Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Category: Writing
Rescue
“What black eye? I didn’t see a black eye.” My husband sat in the driver’s seat with the map of Colorado spread over the steering wheel. He didn’t even look up. His concern right now was finding a way around Rocky Mountain National Park… Continue Reading “Rescue”
Lying Dogs Both
When Hillary Clinton walked with her daughter and her bad boy husband across the White House lawn to a waiting helicopter that would take them to hide in the woods of Camp David after the preposterous Monica Lewinsky news came out, every woman in… Continue Reading “Lying Dogs Both”
I Just Don’t Get It
Somewhere in the attic of this house, maybe in a shoebox or an old paper bag, are a dozen love letters I received long ago from a boyfriend (not the one who lives here). I’ve often thought that I’d be wise to get up… Continue Reading “I Just Don’t Get It”
Dare
“Are you crazy? I’m not doing that.” “What’s the big deal? They move really slow. Just quick open the door, run down to the ditch, pat him on the head, and run back here. You can do it in 30 seconds.” “Alright. But no… Continue Reading “Dare”
Reflections on #29
I’m on a mission to write 100 essays in 100 days. This is day #29 and this is what I think about this process. The most important thing about writing is having something to say – advice from a writing teacher many years ago.… Continue Reading “Reflections on #29”
Garden of Defeat
I love the hopefulness of gardening but despise the tending. In a life full of half-hearted attempts to do things that other people do that seem to make them happy, gardening is the worst. It’s the exhilaration and the incredible crash that damage me… Continue Reading “Garden of Defeat”
Mishap
The water hose couldn’t reach her in the towering ring of fire. He was sad that he couldn’t prevent what would happen next. He had never meant it to get to this stage. _________ Written in response to a Trifecta writing challenge to use… Continue Reading “Mishap”
Risk
The risk of floating where you can’t see the bottom you feel the weeds skimming your legs you hear the gull swooping down, breaking the water with his beak, is always worth it. _______________________ Originally published in 2013 And yes, that’s me and my… Continue Reading “Risk”
Tic
Every day, twice a day, the woman walked north on my street in front of my house. From my second floor office, I could see her on the sidewalk, taking big strides and swinging two plastic bags from the grocery store. She had an… Continue Reading “Tic”
Handcuffs on the Floor
As soon as I sat down today in the visitor’s gallery of Children’s Court, I saw the handcuffs on the floor. Actually they’re ankle cuffs, one end anchored to the floor with bolts and the other to be put around the ankle of the… Continue Reading “Handcuffs on the Floor”
Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
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