Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.7.2, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Little2say.org True stories from imaginary lives ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](http://www.little2say.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Call Back](http://www.little2say.org/2025/05/14/call-back/) - I had an audition, after far too long, so my robot agent had me pulled from the suspension pod. Some alien outfit wanted to do a remake of “Gilligan’s Island”. It was just a voice part, since they wanted a nostalgic background soundtrack of human voices. The read-through went okay. I read for both - [All Saints Day](http://www.little2say.org/2024/10/15/all-saints-day/) - In ”The Lives of Saints” I re-read the part about “Santa Pane Tropo Tostado” (Saint Too-Toasted), who was the patron saint of burnt breakfasts, so I could help my sister with her Saints Day themed kids party. The beloved saint carried a small piece of burnt bread with her at all times as a sign - [Pressure](http://www.little2say.org/2024/05/17/pressure/) - Pressure Luis seemed permanently stressed. He worked a full time job, always had, but still felt pressured to meet the expectations of his wife and dog. This was mostly in his head. His wife, Miriam, was completely lovely about things, and worked as a nurse. The dog, whose name I don’t recall, did seem to - [Keeping a Distance](http://www.little2say.org/2024/05/17/keeping-a-distance/) - Keeping a Distance Our Grandpa has so many odd habits from the old country. Mostly they are just weird, but a few are truly disgusting. Like cracking snail shells with his teeth, and swallowing them down! He used to spit the shells out on the carpet, but now he has a little galvanized bucket next - [Helping Hand](http://www.little2say.org/2023/06/25/helping-hand/) - The dog was little and had a face like something you’d scrub pots with. I had to bend over to hear what he were saying, and spilled my drink on you by mistake. You started yelling “I’m melting!, I’m melting!” Immediately I recognized Toto, grabbed him, and lit out for Kansas. Doug Mathewson - [Big Banana Specialty Products](http://www.little2say.org/2023/04/01/big-banana-specialty-products/) - Duckie Wow knew it wasn’t everybody’s dream job, but he liked it, and was good at it too. None, absolutely none, of the Empire State Building postcards sold in the Big Apple depicted a giant ape swatting at bi-planes, so for a nickel apiece Duckie painted one in. They sold great! Rainbow apes for the - [The Mark](http://www.little2say.org/2023/01/15/the-mark/) - Cleaning out the old place was taking forever. There was my brother with a spray-bottle of Windex wiping down a big mixing bowl full of Hot Wheels cars. Most he put into a shopping bag for the sale, but some he arranged bumper to bumper circle the wagons style around his plate. “These are my - [Mouse Review](http://www.little2say.org/2022/03/24/mouse-review/) - I was reading reviews of cat toys, specifically catnip mice. You could say I was in the market. “Mittens played with it once” (with pictures), or “Pickles completely ignored it” (also with pictures). The review that stood out was from a lady who bought a cheap pair of mice, and sewed them on her Cinderella - [Same Enough](http://www.little2say.org/2022/03/24/same-enough/) - Spreading wicked stories about the girls from St. Margaret's might be a sin, but is is eating someone's brains, and try telling that to my zombie cousins from New Jersey. Doug Mathewson - [Reshuffle](http://www.little2say.org/2020/10/21/reshuffle/) - When the money people ran out of what ever made computer chips smart somebody floated the idea of using recycled dead people instead. There were plenty of them around after the same rich people had privatized heaven into a for profit situation, and not everybody wanted to go. The Bible ducks balked at the idea, - [Dead Roomba](http://www.little2say.org/2021/05/05/dead-roomba/) - Once in awhile we have something that our trash guy won’t take.Like the dead Roomba robot vacuum cleaner we put out on the curb.The heavy rechargeable battery make it an eco-recycle disaster.So instead I leaned it against the big donation box in front of the liquor store. Let it be somebody’s drunk DIY project. Doug - [Doorbell](http://www.little2say.org/2020/10/09/doorbell/) - She couldn’t tell, honestly couldn’t, if it was Carl or Bernice who came to the door and asked to borrow a cup of spit. They were spirit people (not nice to say ghosts) and new to the neighborhood. She told whoever it was to come back later, maybe after dinner, and promised to work on - [Catching Up](http://www.little2say.org/2020/10/09/catching-up/) - Dear Grandfather Gerard, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that, but it’s how we referred to you all these years. We assumed you were dead; lost in the war with so many others. Your letter was full of news, and we hunger for more. Especially about your “whole new family”. There is much - [Bucket Head Zid](http://www.little2say.org/2020/10/09/bucket-head-zid/) - Everybody loved Uncle Zid. I know I sure did. He was hilarious, always with a joke. Like in the summer when he’d drive around in his old convertible dressed like Santa, blowing the horn and waving. He’d call the radio station and in a funny voice ask what day Cinco de Mayo was on this - [Perplexed](http://www.little2say.org/2020/09/26/perplexed/) - Perplexed Vernon was just as surprised as anyone when he hauled off and clocked stupid Buddy right in the side of his stupid fat head. Buddy when over backwards with a crash, and Vernon busied himself picking up the bar stool and wondering what in the world to say to explain his actions (which still - [Name Game](http://www.little2say.org/2020/07/02/name-game/) - I wrote this for a contest run by 53 Press. I don't remember much about it except it had to be 53 words exactly, and I didn't win. Name Game Rockwell Rhodes hated it when his cousin Patrice called him “Rocky Road”. She would say it in an endearing manner so he would buy her - [Heroes](http://www.little2say.org/2020/06/19/heroes/) - Heroes With a tip of the hat to Mr. David Bowie The People Speak: We love our frontline workers. They are most beloved and honored coast to coast and around the world. We show our respect, and gratitude with applause, and our home made signs. We all beep our horns and we bang our pots - [Monkey Brain](http://www.little2say.org/2020/05/05/monkey-brain/) - Monkey brains love puzzles, love problems to solve.Not enough gloves? Well sure, they are disposable and so many people need them now. Face masks? Same thing. Everybody needs them, and not enough to go around. And ventilators, I don’t know about them except that we need more.Shortages, bare shelves, no supply. All problems for my - [Arizona](http://www.little2say.org/2019/09/02/arizona/) - The bone was human. A femur. Probably a woman's. They found it just off the trail where they were picking up the rosaries and food packets the vigilantes had trashed and discarded--the vigilantes who empty the jugs of water. Other volunteers will put up a cross for this unknown woman just where the small evidence - [Separate Ways](http://www.little2say.org/2019/09/02/separate-ways/) - She took her half of the money, got a nice brownstone apartment. Third floor rear, doorman building. She already has the dog, so with a big puffy down coat and sunglasses almost as big, she just disappeared. Another dog-mom in Brooklyn. Doug Mathewson - [Lake Elmo](http://www.little2say.org/2019/04/10/lake-elmo/) - It’d been months since we’d gotten out as a family. The last time it was when Halloween and Election Day got combined. Voting in costume was quite a sight, or “quite a fright” as cousin Dickie said when he saw all those vampires with their plastic fangs and their “I Voted” stickers. With fuel bricks - [On Hold for Fish Heaven](http://www.little2say.org/2019/04/09/on-hold-for-fish-heaven/) - I’ve never been good at putting two and two together, understanding the logic of the next step. When I was a kid, fishing was constantly on my mind. I liked the idea of going fishing and was fascinated by the endless minute variations in the paraphernalia. What I never imagined was catching a fish. - [Senior Momentum](http://www.little2say.org/2019/04/09/senior-momentum-2/) - So deal with my undergarments and pull up my pants. Tuck in my shirt tails and do the button. Fiddle with my belt and I’m done. That’s enough, I’ve lost interest. The zipper can be for another day. by Doug Mathewson - [Not Funny](http://www.little2say.org/2018/09/06/not-funny/) - Not Funny We went to this Chinese restaurant we like. Well, now it’s called a “Pan-Asian Bistro”. Anyway, after we had dinner at the Chinese restaurant I went to use the restroom. I washed may hands, and was going to leave when the door handle came right off in my hand! How was I going - [Saturday Matinee](http://www.little2say.org/2018/09/06/saturday-matinee/) - Saturday Matinee We were sitting elbow deep in the pop-corn darkness, when his deep voice rumbled out; “Luke, I am your father”. I gasped... My sister jumped up and screamed “BULLSHIT!” The manager hustled us both out the side door. Doug Mathewson - [Waiting on Line](http://www.little2say.org/2018/09/06/waiting-on-line/) - Waiting on Line The food truck line was long, and the wait seemed even longer with no shade. It was forty minutes before my turn, and it was the Blood Mobile! Well, seemed silly to leave after such a long wait. If I tell them I feel faint, maybe I’ll get a snack. Doug Mathewson - [Watching the Seasons](http://www.little2say.org/2018/04/22/watching-the-seasons/) - Watching the Seasons Him being more your uncle than mine, you’re close kin and me only poor relations, I thought it best you talk first when he began about his property, leaving a will, what would happen to the land. Imagine you’d be thinking about horses. You aways been talking about them since you were - [Elvie](http://www.little2say.org/2018/04/22/elvie/) - Elive Well, huh.... Well, I’d have to say it was back when we were trying to be rodeo stars, say the second summer of the three. If you wasn’t getting drunk every night and raising hell you’d be looking for something else to do so I started going to these services they got in the - [Check Out](http://www.little2say.org/2017/12/13/check-out/) - He didn’t really cut in front of me at the grocery check out. I was standing a few feet out motioning to my wife that this would be a better lane, and she should come with the cart. It was just weird how he had ducked in front of me when my back was half - [Recent Word Smudges](http://www.little2say.org/2017/12/05/recent-word-smudges/) - High Up Mt. Rainier snow line hooligan crows tumbling high, high, crystal blue skies Doug Mathewson Memory Quiz Looking in the rear view to see what color that light actually was Doug Mathewson Ill Timed Not one parking space Monday after Thanksgiving at the YMCA Doug Mathewson - [Sunday Afternoons](http://www.little2say.org/2017/11/28/sunday-afternoons/) - Long time ago, when I was first back, it was set up that I’d have this studio apartment near the park. Just use the name “Walt Sizemore” they said, and the place was mine. It was up on the third floor and looked out over a ball field. On Sundays, during the good weather, there - [Fender Bender](http://www.little2say.org/2017/09/20/fender-bender/) - Maybe three hundred yards north of the police station, maybe less, there was a car accident. Nobody was hurt but the red car hit the back of the blue car hard enough that the red one now sat in the wrong lane, and the blue one was on somebody’s lawn with it’s trunk stuffed in. - [Take Out](http://www.little2say.org/2017/05/16/take-out/) - Take out While underlining what she especially liked on the take out sushi menu, she laid out what I was to get. Then she underlined the sushi she hated, and other ones that would be poor choices for different reasons so I would know not to get them. Then she went through menu a third - [Tea Time](http://www.little2say.org/2017/05/16/tea-time/) - Tea Time “Don’t put your tea where the cats can get it.” “Oh, they must like the milk.” “Yes, yes they adore having milk.” I agreed but knew