Photo Challenge #257 – Maud

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Michael

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Art by Vincent Giarrano

It took Maud some time to realise just where she was. She hadn’t expected death to be like this. In fact, if you’d asked her before the event, she would have said death would be a dark void if anything at all.

But here she was inside the musician, and she was alarmed by the whole experience.

If this was her fate to inhabit the body of a living person what had happened to the previous one?

Was this how it all went? Would she move from body to body?

On the surface the young lady in question, whose name she discovered was Daphne seemed a fine young person. What was challenging she quickly discovered was that Daphne was not such a great musician as evidenced by the awful noise she was creating on her guitar. It was one thing Maud thought to have all the best electronic gear you could imagine but being able to use it in a fashion that gained you satisfaction was another. And turning up the volume wasn’t the answer.

It might explain she thought the vacancy she was now filling.

At the moment Maud became conscious of her surroundings Daphne was in the throes of a new composition. Maud listened for a moment extracting a few words from the jumbled mess that seemed to be her mind.

There was a reference to ‘her soul being renewed’ and ‘starting all over’ and other convoluted phrases Maud assumed Daphne thought appropriate.

“How much of this do I have to put up with?” she asked herself as Daphne applied a D minor chord followed by a G Flat thus testing even her sense of melodic harmony.

With the torture well under way, Maud marvelled that in death a lot of her senses were far more acute than in life. The music she was now a part of resonated clearer than any music had before, and she wondered what influence she might have on Daphne’s musical future. How might she ease the girl’s enthusiasm away from the tortuous rifts she was playing into something less confronting and angry?

It would be a project she decided.

There was a possibility she might be able to talk to her mind and influence her one way or another.

She thought this for in Maud’s mind, there had to be a way to reach a compromise that would allow them both to exist.

She began by planting the seed of how nice a gentle C chord could be.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/photo-challenge-257/

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Story Starter Challenge April 1 – Are You A Spy?

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Michael

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The question came from my six-year-old grandson and took me by surprise.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Do you kill people?”

“All the time. Why do you ask?”

“Well, gran says you have a dark and secret past, and I don’t know what that means but I thought maybe you are a spy.”

 

My grandson was a perceptive boy and my wife, and I had often noted he was a smart fellow with a vivid imagination. On his visits, he and his brothers would often play in the backyard using the old mulberry tree as a base from which to conduct their adventures as well as when in season having a good feed of the plentiful berries the tree produced.

 

“Who do you spy on?” he asked as he sat beside me on the veranda.

“Mostly bad guys,” I said.

“Is being a spy exciting?” he continued asking.

“Oh yes, I often go to exotic countries, engage the bad guys in gun battles and find out the most terrible secrets,” I told him as I sipped my morning coffee.

“But you don’t get killed, I mean you do all the killing,” he enquired.

“Oh, every time though sometimes I get a bit hurt, I’m a bit clumsy on my feet from time to time.”

 

I could see him thinking that one over.

 

“Gran says you’re a bit clumsy too. She said the other day you’d trip over your own feet if you weren’t watching,” he said giggling to himself.

“True I do trip myself up from time to time, but being a spy means you have to be careful when out in the field, you never know what sort of situation you might get yourself into.”

“Yes, I guess so, thanks Grandad, I’ll tell my friends next week at school, I have a grandad who’s a spy, that will impress them,” he announced sounding very pleased with himself.

“Best we keep this to ourselves,” I suggested, “Spies like to keep things top secret, you know hush-hush,” I added holding my index finger to my lips.

“Oh yes,” he replied, “Top secret. Wait till I tell mum.”

 

He ran off, and I knew that the next day I would get a call from my daughter telling me to stop telling her son such fanciful stories.

 

Written for: https://thehauntedwordsmith.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/story-starter-challenge-april-1/

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Sunday Writing Prompt “The Day Animals and Robots Took Over”

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Michael

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Rover looked up from his sleeping mat and watched as Charles delivered his morning chew stick and stood back to allow Rover to indulge himself in one of life’s great delights.

Munching it up he thought how fortunate he was to have secured Charles as his assistant and one who did his very beck and call. Unlike the man who claimed to own him and who treated him with indifference.

Charles was a Robot First Class-3 and fine robot in every way. After breakfast, Charles would produce a brush and give Rover a good brush down which he enjoyed as his lush black fur responded well to the brush and Charles had a deft touch when it came to brushing.

So, looking his best, he went outside to do what needed to be done and watched as Charles dutifully cleaned up the deposit left and placed it in the receptacle provided.

Rover wished Charles was adept at licking his bottom clean but that was probably a bit much to wish for even from a robot.

After a compulsory sniff around the yard Rover retired to his sleeping mat for a morning nap. It was hard work he told himself being a dog as there wasn’t a lot to do once the morning ablutions were concluded.

