at torncorners.com
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 →
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 →
"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 →
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 →
(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 →
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 →
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 →
(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 →
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 →
(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 →
"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 →
>~~~~~ 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 →
~~~> 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 →
"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 →
“ 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 →
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 →
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 →
“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 →
...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 →
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 →
He blew his mind out in a bar... 527 words, 3 minutes read time. "Oh, come now, Bill. You don't believe that. You don't believe in suicide." "Mel, I don’t know what to believe anymore. But, wait! I do believe in one thing. I believe that I love these peanuts!" I’ve been shelling one peanut... Continue Reading →
I've had a drink or two, and I don't care, (434 words, 2 minutes read time) >~~~~~ 1 ~~~~~< Maybe it's these stupid allergies I try so hard to disclaim, or maybe the thick New Delhi smog that drifts thick here on the northern breeze. It clogs my nose, crusts my eyes, makes me thick,... Continue Reading →
-1962-thirteen skips. We were playing alongside the monoliths of Stonehenge when I picked up this rock. I thought it was a trilobite. It wasn’t. It was just a flat rock. I knocked off the muddy crud that covered it and saw it to be a perfect skipping stone, so I sent it sailing across the… Continue Reading →
1962- thirteen skips~~~~~>>> (section seven) <~~~~~~~~~~ EPILOGUE ~~~~~~~~~~> The next morning was Saturday. Mom let us sleep late on Saturday, but it was usually her who would actually sleep until nine. We had cartoons to watch, and Saturday morning was when the best ones were on. It was also the only day Mom let us… Continue Reading →
Photo by Simon Berger on Pexels.com(1,310 words, 7 minutes read time) a bit of a rant. maybe... <~~ALSO POSTED SEPERATELY IN "SERIALS" AS A FIVE PART SERIES~~> I'm never really sure how these things get started. Often, I don't even know where they began. I only know that frequently, material, time, and effort suddenly disappear... Continue Reading →