Master boat builder

 He built his first boat at the age of twelve. It sank quickly. But he learned from his mistakes and vowed the next one would be carefully thought out, and he wouldn't hurry. His grandfather, a master boat builder, saw the potential in his grandson at an early age. It was said he let the young boy make mistakes on his first attempt so he'd never repeat them. Taking the boy under his wing, he taught him the proper kind of wood to use and how to use wooden pegs rather than metal screws to prevent rust and corrosion. He showed him how to steam the wood and bend each plank to the exact size needed. It was something that couldn't be rushed, as was every piece of trim, every single coat of varnish, and an eye for detail throughout the boat.

It wasn't just a lesson in boat building; it was many life lessons the boy learned from his grandpa throughout the build. How to think long and hard if the plans he drew up were the very best he could do, and realizing if they were almost perfect, he'd start over until everything was. He instilled into the boy the meaning of patience, as rushing anything could mean the difference between floating or sinking. He wasn't a man of many words, but when he had something important to pass along, he demanded that the boy listen with both ears.

For eight months, the boy learned, believing he had mastered the craft, only to be reprimanded for rushing and failing to consider every detail that could cause the boat to sink during its first water trial. He learned how to sand the wood until he could run his hands across each plank and deck board with no slivers to be had. He learned that the more coats of varnish applied, the better the appearance, so it was sand and varnish, then repeat until it looked like a thick layer of caramel that shone in the light.

On its first maiden voyage, standing beside his grandpa, they listened for leaks, which every wooden boat would have until the wood swelled and created a seal between the planks. He had a pail of tar, which he'd use to plug the seeping nothing that can't be fixed; he'd say, keep moving forward. The boy, now a young man, rowed to the rhythm of the waves, each movement of the oars a test of strength, as the boat plowed through them, the bow rising higher and higher until it would surely come crashing down hard and damage itself. But she performed like every boat his grandpa had built, and the smile on his face told the young man he was satisfied.

He and his grandpa built many boats together in the years that followed, with his grandpa giving him more responsibilities as he observed each wooden peg and steamed boards with keen eyes, pointing out what his grandson had forgotten to do, and the lessons never ended. He kept building boats of all sizes and purposes, each reflecting his grandpa's vision and attention to detail. People waited years sometimes to commission a boat, some as small as a dinghy, others cruisers powered by large engines to go further out to sea. Grandpa passed away, but his grandson carried on the traditions he had learned from the master boat builder. Now each finished boat has a plaque next to the helm that reads " built by a master boat builder and grandson.

Mike 2026                                                  

Where I belong

 The smell of a forest takes me back to when I was living with the stick soldiers, ancient trees that shared their shade in the summer and their heat in the winter. The smell of burning campfires an invitation for others to sit down and be warm.

As I hiked through the forest, the smells captured me and stirred my senses with every step. Damp patches of moss and decaying leaves, a musty reminder I was an uninvited guest who tread lightly on sacred land, as not to wake the spirits who slept deep into the ground.

As I continued, it was not the smell but the sound that brought me to a river, its raging water deflecting rocks and boulders as it rushed to a waiting calm that silenced its rage and gently flowed onward.

Once again, I found myself deep into the white birch and mighty oaks that had smells of their own. Deserted nests cradled in the crook of a pine, a smell of life born and a mother's care until the day of reckoning when wings spread, and freedom just a few flaps away.

I loved climbing the trees and looking out at the distance that seemed to have no end. The fear of falling was just a passing thought as I climbed higher, and I found a nest as large as any I had ever seen. The sound of a baby's cry followed by the scream of an eagle on a kill mission, and that mission was me. I climbed down the tree and lost my footing as gravity got me to the ground quickly and without injury.

To me, the time I spent in the forest was better than any book or campfire stories. It was my one-room schoolhouse that invited me in to walk beside the teachers who shared their knowledge of earth, sky, and life as old as time itself.

When I walk out of the shelter of the trees and the smells of hot dogs being grilled await me, a sadness fills my heart, and I wish I could retreat back into the ancient trees, the smells of damp moss and decaying leaves filling my senses, and the understanding that this is where I was meant to be.

Mike 2026                                                  

Winters memories of fun

 My mom would get me dressed for a Nor'easter with layers of clothes and no skin showing except for my eyes. I looked like the Michelin Man. In those days, there were no video games or the internet. No television except for cartoons on Saturday mornings and family night to watch a black-and-white movie.

Our backyard was my playground with everything a kid needed to entertain himself. Winter had its challenges, especially if you were by yourself, but if a couple of friends showed up, well, that was a different thing altogether.

After an all-night snowfall, the back yard was an undisturbed blanket of white with everything buried with drifts of snow, some as high as the tip of the swing set, and the fun began. After freeing a swing from the grips of the snow, I'd swing higher and higher, then jump off into a drift, burying myself in the powder and laughing to myself.

Hours would pass as I found new things to do, like climbing a fruit tree with low-hanging branches and taking a minute to find a sturdy branch while wearing a space suit. Eventually, I reached my destination, looking all around me and over the fence, seeing nothing but snow-covered mountains. 

Lunchtime came around, and I headed inside, where Mom had a bowl of my favorite tomato soup waiting. She partially undressed me, taking my space suit off and setting it next to the heater to thaw out. My ice-coated mittens were replaced with a fresh pair, and new bread bags were put into my boots. I was fueled up and ready to go back outside when the doorbell rang, and my next-door neighbor greeted us, asking if I'd like to go sledding. He was several years older than me, but my folks liked and trusted him enough to put me in his care.

With our sleds in tow, we ventured out beyond the confines of my backyard to a huge pile of snow in the city park. It was the biggest pile of snow I'd ever seen as we slowly climbed to the top behind other kids, then sat on our sleds and raced towards the bottom at breakneck speed. Over and over again, we sled down that hill until our frozen selves were tired and cold.

As the daylight began to fade, we headed home, laughing at the times we wiped out, doing face plants that froze our eyelashes, and barely getting run over by older kids on toboggans. I thanked my neighbor for taking me along, then headed inside where Mom was waiting with dry clothes and a slice of freshly baked bread and butter.

Dad got home, and I told him about my day, especially the parts where we sled so fast our eyes froze shut, leaving us blind and flying by the seat of our pants. He laughed and told me how he remembered sledding down that very same hill when he was much younger. You know it's supposed to snow again tonight he said with a grin on his face. And its saturday, so no work. How about we tackle the hill together, he asked. I think my old sled is in the garage.

After mom's ritual of stuffing me into the space suit, my dad and I ventured out to the park, and seven more inches of snow fell during the night. To me, winter was my favorite time of the year, and my memories are vivid. Dad's laughter as he captured his inner kid and me smiling, knowing I'd always remember those times together. And do you know the best part of it was knowing that someday I'd race down that hill with my own kids, taking a deep breath and racing them to the bottom, praying not to be run over by a screaming bunch of kids on a toboggan.

