Everyone didn’t see the joke — Imagine the scene. I was 23 and working in the claims department of an insurance company. Cubicles were all around me. Surely over 100 cubicles in this enormous room, with mine around the middle. Nothing special at all. Paying medical claims at that time required a lot of data input…

Their lives speak through their ink — I was visiting a friend and saw she had gotten a tattoo. I could only make out a few words, so asked to see the whole quote and hear her tattoo story. I love tattoo stories. I am that person who asks strangers to see their tattoos and then tell…

March Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Movement” — Man missing. No reason was given. When I was last in Wales we drove to the coast for the day. It’s a place called Porthcawl and my mom’s cousins had a caravan there for many years. They no longer do, but we usually go for a day whenever I am in town. It’s a beautiful place…

I gave you your chance to leave — A rat invaded my home. I first saw him in the wee hours of a Sunday morning. I love most living creatures. Rats are not on my list of “most living creatures”. I, who will find a spider and carefully remove it to the outdoors, am a rat assassin. Those…

So why did I stay in that cage? — I shouldn’t have stayed in that job for a week. I stayed for 14 years. I learned very quickly it wasn’t a place for me. I am one of those kids who started to ask “Why?” at an early age and never stopped. I like that quality in me. I…

The woes of an introvert with social anxiety — It’s almost time for my friend’s 65th birthday party. I’m obviously not on my way. I’m writing this. It’s not that I don’t want to go. I do. But it’s so darn hard! I’m single and will arrive by myself. …

January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Hometown Pride” — Three corners? Basket made in Statesville. I live in Statesville, North Carolina, which I believe to be the “Hot Air Balloon Capital of the South”. Yes, I just proclaimed it as such. We have a balloon factory here, Firefly Balloons, originally called Balloon Works. Back when I was in school, the business started. It began production…

And remind us of our power — The dad of my best friend from childhood died recently. I learned about it a couple of days later, when another friend tagged me on Facebook with his obituary. Carole and I became friends at age nine and were inseparable all through school. Almost every important school memory contains her. …

Turning down the invitations — It’s that time of year I’m getting New Year’s Eve party invitations and trying to figure out how to graciously bow out without hurting feelings. I know my friends – I say “no” and they will want to know why. They know me. They know why. …