I will admit,
people in Ireland are friendly
no matter which
part of the island you may be.
Continue readingWhere I’m at these days…
I like to think I’m rather smart. Perhaps, that is a common trait for all humankind to think that on some level. “I may not be the brightest, but I am not some dummy.” Some days I believe it, other days, well, I try to think of other talents I might possess. Think I’m being hard on myself? That’s kind of you but I’m about to share a story that proves my point. Unfortunately, it’s all true.
Continue readingThe Atlantic Worry Rock
While in Waterville,
I walked toward the beach.
I swear all of this did happen
just past the statue of Chaplin.
I went until close to the sea
right up to the water’s reach.
Continue readingStory Behind the Post: Two Halves
Last month was a 5-Saturday month. If you have been a reader of this little blog for more than a minute, then you are aware that on 5-Saturday months I attempt to write a 5-part short story. The intent is to practice my writing skills. Lately, I’ve been a bit lazy. So, my effort in this endeavor is waning. a little bit. But last month, I followed through even though May – as you know – is as busy as December. It tends to fill itself up with activities. Still, I managed to give it a go.
Three things came together and provided the spark of the story.
Continue readingI once stayed in a room this big
Two Halves: Chapter V
Chapter V: Two: Fates
Seaman Pete Romero died December 7, 1941.
At least, that was what Amy figured. Since she wasn’t his family legally, no official telegram or notice was ever sent to her. It took her a year to get some sort of confirmation even though when she never heard from him, she knew it had to be true. She spent months rereading every letter Pete had sent to her and attempted to track down anyone he mentioned. Finally, from a merciful clerk at Pete’s training base in California, she was able to locate the cook he mentioned in his last letter. Lewey, or William Lewiston as she discovered, was discharged after he lost one of his legs during the attack. He lived in Alabama.
Continue readingTeetotaler on Tour
I went to Ireland
to see what I could see.
They said, “You know what is fun?
Stop by Jameson.
You’ll get some whiskey
while on your tour.”
Okay but I am a teetotaler.
Continue readingTwo Halves: Chapter IV
Chapter IV: Two Wars
Amy shut her bedroom door and sighed. It was the first Sunday in December and the house was quiet except for the winter storm howling outside. The house tended to be fairly quiet most days since Ruth hardly was home during the day. Her dad, however, had tried to be more present ever since their talk in October when Amy had told him she planned to go to California after graduation. It was as if he was trying to show her how good of a parent he actually was by being more present physically. All of his attempts were too little, too late for her though. He might sit at the dinner table more often with her but they sat in silence. Hardly any conversation beyond politeness passed between them. She did appreciate the effort he was putting in but she had not changed her mind. If anything, the increasing absence of Ruth made her want to leave sooner. The house inside was growing as cold in social interaction as the December storm was making it miserable outside.
Continue readingGift of Gab (Blarney Stone)
Miss-n-a-kiss and a-kiss-n-a-miss
If you want the gift of gab
go where the magic is at
the legend is well known
you must kiss the Blarney Stone
Miss-n-a-kiss and a-kiss-n-a-miss
Kiss the Blarney Stone!
Continue readingTwo Halves: Chapter III
Chapter III: Two Plans
Amy looked at the last sentence Pete wrote. Apparently, he had felt so bad in how long it took him to return her first letter that he wrote her almost every day since. The only days he missed was when he traveled to Hawaii. Actually, he did manage to write on those travel days, he just mailed them all upon his arrival. But according to that last sentence she read, that was all about to end. This was her third time reading his latest letter.
“Amelia,” he wrote. When he called her by her birthname, she knew he was about to tell her something serious. She had explained to him that she was actually named after her mother Amelia but it was too painful for her father to call her that. So, she had become Amy. Everyone called her Amy ever since she could remember but she liked the name Amelia. Whenever Pete addressed her as Amelia, it helped her feel connected to her mom who died before she had any real memories of her. But Pete only used it on serious occasions and this occasion was no different. “It looks like I am being shipped to the Philippines. I won’t bother telling you what little I know about the place since you probably already know more about it than me. If you don’t now, I am sure you will head to the library and will gather all the information you need. Maybe you could send me places I should check out there like you did for here?”
Continue reading
ck's days 