Mike 2026                                             

Defying the odds

 He lived in a small apartment with poor heat and drafty windows. The carpet was stained beyond help, but he didn't seem to mind. His easy chair was threadbare and tilted to one side, but he didn't care. The small kitchen had a stove with just one working burner and a fridge that barely kept things cold, but he didn't care. A black iron skillet was where he cooked every meal, fried eggs and bacon for breakfast, and a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. Supper was either a cheap steak or a couple of pork chops cooked in the skillet with grease from previous meals, which he said gave them flavor.

There was just one bedroom that he did his best to keep in military fashion. Crisp and sharp corners on the sheets and a blanket folded at the foot of the bed in case he got cold in the night. A bedside stand next to where he slept was an alarm clock he bought at the drugstore years ago, a glass of water that held his dentures, and, of course, a pack of hand-rolled cigarettes that he would wake in the night to light up and watch the orange glow until snuffing it out and going back to sleep.

The tiny bathroom was just big enough to do his business and look in a cracked mirror when he shaved. It was only showers as a tub would never fit in such a small space, but he didn't care. He spent his days reading the newspaper from cover to cover, always interested in what was happening outside his weathered door. He owned two pairs of pants and two shirts, all of which he purchased at the Goodwill store just a short walk from home. His grown kids often tried to give him new clothes, but he always said no, so eventually they gave up and let him do as he pleased.

Decades had passed since his military life as a highly decorated officer that was cut short when he had a stroke, and doctors said he'd never speak again or be able to communicate easily. He worked every day on his speech and movements, writing his thoughts on endless sheets of paper and putting notes in his pockets that had his recipe for a perfect martini or how he wanted his steak.

He rarely had company, and that's how he liked it. But when one of his kids showed up to check on him, he seemed to have a glow that welcomed them. Against all odds, he eventually began to speak again and could walk with a cane, kissing the wheelchair goodbye. He loved to walk and could often be seen in the summer, winter, fall, and spring making his way to his favorite bar and grill, where he met other veterans and became good friends.

He left this world; he chose to live on his terms with a greasy skillet on the stove and hundreds of hand-rolled cigarettes stashed away in empty coffee cans. His son had kept his father's military dress uniform, and he was buried in that, along with full military honors. The flag was presented to his son and, to this day, is proudly displayed on the mantel of his fireplace.

He may have lived in a cold, drafty apartment with little to show for the bravery he displayed throughout his life, but he died a hero to us and an example of defying the odds, walking the path he had chosen even when it was said he'd never be the same man again.

Mike 2026                                               

Words are timeless treasures

 I've walked a million miles in my lifetime. I've sailed the ocean hundreds of miles from land. I rode my Harley on mountain roads and slept under the forest skys. I've told a thousand stories and listened to many more. I've loved and been loved in return and cried tears of joy and sorrow. I saw the miracle of life tenfold and the heartbreak of loss, too many to remember.

I've traveled the globe and seen the wonders of time unfold before my eyes, and I've walked on dusty country roads, seeing crumbling barns once filled with life now lying silent as birds make it their home.

I've accepted old age and give thanks I can remember my youth with clarity. I picture my mom and her gentle ways, and hear my Dad whistling his favorite song on the radio as we, as a family, took Sunday drives with the car windows open, the dust just a part of the drive.

I've tried to remember all that I can by putting words on paper seldom read by anyone but me, but that's okay, as my words are timeless, and one day, one of my great, great grandchildren will discover a box in the attic and spend hours under the light of a full moon discovering who I was.

I suppose if my beliefs are true and I'm able to look upon life in death, then I'll watch that child put pen to paper and begin her journey, following my footprints into her tomorrows, with me as her guide.

Mike 2026                                                 

A walk with pops

 He walked more slowly now, his footing carefully placed, stepping over exposed roots and other hidden obstacles. His grandson walked close to him, ready to catch him if need be. Can you smell the wildflowers he asked, and the rainbow of tulips on both sides of the path? Can you hear the running water from the same stream I swam in as a kid? I do, Pops, I see it all through your eyes.

They stopped by the stream, cupped their hands, drank the cool water, and rested for a minute before moving ahead. I made this walking stick, you know, I found it on a Sunday walk with your mom. True, it's just a stick, but I saw something more than that. I saw the face of an angel, nature-carved, and I had to have it. You can have it when I'm gone.

They were halfway home when they came upon the fire pit, the place where a fire was built, and bones were warmed. A thermos of hot chocolate and a PBJ tasting better than any fast food. I built this pit, he told his grandson. When you were just a gleam in your daddy's eyes. The night air was getting colder by the minute, so they put out the fire and headed home.

Here's the wandering man, Grama said as she helped take off his coat, replaced with a warm blanket she had set near the fireplace. Did you have many adventures she asked. But sleep caught up with him, and there was no answer. He said goodbye to his grama and bent to kiss his pops' forehead, whispering a thank-you for the wonderful day.

As he got into his car and began to drive away, he looked back and saw his pops waving goodbye from the window, probably wondering the same thing he was, as he returned the wave and kept on going.

Mike 2026                                                 

A man and his mountain ways

 Sitting by the fire, he traveled back in time when life was an open book of discovery. He strokes his long white beard and remembers throwing away his razor on his forty-fifth birthday. It was the same year he left the city behind, choosing a life of quiet solitude on a mountain, where wildlife became his friend and the seasons his clock and calendar.

In the quiet night, as the fire spat out tiny sparks of light, it reminded him of headlights down below, where the people of the city blew their horns and yelled at the traffic as if it would matter or make it possible to move a few inches forward.

As he sat in the cold of the night his face warm from the fire he remembered his first time smoking some weed with friends deep in the darkness of the forest where the sounds of nature and a lone guitar filled the air as that sweet smell of pot filled his lungs and opened his mind to the true meaning of what he wanted his life to be.

He could have followed the masses and become another sheep following the rituals of those around him, but his true self couldn't allow that, no matter how hard he tried. He was a solitary man who craved the mountains and forests and the sweet smell of weed filling the air as his imagination ran wild and his spirit soared with the eagles.

At seventy-two years old, he had become a legend in the mountains. His cabin was a welcome station for hikers passing by, who sat by his fire as he passed the pipe around and told them stories of yesteryear, capturing their attention as their minds opened to the true reality of his life and what he had given up by choice.

Years later, a simple wooden cross marked the spot where his cabin once stood. It's said he fought off a grizzly bear but lost. Others said he ventured down the mountain for reasons unknown, made it halfway, sat against a tree, and fell asleep, but never woke up.

I sat by his fire once a long time ago, where he shared the pipe with me, telling stories, some real and others a byproduct of decades smoking the weed he loved so much. I never met such a man whose life was a story many would never read, but he was as real as it gets, and his legend will live on as long as there are those who choose to believe in a mountain man with a very long white beard and a well-smoked pipe.

Mike  2026                       

Spring times arrival

 The smell of Spring's arrival stirs creatures big and small. Reminders of winter's wrath are seen in small patches of snow, holding out, melting into the ground. Nests are made in trees and in the safety of caves and holes. Love fills the air, awaiting the births of new generations.

