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 →
~ 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 →
~ 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 →
~ 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 →
~ 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 →
~ 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 →
~In our dreams…
... our wetish sci-fi dreams... (275 words, 1 minute read time.) Had you asked me when I was ten and building model rockets that shot to the sky, some in stages that glided home or landed gently in trees after drifting softly down tethered to parachutes that popped from their nose cones at apogee. I... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #13
“We were talking about the love that's gone so cold and the people,Who gain the world and lose their soul- ” * (529 words, 3 minutes read time.) >~~~~~13~~~~~< “Yes,” Gigi replied,” she is really, truly, and actually absolutely terminally dead. They even had to fly me down to Santa Fe where she’s been living... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #12
I say, “High”, You say, “Low,” You say, “Why?” And I say, “I don’t know.” Oh, no! * (620 words, 3 minutes read time.) >~~~~~ 12 ~~~~~< "Now, wait just a damn minute!" Suzy blurted. "Who's dead? And who the hell is William, uh, er, what was it? Wintigan? And just exactly who the hell... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #11
Always, no sometimes, think it's me. But you know I know when it's a dream.* (414 words, 2 minutes read time.) >~~~~~ 11 ~~~~~< It was growing late. The Snowbirds had left before midnight, having decided to run to Camping World in Barstow and have that awning installed before the weekend. The Cowboys had also... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #10
“Nowhere man, don't worry. Take your time, don't hurry. Leave it all 'til somebody else lends you a hand...* 407 words, 2 minutes read time. "Hennessey, neat," said Dr. Hapless. He sounded tired. He was tired. He’d just spent most of a twelve-hour shift trying to revive a comatose clergyman. Mel turned and poured the... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #9
"My independence seems to vanish in the haze... 537 words, 3 minutes read time. Wishing he had better news, Dr. Hapless walked into Mel's Bar to update his friend, Mel, about Reverend Bill’s condition. The doctor had yearned a drink even before the Medivac chopper lifted Bill's vegetative body to the sky, but his shift... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #8
"Please, don't wake me. No, don't shake me. Leave me where I am... * 465 words, 2 minutes read time. Last edited 2 minutes ago.I became ever more aware that I wasn't thinking, remembering, or experiencing anything as I should. All around me became less focused, even fuzzier than just moments ago. Completing personal thoughts... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #7
"And in my hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me. * 462 words, 2 minutes read time. It was the nurse, the one with the child's voice, who said, "It was his friend, a woman, she brought him in... I think her name was Mel." "I see. Thank you, Nurse," responded... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #6
"Sounds of laughter, shades of life, are ringing through my open ears...* 396 words, 2 minutes read time. “Hello, Sir,” said a man with a mild Indian accent. “My name is Dr. Hapless. I’ll be your overeducated Health Engineer and A.I. interpreter this evening. I will be at your service for no longer than you... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #5
...living is easy with eyes closed.* 404 words, 2 minutes read time. "Pardon me, sir... Excuse me, but can you help us to fill in some additional details about yourself? About your medical history? It’s going to be some time before our Health Engineer, Doctor Hapless, will be here to see you. So, is there any... Continue Reading →
~ Spring Break #4
I found my way upstairs and had a smoke, and somebody spoke, and I went into a dream...* 427 words, 2 minutes read time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Someone said, "Be still. Don’t move! Help is on the way!" Moments later, another voice: "We're connecting you with our support team." Then someone else said, with urgency, "The Department... Continue Reading →