Mikel,

Lucky for us, you don't take the easy way, and get a straight job that leaves no room for writing.

--Holly

After lunch, I hear the sound of trash cans rumbling on the street, and I am thankful for garbage men, like I am thankful for the food that I have just eaten, though I forgot to pray over it. I really want to pray over my food, before I eat it; I think that it is a good idea to give thanks before eating, whether you believe in anything, or not.

Colossians 4:5-6: "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

I like, and respect, this: "At Carcinogenic Poetry, we are not concerned with your publishing history or acquired degrees, we just want the stuff you believe in.

"Who cares if you went to Yale, or Iowa, or NYU, or Georgia State? Does your poetry have heart, and soul; and even more important, does your poetry interest me...does it grab me by the balls, and MAKE ME read it, or am I yawning through it because I'm reading it because of what school you went to, or because you are dead and "they" say that I am supposed to read you?"

"A Republican was somebody who couldn't enjoy eating unless he knew somebody else was hungry."--P. 21 "The Liars' Club," by Mary Karr

Dylan barks at the sound of someone bringing the trash cans in. It's Monday; I haven't been able to help with the trash cans in a couple of months. It is funny the simple things that you find yourself wishing that you could do.

I took two pills about ten minutes ago; that took away the pain, but I know that it will also bring sleep on, which, tonight, is ok. I have to be up early to go to the unemployment office. I don't know if I qualify, but I hope that I do because then I wouldn't have to borrow money from my son, and his mother, for me to live on.

I just pulled four banana breads out of the oven. I have learned how to bake more than one of them at a time. I thank God for the little things in life that make it so pleasurable; I really do. Life is good. I am blessed. Good night.

Mikel K

From his new memoir, “Baking Banana Bread From Scratch.”