Tiny buds appear on the trees. They replace the few old leaves that held on through blizzards and frigid temperatures. Now those leaves fall to the ground without fanfare.
It's out with the old and in with the new as rugs are beaten and windows are opened, saying goodbye to stale air and letting in the fresh air, with the scents of nature's rebirth. Soon, the wildflowers will appear, and gentle breezes will scatter their seeds in a palette of colors. The tulip bulbs will burst out of the ground in a rainbow of reds and yellows, some in a vase on the table to be enjoyed.
Brown grass will give way to lush green, and the season's first picnic will be welcomed as family and friends gather beneath the old oak tree, while children run free for the first time since winter's long, dark days.
Tiny cries are heard as the springtime babies are welcomed into the world, always hungry and keeping parents busy gathering enough food for the hunger that never seems to end. The woods are like a symphony of voices as evening approaches, and the insects join the concert, serving as alarms warning of predators nearby.
Rows and rows of fields are plowed and planted, nurtured and tended to in the hope of a bountiful harvest to come. April showers don't disappoint and quench the thirst of parched crops as the kids and the first litter of puppies are introduced to mud puddles, fetching sticks, and rubber balls.
Soon, the wonders of spring will give way to the heat of summer when crops can whither under the sun's glare, and there's never enough water to satisfy all the needs of both man and creatures, who can be seen licking up the last few drops of muddy puddles.
The seasons collide as summer gives way to autumn and bountiful harvests that will be preserved in root cellars for the long winter ahead. Bonfires will be built as neighbors gather, knowing that soon enough the bonfire will fizzle out, only to return when called upon.
Springtime is just a memory now of tiny voices in the woods and all the dazzling colors that remain in your mind as you paint a watercolor that hangs on a wall, and you smile every time you see it alongside the others. knowing that you've once again captured spring and never have to let it go.

Mike 2026                                                   

Bar of heroes

 His ball cap was faded and worn, but he wore it proudly as he had for many years. He bought it at the veterans hospital, where he attended group meetings for ptsd with other vets who marched to the same drummer. Looking around the bar, he noticed other ball caps from all branches of the military, some staring into bottomless glasses in silence, while others talked about their time serving, embellishing their stories in a way that seemed to make them remember just the good times.

It was a military bar, for sure, with every wall space filled with black-and-white photographs of duty stations and ports of call, and shadow boxes filled with patches and medals once proudly worn. In a corner was a table that no one ever sat at, and every man in this place knew the reason.
The barmaid was married to a soldier who never came home many years ago, and she shared that pain with others who bought her shots as she listened to their stories about brothers in arms who had given their lives as so many had. She did so much more than pour drinks and keep the bartop clean; she spoiled them like a mother would do, reminding one not to forget his appointment tomorrow or making sure another had a ride if needed.
There was an air of respect in that bar, especially when an old-timer came in wearing his ball cap that read "Korean war veteran."Or another in a wheelchair pushed by his grandson on leave from boot camp. Glasses were raised and salutes given as they found a place to sit, as plastic chips, good for one drink, piled up in front of them. The barmaid kept bowls of peanuts and pretzels full, happy with her tip jar filling up fast.
Unlike most bars, this one closed at eight o'clock. Taxies were called, and relatives came to take their loved one home, some needing help out, but never a harsh word was spoken as heroes said goodnight and see you tomorrow. He finished his last drink and was heading out when he saw a faded ball cap on a stool. He handed it to the barmaid, who hung it on the wall behind the bar, knowing someone would claim it tomorrow when the doors opened again, and heroes marched in.

Mike 2026                                       

A Fathers love

 A father's love for his children far surpasses any other love. The daughter whom he spoils with no regrets from her first breath to his last. The way she held your finger as the first steps were taken, and how her voice remained in your head when you were apart. A father's love for his daughter continued to grow as she became a teen and a young lady living her life, but always finding time for an ice cream cone with daddy. He smiles as he remembers her as an infant lying on his chest, her little breaths gently rising and falling with his every breath. Tea parties in a chair he barely fit in, and bedtime stories when he caught her staring at him with a smile on her beautiful face. She grew up, and he grew old, but the bond between them never faded; it grew stronger as he watched her dreams come true. Now it's a tea party with chairs he fits and stories from the heart, not a bedtime tale. She was, and always will be, his little girl. He was meant to spoil her with pink canopy beds and princess bikes. She is his reason for wanting to grow old and spoil her daughter, his granddaughter, who looks remarkably like her mom. I read her bedtime stories and see her mom's eyes staring at me, as if it were yesterday, and I fall in love all over again.

A father's love for his son goes beyond toy trucks and baseball games. It's understood that dad is the teacher and the son is the student. Dad becomes larger than life, and every lesson learned is locked away in a vault to be opened only if needed. You smiled as he grew, wanting to dress like you, talk like you, and even walk like you. One memory you held onto was you changing the oil in your truck with him right beside you, lying on the garage floor, handing you the tools you needed, proud of himself for remembering which tool was what. With the job completed, father and son wiped the grease from their hands and went inside, as mom laughed with love, seeing her men covered in oil stains and with two huge smiles. As he grew up and being with dad wasn't always the first choice, he saw some of himself in his son, and pride filled his heart. As a young man, he knew his calling and pursued it until he mastered it, climbing the ladder to success and reaching the top at a very young age. They didn't talk every day because he had a career and two children that kept him busy, but out of the blue, he'd call his dad, catch up on life, and ask if he needed anything. Again, his pride swelled, and his love grew. Time flies past you, and one day you find yourself in need of some help that he gives without thinking about it. You realize that your son has grown up to be a good man, a good dad with a huge heart, and you hold back tears realizing the lessons taught were truly learned, and you couldn't be more proud.

Mike 2026                                              

Memories fading light

 He smiled more when he remembered more than he forgot. It was like a light switch that toyed with him, going on, going off, and that space in between when his mind rested, not by choice.

It was hard work recalling his life, and even harder to keep the memories, as those pesky little memory crashers were always ready to strike again.
Doctors said his advanced stage of memory loss was common, and although there were some medications that may help to slow it down, he chose to let things happen as they would.
I watched him slow to answer questions, but I believed it was because he didn't want to miss anything, and if it took a bit longer, so be it. I often found him outside in the yard, looking left to right and back again, taking baby steps towards the road, but stopping short. He wasnt trying to hurt himself, he just wanted to remember the road, that simple.
Over time, he got worse, but we sat every day, sometimes in silence, letting facial expressions speak for themselves, which eventually became a sort of game between us. A touch to his mouth meant he was hungry. A tug on his ear meant turn up the programs he liked.
At bedtime, I'd hold his hand in mine, the wrinkles like a roadmap of his life, and the realization that the body wears out as the mind does, each fighting to be the last survivor.
At the end, we were holding hands as he slowly went to sleep, hopefully remembering all the memories he fought so hard to remember. He blinked twice, which meant he loved me, and tears fell from both our eyes as his journey was complete.

Mike 2026                                        

The secrets of the forest

 Deep into the forest, there were secrets untold to most. Secrets that dare not be spoken in casual conversation, or it's said demons will intervene, striking you down where you stand.

