storiesbyemail.com

Our stories come in short, easy-to-read segments, so you can squeeze them in anytime. They’re a perfect way to start the day or wind up the evening before bed. You can discover some of the great, new writing talent out there, long before they become famous.

These are authors who write on today’s cutting edge. They’re fresh, they’re new, and they’re exciting. Read them during your morning coffee, or just after lunch. Save them for when you have a few minutes to kick back after putting the kids to bed. And best of all, there’s no charge. Whether it’s a love story or a horror story, Stories By Email is the place to find them.

Here’s how it works. Pick a category at left. Then pick an author, and look over a short example of their work. Then start reading.

From April 2002 through the summer of 2004, this website published the work of some skilled, yet unknown authors. Unfortunately, the emailed ezine program was suspended due to time-management issues. However, I will continue to maintain this site for the enjoyment of the reading public for as long as I can pay for it.

The good news is we have launched our new stories by email website, which began publication in February 2007. It is giving our authors the opportunity to publish themselves (thereby solving the time-management problem I alluded to earlier.) Our authors are typing their fingers to the bone as you read this. The other good news is that you can still read any of our hundreds of earlier stories and poems directly on this website. Choose a category at left and start browsing!

I have taken some extra time to make it easier for you to find the stories on this site that you might want to read. You will now find short descriptions of each story, as well as the ezine it originally came from.

A The boy sat very quietly in the corner on the hot summer evening. A smell of rancid sweat and fetid cooking filled the atmosphere of the shack. With patience unheard of in most fourteen-year-olds, only his eyes followed as his stepfather crossed the kitchen with increasingly slower lurches. With a crash the old man finally sat down at the kitchen table, head nodding, close to sleep.

A Good Day His eyes weren’t focused. I didn’t think he could see me. But his head was all right; the hole was in his chest. His fatigue jacket was stiff and matted from blood, which wasn’t running anymore. It was just soaked up into his uniform and jacket.

A Long War Father is a known desert warrior The one whose image echoes in Kuwait,

A Long War That reminds of the Pearl He who lives in a Glass House, Does not throw Stories Not so for Japan Casting first stone in the 1940s.

A Look at Polarities Beginning with Aries, Libra balances you at the 7th house of relationships. Venus and Mars have many contemporary references, some of which have astrological significance, yet when these two energies get together, it’s pure old-fashioned magic. When the scales become unbalanced, Libra can be quite headstrong; when Aries notices a period of acute indecisiveness, it’s time to get some serious R&R. A Libra with unexplainable headaches may consider getting the kidneys checked.

A Lover’s Lament With deep, rich eyes You come To make my life worthwhile.

A Matter of Choice Point of no return. No. Yes. Go. Go back! No. Couldn’t say no to a challenge. So yes. Yes to the challenged and beyond the point. Beyond the door. The 14-year-old stuck her dainty nose into the house. It was pleasing. This would be a night to remember.

A Mother’s Battle Cry As I walk through the streets of my hometown, I see a child standing alone waiting to cross. Too young to be doing it by himself, but he will try. Sometimes they don’t make it. The funerals are always so sad.

A Mother’s Love I believe in God, and I honor His words, respect them, and try to understand them through the Holy Spirit. A mother demanded that her son sell drugs, and he did. Now, both of them are in jail. Could he have honored his mother by telling her that he respects her as his mother but refuses to sell drugs because that is both legally and morally wrong? Please, is there any scripture that can help me to understand?

A Mother’s Curse I don’t mind if you yell at me, I don’t mind at all. And I don’t care if you push me Or throw me against the wall.

A Nurse’s Story This story is true, but I don’t remember the dates and details, just the expressions on the face of the young woman as she told it to me.

A Simple Tale Jill leaned back in the rattan chair and outstretched her long pale legs. She had been coming to Borges in The Dordogne area of France since she was a tiny girl…to the same gite even.

A Waste Of Time Annie had to look twice. My God it looked just like him; but it couldn’t be…Tony lived fifty miles away and had always done so. She realized that she had been staring blankly for a while and busied herself by packing her purchases in the car.

A Way Out Daniel Crowe had no idea what time it was, or if time even existed where he was. It was consistently dark and damp. The last thing he remembered was collapsing thankfully onto the couch that he could see dimly in the unnatural light of the cave, or the cellar. Or whatever it was.

Absolution Sometimes, the sins of the parishioners leave the priests with difficult decisions to make.

After The Gold Rush An incident in a barroom leads to the salting of a gold mine, with inevitable results.

All Men Are Devils A series of African morality tales, beginning with one in which a man consults an herbalist about a magic way to attain wealth. Unfortunately, the advice he gets requires the death of another human being!

All or Nothing A broken relationship leads to a tragedy and an unexpected gift. How will the recipient accept it?

Alone Did you know that I can feel you Sometimes When you’re not here, When you’re far away from me, In some other place, In some other time.

Alumo and the Orange Tree Many years ago, there were two boys. One was called Alumo and the other was called Alumi. Alumi’s mother died when he was very young and his father did not take care of him. But Alumo’s own parents were alive and they pampered him. Alumo had all that one could think of in the world while Alumi struggled to eat once in a day. Alumo was hardworking but Alumo was a lazy and spoilt boy.

An Affair of the Heart It was a stormy week in late March, not the driving blizzard conditions of the previous months, but a constant mix of light snow and drizzle that enveloped the town in a pall of gloom. Folks became surly and were apt to snap a sharp retort at any question.

An Esoteric Perspective From the universal standpoint, Aries is the first impulse of the life force in activity, the descent of the Divine Spark into manifestation. In its highest aspect it is the Lamb of God. The Lamb, the higher symbol, is the symbol of submissiveness and non-resistance. When the personality makes itself the positive pole of expression the Real Self is forced into the back seat. Conversely, when the personality recognizes that only when it submits to the Real Self is God’s gift to us of free will perfectly actualized.

Anecdotal Compatibilities Nothing demonstrates information better than experience and I thought it might be fun to share some interesting case studies of compatibility. Please keep in mind that these are personal observations and are in no way being offered as predictions or even reasonable examples of astrological compatibility. The first two cases will prove as a prime example:

Another Fine Mess Life was certainly interesting nowadays for Sue. She had a nice home, a wonderful son, ok daughter-in-law, loyal husband…oh, and a fantastic lover! Sue had been married for twenty-five years and had been, in the main, reasonably happy. Indeed, she had not wanted for anything, and Ray, her husband had been content for her to remain at home, even when her adored son Tony had left home to marry.

Armageddon This is not where I am, Not where I belong, Not where I’m supposed to be.

As Close As They Come The Atlantic Ocean is usually viewed as a friendly ocean by recreational boaters and swimmers, in spite of the shark attacks in the South and the uncertain weather conditions in the North. The fishermen, the people who work the ocean for a living, view it with suspicion at all times, for they know a split second’s carelessness can start a sequence with only one possible ending – death.

As You Grow As you grow before me I see your life unfold, So many things that you will see, So many things you’ll be told.

Ask Aunt Cynthia This is the modern version of the old Dear Abby and Ask Ann Landers columns that appeared in newspapers around the USA in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Ask Prof. Taltos Two years ago I met the man of my dreams. We are getting married next spring, so we decided to live together until then. Last week I caught him looking at porn on the net and now I’m not so sure I want to get married to him. He says I’m over reacting and behaving like a child but I feel betrayed and he creeps me out now. What should I do? Every time we try to talk about it we get into an argument.

Astrological Compatibility I am not without my personal biases on the matter, however, I generally answer these above queries with one question: Do you want to? My astrological premise is always that our will determines our life and so we cooperate not when we are cosmically united, but when we simply decide to cooperate. Believe me, even I have a tendency to shy away from encouraging a Leo and a Taurus to tie the knot and use some rather diplomatic strategies for avoiding a finite answer (which never satisfy either sign), so in the end I just say what I know is the truth: we get along with whomever we chose to get along with, but investing in some boxing gloves for this pair would be money well spent.

Astrological Fundamentals The horoscope is a blueprint of our character. Character is destiny. We can change by changing our attitudes and patterns of behavior. The blueprint shows our character and personality pattern; our human nature, but we are spirit, too. The stars impel but do not compel. An understanding of planetary influences allows us to take life into our hands and intelligently utilize these influences.

At Home with the Signs We all tend to be a little bit different at home than in other areas of life; it’s where we can put our feet up, let our hair down and be more fully ourselves. Our energy expresses itself more clearly when we are being our most authentic and home is where this is for most of us. Here’s a peek at how the signs might express themselves when they are at their most relaxed:

Attitude Speedo Varney is what you could call an avid turkey hunter. He has all the gear, and he makes the time. And he has a do or die attitude.

