid from the Jagged…
Keep the Change if You Can Find It
According to the notification’s heading, I’m approved for another credit card, which has had no impact on my credit score—they are so good to me. It’s the fifth one this week: two by mail and three by email. When a credit card carrier sends you five unrequested blank checks begging you to run up your…
Sleeves
I wrote a piece about the well of tears I’ve managed to keep hidden, but I’m not quite prepared to share it. Like anyone working through grief, it can overwhelm your stoic nature without fair warning. In the last few weeks, along with my little sister, I have been focusing on moving my Mama to…
The Path of Least Resistance
With all the hubbub about the upcoming eclipse and me being so close to the path of totality, you’d think I might get into my truck on Monday and invade some small Maine town with a cup of coffee in hand to catch the moon and sun in their public display of affection. It’s not…
“Looking Forward to Something”
During my first nineteen years of life, we moved seventeen times; I know the figure is correct, but memory serves me poorly sometimes. If I sat down with pen and paper, I could sketch out a timeline for you, but I’ll spare you the details. Most often, we were within the boundaries of Maine, but…