It was a beautiful autumn day with cool temps and colors like those of an artist's palette. My plan for the day was to drive to the state forest and hike the trails like I'd done many times before. Parking my truck in the visitors' parking area, I unloaded my backpack, checked for water bottles, and set off into the waiting arms of ancient grounds. It was like jumping into a shade of darkness as I took my first steps onto the trail I had no intention of walking on. I climbed over the rope and walked deeper into the unknown, now surrounded by darkness, with only pinpoints of light behind me.
Rumors said an ancient coven of witches lived in this forest as far back as the 1500s. They were a peaceful people who spent their time concocting nature's bounties into salves, creams, drinks, and potions, which they stored in an underground cave. The witches roamed the forest helping strangers in need, never asking for anything in return except total secrecy as to where they were seen. Legend has it that one peaceful day in the forest, the witches were ambushed and tried to escape, but all were caught and sentenced to death by fire. Someone had drawn a map of the burning spot so others could see where it began and ended. There were many maps, some old, others more recent, but the map he had purchased was from a local thrift shop. The shopkeeper, a unique kind of fellow with a knack for storytelling, told me that somewhere in the hundreds of items lining the shelves was the one true map of the forest. He told me to look around as he walked away into a curtained room with a sign warning people to stay out.
I spent hours on my first visit looking through old scripts of ancient lore. I leafed through hundreds of pages of local history, but so far, I have found only old newspapers depicting the times of witchcraft in the area. On my second day, I dug deeper and found a family journal written by a writer from a Northern state. It told of a covenant of witches that he and his family encountered while navigating the forest. They appeared out of nowhere, dressed in gray robes. One witch touched the horse's head, instantly calming it as she touched the rest with the same results. I continued to read the journal as the shopkeeper approached me and said that if I wanted to purchase the journal, I'd have to swear I'd never show it to anyone, never. And if my intent was to find the covenant, I'd have to use the map hidden within the pages of the journal.
The following morning, I set out for the forest and, with the journal in hand, began the almost impossible task of finding the convenient and the witches who called it home. On page twelve, a clue was written about a twisted, hundreds-of-years-old tree with a branch pointing due north. Page nineteen showed a clearing with people dancing around a fire, and on page twenty-seven, a cabin stood alone, surrounded by giant trees that had no branches. I followed the clues and, several hours of walking later, stopped in my tracks as I spotted a small cabin with smoke rising from the chimney. It was barely visible nestling among the heavy vines that almost covered the place entirely.
I was about to leave when the door opened. Five witches dressed in gray appeared. I don't know why I stood up and made myself visible, but I did. Suddenly, they floated toward me, their feet hovering inches above the ground. I wasn't exactly scared, but I was curious about the unknown. They circled me, guiding me toward the cabin. My voice was useless; my mouth wouldn't work, screams gone unheard. Inside, the cabin smelled of nature. Bunches of plants hung from the rafters, drying, I supposed. One witch touched my head, and I fell to the floor, unable to move my legs. Another forced me to drink from a clay cup. Within seconds, I was on an acid trip—or so it seemed, as I’d experienced in younger days.
Night arrived, and dozens of gray-clad witches gathered around the bonfire. They chanted words I couldn't understand. One took a mouthful of something and, like a circus fire breather, spat it in my face. It was warm yet cold. Another chanted inches from my face. Their words felt like the beginning of my end. I was trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape. I lost consciousness and did not know how long. When I woke, I was tied to a pole with vines. Fire circled at my feet, climbing higher. I tried to scream, but my mouth was sewn shut. The pain rose. Heat became a weapon. The last thing I remembered was screaming hard enough to break free, filling the night with cries no one would ever hear.
The rangers found my truck days later. A note on the windshield read, If you find this truck, I am dead. Use this copy of the map to find where I lie. The ranger showed his deputy, and they both laughed at another prank. There had been many. 'Call for a tow, deputy,' the ranger said. 'Let's get lunch. Something smells good.'                                       

Deep in the forest, there were secrets unknown to most. Secrets that dare not be spoken in casual conversation, or it's said a demon will intervene, striking you down where you stand.

Mike 2026

Jacks Harley shop

 I was just a kid when my love for the motorcycle bit me. The looks and unmistakable sound of a Harley grabbed me with a passion I'd yet to feel for anything or anyone in my young life. My uncle Jack owned a small motorcycle shop in town where he repaired bikes as long as they were Harleys. My uncle was a Vietnam veteran who learned his trade there, working in the motor pool. He once told me he could take a Harley apart and put it back together blindfolded. The army used bikes mostly to run messages from headquarters to battlefields, taking hits from snipers along the way, but in most cases made it safely back to camp, leaking oil and gas, and even riding in on two blown tires.

Upon his return, Jack used the GI bill to get a loan to start his business. He found a place in town that was once an automotive repair shop and had an apartment above it where he could live. I'd help him out on weekends, fixing the place up, nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make everything better. My uncle had already made a name for himself fixing bikes at a small storage facility, but it became too small, and the demand was too great, so he moved into town.
Uncle Jack loved Harleys, and knowing he would be a valued customer, Harley sent out a crew to paint his shop inside and out in black and orange, hang posters with the Harley logo, and even display a Harley show bike for the grand opening. When the big day finally arrived, my uncle gave me a new t-shirt with Harley across the back and the name of my uncle's shop on the front, reading Jack's Harley repairs.
It didn't take long as the sounds of Harleys roared down the street, coming to a stop at Jack's place. It seemed that the word had gotten out. Some of the bikers knew and respected Jack and his expertise, which was a valuable asset in Nam. It was like old home week as bike after bike roared into Jack's Mosely to wish him luck, but some were there for repairs or some custom work. It was a huge success with Jack booking fifteen bikes for various services next week.
A lot of people know how the Vietnam veterans were shunned at airports and down south still had to sit in the colored seats and drink out of colored drinking fountains. I forgot the exact date when a group of biker vets joined together to form a motorcycle club. It wasn't a weekend riding event; they even had their own clubhouse where they gathered to set plans in motion to make money, drink the human limit of beers, and grow the number of men wanting to join up. Their name was The Dark Angels. And they were all Nam vets. Over time, several chapters of the Dark Angels popped up, and when in need of anything Harley-related, they knew who to come to
The town folk didn't care much as Harley after Harley roared into Jack's shop, especially when they saw the club's logo of a Harley in a war zone, dodging sniper fire. Often, a bike is brought into the shop as a result of a crash. The owner, on crutches, spoke to Jack, asking him to restore it to its original beauty. Jack said he could, but don't rush him; it would be done when it was done. Business was crazy good, leaving little time for anything else but getting those bikes back on the road in his shop. I was a big help, Uncle Jack would say, changing oil and doing inspections so Jack could order parts when needed. He showed me something simple, like changing plugs or stripping down the engine for a complete rebuild.I learned by doing, and Uncle Jack never once yelled at me for not doing something right. He just calmly showed me again, and from that moment on, I could do most things blind folded.
Years passed, and I was a full-time mechanic at Uncle Jack's shop. I got to know the customers: some were very demanding, while others went with the flow, knowing their bike might be off the road for a while. The dark angels were as loyal as anybody could be. They spread the word about Jack's place, and on any given Saturday, you'd hear the roar of dozens of bikes coming to a stop in front of the shop. It was pickup day for an angel who had been waiting six months for his bike to be finished. His crutches were gone, and he was more than ready as he approached something covered with a tarp. That it, the biker asked. Jack just nodded it was, and pulled the tarp away. When I say you could hear a pin drop, I was serious. For a split second, I got a lump in my throat thinking the angel hated what he saw, but in a nanosecond, he began jumping up and down, fist-pumping, and even some manly hugs that passed quickly. It's amazing, Jack, you did well, no, amazing, whatever it was, perfect in his eyes.
More time passed, and Jack applied to open a Harley-Davidson dealership on a now-vacant patch of land about three blocks from his existing location. He had a half-million-dollar down payment and a reputation that was priceless in the biker community. After a couple of months and several meetings with Harley, Jack was approved for the dealership. On most days after closing up, my uncle Jack and I would walk to the dealership construction site to see what progress was being made, and, believe it or not, they were the fastest construction team we ever encountered. Jack hired shop workers, sales teams, parts managers, and office personnel, as well as a finance manager who did an amazing job getting people approved for a new or pre-owned bike.
Two days before the grand opening, a semi pulled up, loaded with 15 brand-new Harleys. We helped move them into the showroom, where the salesman dusted them off, removed the stickers, and arranged them throughout the showroom, where the overhead lights made them almost sparkle. Then we unloaded our own creations we'd built over the past four years. Two vintage pan heads and two Vietnam-era workhorse Harleys, Jack could tear down and put back together blind folded. As years passed and more and more people started riding Harleys, the business had to expand, so Jack bought the lot next to him and built a second showroom for antique bikes and military bikes, some with sidecars. He also displayed custom bikes he had designed for those weekend riders who didn't mind spending tens of thousands of dollars to be noticed. Unfortunately, some of those guys had never ridden before, except maybe on their neighbor's kids' dirt bike. On more than one occasion, Jack brought the wreck to the shop, negotiated a sale price with the owner, and then rebuilt it as new.
Uncle Jack retired years later, and I took over as the operations manager, a position I didn't take lightly. The business flourished, and it seemed like Harley was unstoppable as new models arrived daily. Bikes for rookie riders, old road dogs, and weekend warriors, all ready to catch the fever that burns brightly in all of us who belong on the road on two wheels. And that's about it, my friends. We were rated the number one Harley dealership in the entire state, but instead of cashing in and selling the place, Uncle ack and I raised a glass to everybody throughout the years who helped us get to where we are today. So what do you say, young man, another five years?
Mike  2026                                          

