Author: Adirondack Center for Writing

I took a risk when I signed the contract to build a house. I was a Librarian. I was not a carpenter. I was not a plumber. I was not an electrician, nor did I work on heating/cooling systems. I had none of the skills necessary to build a house. In fact, the largest thing … Continue reading House Risk by Duane L. Herrmann

I was standing on the step that says, "THIS IS NOT A STEP", and the ladder popped out from under me. My forehead hit the earth first. I lifted my face just enough to get my hands to it, as I did, my eyes looked at earth as it spread across the farm field to … Continue reading I took a risk? When? To attain what? by Jeff Cochran

I’m going to put it right out there. I’m not a big risk-taker. I’ve always played it safe, a fact my son is almost ashamed of. And, if I’m being honest here, I am as well. Neither of my parents were comfortable with taking chances. They tended to walk the center line, neither too far … Continue reading A Writer’s Risk by Linda Freedland

Skiing in the Swiss Alps is terrific fun and challenging. I was nineteen years old when my parents took our family to Davos, Switzerland to ski for a week. The Alps loomed large around us, the sky an intense blue against the sparkling white snow. My Dad hired an Alpine ski guide, Jacob Prader, to … Continue reading The Delight of Alpine Skiing by Mary Perrin Scott

The clandestine handoff occurred on the grey asphalt ribbon, sandwiched between the Hudson River and the two-story brick building.“I’ve got a really cool book for you.”“Great!” I was and still am a voracious reader“Only thing is, you can’t let your parents or sister know you are reading it. It’s dirty.”Dirty? “What do you mean?”“It’s got … Continue reading The Book by Linda A McKenney

I took a risk when I sailedover the edge of the earth.I knew that I would befree falling, tumbling about in the darknessamong the celestials,like the moon and such. Like a bird fallen out of a nestplonked among life’s perils.You only live so much. Why not shoot for the stars?Take aim for Venus, or Mars? … Continue reading I, Columbus by Edward Pontacoloni

I took a risk when I decided to move from New York City to New Orleans. I was an artist, a painter with a case of artist block. I hadn’t been able to paint for months. So, when Uncle Nestor invited me to live with him, of course I said, yes. I thought the change … Continue reading Mysteries In The Big Easy-Prologue by B.L. Miller

I’m sitting in a suburban golf club bar with twenty old high school classmates. It’s Friday night of our 25th high school reunion weekend. I’ve traveled from New York City for this event and have no idea what to expect. We’re playing ‘do you know whatever happened to so-and-so’. I can’t resist asking about my … Continue reading Finding My Bad-Boy by Leslie Sittner