Memory loss and brain fog aren’t just annoying; they are dangerous. — I'm far too young to be this old. I started the aging process a bit younger than most. Not only did I have a full hysterectomy in my 30s, jump-starting menopause, but I have done a lot of damage to my body. I started smoking cigarettes when I was ten…

With a pen in her mouth and ink in her hair? — What is she doing over there? Eyes glassy. Blank stare? Is that ink in her hair? Words pressing in her brain. Images went in, they want out again. They are trapped in a prison of fear and shame. The words want out. Now! They are beginning to cause pain. The…

Thrifty words 100 #79 & 50 Words Theme Challenge #100: Anniversary — I am thrilled to see a few new faces here. M. E. de los Establos & Keeva Black, howdy! Maybe you’ve been writing thrifty words for a while, but you are new to me. Welcome! Thanks for playing. Packing has been an all-consuming activity for the last several months. Time…

Thrifty Words 100 #79: Anniversary & 50 Words Theme Challenge #100: Anniversary — Happy 100th Thrifty Words theme Challenge! I’m not quite sure how to feel about it. When Reuben Salsa asked TBI’s editors for volunteers to fill the void the closing of the Friday Fix publication left behind, I raised my hand. I had no idea what it would turn into. Our…

Thrifty Words 100 #76: Blank & Fifty Words Challenge #97: Blank The title words are all synonyms for the word blank. I think they do better to describe the SCOTUS members who are uprooting the laws of our land on a tea party whim.I think they do better to describe…

Thrifty Words 100 #76: Blank & Fifty Words Challenge #97: Blank — It’s my turn, again, to introduce our thrifty words challenges. And I’m drawing a blank. My mind is filled with packing and moving. Turning on electricity, gas, water, and trash for a house I won’t live in until September. Finding health insurance, finding doctors and dentists, psychiatrists and therapists. …

Don’t Feed the Patriarchy — The U.S. is so fucked up right now. Roe v. Wade overturned, SCOTUS deeming loud, ostentatious prayer surrounded by high school kids as a private moment, 45 knowing and not caring about insurrectionists being armed (because they weren’t coming for him, what’s to care about?). Everyone I know is afraid…

Day three of the thirty-day writing challenge — I am on the last days of the medication that makes my brain so loopy. I still feel jittery and nauseous, but the spider bites are healing well. I am very grateful I did not have to go to the emergency room or have them debrided (removing damaged tissue). On…