it was the caffeine they were after. How else could they tear around the house all night? Doug Mathewson - [The Holidays](http://www.little2say.org/2016/11/16/the-holidays/) - Real short, but all you need. That's the point of Flash fic isn't it? From another era in American life, universal family stuff I guess. NOTE: 4/25/17 this piece is now up online at The Literary End literaryend.blogspot.com What they do is post short fiction accompanied by a photo of someone or somethings butt. I got - [Inky](http://www.little2say.org/2017/04/06/inky/) - This is 50 words right on the button, a format I dearly love. It was recently published (by me) at Blink-Ink www.blink-ink.org So take a look see right here and now. Thanks. Inky After an alarming number of rapid twitchy side to side glances, Isabella spoke. “This is such and Inky story” she nervously whispered, - [The Way Back Home](http://www.little2say.org/2017/03/21/the-way-back-home/) - Here we have another visitation from our dear companion Kitty Wang, everyone's favorite time refugee. A publication in the UK was having an issue on "Foreign Travel", or "Traveling Abroad" or something along those lines. A friend of a friend asked me to write something so I did. At 400 plus words it was declared - [Kitty and Vincent, Sitting in a Tree](http://www.little2say.org/2017/02/24/kitty-and-vincent-sitting-in-a-tree/) - My friend Catfish McDaris asked me to write something about Vincent van Gogh for a book he is publishing in the Netherlands. I didn't think I really had much to say or add on the topic, especially that the book is over 500 pages so far, but Catfish kept after me so I wrote this, - [16th](http://www.little2say.org/2017/02/24/16th/) - We meet at “Lou’s Liquor-n-Lotto” every month on the 16th, which is funny since neither one of us drink. Assistance Checks come in on the 15th, so she is there to make her Grand Father’s bad check good, and I’m there to pick up the walker my Mom was forced to abandoned so she could - [From Wood Lot #1](http://www.little2say.org/2017/02/20/from-wood-lot-1/) - I started another small publication called "Wood Lot". I wanted something with a different feel to it that Blink-Ink or The Mambo Academy of Kitty Wang (which are my two other publications). I hope that Wood Lot will be something with a life much like one of my favorite flash stories "Magic For Beginners" by - [The Captain](http://www.little2say.org/2017/02/20/the-captain/) - After almost nine, well eight really I guess, of editing and publishing Blink-Ink I included one of my stories. Blink-Ink is a quarterly print journal of 50 word fiction. I've put a lot of time and effort into this project and hope the results show that. More info @ www.blink-ink.org where you can find links - [Life So Far](http://www.little2say.org/2017/01/19/life-so-far/) - Life so far two cats and a hot plate. Doug Mathewson - [Traffic](http://www.little2say.org/2016/12/17/traffic/) - I’m second car at the light, the first a police car. The officer fusses with his hair in the rear-view. He fusses, he musses. Slick the sides back and repeat. Playfully he arranges his forelock, and then plucks it forward twice more. No, three times. The light is green, should I blow the horn? Doug - [Missed Connections](http://www.little2say.org/2016/01/06/missed-connections/) - You know those little features in big city newspapers called "Missed Connections"or some such? People are always describing themselves and the other party with whom they would like to connect with in terms of their expensive wardrobe or fashionable location. "You in vintage Gucci, I in limited spring collection Armani at the 92st Y members - [Glow-Bee and Me](http://www.little2say.org/2016/11/16/glow-bee-and-me/) - I was reading a lesser know Phillip K. Dick novel called "Maze of Death" and was inspired to write this. Not by the novel itself but by the table on contents where every chapter has a brief description of what to expect. The descriptions had nothing at all to do with the novel and I - [Coyote, On The Move](http://www.little2say.org/2016/11/30/coyote-on-the-move/) - The good folks at Chicago Literati put this piece of mine up on their site for their magic realism issue. It's a tighter edit (at the suggestion of my friend Catfish McDaris) of something I wrote a few months back called "Passing Through". Thanks, much appreciated to all. Chicago Literati November 30, 2016 Current Issue, - [Wilhelm's Job](http://www.little2say.org/2014/11/11/wilhelms-job/) - Since Wilhelm was the oldest, his job was wiping snot from Grandfather’s great walrus like mustache. Wilhelm often waited until long drooping strands were dangling off Grandfathers chin. Grandfather did not care for Wilhelm. Wilhelm did not care for Grandfather. Gretchen, the youngest, just knew in her heart she’d knife the old man before she’d - [Getting Out The Vote](http://www.little2say.org/2016/11/16/getting-out-the-vote/) - I wrote this pre-election Nov. 2016 when I and much of the country was in a lighter mood. The inspiration for this story comes from a story by Amanda Marbais called "Colossal". It's published in "Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet" issue #34. The story is brilliant and involves a giant squid named Gerald who is dealing - [Emily and Frida](http://www.little2say.org/2016/11/16/emily-and-frida/) - We are very fortunate to have a pair of young kitten sisters in our house. We adopted then in early Oct. of 2016 when they were about five moths old. They are petite tuxedo cats and bring us great joy and companionship. They are named for Canadian painter Emily Carr, and Frida You-know-who. Meow-Let’s-Go-Anarchy Watching - [Passing Through](http://www.little2say.org/2016/02/05/passing-through/) - The bullet holes in her pack and the shoulder of her jacket told a story I didn’t want to know. Her being so hungry, ravenous you could say, and having dirty hands and matted down hair you could see she’d been living rough. Had more hair about the face than most women, starting out light - [Oblivious](http://www.little2say.org/2016/02/05/oblivious/) - The older women give him the evil eye. He’s draped open mouthed over the most desirable machine in the gym. It has been twenty minutes. Unmoving he stares into space. Many now wish to use the machine, finish their work out, and go home. Men, in various states of awareness, ignore all this. His upper - [Personality Test](http://www.little2say.org/2016/02/05/personality-test/) - In Sunday’s newspaper there was a test or a quiz. It asked as if it were a bad thing) if you had become your father or someone else. There were several answers to choose from, but I do not remember what they were. Never became my father, just look like him. What I became was - [Denention With Happy Little Trees](http://www.little2say.org/2016/01/18/denention-with-happy-little-trees/) - “What do you do in art class detention? Do you have to wash out paint brushes, or sharpen pencils, or what?” “No, we do those things anyway. It’s like a study hall, only really horrible.” “So you just sit, or do you have to write the names of the Dutch masters five hundred times or - [Skill Sets ](http://www.little2say.org/2016/01/09/skill-sets/) - Juan Carlos didn’t grow up around here. He’s from Guatemala so he knows a lot of stuff we don’t. Stuff like how to keep a nectarine peel in one piece, turn it inside out and make a little nativity creche to hang on the tree. With a Sharpie he made a simple version of the - [Bus Station](http://www.little2say.org/2016/01/06/bus-station/) - The TV commercial confused me. There were young beautiful people in fluid choreographed motion. Their dancing was perfectly timed, and eyes always connected with the camera. While in motion they unzipping pockets on themselves and each other. Cooley smiling goofy smiles, flirty smiles, knowing smiles so confident, and like magic personal electronic devises popped from - [Fall Colors](http://www.little2say.org/2015/10/23/fall-colors/) - Coming up from behind it wasn’t until the car was close that I noticed the figure walking ahead was wearing a saffron robe. A muted curry color that stood out from the fall foliage more by shape than color. A few miles away is a Buddhist retreat center so he wasn’t entirely out of place - [50 Caliber](http://www.little2say.org/2015/08/13/50-caliber/) - “Have you ever seen a 50 caliber bullet?” he asked. “I don’t think so” I replied. “Here, hold it. Feel the energy inside” he said. Heavy in my hand all I felt was death. Doug Mathewson - [“Bad Dux, Bad Dux, What You Gonna Do”](http://www.little2say.org/2015/08/13/bad-dux-bad-dux-what-you-gonna-do/) - My job was doing a book cover, and the storyline was about duck street gangs. The editor said it was an important and very significant part of the story that the gang ducks “bumped beaks” when the greeted each other and should be prominent in the illustration. These were not to be messed with ducks, - [Meyer's](http://www.little2say.org/2015/08/13/meyers/) - There never seemed to be a real reason why I did’t go to Meyer’s very often. The place was friendly enough, the coffee okay, and the bagels were mostly decent though the selection was limited. It was off a road near the beach so traffic is a pain in the summer. The only other business - ["We Are All Water" - Yoko Ono](http://www.little2say.org/2015/06/17/we-are-all-water-yoko-ono/) - The Army of Morning Dew-Drops has a tradition Of concealing midnight tear survivors Hiding them scattered through the ranks Tears quietly referred to only as “Salty Cadets” Rank upon rank, and row upon row Every drop glistens and gleams as the garrison musters for dawn The Generalissimo turns a saline blind eye - [Birthday at Five](http://www.little2say.org/2015/06/17/birthday-at-five/) - My wife and I took our grandson to another five year old’s birthday party. Our main job was to say “Hello, thank you” and “Goodbye, thank you”. For this we would each be paid a piece of cake. Also we would be our grandson’s on call adults if needed (which we were not). Our hosts - [Yogi's Cat](http://www.little2say.org/2015/05/12/yogis-cat/) - She was a terrible waitress and we didn’t care. In her charming shy English she and my wife were discussing the history of immunization and plague, while her cousins covered for her. She was a doctoral student specializing in possible future pandemics. Since relatives were putting her up for the semester while she worked at - [Lend a Hand ](http://www.little2say.org/2015/05/12/lend-a-hand/) - Depending on the season Gus-Boy worked construction or fixing cars. Place he bent wrenches fixed up donated cars and gave ‘em away. Just old cars to get you to work or for folks with kids who lived out in the hills, Painted his name on the trunk of everyone so if he or a friend - [Qui etes-vous](http://www.little2say.org/2015/02/02/qui-etes-vous/) - Emily said, “I am nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too? .... I am not Charlie’ nor The Prophet’s son. Just a friend of Emily’s, and that is quite enough. by Doug Mathewson - [Modern Medicine](http://www.little2say.org/2014/11/11/modern-medicine/) - The new vet diagnosed our old cat’s as being hyper-thyroid, and prescribed a medicated cream to be applied twice daily. The cream comes in felt tipped applicators. Two twist of the base puts the proper dosage on the tip, and you gently rub it inside the cat’s ears. This beats trying to get a pill - [Schools and Government Offices will be closed.](http://www.little2say.org/2014/11/11/schools-and-government-offices-will-be-closed/) - Hangings have always been good for business. The She-Scouts made little nooses to sell. The He-Scouts will roast sausages stuck on sticks. Tomorrow they’ll string up the guy who slipped all those nasty annoying little spinning pinwheels into Apple computers. The turnout should be huge. . . Doug Mathewson - [November 3rd](http://www.little2say.org/2014/11/11/november-3rd/) - I bought a ice cream sandwich and a lottery ticket at the gas station on my way to vote so it wouldn’t be wasted trip. doug mathewson - [Montreal](http://www.little2say.org/2014/09/30/montreal/) - Yellow hybrid Prius taxi cab. Windows open airport to hotel Grand Prix. Tall Nigerian driver shouting French. Shooting