Cedric Hershton, Science Associate Santa Fe Express (768 words, 4 minutes read time) What happens in our neighborhood can't be helped. I’m told that it's been an odd year for weather all over the world. Santa Fe, New Mexico, is no exception. It seems that every day, everywhere you go is plagued with drought in... Continue Reading →
~ just say smoked cheese…
Susan Cavanaugh (Whittaker) Political Editor, Santa Fe Express (361 words, 2 minutes read time.} Just Say Cheese (part one of two) I feel embarrassed for the state of the world these days. Not that the situation is my fault, but it is my responsibility. I count the many cameras on my route to work each... Continue Reading →
~ I leave all stress to my wife.
Afterall, she's much better at it. (443 words, 2 minutes read time.) Really, but I can understand why so many people manage stress differently, mostly because they are anxious or worried about any number of a thousand things that terrify us in this modern world. Some of them are serious matters, like losing a loved... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #20
"When I call you up your line's engaged.I have had enough, so act your age.We have lost the time that was so hard to find;And I will lose my mind"* (626 words, 3 minutes read time) >~~~~~20~~~~~< To read Spring Break in all of its segments: go to Menu > Short Serials> Scroll to the... Continue Reading →
~ It’s a long, close reach to Avalon
~ Brett Cavanaugh ~Private Spy ~ (2,198 words, 12 minutes read time) ~ never be too sorry... I had thought to have great fun with this one. A college cutie, nervous, insecure, and sometimes devilishly insincere. She bought my stories, my lies of being a published poet, and my tales of college prowess. It all... Continue Reading →
~ platened sheets
Op Ed: William Whittaker, Senior Editor Santa Fe Express (467 words, 2 minutes read time) I'm not very fast at texting, and I can't do that squiggly finger texting thing. I'm not about to go out of my way and run to Best Buy, or mail order some gizmo just to revise, restyle, or reassert... Continue Reading →
~ Cheating on the World ~
(Gladguru's Everland Ashram in Santa Barbara, CA.) (255 words, 1 minute read time) >~~~ gladguru ~~~< God doesn’t bother with the small stuff anymore. Never really did. The guy that’s acting like he thinks he’s god, the fool with the fake injured ear, he can only really damage himself, and of course the world at... Continue Reading →
~ don’t count on my books.
by Susie Cavenaugh (417 words, 2 minutes read time) Some say that size doesn't matter. I've met very few women who will agree with such nonsense. They will state that it is a misnomer, intended only to placate inadequate husbands, poorly proportioned boyfriends, and temporary playmates. Women know how little confidence most men have. That their... Continue Reading →
~ I’m Mandy, call me…
Brett Cavanaugh* (327 words, 2 minutes read time) Our chat ended abruptly. Her final words: “sorry, this session has timed out. It is now concluded and at its end. You should hang up now, walk away, and carry on with your life, or perhaps call back later…” I knew better. I didn’t hang up. I knew,… Continue Reading →
~1986 ~ Susie’s Journal ~
(303 words, 2 minutes read time) 12-13-1986 (transcribed from my old diary) I begin this totally fictional, free-form journal on my sixteenth birthday. Consider it my personal, uncalled for, rant on the world. Papa suggested it. It’s an alternative to the trap of poetry. Here, I will write without doubling back, proofreading, or second guessing... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #19
Well you can penetrate any place you go.Yes, you can penetrate any place you go.I told you so.All I want is you.Ev’rything has got to be just like you want it to, because… (526 words, 3 minutes read time) >~~~~~19~~~~~< “Can I come in and sleep with you?” “Sure hon. Let me get you a… Continue Reading →
~ Carmalita
>~~ Brett ~~< (436 words, 2 minutes read time.) That's an easy one! I wasn't expecting to find Carmalita, my third (or was she my fourth?) wife on Royal Street in New Orleans. At my age, it's hard to keep track of them anymore, but I know there were seven. Three in my early years,... Continue Reading →
~ Reyn responds to Patreon gripes
(403 words, 2 minutes read time} >~~ Reyn ~~< (Santa Fe)~ A couple of weeks back I received gripes from a few disgruntled Patreon subscribers. These troubled souls, rich beyond belief, are obsessed with me simply because I'm eternal. It’s true, I do have a great publicist. Nine of these Nouveau stooges bothered to use... Continue Reading →
