Reflections

A heartfelt poem about walking into light and feeling whole again after a difficult night.

A poetic meditation on life, light, and manifesting connection in the universe.

A joyful poem capturing the essence of summertime, music, and freedom.

A reflective essay on race, division, and the challenges facing society today.

A brief poetic snapshot of cold city life and spiritual resilience in winter.

A memoir piece exploring the meaning of shared places and memories through song and reflection.

A reflection on love inspired by Paul McCartney’s timeless lyrics and the Beatles’ legacy.

Remembering tender moments and nature’s beauty along Ventura Highway’s dewy mornings.

A poetic journey through the colors and calm of an Ohio autumn filled with dreams and Indian Summers.

Singing along to summer songs while driving through Ohio’s rolling hills and farms.

Finding rays of hope and beauty in the midst of Dayton’s challenges and community spirit.

A reflective poem on love and illusion, set in a late fall Michigan landscape among skinny scarecrows and cornstalks.

A rainy Florida afternoon sparks a deep reflection on living inside your head and understanding oneself.

Reflecting on grief and healing through memories and summer wishes for those we miss dearly.

Reflecting on justice and conscience inspired by Theodore Parker’s 1850 monograph on the moral universe.

Exploring mid-century American history through a dialogue on politics, violence, and hope for better angels.

Watching 'The Sixth Sense' sparks reflections on ghosts and unseen realities across the world.

An exploration of creativity, mental health, and the complex relationship between genius and pain.

A reflection on creativity and the need for unplugged time inspired by dreams on a barrier island.

A personal story exploring cultural symbols like Garuda and the oak tree, and their deeper meanings.

Heisenberg’s quantum theory opens a window into atomic mysteries, blending science with deep philosophical reflections.

A meditation on the origins of love and goodness, and how they grow within our consciousness and souls.

A look at American heroes and a 1972 musical debate emphasizing life, love, and peace during turbulent times.

A nostalgic look at childhood summers, where time stood still amid cicadas and sprinklers in August heat.

A meditation on justice and conscience inspired by the moral arc of the universe and the hope it represents.

The Beatles’ final lyric reminds us that the love we take equals the love we make, a timeless message of hope.

A poetic journey into soul, dreams, and destiny, exploring the unspoken bonds that connect us beyond words.

A poetic meditation on Appalachia, faith, and the landscapes of grief and hope.

A deep look at how shared secrets build love, trust, and vulnerability between partners.

Exploring how Lennon and Mozart tapped into dreams and inspiration to create timeless music.

A compelling reflection on Malcolm X’s lost voice and impact during a turbulent era in America.

A fascinating look at Michelangelo’s lemniscate symbolizing infinity in art and mathematics.

A hopeful look at 50 technological breakthroughs that could transform our future.

A reflective post on love, time, and the spontaneous moments that define relationships.

Here’s to the crazy ones—the rebels and misfits who see things differently and challenge the status quo.

Exploring Chicago’s landmarks with my boys, blending family history with architectural wonder.

Driving alone along the coast, music and moonlight create a soothing, timeless summer memory.

Watching the Gulf’s tides, I reflect on life’s rhythms and the quiet magic of Christmas morning.

Thinking of Dad’s gentle presence and Halloween memories filled with art and music.

On a rainy NYC day, I felt destiny near among coffee shops and Christmas tree lots.

Walking through a house full of memories, I feel the presence of loved ones and the passage of time.

Sitting in Dad’s studio on a rainy Halloween, memories and nature intertwine.

Sharing a new post about the winter season and its deeper meanings.

Remembering the Dunwoody HBO & Company building and the view of pine trees and the Darth Vader building in the distance.

Rushing across a typewriter waterfall, this poem blends voices and memories in a spectral dance of time.

Escape to terra cotta hiding places and tropical sunsets, leaving behind heartache and noise.

This Thanksgiving, I feel freed from old traditions and find new meaning beyond family gatherings and cold Midwestern winds.

Navigating speeding tickets, lost registrations, and police mix-ups in a chaotic week-long journey to bring back the coach.

Watching a football game at Doak Campbell Stadium, I recall the joy of parents’ weekend and living fully in the moment.

Autumn brings memories of the witch sisters, family tales told as oak leaves turn russet and skies grow heavy.

In a salon, a playful voice trims eyebrows, sparking reflections on identity and change.

Six banks now control 60% of the US GDP, while the top 1% earn 20% of income, revealing stark economic inequalities.

Family tensions unfold over car insurance and teenage challenges in a fragmented, robotic conversation.