his hands left and right pointing out bars, restaurants, clubs, and galleries. Places where an uncle or a cousin works. He promises me special treatment, special prices. “The common, the ordinary, these are not for you.” he - [Perfect Pups & Chat Anormal](http://www.little2say.org/2014/09/30/perfect-pups-chat-anormal/) - “Being a veterinarian in Montreal must have been fascinating. Are you bilingual? How did you handle the language thing? “I had only recently graduated, and while the pay wasn’t what I hoped for I did enjoy living in the city very much. Language never was a problem. I spoke French to cats and English to - [Musee' d'Art Contemporain](http://www.little2say.org/2014/09/30/musee-dart-contemporain/) - The new museum of art building is so dramatic. A four story wave of glass cresting the highest hill. One hundred years of the best in contemporary art. Every inch unique, no detail remains mundane. Even the swirling form of asymmetrical urinals. (Lefties best use a stall). - [Strapped for Cash](http://www.little2say.org/2014/09/30/strapped-for-cash/) - So was talking with the neighbor, about cash being short. Says at the Fire House they pass the boot. Just stand out in traffic and people drop in cash! Well, I tried it, but got to tell you, Pass the flip-flop doesn’t work for shit. - [leave a message...... ](http://www.little2say.org/2014/06/11/leave-a-message/) - This story has recently appeared at Jersey Devil press .... leave a message Hello, .... hey it’s me! I’m calling you from Heaven. Can you believe it? This is the last place I’d even imagine ending up! So I only get one phone call, like jail I guess, and wanted to say thanks and goodbye - [Analogue Camero](http://www.little2say.org/2014/06/11/analogue-camero/) - This story appears courtesy of "the Mambo Academy of Kitty Wang" Analogue Cameo I still have that picture. The one of you from that summer, from the five minutes before you were famous. That summer you wore your hair near vertical with a trailer-park twist and I was still in my arsonist phase. You said - [sleeves](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/26/sleeves/) - put on my black hoodie sleeves were turned up from when you wore it. made me smile all day. - [afternoon ](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/26/afternoon/) - neighbor goes by big pickup truck dog out window Credence playing loud - [come spring](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/15/come-spring/) - our two old cats in spring start their day black furred. roll and squirm and wiggle outside in the sunny yard. by afternoon they are covered in dusty pollen. green as moon cheese. - [Cavalucci](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/04/cavalucci/) - Amanda Demanda droned on with an escalating edge. Stacking his short comings and infractions one atop another. As her tower soared, so did his imagination. He wanted to be somewhere else. No, that wasn’t enough. He wanted to be something else. An Italian pastry, with a cute name, beloved by all. by-Doug Mathewson - [News from the world of indie publication](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/04/news-from-the-world-of-indie-publication/) - For the last four years or so I have been running a small quarterly lit mag named Blink-Ink. It is fifty word fiction with some photography. It is fun and exciting but I wanted to try something new. This week we will be mailing a broadsheet called "The Mambo Academy of Kitty Wang". Kitty has - [Table Top ](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/04/table-top/) - “Larry, hey how are you? How’s the wedding planning going?” “Okay. No, better than okay, things are great, and it’s a lot more fun than I thought. Laura wants everything to be for us, they way we want and not traditional at all. She’s funny though, Laur took me to Gleason’s Department store downtown so - [Six Words](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/01/six-words/) - Smith Magazine in NYC publishes six word fiction. Their most recent prompt was "Prom Night" Big night, rented tux, no clue. - [A Good Day](http://www.little2say.org/2014/05/01/a-good-day/) - Yesterday was a good day. Around the corner from our house the local keeping society has restored a complete working far from about 1830. They were having a tag and bake sale. My wife and I went early, just to show support. Rain kept most people away. Attendance was poor among both sellers and buyers. - [Wild Card](http://www.little2say.org/2014/03/16/wild-card/) - It was my turn to clean up. Everyone was so tense with the International stand-off and all, so I was mopping under the launch control panel while the others were on break. The special key was already inserted next to red switches, and I thought, “Oh hell, why not.” by-Doug Mathewson - [Senior Momentum](http://www.little2say.org/2014/03/16/senior-momentum/) - So deal with my undergarments and pull up my pants. Tuck in my shirt tails and do the button. Fiddle with my belt and I’m done. That’s enough, I’ve lost interest. The zipper can be for another day. by Doug Mathewson - [Flu Season](http://www.little2say.org/2014/03/16/flu-season-2/) - Used to be only Doctors gave out flu shots. Then couple of years back pharmacies joined in. How seems you can go most anyplace to be inoculated. A waitress gave my wife hers while she and the kids waited for pizza. I got mine at the car wash. The girl who gave me the shot - [The Slugger](http://www.little2say.org/2014/03/16/the-slugger-2/) - He was a private person. He liked to whistle, and told strange jokes. Quiet by nature, he was painfully shy. Just worked hard and kept to himself People said that he looked like baseball great “Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio”. Poor dad was so embarrassed when The Slugger married Marilyn Monroe. - [Isaac's Undies](http://www.little2say.org/2014/03/16/isaacs-undies/) - You said your mom was really letting herself go, and had put on a lot of weight. With sneer of distain you added she was now wearing “foundation garments”. I thought of Asimov and didn’t see what was so bad. by-Doug Mathewson - [Economy of Scale](http://www.little2say.org/2014/03/16/economy-of-scale/) - My watch stuttered for a week and it didn’t seem like a battery. The watch repair man said it was solar, just leave it on the car dash for a day. “No charge”, he said. To return the favor I bought a pair of antique cuff-links from him. They are Roman lion heads in gold. - [Blink Ink 2013 Pushcart Nominations](http://www.little2say.org/2013/11/24/blink-ink-2013-pushcart-nominations/) - Blink Ink and Full of Crow Press and Distribution are proud to announce our 2013 Pushcart Award Nominations. “Foreign” by Sharon Coleman “French Exam” by Brad Rose “The First Snow” by Samantha Sigler Thanks to everyone who helped Blink Ink this past year. We have many new and wondrous things coming up for 2014 Our - [People Smart ](http://www.little2say.org/2013/11/19/people-smart-2/) - Finally! Kitty thought. Finally, finally, finally! Something that works for a change. Since arriving in Brooklyn after a tour of duty, well most of tour of duty, with the Jamaican Space Navy, Kitty hadn’t had much luck. She just couldn’t seem to catch a trendy trend at the right time to make a few bucks. - [Daydreams](http://www.little2say.org/2013/11/18/daydreams/) - When in my fantasies, my ongoing daydreams of imagined worlds consumed with my inner dramas, did I stop being the hero, and become the victim! That's not how it should go. Not at all. - [Blink-Ink Update](http://www.little2say.org/2013/11/15/blink-ink-update/) - News from the front.... As some folks know, and some folks don't, I run a small print journal of 50 word fiction. it is called Blink-Ink and is produced with help from Full of Crow Press and Distribution. Full of Crow is where I hang my hat so to speak. After months of techno problems - [Flu Season](http://www.little2say.org/2013/10/22/flu-season/) - Used to be only Doctors gave out flu shots. Then couple of years back pharmacies joined in. How seems you can go most anyplace to be inoculated. A waitress gave my wife hers while she and the kids waited for pizza. I got mine at the car wash. The girl who gave me the shot - [The Slugger](http://www.little2say.org/2013/10/22/the-slugger/) - He was a private person. He liked to whistle, and told strange jokes. Quiet by nature, he was painfully shy. Just worked hard and kept to himself People said that he looked like baseball great “Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio”. Poor dad was so embarrassed when The Slugger married Marilyn Monroe. - [Saddle Up](http://www.little2say.org/2013/09/24/saddle-up/) - Saddle up Yosemite 1995 At The "Western Experience" Base camp we were quickly sorted into groups for a day of trail riding. Our daughter and her teens and tweens sisters tore out of camp literally in a cloud of dust like an old TV posse riding hard in pursuit of imagined desperadoes. In contrast our - [Big Three](http://www.little2say.org/2013/09/24/big-three/) - The guy ahead of me in line switches to another line that's longer rather than order his Mega-Burger from a woman wearing a head scarf. His new line is slower too since the senior running the register laments to each customer that he is seventy two years old and can not afford to retire. Ethnic - [Fiction Piece Rejected By Penny Dreadful For Their Thirteen Word Fiction Contest.](http://www.little2say.org/2013/09/15/fiction-piece-rejected-by-penny-dreadful-for-their-thirteen-word-fiction-contest/) - Honestly, training your monkey to crap in an alabaster urn is hardly Bohemian. by-Doug Mathewson - [Some DJ](http://www.little2say.org/2013/09/15/some-dj/) - At the New York wedding, laughing wildly, arms in the air, my wife of 37 years and I danced hard and fast to manufactured diva hits. Jeweled disco lights sweep the crowd. The tornado of music spun faster One a.m. and dancing to Britney fucking Spears. Now that’s some DJ! by-Doug Mathewson - [Rope Burn ](http://www.little2say.org/2013/07/23/rope-burn/) - Thursday or so the Dallas Daily Dollar ran a story about music legend Quincy Jones turning ninety years of age. Over breakfast that day at the Silver Spurs Retirement Ranch Lasso Larry Lariat just about choked on his buckwheat mush when he read the quote. “Sex at my age is like trying to play pool - [Man From Mars ](http://www.little2say.org/2013/05/26/man-from-mars/) - Saturday I dropped a jar of pickles in the Dollar Store. (Breakage in isle whatever). High School girl at the register was very nice about it, (She smiled and told me old people drop shit all the time). To make up for the mess I bought three jars Quickly summoned a young lout carried them - [Unravel](http://www.little2say.org/2013/05/12/unravel/) - Back home, back where we came from originally, the work for “trouble” has both a masculine and feminine form. The literal translation would probably be “unravel”, but trouble is what it means. These days the masculine is for big problems, and the feminine for smaller ones. Back then it was to distinguish between the troubles - [Dear Acme Co.,](http://www.little2say.org/2013/04/20/dear-acme-co/) - Dear Acme Co., Please find enclosed my exchange/upgrade form (26-B), and FedEx shipping receipt. As you can see I have been a loyal customer for some considerable time. Having my own 3-D fabric printer-tailor unit has eliminated any need on my part for buying new clothes. Your “Fashion in a Flash (For Him!)” program has - [Blue Aunties ](http://www.little2say.org/2013/03/28/blue-aunties/) - There were troubles enough in Kitty Wang’s life without her nephew Walter mooning around with a broken heart. Kitty had been making the best of things since her unexpected arrival on this backwards planet. She suffered from Chronos Syndrome, or “Billy Pilgrim’s Decease” as it is known. Kitty just becomes unstuck in time and can - [The American Dream with Desert 2008 ](http://www.little2say.org/2013/03/07/the-american-dream-with-desert-2008/) - How we communicate our thoughts and our opinions to each other daily maters. Lately, as I make my rounds here and there throughout our small city I have become annoyed with a new phrase in contemporary American conversation. A phrase