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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Red October 3 months ago
After more than 20 hours of extreme physical pain I was beyond exhausted. I pleaded for release, an escape. But they continued to barked orders at me. “I don’t want to do this” I repeated in defiance. My heart […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Second Chance 3 months ago
How early is too early to arrive at the airport; two hours, three hours? If you are taking an early morning flight and like to get there when they are washing or fueling the plane – you are there too early. If […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, A Fabulous Retirement 3 months, 1 week ago
I dream about retirement these days like a dog dreams about a bone. That blessed and well-deserved day when I get to call it quits. I imagine the leadup to “o-dark-thirty” may be stressful trying to wrap every […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Sunday Best 3 months, 2 weeks ago
“How about 20 minutes?” I asked after he told me we had to leave in 15. He quickly replied, “Sure, 20 minutes” without pause. This was the easiest negotiation I’d ever been in. I had successfully bought mysel […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Anatomy of a Yard Sale 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Writing about a yard sale isn’t exactly cutting edge. If you’ve ever attempted to off-load dusty objects that you once couldn’t live without, or thought you somehow needed in the future – it can be an emotiona […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Winter's End on the Lake 3 months, 2 weeks ago
The Lake in Winter (photo credit Eric Vickery)
The rough texture of the sun-soaked ice is deep shades of gray and white with small mounds of snow scattered, showing weeks of thawing, and freezing. The […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Fishing Hiku 3 months, 3 weeks ago
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Thoughts On Dad 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Mom & Dad
“He fell again” she slid in between telling me she didn’t have my cousin’s email and something about work. The phone broke up a little, so all I heard was Dad at first, then she said, “He fell again […]
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Thank you for reading and commenting Jackie. It means a lot to me. Memories can be so tender and special. Talking about your Dad is just what I love to hear. It was so sweet. I hope you continue to read and comment…better yet, register to be a contributor. Always with the plug. I hope you are happy and healthy. Keep painting!!!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I really appreciate it.
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Thank you for reading and commenting Billy. It means so much to me. I will give him your love when I see him.
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It takes one to know one, as they say. Thank you for commenting…it means the world to me that you take the time to read my writing. I only hope Dad knows how dedicated I am to him. I think he knows. He’s my hero.
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, The Tenant 3 months, 3 weeks ago
“You must be the TENANT” I sharply said, as I walked down the rickety steps that lead to the beach. I was wearing a baseball cap with a pony tail, no makeup and cut off shorts. Not my best look. I was lo […]
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Great Story.
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Thank you for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it.
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Susan McLaughlin wrote a new post, Tripping 3 months, 4 weeks ago
Last Friday I gladly volunteered to accompany my almost 19 year old son Taki to the bus station, which would take him to the airport to catch a flight 4 hours later. He wanted to drive his car, make his w […]
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Wondering if I will ever be good with my daughter going off to college when she goes. 🙂Clock is ticking
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I’ve been there…you’ll do fine when the time comes. Promise.
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H B Starrett wrote a new post, Radio Silence 4 months ago
Back in the 80’s, I was trying to break into radio and worked at a small market station as an on-air talent while doing overnights for the AM station. I worked the midnight to 6am shift and I believe I even h […]
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Thank you for sharing. This is great.
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Jo McLaughlin and
Jamietoale are now friends 4 months ago
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, And Then There Was Life 4 months ago
You think when you’re 21 that you will live forever. Life seemed simple, as you did anything you wanted. If you gained a little weight, all you’d have to do is skip a meal or two and the pounds disa […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Thank you boys 4 months ago
Adam & Colin
Thank you boys for making me your mother.There you were in my loving arms.
Thank you boys for teaching me that life’s plans are fleeting.Ready for the party until someone was crying or had to g […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Breakfast for Dinner 4 months ago
Wikipedia defines Croque-monsieur as a hot ham and cheese (typically Emmental or Gruyère) grilled sandwich. It originated in France as a fast-food snack served in cafés and bars. More elaborate versions come c […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Putting Charlie to Rest 4 months, 1 week ago
We put Charlie to rest today. It was a small funeral with a handful of family members and Mom and Dad. His box of ashes sat in front of us as soldiers went through the honor ceremony. We blessed ourselves th […]
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, I Sigh 4 months, 1 week ago
I sigh when things are done. No more to do. It’s over.
I sigh when things go wrong. What can I do now? Let me think.
I sigh when I’m happy. So many possibilities. Can it get any better?
I sigh when […]
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🥰
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, What I Know 4 months, 1 week ago
They say write about what you know. I don’t know what I know. I guess I can do laundry, fly an excel sheet, take care of a dog, raise two children, chew gum and walk, give up smoking, take up vaping, kill a bot […]
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katechadbourne wrote a new post, Writers, Let's Be Friends 4 months, 1 week ago
Writing is solitary work for the most part. An idea strikes – or a deadline – and you withdraw to some quiet place to wrestle it onto the page. You’ve spent an hour or five in the echo chamber of your own mind, […]
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Ooops…don’t know if my last comment posted or not, so here I go again…Thank you so much Kate for becoming a Contributor to “Dilettante Life – A Writer’s Space”. What you wrote is so true, and I am inspired by your work, as I hope to be inspired by other writers here. Share the site with your friends, would love to have more Contributors like you.
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Jo McLaughlin wrote a new post, Autobiography in Five Short Chapters 4 months, 1 week ago
Poem by Portia Nelson from the book “Life is Messy” by Matthew Kelly
I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes me […]
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Very good! Keep dodging those holes and maybe in time fill them in? 👍
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Dilettante Life – A Writer's Space
Observing Life & Sharing Experiences
