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Babe, my ganja is your ganja.
Romancing the Stoner (a six-word story)
fiction
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell (a book review)
This is another addition to the long-running Kay Scarpetta book series about a forensic medical examiner. The newest release starts out with a reminder of one of the memorable characters in the series–a diabolical character who makes you think she is always a step ahead of our heroine, Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a woman of many talents and skills. Although not a practicing lawyer, Scarpetta has a law degree in addition to a medical degree. She’s a certified scuba diver, as well as a gourmet chef. She has her own forensic business now and lives in a posh neighborhood in Cambridge, Mass. with her handsome, highly intelligent FBI agent husband, Benton.
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Friday Fright at Frank’s
The fridge is empty; the oven is cold. Looks like no one is making dinner tonight. Brad decides to go to his friend’s house next door. Brad’s been known to drop by Frank’s house at odd hours. He rings the doorbell, but no one answers. He knocks on the door, which swings open. Continue reading
A New Day
The global apocalypse started at noon E.S.T., but no one knows for sure who initiated it. It doesn’t matter, the damage is done. Those unlucky enough to live another day have energy sufficient only to look for shelter, food, and loved ones. Many wail for their losses. Some mute from shock. Others eventually drift off to unconsciousness for lack of will to go on without their familiar conveniences.
The total death toll increases every second as the tally continues to rise each day. Chaos rules the majority. Order is obliterated from daily practice as the world is now as foreign and uninhabitable as the whole planet of Saturn. Many years will have to pass until the waters run clear from blood, gore, and residue from the bombings.
Nothing is pure or unscathed. No one from heaven or hell has come to rescue either the good or the evil. All surviving people are now finally equal but in a most unpleasant way. Their only legacy is another fresh day of suffering.
©2016 Karina Pinella
Christmas Eve
(Conclusion to A Christmas Tale Countdown series, Part 13; see Part 12)
The Bedfordshire Inn was busy with many people. They came from all over to take part in the Annual Christmas Festival, an event for which the town was fast becoming known as each year passes. Horace stepped inside the Inn to seek inspiration for his final gift to Elizabeth. He looked around for familiar faces. A particularly raucous crowd caught his attention. They were a large group of white bearded men and a mix of young and older women. They seemed like a merry group. He walked toward them. Continue reading
2 Days before Christmas
(A Christmas Tale Countdown series, Part 12; see Part 11)
Silas heard about the commotion that took place yesterday at Elizabeth’s house. He had to find something to top that since today was the last day of his gift giving. Something more spectacular than men leaping like frogs. As a man of the arts and music, Silas decided to appeal to his musician friends to win Elizabeth’s heart once and for all. Silas hoped the musical group would make for a strong show.
3 Days before Christmas
(A Christmas Tale Countdown series, Part 11; see Part 10)
Ebenezer welcomed Horace into his house. As they walked toward the drawing-room and sat down, Ebenezer explained to Horace that he had taken Aunt Maisey to stay with another aunt for a fortnight with the pretext that there was a hole in the roof that required repair. With Christmas coming so soon, Ebenezer had told his aunt that it might take a little longer than usual to get it fixed.
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5 Days before Christmas
(A Christmas Tale Countdown series, Part 9; see Part 8)
Ebenezer was back in the market, looking around for the peddler with the luscious daughter. He learned from Horace that Elizabeth’s household needed some help. He spotted the peddler hawking the same line. So much for thinking he had a bargain the other day. He approached him nevertheless, so he could also chance a glance at his daughter.
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6 Days before Christmas
(A Christmas Tale Countdown series, Part 8; see Part 7)
Silas marked the day in his daily journal as halfway through this wretched plan. He had slept fitfully and woken up early. His only thought was of how he missed Elizabeth’s laugh and their repartee. He was utterly besotted with her. His appetite had also been weak of late. He decided to sketch to distract himself. After some time had passed, he realized again how deeply enamored he was with Elizabeth. The sketch before him were of three pairs of swans, inspired by thoughts of Elizabeth’s own long, slender neck. Each pair formed a heart. Above the column of the six swans was a lone swan twisted into a heart shape.
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7 Days before Christmas
(A Christmas Tale Countdown series, Part 7; see Part 6)
“Good lord, I feel more exasperation than longing,” Ebenezer thought as he walked through the market, looking for a present for Elizabeth. He heard a man calling out, “Geese for sale. Buy a lot of six for the price of three. Ready for laying. Geese for sale!”
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Karina Pinella 
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