The rain has devastated the river. To my eyes it’s devastation, but I do know in reality it’s natural. It happens here in spring when the river carries the snow melt from the mountains and the rains make it flood. Since forever. I see it when I walk here. These woods and trails are on floodplain … Continue reading
I was asked by childhood friend and writer, Joanne Best, to participate in The Writing Process Blog Tour. Please take a look at her wonderfully energetic writing here: Joanne Best The Writing Process: 1.) What are you working on? I write poetry and essays regularly, but my main priority is my short fiction collection. It’s called Fairview. This year I submitted … Continue reading
A friend thanked me for not “enabling” him. We discussed how so often in life we get caught up in what we’re doing, and the past rears its ugly head. Mistakes and heartache well up. Regret and pain. It does, right? We’re often demoralized. Held back. This casual thank you came during a time of … Continue reading
“If we can’t educate you, we’ll make a pet of you, or sacrifice you.” This from Jean Sampson in her class Gutsy Abstract Oil Painting at The McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, VA, where Jean is a resident studio artist. This is a joke at the expense of the lone man in the classroom and because I often find myself … Continue reading
I enjoy getting rejections of my writing and do lots (like now which inspires this bluster). Well, maybe not enjoy it, but I feel satisfied. It’s all part of my grand scheme is how I see it, and it doesn’t take long to bounce back. On the contrary, it becomes time here to get my head … Continue reading
Streetlight Magazine Blog
Are you a professional blogger? What does that even mean? Nowadays it’s hard to say. I can’t help but ask as I sit here celebrating my two-year anniversary on petearmetta.com. Pop the cork! Seven-hundred posts later, there’s cause for reflection. Has this behemoth been in vain? This is the seven-hundredth post. I’m growing older and wiser … Continue reading
That lady that power walks with her three dogs yells at them too much. That’s mean. I see her not only walking past my house, but when I’m out and about in other areas of town. She covers a distance! Walking head high with fists up and chest out, her stride is regimented and precise. … Continue reading
He called me a loser -since the day I was born. He was uptight and angry -I never knew why. As a child I didn’t understand, not a clue. Him seething and nervous -me looking to run. I hadda learn early to walk on eggshells, and with finesse. I still do. Is it because it’s … Continue reading
So today’s the supposed end of the world and I’m still here. It’s 4:20am which is always a good time, on 12/21/12: THE END. It’s raining and windy and cold out, and although I’m still here, I can’t vouch for anyone else. Out there, the world may certainly have ended. I knew it was coming … Continue reading
I do. It’s been awhile since we had a relationship but we used to. A long time ago. I certainly was much more impressionable then. I mean after all I was just a small child. But Jesus and I had it going on really. I believed in him and felt him in my heart all … Continue reading
I had Blondie in my head last night. While I was sleeping. Well I must’ve cause when I woke up and made way in the dark to the kitchen, I had flashes of Debbie Harry up on stage at CBGS’s. And back stage too where I had regular opportunity to mingle with her and that … Continue reading
I’m writing a lot of dark stuff. Well I’m writing outtakes of dark stuff which is working for me on so many levels. Poetry, stories, diatribes, which I’m not sharing in my usual way. It’s a matter of getting out what’s deeper inside the heart and mind, which is easier said than done. And a lot … Continue reading
I’ve had a strong sense of conviction all my life. Even as a small child I remember this. Just knowing the difference between what is right and what is wrong. This didn’t mean that I always did what was right at all. I stumbled and I cried and I tried and I learned. As a … Continue reading
I have a strange thing happening, and quite unexpectedly. I’ve become a Corn Maze person. I’ve been looking at photos of them too much and imagining them and want a trip ASAP. Maybe it’s a fall thing? Don’t you wanna go? There’s one close by, well about a half hour “up the line” as they … Continue reading
I’ve hardly left my street. That’s my summer vacation. Well not literally I mean I have left this particular street. I’ve gotten in my car to go to my landscaping “job” and the grocery store and church and I’ve been around on foot, but my “vacation time” has been here on this street. I know lots … Continue reading
In a former life, having gone through the rigors (or something) of a once yearly review or Performance Management Process (PMP), with concrete examples of strengths and weaknesses identified and discussed and “competencies” pored over and scored, with follow-up dates assigned and tasks and goals set for the future (not only for the reviewee but … Continue reading