Available For Chat An Internet-era story about two young people who meet via instant messaging. One turns out to be a predator, and the other will be his victim. Will she survive?

Baby Brother Two weeks ago my baby brother, who is 23, came to visit my husband and I. We have no children, yet we’re both in our thirties, so we welcomed the company.

Back To Basics This is a men’s guide to relationships written from a woman’s point of view, in 10 episodes.

Back To Basics For Women After the surprising success of Back To Basics, author McCaffrey decided to turn the tables and offer the same kinds of advice aimed particularly at women.

Bad Tidings Life jogged along quite nicely. Everybody did their own thing over the New Year although tonight, January 10th, they were meeting up at Patsy’s house for a buffet.

Balloons to Heaven They released balloons at Elizabeth’s funeral. Andrea knew her daughter would have liked that. She had been enchanted when they’d done it for Grandma Eunice’s funeral three years ago.

Behind Closed Doors The healing science of astrology would be incomplete without a sexual perspective that shows us how to enhance the powerful chemistry between lovers. A compatibility chart is strongly suggested when the time comes for lovers to stretch their romantic wings and soar into the marital heavens, as it can illumine the areas of natural partnered strengths to call forth in times of conflict.

Bittersweet The patient had seemingly been responding to treatment. Although the elderly gentleman had suffered a coronary, things had been improving quite nicely. Last night, Valerie had even told the relatives that the worst scenario had passed. He had a maze of tubes attached to him, but the prognosis was good.

Book 01: Shadows of Fear In this, the first book about the infamous Janissary Project, we first meet Benny Grey, a young “stud” who has been genetically and medically altered by the government for its own, vile purposes. Saved from a life of child prostitution and murder, Grey tries to come to grips with a past which haunts him and, if the present is any indication, a future he will not live to see.

Book 02: Dark Rider We get to know the dream state of Benny Grey in greater detail after the first book, as well as getting a second look at some of the underpinnings of the corrupt society that has spawned the manse and the Janissary Project.

Book 03: Out From The Valley Of The Shadows This book starts with a horrific motorcycle accident that sets the tone for the rest of the serial.

Book 04: Armor Benny Grey is imprisoned in the manse. Day to day life, such as it is, is closer to being an unwilling prostitute than to being a free living being. When escape comes, a very special motorcycle comes with it.

Book 05: The Hunted The political side of sanctioned slavery rears its ugly head in this latest in the series of misadventures of Benny Grey, former slave and prostitute.

Book 06: DC Suburbs The story moves toward the nation’s capital, although the change in location doesn’t improve the social conditions in any considerable way. In fact, new forms of depravity and corruption are revealed.

Book 07: Babylon The saga of Benny Grey continues in the suburbs of Washington, DC. After the story takes its twists and turns, we discover that “Sweet Bottom” has an unexpected surprise for Benny.

Book 08: Hell Town It was getting hard to tell the difference between the nightmares as he slept and real life, but Benny Grey always seemed to find a way to do it. Up until now, that is.

Book 09: Reluctance The awful resurrection of the late Carl Ivanovitch by a horrible creature from Hell sets the stage for the continuing misadventures of Benny Grey. The hunt continues.

Book 10: Antone’s Place In this latest segment of the misadventures of Benny Grey, Benny flits in and out of Antone’s Place, while we meet a corrupt judge who plays a major role in Benny’s life.

Book 11: The Hunting Beast The latest installment of the misadventures of Benny Grey focus heavily on his late Uncle Carl whose soul has been taken over by a vicious demon. It tells of Carl’s ultimately successful attempts to drive off the demon from within while facing up to his own shortcomings.

Book 12: Freedom The finale of this series of books details the last and worst of the price Benny Grey pays for freedom. Was it worth it?

Bravo-3 The rest of the world doesn’t know it, but it gets cold out here, Sergeant First Class Ralph Eberle thought, as he made his way back to his Jeep after checking guard post Alpha-4. The folks back home thought it was always hot in Southeast Asia, and most of the time it was—hot and sticky. But in the middle of the night this time of year, it got downright chilly. He blew into his hands and checked the luminous hand on his watch, 0320, before grasping the steering wheel and turning toward Bravo-3.

Broken Dreams I can hear children playing in the yard next door. There’s Bobby, who’s nine; Timmy’s five; and Sammy is seven. None of these children are mine, but I watch them just the same from my window.

By Different Rules Bobby didn’t think he was so small. He reached six feet tall, a mark of some distinction in his family, and he weighed around 175. Of course, compared to Hoss, that was small. Compared to Hoss, most guys were small. On the team directory he was listed as 6’ 4” and 285 pounds, but those things always lied. Looking at Hoss now, Bobby couldn’t figure out whether they were trying to make Hoss smaller than he was – or larger. He looked larger to Bobby. Well, if we’re going to have a thing here, he thought, let’s get on with it.

Calling on the Power The energy dynamics available through the stars are healing tools in many areas of living and one of them that I probably utilize more than anything else at this point is what I refer to as: calling on the power.

Calling on the Power of The First Six The concept of calling on the power of astrological energies to enhance our abilities, temper our responses and more effectively meet the demands of certain life situations is actualized each time we put it into action. The more familiar we become with the nuances of each of the energies the more quickly we can determine which energy pattern is best suited to which circumstance.

Calling on The Power: Libra through Pisces Call on Libra…for more horsepower, organizational skills, beautification ideas or ways to make procedures in all venues more efficient. Libra energy is especially useful when your life needs some balance, when you need to evaluate an issue from different angles or during those times of relationship peril and you need to find the place of harmony to return your heart to openness and cooperation.

Cheating I’m positive my husband is cheating on me, but he keeps denying it. This is causing some problems in our relationship, and we fight a lot. I was wondering if there was some way to prove what he’s doing. I won’t leave him, but I think I deserve to know the truth.

Child of God Withered and soiled I lay here, Here, in nowhere.

Children of the Night Jim Burns was awakened at 3:30 AM by the wailing of the coyotes. It was the full of the moon in December, and the view out of the window was nearly as clear as in the daytime. He knew he would not be able to again achieve sleep. So he slipped out of bed silently so as not to arouse his wife Elizabeth.

Come unto me all that are Laden *sing with the baritone voice of an ‘Area Boy’

Coming Home The furniture is still the same…no, wait; they have got a new coffee table. Well, the old one had really seen better days. There are the photos on the main wall. One of me, the eldest girl, then one of my twin brothers…must be a recent photo, they have really changed since I last saw them five years ago.

Complete Confession How can I express When I feel so much – The emotion and love Wanting to feel your touch.

Conditional Love Your love for me Was unconditional … On the condition That my grasp was never too tight Or lasted too long at any given time – That the air in your lungs Could move freely And was always yours And yours alone.

Corrine Is Back Corrine woke up. The sunlight in her room was overwhelming and bright. It made her feel at home immediately. She smiled at a few birds playing in the tree at her window. She took in her surroundings. The room was painted a cheerful peach. She remembered her promise, and decided to call this home.

Cosmic Communications One of the ways that astrology can be useful in day to day interactions is in communications. Each of us has learned tactics for expressing ourselves that we derived from our environment, culture and families.

Cosmic Communications (cont’d) Communicating with Libra: I call my Libran co-worker the Border Collie of the office; if there is a job to be done, Libra will tackle it in an effortless demonstration of grace under pressure. You can talk to Libra about almost anything and the level of engagement will be substantial, fulfilling and lively.

Cybersex 101 Some old fashioned advice on a new topic…sexually oriented online chat rooms! Among other things we learn that age has nothing to do with libido.

Cybersex 102 Picks up where she left off after the previous “semester,” it has an auspicious beginning with the line, “In the beginning there was sex.” Adam and Eve, eat your heart out!

Darkness Remains Every night in my dreams I am tortured by the darkness. No matter how hard I try to wake, To rise above the black, I remain succumbed, paralyzed.

Death Angel My name’s Dooligan, but my friends call me Dooley. I’m a private dick. I don’t do divorces and I don’t do insurance fraud. Lately I’ve been thinking about adding medical jobs to the list. I’ll tell you why in a minute.

Death on the Rocks Jake Grady stood on the back porch and looked at the jagged rocks in the stream below. There was a small waterfall directly under the deck, and whoever built the house must have thought the effect was striking. All Jake thought was that the 35 foot drop to the rocks would be somewhat final.

Directions This story was written for a writing contest in which the editor provided the first several lines (as dialogue in this case) and the entrants created a story from this.

Dirty Heart I don’t know where my heart is! I lost it somewhere along the way In a journey searching for you. I think I dropped it in dirt and clay.

Disappear From View What would you do if, beyond any reason or possibility, you find yourself suddenly thrust back into the past with the opportunity to warn two people that you love how they were going to die?