previously unknown in our nation’s dialogue. Now it seems when a person, a white person, - [uppauassunclesam (working title)](http://www.little2say.org/2013/03/06/uppauassunclesam-working-title-2/) - Social Security office, poor kid behind the desk explains that for full benefits I should work till age 92. Work till I’m dead and not collect a dime? I don’t think so, can’t see the point. Count on me till my double Jesus year, and not so much as minute longer. Up yours, Uncle Sam. - [A Jersey Story (draft copy)](http://www.little2say.org/2012/12/28/a-jersey-story/) - Joanie DiMartino and Annmarie Lockhart are working on an anthology the sale of which will raise funds for victims of Hurricane Sandy that caused such devastation along the southern New Jersey sea coast. This story has been written in hopes of inclusion in their book due out in late 2013. A Jersey Story I told - [Family Album](http://www.little2say.org/2013/01/19/family-album/) - We never had a family album, it wasn’t our style. No photos of picnics or birthdays, no graduations, Easter Bonnets or Christmas Mornings. We had a family envelope. That’s how we were I guess. Our envelope was tattered and old filled mostly with out dated papers and useless receipts. Hardly any pictures or clippings. When - [The ER Again ](http://www.little2say.org/2012/12/02/the-er-again/) - Waiting Room TV always on Celebrity Chefs bask in their glory The gay one with the under-sized trendy hat Laughs uproariously at anything The fat one in the over-sized floral shirt says Now that’s what I call entertainment! by-Doug Mathewson - [Greenpoint](http://www.little2say.org/2012/08/06/greenpoint/) - On the bus to New York she made a dozen lists, and changed each one a dozen times. On the plane to New York he made dozen lists, and changed each one a dozen times. Always first on her list was a knife. A good sharp knife and she'd use it too if that bastard - [Monet's Kangaroo](http://www.little2say.org/2012/07/24/monets-kangaroo/) - I was specifically told to buy wine and even more specifically to “pick something people will actually like”. I buy wine based on the label. If it has nice artwork, it must taste good. I chanced into my friend Maurice in town. He was back from Jamaica. Another hurricane had taken the roof off his - [A Pinata Poem, Beast Crawl 2012 Oakland Ca](http://www.little2say.org/2012/07/10/a-pinata-poem-beast-crawl-2012-oakland-ca/) - My rock caught him above the eye. He called me a “ little fucker”, said he'd kill me. I screamed back, “ catch me first asshole,” Then he threw a rock, hard and fast, almost got me! Not bad, so far new Priest seems okay. - [Baiting The Hipster](http://www.little2say.org/2012/07/10/baiting-the-hipster/) - Her trap was set with stammering wide-eyed praise, she called him the “rarest of all God's creatures”. Imagine, .. a gay man with shit for fashion sense. How ironic.... - [Tattoozled ](http://www.little2say.org/2012/06/29/tattoozled/) - Daggers and skulls make him a man. Rose thorns and angels wings (she’s so hot!). I’ll get a light bulb top of my bald head, and hope it makes me brighter. - [Medical Update](http://www.little2say.org/2012/06/28/medical-update/) - To cure a ganglion, folk medicine tells us, hit it hard with your Bible. Really whack it! Try that with a Kindle. - [Summer Satisfaction](http://www.little2say.org/2012/06/27/summer-satisfaction/) - workday morning late again old convertible my summer ride radio loud, muffler louder sets off the boss’s car alarm - [Paurl On His Side ](http://www.little2say.org/2012/03/09/paurl-on-his-side/) - Paurl On His Side Snow begun to swirl, just getting to be dark. Cut enough wood for one day, my brother Paurl and me. Been cutting along the ridge that divides the old farm in two. His hundred acres on the back side of the ridge and my hundred in front. He took the truck - [Our Tomten and the Fox](http://www.little2say.org/2012/02/26/our-tomten-and-the-fox/) - Here is a photograph of my Great Grandfather, Albin Scarlsborugh. That wasn’t his real name, it was just what my Great Grandmother Alma told him to tell people who got nosey. This picture was taken (by me) on his 90th birthday. You can see my shadow in the foreground. I was about seventeen and though - [breathless](http://www.little2say.org/2012/01/02/breathless/) - you exhale long and I, in your arms inhale deeply of oxygen depleted exhalation and get so dizzy lying close. by-doug mathewson. for my wife with love. - [Coracle](http://www.little2say.org/2011/12/04/coracle/) - My workaday internal journey is long. In my seven to seven (do you remember nine to five?) I travel by tiny coracle from my right ear to my left. First I must shrink down from the towering size I imagine myself to be to the ever diminishing sub-atomic particle size the world perceives me as. - [Three Days Journey](http://www.little2say.org/2011/11/19/three-days-journey/) - My great grandfather told me “You need to travel for three whole days before you come to someplace else.” His idea of adventure was to ride a plow horse through Sweden’s western farm lands circa 1880. This morning I left my fortified suburban enclave and traveled thousands of miles in just hours. Nothing changed - - [Baxter Bunny](http://www.little2say.org/2011/11/10/baxter-bunny/) - Baxter Bunny was thoroughly pissed-off. Indignantly he grumbled, “Moved all the way out here, went in hock for an ear job. Worked my tail off year after year, and for what? The goddamned runaround! “I’ve had it” he complained, “with this town and this whole stupid industry! Fuck cartoons.!” - [Occupation](http://www.little2say.org/2011/11/10/occupation/) - Let's plan to occupy the executive washroom. I’ll bring a cooler and my George Foreman grill. Blue collar, pink collar, flea collar, no collar. Free chicken and beer! Wear a suit and act like a dick? Sorry, none for you. Hack the PA system and we’ll all sing cowpoke songs. The Scouts, both boy and - [Island Vibe](http://www.little2say.org/2011/10/12/island-vibe/) - Working in the kitchen, “Ragamuffin Roots Restaurant” Radio Reggae lyrics knock me out. Singer throws down rhymes; “In Buckingham palace, we’re burning the chalice with out any malice.” What nonsense. And all I can can do is keep deep-fat fryin’ for the Lion of Zion. by-Doug Mathewson - [Riverdale](http://www.little2say.org/2011/10/04/riverdale/) - Things have changed over the years in Riverdale. You’d have to say they changed only to become more the same if you know what I mean. Pop’s Malt Shop is gone. That whole block is. Walmarts’ there now. Archie works there, Moose too (but I didn’t see him). Archie’s folks passed on years ago but - [Amherst Massachusetts](http://www.little2say.org/2011/09/15/amherst-massachusetts/) - From my kingdom I have a perfect view of Emily Dickinson’s house. My kingdom is five feet long and chained to a mysteriously green pipe with brass fittings. On one end is “The Lone Wolf Cafe.” Five feet away at the other end is “The Black Sheep Bakery.” Either end smells delicious, mid-bench the irony - [Button](http://www.little2say.org/2011/09/14/button/) - Issue #16 of "Button" has just arrived courtesy of editor/publisher Sally Cragin. The format is bigger, which is too bad, but the content remains odd and interesting. The issues theme is communication and it has a lot of vintage telephone stories. Well worth the $6.00 for three issues. Send her three forever stamps with your - [Education ](http://www.little2say.org/2011/08/18/ed-u-kate/) - The Valium prescribed teacher, gazes hazily at the Ritalin addled class. Asleep the principal dreams of retirement. Cafeteria ladies nip peppermint schnapps behind the dumpster. The only janitor is on the nod, unconscious now in his mop closet. Education is frozen in time as the drool of generations mingles. Is the early bus late, or - [](http://www.little2say.org/2011/07/28/480/) - Notes from the front...... So where has this guy been??? Well honestly I have been right here but so busy with other things. I have not been writing as much and have become more involved in other projects. Full of Crow Press and Distribution has become my on-line home. I have been working with some - [Indie Press](http://www.little2say.org/2011/07/28/indie-press-5x5/) - Bertie started a poetry zine. He called it “Pleasant Tymes”. Only four submissions trickled in. Would a name change help? “Trans-sexual Infection” went mega! This is written in an interesting format. Five Sentences of five words each.The publisher also insisted on a five word biography. by-Doug Mathewson - [After School Special](http://www.little2say.org/2011/07/28/after-school-special/) - Even at nineteen, Bavie knew “broken hearts” were just for kids. Softly humming as she burns her cloths from last night, flicking her light blade hand-to-hand. Then, with a harsh sudden snicker, she whispers too loud, “Who cares where it all splatters!” by-Doug Mathewson - [Planet Betty, The New World](http://www.little2say.org/2011/02/22/planet-betty-the-new-world/) - Things were already bad. Really bad, I mean even before the “Big-Mig” as the last migration was called. People just splintered down into tinier and tinier little units. Most folks just living alone with only their phones. They might have a like minded little electric friend or two, but that was it. No more face - [Hoilday Breather](http://www.little2say.org/2010/12/21/hoilday-breather/) - Holiday Breather This weekend we were out and about on our holiday rounds. A discount matinee would be perfect. Nothing to heavy in a movie mind you, just a romantic comedy. The film might have been a little light-weight but it had a strong cast and my wife and I weren’t looking for the sub-titled - [Smith Magazine Six Words On Hope And Six Words On Despair](http://www.little2say.org/2010/08/12/smith-magazine-six-words-on-hope-and-six-words-on-despair/) - Smith Magazine is a very cool NYC based publication and performance group who work exclusively in six word fiction. I have been fortunate enough to have written for them in the past about my experiences and impressions of life in New York City. Recently they requested material on the topics of Hope and also on - [Sign Of The Times](http://www.little2say.org/2010/08/03/sign-of-the-times/) - The cats and I were up before dawn, one of us had to pee, the other three were desperately hungry. Surrounded by a volatile ocean of meows and lashing tails we set off to the kitchen, there to seek out a can of “Tuna Surprise” The poor Mr. Tuna must have been surprised, finding himself - [Smartest Man On Earth](http://www.little2say.org/2010/06/09/smartest-man-on-earth/) - Uncle Art was the smartest man on the planet for sure. He proved it everyday just being wrong. That may sound crazy, but know what? It worked out right. Three seasons he traveled from Maine to Miami and back, working his act on seaside boardwalks. Winters he and Aunt Vera relaxed in their little trailer - [Sorry About Your Poem](http://www.little2say.org/2010/06/29/sorry-about-your-poem/) - I’m sorry I did not understand your poem. Really so incredibly sorry. You held it up to show that it was printed in a shape. You were very excited and so was I. I hadn’t really caught the title, but you were so happy, I let it go. I’m sorry I did not understand your - [ click-clack](http://www.little2say.org/2010/05/11/vigilant-short-vigilant-long/) - Night skies seen on razors edge, a dubious godly gift. Perfect vision astronomic distances so clear. Sightless in close mangrove swamps, Other focus monsoon blur. Semaphore crabs never shunted. Information passed each day. marauding marabou mouths -beware-click-clack-beware. wicked waders watching -beware-click-clack-beware. sudden beak-death near upon us -silent-cautions-click-clack-stillness now. rest now -click-clack- rest now-unaware. Cadet Waxwing - [Gert's Dilemma](http://www.little2say.org/2010/06/16/gerts-dilemma/) - Gert Grundy had about all she could take of her niece Cassidy Cheyenne and her god damn holier than thou attitude, tossing down a “Two much information” penalty flag with an extra huge box-car load of heavy mascara eye rolling. Who the heck was she, with her chopped and cropped Motley Crue top and her - [Frogz](http://www.little2say.org/2010/05/26/frogz/) - About