Stream of Consciousness
The Unbreakable Spirit of Maria
I grew up in the quaint rural village of Viñales, Cuba, nestled in the heart of the island's tobacco country. The year was 1992, and the village was a tapestry of rustic charm and rugged beauty. The thatched roofs of our wooden homes blended seamlessly into the lush green landscape, as if nature itself had crafted the village. The air was alive with the sweet scent of freshly harvested tobacco, and the sound of rustling leaves carried on the gentle breeze like a soothing melody.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
The Whispering Winds of San Juan
In the heart of rural Mexico, nestled between rolling hills and whispering cornfields, lies the village of San Juan. Here, under the watchful eye of the ancient mountains, life moves to the rhythm of tradition, where stories of courage and defiance are woven into the fabric of daily existence.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
The Black-Eyed Pea . Top Story - December 2024.
I was going to meet Pam at The Black-Eyed Pea. I didn't like the name of this restaurant. Ironically, I felt like I had a black eye when I left that place. The whole restaurant felt like the size of a large walk-in closet but it was not nearly as welcoming as a closet typically is. I thought to myself that maybe they named it The Black-Eyed Pea because the building was as big as a pea.
By Rowan Finley 2 years ago in Fiction
The Echo of a Whistle
My grandfather, a man of few words, had a whistle. Not the kind you blow into, but the kind that lived between his lips, a melody that seemed to carry the weight of his life's stories. It was a simple tune, three notes that he'd whistle while working in his garden or fixing the old, creaky porch swing.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
The Art of the Unspoken
This study, published in Nature Aging in August of 2024 analyzed a ton of proteins and metabolites in people of various ages and found, when you put it all together, that there are some big changes in body chemistry over time and those changes peak at age 44 and age 60.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
A Long-Overdue Apology
Subject: A Long-Overdue Apology From: Emily Carter To: Daniel Monroe Dear Daniel, I hope this email finds you well. I've debated writing this for years, and if you're reading it now, it means I finally found the courage to send it. Please know this isn't an attempt to reopen old wounds or seek absolution; it’s simply an apology long overdue.
By Ashley D. Gilyard2 years ago in Fiction
A Story of Courage and Resilience
The sun rose over the small village of Kallakurichi, casting a warm golden light over the thatched roofs and the dusty streets. The village was nestled in the heart of rural Tamil Nadu, surrounded by lush green fields and dense forests.
By Tales by J.J.2 years ago in Fiction
Piling Up (overwhelmed)
Is it the change of weather, the lack of sleep from cooking the Thanksgiving feast, the carbohydrate coma of afterwards, or the pressures from the upcoming property taxes due on December 1st amidst the expectation that Christmas decorations are "supposed" to have cheerfully gone up by now???? I want to know. And I want a nap. Maybe I just need vitamins. That might help. All I know is that I have managed to keep the kitchen clean at least. Kudos for me! But I see other things piling up...dust, laundry, animal care issues, and there's that ding on my windshield!
By Shirley Belk2 years ago in Fiction
Goose on the Run! A Thanksgiving Tale
Life in the city wasn’t easy for Gus the Goose. Sure, it had its perks—an endless supply of breadcrumbs from well-meaning park-goers, a scenic pond in Central Park, and the occasional pigeon fight to keep things interesting. But as Thanksgiving approached, things took a dark turn.
By The Kind Quill2 years ago in Fiction
