Photo Challenge #166 – A Mother’s Sorrow

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Michael

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Image: Copyright NEKNEERAJ

She’d agreed to take the children home for after some hours at the hospital they were tired and bored and starting to act up.

She left her son and her daughter’s family there huddled around her bed, whispering occasionally to one another as if their voices might cause the daughter some discomfort.

She had gone to see her daughter after so many years of estrangement and was shocked at what she saw.

Before her lay an old woman, hooked up to various machines, feeding and keeping her alive.

She’d fallen apart at the sight of a daughter who was once such a beautiful child, a daughter she had, to replace the one stolen from her.

She reflected on her daughter’s life as one in which she had taken solace in anything that allowed her to numb the pain of a lifetime of trauma.

They’d spent some hours together, the past now forgotten, the mother-daughter bond re-established as she sat and talked, held her daughter’s hand so gratefully received.

With her grandchildren gathering around her she gathered the two young boys and took her leave to allow them to sit with their mother in what could be her final moments.

Now at home and with them eating and given the freedom to play unimpeded, she had time to reflect on a life she never envisaged for a daughter so loved and cared for as a child. It’s what a mother does when a child is near death.

You forget the trials and tribulations; you concentrate on those wonderful moments when your child looked at you expressed love for you.

She looked at the clock then at her phone wondering what was happening. She expected a call. She dreaded the moment it would come.

She wiped away another tear as the youngest boy crawled into her lap with a favourite book for her to read.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/photo-challenge-166/

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Wordle #156 – Warren Oscitates Once Too Often

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Michael

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This week’s words: Tough Collapse Syncretism (n. the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles,practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion..) Uncanny  Catch Strand Barrel Tendency Reform Warren Vertebra Oscitant ((adj.) yawning, as with drowsiness; gaping. drowsy or inattentive. dull, lazy, or negligent.)

Warren was often told he didn’t have the backbone to succeed. It was something to do with his vertebra not being tough enough to withstand the rigours of everyday life.

His wife often complained that his children ran roughshod over him. She was a woman for whom the concept of things being black and white had worked more than adequately throughout her life and she had more than a tendency to express herself in strident tones about the behaviours of her children. As for Warren, she thought of him as an oscitant as she pictured him of a Saturday afternoon sprawled on the lounge watching the TV with various children draped around him as he snoozed the afternoon away waking only periodically to check the score before drifting back into his default oscitant state oblivious to little Johnny tipping a bag of flour onto the floor or Susie unable to get to the toilet on time collapsing onto the floor in a pool of her own urine.

The real test for the family came when the eldest, Ursula May, took up with the local religious cult, The Church of the Deviant Soul. The wife railed against his parenting as being all to blame for his daughter being led astray by this evil organisation. Warren found that he had to be at his syncretic best to placate his wife and family as he attempted in his best syncretic way to explain the syncretism involved and that in time Ursula May would see the cult for what was. A branch of the devil’s incarnate earthly presence and hence reform her wayward ways.

As Warren waxed on in his own unique way he caught a glimpse of his wife who was tapping her foot. She had an uncanny way of waiting for the right moment to get you over a barrel and before you knew it you were stranded on one of the many sandbars of life she seemed to guide you towards.

In moments like this Warren saw the benefits of his oscitant lifestyle, when staying in a drowsy inattentive state had a lot going for it.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2017/05/22/wordle-156/

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Writing Prompt Sunday, May 21st – Peculiar – A Trip to Celadon

Posted on May 21, 2017 by Michael

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celadon:

pale green; pale green glazed pottery

It was Manzy’s idea to go out. It was a Sunday and she was feeling particularly green she said. I hated it when she went all green.

Nothing ever seemed right and all day she’d bitched about going to celadon as that was where she felt most comfortable.

