Lake Erie Ink

I haven’t posted to my blog in so long I’m ashamed.  The main reason is that I’ve been working on a new novel.  Another is that I’ve been volunteering at a Lake Erie Ink, a not for profit organization.  LEI’s mission is to “provide creative expression opportunities and academic support to youth in the Greater Cleveland community.”   Amy Rosenbluth, the Executive Director asked me to jot down some thoughts on why I volunteer there.  I thought I’d share them with you. Continue reading

If you have five free minutes ….

Hey everyone.  I’m working on new novel, tentatively titled Perk Noir Jukebox, but that could change.  It’s about … hmmm, I’m not really sure how to describe it yet.  There’s a mystery … but it’s not a thriller.  It’s funny … but it’s not a comedy.  It’s thematic … but I wouldn’t call it a literary work, nor is it genre.  It’s a black and white piece about jazz, coffee, football and ninja girls.

I might not write new flash fiction for the next couple of months while I pound out this story.  In the meantime, here’s a link to this past summer’s flash fiction.  If you have five free minutes, you have time for any of these stories.  They’re all 1000 words or less.  That’s about two pages.

Flash fiction from Chris ….

The Trade

I’m very upset with the Browns right now and I say that knowing there’s a good chance that this trade will look good a year or two down the road. Even if Trent Richardson plays great for the Colts, which I hope he does, the Browns could still come out fine on this one … if they pick the right quarterback. Given the front office’s track record (don’t preach to me about a new regime, I’m tired of the word and besides, they’re all the same), that’s not something anyone should take for granted.
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Livid over Healthcare!

The biggest source of stress I’ve had since leaving Progressive is securing health insurance.  It isn’t easy for someone like me, someone with a history of health issues.

For me, COBRA afforded 18 months of coverage.  For the first 52 weeks, I paid $66 per month, which was the employee share.  For the last 26 weeks, I paid approximately $460/month, which was the employee plus company shares.  I didn’t know how good I had it.
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I forgot what I meant to say …

Today I thought I’d write about … damn it, I just lost that thought I thought I had.  Have you ever wondered why … hey what about what’s going in Syria?  Assad is such a … don’t you just love Headline News?  Did you read about the girl who stabbed her mother 79 times?  Neither did I.  Why bother?  I have problems even counting to 79.  I get bored at 62 or 63 on sunny days.  Will it be sunny today, Al?  That murdering teenager sure has great focus.  I find that admirable.  Why are headlines so great?  To get to other side, of course!  Knock knock jokes are the next best thing.  Only two lines to remember.
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Rodent du jour

Light, not quite poetic recounting of yesterday’s periodontal adventure

Life as a Squirrel

Sciuridae (on Merriam-Webster.com)

 

New Flash Fiction: Finding Voice

“A chink, a spic and a nigger walk into a bar,” my father started the joke.   The three neighborhood men grinned.

Even at my age, I knew that was no way to talk, but he was my father, strong and huge.   Mom could shut him down, no one else.  His way of talking, of hitting, was what made her run.  I never forgave her for leaving me alone with him, but I did understand why she ran.

Click here to read the rest of the story …

I apologize if the opening line offends.  I don’t use such language lightly.  After reading Finding Voice, I hope you’ll understand my choice.

Till the next post, chris