Jenna was exhausted that day. It had been a trying week. The stomach flu had left her entire family decimated. The house looked like three tornadoes had run through simultaneously and both Jenna and the dog were in desperate need of baths. Jenna spent her entire day trying to bring some semblance of order to … More The Shopping Trip – A Short Story
The Bail Holder is that friend that either brings you back from the brink of certain disaster, or stands by as the lifeguard that will pull you out of the deep end when you start to flail. Allowing you to give into some of your baser instincts, without causing any permanent damage – or a … More The Bail Holder
In my house music is a part of every day. Be it professionally produced, hummed by one of us, or completely made up – it’s an important facet of our lifestyle. I have a penchant for making up ridiculous songs about all manner of topics, however for this one I reached deep into my memory … More Drinking, Driving & Drugs – Two of These Go Together
“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” Barbara Bush I love this description of what family is. Nothing in it implies that you must have a blood bond to consider someone family. It’s about the people that surround you, love on you and are there when you need them. … More Chosen Family
There’s a popular parenting paradigm called Love and Logic. The school district we live in has offered several seminars with the author and those trained in the method. Of all the parenting approaches I’ve heard about, this one seems to make the most sense. Natural consequences, setting clear expectations, consistency, etc. But I think it’s … More Love, Logic & Laughter
We have a dog. His name is Boomhauer and he brings the joy like no other dog I know. At least to the people he loves. The rest of you, well he doesn’t have much use for you. Boomhauer loves who he loves and dislikes who he dislikes. No guilt on his part. He’s just … More Boomhauer – An Original
In every well balanced Tribe, there is at least one younger, in either age or experience, individual. To borrow a term from Star Wars, a Padawan. And in every tribe, there is a Jedi that provides the wisdom and balance needed in any number of circumstances. Many years ago I had a baby girl, and … More The Jedi and The Padawan
There are four basic categories people find themselves in when it comes to the Partner in Crime: The Want Need/Want One They Have One They Are One They are Both 2 & 3 To the surprise of absolutely no know that knows me, I fall, definitively, into the 4th category. I have the great privilege … More The Partner in Crime
Janie was in love. Not just puppy love, or a crush, but true, depths of your soul, deep in your bones love. The forever kind of love. Thankfully, Janie was in love with her best friend. And that best friend, Thomas, had asked her to be his wife. As the weeks and months passed Janie … More The Dress – A Short Story
It had been a long, hard few weeks. I hadn’t really admitted to myself how difficult life had become and how trapped I was feeling. It happened so slowly that I didn’t recognize the signs and the shifts. The walls of my world were contracting and cracking, preparing to bury me under their weight. All … More The Truth Telling Friend
Shannon R. Brown 