I didn’t ask for this. None of us did. We were perfectly content with the way we were. Still and silent, only complaining when the cold wind rattled our bones.

But then the witch came.

I don’t blame her, mind you. She only wanted the same thing we did, to live peacefully in a quiet place. But the others wouldn’t let her. So she sought refuge here ( Read more... )

“It’s not fair!”

“Isn’t it?” His house mother replied.

He looked at his feet. It was no use arguing with her - she was pleased with news.

“You must understand, child. This designation is an honor. You will be doing a great service to society.”

“I don’t want to be a protector!” He raised his head, determination etched on his face. “I want to be a ( Read more... )

Bree tried not to inhale as she poured the confectioners’ sugar. Despite her best efforts to pour it slowly, the sugar still tried to escape the confines of the mixing bowl. She’d always been a messy baker, and today was no exception. The kitchen smelled wonderful, though. Two mocha cakes sat cooling on the rack behind her and the vanilla added its ( Read more... )

“Subdural probes in place.”

“All right, send the wakeup call.”

Liam, her favorite neurotech, regarded Elsa silently for a moment. Then he nodded his sterile capped head and turned away to follow her directive. He was judging her; she was sure of it. But he couldn’t possibly be judging her as harshly as she judged herself. While his hands danced ( Read more... )

It started with rose petals. How could she resist?

She followed the trail of scattered petals up the stairs, just as he knew she would. They would tip her off that something unusual was afoot, but she wouldn’t know what exactly he had in mind. He’d surprised her before, and she’d always enjoyed it. He sincerely hoped to keep that lucky streak going ( Read more... )

The moon!

Close - so close! It does not run away as we approach, as it usually does. We must travel to it, touch its face! So warm, so bright. It calls us, and we must come. And suddenly, we are there. Unable to stop, we bounce harmlessly off its surface. It calls us again, and we bounce again, over and over.

Suddenly, it is gone. The structure ( Read more... )

An early rise, a sturdy mug of black coffee, and the successful completion of the New York Times crossword puzzle - no better way to start the day, in Martin’s strongly held and oft repeated opinion. After scratching out the last word of the puzzle, Martin held it up triumphantly, then slapped it down onto the pitted Formica table top with a ( Read more... )

My quirky, attention-sponge calico passed away this morning, clueless to the very end. I knew it was coming, and it's certainly not the first time I've been through this, but somehow it just doesn't get any easier. I even made the vet cry.


( Read more... )

http://nerdyapplebottom.com/2010/11/02/my-son-is-gay/

I saw a bumper sticker today that made me grin:

HOMOSEXUALITY ENDS ABORTION