Escaping Vanity

 by Michael L. Craver Adjusting to sleeping on the balcony wasn’t easy on her. This was the most expensive room; where just outside the temperature was coldest at night. He grew up in a less fortunate situation. Everyone in the family contributed for vacation to happen. There simply wasn’t enough money in smaller denominations. Nonetheless, their problems followed them wherever they went. Even away from home, each scenario seemed to present a struggle. With so many people staying in one room, there wasn’t a place for sleeping simultaneously. Not inside there wasn’t. This is where his tradition began. Every trip to the beach he slept on the balcony. As he grew older, he’d even sleep there alone. Sure, this caused issues when he was taking a trip with a girl. Because he’d leave her sleeping in the bed to go outside. This woman was different. Now he knew that she was the one… She followed him outside and woke up smelling sunshine. The dry sweetness off the ocean and breeze cooli...

  The man had gone through a half dozen phones because of her clumsiness. That was, until technology caught up with his heroism. Perhaps, somewhere else in the world they’ve always had waterproof phones. But each time he dove in the cost was a change of clothes and deductible on the mobile insurance. While on vacation, California was simply too vast for them to visit all of their desired locations. There was still 36 hours until the flight home was supposed to board. But, changing the tickets, car, and booking a new hotel in Santa Monica was the best money he’d ever spent. The extra three days together on the West Coast did amazing things for their relationship. Seated next to the wooden shelves with expensive wines, a server guided their culinary journey. As the restaurant thinned out, their entrees were nearly finished. The server moved the couple to a large table, so they could stretch out. Countless moments had been spent shopping for the perfect outfit. Despite the work an...

  by Michael L. Craver When the fog is spotted and the speed remains. Unknown danger without a change of pace. Last second decisions will be made. There’s a popular short-sighted philosophy. Devoid of sacrifice and delivering instantaneous gratification. This crest offsets the crashes that come from a lack of forecast. That’s the idea anyway… It has been said that you go faster alone, but you go farther together. A compost heap of cliches about burning candles from both ends and the like. We know that applied tension has a thinning effect. Bringing vulnerability and greater risk. Reducing stress with a deliberate pace brings balance. Rationally organized for a longer haul. Going through resources in a rapid manner means there is a need. Replenishing takes time. Stopping and rearranging off course possibly losing the way. Someone could lose themselves traveling too fast. Ill-timed decisions happen when approaching obstacles. Hitting a tree while jogging has much different ...

  from Michael L. Craver The community was an experiment. Homeowners could build as many additional homes as they chose. You might ask how this is possible. These are tremendous investments to be making. Neighbors trusted each other to take care of the expansions. Banks lifted all financial restrictions and… After all, each dwelling requires maintenance and financing. So much time and devotion can go into caretaking for a home. Without attention these structures lose their personality. The financial responsibility is no less, until the loan has graduated. Fixing issues obviously adds to budget and strains resources. Many problems require hands-on attention. Emergencies that come up and need to be filed against the insurance to be repaired. Some cases are just poor construction and have inherent flaws from the day they’d begun. These additions tend to wear down the community. Resources spread thin. A limited number of people are skilled enough to craft the best homes. Rare is ...

  Depression is a falling star. Something many use as a spectator sport. Yet, others will find this to be a cosmic tragedy. The speed is unparalleled. Out of fuel, without rest, we are all susceptible to fatigue. The undefeated enemy of existence. On a long enough timeline, all things wear out. These depressing interiors, as the structure of self-collapses inward. A black hole created by personal choices. Sucking everything through an inversion of progress until nothing is left. This is what happens when hungry people battle nutrition. Cannibalizing themselves beyond recognition. There are few times in life that people openly utilize the resources for true help. Speaking when they should listen. Inner screams drowning the cries for help. Incapable of listening while overwhelmed by one’s own voice. Locked in a spiral, circling the drain. The once ambivalent rhythm of a heartbeat marching to its own drum, swallowed by darkness. Unable to break free of the gravity. Past th...

We might call him a Salt of the Earth type of guy. He’s even named for developing land; to cultivate and reap the harvest. For crops to be successful, and make it another season, we must rotate our locations. Ecology is cyclical, ironically, we cannot yield progressively in the same spot.   Finding balance through the growing process is difficult. Weathering the elements and being resourceful to supplement the many disadvantages of life both inside and out. From the time a seed is planted, nurturing with unconditional effort. There’s an adorable imperfection to our equation. A scientific lottery going on all around us. We change our recipe as we ration supplies. Careful to maintain a healthy culture, forecasts can deceive, and we must accommodate the most extreme circumstances. Changing landscapes is a paradox. New fields to improve our chances… Like transitioning greens on a golf course, holes are intentionally relocated to keep it interesting. Alternating patterns enhance ...

Sitting under a tree and catching some shade after a long run. I’d thrown down my backpack and was doing a little stretching when it fell out. Of course, whenever I run, he’s with my sack and always trying to peek out. There’s a lot of times where the zipper is not snug. Besides, that’s just a natural urge for him to want to frolic free in nature. Basking in the sun for all to see. Just the way it should be, no judgement.  That’s when this woman in her tie-dye leggings ran towards me. Like a kaleidoscope in motion she was alert. She reached out quickly and wasn’t afraid to be hands-on in the moment of vulnerability. Snatching him firm. She looked shocked at the decision she’d made. However, that look of happiness in her eyes. She’d made an excellent subconscious decision! To be honest, I was also pleased! She’s just met my little friend Ernie. Doesn’t have much hair on him, but he’s the life of the party. Size doesn’t really matter, does it? Well, it shouldn’t. Not if your feel...