this time of year I move our fish from their inside tank winter camp to their summer home, our outdoor pond. Frogs soon arrive just like hobos from years ago, riding the rails to easier living. They move in with bold ker-plunks and settle for the season. I never really noticed the frogs that - [The Tragic Tweet ](http://www.little2say.org/2010/05/02/the-tragic-tweet/) - Out the door too fast, only just caught BBC World Service by the edge. Presenter Catherine Campbell-Collins (her accent so crisp and clipped it hurt), briskly dispatched the days first headlines. “Twister leaves twelve dead in Oklahoma, more to follow.” My somewhat inattentive and dyslexic self thought she said “Twitter.” On the train I sadly - [Bread Knife](http://www.little2say.org/2010/02/07/bread-knife/) - Our bread knife had been missing for better than a month. Ikea had one with an asymmetrical wood and stainless handle that appealed to my inner Swede for only seven dollars. Where the original bread knife had gotten to was beyond my imagination, and below my cut-off for concern. Time passed, bagels were sliced and - [Babbage's Messaging Engine And Problems Arising From It's Use](http://www.little2say.org/2010/03/18/babbages-messaging-engine-and-problems-arising-from-its-use/) - My Dearest Lady Astrid, I find myself most distraught by your message of yester evening; could it have indeed been your intent to click “send”? This recent missive has my heart racing two fold, in anticipation of your intimate embrace of a certainty as well in fear of reprisal at the hands of your exceptionally - [The Neighborhood](http://www.little2say.org/2010/03/18/the-neighborhood/) - Detective Sergeant “Palone” Ortiz bristled with a dark and quiet anger at this latest indignity, this new injustice. Juannie Rodriquez was a little crazy sure, but they had been partners working street crimes for three years with no problems up to him being placed on suspension last week for shooting an asshole who deserved it - [Gran's Car](http://www.little2say.org/2010/03/15/grans-car/) - Gran’s blue car was never out in a storm. It hardly ever got wet. Church and doctors. Fridays the market. That’s all. Till a year to the day after Grampa died, and she drove it off a cliff. By-Doug Mathewson - [Fast Lane](http://www.little2say.org/2010/03/01/fast-lane/) - Arizona Highway, Ford Crown Vic coming up fast. Hair just flying out the window! Woman’s got a heavy foot. Passed me better than a hundred, Oh, ..... it’s the Tribal Police. Like many of my stories this is accurate and true with only the exceptions being the parts that are pretend. My sister had taken - [Analysis log](http://www.little2say.org/2010/02/07/analysis-log/) - re: “WHAT’S NEW FROM URBAN OUTFITTERS” -an informative note from Lolita and her disturbing friend Twink- re: “INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME “ -they must know something great about my future- re: “ON-LINE PHARMACY VIAGRA FOR LESS” -they must know something terrible about my future- re: “FREE SHIPPING VICTORIA’S SECRET” -completely disingenuous, how much can - [Art with a Heart](http://www.little2say.org/2009/11/11/art-with-a-heart/) - Dateline Hollywood : Hollywood ’s A, B, and C lists turned out last night for a gala fund raiser coinciding with the release of the Mira-Maxx’s production “King Kong VII”. Many original works of art were donated to benefit Hollywood ’s “Home for The Visually Unpleasant Program”. Unquestionable the largest piece was an amazing work - [Station To Station](http://www.little2say.org/2009/12/04/station-to-station/) - On the sidewalk, by the pay-phone, someone dropped a thousand peso Golden Garcia and I used it to call you. That must have been enough. Connecting me and Mexico City with you and Oklahoma City, but there was only your machine. You visit your Mother on Sundays, since she got sick. I felt so foolish - [Speak Spinoza, Speak!](http://www.little2say.org/2009/11/14/speak-spinoza-speak/) - Marilyn; Your endlessly repetitive inquiries if I would be “ok” were so insistent and relentless I was unable to respond. As the kids might well say, “No, I am not good with that.” You going off on some so called “business trip” with your friend “Michael” (who as far as I can tell doesn’t have - [Twenty One Guns](http://www.little2say.org/2009/10/17/twenty-one-guns/) - That Army bus was a small one, just enough room for the eight of us and our gear. It was hotter than the Devil’s own oven in the summer, freezing in the winter, and leaked both spring and fall. I lived inside that olive drab shell for better than two full years with the rest - [High Tops](http://www.little2say.org/2009/10/09/high-tops/) - Ticket thirty-three and I waited while lower numbers were called out. Since the kitchen just announced twenty-one, I knew my basil udon noodles were still distant. Just like that it seemed; I was day dreaming about tigers and if they spoke like us what would their voices be like? Would they have Indian accents or - [Alien Cave Woman Sex ](http://www.little2say.org/2009/10/01/frustrating-phrases/) - On the train looking through an independent literary journal I read a poem that made no sense to me at all. It was mostly about watching TV in the desert (I think). The train groaned and swayed along and my eyes were suddenly caught by the line “Alien Cave Woman Sex.“ Absolutely no image came - [Table For One](http://www.little2say.org/2009/10/01/table-for-one/) - A table for one is just no fun. Traveling on business you learn. Tired of hotel restaurant’s snappy themes: * Pumpernickel Pub * Captain Flapjack's Galley * Blarney Stone Buffet Break the cycle I said to myself! Go to the nearby “Hard Rock Cafe.” Have pizza with Elvis and Elton, (Little Betty Boop won’t eat - [Reprieve](http://www.little2say.org/2009/09/27/reprieve/) - Unexpected early dismissal from jury duty left me on my own midday midweek midtown used book store cafe near the court tantalized me in juror parking was free so I still had ten bucks clerk with race-car tattoos and vertical hair took my six of my dollars for a poetry book and a scone scone - [Along For The Ride](http://www.little2say.org/2009/09/24/along-for-the-ride/) - When Mom or Dad drove; he played cowboys and hot-wheels in the big back seat At grown-up parties they would leave him to sleep back there (He pretended to sleep afterwards when they fought) Never needed his license; just rode in back and went with friends. Married young he took the back seat to her. - [Who Has Time](http://www.little2say.org/2009/06/23/who-has-time/) - Agitated and percolating with impatience I waited as he rang-up my dollar books one by one. “Why can’t he just multiply” I fumed. Placing my receipt and complimentary book-mark in the top volume, he shook his head and conversationally added, “short stories, now who has time for those?: by-Doug Mathewson - [Smoothie City ](http://www.little2say.org/2009/09/05/blender-city/) - Blenders run day and night here at “Smoothie City.” Something’s gone way wrong with the electric down our end (“the bad end”) of the mall. Just one toggle of a blender’s switch and the mall’s crappy PA muzak speakers snarl and howl in creature-feature demonic possessed agony! Sometimes that’s ok, like “All Punk, All Ages, - [Empty Threat](http://www.little2say.org/2009/07/16/empty-threat/) - “Wait till your father gets home! Just you wait!” Mrs. Gandhi was so angry with her eldest son she could hardly speak. Her voice skipped up two octaves up and with eyes flashing she continued. “Smoking cigarettes in the train station all day and not going to school! Have you no respect! Have you no - [Woman's Way](http://www.little2say.org/2009/07/10/womans-way/) - Not a woman’s way, not like that. My deer rife, and her half-pint. Both still on seat. Way out there by herself. Pills you’d figure or a blade in the tub. But not like this. First shot you’d think would’ve spooked her. Her being alone and taking out the back window like it did. Must - [Very short fiction.](http://www.little2say.org/2009/05/31/very-short-fiction/) - Call it Blink Fic, or as I perfer call it a "Smudge", but I am becoming very interested in very short fiction. This is 50 words including the title. We Could Have Been In Mexico. That would seem right. And there were these two sided matchboxes painted red. Open one side, a Saint, open the - [Sieve Analysis](http://www.little2say.org/2009/07/05/sieve-analysis/) - Deep within the Mall’s Barnes & Noble Box, in the corner dubbed Starbuck’s, panning through the droning monologue you think is conversation, I caught your phrase “could never sleep with him, not with teeth like those.” By the time I could conjure up a vampire joke, our conversation has moved on. by-Doug Mathewson - [Karaoke in 50 Words ](http://www.little2say.org/2009/06/21/karaoke-in-50-words/) - Your sister and her friends were so drunk and loud, we were all told to leave the Karaoke bar. Adamantly you insisting on doing a song before we left, and sang “What’s New Pussy Cat” from the small and shabby stage. You were horrible, and I never loved you more. by-Doug Mathewson - [Blink Fiction](http://www.little2say.org/2009/06/02/blink-fiction/) - Still obligated to the label, even after the millions I made them fronting famous glam band “The Pillow Shams’, they’d have me do children’s verse! A tale of little Ronkonkoma, the bandicoot with a difference. They pictured reversed stripes,.... the injustice of racism. Fuck it. I’ll just make him gay. by- Doug Mathewson - [Retina Refraction](http://www.little2say.org/2009/04/30/retina-refraction/) - my one eye half open notices your door half open framing you in back-lit silhouette I smile and return to sleep your image now burned in the silver solution of my memory plate for ever and a day by-Doug Mathewson - [In Seidel's Eye](http://www.little2say.org/2009/04/20/in-seidels-eye/) - you protest it is ludicrous, being our age after so many years together that I find you intensely alluring utterly fascinating and so passionately desirable “but I’m old” you protest, dropping your china blue satin robe in our candle lit hotel room, glaring your challenge “look at me damn it, just look!” I do, and - [Six For Phil](http://www.little2say.org/2009/04/19/six-for-phil/) - You told the cops she committed suicide with your gun on a first date, oh Phil why, I know you are so crazy but why oh why did you kill The Barbarian Queen? Growing up I played handball against your wall of sound, Phil, and even dressed like you, my sister cut my hair styled - [Missing Person Not Reported ](http://www.little2say.org/2009/03/17/missing-person-not-reported/) - In our family everybody was a comedian, even when we prayed we told God a joke and hoped he liked it enough to listen to the rest. A few time I asked my Mother why I had never meet my Grandfather (my Grandmother has a small photo of as a young man with crazy smile - [Short Staffed Below](http://www.little2say.org/2009/03/08/short-staffed-below/) - Hell was busy, but still couldn’t make ends meet. Volume was up and the bottom line way down, and in Hell way down is really way down. No longer were they attracting the high-end lush and intricate souls that the founder had built the place on. Souls hard won from Philosophers, Scientists and Kings. Nowadays - [A Second Note](http://www.little2say.org/2009/03/04/second-note/) - Spence wasn’t going to do it, no way. Such a selfish thing, her eating all those pills in that road side motel, and nobody sure why since the police kept her note. His sister-in-law only and never a damned thing more to him. Older brother Larry has six more years in Mowhawk Correctional Facility way - [Tupelo Regressions](http://www.little2say.org/2009/03/14/tupelo-regressions/) - So in this dream me and Elvis Presley are about eight or nine years old, drinking big glasses of cold milk at his Mom’s kitchen table. We’re telling each other about our past lives, all of them we can remember anyway going way back. Every single life of mine had me as one kind or - [A New Day](http://www.little2say.org/2009/02/23/a-new-day/) - Not surprised to wake in a strange bed, in this unknown and distant city, through bamboo shades I watched mornings light dappled by heavily falling snow. Different as well, I am