Linda K Sienkiewicz

Writing life, line by line

Anticipating a holiday family food fight?

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In this heated political climate, I don't want to be in the middle of a family food fight during the holidays. When I visit relatives who have a vastly different stance on the election than me, I will need to leave two expectations behind: That there will be a reconciliation or meeting of the minds. That my views will validated or affirmed. It ain't happening. Knowing this fact has … [Read more...]

A woman who reads while she walks

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How can anyone read a book while they walk? I've seen this woman in the Mount Avon Cemetery before, book held in one hand, eyes fixed on the page, as she winds her way through. She walks briskly, too, never looking up. I wonder if she ever tripped and landed on her face. I'm sure I would. An avid reader I almost hesitated to interrupt her, but she was all smiles when I asked if I could chat … [Read more...]

A Corgi Halloween

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I admit it -- I like to dress my Welsh Pembroke corgi for Halloween. My husband looks at our dog, shakes his head and says to her, "Clementine, have some pride." lol! She enjoys Halloween because she gets a treat and lots of attention from trick-or-treaters who come to our door. They often want to take her picture. I don't get crazy. Nothing constricting or uncomfortable and I always consider her … [Read more...]

What women want when speaking about sexual assault

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  Nearly every woman I know has told me about one or more times in which she was sexually assaulted, molested, threatened or raped, or they personally know someone who was sexually assaulted, molested, threatened or raped. I was molested as a child, most vividly by a stranger in Woolworth's in the 60s, and I am also a victim of date rape. I hesitated to tell anyone until recently, … [Read more...]

Birthdays After You Lose a Child

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I vividly remember the moment Derek was born. The doctor laid him across my chest and there he was, my first baby -- his round face like a pale moon, his eyes open and unblinking, his little body warm and wet, his heart beating against my bare skin. I won't ever forget his first smile, his first word (It was butterfly, and I have a witness), and his first steps in the wooded acre behind our … [Read more...]