It was an unpleasant journey, with a rough track and if you didn’t wear your green sunny’s the haze and the glare would result in you having the worst sort of green headache and if you’ve never had a green headache you can thank your lucky green starts because they are the worst. Throbbing and then aching, throbbing some more and aching especially when the green moss of the Café Celadon was served on green toast accompanied by a green tea that always tasted more black tea than green. But that’s the thing about green, you have to believe if it looks green it is.

Mansy said she wanted to go to the green glazed pottery workshop, she had this compulsion to see and feel green glazed pottery. There was something about the feel of green glazed pottery that set her off, settled and made her more romantic than she might ordinarily be.

So, after the arduous journey, we turned up at the green glazed pottery shop. By then, of course, she was all a green with expectation and who was I to take it from her. She positively glowed upon entry.

Upon one wall, there stood the most magnificent green glazed pots, a sea of green to the naked eye and she did for a second or two blend in such that I thought she had been consumed by the pots.

Wishful thinking on my part as she emerged clutching a small green glazed pot and held it up for me to see. For four hundred Celadon dollars, we could have it wrapped and carried home, in a gift box which as it turned out came with a particularly attractive green bow.

By mid-afternoon laden with our recent purchase, firmly in her grasp and all the poorer by four hundred green dollars we left Celadon and all its green. Mansy was now calm having taken well and truly her fill of the green that is Celadon.

She said she felt all green again as we journeyed the rough track back home. I looked across as we arrived in our driveway to see her eyes had returned to a natural green, her skin its smooth self with just a touch of green to match her hair which always after a trip to Celadon remained green and often iridescently so. This made sleeping for me a green glazed nightmare.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2017/05/21/writing-prompt-sunday-may-21st-peculiar/

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Saturday’s Mix–20 May 2017 – The Epic Simile

Posted on May 20, 2017 by Michael

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On one of my rare forays into a bar, I had met the woman who was to play such a role in my life.

She’d pursued me from the bar and our interaction for the rest of the evening had set up our relationship as something we both wanted to continue.

It was her eyes that attracted me so. They sparkled with life like you wanted to stare into them forever. Their focus convinced you that at that very moment you were the centre of all her attention. From them, a warmth radiated as she engaged with you in a chat that you wanted never to end. When you are wary, nervous and even plain tongue-tied her eyes like diamonds glinted with every passing phrase that came from her mouth and it was with her mouth that I found myself mesmerised by a smile that made me feel as like a child in a lolly shop.

When you added eyes and mouth to the equation you began to feel like an insect attracted to light. Only there was no danger, just an exhilaration you felt inside as you became aware you were forgoing all previous thoughts of distance as the closer you could be the better you felt.

When we’d parted I felt elated. It was like I’d stepped into a realm I never knew was there for me. The pit of my stomach churned but in a good way, like the way, I thought more about her and our evening my stomach reminded me of how I felt about her.

I couldn’t wait for the next day when we’d meet again. I knew I was in for a sleepless night for I felt as if on edge, my life had taken a turn for the better and there was so much to look forward to.

I was hoping she was feeling the same.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2017/05/20/saturdays-mix-20-may-2017/

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SoCS May 20/17 – All or Nothing

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Michael

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“I have been absent so today is an all or nothing exercise.

Can I put a logical word or two down, can you forgive me for my tardiness?”

The letter was written in his rough handwriting, the sort that suggested schooling had been not much more than a sideshow to entertain him as he grew up. He certainly gave the impression of never paying much attention and the fact he was suspended so often gave rise to speculation about his mental state. I looked again at his note, steeling myself to decipher the scrawl.

“I’ve busy at home. The lounge room was in need of a makeover so I set myself the task of doing just that. Mum’s wallpaper applied some forty years ago had to be removed. In some spots over the years the paper must have come loose as dad I am sure used contact cement to reapply it never thinking that in years to come his son would want to remove it and what a job that was.

But I got it all done. The biggest room in the place now looks better than ever. I used ‘Plum Relic’ as the colour for my feature wall. I like it though my son has suggested it’s too purple.