The window

 I sit looking out the window at the distant fields. In my mind, I see myself as a boy running through the cornfields. When my youth and strong legs once seemed limitless. Eventually, I ran out of breath and had to rest. The house was at least a mile away. The walk was quiet, except for the wind racing through the corn. As I got closer, my dog Randy came running. He was 14 now, no longer fast. His once-athletic body had fallen prey to old age, as it had us all. He walked beside me like he had done his entire life. Randy passed away the next year, and with great sorrow, I buried him on the hill he loved to climb overlooking the farmhouse that he called home.

Looking out the window again, I can see my dad working on a broken-down tractor, cursing like a drunken sailor until Mom came out on the porch, pointing upwards, meaning god was watching him. Dad laughed but promised her he'd tone it down. I can clearly see fresh-cut grass under an oak tree, where picnic tables were set up as a Sunday picnic was taking shape.

I sit at the window and see rows of cars and trucks coming up the dirt road, going slowly so as not to stir up the dust. Handshakes all around and kisses on the cheeks for the little ones, some escaping under a picnic table to avoid a pinch on the cheek that left a mark the entire day.

I can smell the meat cooking on the grill and dish after dish of good cooking, all brought together today to celebrate and give thanks for the bounty they have been blessed with. I sat looking out the window, the shadows began to fade, and the old picnic table, now pieces of the past, returned to the ground from which it came. The cars and trucks drove into the future with well-fed and tired kids falling fast asleep for the long ride home.

My life was outside that window, the good and the bad, the lessons learned, and the word of God. Mom reminded all of us at any given time. My races through the cornfields with Randy, both of us in our youth and unstoppable. Standing outside, cameras clicked countless times as my date and I said goodbye on our way to the Spring dance with a stern warning from her father to me that there would be hell to pay if she wasn't home by midnight. Pictures of a first tooth lost, a new bicycle for a birthday, and a few pictures mom didn't approve of, like when she was working in her garden.

As the years went speeding by and death appeared at our door on numerous occasions, I lost something inside of me, with every one but my memories were strong, and I called on them every day as I looked out that window and replayed my journey over and over again. wondering who would look out my window when all they would see was a pane of glass and a few smudge marks where I pushed my nose against it as Randy went running by.

Mike   2026                                                                

The woods speak to me

 As a boy, my favorite place to be was in the woods. And I was fortunate to have one just pass our house's property line. It was declared a sanctuary, meaning all who lived in those woods were protected by law. No hunting or trapping, no guns or arrows. In other words, man was not welcome. Well, except me. I'd spend as much time as I could between school and chores walking through the huge trees, with the white birch being my favorite. My granddad told me the Indians used birch to make canoes because it was easy to bend and shape and never leaked.

When I ventured into the unknown of the woods, so thick with saplings and vines entwined, it was as if the darkness stole the sunlight, leaving a musty smell and dampness that remained with me as long as I chose to stay, before I went back into the light.
I often sat on a fallen tree to listen to the sounds of the woods. The soft chirping of a nearby squirrel warned others that I was close by. The bubbles from a brook racing down stream on its journey, and my favorite sound, the winds blowing through the mighty pines whose presence couldn't be ignored.
The darkness came quickly in the woods, chasing me home as I stepped over the boundaries into my backyard and into a fading light. I would lie in my bed at night, the windows open, the sounds of the night woods filling me with a calm that eased me into a peaceful sleep.I belonged in the woods, and the woods belonged to the creatures and trees.
Winters in the woods were magical, and the first snowfall seemed to always happen in the stillness of night under the light of the moon shining down on a blanket of white.I would slowly step past the boundary into a place where the animals didn't fear me anymore, and some even called to me in one voice or another. On my winter visits, I brought a bag of fruits and vegetables to feed the smallest of the critters, who often went hungry because of their size.
I believe my unknown number of walks in the woods helped shape me into who I am today. I step quietly so as not to disturb anyone, I feed the less fortunate, and I listen more than I speak.I appreciate the sounds of the winds and the moonlight guiding my way. But most important is the harmony between nature and me that warms my heart. My ashes will be scattered in my beloved woods next to a white birch, where I will remain within the earth and in the breeze of the giant pines.
Mike  2026                                             

Its who we were and we were happy.

 We had long hair and smelled of patcouly with a whiff of pot. We listened to our own kinds of music that filled us with peace and harmony. And we danced. Lord, did we dance around the campfire on star-filled nights when fireflies lit up mason jars and moved to the beat of a Dylan song.

