Stories and Paintings
“Come on,” said Candace, skipping ahead. Shem and Delilah followed. The three sheep made their way across the cow paddock, until they came to the big barn. “Oh my!” said Delilah. The sheep stopped and stared in wonder at what lay inside: a mountain of stacked hay bales, machinery for milking cows, machinery for... Continue Reading →
The three young sheep trotted right up to the fence where the sheep paddock met the cow paddock. The fence posts were of old, thick timber and stood taller than the sheep. A timber rail stretched along the top of the fence, apart from one short section where the wood had rotted and collapsed.... Continue Reading →
Early the next morning, the chief rooster’s mighty crow trumpeted from the big white fencepost near the front gate. The animals began to stir. One by one the sheep crept out from the barn and into the chilly air and gentle sunlight. Beneath a clear blue sky, a hundred thousand lingering dewdrops had turned... Continue Reading →
Beyond the deep green and autumn red hills west of Butterberry Farm, a soft orange sunset bloomed. Shadows stretched across the low paddock south of the farmhouse. There the sheep strolled toward the shearing shed, to hear what Candace had assured them was an important message. Candace was one of the lambs born in... Continue Reading →
It is said that rock band AC/DC used to test their songs by playing them on piano—if a song sounded good on piano, then it was a good song. Stripping away the guitar amplifiers and distortion and thumping drums weeded out any bad riffs or half-hearted efforts, leaving only the cream of the crop... Continue Reading →
“WHAT THE F**K WERE YOU DOING?” That was, aside from a few slight variations, the opening line that began Jake’s phone calls from the movie producers, executive producer, director, co-star, his agent, film studio head and his accountant. Helen was the only one to see the bright side: “Jake, honey, how are you doing?...... Continue Reading →
“…opening at cinemas around the country on June twenty-third, the movie is called The First Return. Jake, tell us about the movie.” The host looked up from his notes (he needed notes). The other host leaned in; it showed she was listening, and showed her cheekbones perfectly at that camera angle. Jake looked at... Continue Reading →
Sitting on the stool, before an audience of television studio cameras and lights, he closed his eyes and prepared himself for the charade. He had done two hundred of them, but this was his first in a while. The crew was at their best and trying to show it. The makeup artist hovered longer... Continue Reading →
In China, sunflowers are associated with long life and good fortune. A Chinese villager recalled a man being forced to bury his own son alive, as punishment for the boy stealing grain. And that was not an isolated incident. Starvation, torture, rape and execution were the norm in China under Mao Tse Tung’s reign.... Continue Reading →
The rain stung Henry’s eyes, and his left ham burned with pain, but he kicked through the floodwater, with the kittens clinging to his back. “This way,” called one of the kittens, nipping Henry’s right ear. Henry turned a little to the right. “Yes, that’s it,” said the kitten. “I see the tree. We... Continue Reading →
