Author Archives: 67steffen
The Adventures of Chartan: Fire Outside/Fire in the Belly
(Last Sunday: Brazil doesn’t fire his weapon in a combat situation; Chartan and Gina talk in bed.) Two nights later in their apartment bed, Chartan was on his back staring at the ceiling while Gina slept soundly on her back next to him. His thoughts drifted from the coming birth of their baby,Continue reading “The Adventures of Chartan: Fire Outside/Fire in the Belly”
The Buckeye Butterfly
The common buckeye butterfly takes on a special look when its beautiful colors are contrasted with old brick and rusting metal in our eclectic yard.
Nasturtium Colors…
I’ve been harvesting nasturtium seeds for over ten years, most ending up with orange blooms. But this batch planted last Fall in the side yard produced tiger lily like colors. This season I will make sure to keep these seed pods separate from the orange group.
The Adventures of Chartan: Squeeze
(Last Sunday: Chartan doubts himself.) Brazil leveled his M16 and prepared to squeeze the trigger at the dark shadows creeping slowly towards him some 50 feet away. This was that moment that had haunted him for 50 years, only now he was in Kyiv. Crouched by him about five feet away an American veteranContinue reading “The Adventures of Chartan: Squeeze”
Oystercatcher Day Two…
After spotting a black oystercatcher yesterday for the first time in nearly six years at Carmel State Beach, I returned with my camera hoping to get a well-focused photo; instead, brown pelicans flew overhead–no oystercatchers sighted.
The Unexpected
Yesterday, I saw the unexpected at Carmel State Beach. I only had my phone, so I took a video of a black oystercatcher on the beach. I hadn’t seen one in nearly six years, consistent with reports of a decline in the species which nests in rocks along the northwest coastline. I know it’s justContinue reading “The Unexpected”
Peace…Almost
The Adventures of Chartan: the Meltdown
(Last week: Chartan rejects the overtures from a young female student.) Chartan opened the apartment door slowly, anticipating a glare from Gina seated at the kitchen table. He was returning from his class an hour later than usual. No one was at the table. He called his wife’s name. No response. It onlyContinue reading “The Adventures of Chartan: the Meltdown”