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The racket of air horns and vuvuzelas filled the airstreams as the graduates filed across the stage, waving and cheering. No graduation is complete without them.

Posted By khakicat On 05.17.2013 @ 9:53 pm

I poured the salt into the glass of water and watched it dissolve far too quickly. I hated gargling that stuff, but I hated the painful sore throat more. I think that’s the way it is with relationships and friendships. Sometimes you have to put salt in the wound in order to heal.

Posted By khakicat On 05.01.2013 @ 8:29 pm

“All kinds of trouble will ensue if you pursue this ‘plan,’ if that’s what you want to call it. How can you expect me to support this kind of decision?” “But after the trouble burns itself out, happiness, peace, and security will follow. That’s what we’ve always wanted isn’t it? That’s what we’ve spent our lives trying to achieve? Help me, Miriam. Take this risk. Yes, life is going to be awful for a while. Maybe a long while. But this story will have a happy ending. I promise.”

Posted By khakicat On 04.30.2013 @ 4:23 pm

As my car came barreling towards them, twenty or so screaming crows flew up from the pavement like the angry smoke monster on the TV show LOST.

Posted By khakicat On 04.29.2013 @ 10:10 am

Olivia clasped the rock in her hands. At first appearance, it was just an ordinary rock, likely from a river bed. But when she pressed it to her lips and whispered words, memories, and hopes it did became those things. As the Olivia’s breath caressed the stone’s surface, the fragile ideas at the edge of her mind became reality as long as restless words streamed from her mouth.

Posted By khakicat On 04.27.2013 @ 9:40 pm

“We’ll be there soon,” she said. That’s what she always said, but as usual, it wasn’t true. Soon, in her way of thinking implied something like in the next few hours, before the event is over. Rarely within the next few minutes did she ever arrive.

Posted By khakicat On 11.25.2012 @ 6:38 pm

She took a breath of the fresh morning air and shivered in its crisp coolness. “This is the day,” she whispered, shivering again at the thought.

Posted By khakicat On 10.10.2012 @ 9:21 pm

She scooted to the seat closest to the window and tossed her bag into the seat next to her. After jamming her headphones into her ears she looked around the bus through half closed eyes. “Oh no. Here he comes,” she thought. She leaned her head against the window and pretended to sleep.

Posted By khakicat On 09.09.2012 @ 8:47 am

She flexed her muscles. They were definitely getting bigger. Pushing lines of six shopping carts around parking lots all day had it’s benefits. But what good are muscles when buried underneath fat? Megan pursed her lips and stared longingly at the carton of Ben and Jerry’s in the freezer. “Well, maybe just a bite,” she thought.

Posted By khakicat On 09.07.2012 @ 6:09 pm

It’s bitterly ironic that this word should appear on this day–the day that I am so terribly haunted by my greatest loss.

Posted By khakicat On 07.30.2012 @ 9:27 pm

It’s just my tendency to romanticize the idea behind any word. The plain old boring word “cabinet” is no different. I like to think of an old, intricately carven wooden box with an ornate handle hanging on a wall. I think of the mysteries it could contain such as Grandpa’s ancient knife collection or Grandma’s stack of unpublished poems and manuscripts. Or maybe it’s a sleek metal container in a laboratory somewhere that holds all kinds of chemical viles or strange pieces of flesh and organs.

Posted By khakicat On 07.28.2012 @ 10:40 pm

I turned various statements over in my mind, trying to decide which one would be most powerful and convincing. I tried to see my arguments from his point of view and pick out the flaws that he would see, so I could discredit them. He always found the imperfections in things while I always saw their perfection.

Posted By khakicat On 07.26.2012 @ 9:37 pm

This word makes me smile so much. All kinds of crazy memories with my best friend are attached to it. Kurt and the mysterious, weightless rock are my favorites. Ahh! The pleasure of inside jokes!

Posted By khakicat On 07.25.2012 @ 9:45 pm

The car’s cup holder was over flowing with trash–old receipts, gum wrappers, and dirty napkins–when darling, little Jared and his stupid friend threw a smoking match into it. Like the mischievous nine year old boys that they were, they thought they could play with matches in the car, safe from Mom’s watchful eyes. That’s how the cup holder and car caught on fire inside the garage. That moment of terror must have been what inspired the two little devils not to run, but to hide in the corner behind the bikes. That’s where the firefighters found them, unconscious.

