Just Connect Me, Dahling!

Verella awoke to the sound of her wrist ringing. Her wrist wasn’t really ringing, but the compact instrument strapped to it demanded her attention in a screechy, nagging tenor. “Yes?” she whispered groggily, pushing her RESpond button. Her other hand rubbed her temple...

Why are Metaphors Both Awesome and Terrible?

One dreadful  inspiring morning at a writing seminar long ago, I emerged from a face-to-face editor session feeling as though I were stepping out the door and onto a parade float. For a few minutes, I could have sworn I was wearing a pageant gown, a tiara, and a...

Cacti, the Rock Star of the Desert

The truth is, cacti can be the best of times and the worst of times. It can represent the age of wisdom or the age of foolishness. *forgive me Charles Dickens* The Best of Times/Age of Wisdom Cacti as Food Nopales, a fancy name for young cactus pads of the prickly...

Watch the News and Still be Happy?

  News is stressful. Hatred. Violence. Tragedy. All proclaimed to us nonstop from television, smart devices, word-of-mouth, newspapers or magazines. How can we cope? Pick one: Develop a la la la . . . don’t worry . . . be happy attitude – Just keep right on...

Pork Stew in Cabbage

1 large onion, chopped ¾ cup miniature carrots 2 stalks celery with leaves, chopped ½ cup chopped fresh parsley 1 head cabbage cut into eight equal wedges 1-1/2 pounds thick boneless pork chops or pork loin cut into 1” pieces 1 package Eckrich smoked beef sausage cut...