E.L. Martin
Bio
Powered by Nature, Humanity, Humor, Food, Lifestyle, Fiction, and Culture; Oh, and a questionable amount of coffee.
Achievements (1)
Stories (114/0)
Beyond "Neurodivergent"
Recently, a post from an acquaintance of mine had been prodding and nagging at me. The post had been intended as a compliment to her young child, but something about it made me more restless than compliments made by others. The post began with "Life with my Neurodivergent child and his amazing mind..." Something about this statement is presumed to be more educated than others simply by the word choice "neurodivergent." She went on to brag about how easily and creatively he made up a story, which I give her credit regarding. Still, somehow, I found the statement unfair. As much credit as it gave to her child, it still felt like a slight. Perhaps it was my erroneous perception, but nonetheless it inspired something in me to write.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Psyche
Black Friday Bombardment
Don't get me wrong, I won't claim to be the most organized or efficient person when it comes to virtual or home office systems. I do check and filter my e-mails at minimum every other day. However, through promotions, special offers, sales ads, and whatnot it is seemingly impossible to keep up. No time of year is worse for pressurized e-mails than the holiday season in America. Daily e-mails, at minimum, or often three or more from various retail corporations seek your business. They offer you specials for a limited time, swearing to act now for the best price; only for another sales opportunity and offer to come up at a later date or sometimes the very next day. Now, just after Halloween, it is already Black Friday Bombardment season.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Motivation
The Ignominious Jell-O Debacle
To a grandchild, a grandparent is an incredible and wonderful being. It is as if everything their grandparent touches is magic. Their recipes are secret and special. Part of the magic is that you do not know the ingredients used in them, as my brother and I have recently discovered.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Confessions
Growth from a Small Town
Not all birds migrate, and thus this is my tale as a non-migrating bird. Just because I didn't migrate, however, does not mean I didn't leave the nest. It has been several years since I left the nest, and that old small town. Though I live only thirty miles away, I must confess that I rarely return for a visit. I often take a route "over the hill" and "through the woods" to visit my family that lives in the countryside on the town's outskirts. The interstate route on my way to a larger city westward can also completely bypass the small town, so there hasn't been a reason for me to return; until now.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Humans
"Seas" the Day: The Macaws' Freedom
"Sailing, oh sailing! Far away be thy plight as the ship travels on to fables, folly, and lore. Many a man has made his way on the ravaging vessel that be the sea." the young man sang with glee, and pressed his arm against his breast.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Fiction
- Top Story - October 2021
ADHD Is My SuperpowerTop Story - October 2021
Did you know that October is National ADHD Awareness Month? I didn't either until a couple days ago. Whoops! It seems like there is a day for everything anymore; National Ice Cream Day, National Hot Chocolate Day, National Hangover Day, National Personal Trainer Awareness Day-wait, what? If you have a personal trainer, aren't you already aware of them?
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Psyche
Butternut Squash Chili
As I walked into the grocery store and added the various on sale produce to my cart, an elderly woman approached me. I don't intentionally avoid contact in the store, but I do often worry about how I may be inconvenient to someone who might say something rude to me. I do check ingredients carefully because of a soy intolerance, and I know that sometimes others' are not patient. I try to move out the way, but sometimes there is no where to move in crowded aisles. To my pleasant surprise, the woman instead asked me what it was that I did with the orange squash in my cart.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Feast
Something in the Air
There is something in the air today; something that says, "Don't go out." I'm not sure what this feeling is as the gray mask that is morning dew among storm clouds rolls in. It isn't the danger of a storm that my heart, mind, and body are warning against. No, this is a presence, an event. Something is going on today, but I'm uncertain as to what. Whatever it is is a foreboding of evil; a caution I cannot ignore.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Horror
- Top Story - October 2021
Growth from a Small TownTop Story - October 2021
The year is 2021, and the month is October. My best friend from high school's mother has passed away, and I've just heard the news through her sister's social media announcement. I haven't heard from my former best friend in years, but somehow her sister and I are still connected on social media. My former best friend and I didn't have a falling out. She just dropped off the map after a while for unknown reasons. The last time I saw my friend in-person was on my wedding day as a guest I happily thanked and hugged for attending. I had no idea at the time that this would be our last physical interaction. The last social media post I know of from her was back in 2018, the same year her social media account was active. Yet, I know from her sibling's posts that she is alive.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Humans
Do Not Lessen Your Grief for My Sake
Following the death of my father, I have had several friends whose fathers have passed in the past two years. Even after experiencing news of my father's murder, I still don't know what to say to my loving friends who have lost their fathers. "Sorry for your loss. Please let us know if you need ANYTHING. We'll keep you in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers." is all I know to say, but it doesn't seem enough. The reason it doesn't seem to be enough is because it isn't. You can't give what has already been lost, and their loved one's life won't be given back in this lifetime. The only thing you can do is be there IF they need you. Personally, I have to trust and rely on my friends to tell me what they need IF they need anything and WHAT. Everyone experiences things differently, and needs different things. I reach out and let them know I'm here, ready, willing, and able, but pressuring them in this tough situation is not the right thing to do. What does bother me though is when I've reached out and attended funerals; they underrate their grief on my behalf.
By E.L. Martin2 years ago in Families