Barb Dukeman
Bio
I have three books published on Amazon if you want to read more. I have shorter pieces (less than 600 words at https://barbdukeman.substack.com/. Subscribe today if you like what you read here or just say Hi.
Achievements (13)
Stories (200)
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Cheyava, Benefactor of Life
When Perseverance sent images of water-formed rocks from Mars, NASA needed to identify the source of water to understand its disappearance. NASA sent a covert rover to Mars named Infinity to bring sample rocks back to examine. They did not expect a sentient being to be attached to the rover, a being that had been part of Mars for thousands of years.
By Barb Dukeman2 years ago in Fiction
Typical Day on a Boat
To get out to the wreck nearest our county, a boat must travel at least an hour and a half. We wanted to get past the West Florida Shelf toward the deeper water in the escarpment area. There are many areas with wrecks, man-made reefs, and even a WWII ship out there, great havens for tons of fish. These areas are about 2800’ deep, and that’s where the more decent dinner fish are- grouper, amberjack, mackerel, and dolphinfish (also called mahi mahi). I joked that I’m only there to catch the bait fish.
By Barb Dukeman2 years ago in Fiction
Bad Blood and Betrayal. Top Story - August 2024. Content Warning.
Isabella and Ethan climbed on board his cabin cruiser that she discovered was named The Boozer Cruiser. Embarrassed by the bold black print of shame, Bella pulled her wide hat brim down to cover her face. She’d hate to be seen by the other women at the yacht club. The Tampa Bay area had many well-connected families, and to be seen as a party girl would be a crime.
By Barb Dukeman2 years ago in Fiction
Health Matters
Coralee began her day and started the usual chores at her house. She rubbed some hot water on an old tea towel and dragged the towel across the countertop and under the bamboo chop block. Then she mopped the floor, unhappy and depressed. Her mother, Jenna, had come down for the week and suggested she use common and safer cleansers. Any would do, even natural ones. The house had become messy and neglected, and a musty odor permeated the walls and drapes. Smoke from Marlboro Reds left brown shadows on the walls.
By Barb Dukeman2 years ago in Families
Solstice Circle
My husband's birthday was coming up, and I didn't want to do the hum-drum "let's go out to dinner" deal. What to do? We've seen most the local bands in our area, and I didn't want him to grill dinner for his birthday. My mother joked that his birthday had to be celebrated right because it was on the longest day of the year, the traditional summer solstice. Usually falling on June 21, this year's solstice is the day before. However, he is getting a full moon for his birthday, so that's a win.
By Barb Dukeman2 years ago in Fiction
Dead Asleep. Top Story - June 2024.
At 23, I moved out of my parents’ old house, finally on my own, free. Even though I was moving into a tiny studio apartment, the euphoria of escaping that oppressive house was liberating. The strange experiences and nightmares my sister Eva and I had painfully endured as children in that house faded into the past; after her funeral, I suspected it had something to do with those nightmares. I never wanted to go through that again.
By Barb Dukeman2 years ago in Horror
