Free-Floating Stories+

Two seminarians, Rome, mid 60’s go on a journey at a decision point in their lives  Late September, my third year in Rome. I was in a funk. Another year of dry theology classes at the Gregorian University stretched before me. More importantly, the subdiaconate and the promise to live a celibate life loomed on … Continue reading A Watershed Vacation

My buddy Spalding and I sat in the front seat of his suspension-sprung station wagon staring up at 347 steps leading to the top of Mt. Baldy and the platform overlooking Lake Michigan. Spalding’s nephew, Deeter, stretched his skinny adolescent neck between us trying to follow the steps into the cloud level tree tops. “Neat!” … Continue reading Young Bull…Old Bull

Do we really want to connect with childhood friends? A call came in on their car Bluetooth. “Hey, Nino.” Anthony grimaced, cut a glance at his wife. No one had called him that since he was a kid, back in Detroit’s east side Italian neighborhood. Kathleen, raised an eyebrow, mouthed his new-old name. “Russ Amico.” … Continue reading Leave My Stories Be

  “Let’s talk about this guy who ran a trout stream through his house. What if the Mayflies hatched all over his living room?  Would he be able to dangle a dry fly from his easy chair?” “Stow it. All right, Scritch?” I pleaded with my buddy. “You’re the one who introduced me to talking.” … Continue reading Chatter Coach

I watched a dust cloud chasing a raggedy pickup from a long way down the road. Clutch. That’s his name. That’s also what my belly does every time he shows up. Clutch is one of those guys who insists on telling you a joke before he even says hi. And if, heaven forbid, you have … Continue reading Jokee’s Revenge

This week's groaner for Mother Earth News. An elder chooses to age gracefully. You’ve heard of Whistler’s Mother? Well, if I had painted a picture of my mother they would have called it Whittler’s Mother, because I like to whittle. Some folks whittle just to have something to do with their hands—a man’s version of … Continue reading Listening to Wood

A while back, I wrote a number of send-up/humorous stories that were published in various magazines including Mother Earth News (yes they used to have a sense of humor in the midst of practical environmental articles) Horse and Rider, Crayola Kids, Horse Illustrated and Reader’s Digest among others. I intend, for the next while, to … Continue reading Fun Gus

After their adventures in Moose in the Road, Ariel, Finca Verde, and thirty years of marriage, Mike and Kirsten reach another landmark.  Do they live happily ever after from here or do you have some suggestions on what could happen next? I hadn’t been back in the hospital since they downsized me and outsourced my … Continue reading Landlocked Lake

Mike and Kirsten from A MOOSE IN THE ROAD and ARIEL go to Guatemala to regroup in FINCA VERDE I jostled against a local woman dressed in an elaborately patterned skirt and blouse bearing the specific design for her village, I’d been told. Another bump in the road and I snugged against Kirsten who softly … Continue reading Finca Verde

A sequel to the story: A Moose in the Road (posted a month ago). If you haven’t read it, you should read it first because Mike goes back to the island, twenty years later under very different circumstances only to discover that memories and fantasies can implode. Three people in line ahead of me.  I … Continue reading Ariel