Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

How do you hang up the phone?

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Hang ups: We end phone calls with the mere tap of a finger. When I was young, it was exciting to hang up on someone by slamming the receiver down. Slam your cell phone down and you might shatter the screen. I still hang up on solicitors. I hang up on political calls, too. What do you say? End the call, or hang up? Some of us remember when we used to dial a number. A recent WaPo … [Read more...]

THE WATERS: Spellbinding and brutal fiction

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Fiction to lean into, to absorb, to take your time reading Author Bonnie Jo Campbell's newest novel, "The Waters," is not to be missed if you like dense, provocative fiction. My review is currently up on MER Motherhood Literature and Art magazine. “There were herbs in the Waters of Massasauga swamp that could be rendered into medicines for just about every affliction: yarrow and … [Read more...]

Queen Clementine: a Dog Story

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The gift of dogs Dogs bring so much into our lives that I sometimes wonder how we can ever repay them. Clementine was like a gift. When our kids were growing up, we had a wonderful chocolate Lab. When she developed diabetes in her later years, we gave her insulin injections twice daily. It was a challenge, but we loved her. After she died, we spent 7 years debating what kind of dog we … [Read more...]

Red River Valley, for Dad on his birthday

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Such a sad song When I was a little girl, I asked my late father to tell me his favorite song..."the most beautiful song you ever heard." He thought a minute. “I guess it’d have to be ‘Red River Valley.’” His answer stumped me. It was such a sad song. Why would your favorite be one that made you feel sad? He wasn't one to listen to the radio or records. In fact, the bigger surprise may … [Read more...]

Talking with myself

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Weird habit or normal? I confess: I replay or create conversations aloud. I expound. I pontificate. I argue. I talk in the bathroom. I talk when folding laundry. I talk when walking the dogs. I practice for an upcoming doctor's appointment, a phone call, an argument. I have talked aloud ever since I can remember. Over the years, I've managed to rein it in, but more times than I care to … [Read more...]