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Tales from the Tub

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Mermaid Minute

TBM2108.11 – DDOP2105 – Mermaid Minute: Heatwave

11 August 2021 by Melissa

Mermaid Minute

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.11-DDOP-05-Heatwaves.mp3

Description:

#audio #mermaidminute #dogdaysofpodcasting

Excerpt:

We don’t have heatwaves. Sometimes we have heated waves.

Links and References

  • Learn about The Dog Days of Podcasting

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.11-DDOP-05-Heatwaves.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 0:57 — 1.3MB)

Dog Days of Podcasting Mermaid Minute Tales from the Tub DDoPDDOP 2021Dog Days of PodcastingMe-Me del MareMermaid Minute
Mermaid Minute

TBM2108.10 – DDOP2104 – Mermaid Minute: Dinner and a Move-Sea

10 August 2021 by Melissa

Mermaid Minute

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2109.10-DDOP-04-Dinner-And-a-Move-sea.mp3

Description:

#audio #mermaidminute #dogdaysofpodcasting

Excerpt:

Me-Me del Mare talks about her favorite move-sea: Gill-more Girls.

Links and References

  • Learn about The Dog Days of Podcasting

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2109.10-DDOP-04-Dinner-And-a-Move-sea.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22 — 1.5MB)

Dog Days of Podcasting Mermaid Minute Tales from the Tub DDoPDDOP 2021Dog Days of PodcastingMe-Me del MareMermaid Minute
Mermaid Minute

TBM2108.09 – DDOP2103 – Mermaid Minute: Barnacle Physics

9 August 2021 by Melissa

Mermaid Minute

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.09-DDOP-03-Barnacle-Physicsmp3.mp3

Description:

#audio #mermaidminute #dogdaysofpodcasting

Excerpt:

There are two kinds of barnacles, quirks and left-ons.

Links and References

  • Learn about The Dog Days of Podcasting

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.09-DDOP-03-Barnacle-Physicsmp3.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:18 — 1.4MB)

Dog Days of Podcasting Mermaid Minute Tales from the Tub DDoPDDOP 2021Dog Days of PodcastingMe-Me del MareMermaid Minute

TBM-2108.08 – DDOP2102 – Menage a Trois

8 August 2021 by Melissa

 

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.08-DDOP-02-Menage-a-Trois.mp3

Description:

#audio #flashfiction  #liketheprose #seduction #fantasy #wine

Excerpt:

She was wearing a green dress that flattered her curves in all the right ways, and I couldn’t stop staring at her. She glowed, especially around her neck where a maroon choker rested, right around the hollow of her throat.

Links and References

  • Learn about Like the Prose
  • Read the text at  MissMeliss.com
  • Learn about the Dog Days of Podcasting

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.

 

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.08-DDOP-02-Menage-a-Trois.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:43 — 5.1MB)

Dog Days of Podcasting Tales from the Tub DDoPDDOP 2021Dog Days of PodcastingFlash Fiction
Image by Leandro De Carvalho from Pixabay

TBM-2108.08-DDOP2101 – Mermaid Minute: Dogfish Days of Podcasting

8 August 2021 by Melissa

Mermaid Minute

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.08-DDOP-01-Dogfish-Days-of-Podcastingx2.mp3

Description:

#audio #mermaidminute #dogdaysofpodcasting

Excerpt:

Are there really days where you landwalkers worship your canine companions?

Links and References

  • Learn about The Dog Days of Podcasting

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.

 

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TBM2108.08-DDOP-01-Dogfish-Days-of-Podcastingx2.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09 — 1.6MB)

Dog Days of Podcasting Mermaid Minute Tales from the Tub DDoPDDOP 2021Dog Days of PodcastingMe-Me del MareMermaid Minute
Long-time Companion

TBM-2106.08 – Long-time Companion

11 June 2021 by Melissa

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TBM2106.08-Long-time-Companion.mp3

Description:

#audio #flashfiction #ballet #liketheprose

Excerpt:

At first our relationship was tenuous. I wasn’t sure where to put my hands, how much pressure to use. Sometimes my hand would slip, or I’d lift the wrong leg, and my foot would make abrupt contact. It hurt me far more than it did him.

