A sudden flash of light and heat struck Beelo in the face. He blinked and held his hand up. The light was soft, like the amber rays from the second setting of the sun but he had been in darkness for so long that it burned his eyes as if he looked into the sky …
Author Archives: josh
Keeping Warm – Part 6
For the Téchni, each season was dedicated to specific activities. Spring was for taking stock of things damaged by the winter wind and snows. Summers were for repair and for building new things. Autumn was for installing newly built things and otherwise preparing the domas for the cold. Winter was for sitting by the fire, …
Keeping Warm – Part 5
Winter Beelo took a deep breath. As he exhaled, he carefully released the string of his bow and sent and arrow sailing across the meadow. From Beelo’s point of view, it looked less like he shot the arrow at the lapina and more like the arrow was drawn to the furry creature. The arrow flew …
Keeping Warm – Part 4
Beelo woke in his bed. He dripped sweat and his heart pounded in his chest. He sat up and looked around. He was confused at first, then felt relieved to be safe in his bed. Then came the sadness as Beelo remembered he would never see his brother again. Sadness to think that Tara would …
Keeping Warm – Part 3
A scream woke Beelo. He was startled to find himself in the rocking chair in the main room. He blinked and looked around and heard another scream, this time louder and closer. Beelo bolted for the front door. Both of the coat hooks next to the door were empty. He undid the latches and furiously …
Keeping Warm – Part 2
Beelo sat cross-legged on the rug and watched his family finish their evening meal. A delicious stew filled his stomach and warmed him from the inside out. A brass stove on the other side of the room filled the air with a glowing warmth. The combined effect of the food and the heat made Beelo …
Keeping Warm – Part 1
Autumn Beelo shivered. The south wind whistled through the bare limbs of his tree and seeped through the seams of his ankle-length hooded coat. The chill was uncomfortable but it kept Beelo alert and focused. This would be the last year he could wear this coat. The one his mother made him. Kintu, Beelo’s wife, …
Decibels
The measure of amplitude or power of sound waves is expressed in decibels (dB). For most of the things we measure in life, we use linear scales. Assume you place something that measures 15kg (roughly 33lbs) onto a scale and then added an identical item. The combined weight would be 30kg (66lbs). However, the dB …
Page Turner
I sat on the edge of my son’s little bed. I thought how I would be hard-pressed to sleep on it without most of me spilling off the edges. He was only five so he had room to toss and turn. Many mornings I would find him sleeping upside down or diagonally and I had …
Why I Stayed – Part 24
The mountains that border Kiln Valley rise high above the south side of town. The peaks are so tall that in the dead of winter there is a week where my town does not actually see the sun. The only evidence we have that daylight has come is a gentle lightening of the gloom. At noon, if you …