My family has been in this area for a few years. And by a few years, I mean generations. I proudly tell anyone with even the tiniest interest that my dad’s grandpa was a mayor. The last mayor of the 19th century in fact. That’s just his paternal side though since his mom hailed from New York state. My mom’s roots however, are a little more plentiful. Both sides on her maternal side came to the area due to coal mining. Coal was the lifeblood of this community after all. Mom’s paternal side, took a more circular route to get here. Ranching outside of town brought the family to the area before eventually moving into town. So, whenever I read a book about local history, I always hope to bump into some family history. It’s true what they say, be careful what you wish for because you just may get it.
Continue readingReturning
Distracted
You stopped me in the hall
and kindly asked, “How are you?”
We enjoyed our conversation
until your foot came into view
and I watched it flip the rug.
But what was unimaginable
is you left it flipped up
like some kind of animal.
Continue readingThe Ne’er-do-well’s Mantra
I tried so hard to be good.
But that just never did take.
Mischief I could never forsake.
I gave up doing what I should.
Instead, focused on what I would.
Continue readingThe Trauma of Fear
When I was about 9 years old, my paternal grandma moved into a nursing home. She would have been about 80 years old when this happened and beginning to fail in health and mobility. It was mostly her decision to be placed there so that she “wouldn’t be a burden on family.” Who knew this would be the setup to one of my deep childhood traumas?
Continue readingErr, er
Let’s look at the word error
which sounds more like a stutter.
Do you think the mumbler
was not at all convinced or sure
Continue readingThe Darkness
I told a lie about another
it was totally fictitious
the delivery malicious
no reason I can discover
the day I started a rumor.
Continue readingTwo Bottles
On the bathroom sink
two bottles sit side by side
one bottle is for the ear
one bottle is for the eye
when you grab a bottle
you better just get it right.
Continue readingRetroactive Validation
Did you see what so-and-so posted? Can you believe what this one claimed? Is The Greatest American Hero really getting a reboot? Why is Lethal Weapon aiming for a 5th installment? These are just some of the tech-land mines users of social media have to navigate through. We sure have a plethora of information – a growing number of it being false – literally at the tip of our fingers or within eye sight at any given moment. It really is so. very. much. information. At any given time. While that can feel overwhelming it can – and you are going to have to keep reading here before you counter – be a bit comforting and helpful. If you know how to navigate through that social media land mine that is. I know you are probably skeptical at this claim so let me give you an example.
Continue readingYou bring feeling to my life (not necessarily good feeling)
I admit, for me it is not always an easy task to come with something to write about. Most of the time, I need a little inspiration to get the ideas flowing. Inspiration can and has come from a variety of sources. It could come from a general situation or an observation I made. It also most certainly can come from a specific person. Many people have been unwitting muses for me. A lot of them good and positive. A few of them, well, let’s just create a category and call them a venting muse. In other words, they inspire me to write out my frustration and grievance instead of, you know, confronting them.
Continue reading
ck's days 