Start Here

Dog Eat Dog World

Canine Utopia
(Small stone #17*)

She thinks that everyone wants to pet her dog,
That all dogs want to be friends,
That no dog would ever try to bite her.
It hate that I have to shatter those innocent paradigms.

*A River of Stones

On A Jet Plane

Shipping Out
(Small stone #16*)

Pills for motion sickness – check
A cross that they won’t take away – check
Last minute advice – check
A good hug – check
A heart-felt “I love you” – check
Seeing my oldest daughter as a child for the last time - check

*A River of Stones

A Little Break

Holiday
(Small stone #15*)

School is out for the day.
All the kids come out to play.

We really wish that they could stay.
Tomorrow they will be locked away.

*A River of Stones

Ticket To Ride

The Screaming Tunnel

(Small stone #14*)

The train ride is peaceful.
People smile and wave.

We enter the dark tunnel.
There is a heavy smell of fuel.
The children are screaming.
Sometimes joy sounds like terror.

*A River of Stones

Beautiful Weather

The Farm Grill
(Small stone #13*)

Three bees hanging out on the soda fountain, sipping root beer.
A black lab gets tangled up in his own leash.
My daughter is climbing citrus trees with the boys.
The fries were especially tasty today.

*A River of Stones

Attention To Detail

For Reals?
(Small stone #12*)

"Dad. Little Bear has no TV. Is that weird or what?"

*A River of Stones

The Blinding Sun

Guardian Angel
(Small stone #11*)

My light is red.
I see the pedestrian.
Oncoming vehicles do not.
He enters the cross walk.
The small truck brushes his shopping bag in front of him.
The SUV screams past behind him.
Zero room for error.
Not a scratch.

 

*A River of Stones

Extreme Irritation

Caffeine Overdose
(Small stone #10*)

Please stop talking.
I don't want to work.
I don't want to go home.
I don't want to read...or think.
Everything is too bright, too loud, too...much.
All I can do is wait for it to pass.

*A River of Stones

Early Commute

From A Buick 8
(Small stone #9*)

The Moon
The stars
No traffic
An occasional drunk driver
Abandoned vehicles aplenty
A good book, read by a good voice

*A River of Stones

Rough Ryder

Girl vs. Puppy
(Small stone #8*)

Relentless sniffing

Gratuitous licking

Uncontrollable giggling



*A River of Stones

The Thankless Fight

No Experts
(Small stone #7*)

I don't have all the answers.
People begin to doubt my choices...again.
After all, mistakes are unacceptable.
So why is it ok for a doctor to say,
"Let's try this."

*A River of Stones

Snarkopotamus

All Is Fair?
(Small stone #6*)

My child becomes an adult.
The adult becomes a stranger.
I ask her name when she stops by.
She tells me to shutup.
I suppose that's fair.


*A River of Stones

What Do You Mean I Wasn't Invited?

I Also Love Cupcakes
(Small stone #5*)

My daughter crashes a birthday party.
I consider etiquette.
Note to self: Add emergency birthday gift to my backpack.



*A River of Stones

Squandering Trust

Empty Threats That Hurt
(Small stone #4*)

The parents want to leave.
Their children continue to play.
The parents threaten to abandon them.
My daughter challenges their threat.
They ignore my daughter.



*A River of Stones

Shared Spaces

No Further Questions
(Small stone #3*)

My daughter isn’t shy. She’s trying to figure out why you’re asking so many prying questions that she knows she can’t answer to your satisfaction.


*A River of Stones

Shhhhh!

3 AM
(Small stone #2*)

My mission of getting into bed without waking the family is once again thwarted by graham cracker crumb insurgents.

*A River of Stones

A Spark

In an effort to increase my desire to post more often, I am going to at least participate in A River of Stones every day for the next 30 days. It's not that I don't have anything to post. I just don't take the time to login and type out the events of the day. 

Before I Sleep
(Small stone #1*)

Wondering if a gentle kiss tickled by your eyelashes will elicit loving dreams.

*A River of Stones