It was one of those jobs where once I started it was a matter of all or nothing. I couldn’t stop, I was driven to finish. My exercise for two weeks was climbing up and down the ladder, it seemed cutting in was an endless task but I got there and I’m pleased with the result. Next week I’ll get new floor coverings and the old carpet that’s been down as long as I can remember will go.

You’ll have to come by and see what I have been up to. It will be good to catch up again.’

There no further apology, just his signing off. I never took him for a home renovator but the more I got to know him the more I learned about him. I liked his ‘all or nothing’ attitude, I’m sure it gave him reason to pursue the task he set himself.

 

Written for: https://lindaghill.com/2017/05/19/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-2017/

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May 18: Flash Fiction Challenge – Wisdom

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Michael

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May 18, 2017 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a wise story. It can be about wisdom, expressing wisdom or advice for turning 50! It can be a wise-cracking story, too. Go where wisdom leads you.

 

Oh, to be wise he thought as he read through the student’s exam papers.

He turned over the effort from Betrice Walker, the smartest girl in his class. In amazement, he read her literary genius. He felt humbled that someone so young could evaluate the question so clearly.

For goodness sake he thought, she’s a child still, what will she be like in twenty years?

So much wisdom in one so young.

He wrote an A on her paper.

Tomorrow he’d watch the glow on her face knowing she’d be pleased.

Sipping coffee, he picked up the next paper.

 

Written for: https://carrotranch.com/2017/05/19/may-18-flash-fiction-challenge-2/

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Music Prompt #4: Lady Antebellum – “You Look Good” #musicprompt

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Michael

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWsAUqdtwjM

The bar was crowded and I felt like a fish out of water. Bars weren’t the places I frequented.

It had been a particularly tough day and my colleague had suggested that to unwind I go to the bar with him, just for one drink he said. It seemed like a reasonable thing as he’d been as stressed as me from the day’s negotiations.

So, I followed him in and sat at one end of the bar. I don’t drink so I ordered a coke knowing he would quickly down the beer in front of him I looked about to see the post work crowd all debriefing and no doubt bitching about their day.

It was then I saw her, sitting at the far end. She was with a bunch of her work colleagues, I concluded not able to think of another reason she might be there.

There was something about her that attracted me instantly.

The flashing smile and the piercing eyes had me enraptured within seconds.

As I am more a people watcher than an interactor I realised she was a little like me as she nervously looked around the bar and like me looked at the clock on the wall trying, like me, to ascertain the moment to take my leave.

She looked down the bar in my direction and our eyes met. Embarrassed by the contact we both looked away. But I couldn’t help look back and focus on her.

As I sipped my coke, my work colleague down several beers all the while prattling on about his day and what he’d do if he had his time over again.

Down the bar the object of my fascination continued to sneak glances my way, all the while smiling at anything said by one of her girlfriends.

I made an excuse to leave, I knew or at least felt it was my best strategy knowing my success rate with women was not something I’d ever put on my resume.

I made my way out of the bar, took a breath of air at the front door and knew the train home would be arriving soon.

I felt a touch on my arm and there she was.

She blurted out her name, said she was pleased to be out of there and that bars were not her thing.

I stood there looking at her. Up close she was more beautiful than I had previously thought. Her smile sparkled, her eyes twinkled, her hair was flowing and her skin looked immaculate. Inside me, a voice said, “What do you think you’ll do with a woman as beautiful as this one?”

The silence that followed said it all. She looked from my face to the street. Asked if we could walk?

Walk we did, introductions, life stories, expectations, job reflections.

I never thought I could feel so comfortable with a woman who was in my opinion way ahead of me in every way.

Midnight found us in the park opposite the train station. It was the first time I felt like I didn’t want to go home.

She took my hand and asked me to meet her again. I think I stammered something I hoped she took as a yes.

Then she hailed a taxi and as it stopped at the kerb she reached up and kissed me softly saying it was a great night. We’d meet tomorrow at midday for lunch.

