My Cardboard Balcony

Knowledge Is Power by Belinda Roddie I was today years old when I discovered why Triscuit is called Triscuit - that George Harrison was the one who did that popular cover of Rudy Clark's "Got My Mind Set On You" - that cucumber doesn't taste that bad in sushi if you just pretend it isn't there - that white lesbians shouldn't use the word stud because it belongs to working class African-American lesbians, so just call yourself dyke or butch, for Gay Christ's sake - and that I can no longer tell the difference between skunk smell and the odor of some seriously dank weed. Quarantine may be a bitch, but I'm learnin' every day!

The Great Hunter by Belinda Roddie No lizard can withstand the chittering of the ebony feline.

Birthday Doughnut by Belinda Roddie All it takes is a maple bar, three candles, and a dream. Make a wish, bro - I swear you blew out those candles all the way from Wagon Wheel Virginia. Now that you've reached boring adult phase one, may I remind you that by starting your back troubles early, you get a gold star? Go ahead and stick it onto the bulletin board you'll soon use for grocery lists, baby shower invitations, and contact information for the chiropractor. We're all thirty together, friend, and once we reconvene, the blood sacrifice will begin again. So we can all stay thirty save for one of us, who will disintegrate like dust into the old tomb we've traveled to. We'll celebrate with beers before our hangovers get too nasty. And we'll eat doughnuts. Lots and lots of doughnuts. Because we, and our metabolisms, no longer give a shit. 2009 memories, my dude. Happy 30th!

Hair Problems by Belinda Roddie "You look like a cockatoo." "Am I a sexy cockatoo?"

It Finally Happened by Belinda Roddie As a boring adult, I discuss property taxes and sciatica.

by Belinda Roddie The banana bread was tasty. She had made it all for herself, and now she was enjoying every slice while sitting on the patio in the crisp April evening air. It was still quite light out, even at seven. Her tabby cat Burt, sprawled out on the leaf-strewn asphalt in a red harness, chittered at a lizard that skittered past. Upstairs, her husband was in his office, listening to music and fighting away the smell that had lingered in his nostrils. He hated bananas. But she didn't mind. He could eat all the chocolate and sea salted caramel and pie he liked - she would have her banana bread. She took another soft, gentle bite of the delicacy. Beside her, Burt purred. This week's prompt was provided by Arden Roddie.

Protect Yourself by Belinda Roddie I built a bubble for myself last night. Stay safe!