The Shelves

Everybody's seen one of those shows. A house that used to be a house — the counters go first, then the chairs, and eventually there's one worn path from the front door to the one seat somebody still sits in. Everything that was supposed to make the life easier is now standing between the person … Continue reading The Shelves

The Song Came Out Wrong

I set out to write an angry song. The idea was a defiance anthem. When hard weather comes for you, you've got two options — you can be a candle the wind puts out, or you can be the thing the wind feeds until it's a firestorm nobody can stop. That was the whole concept, … Continue reading The Song Came Out Wrong

Ten Cents

In my mid-twenties I was the office manager at an insurance adjustment firm, which is a title that meant almost nothing. What I actually did was accounts receivable and accounts payable, and errands, and whatever anyone needed, and on some days taking care of the dog. Ten dollars an hour. The owner smoked cigars at … Continue reading Ten Cents