Musings

Musings takes readers on a captivating journey through a diverse range of short stories bound together by the theme "New Beginnings." These selections feature ten eclectic original narratives by eight different authors showcasing a range of unique voices and styles. From tales of love and loss to accounts of adventure and discovery, this anthology has something for everyone.-Blowup by Marylou Ambrose - Hoping to discourage him from getting a similar job, a father tells his teenage son about a disturbing experience he had delivering pizzas forty years ago.-The Bump & Grind by Laurie A. Guzda - A young writer looking for her next chapter in life finds inspiration at her local coffee shop.-Coyote and Dove by Donna Consiglio - A heartwarming tale of love and selflessness. Coyote's unwavering devotion to Dove leads him to make sacrifices that remind us that every day is a new beginning and that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on those around us. -Entering the Heart of Darkness by Dana Bree - A chance meeting at a party in NYC turns into a life-changing journey to the heart of Africa. A deadly green mamba and laughing hippos are just the beginning. -Gus and Martha by Elaine Leet - Baby boomer loyalty and determination overcome all barriers and love will not be bound, not even by death.-Kindred Spirits by Marylou Ambrose - A ghost visits three friends in assisted living and gives them a new lease on life. Pawsitively purrfect!-Late to the Party by Mike Vreeland - A downhearted homebody gets invited to a barbeque. Stepping out of his comfort zone proves transformative.-Life Without Time by Susan Martha Thompson - Dax Shadowalker, the first Native American to be hired as a police officer in Park City, Utah, looks back on some of his own experiences as a youth which gave him insight into a better understanding of himself and the world around him.-Name Your Days by Laurie A. Guzda - Grief can make you do strange things. Yet, one can find comfort in strangers. Death is a powerful shared experience in so many ways.-Ready or Not by Elaine Leet - Susie Watkins records musical echoes in the lava caves of Craters of the Moon National Park. She expected to encounter strangers, but some are stranger than others. -The Reunion by Carol McManus - Friends for life takes on a deeper meaning when four women get together to celebrate their sixtieth birthdays. Every decade marked a special milestone but this year brings them to the start of new beginnings.-Why the Roadrunner Runs by Susan Martha Thompson - Frustration mounts as Chelsey attempts to share the Native American tale she wrote with her granny, who finds unplanned parenting this fourteen-year-old overwhelming.