not alone as my companion of last night still shares my bed. I smiled remembering our laughter, how we sang and danced while holding - [Bad Coffee](http://www.little2say.org/2009/03/08/bad-coffee/) - Brunt Coffee Hot, Burnt Coffee Cold. Served Up At The X-tra Mart Tasted Nine Days Old. Dislike It Hot. Dislike it Cold. Matters Not To X-tra Mart, ‘Cuz It’s Sold Sold Sold. by-Doug Mathewson - [Me And Batman](http://www.little2say.org/2009/03/01/me-and-batman/) - My Chiropractor got upgraded to first class on a dog-legged flight from JFK to Miami via somehow Milwaukee. She sat next to a charming older gent, and over the course the flight, and their lively discussion he bought her a drink or two. After he deplaned to catch his Los Angles bond connection, the cabin - [Phone Feud](http://www.little2say.org/2009/02/19/phone-feud/) - “This is such a Mavie and Davie story,” said Davis, casually sliding his gaze around the room. He scanned every booth, and corner for his sister Mavis, just to be sure she had not silently infiltrated his one table-two-chair coffee shop kingdom. “I mean,” he continued,” you know how she can be, more than little - [ Down Sized](http://www.little2say.org/2009/01/11/down-sized/) - Life could be worse, much worse. He could still say “Professor Jacob Bernstein, Former Chair of Literature, Cornell University”, and there were his publishing credits (not that there was any actual income from either source). But more importantly, he was working. Working, still able to live in Manhattan and continue teaching. So many colleagues and - [ Her Window](http://www.little2say.org/2009/01/18/casement-command/) - Annoyed and unnerved by his absence, “Twice this week is twice too many.” Gruffly she said to herself. Bea left for work early again, To go three blocks over and throw, A whole dam handful of gravel and grit At the fogged-up curtained window, The one nearest that girl’s bed. And Bea not caring who - [Double Decker Book Review](http://www.little2say.org/2009/02/14/double-decker-book-review/) - The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts The Circus In Winter by Cathy Day. Cold and flu season soon will be upon us. Everyone treasures “snow-days” to stay warm and cozy, catching up with a great book. But what of “sick-days”? Seemingly near death days of jumbled thoughts, muddled actions, and CVS generic - [Clearout Sale](http://www.little2say.org/2009/02/14/clearout-sale/) - Clearout Sale by Mark Edwards reviewed by Doug Mathewson Before the very first page of “Clearout Sale” author Mark Edwards tells us his purpose. The dedication page simply states, “for my mates.” I for one am glad Mr. Edwards has kindly included the reader within this circle. Clearout Sale (Andromache Books London UK,146 pages. 2008) - [Tallest of Allest](http://www.little2say.org/2008/10/19/tallest-of-allest/) - When I was kid nobody seemed as tall as a cowboy. The cowboys I admired changed as I grew up, from Roy Rogers singing on the range to Clint Eastwood delivering harsh retribution. I knew nothing about sports, but was astonished by how Michael Jordon flew, arching higher and higher in magnificent flight. Latter heroes - [ Space Invaders](http://www.little2say.org/2009/01/17/space-invaders/) - Space invaders from the sky! Oh so horrifying to behold. Wave upon endless wave of metal ships descend from above! With menacing visage they march upon our fair metropolis, Morning light discarded, crazed in refraction Off armor’s unnerving gleam. Cruel tridents ring with each lock-step strike upon ground, Marking the measure of their advance. With - [ Weary Arms](http://www.little2say.org/2009/01/11/weary-arms/) - The Night-Clerk showed him in, and seemed relived when he smiled so broadly. Snow fell from Lyosha’s fur hat and wide shoulders as he deposited his tattered valise on what remained of the old stained carpet. What Lyosha saw pleased him. A small worn suite of rooms perfectly suited for his stay of indeterminate length. - [ Buddy From The Group Home](http://www.little2say.org/2009/01/11/buddy-from-the-group-home/) - Buddy loved surprises, both to give and to get. Buddy wasn’t dumb, but he wasn’t exactly right either. The Group Home’s rules said for your birthday you could order whatever you wanted for supper. Buddy did a funny voice and surprised everyone yelling steak! At dinner on his birthday, he had another surprise. He gave - [ The New Job](http://www.little2say.org/2008/02/20/the-new-job/) - Everybody had photos in their cubicles, of loved ones, pets, and friends. Having none of the above I cut out an old magazine picture of Courtney Love and put it in a cheap plastic frame. She looked great in this smokey live concert shot. Her hair whacked-out, lipstick badly smeared, cigarette upthrust like FDR, and - [ St. John](http://www.little2say.org/2008/11/22/st-john-2/) - Honestly this is true. Whenever I heard the acronym “WWJD?” I thought it referred to John Lennon , I had no idea the “J” was Christ. I’ve taken this measure seriously, always trying to do what’s right, leading a life that would meet with John’s approval. But now I know, and it won’t change a - [Caught Out](http://www.little2say.org/2008/12/14/caught-out-2/) - Renn always worried. He worried about something, trivial or not, almost everyday of his long long life. A life so far of over a thousand winters, but now he really had something to worry about. “I am hardly myself”, he thought. “ I am but a wind-fell weak branch. There is little magic left in - [Still Hazy About Hazels](http://www.little2say.org/2008/12/14/still-hazy-about-hazels/) - So this guy was named Philbert or something, I said. That Filbert, what a nut!, You exclaimed. Who’s Philbert? Your moron boy friend asked. No no, it’s just a joke!, You declared. Your idiot boyfriend didn’t believe you, I saw. He squirmed and simmered uncomfortably, (the mention of another man), you enjoyed it, I shook - [A Day In The Life](http://www.little2say.org/2008/12/14/a-day-in-the-life/) - This piece was written for the Creative Soup Project instalation "A Day in The Life" which I was very happy to participate in. The rest of this project may be viewed at: www.creativesoup.org Every fall at some point I re-stick all the stickie notes on my fridge. I had a little time before work and - [ A Wink @ A Blink In The Ink](http://www.little2say.org/2008/11/22/a-wink-a-blink-in-the-ink/) - True story, for real. I was casually doing a scrawly crawly through Duotrope’s Themed-Calender, (themes just never work out for me), (ever). If scrolling and trolling does turn up an amazing theme, I’ll write something three months late and the word count won’t even be close. I mis-read “Erotica, 12 to 18 words” and thought, - [ Two For A Penny](http://www.little2say.org/2008/10/27/two-for-a-penny/) - Here are two very different versions of a story. Different enough to me to be viewed and treated as two different pieces. Cezzane’s Carrot out of Santa Fe was kind enough to publish “Eyes” which is the earlier work. I read “Eyes” at several book store open mic events and people had problems with talking - [ Word Count Madness ](http://www.little2say.org/2008/11/22/word-count-madness/) - Tuesday Shorts is a delightful place to spend time, even if it's not a Tuesday. The shorts being under 100 words, and publication occurring every other Tuesday. Recently Editors Kristen Tsetsi and Shelley Rae Rich requested shorter pieces. Specifically 20 word Tongs and 6 word G-Strings. These were my submissions. The girls are all cell - [ Which Goodbye](http://www.little2say.org/2008/11/07/which-goodbye/) - The night before my Grandmother died we said our goodbyes in the hospital. We had always been very close, and knew this would be our final parting. I said goodbye to my Father many times over the years. First when we sat together in a locked psychiatric ward. He laughed nervously and said “I never - [ Class Trip](http://www.little2say.org/2008/11/06/class-trip/) - High Schools all have ‘Senior Class Trips”, (that’s just a given). Trips from the better funded private schools often involved time-travel. I was new to this school, but not to the routine. Chaperoning school events fell to junior faculty members. Only my lack of tenure, not a lack of experience made me junior. Time travel, - [ Other Eyes](http://www.little2say.org/2008/10/27/other-eyes/) - Our connection was immediate, and intense. My breath caught as I staggered with the visceral impact of recognition. In the quiet diffused light our eyes meet. My watery blue diluted, dispersed and lost into the vast amber liquid of her brown almond eyes. It was then, in that moment we briefly became one again. Reunited? - [ Caught Out](http://www.little2say.org/2008/10/27/caught-out/) - Renn always worried. He worried about something, trivial or not, almost everyday of his long long life. A life so far of over a thousand winters, but now he really had something to worry about. “I am hardly myself”, he thought. “ I am but a wind-fell weak branch. There is little magic left in - [ Eyes](http://www.little2say.org/2008/10/27/eyes/) - Our connection was immediate, and intense. My breath caught as I staggered with the visceral impact of recognition. In the quiet diffused light our eyes meet. My watery blue diluted, dispersed and lost into the vast amber liquid of her large almond eyes. It was then, in that moment we became one again. Reunited I - [ Ekphrastic Riff](http://www.little2say.org/2008/10/10/ekphrastic-riff-2/) - “People are such shit!” my sister screamed as she overarmed her phone against the wall. “There’s just so much of the good stuff to go around, you know” said her boyfriend the Archangel Gabriel, voice muffled by his wings as, lantern raised, he peered into the fridge. She bitterly resented being lectured, by immortals most - [Last Rites Of Brunch](http://www.little2say.org/2008/08/07/last-rites-of-brunch/) - Brunch long since over, third and fourth cups had been drained. Our lively fellowship of french toast and cajun omelets, is now reduced to a gruel of generic drivel. Every platter, fork and glass has made its’ clattering exit and now enjoy sudsy rebirth. One final fallen player remains. Wrapped within Goblin magic spells of - [ Death By Shovel](http://www.little2say.org/2008/07/30/death-by-shovel/) - At lowest tide I visit our town beach. A purposefully unfashionable time after all the poets searching for god have finished walking their dogs. Scrup-fwop, scrup-fwop, can be heard beyond the jetty. I see two lifeguards young and tall, their sun-blond hair in matched French braids. With long handled steel shovels from Parks and Rec - [Plan B](http://www.little2say.org/2008/07/24/plan-b/) - Since Dad was in the Air Force our family often moved when we were growing up. Even after they divorced Mom kept moving us. It just became a pattern I guess, and seemed natural. Finally after we ran out of child support and alimony Mom needed “Plan B”. Santa Fe seemed like a good choice - [Old School](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/19/old-school/) - Putting gas in the car at the no name discount station I was across from a guy who was a few years older than me. He had a black Hummer sporting 24 inch rims, I had my station wagon sporting mud. All of his gold teeth glittered when he smiled and said “good how you - [ Those Nasty-Ass Horrid Scarves](http://www.little2say.org/2008/03/26/those-nasty-ass-horrid-scarfs/) - Burberry signature pattern check scarves are despicable and as ugly as can be. What I find to be amazing is their seemly universal appeal. Women visiting the city for the day sport the ones they got for Christmas three years ago when they were all the rage. Motivated middle-managers wear them midday in Midtown! Teens - [ Safe Harbor](http://www.little2say.org/2008/07/20/safe-harbor/) - In Under Milk Wood Old Captain Cat in his delirium calls out, “Let me shipwreck in your thighs”. For me, at age fifteen, it carried such a sensual weight and power. As a grown man it struck me as both selfish and arrogant. These days I find it speaks of redemption and a loving forgiveness. - [ Computer Safety](http://www.little2say.org/2008/07/19/computer-safety/) - Humming softly in the darkness, beneath an “ early-curb-alert-found-object desk”, my computer resides in a plastic bucket. That’s how I like it, and let me tell you why. The cooling fan no longer devours the dust tigers who arrogantly roam my floor. No building maintenance mop-slopping reeking bleachy cleansers into serial ports for me! Office - [ Poor Snuffie ](http://www.little2say.org/2008/06/22/poor-snuffie/) - We needed warmer costuming for our travels to the north. The money was already spent on on plane tickets, art supplies, and snacks. A gift from above! 