Friday evening was wild. Actually, the whole day felt heavy with anticipation. Like things were going to happen. Sure enough... It began when I stepped onto the front porch at 5:30 for my morning walk. The air was pungent with the earthy aroma of rain. Which was odd, given that there wasn't a cloud in … Continue reading Still horn-y after all these years.
Tag: Rapid City
One away from 50K!
Lots of change is afoot. For starters, I completely revamped my site. Or rather, sites. Plural. For years, I've had a professional(ish) site, first name last name dot com, plus a separate blog. Once upon a time, that was Mark My Words. Then, when we decided to move to South Dakota, I started a new … Continue reading One away from 50K!
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a…guitar?!
You know what’s funny? Going through your phone on Monday morning and finding a photo from Saturday night you don’t even remember taking. That’s the sign of a great weekend! The photo wasn’t even of me. It was Tara, dancing in front of a mural in Art Alley after dark. She may have paid for … Continue reading Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a…guitar?!
Feel-Good Story of the Year
With so much negativity in the news these days — everything from Putin’s invasion of Ukraine to Will Smith’s bitch-slap-heard-‘round-the-world—it’s rare but refreshing to read something positive. Writing something positive is even better. I don’t often get that opportunity. I’m not saying the articles I write for CenturyCo aren’t informative or entertaining. Profiling a children’s … Continue reading Feel-Good Story of the Year
I See in Rhyme. Like, All the Time.
I was chatting with a friend the other day, and somehow, the topic of Dr. Seuss came up. “If there’s one thing I’m really good at, it’s rhymes and lame poetry,” I confessed. I wasn’t trying to sound conceited or anything. It’s just an odd (and useless) talent I have. “Oh, good!” she replied. “You … Continue reading I See in Rhyme. Like, All the Time.
Downtown is a Norman Rockwell Painting
A lot of people complain about the early darkness this time of year, but I kind of like it. Because quite often, around 4:30, I'll glance outside my office window and see a sight like this. That was Friday's sunset. It made up for the fact that I was the only person in my department … Continue reading Downtown is a Norman Rockwell Painting
Everything is Everywhere
My mom emailed me a couple of days ago, asking for a recipe—a pumpkin cobbler we make for Thanksgiving most years. I sent it to her but hope she doesn't have trouble with the directions the way I did. One of the ingredients is "three eggs, slightly beaten." That's what throws me for a loop. … Continue reading Everything is Everywhere
Tina, Eat the Food!
I had a Zoom meeting with a Hollywood producer this morning. Which is a very cool sentence to type out, but not nearly as glamorous as it sounds. I'd love to say I was pitching the screenplay for my novel to some big-time movie studio, but alas, I was merely interviewing a guy for a … Continue reading Tina, Eat the Food!
Nostalgia is Fine, But the Midwest is Mine
Three years ago today, we arrived in Rapid City. Happy Dakotaversary to us. Three years, man. It doesn't even seem possible. There's a cliche about time passing in the blink of an eye, but I swear, living here still feels like a novelty. The newness has yet to wear off, and I have no idea … Continue reading Nostalgia is Fine, But the Midwest is Mine
Have I Been Exiled to Siberia?
If nothing else, these first seven months at my new job have taught me that I need to dress for work the exact opposite of what the season calls for. All winter long, I roasted in my office. Even with the ceiling vent closed, heat would still seep in and slowly roast me. I came … Continue reading Have I Been Exiled to Siberia?
Mark Petruska 