IsThisThingOn?

He put the cleaver down, having no more use for it. The body parts were separated now, spread out and ready to further dismantle. He had just an hour – maybe less -- to finish before the family returned.   Selecting a boning knife from his cache of tools, he skillfully whet the straight blade in rhythmic strokes, relishing the sound of steel against stone, then raised the knife slowly, worshipfully, until the edge caught a glint from the light overhead. He ran his finger over the edge to test it– being cautious not to slice his latex glove.    He hoisted the whole, bloodless leg to the table top, which he’d taken pains to meticulously cover with plastic. Though the limb had bled out, a transparent   string of goo caught hold of his apron, stretching out like a thread of spiders’ silk, which snapped once the leg landed.    He worked quickly now, blade flashing, deftly separating skin from fascia, pushing remnants of fat aside to afford him a solid grip on th...

It's the last week of October, better known as Preptober for those who participate in National Novel Writing month.  The point is to take four weeks in your life to actually make your writing a priority. Sounds dreamy doesn't it?  But how? Where? In WHAT time?  Most of us try to do everything we always do AND fit in writing 50K words. Somethings gotta give.  Here are practical tips for preparing to put your writing first in the month of November (and anytime after!).  Build in success by doing some or all of these: Declare Your Writing Space  Ah, a room of your own.. or maybe it's a corner or even a closet! Whatever it is, it helps to have a designated place that you can set up to be your Alter of Words.  Claim some bit of space, and make it one where you will be comfortable. First, work out your power source -- if it's not easily reached, add an extension cord two plugs for your computer/tablet and your phone. Now, add things that inspire you and/or a...

When I butter toast, I almost always think of John K, who once came to visit and put his buttered toast back in the machine for a little last heat. It came out sizzling and bubbly butter, chewy and delicious. While I don't always re-toast mine once buttered, I always think of him.  And I wonder if he realizes that such a tiny moment for all we've done together over the years would revisit me like that, so many a morning. My pal Colleen had me over for dinner when I lived in California. She was pregnant and making one of her super healthy dinners.... And while I'd made asparagus many times, she said, "Look, instead of cutting of the bottoms before steaming, you just run your thumb up the stalk until it snaps naturally."  In that moment I learned that the asparagus itself will let you know the point where the tough becomes tender.  Now I grow asparagus and as I snap them off from the ground, or take them from where I store them to cook, I think of Colleen -I can s...