family

An Eclipse Day Wedding

My son and his girl/fiance have been together for thirteen years and decided it was time to get married. He called on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, to ask if we would like to come to his home on eclipse day. Well, not really. The traffic was supposed to be crazy terrible as we live under the line of totality. Then he told me why. Well then, I guess we’ll be driving. Would you like me to make the wedding cake?

Friday, April 4. Carrot cake ingredients are collected, measured, and chopped.

Saturday, April 5, after a meeting and before dinner plans, the cake layers are in the oven.

Saturday, April 5. The cake layers are done and cooling.

Sunday, April 7, Two double layers are frosted with creme cheese frosting.

Monday, April 8. The cakes are turned into a cake at the home of the bride and groom. Silk flowers are added for beautification. When the bride’s adult nephews arrived, one said, “Six days’ notice, and we have a wedding cake.”

Everyone in the family brought the food dishes they are normally asked to bring for family birthdays. It was a potluck of favorites. The sky was totally overcast, there was no sun, there was rain. The garage was our refuge. See my husband in the background with his nose in his phone?

It’s starting to get dark. About 3:10 pm Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Geneseo, NY.

Totality of solar eclipse 3:20 pm.

And the light reappears. What an event.

A composite of the day. A gift from a stepbrother. It says it all. Thank you.

What did you do on Eclipse Day, April 8, 2024?

05/09/2024 4

Reconnecting With My Tribe – memoir

I spent twenty years away from my place of birth. Seven years as a military wife and thirteen more working among active duty military, veterans, and their families. I returned home to reconnect with family and friends, and instead of feeling a part of the group, I felt like an interloper trying to wheedle my way in. It was work.

Fifteen years later, I attended a veterans writing group on a research mission. Within minutes, I felt I was back among my tribe. I was an immediate integral part. The military brotherhood is a bonded group stronger than family.

Note; I’m sorry I couldn’t include “and Sisterhood” due to word count restriction.

Written in response to Charli Mills February 6, 2024, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about something lost now found. Is it an object or person who is lost? How are they lost? What happens when what was lost is found? Go where the prompt leads!

02/12/2024 7

Beauty Lives On

Our house was always a mess. Craft projects lying on the table, unfolded blankets on the couch, a dirty glass wherever it was set. Cat toys on the floor.

The cemetery is so neat, the flowers blooming, the stately stones, and peaceful with only the sounds of nature. What you longed for in life, but with a large family, it wasn’t to be.

I bring my grandchildren here to visit with you. They can’t see you and don’t understand. I tell them they are your beauty beyond the grave, your eyes, and your auburn hair. I miss you, Mom.

Written in response to Charli Mills December 19, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about beauty beyond the grave. Who is showing up for you? Will you press into a Dream of your own? Do you dare write of beauty graveside? What connections or contrasts come to mind? Is Beauty Beyond the Grave a modern/ancient myth? Go where the prompt leads!

12/31/2023 4

Emma’s Lost Book

Lexi was folding clothes when Emma came out of her bedroom. “Mama, my book is lost.”

“Is it lost, or did you hide it in its safe place again?”

“I hided it.”

“Then it is not lost; it’s hidden.”

“No, Mama. I tried gettin’ it, an’ it’s gone. You look.”

“It’s hard for Mama to look under your dresser with her big belly. Can you wait for Daddy?”

“Noooo.”

Lexi sighed, “I’ll get the flashlight.”

Once in Emma’s bedroom, Lexi got down on all fours, then crouched so her head was on the floor and butt in the air.

Part 2

“I can see your book, way back in a corner. Please get me the yardstick.”

Emma ran out of the room but didn’t come back.

Lexi’s belly was pushing on the floor, and her knees hurt, so she rolled onto her side. Now she could hear Emma talking and deduced Adam was home. She yelled, “Help.”

Adam carried Emma, who was giving him his welcome home hug. When he saw Lexi, he exclaimed, “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I was trying to get her book. Now I’m stuck.”

“You look it.” Grinning, he took her photo with his phone.

Written in response to Charli Mills June 6, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a lost book (or many). What is the book’s significance? Who lost it, or who found it? How does this element fit into a poem, memory, or a specific genre? Go where the prompt leads!

06/12/2023 5

Emma is Walking

Lexi hadn’t brought Emma to Irish dance class lately, so it was a treat when they arrived at the end of rehearsal. Lexi carried her around to say hello. When they reached Michael, she said, “Follow us onto the dance floor.” He didn’t understand why but did as requested. Lexi set Emma down, and the group watched as she took a few unsteady steps to her Grandpa. Everyone clapped their approval, and Scott, now working at the bar, went to the piano and started playing “Up, Up and Away.” Michael changed the words to, “There’s no stopping her now!”

Written in response to Charli Mills April 25, 2022, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, “up and away.” You can imagine a story from the photo of hot air balloons, a flying superhero, a natural wonder, or any other direction your inspiration goes. Go where the prompt leads!

04/30/2022 1

A Central Park Caper

Michael and Tessa stopped in a bakery and bought two huge croissants. They then went out into the sunshine and hailed a carriage to take them to Central Park, where they got dropped off. Finding an empty bench near the turtle pond, they sat to people watch. Michael set the bakery bag on the ground. They became so engrossed enjoying the noisy children making a fuss over the turtles and ducks they didn’t notice a Mama duck steal their bag. Tessa heard paper tearing, turned to look, and exclaimed, “I guess the ducklings are going to eat our lunch.”

Written in response to Charli Mills April 4, 2022, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story to explain “baby ducks ate my lunch.” How did that happen? Who is the protagonist? Where did the baby ducks come from? Go where the prompt leads!

04/07/2022 5