Posted By khakicat On 07.24.2012 @ 9:53 pm

Why is the phrase “That’s just the icing on the cake” always used sarcastically in reference to a bad event that tops of a series of negative events? I love the icing on cakes–except for the icing on some store bought cakes. That stuff can be simply nasty. Maybe that’s what the phrase is talking about.

Posted By khakicat On 07.22.2012 @ 6:58 pm

John squinted at the complicated assembly instructions for his go kart and tossed a sidelong glance toward the contraption his friend was hunched over. “Hey, Dave,” he sighed wiping sweat from his forehead, “you remember that one night when we were 14 and we stayed up late drinking energy drinks, playing Mario Kart, and talking about ways for you to impress Kayla?” “Yeah! Dude, that was forever ago!” Dave replied. “And remember how we thought building and racing a real Mario Kart in the Woodland Hill’s annual competition would get her attention?” John continued. “I still think it would. Her family always goes to that. And she always carries that Mario and Luigi key chain. And I think I overheard her and some friends talking about that one impossible Super Smash Bros. level with the Yoshis and that cliff thing.” Dave said. “Hah! I knew that was why you called me to help you out with this monstrosity!” John laughed, “Nooo! I am absolutely not basing my girlfriend catching strategies on a year old, 3 AM, caffeine laden conversation.” They both laughed for a minute, remembering that conversation. “Seriously, though.This is dumb, Dave.” John said throwing the instruction booklet down. “We’re a couple of video game geeks. Heck, up until an hour ago you didn’t know the difference between a wrench and a screw driver. But Kayla–she’s fine. Maybe she plays a video game now and then, but she’s in the book club and at the top of every English class. Heck, she probably reads Shakespeare for FUN on the weekends. I hate to burst your bubble man, but painting a go kart Luigi green and putting Mario decals on it isn’t going to get her to notice you. It’s going to take a lot more. You’ve got to learn her language to speak to her heart.” Dave raised one eyebrow and laughed incredulously. “When did you become a freaking prophet? You just don’t know her like I do, man. My parents and hers are like best friends. I think this is gonna work, man. I’ve just got a good feeling about this.” “Okay. I just don’t want you to get your wittle heart cwushed.” John said as he playfully punched his friend on the arm.

Posted By khakicat On 07.21.2012 @ 8:03 pm

The suspects were stuffed into a blank room behind a thick plexiglass wall. The police had lined them up so she could identify the perpetrator. A few stared boldly towards her as if attempting to prove their innocence telepathically, while some hung their heads and glanced upward in confusion. But Chantal barely glanced at the other faces. Her eyes floated to his, gazing directly into her soul as he had so often before. Suddenly she knew why on that awful night she had felt not only violated, but also betrayed. No mask could hide the power of Devin’s piercing green eyes or the surge of memories that they carried. “Do you see the one, Ma’am?” the officer asked, eying her cautiously. Devin was back. He had come back for her. A cold wave of nausea rushed through her body. “No. No, sir. He’s not here.”

Posted By khakicat On 07.20.2012 @ 9:01 pm

Just as vicious dogs trained to patrol and guard a junkyard can be led away only by one whom they trust implicitly, so also, we were disarmed and led away from our pride, our worthless treasure, by Your soft, firm voice and smile that ignited our soul.

Posted By khakicat On 07.19.2012 @ 10:27 pm

In his pain induced delusion, Ryan wondered why the called the little thing the paramedics were laying him on was called a stretcher. Perhaps it was because every time he curled his body into tight ball of agony, the paramedics attempted to stretch him back out. This was his last vague thought before the black tunnel again swallowed his mind.