A quiet moment under a rust-belt overpass reveals unnoticed details and reflections on American life through a poetic lens.

A candid memoir on teenage chaos, hormones, and the emotional tremors that shape youth and sanity.

A delicate poem imagining a distant presence, drifting like a cloud over a stark cliff by the French sea.

A heartfelt poem capturing the Cubs’ tough season and the hope for a hero to change their fate at Wrigley Field.

A playful memoir recalling birthday antics with mountain goats and quirky pets from the Katroo department.

A whimsical tribute to a magical grey cat, from kitten to cherished campus companion.

A personal reflection on fear and uncertainty during Atlanta’s sudden midwinter ice storm.

A playful poem about indulging in New Year’s treats and the battle of willpower with fried delights.

A short, evocative poem about time, doomsday fears, and hope for a new year.

A poetic reflection on the year’s changes, joys, and sorrows as December fades away.

Reflecting on the paradox of online closeness and real-world distance in society and relationships.

A reflective poem about self-doubt and cynicism in everyday moments.

A poetic journey into Maverick’s dreams of tennis and boundless energy.

A family-focused reflection on changing seasons and evolving stories in Turquoise Pencil world.

A nostalgic ride on a rickety bike along Macintosh Road, capturing the heat and small moments of summer.

Summer’s approach marked by magnolia petals and musty window screens, a mother’s gentle seasonal memories.

A ghost in Victorian costume struggles to fit in, caught between past style and present times.

Morning arrives with coffee and sunlight, urging a boy to wake and embrace the day ahead.

Not everyone loves sunshine—some find peace and belonging in the quiet of stormy skies.

Turquoise Pencil is on a short spring break. Stay tuned for new posts coming soon.

Baseball paints a vivid backdrop for cherished family moments, capturing the joy of playing catch with sons Andrew and Tommy.

Freezing toes at Michael Kirby rink was a Chicago childhood rite, a frosty badge of honor for the Simmerling family.

Artistic temperament wrestles with light and dark, as watercolors sit quietly while creativity and struggle collide.

A young bookworm’s first job at Dayton Mall blends tech and literature, recalling a pre-Kindle world of discovery.

The LG washer’s blinking E10 error signals a domestic battle, blending humor with everyday appliance struggles.

A high school memory of feeling scrawny despite eating well, intertwined with work experiences and youthful reflections.

Crushed acorns, woodsmoke, and wet leaves evoke a lifetime of Thanksgiving memories and family traditions.

A chilly November day at Chicago’s Sax Hotel near Marina Towers, blending urban architecture and personal reflection.

John Erickson and Hank’s favorite haunt was Emerald Swamp, where cowboys and a scheming cat shaped their adventures.

A nostalgic look at life on Cherry Court near O’Hare, where planes fly overhead and everyday sounds shape family memories.

Watching a Tennessee sunset from the airport, the glow of blue LEDs sparks quiet reflections on travel and nature.

The story of Romulus, who founded Rome after a fatal dispute with his brother Remus, shaping history and myth.

Rocket, a fierce hunter, meets his match in two crafty cats in this story of survival and unexpected outcomes.

An insightful look at Operation Z, the Japanese WWII plan that shaped history and tested Admiral Yamamoto’s leadership.

Rocket’s unexpected battle with fire ants reveals the small but fierce challenges pets endure.

A metaphor for leadership pressure, facing a task as daunting as the Tokyo phone book dropped on your desk.

Examining the call for more troops in Afghanistan amid ongoing conflict and sacrifice.

Observing Air Force One’s striking colors and design under the sun at Sarasota airport.

A reflection on the JFK assassination documentary and its lasting impact on generations.

Rocket takes a late afternoon swim with Tommy in a serene moment captured by Turquoise Pencil.

Rocket the dog enjoys crate time and ventures into the pool, bringing joy and mischief to the household.

Sharing a virtual Yankees game night filled with texts, memories, and baseball moments.

An unusual conversation echoes in a Baltimore airport restroom, sparking reflection and curiosity.

A thoughtful look at eating a Whopper and making responsible food choices.

Recalling Chicago’s car towing culture and its impact on childhood memories.

A travel reflection comparing Tampa airport to Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway.

Cherishing fall’s beauty with memories of Michigan’s colors and overcast skies.

Reflecting on a tragic shooting in St. Petersburg and its impact on community grief.

A reflection on public fears and opinions surrounding the H1N1 vaccine.

Reflecting on Chicago’s South Side and its political heritage linked to Barack Obama.