Toby plunged his paddle into the murky white-capped river and pulled it toward the back of his canoe with all his might. His arms and shoulders burned and ached with the effort. But he quickly switched his paddle to the other side of the boat and repeated the motion. The braying hounds were close enough that he could hear them over the sloshing of water. He heard a shout of “There!” immediately fo...

This scene takes place in my mind and kitchen before every family gathering I host, to the happy tune of chatter and laughter:

Ok. Twenty minutes til dinner. What’s left to do?

Place mats. Flower arrangement.

Arrange buffet.

Bread goes in the oven to warm. Roast comes out to rest. Oh and it’ll need slicing - there’s the knife for that.

Ok, everything else has a spoon for serving…yes.

Oh and ...

“Please remember first, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the constitution of our dear country. Why was it written but to establish a home and government that allowed freedom? Freedom of speech, so that none would fear to speak up for their rights or explain their beliefs. Freedom of employment, so that anyone might earn wealth and move up in the world. Freedom of religion, so that people from all...

A trio of young teens are visiting on the east coast over spring break. After a picnic on the beach, a pirate ship sails through a portal near the horizon. When the pirates reach the beach they snatch one of the teens and make off with her back through the portal.

The others follow, led by the magical ruler of the pirates’ realm, the manifestation of the realm’s second Sun. He instructs them on t...

As Enid Gamma walked home from school on the first day of summer break, she chatted happily with her two best friends about upcoming adventures.

“I’ve always imagined how exciting it would be to be embroiled in a whopping great mystery!” Enid enthused.

“How could anything mysterious happen here?” harrumphed Harley Harryson. “Everyone knows everything within minutes in a little village like this....

The long dress today.

Nothing fancy

But fanciful and bold,

To compel me to

Act as I’m called,

Embrace the adventure

Of womanhood.

The bread must be

Made today,

And the garden wants

Weeding. Wait -

The teething baby

Begs consoling

As I return to

Planning and inventing.

The long dress fits

For all today’s action;

Inspires contentment,

Allows modesty,

Eases burdens of

Self-pity and fatigue

Beca...

Sometimes the only way to really forget everything is to go to sleep. Except that for me, sleeping is guaranteed to make me forget everything since the accident. So I can’t sleep just yet. I have a message to deliver to the International Council, one I must remember at all costs. The message I carry will turn the world upside-down in the best way possible. And it just might kill me to deliver it.

...