What’s all the fuss about? I had that Paula Deen pegged from the start. YUCK, what a caricature! I live in another part of the south but do meet such ladies where beneath the hair and behind the eyes is a whole nother character and mixed in with that sugar and sweet talk there’s a venom. … Continue reading
It’s a really calm Sunday morning. I hardly get a greater pleasure. The other night I celebrated the summer solstice my own way, simply by staying up late. I wanted to be one with the last light of the longest day. Seriously. Around 10:30 I gave it up for night and went inside, although the almost … Continue reading
I’m moving soon which is fun and having company soon after and am jazzed. Particularly as friends are moving too and having company at the same place and time- all outside under a big summer sky. I’ve been told half-jokingly I oughta “register” at Target for the affair. Half-seriously? If you’re getting married you register … Continue reading
When it’s finally temperate enough for every single window, nook and cranny to remain open twenty-four-seven, that’s what I call a beginning. The last couple of nights have been such. I have my bed ready for summer what with new fun springy sheets (and my “Linus blanket” thrown over for extra warmth if need be, although … Continue reading
I’m having a fun stream-of-consciousness moment, so welcome. I’m in a free-hand kind of mood, so suspend belief. I have a music thing is where I’m at and sometimes I know it’s my own little secret, one of those things I’d say if asked “what’s the one thing we don’t know about you”. I spend … Continue reading
So it’s nice but it’s creepy that I can see the google search engine terms that people type that land them on my blog. The things people are looking for! By far the most popular all-time search terms (in a variety of syntax) have to do with Adrienne Barbeau’s rack. Seriously. There are a lot … Continue reading
Going on. Blah blah. There I’ve said it. Yippity-yap. Well I’ve said it many times before. I don’t mind listening. As a matter of fact I rather enjoy it. I find people likable and interesting enough. There’s a lot of talking on the TV and on the radio and on computers and gadgets, in grocery … Continue reading
Happy birthday It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you Over twenty years at least I remember the last time like it was yesterday But that’s not what I remember most I remember the day I forgave you For all the years of conflict and strife And for being a target Of your ignorance … Continue reading
Where do I start? Right here I guess. For a lack of anywhere better. The coffee hasn’t yet kicked in so I’m moving a little slow and for some reason the cat is particularly clingy at the moment- he’s sitting right under my feet. He just ate his breakfast and it won’t be long now before … Continue reading
I do a really good job of writing really bad poems. Since I write as many poems as some people go to the bathroom (for better or worse), God or natural law or the cosmos or what one believes is the ultimate force in the universe must be at play. Thems the odds. I’m well … Continue reading
we say we’re tolerant that’s nice that means we put up with things different things we don’t know about or understand or don’t necessarily like or approve of or relate to does that change our heart? or do we simply endure? hold our breath till we’re blue? till the situation passes? sit as comfy as … Continue reading
I wasn’t close with my dad. As a matter of fact, we were far apart for as long as I can remember. My mom told me that when I was still a baby I’d cry and scream when he held me. My dad would get frustrated and hand me back over to my mom. I’d … Continue reading
I’m reading Raymond Carver. On the john. I have a couple of his cheap paperbacks in there, flimsy and well-read, pages yellowed over time. Some have gotten wet. I’ve even found hairs. Well they’re in the bathroom for chrissakes! Tell me you haven’t done some of your best reading yourself while comfortably propped up in … Continue reading
I promise this isn’t a weather report but it DID snow overnight. And that’s funny ’cause if it snowed here, there must be an awful lot of snow in environs further north. And this with Spring only three days away! And not a moment too soon. But it didn’t snow much and it won’t be here … Continue reading
Things have been better. But much worse too. I’m fully engaged, although at the moment a big part of me would rather not be. I’ve learned after all these years I won’t disengage even though I may want to. It’s just not my nature. Sure in the past I’ve disengaged and isolated and fretted and … Continue reading
It’s all coming together. Outside is about the fullest moon I’ve seen after one of the warmest days we’ve had in a while. That’s all well and good on the moon front, but the earth has tilted just enough that it’s shining directly in my kitchen window again, which suits me waking at my ungodly morning bewitching … Continue reading