Links and References

  • Learn about Like the Prose
  • Read the text at MissMeliss.com

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TBM2106.08-Long-time-Companion.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:51 — 3.7MB)

Like the Prose Tales from the Tub FictionFlash FictionLike the ProseThe Literal Challenge
Robot head looking front on camera isolated on a black background

TBM-2104.30 – Sleeping Positions (A Basil and Zoe Vignette)

3 May 2021 by Melissa

Robot head looking front on camera isolated on a black background

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TBM2104.30-SleepingPositions.mp3

Description:

#audio #flashfiction #basilandzoe #vignette

Excerpt:

Basil reached out and brushed some of my hair out of my face. “It is true that I do not require sleep,” he said in a gentle tone. “But I am capable of sleep. However, I do not believe that is your real concern. You have ‘crashed’ here many times while I was working or writing.”

Links and References

  • Bumper: Nuchtchas
  • Read the text at MissMeliss.com: Sleeping Positions (A Basil and Zoe Vignette)

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TBM2104.30-SleepingPositions.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 4:12 — 5.8MB)

Tales from the Tub Basil & ZoeFictionFlash Fiction
Labyrinth UUCOC

TBM – 2103.39 – Labyrinth

31 March 2021 by Melissa

Labyrinth UUCOC

 

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TBM2103.29-Labyrinth.mp3

Description:

#audio. #flashfiction #spiritualbutnotreligious #labyrinth

Excerpt:

She traces the switchback paths with her whole body, one quadrant at a time until the circle is complete. The sun is partially occluded by lingering morning fog, but she likes it that way. It makes this place feel more mystical.

Links and References

  • Bumper: Clay Robeson
  • Promo: Nutty Bites
  • Fundraiser: DDOP: Help Melissa
  • Read the text at MissMeliss.com: Labyrinth
  • Photo Credit: Kathy Grey

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TBM2103.29-Labyrinth.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:04 — 7.0MB)

Tales from the Tub FictionFlash Fiction

TBM2102.28 – Sunday Brunch – Leonardo Was Right

6 March 2021 by Melissa

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TBM2102.28-SundayBrunch-LeonardoWasRight.mp3

Description:

#audio. #essay #sundaybrunch #LeonardoDaVinci  #winterstormuri

Excerpt:

I look around my house and feel nothing but anger at being cheated out of enjoying a rare snowstorm, and at the fact that the Texas government would prefer that people freeze rather than lose a penny.  I feel like I’ve betrayed my dogs by allowing them to suffer, to be confused by being moved away and then home, and by not behaving in ways they expect. My house is no longer a haven, but a prison I can’t escape.

Links and References

  • Promo: Technorama
  • Fundraiser: DDOP: Help Melissa
  • Read the essay at MissMeliss.com: Sunday Brunch: Leonardo Was Right

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/TBM2102.28-SundayBrunch-LeonardoWasRight.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:14 — 8.1MB)

Sunday Brunch Tales from the Tub 2021EssaysSunday Brunch
Christmas Candles

TBM-2012.24 – Amazing Peace, by Maya Angelou

24 December 2020 by Melissa

Christmas Candles

https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TBM-2012.24-Amazing-Peace.mp3

Description:

#audio. #readerstheatre #AmazingPeace #MayaAngelou #Christmas

Excerpt:

Into this climate of fear and apprehension, Christmas enters,
Streaming lights of joy, ringing bells of hope
And singing carols of forgiveness high up in the bright air.
The world is encouraged to come away from rancor,
Come the way of friendship.

Links and References

  • Learn more about the Dog Days of Podcasting
  • Learn more about Maya Angelou

Cast for this Episode:

  • Mark (the Encaffeinated One) Kilfoil
  • Nuchtchas
  • Jason Gregory Banks
  • Amelia Bowen
  • Clay Robeson (who also produced the episode)
  • Melissa Bartell, the Bathtub Mermaid
  • Trenton Wood, viola soloist
  • Photo by Trevor M. via PixaBay

Support:

The Bathtub Mermaid is now on Patreon! If you like the stories and essays I share, and want to have occasional visits from Mei-Mei del Mare, please consider subscribing.

