There is a soulful elation that bubbles in their grandfather when I watch these two rascals read together. With the eldest, a fine young lady, there was a time when screen time would be allowed to take precedence. Some minor steering input from her parents immediately changed her favorite pastime to something more fruitful—seen here…
Author: Tim Cotton
Gas Grill ‘Elliegy’
Sometimes I’m grateful that Ellie is terrified of bad weather—thunder, sure, and wind, definitely. She paces, going from one room to another, most likely trying to find peace. I like to be notified, and she seems attuned to changes in the weather long before they manifest outside my windows and doors. The problem, as you…
New Glasses
There are mornings when I begin to write the daily missive that I am lost for words. Not really; I always have words. And it’s probably been one of my countless downfalls. I cannot remember a report card that didn’t mention that I tend to be disruptive, socializing too much during the learning hours. I…
Northbound in the Hoopty
While my ‘Hoopty’ is a Honda, it’s got some idiosyncrasies. Now and then, it jolts you to reality with a horrific hitch in its giddyup; I think that’s the technical term. I still drive it distances, but only because I know a guy with a tow truck, and another guy who works on Hondas. Truth…
Correct Not, Lest Ye Be Corrected
Initial thoughts among the readership may be that I get up early, all spunky and full of vigor. This is not the case. I need a minute or five. Ellie does, too. I find myself waking up to echoes of her whisper groans emitting from the end of my bed; it’s a process. If her…
Toasted Cheese
My Dad’s birthday was last week. It would have slipped away unnoticed, but only because I forget birthdays just like my Dad did when he was here. While that sounds odd, and might indicate there is some sadness or bitterness, there is none; none at all. That’s why my Dad had my Mom. In my…
Branches
The initial wave of retirement arrived in mid-summer of 2022. After stepping away from police work, I spent the rest of that summer completing the septic system at the camp in the woods—a huge undertaking. Not long after, autumn crept in unexpectedly, and before I could fully adjust, winter settled in suddenly, catching me off…
The Thaw
One cannot discount, or even underestimate the welcome respite of winter. We refer to it as the January thaw, as if its right there in the Webster’s Dictionary. With no meteorological skills, and barely a basic understanding of science in general, there is typically a February thaw, too. God knows how much you can handle;…
Role Reversal
She’s been home two weeks, but we’ve yet to go out to grab a meal at one of our regular haunts. Since her bags are on the bed, cavernous, preparing to gulp up refolded business attire, shoes, and stuff that ladies use that I do not, I offered a brunch. No one wants to cook,…
Whisker Burns
Missing him, more often after nightfall, sometimes on long drives, or after waking up in a fog from a dream where I hear his voice as clear as if he’s in the living room, gives me pause to take a moment to remember. Just last month, I pulled into the Denny’s parking lot to look…