the name came out high-pitched

The Chaperoneby Laura Moriarty 8 min @ the dining table “Hey.” “Hey.” She sounded bright and expectant. He nodded to invisible music. He was still stunned that he had actually called her name out. Loud enough that she heard. And that she stopped. She even smiled and turned back. The Read more

By justk, ago

the endings will break you in half

The Sense of an Endingby Ann Patchett, Vogue, Sept 2012 8 min @ Kalendar Restaurant “No, I haven’t done it. I suck at breaking up! I’m a six year old emotionally. I can’t ever pull the trigger because I don’t want to be the bad guy. I hate being hated. Read more

By justk, ago

one way to skin a cat

overheard walking the dog down Benton 8 min @ the dining room table Mara hasn’t been here long. She hasn’t been anywhere long recently. She was only on earth three hours. Still it counts as a life. Each life is called a ‘catskin’ and they’re filed and tallied not long Read more

By justk, ago

Pigeon English, my two cents

Pigeon English by Stephen Kelman There’s been a bit of fuss over this book.  I love distinct voices and the Ghanian-Brit argot of a pre-teen sounded like something more to love.  Game on. There are few books I start and do not finish.  I feel an almost moral obligation to not Read more

By justk, ago

One way I teach

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown 8 min @ the desk   Bribery.  I’m not proud of it.   He’s playing with the orange pencil covered in brown basketballs.  He’s not doing tricks or anything, just twirling it and staring at it as it moves between his six-i’m-going-to-be-seven-next-week fingers.  Five sentences.  He’s Read more

By justk, ago

That is no country for old men.

W.B. YeatsThe Oxford Dictionary of Quotations 8 min @ the rooster cafe His cheeks were red and chapped from too much sun. The satin red shirt was an unfortunate wardrobe choice. But Saturdays were for romance and romance was best performed in red. Anders’ grandfather had been a great heartthrob Read more

By justk, ago