50% off coupons from “Bargain Barn” came just in time! Always fashion forward, we choose the blackest of ultra-soft vests. At check out time my wife says “these - [ Broke Again ](http://www.little2say.org/2008/05/26/broke-again/) - When times were tough, pickings real slim, I’d invent a charity and go door-to-door soliciting funds. “Jovian Junipers”, the future of a green Jupiter is just beyond our reach. What’s that you say, impossible... with the violent hydrogen gas oblate spheroid atmosphere surrounding the unimaginably dense radioactive liquid metal core? That is why we need - [ Ekphrastic Riff](http://www.little2say.org/2008/06/14/ekphrastic-riff/) - “People are such shit!” my sister screamed as she overarmed her phone against the wall. “There’s just so much of the good stuff to go around, you know” said her boyfriend the Archangel Gabriel, voice muffled by his wings as, lantern raised, he peered into the fridge. She bitterly resented being lectured, by immortals most - [ Regretless Regifting ](http://www.little2say.org/2008/06/14/regretless-regifting/) - My uncle Robby is so totally crazy, I mean completely certifiably insane. Boundaries between worlds mean nothing to him, daily he travels the multiverse with ease. Lately he has been spending time in an ephemeral world of transparent beings. So in the park he says to me, “If I had a dollar for every asshole - [ Balance](http://www.little2say.org/2008/05/26/balance/) - Attending poetry readings, book store events and various art functions over the past few months has given me the opportunity to share the thoughts and opinions of many creative intelligent people. It will take me at least another month to sort through the untidy treasure trove that issued daily from my pockets and now overflows - [ Keyboard Call](http://www.little2say.org/2008/06/02/keyboard-call/) - National poetry month was a real eye-opener. Poets great and small threw wide their doors and invited us in. I had the opportunity to hear many people with whom I was not familiar read their work. Two that stand out are Yvonne Murphy with her insightful, scholarly examination of language and Laurelyn Whitt who writes - [ Auto Generated Priorities ](http://www.little2say.org/2008/05/25/auto-generated-priorities/) - Thought I’d write a simple list poem. Seeking inspiration in the side-bar of my home page I saw: Heart-Pounding, Fast-Breaking, Wild-Eyed News that’s absolutely crucial to you right now, it falsely screamed! Hawaiian Chicken Kebob recipe ranks number three. U.S. troops killed holds down last spot at number twelve. No mention of African AIDs epidemic, - [ Loves Leasons ](http://www.little2say.org/2008/05/04/loves-leasons/) - Thinking back through the years I marvel at the worlds of then, and of now. Intrigued by by the seemingly different universe we now occupy I wonder could “nothing changes as much as it remains the same” actually be true? We all have our foundations, our roots, those core beliefs we hold to so tightly. - [ Spinning Bricks](http://www.little2say.org/2008/03/22/spinning-bricks/) - As an art director her reputation was harsh. All previous locations for filming she had declined. I explained: “abandoned three story brick city newspaper building with hauntingly layered - deeply textured - retro - black and white Superman vibe”. She was excited, perhaps thinking back to the man of steel. I was excited too, thinking - [ The Majestic](http://www.little2say.org/2008/04/13/the-majestic/) - Precise and careful disarray gave the local antique shop a gentle charm. A quiet grace from another time. Among the artfully placed tiaras, inkwells, and hobo salt and pepper shakers was a lovely old purse. Black silk from the early 1950s. A clutch purse, intended for evenings. A hole was fashioned in the lower left - [ The Chesterfield](http://www.little2say.org/2008/04/02/the-chesterfield/) - The best summer of my life was when I lived on a couch in the Divinity School lounge. Long haired and bearded I appeared more spiritual than Ivy League, but maybe that’s why my presence went unquestioned. It was easy to swipe a “dog-collar” and head out to any of the Irish bars. Bartenders called - [ Jodie's Bunny](http://www.little2say.org/2008/03/30/jodies-bunny/) - Jodie always had a story or a trick, or maybe just a joke to tell. He started doing this thing where he would turn his two front pants pockets inside out and yell “kiss the bunny”. The pockets being ears, his “bunny” thrust forward. We all laughed, the way he said it, the look on - [ For A Song](http://www.little2say.org/2008/02/24/for-a-song/) - After what happened at the London Live-Aid show, it was no surprise that Michael Jackson sold the rights to the entire American Jazz music catalogue. With the death toll sky-rocketing, liquidity would be essential to his defense and survival. No one could have imagined that his latest radical cosmetic surgery would be visually toxic. Everyone - [Fox Tale](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/20/fox-tale/) - Japanese medieval literature has a reoccurring theme of foxes who turn themselves into women to to trick and deceive the unwary. Corrupt magistrates are embarrassed, dishonest merchants are exposed, and unfaithful lovers revealed. In one story an imaginative woman said “I just can't believe you thought it was me!” “It was so obviously a magical - [Coming Attractions](http://www.little2say.org/2008/02/19/coming-attractions/) - I was going to call this entry Smooch - Smooch Kiss-y-face, probably because of the moive title “Faster Pussy Cat, Kill - Kill”. But on consideration, I did not want to detract from what should be said. March 2008 will see my work appearing in The Boston Literary Magazine, Door Knobs and Body Paint, eMuse-zine, - [Hazy About Hazels](http://www.little2say.org/2008/02/10/hazy-about-hazels/) - So this guy was named Philbert or something, I said That Filbert, what a nut! You exclaimed Who’s Philbert? Your moron boy friend asked No no, it’s just a joke! You said Your idiot boyfriend didn't believe you. I saw He squirmed and simmered uncomfortably, you mentioning another man. You enjoyed it, I shook my - [At Your Finger Tips](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/13/at-your-finger-tips/) - I know a good idea when I see one. Or in this case an idea whose time had come for a second time. The Smithsonian shows in its costume collection Victorian gloves. Women’s kid-skin gloves with a map of London circa 1885 discretely worked into the leather. They were to be purchased in custom fitted - [Lingo](http://www.little2say.org/2008/02/03/lingo/) - Since they both grew up in Europe, speaking English was exotic and new. What I found they had in common was a fascination with American idioms. Their word choices were often awkward or odd. The Polish engineer was astonished at the phrase “where were you when the shit hit the fan?" I explained to the - [How Things Were](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/31/how-things-were/) - Family called us difficult children. School and the neighbors called us worse. “Your Mothers nerves can’t take it “ Dad would angrily yell. Late at night, I would squirt lighter fluid on our boots, my sister would strike the match, and we would run screaming through the house. Stunts like these just made our folks - [Hat Death](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/20/hat-death/) - The world was in attendance We watched on Black and white TVs 1961’s bright January day held promise Bare headed John Kennedy Addressed the nation On Inauguration Day A breeze went through his Hyannis Irish hair He offered us a boarding pass To a nation united in hope Behind him stood in somber rows Dignitaries - [Sweater](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/16/sweater/) - When she wore the sweater that I gave her The one she hated so I knew she wished to please me Suspicious as to why she did What could she be up to this time So with concentrated vision I looked until there it was Saran Wrap protruding from her collar To keep another tattoo - [Veeranjane](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/16/veeranjane/) - Doing Pet Psychic Radio is ok. It’s easy to do. “On security tapes, Chelmsford looks so sad.” “Tomato peed down the a/c vent again!” Easy, till Veeranjane. You’re no house cat! With a head full of star charts, and your augmented military biotech body! “To explain”, he purred, “would certainly exceed your 55 words”. by - [Frosty Ride](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/16/frosty-ride/) - The intense young composer told us “my work is based on Milton’s Paradise Lost.” “This electronic landscape depicts Satan’s escape from hell.” He played his synthesizer. I closed my eyes to imagine the lush, flowing verse. It sounded like a circus parade calliope. Who knew Satan escaped from hell hidden in a Good Humor truck? - [Fiction Class](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/16/fiction-class/) - “Write what you know”, she said. City still refuses to honor native son. Local author does not get huge advance. Again. Twenty-two quarters will do laundry, but not if you buy cat food first. Returnable can and bottles are not recognized by lending institutions as an “income source”. My head hurts, I know too much. - [Pen Pricks Micro Fiction](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/17/pen-pricks-micro-fiction/) - I want to thank Pen Pricks Micro Fiction for publishing three of my 55 word stories in the December Issue. I like what I read on their site. It is quick on the draw and edgy, which is what 55 words is about. Please see: "Grape Arbor" "Rocks" "Blood and Culture" Smash Flash Update Elizabeth - [Perceptions of Receptions](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/10/perceptions-of-receptions/) - Often news stories describing art gallery openings or artists receptions are about the venue and the attendees. Who wore what, who was escorted by whom, the band, the cheese and crackers, the gallery owners, but rarely it seems about the artists or their work. Most sound like “red carpet” interviews. The author never seems to - [Farm Stand](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/farm-stand/) - The first summer I didn’t go back home I worked at a farm stand near Agusta. Things were different down there in what was south for me. Back home was so far north what we got on tv was all in French. The sign out front said “Farm Fresh & Native Grown”. Like all kids - ["Spook" by William Gibbson](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/spook-by-william-gibbson/) - I was looking forward to the release of William Gibbson’s new novel “Spook”. Online it was praised, The New York Times liked it. And I wanted to like it too. The Novel is ok, but no new ground. It is set in more or less the same world as “Pattern Recognition” which is a much - [Rasputina](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/28/rasputina/) - I completely love music. Music provides incredible secret worlds in which to imagine. It is so interesting to see how musically talented people creates such beauty . While I enjoy music very much I do not write about it. While it is dear to me, all I can offer is fan opinion. “I like to - [Assassins Guild ](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/10/assassins-guild/) - Dad said I could help at work on Valentines Day. I just turned twelve and was so excited and proud. New Years and Valentines were always busy, but girls were so much better at “following through for Cupid.” I screwed the silence on my Hello Kitty nine millimeter and smiled. Today would be so special. - [Creative Soup](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/05/creative-soup/) - Welcome to our friends