We shared rent costs among the six of us who tried their luck at higher education, but daytime was for sleeping, and the night brought opportunity on the streets where college kids sat in the park, the lofty smoke of a hash pipe filling the calm air. We had a pusher who kept us stocked up with weed, hash, and my favorite mescaline. And on a night when a concert was in town, we sold out in less than one hour. On a night like that, it was normal to sell $ 1,000 worth of product, and after our investment, we cleared about $700.
Our house was old, and many repairs were needed, but the landlord was a stingy old man who looked and smelled the other way. He lived next door and could often be caught with a spyglass peering into a bedroom window where all too often a fine young lady stood naked at the window blowing him a kiss as she lowered the blinds.
When we heard an outdoor concert was being planned in the hills of a beautiful valley, we purchased a lot of party favors that, in the end, netted us over $3,000. Of course, we saved some for ourselves, and on the eve of leaving, we six dropped some magic acid that took us places we never could explain. Trees with limbs that danced and sang to you from a knothole, which appeared to be a mouth. No flying monkeys, but plenty of distorted bodies clinging to each other as reality began to set in, and sleep took over as the campfire burned out, and sleep had to follow.
We loved our lives and the changes it brought along, like buckskin jackets beaded with love from one of the girls. Headbands and colored beads were worn around our necks and draped from clothing. A common sight was a girl braiding her boyfriend's long hair or a lone guitarist banging out a song he had written about this place. There was a freedom we cherished as the people below the hills carried on with a life programmed into their souls from an early age of obedience.
As years passed, bands of people left for reasons known only to them. Loading their vans and ancient school buses, hoping it would make the journey and not be added to the other old vehicles ending in a hollow, forgotten forever. At that time, in the blink of an eye, time ran, not walked, down the hills and into a lifestyle few wanted to return to. The old house burned to the ground, the old landlord blaming it on our constant smoking of one thing or another, and the dozens of candles used for all the light we wanted.
Some of our mighty six went on to school, some far away, while others took their message of peace and love to the masses, who responded just as he knew they would. Communes were built as safe havens for the odd and the strange, all with a dream of being who they were, not what they were expected to be.
I joined the Navy, a choice between jail, and I chose the Navy. I didn't cry when they cut my hair, but inside I wept, remembering my girl braiding it as she hummed a Carole King song. Now, nothing but another pile of lost manes on the barber's floor. We all dressed the same, ate the same, worked the same, and left it to me to find a way to provide party favors upon request.
For two and a half years, I did the navy thing, hiding my hair inside my cap, loaded with butch wax to hold it down. On my last time leaving the ship, I took off the cap to the cheers of the sailors on the deck. My hair fell several inches, and by all accounts, I looked somewhat as I remembered it all those years ago. I bought a Harley and strapped on a bedroll and other supplies, then headed for the hills I loved so much.
I'm in my later years now, and my memory of those beautiful times and of the people who never wanted anything more than to live in peace among themselves is gone. I suppose I'm the last survivor of the magic six. Standing on top of the hills looking at them in all their glory and beauty, I fire up a hand-rolled joint and inhale the sweet smoke rising into the air as a distant voice shouts out, " Don't bogart that joint, man, pass it along. Happy to, brother, happy to.
Mike 2026                                         

Summer memories

 Summers meant endless adventures. Some with the family, but most dear to me were the sweltering days of August when the air hung heavy, and rain showers brought momentary relief to my buddies and me. A typical summer day began with a bowl of Cocoa Puffs and a few words from Mom about being careful and making sure to be home in time for dinner. Outside the screen door, my friends' shouts called for me to hurry it up as baseball cards of no value were attached to our bicycle spokes,with wooden closepins that made our bikes sound like my next-door neighbor's Harley.

Unlike today, when water bottles didn't exist, we had canteens bought at the Army-Navy store downtown. We filled them up and strapped them to our bikes with some discarded jump rope and baling twine found alongside the road. We rarely had a plan; we just followed whoever was in the lead, sometimes taking us into town, where we'd stop for some penny candy and look at comic books until the clerk told us to buy or get out.

Other times, we'd ride to the swimming hole where kids gathered all summer, swimming in the cool waters of a deep spring and taking turns swinging from a rope that someone had put there a long time ago. It had to be ancient, as my dad told me he swung on that rope when he was my age. When our bellies growled, it was time for some lunch, and we came prepared with PBJ sandwiches and the penny candy we bought earlier.

Leaving the swimming hole, we headed for the mountain, a place where, over the years, the city had piled up a massive hill of dirt that came from clearing the land of new subdivisions being built everywhere you looked. We had to walk our bikes up the hill as it was too steep to ride. Once on top, you could see the entire town and even the steeple of St. Mark's church in the next town over.

One by one, we pushed off and began our descent downhill at speeds we wondered were world records. One thing was certain: there was nothing to slow us down except a bunch of cardboard we had stacked up before walking to the top, hoping that if we did wipe out, the cardboard would slow us down I'm here to tell you it did not.

We could always tell when our day was coming to a close as we headed home, tired and sweat-stained, with empty canteens and sun-kissed arms and legs. One by one, we headed toward our houses, where a waiting mom barked instructions to take off our clothes and get into the bathtub, and, for goodness' sake, leave those filthy sneakers at the back door.

Summers meant freedom from school, hours spent swimming, and roaring down a mountain of dirt on our trusty steeds. It meant a lot of PBJs and a quarter's worth of penny candies. But most of all, it meant spending time with your buddies and the memories you made that have lasted a lifetime.

Mike 2026                                           

The boat builder

 He was a boat builder like his dad. He learned from his father the art of creating a boat from an idea and the perfect tree. His father would fell the tree in the forest and drag it home, the donkey leading the way. Back in the day, his dad taught him about the proper tools for various tasks. These lessons required immense patience and the understanding that nothing could be rushed. On average, he would build two boats a year, commissioned by both local and often out-of-area clients, and delivered hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away.

Over time, he realized that the craft his father taught him was a gift few men had, and as his name became well known in boatbuilding, more difficult builds were asked of him. On one occasion, a retired gentleman asked him to build a boat with sleeping quarters, a gally, and other amenities he had never built before. As always, he was up for the task and agreed to build it.

He watched his father, and it became obvious he was nervous about this build, but the real tell happened when the boat was completed and the final inspection brought tears to both of them as the boat rolled off the dock into the harbor to the cheers of everyone seeing her leave the shop where the magic occurred. How many long and tedious days in all kinds of weather did he find his dad figuring out his next steps, all under his son's watchful eye as he absorbed all he could from the master craftsman?

It wouldn't be right not to tell you about his shop. It was once a wood shop where fine furniture was crafted, like dressers and tables, headboards, all crafted by gifted hands It sat at the end of a long ramp that spilled into the harbor, where merchant ships would sail them across the sea to their new owners. Business was booming for the furniture builders until one late night, a fire broke out, devouring everything made of wood, leaving a burned-out shell of darkness and lingering smoke that smelled like pine.

With what he had saved up over time, he purchased the land where the woodshop once stood and began rebuilding it to suit his needs. There was room enough for a tool room where dozens of hand tools were hung, and god help you if one went missing. There was a rope locker filled with various thicknesses of rope that would be used in the process when the boat slipped into the harbor. He also built a cabinet filled with stains and resin, paints of many colors, and a very small office where he'd go to amend a plan to his liking.

