In Shakespeare's day, quills were used to scribble painstakingly on paper, words interspersed with #ink blots and scratched out deletions. Today, writers have advanced tools: laptops, the back space key, autocorrect. Easier? Perhaps. But the truly creative spark still must come from within.
#vss365
Isaac loved a road trip. He and his college pals did it on the regular, whenever they could. Shades on, windows rolled down, #arms out to catch the sun and the breeze. Looking back now, he barely remembers the destinations. It was all about the journeys: the time spent together as friends.
#vss365
Gina sat quietly, her #hand extended for inspection, waiting for curiosity to overcome fear. Her patience was rewarded when she was finally allowed to touch. Gentle strokes were received warily at first, but then with purrs of delight.
That, folks, is the Cat Distribution System in action.
#vss365
Ten years on, you won't recall the endless circling for parking, or the long trudge to the beach with all your gear. You'll have forgotten about the #sand in your shorts, the sunburn, the lost sunglasses. You'll just remember that the last day of summer vacation had been the best time ever. #vss365
She's intelligent, experienced, and principled. She speaks with conviction and eloquence, the #ring of truth clear in her words. She was obviously qualified for the role she was nominated for. Objectively, she should have won.
Sadly, objectivity has little to do with it. So, we all lost.
#vss365
"Are you really sure you want to do this?" my sister asked skeptically.
"Yes, I think I'm ready," I said, stretching and flexing my fingers. "I've been practicing, you know. Think it's time I stepped up my game."
"Okay," she shrugged. "The New York Times crossword puzzle in #pen? Good luck!"
#vss365
He strode into the store like a #man on a mission. But he stopped in an aisle with confusion on his face, so I offered to help. He showed me a photo on his phone.
When I pointed out the right box, he grinned. "Thanks, she'd have killed me if I got the wrong tampons."
Mission accomplished.
#vss365
It's a downright travesty when someone in an #exalted position abuses their power, and worse, when they're enabled by sycophants who should know better but cannot see beyond their own avarice. Used to be, public servants served the public, not their own self-interest. This is why: No Kings.
#vss365
My favorite restaurant was renowned for the excellent service of its head waiter. His manners were faultless, his #conduct impeccable.
"Ever want to tell off the rude customers?"
"Sometimes. But it's not about the rude ones, it's about the nice ones that are watching."
Food for thought.
#vss365
"I took a shortcut from school through the woods and got lost. A forest #sprite led me home," I said.
"They're not real," Mom scoffed. Grandpa only nodded.
After she left, he said, "The fairyfolk appear only to believers," and gave a wink.
My new friend winked back, giggled, and vanished.
#vss365
It may have been called The Kingdom of Make-Believe, but to those of us who visited the Neighborhood on the regular, it was far from #illusive. The characters were real, their stories were meaningful. Daniel Stripèd Tiger taught me that a little kindness goes a long way. Thanks, Mr. Rogers. #vss365
The first date went well, but his suggestions for the second all #revolved around sports. She was not interested.
Finally, he said, "How about a movie? I've got Rocky on DVD."
She sighed. Time to cut her losses.
"Do you have On the Waterfront?"
"No."
"Too bad. You coulda been a contender."
#vss365
His green eyes are designed to #fascinate, but the tilt of his head projects extreme nonchalance. He is the ultimate combination of come hither/stay away. All red flags. I should not become invested. And yet...
Reluctantly, I scritch under his chin. He purrs with satisfaction.
Damn cat.
#vss365
My aunt always arrived with peak drama, the proverbial #tempest. Dad disapproved, called her the black sheep, but she was my best pal and partner in crime.
She left for her final adventure today. It's too quiet now. Maybe I'll raise a little ruckus in her honor.
Here's to you, Aunt Hazel.
#vss365
"Even with a high-stress job, you're the most zen person I know. Tell me how you do it," he said.
"The trick is to not let the world's stupidity #frustrate you," I told him. "Do yoga, meditate, practice gratitude."
