Ancient America
I’m standing on the ruins of an ancient civilization. In northeast Arizona. Artifacts found at more than 1000 sites in the surrounding area demonstrate that people lived here for more than 13,000 years. Archeologists call it a “persistent place,” a location where repeated human activity continues through time. But today no one lives here. It is a desolate grassland. The village stood next to the Puerco River that at the time served as a travel corridor to many people living all along the river. Surrounding the village would have been fields of corn, beans, and squash. The people scratched petroglyphs on the rocks,…
“Connections” – Philly Cheesesteak–Not
I’m at a restaurant in Philadelphia, so of course I have to order a Philly cheesesteak sandwich. Hot and tasty, it’s the best Philly cheesesteak sandwich I have ever had. Then my friend realizes we’re in a vegan restaurant. Vegan? As in no meat, no dairy? Yup. The cheesesteak I think I’m chewing is really seitan, a wheat gluten-based meat substitute. What? A fake sandwich. But… But… Even though it’s fake, it’s still the best Philly cheesesteak sandwich I’ve ever eaten! This amazes me because even after I learn that my sandwich is made of fake meat, I do not care that it’s…
Ravaged – from “Shadow in the Mirror”
This is an excerpt from a book I’m writing with Nancy Walker. You can see her website at www.NancyJeanWalker.net __________________ On the ten-minute walk down Cherry Tree Farm Road toward Highway 35, wispy snowflakes glistened, luminous against the deep purple sky. I liked catching them on my tongue. It was fun, like licking a snow cone. But this wasn’t fun. I was stranded. Snow piled on the sidewalk, burying my feet. I slipped on icy patches and stretched over the drifts. The wind strengthened, my dampened eyelashes froze, making it difficult to see. I had purposely forgotten my hat and…
Crazy Birds – from “Connections”
It’s 1 a.m. and outside my window is a chortling mockingbird. Have you ever yelled at a bird to go to bed? I do so because I know what will soon happen. At about 4:30 a.m.—yes, way before sunrise—the local rooster will start cackling. They’re supposed to crow when the sun comes up. What’s wrong with these birds? Neither of them can tell what time it is. The price of leaving windows open on summer nights. Then I think, if the birds—who are supposed to have nature’s clock inside them—can’t tell when to go to go to bed or get…
A Fateful Decision – from “Shadow in the Mirror”
Many moments in my life confused me, more than I can count. I wondered why I existed, why God never rescued me. Yet whenever I reflected back on that vision, it strengthened me. Even though life trampled my dreams to become a famous dancer, I practiced alone. I had to—dancing was my oxygen. I devoted countless hours in front of my mirror perfecting each new fad. Once again dance whisked me away into blissful places. Things radically changed after Mom bought me my first training bra. My inattentive father noticed my developing body. His pride wouldn’t allow for a daughter…