To this day, when I step foot in the boat shed, the smells and sounds of tools at work fill me with a sense of awe. My mind races back in time when teaching and learning went hand in hand, and the pride of the craftsman is now inside of me. After dad passed, I continued building boats, his spirit guiding my hands as I used his tools he so proudly displayed. After all these years, there's never been a power tool used in the building of our boats, and never will be. The only sounds you'd hear were the gentle stroke of a wood plane, the sound of steam as it shaped the boat, and a few craftsmen whistling a maritime song.

Mike 2026                                                     

The last performance

 His grandson pushed the wheelchair into the theater. Plush crimson seats lined the space, now threadbare from countless performances. The musty air faded beneath the voices of legends, whose lifelong dream was to stand on that stage and sing.

Golden rope draped around the velvet drapery, a background for the performer to stand looking out at the smiling faces of the well-to-do awaiting his first performance.

Behind the curtains, a small group of people, mostly family, stood quietly smiling with thumbs up as the singer, the son, the brother, and best friend took center stage amid the tuning of the orchestra, now ready to begin.

He was just a young man that first night, but his voice was one of a master whose music was set in stone. He looked out into the bright lights, and the faces looking back showed their approval, wanting more as he walked off the stage. And he returned.

Ready, Grandpa, his grandson asked. He nodded his head and took one last look at his past, hearing his own voice softly sing as the lights went out and the dusty curtains fell for the last time.

Mike 2026                                              

My first haircut

 It was my first haircut at six. My mom and grandma would comb and brush it. Dad looked on, waiting to boil over. He did just that when he came home from work one night, stopping at what he saw. There I was, my long hair flowing as I danced around the room in a dress. That's it, he said, taking me up to my room and dressing me in boys' clothes. He took my hand and softly told me we were going downtown to see Ted the barber. He was just about to close, but he stayed open for my dad because they were in high school together. Ted went to the corner of the shop and came back with a small wooden horse he had modified to fit on the arms of the barber chair. Have a seat, partner, he said, and with Dad's help, I was on the mighty steed pretending to be my favorite TV character, Mr. Roy Rogers. My dad told Ted to turn me back into a boy, and Ted set to cutting and snipping until my long golden locks lay on the floor beneath me. Then, with a soft brush, he dusted me with talcum powder and pulled a cherry lollipop out of his apron.

Upon arriving back home, Mom and Grandma made a big fuss about me losing my mane, but it didn't take long for them to realize I looked like a boy my age should. Years passed, and as a young man in the era of rock 'n' roll and Woodstock, I grew my hair long again, but that was my decision. Mom would make a fuss when I came for a visit, showing me pictures of my first haircut and of me dressed like a girl, and we all got a good laugh, except Dad, of course. He looked up from his newspaper and grunted, telling me he'd better take me back to see Ted the barber, who I imagined had shaky hands after all this time.

I remember that first haircut and Ted the barber, who's long since passed away, his shop now a Subway sandwich shop. I stop in front of it when I'm in town, looking into the glass window, seeing the six-year-old me with flowing locks looking back at me, wishing for a cherry lollipop.

Mike 2026                                              

The iron maiden

 The sand beneath my feet dared me to keep going, farther from the shore. The sand seemed to go on forever as I ventured deeper. The people on the beach grew smaller. The sounds of the midway fade, then disappear into the sounds of silent waves. The carousel becomes a spinning top, like a child's toy, and disappears into the sand.

The sea now laps at my face, my feet in a scramble with the bottom to see who goes the distance. It's in plain sight now, bobbing to and fro with every swell another inch forward as my lungs begin to burn and fear creeps up.

Another twenty feet and I'll be able to touch the iron maiden as it takes me for a ride on the waves, but remains anchored safely in place as it has a job to do. I climb up on the small platform, waving my arms towards the shoreline, barely making out a small cluster of boys, and I imagine their shouting their approval for my success.

I had to catch my breath and begin my return journey, as the distance was the same and my body was as rested as it would get. I let go of my grip and started swimming until I felt the sand beneath my feet that gently touched down like the first man on the moon.

The sights and sounds of the midway slowly began coming into view through my salt-filled eyes. My boys are still rooting for me, as I was so close to earning my medal of bravery, which was in reality the bottom of a soda can cut off with a dull knife and strung on a piece of old rope. But it was a right of passage and meant a lot to each of us.

I finally reached shore, collapsing on the still warm sand, mostly for effect, as the crowd of young boys vowed to be the next one to swim out to the iron Maden. And back. But today, the bragging rights belonged to me as they hoisted me upon their shoulders, and I proudly showed off my medal for all to see.

Mike 2026           

                                                                                                                                            

Memories of the Junk man

 Many decades ago, as a kid, I'd watch and listen for the junk man coming down our street, walking next to his horse, which he called Barney. A flat-bed trailer, either bursting at the seams with other people's discarded items or almost empty if he hit the wrong street at the wrong time. It was always on a Thursday when the jingling of bells on Barney's collar announced he wasn't far away. JUNK MAN, JUNK MAN hed sing out as people rushed to the wagon with broken tools and discarded toys. Old pots and pans, worn-out shoes, and mismatched linens.

Days before the junk man's arrival, I would scurry about the house asking my mom what we could give to him, and she seemed to always find an item or two that had seen better days. Tarnished silverware and broken tea cups. Rusted milk jugs and cracked clay pots. As his voice grew farther away, Barney's bells went silent, and the junk man headed home.

Home for the junk man and Barney was an old barn that had been in his family for decades, but disaster struck one night when a fire broke out in the house, destroying everything but the barn. His family left, but he remained behind and began filling the barn with items others no longer wanted. As the years went by, he organized the barn into two sections. The first part of the barn was for newly found treasures that needed fixing, and the other half was filled with finished items ready to sell.

Many people stopped in to have a look at the junk man's handy work, some even recognizing something they had disregarded and considered just junk. They'd sometimes spend hours looking at his massive collection as the kids offered Barney an apple or a carrot, and in turn, Barney would nod his head and ring the bells on his collar, to the children's delight.

I don't remember exactly when the bells quit ringing, and Thursdays went by without the song of the junk man. Some say he passed away in his barn, repairing a toaster or putting new tires on a child's bike. Others like myself just believed he got too old, as did Barney, and they passed away together, roaming the streets of eternity with the sound of jingle bells and the call of the junk man.

Mike 2026                                                           

Withdrawal from anxiety meds

 Withdrawal feels like facing down a formidable enemy, even as we pray for God's help to get through it. I never expected to be someone who experienced withdrawal and actually lived to tell the story.

I've taken numerous medications in my lifetime, each addressing issues like blood pressure, prostate, testosterone, and especially anxiety. The anxiety medication, when taken daily, calmed my racing mind and helped control the endless loop of anxious thoughts.

These anxiety medications come in many names, but all with the same promise of defeating the anxiety monsters that lie in wait for the one time you didn't get a refill, and the pharmacy is closed for an extended holiday weekend. The next four days are my story and mine alone as I prepare for the unknowns of withdrawal that's about to slap me in the face, laughing a sinister laugh from the deepest regions of my being.

