I didn’t see him, but Jim could easily blend into the crowd. A completely forgettable man in a hunting cap. Shannon had stalked ahead, but Angie and… Read more “Lilyanne from “The Nonna Gaylene and Lyddie Stories” con’t.”
The Nonna Gaylene and Lyddie Stories
“My name is Theodore Roosevelt Vance and I know what it’s like to leave in a hurry.”
Lilyanne, from the Lyddie and Nonna Gaylene Stories
Lilyanne Speaks. My Aunt Lyddie is smart and cool. Smart because she’s the sole owner of Hair’s the Place,the best beauty shop in Harshbarger Mills and has… Read more “Lilyanne, from the Lyddie and Nonna Gaylene Stories”
To Be Read Aloud to James Viscosi’s pets — with passion and treat breaks.
Char Glimmer Char Glimmer sits on her porch in a ladder-backed chair, waiting for a familiar face to drive her to the doctor. She is wearing a… Read more “To Be Read Aloud to James Viscosi’s pets — with passion and treat breaks.”
This Textured Darkness, #126
Rizla closed her eyes. Their fates were intertwined.
This Textured Darkness, #125
The trees would all die, and soon. The bark was diseased and Elymas was deluded.
This Textured Darkness, #124
She threw off her anger like a cloak, deciding to humor his madness.
Silver Bottle, Carmen Speaks, Episode 35
Fred treated me like a daughter, a drunk daughter but a daughter nonetheless.
This Textured Darkness, #123
Animation oil could bring a crushed beetle back to life, also, a small wren. Once she’d seen a woman sit upright for nearly an hour, only to fall back on the cooling board.
Conclusion to Nonna Gaylene Walks the Floor
Pace’s nose quivered with the smells beyond, but he didn’t want to leave.
Silver Bottle, Carmen Speaks, Episode 35
“You had a step-sister?” I asked. She nodded and told me she’d said enough. Her people were dead, and she didn’t want to talk about them. I… Read more “Silver Bottle, Carmen Speaks, Episode 35”
This Textured Darkness, #122
The Nawab’s face was bruised, and he was sitting chained to the floor. He stared at Rizla without pleading, having accepted his fate.
Just in time for Thanksgiving: A Zesty Cranberry Salad
Ingredients One pound of cranberries 2 oranges, diced small 1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, do not drain. 2 small pkgs. or 1 large pkg. of LEMON… Read more “Just in time for Thanksgiving: A Zesty Cranberry Salad”
Silver Bottle, Episode 34
Carmen Speaks I was so excited I hardly knew what to do, so I did what I knew how. I finished cutting the onions, sprinkled the steaks… Read more “Silver Bottle, Episode 34”
Bread Pudding from the Heart of Tennessee
Ingredients 1/2 cup raisins 5 slices bread cut into strips 1/2 stick margarine or butter melted, 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups… Read more “Bread Pudding from the Heart of Tennessee”
This Textured Darkness, #121
Rizle wished he’d tumble down the stairs. She wanted to hear cracking bones.
Silver Bottle, Episode 33, Carmen Speaks
I’d deaden myself with Sominex, telling myself that everything would be over soon.
Silver Bottle, Episode 32, Carmen Speaks
Do you still believe Samy is alive, Carmen?
This Textured Darkness, #120
Her laughter was most unpleasant. She used a gossamer sleeve to pat her eye.
Silver Bottle, Episode 31, Carmen Speaks
I remained a virgin when I didn’t want to.
This Textured Darkness, #119
Elymas started to protest. She held up her hand.
Silver Bottle, Episode 30
I decided to write a letter to God.
This Textured Darkness, #118
Tell me everything you’ve done and don’t lie. If I put the vise to you again, you’ll probably die.
Silver Bottle, Episode 29
I prayed a lot. I prayed to God, I prayed to Jesus, I prayed to the Holy Ghost, asking him to intervene because the other two weren’t speaking to me.
