My Cardboard Balcony

Another Cold Night by Belinda Roddie While the stars take lozenges so they don't cough in comets across an already infected sky, we hold hands and the concept of us - the blueprint, the spec, like paper - folded up against our chests. Keeping us warm without heat. Without fire. Science can explain love, but modern medicine cannot cure it. Believe me. I've tried.

Breakfastential Crisis by Belinda Roddie Who would win this epic, nervewracking battle: Savory, or Sweet?

Deliciousness by Belinda Roddie Right now, I am convinced that crock pots are magical.

Reunion by Belinda Roddie I found her in the suburbs. She was still beautiful.

Pleated Pants by Belinda Roddie When my tailored suit arrived on Sunday, I was overjoyed to find that it had pleated pants. See, I truly believed that both modern men, women, and all those in between should wear pleated pants - and I was a proud in-betweener. I put on that suit and felt like I could paint the town red and have some excess paint to cover up the hills nearby. I took my girl out on a date in her pretty purple dress and amethyst earrings. We ate at the finest restaurant in town - her, me, and my pleated pants. That was all I needed in the world. Everyone should wear pleated pants. Mothers should wear pleated pants. Fathers should wear pleated pants. Brothers and sisters and uncles and aunts and cousin should wear pleated pants. Heck, even dogs who tolerate it should wear pleated pants. Do you see where I'm going with this? Wear pleated pants! This week's prompt was provided by Arden Roddie.

Spicy Cheeto Ego by Belinda Roddie Two nights ago, I created a monstrosity. It was delicious.

Wow. Wow. A lot has happened in the past week. To begin, I have been working to promote and donate to funds to support the protests against the murder of George Floyd and to support the Black Lives Matter movement. If you're a Facebook friend of mine, please look at my Timeline for those links and pages. Today was also the last class of the semester. I got to host a final Zoom call with each of my classes, and I was happy to see my students. I will miss them dearly, and I wish I could have had more time to work with them in person and on campus. They have learned valuable skills during this pandemic, and I'm so grateful to have supported them and helped them in their education. Tonight, OK Zoomer did a reading of These Shining Lives, based on the historical radium girls. I'm not gonna lie: I cried while reading my character's last monologue. It is such a beautiful play, and Melanie Marnich did an incredible job on it. Seriously,  you can read it here.  Do it. I im...