The 2010 World Cup is over. I have spent the past month glued to my computer at work and ESPN 360, as well as my television at home. An incredible and wonderful distraction. And my beloved boys in red have taken the World Cup. Viva Espana! While they frightened their believers with their initial loss in … Continue reading World Cup 2010: La Furia Roja
Author: MermaidofthePlains
Inspiration in a packet
While shopping around my collection of short stories, exercising my patience, and basically finding a normal groove to life after graduate school, I've found little inspiration in my writing. I toyed with two ideas, one being a book about a father and son based on one of the characters repeated throughout my collection. The second … Continue reading Inspiration in a packet
The love of farm or country fill his heart
The farm. That's what we refer to the place of our childhood where we lost ourselves in cow pastures, fished in creeks, catapulted into the Kansas sky on a tire swing. The farm. Always said with a sigh of nostalgia. The Graber's farm. My Uncle John and Aunt Becka owned the farm in Kingman, KS. Their … Continue reading The love of farm or country fill his heart
Get thee behind me, summer
I despise summer. All the sweat and skin. But I remember a time when I used to enjoy soaking up the sun, working on my summer tan. I used to bake on a sweat-sticky chaise lounge in the yard, lawn sprinkler at the ready, my body slick with baby oil and iodine. Yes, baby oil … Continue reading Get thee behind me, summer
Neighborhood heartbreak
I'm sure you've read the paper, seen the news. A 13-year-old boy was shot and killed on Sunday. Father's Day. Killed by men filled with drink and cowardice. Cowardice is the only way to explain shooting at someone through a closed door. Had they waited for the young man to open the door, I would not … Continue reading Neighborhood heartbreak
Daughters be good to your fathers
I realize I am a day late for a Father's Day post, but I believe every day should be Father's Day. And Mother's Day. I would not be the person I am today without these two incredible people. I consider myself more than lucky, more than blessed, and my goal each day is to speak … Continue reading Daughters be good to your fathers
The Mourning of Strangers
People tell me they couldn't do my job. What is my day job? I help families during one of the hardest moments of their lives. I help them establish memorials at WSU. While it is difficult, it is the most humbling, yet gratifying job I've ever had. I have the opportunity to be with people, … Continue reading The Mourning of Strangers
Birthdays, babies, and monsoon season
The gutters are again gushing with rain overflow. These recent downpours remind me of visiting my Auntie Blanche and Uncle Otis in Arizona as a child. It seems we always scheduled our vacation during their monsoon season. The storms were fast-moving and torrential. In between the onslaught of rain we would play miniature golf, soak in … Continue reading Birthdays, babies, and monsoon season
Congratulations, Chicago Blackhawks
CDs, albums and BMG Music Club
Just by posting "albums" in my title, I've surely dated myself, but the other morning my husband mentioned the BMG Music Club, an entity I hadn't thought of in years. As a matter of fact, we weren't sure they were still in existence with all of the mp3 players, iPods, etc. I attempted to Google … Continue reading CDs, albums and BMG Music Club
Mermaid of the Plains 