Category Archives: Short Stories

There was a time when I went through a rough stretch at work. As a social worker it was clear to me that carrying this kind of burden would last just so long and I’d start to pay a heavy price. I decided I needed a program of “self-medication” to treat my stress, not with drugs or substances, but with what I thought would lead me into an inner realm where a healing process could be touched. Writing and photography were those two areas.

Writing was something that came easily to me. It was a big part of my role as a social worker in my reports and client summaries. As an introvert I was comfortable setting words to paper, more so than reporting verbally where the risk was ever present of being caught in that socially awkward situation of going blank out of fear.

My writing became half of my self-medicating regimen. It involved writing short stories , usually only 3-4 typed pages in length, depicting the battle of the forces of light vs. those of darkness. The protagonist was usually young, 8-12 years of age, often a young girl, accompanied by a guide from the spirit world. The villains were modeled after three executives I was acquainted with who fit the bill of villainy. Together the protagonist and her spirit guide fought and vanquished the forces of darkness. This part of my “self-medicating treatment” resulted in 45 short stories.

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely-Hearts Club Band

Posted on April 17, 2019 by journeysofabentmind

Cheri slipped her hand into her Grandfather’s as they approached the antique store on the corner of Columbus Avenue and Fifth. The sun was partially hidden, and there was a slight breeze blowing down the canyons of tall buildings. On … Continue reading →

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The Fire God of Mt. Tahlynn

Posted on April 11, 2019 by journeysofabentmind

The volcano loomed large over the tiny village nestled in the quiet valley at its base. A thin hint of smoke and ash wafted out of the mouth of its crater, sending a light dusting of grey-white over the landscape … Continue reading →

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The Magic Touch

Posted on January 24, 2019 by journeysofabentmind

In a time long ago, when the sun was young and the moon but a hint in history’s dark corridors, a farmer lived high in the mountains in a snug little valley, surrounded by sharp-rising mountains and rushing streams, and … Continue reading →

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The Velvet Samurai

Posted on December 2, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

Nobu Go Den rested quietly on his knees under the branches of an ancient ginkgo tree, his eyelids closed, his mind on the verge of sensing. It was approaching evening, the sixth hour past midday by his reckoning, and the … Continue reading →

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The Committee to Clean up the Woods

Posted on October 22, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

Mole hurried along the path back to the wooden gate and his job as the gatekeeper near the south end of the woods. Owl, the woodland mayor, had asked him to pick up some poultice from Squirrel for his aching … Continue reading →

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The Little Big Top

Posted on September 15, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

She held tightly to his large hand, and together they struggled against the strong winds and slashing rain. With her other hand she cradled a tiny cricket cage against her slight body. Her tattered cloak barely covered her, and she … Continue reading →

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The Dirty Baker’s Dozen

Posted on July 7, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

The weather had been mild and sunny over much of the spring and early summer, and prosperity had returned to the Villages nestled between the rolling plains and low lying hills of the Western Regions. The early spring rains gave … Continue reading →

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A Crystal Bowl In The Sand

Posted on June 25, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

Thuleman ob Mephisté, known as Thuleman the Terrible, sat with his back to the tent doorway. It was his incredible arrogance that enabled him to do this. His Chief at Arms, Jhampur ïbn Marnük, was frantic with rage, and paced … Continue reading →

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The Window on Midnight

Posted on May 28, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

The old wooden planks burned under her feet as she flew down the length of the rickety old pier, the sun blazing down, her ponytail trailing straight out behind her in the heavy sultry air. Her one thought was to … Continue reading →

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The Lavender Baron

Posted on May 16, 2018 by journeysofabentmind

His parents liked his brother best. He was taller, had that dark handsome look about him, and was smarter than Hans. Manfred Von Richtofen was pursued by the best universities, graduated at the head of his class with honors, and … Continue reading →

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