Uncle Larry (2024.09.12)
My uncle Larry dies.

Baby Crazy (2024.09.10)
I do not think my therapist gets that I am mentally ill, and I do not want a baby.

Moldy Peaches (2024.09.09)
I adjust poorly to returning to work, and I make Amber cry over peaches.

Democrat Potluck (2024.09.04)
Amber and I eat the Democrats' food in hopes of being social.

Ren (2024.08.31)
I make a new friend because they send me memes about cryptids.

Post Turtle (2024.08.23)
I imagine the little boy in the transphobic shirt will grow out of his father's prejudices.

Family Errors (2024.08.22)
I learn too many family secrets too quickly.

Family Errors (2024.08.22)
I learn too many family secrets too quickly.

The Lebanese Ayannah (2024.08.02)
Ayannah moves to Lebanon to be with her boyfriend. Bombs fall.

Return to Salem (2024.07.31)
Amber and I revisit Salem for our tenth anniversary.

Lake Disaster - Misadventure (2024.07.25)
Escaping the cabin and scampering through the woods is better but not best.

Lake Disaster - The Cabin in the Woods (2024.07.23)
My family goes on vacation. The power blows. Twice. Maybe the whole vacation blows.

Perfect July Sixth (2024.07.06)
We lounge beside a pond as countryfold set fire to the flag. It's hard not to see perfection in that.

Dance Therapy (2024.06.25)
Dancing with Amber helps more than scattered puzzle pieces.

Prideful (2024.06.09)
I attend three Pride events in a row, and am still insecure.

Transdimensional Goblins from the Stars (2024.06.02)
Maybe I'm doing okay at this writing thing.

Valedictory (2024.05.18)
Amber is the commencement speaker at Marist College's graduation.

Self-Love (2024.05.15)
I decide to try to love myself.

New Therapist Button (2024.04.25)
I get an online therapist.

The Cry in Cryptid (2024.04.20)
My talk about cryptids is sparsely attended.

Just Dance (2024.03.24)
Amber urges us to go dancing, which is exactly what I need.

Hesitating Promotion (2024.03.15)
My supervisor is moving on. I am not sure teaching is worth the the pain.

Mask Maker (2024.03.04)
I struggle to let the mask slip a little to connect with people.

Plans Like White Elephants (2024.02.27)
Amber needs a direction, wanting to be everything.

Then You Blame My Gun (2024.02.02)
I am triggered by an obnoxious commercial.

Aging (2024.01.25)
How dare I be older?

English 102 (2024.01.24)
I teach a course where the college students are not socially graduated. This infuriates some of them.

Dog Bite (2024.01.03)
An injured dog bites Amber's face.

Truest New Year (2024.01.01)
What is it we truly desire for 2024?

Thomm Quackenbush is an author and teacher in the Hudson Valley. He has published four novels in his Night's Dream series (We Shadows, Danse Macabre, Artificial Gods, and Flies to Wanton Boys). He has sold jewelry in Victorian England, confused children as a mad scientist, filed away more books than anyone has ever read, and tried to inspire the learning disabled and gifted. He is capable of crossing one eye, raising one eyebrow, and once accidentally groped a ghost. When not writing, he can be found biking, hiking the Adirondacks, grazing on snacks at art openings, and keeping a straight face when listening to people tell him they are in touch with 164 species of interstellar beings. He likes when you comment.