Deep thoughts :) by MARY MAHAN DEATHERAGE
Hard, butterscotch candy tried to end me. "Never eat these unless you ask first," Mom warned. Immediately, those golden pieces of heaven with matching cellophane called my name.My friend, Jan and I played with our dolls, our moms chatted. Taking a water break, I spotted the butterscotch in a dish on the table. My... Continue Reading →
Waves glide over my head stealing my breath. Not a swimmer, I push forward toward the prize: a sandbar approximately 200 yards off shore. At least I'm praying that's what it is and not an oceanic mirage. Greg slips easily through the water next to me; damn avid swimmer that he is. We met at... Continue Reading →
“Impressive portfolio … extremely talented … congratulations you are the recipient … scholarship.” I skim the text on my phone. My head whirls with excitement. “She got it. She GOT IT!” I shriek at Stella. Lifting her head, weakly tapping her tail on the floor, Stella is drowsily curious at my outburst. Tears hurry to... Continue Reading →
I sit in the pink semi-darkness of the growing dawn staring into the beautiful eyes of this tiny boy. I am overwhelmed. My breath catches, an ache in my throat, a sob of joy and fear. Fear of the future and joy for what it holds for him. He stares directly back at me.... Continue Reading →
“Be cautious especially when you cross Seventh Street,” she said holding my hands while looking directly into my eyes. “Choose a book and come straight home,” she admonished. I didn’t understand Mom’s trepidation at letting me walk the half mile to the Dixon Public Library. I’d done it a million times; this was the first... Continue Reading →
America, 1914, destination Ellis Island. June 29 marked the beginning of my Italian family in the United States; the day Paul Vittori married Nina. Odd to outsiders, our Italian culture is constructed of a peculiar menagerie of food, jokes, and discipline. Experiencing a life-long food romance, Italians know there is nothing quite like waking up... Continue Reading →
“Become one with the sky!” Bruce, the aeronaut, exclaimed as the multi-colored hot air balloon we were attached to vaulted off the ground. The sensation was akin to cresting the top of a Ferris wheel. Not quite the mind-blowing fear, hair flying adrenaline rush I anticipated. I felt embarrassed for Bruce though he held our lives... Continue Reading →
Everybody must get stoned ... a most invasive earworm. Bob Dylan’s quirky song Rainy Day Women #12 and 35 topped the 1966 pop charts. I was a toddler. Listening to the raucous circus tune I'm transported to my aunt’s 1966 living room. Harvest gold carpet, a huge console that kept the record player, my teenage... Continue Reading →
I'm very excited to announce I was a prize winner for a local writing competition The Phidian Art Club of Dixon, Illinois Literary Competition. A very special friend encouraged me to submit a story - I hesitated but decided to give it a shot. I was very excited and humbled to place in my first... Continue Reading →
“Any concerns?” I hear unease in Dr. Marc’s voice. Sitting in Walgreen’s parking lot I stare through the rain-smeared windshield, evening traffic rambles by.
divine ~ clever ~ or ~ whatever 