~ unrequited joy
~~> Bill Whittaker (2025) <~~ (316 words. 2-minute read) PERSONAL JOURNAL. 12-13-25 Honestly, I did make some minor changes to a few clauses on that last preface draft, but only because I failed to make that midnight deadline. >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~< Oh, wait… What was the prompt again? Something about… Oh, yeah! First day of doing someone…. Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #18
"Now it's past my bed I knowAnd I'd really like to goSoon it will be the break of daySitting here in Blue Jay Way" * (390 words, 2 minutes read time.) >>~~~~~18~~~~~<< They left Gigi at the table, lost in a dream, travelling somewhere between worn, and passed out. Seeing her there, head nested sweetly... Continue Reading →
~ a few words of vice…
>~~~~~ WP prompt ~~~~~< (343 words, 1.5 minute read time.) There are many “bests” we could consider. I’ll narrow them down to two or three. All of the best advice is simple, but has been regrettably complicated by poets, philosophers, guru’s, religious zealots and lunatics. Folks that regurgitate the same simple basic deep truths and… Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #17
Keeping an eye on the world going by my window,Taking my time, lying there and staring at the ceiling,Waiting for a sleepy feeling.Please don't spoil my day, I'm miles away,And after all, I'm only sleeping.* (562 words, 3 minutes read time.) >>~~~~~17~~~~~< Gigi yawned and said, “So, Mel…” she covered her mouth with the back... Continue Reading →
~ A tale of two houses…
~~~> Denise and I after a long day of fishing. Secret Fort in the background, Bougainvillea, and garage to left. ~~~< (473 words, 3 minutes read time) As my parents’ family grew so did their house requirements. Until the one day they discovered a special forever home on Casa Linda Drive. Of course, this story… Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #16
"Remember, I'll always be true. And then while I'm away, I'll write home every day..."* (431 words, 2 minutes read time.) >~~~~~ 16 ~~~~~< Whenever she could, Mel managed her bar to allow herself five, sometimes six hours of sleep. Most nights she might be in bed before three a.m. Not tonight though. Tonight was... Continue Reading →
~ Whoop it up!
You say you want a real solutionWell, you knowWe’d all love to see the plan (358 words, 2 minutes read time.) >~~~~~8647~~~~~< I don’t think it will take twenty years, but in the next ten years, we will have AI in a box. Once the billionaires, you know who they are, once they’ve spent their… Continue Reading →
Always enough time…
"Imagine me and you. I do! I think about you every night. It's only right!" * (375/431 words, 2 minutes read time.) >~~~~~OOO~~~~~< We can sneak out, like really late, after dark, when there’s no school the next day, and then meet somewhere. Maybe at one of our secret places. The attic, or even better,... Continue Reading →
~ Let X equal X…
“Your eyes! it’s a day’s work, just looking into them…” * (320 words, 2 minutes read time.) >~~~~~X=X~~~~~< Another Monday. Wake up with hopes to dive back into the writing routine. 300 to 500 words a day, 15 to 20 hours per week. Not a big deal, right? Try to get to it by 10:00.... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #15
"She's well acquainted with the touch of the velvet handLike a lizard on a window pane." * (525 words, 3 minutes read time.) >~~~~~15~~~~~< Gigi's rental car was still parked out front. Car theft and break-ins were common occurrences in Quartzite, though any of the thousands of motor homes made much better targets. Gigi’s car... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #14
“ I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink,I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink.I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink.No, no, no.”* (376 words, 2 minutes read time.) >~~~~~14~~~~~< "So, Gigi, tell me... what happened to Sylvia?" Mel thought her friend was listening, just resting her head, when she... Continue Reading →
~ as you must know…
because everyone must at least know some of this by now. Please, read on… (275 words, 1 minute read time} As you must very well know by now, and realize deep within your heart, that no matter what we as people profess to believe, everything is truly and only about Whatever. In this case, Whatever… Continue Reading →