Ej grows up in a small town in Maine, with the unfortunately typical problems of a blue colllar family, in one of the poorest parts of our nation. Despite his mother’s chronic illness which takes the center stage, he manages to live a full and interesting life. The story starts out on backwoods adventures in rural America. With each chapter, Eric finds himself in a new season of life, a little old...

The morning air was cool in the way it is in the high desert before the sun is fully up. A welcome respite from the usual heat that turns your skin into leather and your mind to mush. The party was always quiet in the mornings, other than the long relaxed snorts of horses and the jingling of gear being loaded into manties for the days journey.

Jack watched the porters and his guide Manuel, execut...

Charlie stood facing the door for an eternity, expecting the next step to get easier, but it didn’t. Something welled up in his chest, just above his heart and below his neck. It wasn’t exactly pain and it wasn’t exactly love. Thanks to Dr. Thornton, he realized that it was a longing for days past. Charlie often thought that life before therapy had been easier. He didn’t have to acknowledge all of...

Bill slogged through calf deep, room temperature water. His heavy and normally very comfortable work boots were completely filled. His toe skin, now rapidly softening , would soon resemble the California Raisins. Somehow the warmth of the water managed to exacerbate the situation. Why wasn’t it cold? Where the hell is everyone? None of this made any sense.

It had been three weeks since losing his...

Gus!! Gus!! Come here buddy! I’ve got a treat for you!

He always did this at the worst times. Never on a nice sunny day. Never when I don’t have to leave in 10 minutes. Remind me, why do we have dogs again?? That’s right…it’s because they’re hilarious and lovable and they smell funny. Like dogs should. Just a reminder, if you don’t like them…you belong on a list.

Today was especially inconvenient,...

I’m uncertain how the red phone booths of England became a symbol of that entire country, but it absolutely has. A quick scan of any jet setters Instagram account will confirm. I think anytime most people see one of these iconic, but obsolete booths, their noggin is immediately filled with images of beefeaters, the royal family and odd looking taxis.

I may be the exception. When I see one of th...

I painstakingly laid each step in its place, desperate to move silently, but to no avail. The air was moist and heavy and I could feel the condensation in my nostrils and upper lip each time my lungs refilled. Anyone that has spent time in the wilderness knows that the forest is full of sound, but not tonight. A incorporeal weight seemed to be smothering all of the surrounding the life. I could fe...

EJ stared blankly at his notebook. The thin blue lines seemed to be separated by endless gulfs of emptiness. The paper itself anxiously waited for him to demonstrate the ability to develop a storyline. The teacher waited. They all did. Today was different, rather than inspire, the blank pages seemed to incapacitate. EJ knew that if he did come up with something fast, it would solidify what everyon...