A. L. Kaplan

Tag: memories

  • COMFORT FOOD: HOT BREAKFAST CEREAL

    There’s nothing like a cold winter morning to awaken cravings for hot cereal. We all have one or more comfort foods. You know, those tasty things that can bring a warm smile even when you’re feeling down or ill. They may seem strange to others, but bring you a flood of fond memories.

    One of mine is cornmeal mush with a scoop of cottage cheese. Sounds icky, but it isn’t. Think of it as poor man’s polenta or finely ground grits. My mom used to make it for me when I was growing up. I didn’t realize at the time that it was something my dad grew up with. Or that cornmeal porridge, called mamaliga in Romania, is a traditional breakfast food from that country. (They serve it with milk or feta cheese.)

    Mamaliga wasn’t the only hot breakfast food we ate. Oatmeal and cream of wheat were, and still are, on my yummy list. Grits didn’t join these others until I discover them as an adult.

    What kind of hot cereal did you eat as a child?

    Do you still enjoy it or does the thought make you run for cover?

    What have you discovered as an adult?

    STAR TOUCHED

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • HUMMINGBIRD: A STAR TOUCHED STORY – Now available

    HUMMINGBIRD: A STAR TOUCHED STORY

    Now live on Amazon in print and digital format.

    Hummingbird: A Star Touched Story

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history. One step toward understanding. One stride toward survival. One leap toward flying free from the past.

    Here’s what people are saying:

    “A delightful insight into the origins of one of my favorite characters in the Star Touched world!”

    ~ Maria V Snyder, New York Times best-selling author and PRISM Award Winner.

    “If you read Star Touched, you’ll love Hummingbird. If you haven’t read Star Touched, now you’ll want to.”

    ~ Kathy Steinemann

    “Set in the world of Star Touched, this short story puts the reader in the mind and body of a newly-hatched hummingbird. Except this is no ordinary hummingbird! Charming and captivating, and a must-read for anyone who loves watching birds.”

    ~ T. C. Weber, author of the BetterWorld cyberpunk trilogy and other works.

    STAR TOUCHED

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    WOLF DAWN

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Memories

    I find it fascinating how different people can remember the same event in different ways. I got a call from my sister the other day right after she read my post titled A Pesach Story. She didn’t recall much of the food we ate at Seder growing up, but this is what she did recollect.

    1. The smell of the apartment building as we entered and walked down the hall from the elevator. My sister thought it smelled like roast chicken, but to me it smelled like chopped liver. And yes, Grandma Dorothy made the best chopped liver.

    2. There was always a small glass of tomato juice at everyone’s place setting. I had forgotten about the tomato juice until she mentioned it.

    3.  Everyone chanted something at one point or another during the Seder, whether it be the blessing over the wine, the four questions, or other prayers. Sometimes it was the same prayer repeated by another family member. Perhaps this is why music is such an integral part of religious ceremony and celebration to me. From my earliest memories music has been a key element. Whether it be the chanting of a prayer or the comfort of family gathered around a piano, singing, happy.

    4.  The Afikoman was broken so each child present had a piece to turn in for a prize. Being the youngest by more than five years, I don’t think I ever realized this.

    5. The smell of the salty air. My grandparent’s apartment was on the beach. We could stand out on their balcony and watch the waves crashing on the sand. I have many fond memories of playing in those waves during the summer while my grandparents watched from the boardwalk.

    Family = Love = Together

  • Wing Man

    It wasn’t fear that caused Brandon’s heart to pound and send chills running down his spine. How could he have forgotten the last time he saw creatures from legend appeared and magically vanish? The government had tried to convince everyone on the airplane that it had been an experimental jet, but Brandon hadn’t believed it.  Still, the experience sank into the recesses of his mind until it only existed as a childish fantasy.

    Brandon leaned into the window, excitement building within. Instead of one, five dragons flew in perfect formation, their large leathery wings beating slowly. Five sets of eyes looked at him, examining his soul. Voices echoed in Brandon’s mind, calling him. The tantalizing pull left him breathless, filled with anticipation and desire.

    “Come with us.”

    To soar with dragons, the very thought made his heart race. But how could he? He had no wings. Only in dreams had he dared such a thing.

    “You are a child of dragon blood, dragon kin. Come to us.”

    If only Brandon could fly.  If only he could sit astride the lead dragon and touch those golden scales. Eyes squeezed tight, Brandon pictured himself gliding on the dragon’s back. His skin began to tingle.

    Wind lashed at Brandon’s face. He reached for the chair in front of him only to feel scales and hear the rhythmic flapping of great leathery wings. The disorientation passed. Eyes opened, Brandon basked in the glory of flight.

    “Welcome home dragon kin. Welcome to your inheritance.”

  • A Pesach Story

    Recently I was asked to share a favorite Passover story. Dozens of memories flashed through my mind, most of them involving matzo, like the year we went to Seder at my brother’s house and their dog, Bert, stole the Afikoman while we ate dinner. Then there was the time with my husband’s family where the kids hid the Afikoman for the adults. After much searching, a dozen people announced that they had found the hidden matzo and held up napkin wrapped fakes. The looks on the kids’ faces were priceless. Of course my husband loves to tell the story about when his aunt moved and they found an old Afikoman hidden behind a picture. I’m sure many people have stories like that in their family.

    Our engagement was also announced on Passover. Saturday morning we drove from Maryland to NJ and told our parents. After an early Seder (and meal) with my family, we drove to my future husband’s family gathering. Forty people packed the townhouse where he announced “I’d like to introduce my fiancé.” That night we drove back to Maryland. It was a wonderful but exhausting day.

    Even with all these delightful Passover memories, there is one that stands out in my mind and it’s the one I shared. When I close my eyes I can still see it: the little apartment in NY, a piano on the right hand wall near the kitchen, my aunt, uncle, and cousins from my dad’s family. I loved visiting with my cousins and listening to my grandpa chant the prayers in Hebrew. Then the meal would come. I think there may have been pot-roast somewhere on the table, but the plate of steaming sliced tongue was what I reached for every time. Tongue must be a NY/NJ kind of delicacy. It’s hard to find here in Maryland. When I do find it, I’m always reminded of my family, and the occasional sing along with Grandma playing that piano I mentioned.

    Do you have a Passover memory you’d like to share?

  • Pine Boughs and Moss

    “I’ve been here, but when?”

    There’s no one to answer my question but the gurgling brook and the birds singing in the trees. Only my empty memories keep me company. It could have been days or even years since I passed this way last. It looks so peaceful, yet that tree leaning over the water fills me with dread.

    Visions swirl through my mind and I feel the world begin to sway.  I have to look under the tree, under the pine boughs and moss. I wade into the water, feeling the slippery stones beneath my bare feet. My hands shake and I rub them on my ragged pants as I go, ignoring the icy chill that isn’t from the water.

    Webs part as I push my hand into the dry hole, trying not to think about what might be lurking in the dark hollow. Shivers run down my back as my hand touches something cold and hard. Smooth sides and sharp edges greet my dirty fingers.

    Holding my breath, I pull the object out of its hiding place and am nearly blinded by the red light that gleams off its surface from a stray sunbeam. I stagger back and fall into the water, barely keeping my grip on the fist-sized stone. My head throbs with remembered pain. I touch the scar on my head. It runs deep into my heart. Tears stream down my face.

    They hid this here.

    Before they shot…

    Everyone.

    Even each other.

    For a rock.