20 Comments

"I was raised by elephants," she said with a matter-of-fact look. Norwegian Greys. Majestic animals. You never fail to amuse, Mark! Hilarious.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Alex. Amuse and confuse is what I do. 🤓

Expand full comment

“Leonard Turns 93” is poignant, sad, and hope-filled. Well done, Mark!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Jenise. 🤓

Expand full comment
Jun 26, 2023Liked by Mark Starlin

"Welcome, Norwegians" — it takes a certain kind of nerd to appreciate the humor. I think it's hilarious! 🤣🤓

"Leonard Turns 93" — 🥲

"Family Traits" — Would an elephant be able to hold a spoon for ice cream? Or would a cone just be easier? 🤔

Expand full comment
author
Jun 26, 2023·edited Jun 26, 2023Author

One for the nerds! I wondered if it was too nerdy for most people. Probably. But I am glad you enjoyed it.

Definitely a cone for elephants.

Expand full comment

Bethany's story! Sweet! Yes, ice cream is often enough. I can attest to that.

Regarding the apple tree hat: I would prefer a fruit salad hat. Just a grape hat, actually. Well, really, a wine hat. I'd totally rock a wine hat. . That would be my choice.

Expand full comment
author

🤣 I am sure you will look marvelous in your wine hat. Just don't try to push over any trees with it on.

Expand full comment

I love all of these. As a gardener and fruit lover, the apple hat seems to be a genius idea.

The elephant girl... the old man.

These vignettes are delightful.

Expand full comment
author
Jun 26, 2023·edited Jun 26, 2023Author

Thank you, Michele. Writing short things comes naturally to me. I have written longer stories, even a novel and a novella. But even with those I tend to write in 1500-word or less chunks. That's the way I write. Why fight it? 🤣

Expand full comment

Elephants! 😂 Which came first, the picture or the story?

Expand full comment
author

The photo came first. I saw it and knew what the story had to be.

Sometimes it is easier to write a story about a photo than to find a photo that fits a story. 🤓

Expand full comment

The story makes an outrageously funny account of the picture. I love that you saw it immediately. 😂

Expand full comment
author

That's the way my brain works.

I sometimes scroll the stock photo sites looking for interesting photos. They can be great story prompts. Like this one.

Expand full comment

What a creative newsletter. Had to read the Norwegian story twice before I got it. Initially, I thought it was an intro to the newsletter 😅 and was looking for the Norwegian bit until I realized this is it!

Expand full comment
author
Jun 26, 2023·edited Jun 26, 2023Author

Thanks, Claudia. Yes, the Norwegian bit was a weird take on those generic software update notices. Perhaps a little too “out there.” 🤣

Expand full comment

It was great, I liked it that it challenged me to use my brain 🧠 (finally, hope it won’t cause a short circuit!)

Expand full comment
author

I am glad you enjoy my brain teaser. 🤣

Expand full comment

Fun stories as always, Mark. I’d love one of those hats! 🍎 😄

Expand full comment
author
Jun 26, 2023·edited Jun 26, 2023Author

Thanks, Justin. The hat would be cool. But getting through doors might be tricky.

Expand full comment