I have a favorite part of town where I like to go around on foot. I do have to drive there, find parking on the street and get out and walk- but that’s part of the appeal. I can leave the car and walk for a couple of hours and there’s hardly a better time. We … Continue reading
The other day I was on my way to a friend’s. I was driving down the road minding my own business and somebody honked at me. I wasn’t doing anything wrong, unless you call enjoying the majestic mountain views a crime, and to be honest there were a lot of cars on this four-lane divided highway. … Continue reading
I don’t get sentimental about much, but when we have snowstorms, I often think back to all those years I lived in Allentown. On days when it snowed and school closed and work did too, around eleven am folks would set out on foot to fill the dive bars. Can you picture it? One year … Continue reading
So yeh, yesterday we had our first snowstorm of the season, which in this case was just so typical. Everyone got in a big old uproar, what with the running to the grocery store for bread and milk and eggs and the closing of the schools and everything. Predictions were for a few inches. It … Continue reading
Every once in a while I enjoy a good exercise in futility. Apparently. While others are busy making the same old tried and true resolutions, I’m sitting here taking punches and driving around in circles, all wrapped up in picking my Best of 2012. I’m looking for the top six things I’ve written- what for … Continue reading
I could live on fruit year round. I like it a lot and have ceased analyzing why we humans have certain quirky but unique character traits that make each one of us the bad asses that we are. For me, being passionate about eating inordinate amounts of fruit every day all year round is one … Continue reading
A really good thing about taking guitar lessons is that apparently lots of kids take them. I found three online instructors that I like and am following and although they’re all younger than me, they all have at numerous times referenced “you kids” and they teach in a style that’s warm and obviously kid-directed and … Continue reading
I’m buying a guitar today. A used one, nothing fancy. Acoustic. From a woman on Craigslist, you know how that works. I’ve been wanting to buy one for a while now, even though I don’t know how to play- my plan is to teach myself. Last winter I “collaborated” with a musician friend of mine, … Continue reading
Today I’m excited because this is the time of year when my church hosts a homeless shelter in our town. By that I mean we set up cots in one of our church buildings and have about forty-five guys stay over. There are women too, but we don’t host them this time, another church takes … Continue reading
I’m a writer, who happens to have a blog. And who also happens to post what I write on Facebook too. Every day. It’s how I roll. In the last year and a half since I’ve been writing full-time I’ve written over seven-hundred stories and poems and essays- so many that I don’t even remember … Continue reading
I’m being mean to my cat. I don’t mean to be mean to him and it’s so out of character for me, but he’s whining all the time and the sound of his voice is making me literally climb up the wall. Well not really literally. My health insurance (or lack thereof) has forced me … Continue reading
I just got back from a very nice autumnal walk through the woods down to the river, with lots of leaves crunching under foot and a chill in the air. It’s really more than a “walk” per se- it’s actually a hike as this is foothill country. Not many people in my circle are physically … Continue reading
It’s 5am. Tomorrow at this time it’ll be 4am. That’ll be the new “real time”, you know the whole spring ahead, fall behind thing? No need to poke holes or analyze that whole concept really, I mean it is what it is. Man toying with nature. I do welcome it getting light out earlier though, … Continue reading
If you were made King (or Queen) of the World and were asked to choose between either the 195,000 acres that make up NYC, or195,000 acres of empty and undeveloped land containing forests, mountains, rivers, desert, plains and maybe even some ocean, and all that comes along with each, which would you choose? And why? … Continue reading
To me it’s about death. It’s over. The balmy and comfy weather. The light. My year. The fun. I’m tricked by the colors oh so vibrant and where I live there seems every color imaginable. I’m scared because this signifies the coming of the cold and dark time. There’s nothing new under the sun and … Continue reading
We have a tendency to be our own worst enemy. We so easily beat ourselves up over lots. Why is it that we’re so good at being our own harshest critic? To me it remains a mystery and must be some sort of coping mechanism or something. We have so many. Human nature continuously confounds … Continue reading
Oh how I dream about you! It’s not very often but when I do my heart beats faster and I salivate and grow eager. Anyway when’s the last time we got together, like two months ago? I’m thinkin that today would be a terrific day to wholeheartedly embrace and enjoy and devour you. You’re so … Continue reading
Pete Armetta 