Sol's Random Stories

The moments of deep memory bubble up on their own, like with childhood experiences. Most of the time we're not aware of what preceding thoughts bridge back to the recollection, or why.  Remember mercury? We had no good sense as kids back in the late fifties, and lots of free time. Of course, intentionally breaking a thermometer felt wrong to do, so a moment of  conscience tried to derail the idea. But the attributes of the element were way too alluring for a boy who imagined it was something magical from wild outer space.  A metallic liquid that formed into little droplets, we mindlessly rolled the mercury around in our palms, fascinated by its bizarre nature. We were totally oblivious to any risks of toxic exposure, it was a quick toy, temporary and taboo. Mom never knew why her thermometers vanished, as childhood, too, disappears with no notice, perhaps only a bit more circumspect caution, and a bit more common sense.

You start thinking that the universe is against you, which of course makes no sense at all. Against you being happy. Having anything. Feeling normal. You start to think it doesn't matter what you do or don't do, the writing is on the wall, sky, cosmos- it knows you. No matter where you go, love ditches you without remorse. No matter what you try, there's the gloom from beneath the sleepless bed, it arises with you into the next dead morning. Meanwhile, others pray for another day, so add your shame to the list of ways you're not okay, no one at all is counting.

Julian cracked open the cookie, eager to read the note tucked inside. Could there be any real connection between a cookie maker's random note and Julian's fate? Who knows? He knows it is a strange universe, so anything is possible. Julian uncurls the small paper, its anticipated message printed on one side, with a mysterious row of numbers on the other. "You will be satisfied with your destination." Not bad, yet not what restless Julian needed.

Looking backwards into the eyepiece, telescope flipped, there were things to go thru when I was thirty, forty--times when I felt like I was seventy. Now, I am nearly seventy, and I most often feel like I'm forty. You see how this whole age thing is meaningless, or worse? Don't care how old you are, that's the way. More important how many cool naps you take.