In the meantime, Charles busied himself in the kitchen, he was equipped with a built-in vacuum cleaner and rubber gloves which he placed on his so-called arms, and by extending his legs, he could complete the washing up and cook the owner his breakfast.

Rover watched as the robot would shock the owner anytime he tried to interfere with what Charles was doing. It was a fine arrangement as far as Rover was concerned with the owner being put in his place allowing Charles to run the household as he deemed fit.

Looking over at Rover, Charles gave him a robot wink as the owner recoiled from the latest shock. Rover ever vigilant gave a wag of his tail and drifted off to sleep.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/03/31/sunday-writing-prompt-the-day-animals-and-robots-took-over/

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Elemental Challenge April 1 – The Not So Sweet Air

Posted on April 1, 2019 by Michael

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This is a new requested challenge. For this challenge, we will explore one of the four elements: air, earth, water, fire.

This week’s focus is AIR.

The air was dripping with rumour and innuendo.

Did he?

Did she?

He said, she said!

The shopping mall, a place where the sweet aroma of all things pleasant and luxurious abounded, the air was rife with speculation.

You couldn’t step without hearing the whispered voices of not the concerned but the gossip mongers thriving on the scandal they propagated with each passing comment.

It all seemed such a shame when you thought about it that people found the misfortune of others such a pack animal preoccupation.

Around them, the food sellers with their more than sweet temptations continued to promote their trade while the character of the respective couple was tossed around in the air continuously thickened with the destruction of their character.

It went on all day with the news of new allegations to be revealed, the TV stations quick to come on board with film coverage of the couple leaving compromising locations, interviews with neighbours who once thought they saw this that and the other and each revelation adding to the overall speculation.

It got so the very air was thick with what could only be thought of as a hotchpotch of possibilities and soon the truth which had long disappeared into the toxic air of the neighbourhood no longer mattered as the feeding frenzy of one comment layered upon another took away all reason and compassion.

The couple in question found the toxicity of their situation so overwhelming they went into hiding, finding a place away from the fetid air around them.

It took time for the air to clear, for the sweetness of life to return and for the couple to feel confident of emerging into a society that had so soured the life they thought was their right.

 

Written for: https://thehauntedwordsmith.wordpress.com/2019/04/01/elemental-challenge-april-1/

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Saturday Mix – Mad About Metaphor, 30 March 2019 – Raining Cats and Dogs.

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Michael

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Our metaphor this week is – Raining cats and dogs.

The alarm went off at six, and I could feel the cold of the morning descend on me as I huddled under the blankets until the last possible moment.

I had another day at work, the humdrum of it all never enthused me so staying in bed as long as I could seemed to put off the inevitable.

Trouble started the moment my feet hit the floor.

The hot water was off, the toaster fused, my good shoes had sprung a hole and the car, for reasons best known to itself, refused to start.

So I was late, and the alternative was the train. As I was by now running late I was focused on getting to the station as the next train would get me to work in time, the one after would leave me late.

Around me, the skies had darkened, and the first few drops of rain didn’t register, as I knew had only minutes to catch the train. I suddenly realised I had not grabbed my umbrella as I dashed off.

Within seconds it was raining cats and dogs. I cursed my rotten luck and thought it typical that when something goes wrong, everything does from that moment.

With the rain bucketing down I made the train and sat sodden throughout the journey. At my destination, I discovered I had not clocked on with my train card as I was still sitting on the kitchen bench. That forced me to line up and buy a ticket further delaying me.
As I arrived at work the old saying, ‘it doesn’t rain, but it pours’ ran through my mind as the rain outside continued to do its cats and dogs thing.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/03/30/saturday-mix-mad-about-metaphor-30-march-2019/

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Story Starter Challenge #28 – Sort of Guilty

Posted on March 30, 2019 by Michael

Today’s sentence: “We the jury, find the defendant _____”

'If it pleases the court, my client pleads 'kind of innocent'.'

“Guilty, sort of,” said the jury foreman.

“Sort of? You can’t say sort of1” exclaimed the Judge.

“Well,” explained the Foreman, “On counts two and three we find him guilty, but on the first and fourth we don’t think he is guilty. I mean look at his face, who could believe that face could possibly do the things he is charged with.”

“It’s got nothing to do with his face,” said the Judge finding it hard to believe what he was hearing, “it’s to do with the evidence presented.”

“Well yes Your Honour we do understand that, but we felt that if evidence as to his overall demeanour and character had been presented, we could have come to a more unanimous decision,” explained the Foreman, to which there were united nods of approval from the jury members beside him.

The judge by now was finding his blood pressure rising and his patience being tested by the juries decision and their nonsensical explanation.

