I didn’t realize how much effort it would take to just get to the beginning of the hiking trail. I got up early, put on my new hiking gear that took longer than I imagined, called a gig-car to take me to the car rental lot. I rented a car and headed to Marin county…
Who’s a good boy?
The first time she caught my eye was when I was waiting for my bus at the end of the workday. She seemed to float along with the crowd and stood out like a pink rose in a bush of brambles. My bus arrived and I tried to find her in the crowd, and she…
Love Me and Die
“I’m surprised to see you so soon,” I said to my coworker, who had been taken by the police to be questioned downtown, “I expected you to be there for days.” I motioned with my hand to get the attention of the bartender and pointed to my coworker. He understood I’d be buying this round….
Blood Promise
I was relaxing, throwing Tarot cards, waiting for the knock on the door. I didn’t have an appointment scheduled. The cards told me an unexpected visitor was going to arrive soon. Some readers say that it is impossible to determine the time something is going to happen. Like the 2 of Wands could be 2…
My Mother Myself
My Mother – Myself: Glimpses into the Complicated Mother-Daughter Relationship by Bobbie Spivey (Author), Billie Ruth Furuichi (Author), Edy Henderson (Author) Format: Paperback In this collection of engaging short stories, 16 previously-published women authors reflect on heart-warming and heart-wrenching aspects of their relationship with their mothers. The editors, all published writers and experienced speakers, have shared “mother stories” with each other over a…
Saying Solly, repost from 2015
My mother is Japanese, born in Nagoya, Japan, 1931, and was a War Bride. My Father looked like Willie Nelson, White as he wanted to be, red hair with freckles, and was living in a trailer outside of Jackson, Mississippi, when he died. We’re the original Rice Crackers. I’m like a Nissan Truck: conceived in…
No Free Lunch
There were tales of this old guy who always seemed to have food, meds, equipment, batteries, and who was friendly with young women. Word had it to watch out for that old guy. No one said exactly why. What’s the worse that could happen if some old man wanted to exchange scav for something only…
The Noppera-bō
The Noppera-bō, also known as the faceless ghost, is a prominent figure in Japanese folklore. It is a yōkai that resembles an ordinary human but has no face. This creature is known for its ability to scare people by revealing its true form, which is a blank, featureless visage. The Noppera-bō is often encountered at…
The New Gal Next Door
He noticed her the day she moved into the apartment building. She moved right next door. He was single and it seemed like so was she. He was excited that a pretty woman moved in right next door. How lucky was that? All he would have to do is strike up a conversation with her…
Native San Franciscans – a Dying Breed
I received the following from a girlfriend, who is a native San Franciscan going back to the Gold Rush of 1849. Update: She DM’d me saying, “That side of my family goes back to the original Portola expedition that missed the landmark for Half Moon Bay and accidentally landed in Pacifica. They then hiked over…