at Creative Soup. Please visit them often via provided link or go there now www.creativesoup.org They are a creative and imaginative group of local artists who always seem to have something going on. There is much to explore here. Creative writing is most in evidence. Contributors offer their own work as - [Pianos and Rowboats](http://www.little2say.org/2008/01/05/pianos-and-rowboats/) - Please see images on site. We are not seeing "eye to eye" with Flickr uploader at this time. - [Carousel](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/carousel/) - Call it baggage, ones emotions. Experiences, disappointments, and pain. Trim it down to fit a carry on, no more. Keep only the basics. Enough to fuck you up for a few days. Nothing long term. Rush down the ramp. Be first for the airport carousel. Grab one at random. How different would it really - [Human Interest](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/human-interest/) - Giving back the small amount of money I had been paid was not even worth thinking about. The article was to be 750 words with two photographs for the Human Interest Section. I spent the money and forgot about the article. It was after all not due for weeks. The topic provided seemed dull, and - [Flea Circus](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/flea-circus/) - I read a wonderful very short story by Allen Woodman involving a man who was the former proprietor of a flea Circus. I never saw a flea circus, they seem to havebeen a low cost entertainment option of the Great Depression. I started wondering about parallels between flea circuses and larger, more traditional circuses with - [Fifth Pocket](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/fifth-pocket/) - The best pocket in pants is the fifth one. I think at first it was a watch pocket, or for three, maybe four bullets (two shot gun shells), or a lucky rock if you didn’t have the money for a gun or a watch. Change is too hard to get out and easily forgotten. Want - [Boise Butcher](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/boise-butcher/) - I knew a girl for awhile who’s dad was a butcher. He worked different chain grocery stores around Boise over the years. He drank real hard and regular. Wether this made him restless or his restless ways kept him drinking, I don’t know. He moved from job to job as time went on, as he - [Ash](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/23/ash/) - The attacks were sudden. Nobody knew. Some died at first, most died later on. What is left of the government blogs daily. Why we few are immune is unknown. But here we are. The rest are dead and gone. It’s quiet on our street now. Outside the kids make “Ash Angels” in the radioactive dust. - [Jonathan Lethem](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/28/jonathan-lethem/) - Recently I was reminded what an incredible writer Jonathan Lethem is. The New Yorker magazine ran a short story of his a week or two back called “The King of Sentences”. The story is amazing and points out how talented and versatile the author is. In short fiction I find I like at least three - [Modern Love](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/modern-love/) - The Owl and the Pussycat disdained the sea They chose waters more secluded and calm “We want a life more private," said he, More time for each other, they did agree “An outboard perhaps, no oars to interfere” “No rude-rude Evinrude with all it’s nasty noise” said she “Worry not, my dearest one, We shall - [The Bird Artist](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/21/the-bird-artist/) - “The Bird Artist” by Howard Norman is a well written and intriguing account of a small Newfoundland village around 1910. The characters are direct and unadorned but far from simple. This could well be a stripped down prequel to Annie Proulx’s “Shipping News”. The story has a very strong meter or cadence in both character - [Themes](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/18/themes/) - For no discernible reason I find myself absorbed in themes. This fall all I wanted to photograph were pianos and row boats. Canoes as well to be truthful. I also wrote a series of stories about pants. Only “Fifth Pocket” is published here. The other story from that theme that I liked was ”The Skinny - [Lost and Found now open](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/19/lost-and-found-now-open/) - little2say.org is launching a new page today. One that I hope would be used as a writers resource. I dislike web site that have sophomoric features like Valet Parking, Admit One Tickets, or Operators Standing By. It is just “too cute”. That having been said here is “Lost and Found” Many story ideas come to - [Supressed False Memories](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/19/supressed-false-memories/) - As an only child I remember now mean and hurtful my siblings were. Growing up middle class in suburbia I remember the depth of my poverty. Being white and male I experienced personally the hurt, indignity, and injustice of discrimination. Now in the summer house overlooking my private beach, I know the desperation of homelessness. - [Fire Safety](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/19/fire-safety/) - First we talked about calling 9-1-1 and a grown-ups hand. Then about stay low and crawl to the door. Feel the knob. Is it hot? Worst case: ablaze! just drop and roll. In review, I asked the one kid who maintained eye contact, "clothing caught what to do?" He said “walk it off.” by - - [Donation](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/19/donation/) - When I told you I gave all my Grandmother’s clothes to the Salvation Army you thought I did it as a prank. “No, you fool, she died. That’s why I did it.” You seemed surprised, even embarrassed a little, but then said “what kind of an army would want to dress like your Grandma anyway?” - [Splaff](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/18/splaff/) - Out on the West Coast there is a small company named Splaff. But more importantly they are on line www.splaff.com. They sell products made from recycled materials. Try their belts. I have given several as gifts and they are very cool. I recommend the wider of the two style, the one made from mountain bike - [Rocks](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/17/rocks/) - My sister gave me two rocks. One for each hand, she said. Both carried inscriptions. One offered up “Strength”, the second proclaimed “Joy”. I thought things over and gave them back after taking a sharpie and writting “FUCK” and “YOU” on them. It took strength not to say more, and certainly gave me great joy. - [Grape Arbor](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/17/grape-arbor/) - My grandfather didn’t speak much English but we got along. We would sit in the grape arbors shade. He would say “now we smoke”. From the pocket of his huge pants came a can of Bugler tobacco. He would roll two cigarettes and we would smoke in silence, just enjoying being together. I was nine. - [Blood and Culture](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/17/blood-and-culture/) - Just because someone is self-educated, does not mean they have done a good job. Dyslexia was certainly not an asset in this endeavor. I see the patterns in words, but not their spellings. Words are wrongly traded one for another. Is it “nosferatu” or “neufchatel”? Who could possibly get that scared by an old cheese? - [Barnacles in Amsterdam](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/barnacles-in-amsterdam/) - The older shipyards of Amsterdam shelter from the Northern Sea in the southwest corner of the old harbor. Ship building moved to ports with cheaper labor years ago. Royal Haskoning Maritime and the others only do repairs and maintenance on older deep water craft. Sailors had a funny song, a part of which said “In - [Barber Chair](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/barber-chair/) - I read about a millionaire who had his hair cut everyday. He had a barber's chair from the old Confederate Congress Building in Richmond Virginia installed right in his house. I thought it odd, him being a black man and buying that chair, but I guess history is history, or maybe it’s an investment. But - [Snack](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/snack/) - It is not baloney. It is a meat rollup. Like the fruit rollups you get at school only differant. The two four year old girls, who’s combined age is closer to thirty, look at me with open secptisism. How will it sound when they rat me out? I think with ketsup they’ll go for it. - [Christmas](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/christmas/) - It still seems most commonly held that god created man in his own image. Well, more likely we created him in ours. Either way we lost touch, just grew apart. We both had such busy lives. We had different friends, didn't go to the same parties. I still remember him though from when I was - [Muddy Middle](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/muddy-middle/) - Hello, and welcome to Muddy Middle, the musical program that goes nowhere for people who are headed that way too. Music that is all middle for folks who just can’t seem to start anything and hate to say goodbye. For the listener who savors the moment, on, and on, and on. And now, more middle. - [Deaf Guy](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/deaf-guy/) - This guy was looking for work. He came in like other day-laborers. He was mute as well as deaf. Since he was from someplace in Central America so they got the spanish speaking girl in the office. She said “but he don’t talk spanish and he don’t hear spanish”. The boss guy couldn’t hear her - [Early Call](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/early-call/) - She called me from India on a borrowed phone. Said she been to a temple in the mountains. The temple cats all wore earrings and she thought of me. I smiled all day thinking about that call. I’m not a cat and I don’t wear earrings. She called because she loves me and that made - ["Air"](http://www.little2say.org/2007/12/16/air/) - "Air" by Geoff Ryman is a highly insightful book. Geoff Ryman puts the reader in a near future when everyone on Earth gets full high-end web access in their heads 24-7. We follow a remote village where most people have never made so much as a phone call and now find they will be online ## Pages - [Contact](http://www.little2say.org/contact/) - Contact me at BigChesse@little2say.org - [Publications](http://www.little2say.org/publications/) - This is a section I most likely will close. This is a list (incomplete) of places my stories got published up through maybe 2010 or 2011. I appreciate every single one of these editors for taking my work, but there is no way I can make this accurate and up to date. Also, it doesn't - [About](http://www.little2say.org/about/) - Doug Mathewson BigCheese@little2say.org Image: Drawn at Rhode Island School of Design Museum. Summer 2007, by Gemma Mathewson . Home page theme photo taken in Florence Mass., right in the center of their little downtown. Florence is a nice quiet little town on the west-northwest side of Northampton. You get the culture and convenience of the - [Credits](http://www.little2say.org/credits/) - Technical Consultant: Frida and Emily Cat Wordpress Theme: Something I found, don't remember name Wordpress Plugins: Akismet, Auto-hyperlink URLs, Contact Form ][, WordPress.com Stats, Wordpress Automatic Upgrade, Wordpress Mobile and a bunch more that looked good at the time - [Lost and Found](http://www.little2say.org/lost-and-found/) - Lost and Found includes undeveloped story ideas that are availble for anyones use. Give it a try, let us know how you make out. *Buying everyone on your holiday gift list "O J gloves" at Target. * Recenty in a conversation with my uncle about the Merchant Marine in the late 1940's he said " ## Posts - [Attribution](http://www.little2say.org/attribution/) - This site has been created with the help of many different people and companies.This site was built on a powerful, Inspirations based web builder called BoldGrid. 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