I wasn’t pleased to leave her, but we both knew it was time for me to head home. We live far, far apart; you’ve probably figured that out. I’m not too fond of over-explaining things, but it works for us. It doesn’t work for everyone, however. For our first thirty, she worked here, in our…
Author: Tim Cotton
Delicious Maine Lobster and Lousy Science from Cannery Row
My summer ended with weather that would make ninety percent of the world’s citizens jealous. I didn’t plan for it. Summer does what she wants. She’s a spirited girl in a light-colored floral sundress with a dainty nose dappled with a smattering of the sweetest freckles. Her dimples are often evident as she smirks. She…
For Better or Worse?
I spend a lot of time trying to discern if things around me are better or worse. There is no middle ground, at least in my mind. Sure, there’s a sage slogan spouted freely about things changing so much that they stay the same, but I don’t normally spend time in that specific space. Comparisons…
A Lesson Learned from the Smug Dog in Front of Me
Reminders to slow down during tumultuous times are evident but often overlooked. We are humanly tuned to look for the next big thing. I was only reminded of this last night when I saw him looking back at me. I idled in traffic for what seemed like way too long. Staring at the glowing red…
NO VACANCY
The sign sends a clear message from a distance. It doesn’t impact me, not even a little. I don’t know why I pay attention to the signs. Nosey? Maybe. But I like to refer to my habit as being inquisitive. I want to see if the business owner is having a good summer. For that,…
So Long, Sweetheart
A comfortable and lonely silence has settled on the cabin in the woods. While alone time is high on my list of must-dos, it’s been a treat to have the Significant One here with me, at least for the majority of the time since I became a man without a full-time job. She flew back…
The Unmitigated Joy of a Midday Shower
I’m not sure if it was my first, but it won’t be my last. The lack of specific directions on how to survive in retirement has allowed me to use trial and error; this was no error. I showered at noon. I went to work when I was fourteen, eight years old if you count…
Mistakes Not Oft Forgotten (Part Two)
I leaned against the cruiser while pushing the door tightly against the roofline. I subconsciously tried to crush the rubber weatherstripping tight to the frame. I felt it might mitigate any of our conversations from being heard inside the passenger compartment of the Chevy. The occupant had already been told—by me— her aunt had passed…
Failures Not Oft Forgotten (Part One)
Several things have brought this story to light. I wasn’t going to write it. I have many reasons, some rather personal, but I decided to leave this out of my previous books because I was still dealing with some angst over it. None of that matters; it’s an issue with which I have to deal….
Something I Wrote in 2020
A few weeks of not writing much of anything are good for the soul. Storage of ideas and memories is fuel for a writer of simple things. I am a writer of simple things. Small details, minor incidents, mistakes, and bumps in the road are what keep the writer in me fed. Maybe you come…