"Really?" he said skeptically.
"Well... a good mojito doesn't hurt, either."
#vss365
One of the perks of being a celebrity was nabbing those sweet product #endorsements. Getting paid to hawk basketball shoes or diet soda was a lucrative deal for the already-famous.
Now, it's the other way around? Promoting products can make you a celebrity? Influencer culture is wild, man.
#vss365
Look there, a grandfather and a grandson, strolling hand in hand. Their steps are not quite steady but the clasp of fingers is firm, the love that binds them is strong. In this moment, they take in the beauty of a rosy sky with #wavering gilded clouds. A sunrise or a sunset? Somehow, both.
#vss365
"I thought Uncle Jim was #dividing his estate between all the cousins."
"You were the only one who cared about him, not his money," the lawyer says, handing me a cat. "As Fifi's guardian, you get to live in her house."
"How's pâté sound?" I ask her.
Fifi slow-blinks. I guess she approves.
#vss365
🎵 Summer skies and lullabies
Nights we couldn't say goodbye
And of all of the things that we knew
Not a dream survived
Photographs and memories
All the love you gave to me
Somehow it just can't be true
That's all I've left of you 🎶
J Croce
We spent the last day of August at the lake, getting sunburnt despite the #overcast sky. Tomorrow, I was off to college, Sarah was leaving for art school.
"We'll talk every day," I said. She smiled sadly.
"No, we won't. It's okay."
She was right on both counts. But I'll always remember her.
#vss365
😆
Tess was the "good" child, the docile, obedient one. She watched her siblings when her mother was tired, which was often. She #mediated when her parents argued, which was oftener still. Taken for granted, always.
She left at 18, never to return. Then they noticed. How ungrateful, they said.
#vss365
Stand at the edge of the woods and listen with your heart. The trees #entreat you to enter. Your feet crunch in the soft carpet of leaves. Close your eyes and savor the play of cool breeze and warm sunlight dappling through the branches.
A meditation in nature, taken on your lunch break.
#vss365
Lisa never #partook of a weekend BBQ or a Friday happy hour. Nice but a loner, her coworkers thought.
Until today.
"I left my boyfriend," she said quietly. "Finally realized his 'love' was just jealousy and control."
The signs had been there. They promised they wouldn't miss them again.
#vss365
Tony used to torment kid brother Mike mercilessly. That is, until Mikey hit his growth spurt, #surpassing Tony by four inches in one summer.
"Who's the big brother now?" he taunted, pinning Tony down to the floor.
Sometimes wisdom doesn't come with age--but a half nelson might do the trick.
#vss365
She meant to #assure me that all was right with the world, that my faith was not misplaced.
"I don't care what your friends say," Mom said, when I protested. "Would I lie to you?"
Turns out, she did. Right to my seven-year-old face. Swore Santa was real.
This is why I have trust issues.
#vss365
Her parents weren't demonstrative. Wren grew up in comfort, but not #warmth. Vowing to do better, she lavished cuddles and kisses on her son Max. In turn, Max did the same to Grandma and PopPop. Something magical about grandkids, I guess, but it broke the cycle. Now Wren gets her hugs, too.
#vss365
The quilt is as old as I am, which is pretty old. Gran started it when Mom was pregnant and finished it on the day I was born. Look at it now: worn down with age, the #corners are frayed and the colors are faded. But the stitching, made with love, is strong still; its beauty, undiminished.
#vss365
My first glimpse of the Hope Diamond took my breath away. "Gorgeous."
"They say it's cursed," Kyle said.
I'm not superstitious, but there was something about this #precious gem...
"I'd be willing to test that theory," I joked.
The blue bauble winked at me. Just a trick of the light.
Right?
#vss365
Nana and my son were inseparable. My #bonny babe, she called him. They plotted preschool breakouts and outrageous candy heists. When she died I was devasted, but Logan said, "Mum, don't cry. She's still here."
Second sight? I don't know. But when I look in his eyes, I see her spirit shining. #vss365