Science fiction, fantasy, mystery and what-not
More cases, more deaths, more jokes about drinking wine.
More demands about re-opening businesses, and then everything will be fine.
More stories about valor and the sacrifices made.
More stories about lying, misinformation, and the debts to be paid.
Some things will not change, don’t seem they ever will,
But every time we go through something like, someone pays the bill.
It’s not usually the rich, nor the pols running the gov,
It’s the workers and the nurses and the people that we love.
Flooferee (floofinition) – Individual responsible for ensuring the rules during play, disagreement, or fight between animals are obeyed.
In use: “Hissing and yowling erupted in the dining area. Leaping up, Cyndy prepared to put on her virtual flooferee uniform and intervene.”
The Floof Stripes (floofinition) – An American floof rock (flock) duo active beginning in 2000.
In use: “The Floof Stripes broke out with “Seven Floof Army” in 2003, a minimalist style that echoes with American garage band sound.”
Still holding her phone up, Mya stared at her mother. Her mother had such a pretty face. Everyone said so, but whenever it was just her and her mom, her mother delivered every set of thoughts with a long sigh, as if what she has just stated is a great burden. “Beverly’s birthday is tomorrow. I’ll need to send her a birthday card.” Long sigh.
“I have no energy. I’ll make a cup of coffee in a minute, after I do this puzzle.” Long sigh.
“What do we have in the freezer to have for dinner? I suppose I can take out some salmon.” Long sigh.
Listening, watching her mother, Mya wondered where the long sighs came from, and why she did it. Looking into her short tube of memories (she couldn’t help thinking like that, thank you, Uncle Pat), the eleven-year-old decided that she would not be like her mother, sighing as though burdened with everything that she does.
“We can have rice with it. Do we have rice? Let me go look.” Long sigh.
“I’ll look,” Mya said, jumping up. Then she caught herself sighing and wondered, was it already too late?
Showered. Shaved. Teeth were brushed. Headed out to make breakfast and thought, yeah, feel like steppin’ out. Which, you know, can be done, but with risk. How much risk? Some; we’re trying to flatten the curve, conserve resources, and buy time until we have a COVID-19 vaccine or we’ve developed herd immunity. Both are expected to require some time to pass. We hope, by social distancing and isolation, we’ll keep the illness and death down in the meantime.
While walking into the kitchen after those thoughts, Joe Jackson’s 1982 song, “Steppin’ Out”, began its fast-paced melodic beat in my mind. That opening track, with its humming vibrancy, captures the anticipation of going out at night to meet people and have fun.
Maybe on another day. Not today, but it’s a good song to help pass the time until then.
Cheers
A new resident has joined us. I found this black widow living outside our bedroom slider.
The slider has a panel with a pet door affixed in place. I met her last night. Letting a cat in, I saw her skinny up a line from the door to the midpoint. Hanging there, she rotated, showing off her abs with its bold scarlet hourglass. When I brought the camera out, her shy side emerged and she shot up to her web in the corner.
I don’t know when she moved in. I chatted with her for a few seconds. She seems moody and distant.
I said, “Hi, I’m Michael.”
She studied me.
I shrugged. “New here?”
Silent staring was her response.
“So what do you do? Web designer?”
“Stay-at-home mom. Gotta go.”
She headed toward a space in the door frame, folding herself in, and pretended to sleep.
I took my photo and went away. I’m sure we’ll meet again. Maybe she’ll be friendlier next time.
Floofviscular (floofinition) – An object or collection that resembles an animal.
In use: “From where it came, who knew? The cat seemed to shed five times as much hair as he ever had on his body. And then it came together in a floofviscular display, as if a mini-clone had been created on the floor.”
Crosby, Stills, Floof & Young (floofinition) – Floof folk-rock quartet, sometimes shortened to CSFY, known for their political activism and vocal harmonizing, formed in the late sixties in the United Floofs.
In use: “Two well-known songs, “Suite: Judy Floof Eyes” and “Marrafloof Express”, emerged from Crosby, Stills, Floof & Young’s debut album.”
Michael Seidel, writer 