Don’t Look Back Claire sat on her front steps, elbows propped on her jean-clad thighs, and head supported on her hands, staring glumly down the street. Brody would be here soon, and she dreaded his arrival. How was she going to tell him?

Don’t Do The Crime I’m in a bind. My girlfriend found out I was seeing her best friend. Now she wants to call off the relationship. How can I explain to her that I made a big mistake, and I don’t want anyone else?

Don’t Let The Holidays Get You Down My husband and I are having our usual argument over how much and what to get our children. Our son is nineteen and our daughter is fourteen.

Dooley and the Kilroy Burglar The slither of sound almost jumped me out of my skin, but I didn’t make a move. On the outside, anyway. Inside, needles raced up my spine, and my heart beat a little faster. Worse yet, the two beers I’d had while asking questions in a tavern were starting to work. I had to take a leak.

Dooley and the Locked Room I’m Dooligan. My friends call me Dooley. I’m a private detective who tends to be short tempered and lazy. I don’t do divorce cases unless they pay an exorbitant fee, and I don’t like working for corporations. Like I said, I’m getting lazy. Or maybe bored. I like a problem, a challenge, and if it’s attached to trouble that’s okay too. Dooley and trouble. The two words tend to be interchangeable.

Dream or Die Diaphanous dreams weave themselves around her like a lover’s heart. Love me, love me not. Love me. Delia wove in and out of sleep, unwilling to let go. The nightmare reality would never erase this. This nightly adventure. She sighed and finally relinquished to the oncoming day. Day. All non-dreaming moments had become a nightmare since he vanished into the house.

E Don Happen! Old boy e don happen O! My brother e don happen Abi you never hear? Dem never tell you say e don shift go Afghanistan?

Enchanting Creature I still remember the hot summer night that these words came to my mind about the man who was soon to become my husband. The road definitely had more turns than we ever expected, as future pieces may reveal. Romantic aspirations are hard acts for reality to follow.

Every Part Of You Serena Edwards jolted upright in bed. She grabbed at her head, feeling for long hair that wasn’t there anymore. She panicked momentarily, not remembering she’d cut it off herself – not him.

Eyes ames Delloitte was having a bad week and had his mind on other things when he went through the intersection-without stopping-at the four-way stop sign. A rusted, little Ford Aspire kissed his GMC Envoy on the passenger side, front bumper.

Eyes Seven-year-old Julian was a bright child; he was intellectually superior to all his classmates and even some adults. His mother was always singing his praises to her friends and relatives, and his father, although somewhat subdued in expressing his affection physically, showed his son’s appreciation by furnishing him with as many toys and gifts as Julian wanted.

Family Dynamics My Mom and I are having a big fight about my boyfriend. She says he’s too old for me and is more suited to my older sister. (I’m seventeen and she’s nineteen) My sister has begun making moves on him when he comes over. When I complain, my Mom says that’s okay, and that’s just the way sisters are. I say it’s not fair I was going out with him first so she should leave him alone. Can you help?

Family Planning I was wondering if you could help us. My wife and I are arguing about when is the right time to wean an infant. She claims it’s perfectly normal for a two year old to still have a bottle. I think at a year and a half we should be considering weaning. Our baby isn’t due until February but we are trying to iron out some of the kinks before the arrival. Can you tell us who’s right, please?

Fear I look into your eyes And I feel fear, Baby boy.

Fifty…Not Out! Jan looked in the mirror. Nothing particular struck her. The face was the same as the one that had looked back at her yesterday when she was a mere girl of forty-nine. Today she had reached the big 5 0…so what?

Five Days Maxi looked up as if starting from a nightmare. Something slick had touched her naked ankle and tore her away from the terrible complication of the building across the street. It was well into twilight, and she could not immediately make out much of the furtive movement at her feet. A pair of yellow eyes bore into hers. “I understand,” they seemed to say, and Maxi was impulsively moved to pick up the biggest, shiniest black cat she had ever seen.

Flesh and Blood When a bunch of people go missing, FBI agent Matt McIver goes undercover, only to be caught by the man who took them. His reason? He had a hungry son. Matt was about to find out just how hungry he was.

Flying Marianne consciously heard the swish, swish of her dress against the tall grasses of her parents’ land. She strode purposefully a number of yards to a massive oak tree, there seemingly since time began. Marianne had walked this path countless times before as a girl and young woman, but now, at thirty-five, everything seemed older, more fragile, less sure.

For The Love Of Children I need some advice; I hope you can help me. My girlfriend is acting really strange. She comes home late and tells me she had to work late. Yesterday was payday, and I glanced at her pay stub; her pay is exactly as it always has been. No overtime or extra vacation time.

Forget Me Not Relief was almost immediately replaced by renewed anxiety. Stella thought that she had heard Hex. She knew instinctively before recognizing consciously that this was only in her dream. Hex had come into the room, tail up and yellow eyes bright. She was a good cat. But really ancient. Neither yellow eyes nor black fur were glossy anymore. A tight knot made its unwelcome presence in Stella’s stomach. He wouldn’t have… But Hex was not here.

FreeHawk The momentum of my run down the hill helped my legs leap from the rock to roping distance. Speed was the only requirement, and I used the quick double overhead throw to send the loop around the magnificent animal’s neck. He reared briefly; then ran straight for me. I had half expected this and I ran a tight circle around a rock for a snub. As usual my pal Murphy with his law was right there along with me. He might have been sitting on my shoulder. A sharp edge on the rock sheared my rope cleanly and the palomino lunged forward. I instinctively leaned back and over I went on the uneven ground. The great animal’s hooves loomed above me. I leaned back on my shoulders and tried to obtain just one more inch….

Friend Or Foe As usual, the staff of Willis & Sons was seated in the pub. They were a busy firm of estate agents and looked forward to their daily drink.

Friends Like These Oh the tangled webs we weave! Follow the affairs of 10 friends and family members as all kinds of secrets in their closets are revealed.

Ghost Hunters Sometimes, the sins of the parishioners leave the priests with difficult decisions to make.

Good Intentions Mary’s daughter Teresa was more than a handful. She was trouble personified. My guess was poor genetics, but Mary was sure the problems were man made and therefore solvable with kindness.

Good Riddance! The eighteen-year-old girl needs you like a hole in the head; the fourteen -year old twin boys need only each other…and girls of course. The six year old boy…the apple of your eye, has a best friend who has the coolest mum in the world…she has her nose pierced and your husband needs you for meals, shirts and his conjugal rights…now and again!

Grandma Always Loves You! Hello everyone! My name is Cynthia. I am professor Taltos’s assistant. Professor Taltos is away today, but he has been generous enough to allow me to have a wee bit of your time. If you don’t mind I’d like to tell you a story. It would sure mean a lot to me.

Guide Them With A Gentle Hand I have a three-year-old who will not listen to anything I say to her. When I get after her for being bad, she just looks at me and laughs. I hate to admit it, but I’ve even had to spank her a couple of times (when she was in danger of getting hurt). That too fell on deaf ears.

Gunslick I even polished my boots that morning, right after I shaved. There is something about being clean-shaven and wearing fresh clothes that gives a man an edge in attitude. I sported a new white shirt and black pants. A black vest was the finishing touch. I brushed my hair in the mirror and grinned. If appearance counted for anything then I had an edge, and that was what I needed that morning. For in twenty minutes I would meet a man in the street. A minute after that one of us would be dead.

Half Alive Every morning I wake Against my own will, I take a breath So laboured and shrill.

Hans of Munich Clickedy clack, clickedy clack, clickedy clack. I used to love those sound effects in old movies that told you were on a train. They established your location and set a mood all at the same time. In real life, the rhythm made you drowsy and lulled you into a sense of well-being. It was a good feeling. And though I almost never rode a train in the states, it had become a frequent occurrence here in Germany. Nobody in my group of young airmen had a car, and we needed a means to get away once in a while. So five of us were on the train to the big city this Saturday afternoon.

Happy Mother’s Day It’s not that I don’t appreciate the presents my children lavish upon me. As far as gifts go, my children (or rather, my husband, who buys them and then tells the children what they’re giving me) do okay. They’ve learned over the years what encompasses a good gift for their particular mum.

Hemingway’s Dilemma A struggling writer finds himself, impossibly, face to face with modern incarnation of the legendary author, Ernest Hemingway.

Hengledsbury Hall It was a very imposing mansion and stood in beautiful grounds. Sadly, the place had stood almost derelict for the past seven years since the impromptu death of Maisie, the only daughter of Samuel and Teresa Hengledsbury.

Herk and the Turquoise Cowboy This is an ‘Almost True’ story, in which all the events spoken of have happened, but not in the same sequence as delivered. Herk’s real name is Henry, and a better traveling companion one could never hope to find. And, yes, Virginia, there is a Turquoise Cowboy. I am he.

