~ Neighborhood Tempest

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 →

~ 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 →

~ 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 →

~ 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 →

~ 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 →

~ 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 #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 →

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