Don’t Call Me Chicken!

November 6, 2015November 6, 2015 / roughwighting / 67 Comments

This past weekend my guy and I watched the movie Back to the Future in honor of its 30^th anniversary. I haven’t seen that movie since it came out in 1985. The movie, and Marty and the professor, have aged well.

The first time I watched the entire series (Back to the Future, I, II, and III), I didn’t catch the back story of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and his “chicken” button. That is, he’s a pretty level-headed kid unless someone calls him chicken, as in wimp, fraidy cat, coward.

Once someone pushes that button, Marty stops seeing sense and instead pushes through his fear and goes after whatever he’s afraid of. (And several times, gets into trouble because of his hot button-pushed head.)

But I can’t relate to that emotion, I hum to myself righteously. I don’t have any hot buttons like Marty does. Continue reading →

A Vexing Hex

October 30, 2015October 28, 2015 / roughwighting / 66 Comments

Joyce read the ad and a burst of incredulous laughter kicked out of her gut.

“Ridiculous,” she said to Simon, her 13-year-old cat, the only one around who listened.

She turned the newspaper page. Page 8 held her interest for barely a second before she ruffled pages and returned to the ad.

Hell’s Spells

Dark Moon Ritual 10/30

Curse Away Your Trouble

Call Now! 415-383-xxxx.

www.halloweenhex.com

Private Consultation & Custom Spells Available

Carefully Joyce read each word out loud as if expecting Simon to remark. When he only blinked his yellowed eyes, as if saying he’d seen it all, Joyce picked up the phone and dialed. Continue reading →

The Stars Inside – Not Shaken But Stirred

October 23, 2015October 22, 2015 / roughwighting / 59 Comments

Are the stars out tonight?

Is it gloomy or bright?

Should I believe in a wish

Or not strive for true bliss?

My star is plastic, pointy and hard

Reminding me always to be on guard

No night is soft, the air turns cold

Just like this star that I firmly hold

Continue reading →

I’m No Martha Stewart, So…

October 16, 2015October 17, 2015 / roughwighting / 59 Comments

…when the new committee member offers, I accept her request to host the meeting.

“11:30ish, right?” she adds. “What? Oh no, no don’t bring a sandwich. I’ll just make something easy.”

Granted, I am selfishly salivating at the idea. After all, she’s Martha Steward x 100.

The four of us walk into her warm, cozy kitchen from the cold October chill. Something aromatically autumnal is steaming from a saucepan. Mugs filled with warm cider, a cinnamon stick in each, wait on the counter. A large vase of dried lavender and rose hydrangea flowers pose next to five soup bowls. Continue reading →

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for …

October 9, 2015October 9, 2015 / roughwighting / 88 Comments

Remember those ole Rorschach tests? The ones that psychologists placed in front of you and said, “describe what you see,” and by that, they determined your personality?