And wants me to stick to carpentry — I love my mother, but sometimes she could be a real pain — Jesus this, Jesus that. She doesn’t want me to get crucified, kiss Mary Magdalene on the lips, or even save souls. Instead, she wants me to stick to being a carpenter. “Mom,” I keep telling her. “I…

From therapy to becoming a writer — I told my wife to make my obituary short and sweet. A haiku would suffice: A crow of mischief Born out of brotherly love Retires to the sea No one knows me completely, not even my mother; rest her soul. I'm too cryptic for words. …

A sad quest for self-actualization — Marcel Hemp’s job as a clothing manikin made him depressed. It wasn’t that he didn’t like his boss or the customers. He was tired of having a frozen smile and wearing the same clothes. He wanted to be a human. But since he couldn’t, he considered lighting himself on fire…

And content with being a landlubber — It is tranquil by the harbor, watching the boats ease into the ocean during the early morning. As the sun peeks out, I hear the boat's quiet hum, slicing through the chilly water with the seabirds screeching overhead. I don't envy those who own boats. I wouldn't want the financial…

People in dire straits need benevolent givers — If someone asks for a handout, they need it, or they wouldn’t ask — it’s not like they’re trying to get over on you, faking a hardship. So, help out a desperate soul who’s falling between the cracks, destitute by no fault of their own, circumstances beyond their control, blindsided by an arrow of…

Living the reclusive life — Lonely Joe stares from the window, careful not to be seen, with two old beagles, Sam and Max by his side. He lives a reclusive life, cloistered in his small one-bedroom, fully aware of his secret obsession — keeps his door locked, along with life’s disappointments. He has always been…

A self-care narrative — As a former therapist, I transformed into a chameleon for each patient. I changed my tone of voice and adapted my mannerisms to fit the personalities I worked with. Adaptation was the keyword. But, unfortunately, it resulted in my losing a sense of self. Once I retired, however, I slowly…

Today’s episode — Martian Porn — Rod Pervling intro: There is a sexual dimension beyond that which is known to the human race. It is a dimension as vast as J-Lo’s butt, a johnson as long as Criss Strokes. In this story, we watch how Gladys and Charley Shambeckler, middle-aged and suburban, turn their marriage upside…

Especially the guy who let his dog piss on my garden — I know I’ll miss everyone; every sonofabitch, every damn lamebrain, and every single one of those a-holes when I’m six feet under. I’ll miss the people. I never thought I’d miss. The guy who punched me in the face on the Atlantic City boardwalk. The teacher who dragged me me out of class by the seat of my pants, giving me…