Hidden Alone in a shadow – It hides me, And of that I am glad, Relieved, Thankful.

Hidden Halos Two sisters return home at their mother’s request only to find that their parents have mysteriously disappeared. When their parents finally reappear, they tell a story from long ago that threatens to change everything the two sisters thought they knew about their parents, themselves, and their maker.

How are the mighty fallen! How are the mighty fallen And the big birds perished With the human souls. Tell it not in the streets of Hebron And Gaza, Lest the daughters and sons of Philistines rejoice Broadcast it not in Al-Jazeeral

I Think Of You I think of you in the morning, I think of you at night, I think of you whenever I feel A twinge of hope or fright.

Imagination! Those who share my life with me don’t seem to have too much of a problem dealing with my slightly off the wall ways. I try very hard to be considerate towards all of them. And I still have to tolerate the occasional ribbing over believing in Never, Never Land. But I wouldn’t give up my world for anything.

In Defense Of Freedom He was conscious, but he couldn’t feel anything. There was a lot of noise and some flashes of light. He tried to look around, to see what was going on; but he couldn’t move. The last thing he remembered, his platoon had come upon a Republican Guard company probing on the outskirts of Baghdad. They’d spotted him but not his men; so he charged into the midst of them, firing as he ran, to distract them so his men could flank them. He didn’t know if it worked or not, because he had been hit before it played out.

In Search of Self Deirdre had moved to the city of Boston in a quest for answers to questions she could not name. Strange feelings tugged at her inner core. The trouble was that she could not isolate those feelings and find a sense of direction. Like many people recently graduated from high school, she had no goal, no clear sense of what she wanted to do with her life.

In the Heat of the Summer The two old men were discussing the swimming hole that the young teens of the neighborhood were using. It was a big pool in the stream formed by an old dam. Over the dam was the bridge for the road, and there was the problem. The kids liked to dive from the bridge into the cool waters below. That was dangerous in itself, but they tended to ignore the traffic and there was a potential for an accident. Especially if the blond girl in the light blue bikini was preparing to dive.

Inside And Outside I am caught inside a transparent bell bar, But I’m also looking in – seeing my reflection, crying at me, Paying for the outside sin.

Is Blood Really Thicker Than Water? I have a six year old step daughter who I believe is the spawn of the devil. I don’t mean to sound flip, but this little girl is truly a bad child. She’s been setting fires, running away and hiding for hours; the last time we had the police out searching for her. She will hit, scream, and swear at anyone she feels like doing it to. Short of killing someone, you name it and she has done it.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night …when the Marie St.Clair went down. She was three weeks on the Grand Banks and her holds were nearly full when she disappeared from radar screens. A swordfish boat four miles away said she was running parallel for an hour and then their Loran screen went blank. Whatever had happened was quick. She was probably holed and went straight down, for no wreckage was ever found.

Jess Clay The late Mr. Fogg served up a corker of a Western in this story of a young man seeking his fortune in the wild west of the 1880s.

Just Like Jesus Is it possible to save someone’s life just by being good? This story tells the tale of how Missy ultimately found out the answer.

Just Wondering I came across your story while searching for info on how to cheer up my cap (Capricorn) (either from one of our arguments or from his own dark mood). I saw that you had said there was no cheering one up…and I find that it is quite hard. I don’t know if you might have any advice for this combination of signs?

Kindness When the pain becomes too much And I can take no more, I wrap myself in my arms And lie down, giving in to my misery.

Kiss My … I was wondering when is it okay to tell someone to kiss my fuzzy tailbone? I have this man at work who can’t seem to come with-in three yards of me, and he starts coming out with the most male chauvinistic comments you can imagine.

Let’s Go Down To The Beach They’d get me up come crack of dawn It was barely half past seven I’d try to stifle a great yawn My bed had been just Heaven.

Life Is For Living Should she wear the red dress or the black…the boots or the high-heels. Life was full of such complications, but surely it was worth it for Paul Saunders.

Life’s Little Disappointments This week I wanted to deal with getting a fair shake in life. I’m always saying, “If you expect life to be fair, then you’re disillusioning yourself.” I say that not because I’m a cynic but because I believe it. It only makes sense to realize that some really crappy things happen to some really nice people. Sadly life is far from fair, but that’s just the way it is.

Little One Inside Little one inside – I apologise for your life, For a well being that wasn’t well And a bad timing that was accurate.

Live and Let Live! Why does it bother people when I show my boyfriend affection? He loves me and I love him (we’re both men) so why shouldn’t the world know we are in love. My straight friends have no problem showing their affections in public. Yet when my partner and I do the same they all shy away from us. I think this is pretty hypocritical on their behalf. What can I say to these people that could make them see how wrong and unfair this is to us?

Love Thy Neighbour Old Vic Smythe, her long departed husband, had run off with a real harridan. She, however, was a saint compared to Edna. Evil Edna, as she was known, could have had so much out of life. Instead, hatred and wickedness poured freely out of her every pore, and she was despised by so many.

Love What Is The purpose of relationships is to heal. Any other agenda is a plan of emotional futility. It’s a simple enough focus, yet maintaining it requires diligent effort and a constant re-directing of the ego’s petty demands.

Meeting Signs Now that we’ve reviewed some of the fundamentals of astrology, the next question might be, now what? What do I do with this information? The answer depends on the degree to which you want to incorporate an understanding of planetary influences into your beingness.

Men! Matt had presented her with a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers for her birthday. Dan had made her a trivet for hot pans. Sheila kissed Matt and thanked him, but she put her arms around Dan and sung his praises. He wasn’t really the sort who was good at making things, and the mere fact that he had spent time on this thrilled her. Of course…in Matt’s eyes, this was favoritism.

Mercy Killing I was sixteen at the time. I found her body – I didn’t scream or even cry, I don’t know why. It’s a pretty revolting thing for a sixteen year old to find, but I just sat there looking at her, in shock I suppose, memorising it for some morbid reason.

Message From An Admirer Never a day goes by Without you on my mind. Will I ever possess you, Forever holding time?

Midnight Walk It was a bitterly cold night, the wind swept my hair into a wild frenzy and I could just about see where I was going. The streets were totally deserted, as one would expect at midnight in the middle of a working week, however it did nothing to ease my sense of discomfort.

Mirror, Mirror ‘Well, I used to be the fairest, or at least among them.’ Marla sighed anxiously into the bathroom mirror, frowning at the noticeable wrinkles at the edges of her dark brown eyes. God, she continued silently, am I? I still think I am, but will they? Marla stepped back and surveyed her reflection, touching up her hair in places and then finished applying lipstick. She closed her eyes and took a few deep slow breaths to try and relax. I’m certainly in no hurry, she chided, knowing she was more than half an hour early. The woman in the mirror gave her an animated thumbs up, and she smiled in response, giggling at her own silliness.

Mommy! Mommy! I could feel each hair on my body rise to stand on end. Somewhere in my mind a sabre-tooth alien was still trying to open the last door on earth. It was trying to get to the last human being on earth. Me. I screamed in my sleep and my voice became the child’s scream. And it was very dark. Everything was strange. I had to go see. For all I knew he would go on like that until morning.

Mother-in-Law I’ve just given birth to my first child, a beautiful little girl. Even though she denies it, my mother-in-law thinks I’m an idiot when it comes to taking care of my baby. She’s always looking over my shoulder whenever I’m trying to take care of my child. That wouldn’t be so bad, but she’s also always correcting me. The other day she came right out and said I wasn’t holding the baby properly.

Mothers and Sons Sara always gave the same reply. She was happy in her work as a sales executive and happy enough in her social life. Maybe other twenty-two-year- olds wanted nightclubs and parties…and occasionally that was fine, but she craved the more sedate life.

Motor My mother, now eighty-nine, has a scar on her leg that she received in the year 1929. When asked about it, the details are always the same. Some days stick in one’s mind, and for good reason.

Mountain Boys By all rights, Prentice should have known. I mean, anytime you see two lads with new pick-ups and taking Caribbean cruises, you should realize they aren’t the mountain hicks they let on to be. But maybe the man didn’t learn this until later. Maybe, but I think it was just plain arrogance that made him think he could get the better of them.

My Canh First Sergeant McCafferty looked up to see who had snuck into his office unannounced. Airman Second Class Bobby Timmons was standing just inside his door.

My Final Piece Of Advice I had so many things I wanted to say. So many little bits and pieces of advice I had intended to pass on to you before I had to say goodbye. However our time together has come to an end, and I find I must say farewell to storiesbyemail.com and carry on by myself. Its funny how attached we humans can become to things. Writing this column has become a very large part of my life. I have loved hearing from all of you; some of your e-mails have really made my day, and some have literally made me cry. This has been one of those experiences I wouldn’t have missed for anything.

New Year’s Day The sun rose like an orb of blood, for all the days saw rain now. When it didn’t rain it was blistering hot, and the equator had long ceased to be a region in which life could exist. Waters had all become warm now, except from the tiny springs in the mountains. Because of the heat the water that had redistributed a plethora of heavy metals, and new life forms were beginning to develop.

No Man’s Land A young man who dreamt of being a gunfighter finds himself caught up instead between large landholders and homesteaders in the Old West.

Noah’s Duck (This was written in the fall of 1999, when people were so worried about the possible consequences of New Year’s Day, 2000.)

Not His Fault May stepped out of the hall, closed the battered yellow door and stood on the pavement, breathing the sharp air. Her breath hung in front of her face in little clouds, unwilling to drift away and join the morning mist. She felt the unearthly stillness you hear only on Christmas day, with all the streets empty of traffic, and curtains closed against the cold, and shivered.

Obsession What is the obsession, wondered Corinne, that drove her back to this place? Even now, after all these years, it still felt like home. On her way to the dark house where she had spent a destructive teenaged night, the 25-year-old young woman sat down on a bench. Across the street she could see an unmarked building. It looked dilapidated and dark in the gloom of twilight. It also looked inviting. She had been sitting on the bench for more than an hour, thinking at first that she was contemplating the disaster of her life. But instead, she realized later, she was contemplating the building. Corinne stood up with a flick of her dark her hair over her shoulder. Curiosity had always been her weakness. She shrugged. Perhaps this time it would not be her downfall.

Olusi The Oyo Empire is presided over by an effeminate and dissolute king – Jayin, and the people yearn for a substitute.

One Best Laid Plan Number 348620 was known as a model prisoner. He started no fights and did the jobs he was assigned to. The guards at the New York State Penitentiary came to look upon him as a trustee, which he was not. Not even a harsh word came from his lips, and this was one prisoner that the guards figured had indeed been framed.

Opening the Heart It takes such courage to open your heart the fear sets on quickly the moment you start. You worry and wonder if you’ve said the wrong thing and if you’re just wishing for an impossible dream.

Parade Jake Grady and Mildred sat on the rear porch of the house and drank iced tea poured from a glass pitcher. It had plenty of ice and just the right amounts of lemon and sugar. It was a hot stretch of weather, with the humidity high and the temperature never dropping low enough to allow a good sleep at night. Mildred was busy with her crochet work, but Jake had no project this afternoon. He seemed to be restless this afternoon, for he fiddled with his glass, and his eyes darted to every corner of the porch and lawn. Mildred looked at him from the corner of her eye but didn’t ask any questions. She knew Grady. It wouldn’t be long before he broke the ice and told her what was on his mind.

Parenting Today? Hi, my name is Shirley, and I was wondering if you could give me some pointers on how to discipline my four-year-old son? He has terrible temper tantrums and screams at the top of his lungs if I put him in his room for a time out. I’m scared my neighbors will think I’m hurting him. But I know I have to keep him in control somehow. I’m just not sure what else to do with him. Can you help us?

Patience, Patience And More Patience My four year old son (James) has slept with Daddy and me most of his young life. We realize this isn’t a good thing, but due to circumstances beyond our control, we were forced to share a room for the last couple of years.

Phantom Love You always come at the wrong time Instead of no time at all. I expect that I’ll see you if I become blind, I’ll hear you if I become deaf.

Planetary Symbols The basic symbols of the planets are represented by the circle, the crescent and the cross. The circle represents that which is boundless, eternal, infinite. The crescent represents the personality, half the circle, the outer aspect of being.

Planets – The Final Four Jupiter, the Expander is the Greater Benefic. It is the largest planet in our system and does things on a grand, large scale. Jupiter is the Promoter, expansive, optimistic, popular, successful and generous.

Plymouth’s Rock This serial is a throwback to 19th Century romance novels. It tells of the trials and tribulations of relationships and of how the two leading characters attempt to reconcile their differences to their love for each other.

Poems From Life One day, a strange thing happened Which really made our day. The clouds cleared, it stopped raining …We live in the U.K.

Protection When you feel that you are standing alone In the centre of a circle Look around you The circumference is made up of bodies and souls.

Qualifications I have traveled most of my adult life, coast to coast in Canada, every two weeks. I have often gone as far south as Texas but that’s a far south as I have been, yet. My Mom always said I was the only child, in a brood of seven children that was born with wanderlust. I love to travel and I love to meet new people.

Reflection I see her standing there – Her face pale and drawn, Fingers in her hair, pulling, Mouth wide, screaming. Her eyes glassed over with a tinge of red.

Roadside His tone was self assured, his uniform intimidating- and he knew it. He leaned over her car showing her all the power she didn’t doubt he had.

Rowland’s Park This serial takes us inside the lives of the residents of Rowland’s Park, a small community which, like all small communities, has its many small secrets to hide.

Screams Ann closed her eyes. No. No doctors. The blond woman who was the child’s mother was a female version of her husband. Both blond and blue-eyed, they had spawned a blonde dark-eyed girl. Corrine had always been different. Her latest craze was dyeing her hair jet black. And then she went to spend a night in that ungodly house. And now this. Ann wondered if this meant that she had been a bad mother.

Share And Share Alike Hi my name is Gary, and I want to know how you break up with someone these days? My girlfriend (she’s thirty and I’m forty six) and I have been going together for three years, and she bores the hell out of me! Should I send her a letter or maybe just flowers? Is there any proper protocol I should follow?

Signs at Home Libra: The sign of the Scales is just as fastidious with the domestic routines as it is in other arenas. The Venusian influence of this energy pattern comes into full expression in the objects, arrangement and structure of the home life of the individuals born into Libra.

Signs at Work, Part I Astrology can provide us with insights into the general aptitudes that each energy pattern possesses and how this translates into career choices. It’s been my experience that you can find almost any sign in almost any profession; remember, the stars show us tendencies not certainties.

Signs at Work, Part II Libra: My nickname for Libra is the border collie of the zodiac and nowhere is this truer than in the workplace. Libra is methodical, tireless and organized; giving this sign a task is the highest compliment you can bestow.

Silent Heart First you don’t get married soon enough. Then you got married to soon! There’s just no pleasing some people…particularly family members. Will love overcome this too?

Sins of the Son For most media watchers, a murder in a convenience store robbery begins and (usually) ends with the gruesome news reports. But what happens from the perpetrator’s point of view? This chilling story tells us.

So Lonely She had grown to hate coming in to work. The atmosphere was absolutely dead, and she had nobody to talk to. It was bad enough at home. Her husband Charlie didn’t bother to talk to her anymore and her son just spent his life clubbing.

Song for Vermont I lift up my eyes into the sky The sun is going home Running away behind the rolling hills On the same voyage Fading slowly like yesterday Eastwards of Vermont And hoping to wake in the west tomorrow

Sophia Most people assume that the greatest of gangsters are male, particularly within organized crime. But in this story, a family business becomes a magnet for the lead patriarch’s daughter, leading to a tale that gives new meaning to the phrase, “equal opportunity.”

Spanking I don’t know what you would call a bad fetish, but my girlfriend of five years can’t seem to reach her climax unless I’m punishing her. The punishment varies, but it always has to be harsh enough to make her cry and beg me to stop.

Step Brother My Mom doesn’t know I’m writing to you. I don’t think she’d believe it was me anyway, but I need to ask a question. My step-brother and I are in love, and we want to run away together, but he says we have to wait. I’m 16, and he’s 19. I know he wants to save up more money for us to live on, but if we wait too long our parents will stop us some how.

STOP, LOOK & LISTEN! As I approached the old beat up building I could see a small group of kids waiting for the doors to open. It’s five 0’clock, late for me to be arriving. I pick up my pace a little.

Stride A chance meeting in a park leads to a budding relationship. Will the relationship hit its stride?

Suicide Because some are born in the holy lands In the middle of the east Where life has been war With booming guns deified peace Shattered dreams in the land of creation

Sun Sign Keywords You are not who you think you are! Isn’t that great news? You aren’t your resume, you aren’t your DNA, you aren’t any of the titles (sister, brother, spouse, parent, etc.), and you certainly are not your sun sign. Surprised or relieved? Personally, I was glad to make this discovery because it enabled me to release my attachment to those things that I identified myself by and I felt more free. All of these factors influence us, though, don’t they? It’s up to us how we respond.

Sun Signs at Play The four elements of the planet attributed to the signs of the zodiac are especially revealing when we let these energies come out to play…or fall in love. As we preen our feathers in courtship preparation, naturally we want to emphasize our most attractive features, and as we allow our instincts to guide us we will draw attention to the most magnetic energy we possess…namely, our divine gifts.

Sunset at Noon In The Village The Story Of Ap’ologomusi P’Obitun. The wedding ceremony that began in the morning had been concluded. The bride was dressed in the evening for the journey to her husband’s house, according to tradition. The reluctant but eager bride’s mother prayed for the new bride, Obitun as the preparations for her movement to her husband’s house was being concluded.

Superstar Lance Rocker peered out the backstage door and looked at the gathering fans. Man, they were wild tonight. This was his first tour in two years, and his last album, Light Phase, was still selling well. In fact it was now listed as a standard; a record against which others are compared.

Taking A Walk In The Real World My husband is making me nuts. He thinks, just because he’s the only one working, I’m living the life of a queen. We have three little ones, under the age of six! You can imagine what a day around here is like. The oldest is in school, but I have a two- and four-year-old to deal with at home. Some days it’s as if I’ve lost my mind, and then he comes home and begins to bitch about everything that isn’t done. I told him I want a house keeper, once a week, to help me keep the cobwebs away. He thought I was joking.

Tales of Gold Here are four tales from the famous California gold rush of the mid-18th century.

Tales of the Arizona Rangers The Arizona Rangers may not have had as famous a name as the Texas Rangers, but their many members had famous names of the their own. Wyatt Earp returns in this tale of cattle rustling and frontier justice.

Terror Tell me; Are they different? Terror is terror Birds of the same feathers flock together With different names but with same goals

The Ad-man Cigarettes have always featured delightful vistas and beautiful people doing fun things. After a very few hours of contemplation (well, maybe there was one nap in there) I came up with the following:

The Alien Sherriff When a space ship crash lands in a remote Western valley, the survivor of the crash, a Squaattoosian named Graax, ends up helping the Arizona rancher who saves his life to subdue a raucous and unruly town with the assistance of brrkups. What are brrkups, you ask? Read on!

The Annual Vacation Eleven months we dream of fun In howling gales and rain For those two weeks of endless sun To raise our hearts again.

The Apocalypse Door A remote location in Scotland reveals a hidden doorway in a foul, long buried location. When the door is opened, something horrible emerges. Death and chaos soon lead to a chase through Northeastern America.

The Arrogant Princess Many years ago, there lived a princess called Adeke in the rain forest of Nigeria. This princess was married to a brave warrior called Akin. Akin had conquered every part of the forest region for King Gogolo, who was the father of the princess. It was in appreciation of his bravery that King Gogolo gave his daughter, Adeke to Akin for marriage. But because Akin was not of a royal parentage and he had no money, Adeke refused to give him all the due respect and honor that women in African were supposed to give their husbands. Such respect included kneeling down in the morning and giving double-clenched fists to the man.

The Autumn Leaves Although the sky was a deep blue, the air was growing distinctly autumnal. From her vantage point, Anna watched the fair-haired man and the two little children. She had watched them for most of the week that she had been there and knew that the little girl was 10 and called Ellie. The boy was five and the man, their dad, referred to him as Mikey. He seemed a lovely dad and took great pains in building huge sandcastles and placing brightly colored paper flags at the top of each one.

The Awakening Slowly, painfully, he became aware that he was awake. His eyes hurt. He wasn’t sure, but he didn’t think they were even open. Even so, he saw flashing lights, and each flash brought a stabbing pain. Each stabbing pain throbbed back from his eyes into his head, radiating in all directions.

The Big Leap Laying serenely on the crisp little metal bed, the starched white sheets bore a startling resemblance to her pale, still face.

The Biggest Buck Opening day. The latest of the many the man had seen through his life. Probably the last one he would ever see.

The Blank Bullet An African play tells a timeless tale about a young man who seeks immortality through marriage.

The Boy Who Eats Eyeballs (The Story of Mistletoe) Oluwo and Mofelola were married for many years, but they had no children. Oluwo was a very rich farmer. Mofelola his wife was equally rich, because she was hard working. Everyone in their village liked them, because they were very cheerful. Their inability to have children was a source of concern to both of them. Whenever they saw the villagers murmuring or giggling, they often assumed that they were gossiping about their problem.

The Brightest Star in the Sky There is no greater experience in this life than to feel perfectly safe and perfectly loved. When we go out into the world knowing that we are optimally connected to the omniscience of love, we shine more brightly than the sun that sustains this planet.

The British Wedding Reception After the service splendid and fine There follows a banquet with good food and wine The families, some who haven’t chatted for years Get full up with champagne and sherry and beer.

The Camcorder Never Lies Jade sat there willing the phone to ring. He always phoned at eleven, and it was nearly half past. She jumped, as the clock struck the half hour—was it worth all this agony?

The Change A modern Vampire thriller with some very evil consequences. This story is by the author of Warrior Poets.

The Child The Aussie Out Reach …….. March / 2020. Scientist have yet to explain the strange sightings that have been happening since January of this year.

The Cost of Honor At the height of the Cold War, a previously unreported incident sees the light of day and demonstrates that governments will always cover up embarrassing incidents, but individuals will often find a way to do the right thing.

The Cowboy Goes to Daycare The summer of ’98 was a hot one, and I rode my Harley dresser almost exclusively. Even when it rained I’d head out on it in the morning. Such is the allure of motorcycling when the mood really hits you.

The Curse of Wicked Willie Just because a murderer is caught, convicted and executed doesn’t mean that her crimes will end there! Revenge is a terrible thing.

The Dance of Shame Tunde Akingbade relates yet another African tale in this play that shows the differences of African cultures and values from those of other world cultures.

The Dark Secret The girl screamed and ran down the dark alleyway. Her expensive high heels slapped loudly on the pavement. The man smiled. He loved it when his prey ran. The chase was so much better this way. It would be easy to catch her and kill her. He hoped she was a feisty one. He hated the ones that just fainted and let him do his bidding.

The Day of Armageddon Beginning one morning It was the day of Armageddon Satan himself came calling Sending chills into our spine Through nineteen of his children.

The DFC With the engines screaming in the steep combat landing, it was hard for Captain Bruce Semanski to hear through his headphones. ‘Do you hear me, Leduc?’ he shouted into his mouthpiece. The C-123 he was piloting shuddered and protested the demands being made of it to land at this speed and this angle in the attempt to avoid enemy ground fire. Semanski shouted a little louder, ‘Leduc, do you hear me?’

The Dumbest Animal Red Hartley had stopped to pass the time with Wilbur Hanks. Wilbur had a mule that was, to say the least, unique. It had a definite personality; perhaps even a sense of humor.

The Face At The Window Camilla, or Cam as she liked to be known as, quite enjoyed this time of day. By now she had completed the daily chores and was at the stage of actually missing the terrible twins, her eight-year-old sons Joe and Max.

The Famished King and The Mystery Head This play by the master of African storytelling, Tunde Akingbade, is full of the magical events, unusual powers, and sometimes perplexing choices his characters often make.

The Ghost Catcher Here is another Akingbade play to mystify the senses and ensnare the mind. In this one, a king is dubbed “The Ghost Catcher” for the way he handles (and mishandles) a murderous incident involving political and magical intrigue.

The Green Eyes of Trouble It was the flash of green eyes from under light brown hair that nearly tripped him up. Leaving the train, he saw that look, and his foot went between the step and the dock.

The House In The Sky This serial tells the story of a young woman as she grows up with her brothers and sisters in a 14th century house in England.

The Houses The houses are the areas of living where astrological influences take place. Similar to our physical homes, it is where the tasks of living occur. In our physical homes we dust, vacuum, empty the trash, clean clothes and dishes, prepare food which all contribute to readying the base from which we will come and go in our daily lives. Astrological houses work much the same way. It is the system our souls employ in order to organize our spiritual tasks.

The Hunters We were sitting around a woodstove trying to dry out after a stormy day of ice fishing. Hunting season had ended a month ago but it was still fresh in the men’s minds.

The Husband from Heaven An African spinster makes a secret deal to win a husband, with unexpected consequences.

The Jonah Tom and Wendy Nason were old friends of mine, and through the years they had four children; two boys and two girls. The boys were the older ones and had already gone through school when Tom was killed in a logging accident.

The Journey The journey begins The bombing is on a full scale The moment is imaginary A time to run away from the roaring lion And Suicide

The Little People What makes a good horror story? Something that makes you shudder? Or makes the hairs at the back of your neck rise up? Well the following story may be hard for you to believe, but it’s said to be true. A tale so horrible and frightening you will never switch your lights off again, and you will always want to look under your bed……just to be sure.

The Making of the Tin Man and Me This is the true-life story of a woman’s personal struggle as she attempts to break through the shell of an emotionally unavailable man who has entered her life.

