Category: Writing

The Searing Comfort of Layla

Posted on May 3, 2026 by

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I spent the summer of 1973 sitting on a blanket atop the scorched brown grass behind our Flint townhouse, yards of black cord connected my bagel-size headphones to our stereo inside. I watched my eight-month old baby girl sit and crawl and eat the… Continue Reading “The Searing Comfort of Layla”

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100 Word Story: Sweeping

Posted on April 26, 2026 by

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This time the broom was right where she’d left it, leaning against the railing on the back porch. But the day before, it was leaning on a far tree trunk and before that it was lying on the top of her car. The broom… Continue Reading “100 Word Story: Sweeping”

Category: 100 Word Stories

Two Vignettes for Your Reading Pleasure

Posted on April 22, 2026 by

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We followed a beat-up white panel truck with no license plates down the street that winds through the forest of apartment buildings along the Milwaukee River. When the street expanded to two lanes, we pulled up next to the truck and right away heard… Continue Reading “Two Vignettes for Your Reading Pleasure”

Category: Writing

People You Can’t Forget: Mr. Dillard

Posted on April 21, 2026 by

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Mr. Dillard always wore a dress shirt buttoned up to the neck but no tie along with pleated dress pants, I remember khakis but maybe they were just plain black pants, and nice shoes. He was always handsomely put together with a cardigan or… Continue Reading “People You Can’t Forget: Mr. Dillard”

Category: Writing

People You Can’t Forget: Jane

Posted on April 20, 2026 by

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I don’t know why but all day I’ve been thinking about Jane.  Two memories collide — the pungent, overpowering body odor wafting down the hallway that announced her arrival minutes before she appeared in my office and the matter of fact way she cinched… Continue Reading “People You Can’t Forget: Jane”

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100 Word Story: Soft Feet

Posted on April 4, 2026 by

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“My birthday was on Easter once when I was a little girl.” “I know. You’ve told that story before.” “It’s a good story to tell, so you should just listen again. Be a nice person.” “Fine. Tell me.” “I was very little and we… Continue Reading “100 Word Story: Soft Feet”

Category: 100 Word Stories

The Sun Changes Everything

Posted on March 21, 2026 by

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It has been nearly six full months of winter. The cozy and snug part of winter has diminished as hunkering down fatigue grows. Continually grey skies and leafless trees suck the life out of the most cheerful folks. I would be one of those… Continue Reading “The Sun Changes Everything”

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100 Word Story: Strum

Posted on March 17, 2026 by

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Unbelievably, his name was Bart. He wore cowboy boots and carried a guitar. He smiled a lot but didn’t sing or strum. None of that. When the train pulled into to Laramie, he gathered his things. I played a game in my head where… Continue Reading “100 Word Story: Strum”

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Stop with the Rope Pushing

Posted on March 11, 2026 by

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I am becoming overwhelmed by extreme pluck. Today’s megadose came by way of Cindy Abbot who decided to cope with a diagnosis of a super rare and potentially fatal disease by climbing Mt. Everest and then doing the Iditarod sled dog race, thereby becoming the… Continue Reading “Stop with the Rope Pushing”

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Brevity is Beautiful: Tell a Story in 100 Words

Posted on February 22, 2026 by

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I started a writing group at a local senior center. At our last meeting (which was also our first), I asked everyone to write a 100-word story for our meeting tomorrow. To get prepared, I looked at my own inventory of 100-word stories and… Continue Reading “Brevity is Beautiful: Tell a Story in 100 Words”

Category: 100 Word Stories

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Jan Wilberg

Jan Wilberg

What happens here on Red's Wrap is all over the map. There is no single theme, no overarching gripe, no malady of my own or others that dominates. I write about what seems important or interesting at the moment and what aims me toward hope. I write stories, essays, poems - whatever fits the day and the mood. Nothing stays the same, here or anywhere. That's a good thing. Happiness. It's relative.

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"The Power of Saying You're Sorry," Lives, Newsweek, 9-5-08
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11

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