Posted By khakicat On 07.19.2012 @ 10:57 am

It’s a beautiful world for a beautiful thing. Too often beautiful things are described by nondescript, plain, boring words. “Cathedral” brings to mind all of the things associated with that place so further adjectives such as “gorgeous” or “inspiring” are really superfluous and unnecessary. People ought to ponder self-contained words like this one and let them fill their imaginations with all the images already attached to them instead of being spoon fed by extra adjectives that really serve to limit one’s imagination.

Posted By khakicat On 06.14.2012 @ 9:46 pm

I am too brief. Most people want details, juicy gossip. I want facts. I don’t like wasting words. Words lose their beauty that when they are overused. Brevity saves words and allows you to savor each one for its full meaning, texture, and sound.

Posted By khakicat On 06.12.2012 @ 10:59 pm

I don’t think most people understand the meaning of this word. I know that I don’t. “Necessity” is a good word to contemplate and ponder. I think that understanding it can relieve a lot of needless stress in one’s life. Once you understand which people, events, things, and ideas are truly necessities to you, there are a lot fewer worries to fill your mind.

Posted By khakicat On 06.02.2012 @ 8:20 pm

His heart pumped as hard as a steam engine. He almost felt as warm as one too, as if maybe if he jumped in a swimming pool steam would come billowing from his body. Why was his boss calling him to the upstairs office? No one ever got called to the upstairs office. Did they know? Did they know of the terrible thing he thought he might have done? “Breathe. Stay calm.” He thought. “You’re innocent. You did nothing wrong.”

Posted By khakicat On 05.15.2012 @ 11:17 pm

She coughed on the dusty that flew off her suitcase as she plopped it on the floor. How long had it been since she’d last flown on an airplane? Ten years at least. She was just a kid then. But now the time for looking at pretty postcards and ogling the luggage for sale in Kohls was over. Greta would not only see the world, but be a part of it at last. She turned up the volume on iTunes and skipped through the house rocking out to Kelly Clarkson’s song “Breakaway.”

Posted By khakicat On 05.11.2012 @ 9:18 pm

He is the patriarch, the commander, our chief. We smile and nod placidly at every comment or vague joke. Our hearts race with fear when our chief is angered. He says to “never side against the family.” What he means is “never side against the Chief.”

Posted By khakicat On 02.03.2012 @ 9:21 pm

Princess–every little girl wants that title. But when they finally accept the fact that they will never gain it, they bestow the honor upon their favorite pet.

Posted By khakicat On 12.12.2011 @ 11:22 pm

It was the lunch break and, instead of kicking a soccer ball or playing on the swing set, seven kids stood in a huddle talking seriously. Several nodded and then they all spread out and began walking along the muddy tractor ruts at the edge of an abandoned apricot orchard. Each walked slowly, stooped over, and staring intently at the ground in search of animal prints.

Posted By khakicat On 11.09.2011 @ 12:15 pm

People often gaze in wonder at the beauty of still water. We marvel at the serenity of its placid surface. Yet how often do we appreciate the beauty of a calm mind or a still spirit. Amidst the hustle of life, few can maintain a calm countenance. Always present is some kind of electronic device–ipod, laptop, or cell phone–to keep our minds distracted and prevent us from searching our souls. If we want the world to have any peace we must learn to be still, to be silent, to be that peace.

Posted By khakicat On 10.27.2011 @ 7:54 pm

Half way points drive me crazy. People always say: “We’re half-way there!” like it’s a grand accomplishment. But all I hear is: “Oh great. We get to do everything we just got through all over again.” Now, if someone said: “We’re 3/4 of the way there!” I would see that in a more positive light.

Posted By khakicat On 09.29.2011 @ 4:34 pm

Most men and women spend their lives searching for “true love.” But Catherine didn’t need to. In an act of pure mercy, True Love had found her and chosen her out of millions of people. God had given her everything: life, security, talents, comfort, and forgiveness. Yet, she often overlooked these beautiful gifts and skeptically searched for evidence of His love and care, even His existence. But, as she doubted and denied Him, He remained absolute, solid, sure, and unwaveringly loving towards her, in spite of her myriad failures and lack of gratitude. That is true love. “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “ Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “ Yet Jacob I have loved; but Esau I have hated.” Malachi 1:2-3.

Posted By khakicat On 09.26.2011 @ 7:48 pm