Oof – trying to work the writing muscles again, and they are definitely out of shape. New year, old goals. 2026 is the year of creation – watercolor, crochet, gardening, writing – and no judgment. So, I’ll ramble, throw some words together, try to post more and differently.

I also can’t get away from work, so sometimes words might reflect that. To that end….

Notice of NonRenewal

Betty slices her thumb as she hacks through envelopes, tackling the avalanche of mail threatening to smother her. She frowns at an official-looking notice, blood trickling down the page.

You are hereby notified in accordance with the policy terms that your life will not renew at 12:00 A.M.

She rereads the words, chokes out a laugh. Clearly a scam given the glaring typo, though there’s no fake insurance company listed, no number to call. 

Tick. 

She jumps at the sound, eyes darting to the clock. 

11:59.  

Betty gasps, an invisible grip squeezing her throat as the hands strike midnight.

Tock.

This dawn’s sky is thick with doughy clouds, obscuring a typical dog day scorching sun.  Rows of willows hug a spacious park and flail mossy limbs, causing gusty winds to whip through its yawning grounds. I savor wafts of crisp air prickling my skin as I stand on a rocky trail worn smooth by constant foot traffic, its sand soft and crunchy.  Noisy cicadas lay dormant at last, a calming hush from an always constant buzz.  I pass by a now drab playground looking forlorn in its vacancy.  For an instant, I bask in my isolation and run.