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KJ Aartila
Stories (321/0)
Three Little Kittens. Content Warning.
The woman walked into the animal clinic where I worked as a veterinary assistant. She set a small, brown lunch sack on the counter and spoke to the receptionist. After the woman left, I scooped up the paper sack to carry to the back where we performed exams, surgeries and lab work. Not knowing what it was holding, I opened the paper sack and peered inside. I gasped at what I saw. It did not contain the fecal sample I expected to find, but three tiny kittens huddled up together, sleeping contentedly. Feeling safe. They had been brought in by the woman to “be disposed of” meaning euthanized. No mother cat was brought in to be spayed or cared for in any way - just the kittens, which were to be killed.
By KJ Aartila11 months ago in Petlife
Ugh! Customer Service. Top Story - July 2023.
I’ve had it up to my freakin’ eyeballs with Customer Service! Or Customer Support, or Customer Care or whatever ridiculous moniker it’s given. It’s all the same, and means little. No matter what it’s called, I don’t feel like any more of a concern to the powers-that-be than I would feel talking to a rock. Actually, I would probably feel better talking to a rock, as my expectations would then be met.
By KJ Aartila11 months ago in Journal
The Barriers We Keep
This is what the energy we carry and project can look like, both figuratively and literally - a closed gate. This lesson that was brought home to me this morning, after struggling, finding success and then an “AHA!” moment granted during some relaxed consideration.
By KJ Aartila12 months ago in Journal
Potlucks are Unappealing
Potlucks are Unappealing I grew up an Upper Midwest girl. I’ve eaten my share of creamy pasta salads, creamy potato salads, casseroles drowning in cans of creamed soups and desserts made with enough sugar to choke a horse. Now I’m a grown-up with a different pallet (not about creamy anything), nutritional considerations and a concern for hygiene, as well as a consideration for appearing curteous. I also have mobility issues, so find buffet-style serving and eating situations very awkward. All of this leads me to usually not eat anything at attended events. Not that many things don’t smell or look appealing, but I don’t know the ingredients, or how it was treated before being presented upon the buffet table of choices. For instance, I completely stopped taking part in potluck dinners after attending a family function where I knew the items, mainly of a creamy content, had been left sitting out on a table, exposed to the heat and flys, for hours before when we were told food would be served. Of course, we attended with our own dish-to-pass, made to our own dietary specifications and hygienic standards. That is what we ate. So did many others. Yes, I am a picky eater, but …
By KJ Aartila12 months ago in Feast
My List of Vocal Top Stories
Okay, this my spin on ideas swiped from Judey Kalchik and Lamar Wiggens. I joined the Vocal platform as a creator in March 2021.I nearly left the platform numerous times early on due to, what I felt, were unfair practices in treatment of their creators, and I must admit, I suppose, I often felt inadequate in comparison to the talent on this site. What I did instead, was decide to use the tools and talent available to me to improve my writing skill. It takes time and diligence, but with intention, my writing from when I joined, to now had, in my opinion, improved greatly. It’s nice to get recognition validating that, but I have also written many more stories which I like that have received no recognition from Vocal. There are also a few cringey stinkers in there, but hey, live and learn!
By KJ Aartila12 months ago in Journal
Between Friends. Top Story - June 2023.
Between Friends Jack stood up, offering Josh a hand. He climbed to his feet after their momentary struggle. Josh picked up his cowboy hat, which fell to the ground in the tussle. He brushed off the dust and crammed it back on his head.
By KJ Aartilaabout a year ago in Fiction
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