Improvisation – Page 6 – The Weight of My Days

Train tracks

The train was all black, going fast, on a track that followed the rim of a wooden volcano. Its whistle was full of darkness, echoing into the cavern of void around it. I was scared, even as it curved away from me. I knew it would be back. That is the first dream I remember … read more Train tracks

The valve is open

My art table is covered with plastic sheets and a layer of gypsum dust from all the holes in the drywall. My glass art supplies are in boxes and bags in the living room. I cart my supplies downstairs, and dust and vacuum to make a small table space, and unearth a stool to sit … read more The valve is open

My clutter, my self

I had written “toilet paper” on my list a couple days ago. Today I was clearing some shelves in the basement, and discovered a package of 20 rolls. Must have put it there in some misguided attempt to reduce clutter under the sink in the main floor bathroom, where we usually keep the toilet paper. Clutter … read more My clutter, my self

Like velvet

Kelly handed me a pair of safety glasses. “Your eyes are at just the right height,” she said. I was digging through a box of scrap glass, and snipping pieces apart with a mosaic cutter. Shards tend to fly when you use those. Kelly was right, my eyes were in the danger zone – and … read more Like velvet

Water solvable

Are you unhappy? Or maybe just feeling like your life isn’t all that stellar? I have a sure cure for that – just 10 easy steps! Go to your utility room, and find the main water shut off valve. If you don’t know where it is, find out as soon as possible. Turn the valve … read more Water solvable

Thought replacement

Seems like every day I hear about something that someone replaced. Hip replacement. Hair replacement. Or they replaced their stove, their car, their bathroom. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could go to the doctor, or the store, and get thought replacement? Old thought: I’m so fat. New thought: I really enjoy eating, good thing that I’m well-off enough … read more Thought replacement

The urge to create

“Teach your kids to code,” suggests Eutopia, offering resources for parents to help their kids learn coding. I’m not sure that learning to code would have made my childhood better. Especially if it took time away from my true calling: making miniature villages. The girl in the photo above, in Laos, probably didn’t think she was “working” or “learning.” She just … read more The urge to create

A weekend of tapas

It was all laid out before us: shrimp Diablo, buffalo sausage, Moroccan crepe, lobster bisque, marinated Greek white beans, winter hummus, artisanal cheese, European olives … That was just the first meal. Then there was the shrimp with grits and andouille, filet mignon on eggs Benedict, bourbon-glazed salmon, garlic-roasted potatoes, Key Lime cheesecake, chocolate truffle … read more A weekend of tapas

First day on the clock

I always end up breaking one of the “rules of writing”: Do it in the morning. I just can’t do it. This standard advice for writers is intended to give your freshest, most creative brain over to writing. It’s also to make sure you get it done. But I work with people who are 10 … read more First day on the clock

Presentation skills

It was a poor presentation, and I didn’t even realize it until Tom reached for a chip. I’d spent 40 minutes to make a very small bowl of pate out of the giblets from the whole chicken I was roasting for dinner tonight. Then, rather than present it on one of the many lovely serving dishes we have, … read more Presentation skills