As she drove away I suddenly realised my legs were feeling like jelly.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/music-prompt-4-lady-antebellum-you-look-good-musicprompt/

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Thursday photo prompt: Inside-out #writephoto – Feet Up

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Michael

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He hated it when it rained. Not only was it cold but the water would invariably leak through the old window seals and drip into his cell. It meant moving everything to one side of the room.

Once the downpour had been so heavy as to leave him barely an inch to sit in.

He had raised the issue with his guards who laughed and reminded him a prison cell wasn’t a room at the Hilton and he had to accept whatever came his way.

After years of this, he fashioned his own means of survival. He could ascertain from the rate of rainfall and the wind direction if his person was in danger of suffering another soaking. That’s was the trouble he reasoned, the soaking wasn’t swift it was slow as the water inexorably made its way across the floor towards him. It was feet up and shut his mind away from the cold, the wet, the discomfort, telling himself tomorrow it would stop, the floor would dry out and his world would be back to normal.

He liked normal. Normal was a dry day, sunshine and warmth.

Above he could see the monsters spouting water in an increasing volume. He huddled into his bed, eyes on the window as the first drops appeared.

 

Written for: https://scvincent.com/2017/05/18/thursday-photo-prompt-inside-out-writephoto/

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Tale Weaver No 120 18/5/17 – Make Sense of Nonsense – Flamhsures

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Michael

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I arrived early thinking I would be early but no there was a crowd already. Eager, expectant with their beady eyes trained on me.

Flamhsures as a community tradition. Held each June, the first day of winter in my part of the world. It was all about the ice and the water and how daring you wanted to be.

Every eligible male or female would be there strutting and showing off their stuff.

That was the reason I liked to get there early, I didn’t have a lot of stuff to strut and show off.

But in the early morning, with a frost settled upon the town’s memorial water feature, all was in readiness for the annual laugh at me, cause I’m a weaner. I was happy to get in, get it over, get out, and be off before too many witnessed my embarrassment.

It was necessary to be there early so as not to be compared to Gerd and Art Glashon who did possess the stuff you’d strut about and show off.

They were a brother and sister act. They’d turn up when the crowd was at its peak and parade along the memorial and just at the appropriate moment Gerd would drop her gown illustrating why she was a woman to be reckoned with.

It was I am sure someone in the past’s intention to make flamhsures a rite of passage, a ceremony conducted naked to see if the youth of the community really had it in them.

Gerd certainly did. A big woman, strong solid hips, the most attractive buttocks imaginable and breasts that left you to wonder how nature could bestow so much on one individual. Art, on the other hand, was the male equivalent, tall and strong, muscular and no matter the temperature of the memorial he was always impressive.

The crowd, of course, was always split between the men looking at Gerd and the woman eagle-eyed on Art.

But I was the sideshow, the one who despite his best efforts was never going to measure up, and I didn’t. Usually, I would be finishing my plunge into the icy water with all its obvious consequences just as Gerd and Art would make their triumphant entry.

I’d slink away, wrap my towel around my trembling shrinking self and hope Gerd and Art would erase from their minds any memory they had of me.

By the time, Gerd and Arty reappeared from the freezing waters of the memorial I’d be on my way home with the cheers of the respective audience members resounding in my ears.

Gerd and Art, with their pointy bits strutting their stuff, would be cheered off and flamhsures would be over until next year.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/tale-weaver-no-120-18517-make-sense-of-nonsense-flamhsures/

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100 Word Wednesday: Week 19 – The Meeting.

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Michael

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Photo By William Stitt

She came dressed for a date she was sure would lead to new and exciting things.

She was keen to make the right impression. There was no disguising she fancied the boy in question. They had hit it off so well and she wasn’t leaving anything to chance.

She’d spent hours preparing, her carefully applied make-up to match her outfit with enough cleavage to show she was interested.

The meeting place she knew well. She was there on time, afraid to show any sign of tardiness. It was a cool day but suddenly she warmed as she saw him approaching.

Written for: https://bikurgurl.com/2017/05/18/100-word-wednesday-week-19/

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