This Textured Darkness, #117
She struck her hands together and the floor became a sea of blood, and from the sea rose hungry creatures.
This Textured Darkness, #116
Instantly, all the candles went out, and the room was covered in darkness.
Silver Bottle, ‘This Will Never Stop” Chapter, Episode 28
I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior thirteen times before your grandmother put a stop to my altar runs.
Silver Bottle, chap. “This Will Never Stop”, Episode 27
The women wouldn’t let it die. For every unanswered question, they made up answer of their own, filling a stew pot fired by their tongues.
This Textured Darkness, #115
Elymas strained at the knots. At least he knew who he was dealing with — a village witch who’d somehow learned of his plans and wished for a place in his coming reign.
This Will Never Stop, from the novel, Silver Bottle, Episode 26
I want forgiveness, and if we were standing face to face, I wouldn’t have the nerve to ask for it. Maybe I was such a bad mother that I’ve no rights left.
This Textured Darkness, #114
It was only a woman come to clean, who had somehow brought billows of purple smoke. Or maybe it was the candles. Two hundred candles, and by the time the wicks were burning low.
This Textured Darkness, #113
Elymas placed the goblet on the tray and rubbed his eyes with his fists. Had he seen a woman sporting three boars’ heads at the entrance doors?
“This Will Never Stop” from Silver Bottle, Episode 25
I wanted to cuddle the doll, but her eyes were now open and glittering with malice.
“This Will Never Stop”, Episode 24 from the novel, Silver Bottle
Such a lot of motion in a two-syllable word. A shyly sensual sound at a time when sex wasn’t talked about, except by married women on porches in the summer twilight, or wildly exaggerated by teenage girls.
This Textured Darkness, #112
The finest practitioners in Casoria hadn’t succeeded in curing Ranald. Elymas chuckled. He’d stood before them all and handed the King his nightly draught of poison.
“This Will Never Stop”, Episode 23 of the novel, Silver Bottle
She watches you. The blue of her eyes is no longer guileless; there are barriers inside this woman as high as mountains and, like the ocean, deeper than you think. Breathe easy. One hint of judgement and you’ve lost her.
This Textured Darkness, #111
A cheeky youth who, every time their eyes met, winked or flashed a suggestive smile. Running his tongue over his lips, Elymas, on impulse, offered to buy him. He hadn’t anticipated the rage.
Silver Bottle, Episode 22
I can’t bury my mother, so I’ll leave that silver bottle right where it is.
This Textured Darkness, #110
Tonight, he’d poisoned the High King as well as his annoying councilor, Fulcruchen. Rage had prompted him.
Silver Bottle, Episode 21
“Do you want a divorce?”
“No, I want to move.”
Silver Bottle, Episode 20
I remember sitting in the judge’s chambers, swinging my feet from an oversized leather chair and wishing I could find a way home again.
Silver Bottle, Episode 19
The day after Easter, Mother disappeared. She didn’t leave a note, not even for Grandma. She left everything: her clothes, the silver bottle, the whiskey and her… Read more “Silver Bottle, Episode 19”
Silver Bottle, Episode 18
I lost the friends I had. I got nudged out of line by Jane Lee Veach, tried once more and got kicked by Vera, and never tried again.
Silver Bottle, Episode 17
“All those bottles,” Grandma looked out the window. “Why doesn’t she wait until dark and bury them in the back yard?”
Silver Bottle, Episode 16
She slapped me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’d known she wanted to slap me since the day I told her the music was bad.
Silver Bottle, Episode 15
Reverend Fisher had a silver bottle, which he drew from his pocket.He handed it to my mother; she put it to her lips, drank, and then handed it to him.
Silver Bottle, Episode 14
Every night we had to be at that dammed revival. Or at least I did. The boys were worn out with church, and Mrs. Sanders offered to step over and watch them at our house. She said she knew she was saved and reviving was too hard on her heart.