Credits:

  • The Bathtub Mermaid: Tales from the Tub is written and produced by Melissa A. Bartell, and is recorded and produced using the Auphonic iPhone app and Audacity.
  • Bathtub Mermaid album art was created by Rebecca Moran of Moran Media
  • Sound Effects are from Freesound.

Contact:

  • Twitter: @Melysse
  • Facebook: MissMelysse
  • Instagram: @Melysse
  • Email: missmelysse@gmail.com
  • Or, leave a comment on this page.
https://www.bathtubmermaid.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/TBM-2012.24-Amazing-Peace.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 6:27 — 8.9MB)

DDOP Advent Dog Days of Podcasting Tales from the Tub Amy BowenClay RobesonJason Gregory BanksMark the Encaffeinated OneMaya AngelouNuchtchasTrenton Wood

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I said…

  • TBM-2512.24 – Dog Days of Advent: Midnight 24 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.23 – Dog Days of Advent: Sled 23 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.23 – Dog Days of Advent: Gift and Train 23 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.22 – Dog Days of Advent: Ritual, Thread, and Magic 22 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.17 – Dog Days of Advent: Candle 17 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.16 – Dog Days of Advent: Icicle 16 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.15 – Dog Days of Advent: Flare 15 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.14 – Dog Days of Advent: Harbor 14 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.13 – Dog Days of Advent: Storm 13 December 2025
  • TBM-2512.12 – Dog Days of Advent: Bells 12 December 2025

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What I’m Writing: MissMeliss.com

FictionAdvent 24: Midnight

FictionAdvent 24: Midnight

Jean—called Grandma Love by strangers more often than family—felt that familiar tilt in the air. The almost-midnight tilt. Midnight wasn’t a time so much as a mood, a soft doorway between one thing and the next. She’d always been good with doorways.

FictionAdvent 23: Sled

FictionAdvent 23: Sled

She dragged it through the fresh snow to the small hill behind the apartment complex. The cold bit at her cheeks. The air smelled like minerals and ice—Earth winter, not Mars. He’d always said he missed winters most. 

She set the sled down.  Ran her glove over the wooden slats.  Felt her heartbeat double-tap behind her ribs.

Then she climbed on.

FictionAdvent 22: Train

FictionAdvent 22: Train

“Welcome,” they said, their voice resonant in a way that felt felt rather than heard. “You’re right on time.”

A woman near the front let out a short laugh. “Time for what?”

“For the Interstice,” the being replied easily. “The pause between departures.”

What I’m Reading: Bibliotica

Book Review: The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

Book Review: The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

  About the book: The Regression Strain  Genre: Medical Thriller Publisher: Normal Range Press Publication Date: May 26, 2025 Scroll down for Giveaway Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is […]

Book Spotlight: FRANTIC by Brent Bradley

Book Spotlight: FRANTIC by Brent Bradley

A delusional prison patient warns Dr. Brian Heiser, Marriage and Family Therapist, of enormous impending disaster. Dr. Heiser and his best friend, a lauded Forensic Psychologist, find themselves entangled in a 72-hour deadly race to stop an AI bill being fast-tracked through the Texas state legislature.

Book Review: Under Vixens Mere by Kit Fielding

Book Review: Under Vixens Mere by Kit Fielding

Under Vixen’s Mere is one of those novels that quietly gets under your skin and then refuses to leave. 

From the opening pages, the prose immediately stood out to me. It’s spare without ever feeling sparse—clean, confident, and quietly assured. Dialogue and description are held in careful balance, each doing its work without calling attention to itself. Nothing strains for effect, and that sense of restraint builds trust early on, inviting the reader to settle in and follow where the story leads. 

Previously

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  • October 2013
  • August 2013

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