“Yeah, I’ve been looking for you, too.  Which act do ya wanna do?”… Read full post »

More of this month's National Write a Novel in a Month offering.  Please note this is a very rough, first draft of a memoir that I'm kick starting by writing 50,000 words this month.

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The three of them were standing in the wide-open space of the horse yard with no… Read full post »

Chicago OSers came out to play on Saturday.  A few of us got together to discuss life, writing and the pursuit of happiness this Saturday at Sally's Pancake House on the city's north side.

Sitting around the huge appetizer apple pancake were JimmyMac, who got things started by slicing into the… Read full post »

More of this month's National Write a Novel in a Month offering.

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Dori and I walked down the stairs together, arm around shoulder and legs together as if we shared a third leg.  We got to the stair with the fish outline ripped out of the black stair mat and… Read full post »

More of this month's National Write a Novel in a Month offering.

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I got up to answer the knock on the door.  Through the frosted glass, I could see that it was my Aunt Dorothy and my three cousins.  I ran in response and flung the door open.

“Dori!” I… Read full post »

 I'm taking part in nanowrimo.org this month and thought I'd share some of my drivel with you.  I'm writing about the year 1968.  I was in the 6th grade, at a new school, adjusting to my father's death while the world went to hell in a hand basket.   Here's a taste:… Read full post »

The Ghost Supper was fun. Really, it was just an excuse to get together with family and friends - and march everyone out with the last of the sweets so I wouldn't eat all the leftover cake and candy.

The Halloween-decked front porch greeted all.

Inside, guests mingled in… Read full post »

 

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I just can't leave this project alone.  I'm nearly finished with the smoking lounge.  There is, fortunately, a time frame.  I'm having a party on Sunday with a potential of seven or more smokers so I decided to convert an unused section of the kitchen into a smoker's lounge.  See… Read full post »

I don't smoke.  I never have.  Ok, if you want to be a stickler for details there was that weekend before sixth grade when  I hung out with the cool,  kids including Ricky's older sister  Her friends were practically in high school. 

I really can't remember what came fi… Read full post »

Enjoy a few pictures from one of Chicago's last remaining sunny autumnal days.

 

 

 

 

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Hey Chicago OSers, it's time for a get together before the holidays and bad weather decends upon us. 

When:  Sunday, November 8th at 2pm

Where:  Sally's Pancake House

Check out their review on "Check Please" below:

http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?erube_fh=cp&cp.submit.restaurantDeta… Read full post »

My theory is that everyone on the planet has one of two possible scars.  I deduce that you can't grow to adulthood without getting a scar either on your chin or near your eye.  I dare you to tell me otherwise.  In fact, I'm making this an Open Call and asking… Read full post »

Enjoy,

 

 

 

 

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All production stopped as co-workers called each other with the news. The evil bitch got walked out of the headquarters building. Tears of relief were shed at the news.

This executive was so bad that she was sent to charm school - repeatedly. Makes you wonder why they…

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She worked for the company for 15 years. In that time she received one promotion, but received much praise and pomp, the kind where her boss called her up to the stage in front of her co-workers. She received awards, plaques, company bucks to spend on logo-engraved goodies.

She took her…

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Bill and I just celebrated our 17th anniversary.  We've actually known each other for 30, yes - 30 years.  Ours was one of those on-again, off-again romances that are hilarious to hear about, not so much if you live it.  At any rate, we now know each other too well.

 I… Read full post »

I stopped eating meat nearly ten years ago.  It seemed like a good idea. I was swept up by the Millenium, the excitement of making a change, my mother's recent death, oh and the story about Francesco.

In the happy, prosperous 90s I collected stories and photographs of lawn art.  It's… Read full post »

November is National Write a Novel in a Month month.  You too can spend your sleepless nights churning out 50,000 words, any topic, any genre, heck any language would do.  Or, if you enjoyed "A Clockwork Orange" you can follow suit and make up your own words, droogie.

I've taken part… Read full post »

A co-worker of mine has a nice little set up for himself. I'm sure it's a scam. He comes to work every morning at 10am, not a moment sooner. The rest of us have already conducted meetings, written reports, responded to emails and solved a number of crises by the time… Read full post »

I've just returned from a visit with the inlaws.  For most people, that probably conjures up images of sipping lemonade on the front porch in the August heat. For me, the visit includes relatives in traditional Odawa regalia dancing in the hot summer sun. 

My brother-in-law Tom and his dau… Read full post »

We all know better than to lend money to friends. What about co-workers? What if it's not a loan? When walking for charity, I enjoyed getting my walking team together and doing the actual walking. I didn't enjoy the financial side. That entails either aggressively shoving…

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She works hard, takes the detailed view, goes after the key point and most of all - she cares about her work. Yes, she takes it seriously and has done so for the past 15 years. The company gave her a choice of gifts for her 15th anniversary and…

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Are you following my presentation or the martini?  Now, let me tell you about those FN people at work.

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