A Stranger at the Gate

A Stranger at the Gate

I was so lost in thought that I was halfway up my driveway before I noticed a long, black vehicle parked in front of the wrought iron gate. Another visitor? Jackie drove a double cab gray truck and Pat’s car was a small, blue compact. I pulled alongside the shiny SUV, admiring its sleek lines. […]

A Strange Story

A Strange Story

This is a strange tale of someone we’ll call Penelope Pennybroke. You may believe it or not, as you choose. Penelope, quiet, gray-haired woman of a certain number of years, was on her daily walk, minding her own business, keeping an eye out. She always did this–kept an eye out. One time she found a […]

A Gripping Groundhog Fable

A Gripping Groundhog Fable

Did you ever say hello to a groundhog? I did once and the result was unbelievable. You see, a groundhog lived under the garage at my house. I tried everything I could think of to make her realize she needed to find a new place to live. I mean, who wants tunnels and holes under the […]

Silence

Silence

SILENCE A soft and downy, drowsy day; The sky is furry, blurry gray, No wind to blow the snow away In patches. The trees are draped in frozen lace; The meadow is an arctic place, And house and barn, with wintry grace, Wear thatches. –Blanche

Facts Are Facts and Fiction is …

Remember the old, black and white TV series, Dragnet and the phrase, “Just the facts, Ma’am.”  This unflappable team of Jack Webb and Harry Morgan spent a whole thirty minutes ferreting out the bad guys and getting to the facts of the case. But, fiction writers can have fun fiddlin’ with the facts. In writing By […]

Conclusion of The Christmas Barn

The cold wind blew their leaves away. The three friends shivered and wished for day. “We can’t just do nothing,” the raccoon said. “Come on, squirrel and chipmunk. Let’s go  a bit farther. Maybe we’ll find food.”      Sighing, the squirrel straightened up and took Chipmunk’s hand. On they went, through the cold night. They […]