Day one was doable with just some chills that came and went along with a decrease in food consumption and a creeping feeling that things were going to get worse, much worse. Day two, I found myself going from bed to couch and back again, dozing off for 15-minute intervals, but not resting my mind, which has begun playing a fast-forward version of my thoughts.

Day three, and the devil was fully awake. My skin felt like it had been turned inside out, and my every glance around the room found me looking at non-reality like dancing lamp cords and my dog's hair balls growing legs and scurrying past me seeking a place to hide. At this point, I was fairly certain I wouldn't make it through another day, and the devil would claim victory.

Day four arrived with my mind racing so fast my eyeballs rolled around in my head as I tried to focus on anything other than what was going on inside of me. All I had to do was get through until the mail arrived with my medication. Meanwhile, I became fixated on the wall clock in my living room, with a face that talked and arms and legs that did an Irish jig. I had enough sense left to know it was all in my head and gaining ground quickly, trying to take total control of all my thoughts.

Late on day four, I swallowed my medication finally and lay down on the couch for the devil to leave with his spiked tail dragging behind him in defeat. Not long after, I began to feel like I was once again in control of my thoughts as the medication flowed through my mind and body, and the picture show stopped moving fast forward.

Day five and I'm going about my daily routines as usual, checking out emails and maybe crafting a story for my blog, but within me lies a few remnants of the beast, who I suppose was taking a final bow and vanishing to another someone like me who may have forgotten to refill their meds.

There was nothing funny about what happened to me, and I wouldn't wish it on anybody. It's beyond darkness and without reason or understanding, and all you want is to keep your balance until you're stable again. I never thought at 72 years of age I'd be experiencing a skin worn inside out and the scariest visions I've tried to mask with meds. You can bank on the fact I'll never run out again without some sort of backup plan, like a handful of xnax hidden in a coffee can. And a conversation with my doctor, who's preaching to the choir because I've seen both sides, I'll never forget.

Mike 2026                                        

Story box

 Is it writer's block, or have I just said all I want to say? I've likely used every word combination I know, so maybe this is the final stop for story retirement. But what does one do with over a thousand stories stored away in digital clouds—written, saved, and rarely revisited?

When I began my writing journey, I used paper and pen, doubting I'd ever use a typewriter, and never did. Boxes of stories, all handwritten now, rest with other boxes full of memories and are shoved into an empty space in an already cluttered garage.

I opened a box recently, a smile on my face as I picked something out to read, and instantly remembered where and when I had written it. It was written on a bar napkin, the ink smudged a little from a drink that sat on it. I remember asking the barmaid for a topic and writing something for her. Believe it or not, it was a good pickup line. There were literally hundreds of scraps of paper, even paper bags, and a page from a phone book, all with my words, my stories, and my passion for the written word.

I came across a binder of song lyrics I had written over the years, along with a couple of CDs in demo form, but they never went any further and joined the rest of the forgotten word soldiers in the box of the unread. I've never gone more than a few days without writing something. I had to, was compelled to, and lived for the release of a potential story that was filling my head to the point of exploding. And then came my blog.

A place I could tell stories, most only a few paragraphs depicting fantasy with my own life adventures all rolled up into a neat little story I shared with anyone who would take a minute or two and read them. The years passed, and the stories kept coming almost daily. Hundreds of themes that grew to thousands, but sadly never reached the audience I longed for.

So maybe this is the end of my storytelling, and my keyboard, with well-worn keys, should be put in a box, in a well-deserved resting place among the forgotten stories I had such hopes for. Who knows? Maybe one day my box will be found by a family member clearing out my life's stories, and they will take the time to read them and find themselves right where I wanted them to be.

Mike 2026                                        

A grammar school valentine

 She took the small cardboard heart from the shelf where it had sat gathering dust for a very long time. She wiped the top with her sleeve. Then she opened it. The faint smell of chocolate drifted towards her—another trip down memory lane. Grammar school valentines so many alike, but a certain few were kept as they had more meaning than the school's bully card did. She took a card out of the heart-shaped box from Billy, whom she had the biggest crush on in the fourth grade. She traced his name with her finger, recalling laughter in the schoolyard as he smiled at her, melting her heart.

She knew all the verses on the various cards and other reminders of Valentine's past. A red ribbon she wore in her hair at the school dance, a white handkerchief with a red heart embroidered by her grandmother, and even a couple of candy hearts with simple but memorable words like "Be my valentine," hardly legible anymore.

Then there was the stack of red envelopes postmarked over the years. She always kept them for last as funny valentines were replaced with real letters of love. One by one, she read every word slowly as if it were the first time. He wrote about ports he visited and life on a Navy ship. He professed his love for her in words he had often written on a star-filled night, looking at the sky, knowing she would be looking at them with him as tears fell from her eyes, coming to rest on his own tear-stained words.

Time had taken its toll on the faded letters, just as it had on her heart, when she realized she'd read for the last time, the final expression of love from her childhood crush, Billy. She put the letters back into the heart-shaped box where they'd remain until next year, gathering dust and a few more tears of both sorrow and joy, knowing she was loved when she traced his name on a grammar school Valentine.

Mike 2026                                                 

66 years between them

 There were 66 years between them; her life just beginning, his like sand in an hourglass. He adored her as he did all his grandchildren, near and far. He remembers, as if yesterday, his first grandson, now 21, stealing a part of his heart he had never known. As years passed, more blessings and love arrived with every newborn.

Decades of birthdays and holidays, and hundreds of memories filling his days with special moments, stolen hugs and kisses, and rare moments lying on the floor with coloring books and stickers. It took her a while to warm up to him, but it wasn't his first rodeo, and he knew if he just waited long enough, she'd ask him if he was staying for dinner or going to her school, as she was receiving an award, and would he let her ride with him and stop for a treat?

It never ceased to amaze him the wonders of a child's life as they began to absorb the world around them, wanting answers to countless questions, like where the stars come from or how fish breathe underwater. Their growing minds are starved for knowledge, and they will go to great lengths for answers.

Rides home from school with her brother and endless chatter about who's her friend and who isn't, one sentence spoken with another close behind as her little mind must speak when the thought is there, lest she forget it. Her older brother, now a teen, sits beside her, doting on her and, with great kindness, always answering her questions, no matter how many times she asks. It wouldn't be a proper ride home without stopping at the food mart for a treat, which always meant several trips around the store for a snack and a drink of her favorite juice, while her brother tried to help her select the right treat with patience for his baby sister.

Five minutes of silence as snacks are eaten, and then the questions come back in doubletime. Will you stay with me until mommy gets home? Will you stay for dinner with us? Can we color together? Can we play with my dolls and put makeup on them? So I put on my grandpa hat and wear a cardboard crown left over from a trip to Burger King. She picks out the colored crayons, leaving me with one green one and her with an entire box.

Time flies, and her mommy arrives home, tiny legs running to greet her with papers flying all over as she shows her what she and Poppi had colored. Poppies are green, but mine are all colors. Poppi is staying for dinner, right, Poppi? she asks. He smiles at his daughter, who knows all too well that her child never gives up when she wants something. So an extra plate is set at the table, the coloring books and stickers are put away, and you can bet your last dollar the conversation will be memorable.

Mike 2026