Initial thoughts among the readership may be that I get up early, all spunky and full of vigor. This is not the case. I need a minute or five. Ellie does, too. I find myself waking up to echoes of her whisper groans emitting from the end of my bed; it’s a process. If her…
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Toasted Cheese
My Dad’s birthday was last week. It would have slipped away unnoticed, but only because I forget birthdays just like my Dad did when he was here. While that sounds odd, and might indicate there is some sadness or bitterness, there is none; none at all. That’s why my Dad had my Mom. In my…
Branches
The initial wave of retirement arrived in mid-summer of 2022. After stepping away from police work, I spent the rest of that summer completing the septic system at the camp in the woods—a huge undertaking. Not long after, autumn crept in unexpectedly, and before I could fully adjust, winter settled in suddenly, catching me off…
Role Reversal
She’s been home two weeks, but we’ve yet to go out to grab a meal at one of our regular haunts. Since her bags are on the bed, cavernous, preparing to gulp up refolded business attire, shoes, and stuff that ladies use that I do not, I offered a brunch. No one wants to cook,…
Whisker Burns
Missing him, more often after nightfall, sometimes on long drives, or after waking up in a fog from a dream where I hear his voice as clear as if he’s in the living room, gives me pause to take a moment to remember. Just last month, I pulled into the Denny’s parking lot to look…
Friends or Friendships
I’ve unfollowed a couple of excellent creators over the past three weeks. Originally, I followed them because of their skills at writing, building, mechanical know-how, and humor. I knew their views were not mine, but I can overlook that for the sake of sanity. I don’t need to know every detail of what you dislike…
Noogling (Nude Googling,FYI)
Noogle; it’s a thing. For those of you who shower on the regular, this is a warning. Towel off your fingers before you use your phone in or near the shower. Recently, I learned to Noogle—Nude-Googling, Noogling, in verb form. Noogling is alive and well in the Cotton Compound. Here’s how it went down. I…
Breezes, Dad, and Late Night Snacks
For many years, my Mom and Dad lived in the apartment connected to my last home. Their apartment was significantly larger than my section of the house, both sides having three bedrooms, but my parents dwelled on one level, outside the nifty loft over their great room. One-level living is not to be overlooked as…
Injuries in Dust, Benefits in Marble
I like Ben Franklin’s vibe, whether he coined the phrase or not; he did publish the adage in “Poor Richard’s Almanac”: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” I live by that, except for the wealthy part. But I can see the correlation without squinting. I more enjoy…
Autumnal Preparation—the measured approach
I’m not positive about why it took until the twenty-fourth night of September to transition into the autumn rush-mode, but it did. Possibly, it’s because I didn’t get nearly enough done yesterday to hit the ever-moving target of a successful, fulfilling day. When left to my own devices and without a defined job or jobs,…