Miranda Rights

As careful as I am, somehow I still manage to annoy with my writing. There's a little secret part of me that revels in knowing that you might recognize yourself or pull up a memory.

This article was in one of my writer's magazines. To paraphrase: If we shared an experience, I'm allowed to write about it. If you told me about it, I'm allowed to write about it. If I overheard you talking about it, it's free game. Of course, this does not mean I can use your name.

But I am starting to make people nervous with my pen and cocktail napkin.

I Just Happened to Overhear

Now, there's a phrase that will stop you in your tracks.

We have two married couples living in close quarters. Of course, we all hear things we shouldn't have heard. It can be funny and/or unnerving. I'm seriously considering soundproofing my closet.

The oldies are refined for public consumption. Other times, I overhear a conversation that wouldn't be printed in Southern Living magazine. I'm a barker and a snapper. I try very hard not to do this with the oldies. So, the husband takes the bulk of my wrath. I'm a slow learner ... I'm trying to stop doing this in public.

Once we get home, I will pull him into the closet, whacker in hand.