He knew that morning he was going to be in for a long day. The jury as he observed them during the case made a lot of notes, and several put their hand up at different times to ask questions and had to be told it was not their place to ask questions during the trial.

He started to think he had been in the job far too long. Retirement seemed such an easy alternative, but upon reflection, he could never see a life where his wife had every day planned for him as anything to look forward to.

The jury Foreman was still standing in front of the jury, and so it was up to him to make a final decision.

“Since you haven’t come to a unanimous decision I have no alternative but to dismiss you and declare this a no trial. The defendant is to be released.”

The Judge banged his gavel onto his desk sending a resounding crash through the courtroom before getting up and storming out.

The defendant looked as stunned as everyone else and gave the jury the thumbs up, as he had looked guilty from the moment he had stepped into the courtroom. After all the evidence was pretty clear, his flatmate was dead, he was found with a knife dripping blood, there was a recorded history of animosity between the two and his statement to the police upon capture:” the bastard deserved what he got” was damning in itself.

As the courtroom emptied, the Foreman looked over towards the defendant and winked at him.

A little later in the pub, the two enjoyed a drink together vowing to never reveal the relationship between the two.

“Sort of,” laughed the defendant, “how did you come up with that decision?”

“Seemed like a good idea at the time,” replied the Foreman ordering another drink.

 

Written for: https://thehauntedwordsmith.wordpress.com/2019/03/30/story-starter-challenge-28/

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March 28: Flash Fiction Challenge – Eminence.

Posted on March 30, 2019 by Michael

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March 26, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that uses the word eminence. It’s a rich word full of different meanings. Explore how it sounds or how you might play with it. Go where the prompt leads!

His Eminence the Good and Virtuous Cardinal read the morning paper and cringed as he read of another abuse claim.

He felt a twinge of guilt as he read the charges against one of his priests. It wouldn’t be long before they’d come knocking on his door. But he was a cardinal, and they’d believe his story over any kid who claimed he knew or did anything.

He’d taken years to reach this pinnacle within the Church. Hiding and denying, who’d a thought he be so good at it. He took up his pen and started on the crossword.

 

Written for: https://carrotranch.com/2019/03/28/march-28-flash-fiction-challenge/

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Reena’s Exploration Challenge #80 – Survival

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Michael

scar

The very scars, at times, hidden

Through shame and humiliation,

Continue to cut deep

As legacies of past struggles

Resurrect their ugly heads

To remind you of where you fit in this world.

You’ve come to learn you are not good enough

No matter how hard to try to put them behind you

They poke their heads up,

Laughing at your efforts to be better.

All that is left is your constant desire

To be there, to hope, often against hope,

That you will be seen as worth it.

Survival, for all its worth

Becomes a default position.

 

Written for: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2019/03/28/reenas-exploration-challenge-80/

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Thursday photo prompt: Bright #writephoto – Light

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Michael

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It was at the exact moment when the sun hit the ground that life was able to surge.

It became contagious, as it moved across the forest floor and the life within the ground strung into action.

The light was food, a substance that helped those wanting to germinate, for those wishing to sprout, for those wanting a little warmth; it was there to satisfy their every need.

Above the ground the creatures opened their arms and took in the light, it not only warmed their hearts but also gave them hope.

As long as the sun shed its light their way, they continued to shine in its glow.

The two-legged forest inhabitants had long marvelled at the power the light generated.

They watched the sun flowers turn their colourful heads towards it and soak up all that was life-giving.

The forest inhabitants took nothing for granted, knowing the light was an important part of the cycle of life.

“Where might we be without it?” said one as they sat in a circle in the light. There were nods of agreement all round as each creature shifted a fraction to stay in the light.

 

Written for: https://scvincent.com/2019/03/28/thursday-photo-prompt-bright-writephoto/

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Crimson’s Creative Challenge #20 – The Red Dot

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Michael

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My aged travelling companion, Crisp, was fascinated by the level crossing gates. “Why the big red dot in the middle?” she mused.

“Maybe tomorrow the word STOP might be painted on,” I suggested.

“Odd,” she said as she stood and observed the red dot. “Funny place this England,” she continued, “they don’t do thinks like we do. Like where’s the flashing lights, what use is this little piddling lamp on top of the gates meant to achieve?”

Crisp was a woman of opinion on most topics and continuously compared what she saw to back home. Stepping back she raised her camera and proceeded to snap off a few photos which I was sure would be used upon arriving home when she gave her report on the trip to the local Country Women’s Association. I was sure they were enjoying her being on the other side of the world!

 

Written for: https://crimsonprose.wordpress.com/2019/03/27/crimsons-creative-challenge-20/

Posted in Uncategorized, Writing prompt | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments