Mustang Island

Our daughter, Iyla, is a creature at home in the water (as is her Papa).  We have spoken many times about the ocean – she believes it's where the mermaids live.  Jules and I wanted to arrange an introduction, so the family vacationed this summer on Mustang Island near Port Aransas, Texas.  Iyla delighted in the sun, sand and surf.  What a joy to observe!  No mermaid sightings, though.  Perhaps, next year.

 

San Francisco & Big Sur, California

Jules and I escaped to Northern California for a week of adventure and discovery.  We began our trip with an overnight in San Francisco, then visited Berkeley to attend a two-day couples seminar, followed by a journey along the coast to Big Sur where we enjoyed three days of mountain air and stunning ocean views ... Yes, Sir, Big Sur!

Creative Writing

Thirteen narcissists in a room.

One occupies the head of the table,
gently fondling his first published novel,

Milk Toast, 

which the university press declares
"a wry and energetic romp" 

chronicling the misadventures 

of an associate professor
struggling with success
and an arranged marriage gone awry.

He admires the glossy cover of his book
while the rest of us 

huddle in groups of four
to discuss dialogue construction.

"Good dialogue should sound real," 

someone offers.

"It should advance the plot," 

says another.

They turn to professor 

who acknowledges approvingly.

"Alright," professor says, 

"here comes a timed exercise 

to help you think more creatively."

He produces an assortment of newspapers
and instructs the class 

to find story ideas

in the headlines.

"You have six minutes."

I am handed a paper 

and encounter a piece
chronicling a group of Japanese students
who built a world-record-breaking,

one-hundred-foot-tall structure
made of Legos.

The Japanese celebrated

with a parade of streamers, 

fireworks and musicians.

The fireworks grew out of hand, 

and the wooden platform 

supporting their creation 

caught fire.  

Attempts to control the blaze failed.

The structure collapsed.

A photo portrays teenagers 

standing in horror and weeping.

The headline reads: 

       JAPANESE LEGO-TOWER RECORD 

       DESTROYED BY FIRE

Yet, those students─

 

months of planning and labor,

their monument

to God knows what 

disappearing in flames.

I pass the paper.

Others scribble furiously,

pencils racing.

"Time's up!"

Then it hits me, 

in what professor calls

"your divine, creative spark."

I get the hell out of there

and hustle to the Student's Union Bar

before the story

gets away.

**First published in The American Dissident

**Illustration by Morgane Xenos

Thai Steak Salad

     This warm-weather salad is great for a romantic evening or intimate dinner party.  The bold flavors will surprise your guests and excite the palette.  The conversation is up to you.

INGREDIENTS 

• 4 limes, juiced
• 1 lime, quartered
• 6 tablespoons fish sauce
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 red Thai chilis, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 pounds Asian sirloin steak
• 4 green onions (green part only), chopped
• 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup carrot, shredded
• 1/2 cup sugar snap peas with pod, chopped (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
• 1 cucumber, halved, seeded and sliced thin
• 1 mango, peeled, pitted, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 pound bean sprouts
• 1 large bag mixed spring lettuce

     1).  Whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, Thai chili, garlic and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.  Place steak (room temperature) in a non-reactive bowl with cover.  Marinate 30 minutes.  Reserve remaining marinade in a small bowl and refrigerate (also 30 minutes).

     2).  Toss mixed spring lettuce, green onions, bean sprouts, cilantro, sugar snap peas, carrots, red bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes and mango in a large bowl; add peanuts and a light portion of the reserved dressing (marinade); toss.

     3).   Heat grill pan over high heat.  Place marinaded steak in the pan, pouring remaining juice (from the steak bowl) atop the steaks.  Sprinkle with black pepper and cook, turning once, until desired temperature (about 4-6 minutes on each side for medium rare).  Transfer to a cutting board; cover loosely with aluminum foil.  Let rest 5 minutes.  Set aside the grill pan, keeping the pan juice in tact.

     4).  Slice steak across the grain into strips about 1/2 inch wide.

     5).  Divide salad mixture among plates.  Top each with steak slices.  Pour pan juice over the steak.  Pour remaining marinade over salad mixture.  Garnish with lime wedges.

 Accompany with a bottle of bold, red wine ... We like Tempranillo.

SERVES 4-6

Iyla Grace 2.0

   Iyla Grace 2.0 is available today.  New features include solo walking (still in beta), belly laughs, and teeth … The 1.0 release was miraculous.  Happy First Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Flirting

As far as

she is concerned,

the difference

between

my flirting

with an

attractive woman

and merely conversing

with one

lies in whether

or not

I am

enjoying

myself.

Zoo Report

He preferred the sea lions.

He admired their tranquil eyes 

and playful hijinks,
the ease with which they cut through water 

like a rollicking circus.  

He enjoyed them lounging 

in the midday heat, 

their ripe bellies basking

in the California sun.  

Pups tossed a beach ball 

as human primates gathered 'round the exhibit
armed with chattering cameras, 

stuffed panda-bear keepsakes 

and a detached curiosity afforded those 

atop the food chain.  

An anxious man with a camcorder 

berated the docile, elder sea lions: 

        "Do something, you bums!  

        Do something!"  

His orders were ignored.

A mischievous boy launched a spit ball 

at a sleeping bull lion.  

His mother pulled him aside and paddled him
drawing shrieks from the child 

and hot remarks from nearby adults 

critical of her technique.

Harsh words were exchanged, 

escalating to threats of violence.  

The man with the camcorder 

attempted mediation 

resulting in an awkward scuffle 

between him
and a stout, walrus-looking gentleman.  

Then a caretaker arrived 

with buckets of herring.  

Sea lions jettisoned onto the embankment 

barking with wild enthusiasm.  

The crying boy took solace 

in his mother's embrace 

while eager bulls shuffled 

to the front of the gathering.  

Cameras scurried to capture 

the bustle of excitement.

  

Bystanders applauded 

as the ruffians were escorted to the gate.  

All was well with the animals.

**First published in Austin International Poetry Festival's 

      Di-Verse-City anthology