The Man In The Cave There, the man lives in a cave Throw him out, they ordered And he was catapulted Hitting Kabul Sending terror as a carry over from Mogadishu. Making the man from Saudi to roam a rugged cold terrain,

The Mirror Never Lies Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most evil of them all? Mirrors can be quite unnerving, particularly when they tell you truths you’d rather not know.

The Native The lap of the waves was subdued on the smooth wetness of the light brown sand. Not a sign of life was to be seen on the water. The only movement was a pair of gulls that soared smoothly overhead, crying softly as they moved over the shoreline in search of sustenance.

The News Here comes another newsflash Kandahar! Kandaha? Oh Kandahar, where is thy soul? Tucked amongst rugged mountains In the faraway country

The Night Stalker The fog was thick and deep on the winding, dirt road, and the long boughs from the pines that flanked it on either side seemed to be reaching out in an attempt to pluck the Pontiac Grand Prix from the macadam. And even those sinewy, mist-dampened branches could only be seen with the aid of the headlights, all else being swallowed up in the smothering fog and ebony, eternal spaces beyond the grasp of the halogen lamps.

The Pendulum The pendulum swings Changing the drumbeats While fresh water flows And a brand new tilapia swims Dancing a familiar tune-

The People Under The River The man sat on a moss-covered log and took long drags from a Marlboro cigarette. Satisfaction billowed from his mouth in smoky, white streams–satisfaction from his cigarette, sure, but satisfaction from the job they had completed, as well.

The Perfect Day The women are old fashioned ladies who dress for the nights in private and then present themselves coquettishly to their gentlemen attired handsomely and ready to sweep them with old world romance and charm. The energy throughout the day is mixed with variations ranging from smooth to rough; peaceful to combative.

The Phases of Life As you may know by now, Stories by Email is coming to an end which is sad for all of us: the writers, readers and our dedicated editor, Walter Thiessen. I know we have all appreciated this ezine in our lives and the gifts it has bestowed through inspiration, entertainment, relaxation and as an avenue of creative expression. My personal thanks to the other writers, the readers and Walt.

The Picture The rows of tombstones stretched away for what seemed like miles, and each one seemed like all the others. Small and unimpressive they stood one behind the other, much as the soldiers they covered must have stood as they marched away to war. The sun’s rays fell at such an angle that the shadow of each stone fell at the base of the one behind it, giving the rows a much darker cast than the aisles between them.

The Planets Planets are the focal points through which the radiations from the sun pour forth upon the earth, and as they revolve about the sun the angle of that radiation shifts. In the springtime, the angle is such that life is renewed. It is the most dynamic time of growth whether in nature or an individual. In the summer, the sun is higher; hotter. It dries and heats. In the fall, the angle again changes and life begins to withdraw. In the winter, it is essentially dormant. It is the changes of these angles that cause the seasons – both in nature and the individual.

The Pottery Class Joe had come back from football practice and trodden damp mud right through the hall carpet. Lisa was doing what all thirteen-year-old girls do best…speaking on the telephone! Martin had just phoned from the office and informed her that he wouldn’t be back home until late…he’d had such a busy day!!!

The Pregnancy Emails Yes, I am pregnant. Thank you all for your congratulatory emails, which made me think that with all the emails I’ve gotten lately asking after my state of health, etc, that I would be proactive and send out an ‘e-newsletter’ of sorts to save you all inquiring individually, and to answer all the questions you might have (and many you won’t) in one go. So here we go …

The Raw Truth I don’t have a specific thing that I need advice on, but I would like to see where you stand on ‘cyber relationships’ from a small level of attachment to a deep involved one.

The Real Estate Dictionary After many years of renting, I thought I had learned it all about Real Estate Agents. Not so. I had, in fact, only learned about Property Managers—which are the prerequisite to Agents as such. They don’t quite have the low moral standing and ‘realtor’ speak down pat as yet. Now that I’ve bought a house, I’ve encountered the Agent, essentially the same as Property Managers but a hundred times worse.

The Rotting Corpse The afternoon was cloudy, promising much needed rain. The house, as if innocent, was quiet. Birds twittered in anticipation of the rain. There was distant thunder, and a hint of moisture in the breeze. Inside the dark house silent screams reverberated with infinite pain.

The Sale An ode to the great British public… who love a bargain (and to queue!) There’s a sale on at a major store It starts at the weekend With so much there, bargains galore It’s me the family send.

The Sea Claims Its Own Milford had always been known locally as a caution. As a kid he had been known for his outrageous sense of humor and his willingness to do anything for a laugh. As he grew older the urge to steal the spotlight stayed with him.

The Singing Snake On three consecutive occasions, Olu had won the Best Hunters Award in the village of Lase, and his popularity soared. Many people wanted to be associated with Olu, who was twenty-eight years old. Men and women flocked around him, because they believed he had rare endowments that allowed him to kill the biggest snake in the forest of Lase.

The Skunk Jump I was at my friend Tom’s on a drizzly spring day and conversation, as usual, took in topics from all over the world, none related. The running of the bulls in Spain was analyzed. After reading Hemingway, I understood the basics of why it was done, even though there was no way I would be involved in such a stunt.

The Soul Mates Sometimes it’s not enough to be soul mates. Sometimes, it takes something more. This short serial explores what the something is.

The Story of the Great Famine Once upon a time, the entire world was hit by a great depression. Hunger was all over the land. There was no food to eat, and all the people including animals became lean and hungry.

The Surgeon Robert Wilkins stared blankly at the woman before him. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was even. He made sure he gave her enough chloroform to keep her asleep long enough for him to prepare her.

The Suspended Egg Lape is a 39 years old graduate of engineering from one of the reputable schools in the world. She lives in Europe where she expects everything to be going on well for her. Unfortunately, everything is upside down.

The Thanksgiving Storm The gray drizzle of the late fall storm became colder as the day wore on. What had been an almost balmy fifty-five degrees at dawn was now down to thirty-eight and falling. Many hunters were leaving the woods to bask in the warmth of their truck heaters.

The Times They Are Changing Very good question! Too bad there isn’t any one standard rule to length of time for time outs. Yes I said it, and I will stand by the statement! I have gone completely cross-eyed reading websites, surfing through pediatricians. I have come across many suggested toddlers times outs. I have even braved the pages of dear old Dr. Spock, (no not the Vulcan), and it seems to me there simply isn’t one firm answer to your question. What I will tell you is my idea of what a time out should be. I’ll let you decide what you want to do.

The Top of The Mountain A mountain top becomes a symbol for the struggle a man faces as he loses his wife to cancer.

The Trap Door First Talitha Crowe became aware of her eyelids. They insinuated their burning, sore selves into her consciousness with a malicious glee. Talitha’s neck began to scream next. And then the rest of her body parts in quick succession. And finally her heart voiced its agony in no uncertain terms. Talitha groaned. She was obviously not going to sleep again. So she opened her throbbing eyes.

The Tunnel Rat It was dark, darker than he’d ever known it. He couldn’t see anything in front of him. He blinked his eyes rapidly and stared. It didn’t help. He still couldn’t see anything. He fingered, really caressed, the flashlight on his belt. He could flick it on and see whatever awaited him in the darkness.

The Turquoise Cowboy and The Bounty The Turquoise Cowboy was dry and dusty when he rode into the sleepy little town of Mesa. People on the boardwalks could see the weariness that went to the very core of him. Countless miles lay behind him, as well as something much easier to spot. And smell.

The Voice of Experience Sidney Hurley and his wife Elizabeth were quite disgruntled by the change in the weather. The previous days had been sunny and hot, so hot that his wife suggested they make up a portable camp and ‘make like the natives,’ as she put it. In truth their outfit was one that a native wouldn’t know what to do with.

The Whirlwind Sow the wind And the whirlwind rolls in exchange A stir in the beehive provokes terror Stings and air strikes

The Whitaker House Curse The lines separating imagination from reality blur when a horror diary mirrors the real life of the inhabitants of an old house.

The Wizards Who Flew Into America A bizarre crime, a highly publicized trial, magic, spirits, and wild events are all featured in this novel by African master Tunde Akingbade.

There When You Need Them Thieu was getting ready to go out. She peered into the little round mirror to apply the eye shadow. She wasn’t very good at it. She squinted, she turned her head, she blinked. And she persevered, but the effect was never what she wanted.

They Should Be Seen And Not Heard The feuding between her and a couple of the other girls was reaching a crescendo and Mrs. Martin was just about sick of it.

Thief of the Wind Titi had just visited one of her friends in company of her son Lele on the outskirts of Moki village. Both mother and child savored and relished the hospitality accorded them by Lape, who was a very close friend of Titi. Lape had always wanted Titi to visit her since she was married fifteen years ago, but Titi had not been able to do so until now.

