My Cardboard Balcony

by Belinda Roddie "So you're saying it's dangerous and thrilling? Let's go!" "No, John." "But I want to!" "No." "It's dangerous and thrilling!" "John, we are not driving down to Florida to go bungee jumping and gator wrestling." "No, Aaron. Not wrestling. Wrasslin'." "...What." "Wrasslin'! That's how you're supposed to say it. Otherwise, they get mad." "...Who gets mad?" "Florida people. Duh." "...John, you honestly are not serious about this." "Dude, I have always wanted to go bungee jumping." "And I'm terrified of heights." " And I've always liked trying new things! I mean, c'mon! Gator wrasslin'?" "Please stop saying it like that." "Besides, it's been ages since we've gone on vacation. I know we have savings. I know we both have vac...

So, even though this wasn't one of the most stressful weeks I've had, it felt so good that it was Friday today. We're now hurtling toward the final deadline for Yearbook. Spring sports are once again the bane of my existence because the rain has caused multiple game cancellations. I had to explain to my English students that having a grown-ass adult date an underage person is bad - regardless of how close to being 18 they are (seriously, that conversation happened). Got home today and read stuff on Stephen Glass and other journalists because why not. Ate some pizza. Now I'm getting sleepy, and it's not even 10:30 PM yet. Welp - time to nod off, then. This weekend, I'll be taking the wifey on a clothing shopping spree for her birthday. Maybe I'll snag an outfit or two as well. Have a great night and a great weekend, everyone.

Sweet Tooth by Belinda Roddie Kevin was a white cat. He liked eating my cupcakes.

I know what you're thinking, and yes - I know we look similar. We may not be related, but the hair is the same hue of red, the eyes the same shape and color. Our freckles settle like dead stars in the same constellations, and I know that freckles are compared to stars so damn often, but that's what it seems like when we stare at each other - like holding a mirror up against the night sky. We are in the same solar system, swiveling around the same sun.

My Identity by Belinda Roddie My identity ain't hard to define: I may look like just a basic cowgirl, all gussied up in boots with stones of Rhine and a hat with a brim wide as the world. I wear my flannel and I drink my beer out in the saloon after a long day of work out on the ranch. The guys draw near, but I reject them 'cause I'm super gay. Yep, I'm one of them Wild, Wild Western dykes, and I'm damn proud of it. My pappy said that we'd go hunting for chicks on our bikes and toast to beautiful babes dressed in red. My interests ain't that hard to define: Just be sweet to me, and I'll make you mine.

The birth of the prince turned the entire kingdom upside down. Of course, this was before she made clear that she was a princess, not a prince, and the king doted on this little baby as if she were a beacon of light radiating from the heavens. As she grew older and became more feminine, it seemed that the king found her glow to be dimming. It was not easy living in that castle.