This Old House At the age of twenty-two, she had inherited a house from her grandmother Clara. Not any run of the mill house though, this was truly a wondrous abode.

Through The Keyhole Every now and then When I cannot resist I have a little peek Through the keyhole.

Till Death Do You Part I recently went out for a few drinks with some co-workers (all male); we went to a strip joint not far from work. One of the men started to whine about his overweight wife, and another started to complain about what a nag his wife was. Pretty soon they had all taken a turn gunning their spouses, and they turned to me, waiting for my main complaint. At that moment I considered lying to them, but I didn’t see why I should; so I began to tell them all about my wife and our marriage.

Time Out Meg sighed a sigh of utter peace and contentment. Never, ever had she gone away anywhere by herself. Since marrying Steve ten years ago she had experienced some wonderful holidays…but always with him and latterly, their five year old twin girls.

Time To Go When you had only been married for less than a year, you yearned for the weekend, especially when it was a raw November evening, and it was only the thought of cuddling up to Alex her husband in front of a video and the blazing fire.

Tin Man and Me This poem was written following a brief but intense encounter with a man who was emotionally unavailable at the time our paths crossed. The Wizard of Oz has always been one of my favorite movies and as my heart began the process of healing it followed the yellow brick road.

Tinker Tailor… Each day at the bus stop Gina stood near him. They had only got as far as the saying hello stage and he probably greeted everyone in the same friendly manner.

To Die For Imogen was vain. She was the vainest woman that one would ever have the misfortune to happen across.

To Play by the Rules I like the rainy days. Days when it stays dark all day and the water pours down, be it drizzle or a downpour. I like to write on such days, uninterrupted by people asking me to come out and do something.

Too Good To Be True Andy and Jo were the perfect couple. They had a nice house, new car and now…a new baby. Jo was in the nice situation of not having to return to work. Andy’s job was extremely well paid, and she could be a full-time mother to baby Michele. Motherhood was as great as Jo had imagined it to be. Michele slept like a dream, and at five months old she was becoming a real joy…and a beauty.

Touchy Issues Where do you stand on abortion? I made the mistake of bringing the subject up the other night. A co-worker is having a problem with his teen daughter, and it made me wonder about the man’s stand in things.

Transgressions Blondes with black eyebrows, Old ladies with heels they can’t walk in, Blind people with canes that don’t work, Babies mothered by babies themselves.

Trapped! Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) is a debilitating disease in which the scariest part is that the victim’s mind remains sound—he just can’t express any of his thoughts. This is the story of one such frustrated person.

Turkey Salad and Other Traditions Jenny’s hands trembled as they pulled the turkey from the oven and hefted it atop the stove. The aluminum pan bowed under the weight of the twenty-two pound tom, and she grunted. She examined the bird and wanted to cry. It still looked…pale. Like it needed a suntan. Mother’s turkeys were always perfectly brown. The insides were tender and pink, dribbling moisture when a fork slid through a slice.

Two Sides Of The Same Coin She sat down opposite the other woman and lit up a cigarette. A cup of good strong coffee, a cigarette…now the serious discussion could begin. Flicking her unruly hair away from her eyes, she faced the other woman, her eyes narrowing as she started the accusations.

Vaccuum Day Frantic noise escalated from somewhere. And then there was pain. In Genna’s head. Her entire skull seemed to beat with the dull thud. And there was motion, out of control. Another thud as her hip struck the floor. Genna touched her head. Something had cut her and there was blood. In shock, she tried to stand up. Immediately she plopped down again. The ungodly noise in her head intensified.

Waiting I should have waited for you. The sages tell us that all steps lead to the now that we are and to miss one would change our entire course. Still, I can’t help but wonder how a path might have been carved or a bridge built, from who I was and where I was headed to how I want to be now, and to you.

Warrior Poets Drugs, brutality, power, and a peculiar lifestyle highlight this tale of a drug trafficker and the people he meets during his nefarious career.

Waves Just like waves in the ocean, We are, Forever mingling, sliding, rolling. Just as the crests of water Never separate, Never come apart, Nor do we.

Weep Not New York Weep Not New York Don’t weep for New York City But share her poignant tale, As you reflect on the roaring crafts, Tearing and downing the Siamese Towers In a Blazing inferno

Welcome On Board Enough of this song Welcome onboard this voyage with me “Enjoy your flight,” echoes from the lips of the Air driver Desired to reach his destination But Excuse me Captain, How can this voyage be pleasant?

What’s For Dinner? Jenny Fisher was harassed. She had the roast beef shrinking in the oven, the potatoes boiling to mush on the stove, the vegetables steaming away to nothingness and on top of all that she had Nathan’s mother dictating her every move.

When All Animals Ate Their Mothers Although the agreement was incredible, all the animals decided to abide by it having been pushed to the wall by one of the world’s greatest famines, with hunger and economic hardship, which spread through the land in those long forgotten years.

When Life Stands Still Grace sat at the dressing table gazing at her reflection. It always seemed funny to her…looking at oneself, sometimes it was like looking at a stranger. She looked tired tonight, a little lined around the eyes. The only thing that remained constant was her hair. The shiny thick crown that haloed her head…her crowning glory, her father had always called it.

When Love Calls You Home Stone Hawkins is released from prison and heads home to Ash Falls. From here on in, his life and values are challenged in a variety of ways, testing his resolve to stay on the right side of the law.

Where Are The Americans? It was a long time ago, October 1956 to be more exact. I was a young guy, barely 20 to be more exact. At the time I was in the military, forced there out of high school by a draft that was going to get me sooner or later anyway.

Where is Afghanistan? The twin towers crumbled into twin rubbles Possibly by a mastermind From Afghanistan? But where is Afghanistan?

Who Am I Without This Thought? I like shortcuts. I like to find the quickest path to receiving the greatest benefit in almost all departments of life. I’m not in the least bit ashamed of this any more than I am by the fact that I used to move the furniture around when I vacuumed and now I use the vacuum to move my daughter’s toys out of the way as I blaze a path down the carpeted hallway. It’s a matter of priorities.

Who is to follow Tortoise It was getting dark and the whole village was quiet. The moon slowly appeared throwing some light onto the darkness. Everyone sat down at mama’s feet waiting for another folk-tale.

Why Pigs Search Dump Sites A long time ago, the Tortoise and the Pig were very good friends. The Pig was very rich, and he was able to lend money to some of his poor friends like the Tortoise. The Tortoise owed the Pig two bags of cowries, the type of money spent in those days.

Why The Fox Likes Chicken In the beginning of the world a long time ago, the mighty Fox was afraid of the Cock. The fear was so great that wherever the Fox saw the Cock, the Fox would take to his heels and run for safety. The Cock was always embarrassed. He wondered why the fox was always terrified whenever they saw each other. So it happened one day again. Both the Fox and the Cock met on the way to the market. Immediately, the Fox saw the Cock as he stood at a distance gazing. The Cock was surprised that the Fox was afraid again.

Windmill Hill In a small town by the sea There lies a grassy hill By day, the flowers bloom prettily And tree sway at their will.

Women Trouble What a hellish morning he had endured so far and it was only early yet…he felt like he had run the marathon.

World Cup Fever It seems as if the world’s gone mad Like someone’s pulled the lever Brothers, girls, your mum…your dad Is gripped by World Cup fever!

Worried Mom and Dad I am a proud Father of a 12-year-old daughter; she’s really a good kid, but I’m concerned about one of her young male friends. The boy is grubby looking and hasn’t any manners. I have always encouraged my child to have her friends come over to our house. I prefer to know where she is and what she’s doing. This young man however doesn’t like to visit her at home. He seems to always be coming up with things for them to do that take her away from home.

Worst Day Teri slammed her purse and the mail onto the kitchen table. This had to have been the worst day of her life. It didn’t help matters any that today was Monday. She sighed and took off her suit coat and threw it on the table over her things, reached for the phone and called her voice mail. There was only one message; from her fiancé Gavin.

Yes Daddy Can! Recently I had an experience that has left me shaking my head. This one I have to share with you. It’s times like this I wish I could get some feedback from the readers. I have the feeling if I could hear what you have to say I would be surprised by the response. I will lay out the scenario and let you come to your own conclusion on this one.

You Have Mail A break up of a relationship is almost never easy. Even as in Fran’s case. Her husband of eight years and herself had made a clean and amicable split from each other. No children were involved and they seemed to stay reasonable friends…what could be better?

Your Questions Here are a couple more reader’s questions and my responses. It’s helpful to know as we go through our challenges that we’re not alone and this is particularly true in our intimate relationships. I believe we all benefit from the experiences of others so here are a couple more of yours.