#SoCS Oct. 6/18 – Card

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Michael

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CARD

He gave me a card but it wasn’t just any card. It was his card and being his card, it possessed no magical qualities of any sort.

It sat limply in my hand waiting for me to initiate something that might give it purpose.

The most intriguing aspect of the card was the single word printed in bold in the centre of the card. PRESS.

So, I did press the press and the oddest thing happened.

Nothing.

It was all a hoax.

How disappointing.

The PRESS was a non-press and my frustration mounted.

I ripped the card into many pieces and threw it to the ground.

It was then the ground shook, the pieces of card bubbled and I found myself watching the card reform and a tentacle came from it and drew me into the abyss of the S.

I’ve been searching for a way out but to no avail.

There seems nothing here for me to PRESS!!!

 

Written for: https://lindaghill.com/2018/10/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-oct-6-18/

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Mr Marsden Part 11

Posted on October 6, 2018 by Michael

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Previous parts can be found here:

 

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/19/mr-marsden/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/19/mr-marsden-part-2/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/24/mr-marsden-part-3/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/26/mr-marsden-part-4/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/27/mr-marsden-part-5/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/29/mr-marsden-part-6/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/30/mr-marsden-part-7/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/10/02/mr-marsden-part-8/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/10/04/mr-marsden-part-9/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/10/05/mr-marsden-part-10/

“You have to stop doing that,” said Mr Marsden, a touch of irritation now in his voice.

“Doing what?” asked Ayls.

“Telling me what spell I have used, it’s very disconcerting you know.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that. You want me to do as you are asking which is fine by the way, but I have this sense of magic about me, and I can detect a spell as soon as you apply it.”

“I don’t understand how you could do that,” said an increasingly frustrated Mr Marsden.

“Well you remember me saying mum was a bit of a witch, well it comes from that knowledge. I don’t know why but I was always aware of what mum was doing. It helped that mum rarely applied a spell. The first one I remember was when I was a baby and mum had had a tough day at work, and I wouldn’t settle for the night, and she used a sleeping spell on me. I slept well, but I was aware of the spell. As I got older, it became easier. Drives her crazy when I jump a step in front of her when she’s casting something.”

“I can imagine,” said Mr Marsden chuckling to himself imaging Ayls’ mother’s frustration and at the same time gaining a clearer understanding of what might be making Ayls tick.

 

Her abilities were indeed profound, and Mr Marsden was at a bit of a loss to understand what he might be able to do.

Ayls was curious there was no doubt. She wandered about his house picking up things, looking inside the multitude of containers lining his shelves, reading the spines of the many books on his shelves, and touching his spell volumes with great reverence.

Mr Marsden was concerned that Ayls and her ability in one so young could land her in more trouble than anyone wanted to think about. Maybe he thought it best if he did not practice any magic around her as there was little point in hiding it from her.

“Let’s go into the garden,” he announced thinking the garden would be a good place to teach her the consequences of dabbling foolishly in magic.

He led the way out his back door and towards the container which by now was overgrown with a very healthy jasmine whose aroma from the multitude of flowers it produced gave Ayls a rather heady experience. Basically, she breathed in the fragrance, and her head did the rest.

They passed the geraniums who by now had been moved to a spot outside the container as their provocative nature was creating a sour mood among the less provocative and more conservative plants. They did, however, wolf-whistle Ayls as she went by which induced a giggle from her and a pout during which she said: “And the same to you.”

“Ignore them,” said Mr Marsden, “They are a reason for having you out here. They are the result of what happens when you mix the plants with an inappropriate potion.”

“What potion was that Mr Marsden?” asked Ayls as one geranium swirled and rubbed a very seductive red bloom against her leg to which Ayls screamed and stepped back.

“As it turned out, Love Potion No 4, which I have since discontinued but it appears to be having a lifelong effect on the geraniums,” said Mr Marsden as collectively their winked their petals at him.

At that, he ushered Ayls inside the container where the plants inside collectively made a deafening cacophony what with their singing, their arguments and the protestations of the Peace Lilies urging restraint, peace and harmony.

As they entered the container the heads of every plant turned at once towards Ayls.

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Thursday photo prompt: Faraway #writephoto – Randolph the Waterhog

Posted on October 6, 2018 by Michael

p1000756

Faraway and some fathoms deep lived Randolph the Waterhog.

Waterhogs are an elusive sea creature inhabiting the shoals on a good day and the depths when they are pissed off.

Bravery is only exercised when in the shoals, the Waterhog for a sea creature is extremely sensitive to criticism. Normally a greenish-brown in colour but when embarrassed turn scarlet which creates the huge interest in finding them.

They are sea bottom dwellers, they forage among the sea grasses, suck the microbes from the coral, but I must add, they do put back spreading their excrement over the corals providing them with the life-giving nutrients they need.

On this particular day, Randolph the Waterhog was grazing, minding his own business when he was confronted by a rather rude and affronting shark called Colin. Colin was determined to lay claim to the particular piece of sea floor where Randolph was contentedly eating.

Colin made the mistake, many sea creatures did, of nudging the Waterhog and thus incensing it. This action initiated another side of the Waterhog, aggression, and in particular Randolph’s bad temper.

Later when the sand settled Randolph’s rear end could be seen making its way along the sea floor while Colin’s bits and pieces drifted slowly to the surface.

 

Written for: https://scvincent.com/2018/10/04/thursday-photo-prompt-faraway-writephoto/

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Pull Up A Seat Photo Challenge-Week 5

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Michael

IMG_0117

This chair above is what was known a bow-back chair. It came from my grandmother’s house, and over the years the seat gave way. I took it to be repaired and unbeknownst to me the business went out of business and the chair appears to have been lost. It was not the most comfortable chair to sit on but was from a past era.

For: https://xingfumama.blog/2018/10/05/pull-up-a-seat-photo-challenge-week-5/

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Mr Marsden Part 10

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Michael

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Previous parts can be found here:

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/19/mr-marsden/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/19/mr-marsden-part-2/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/24/mr-marsden-part-3/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/26/mr-marsden-part-4/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/27/mr-marsden-part-5/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/29/mr-marsden-part-6/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/30/mr-marsden-part-7/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/10/02/mr-marsden-part-8/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/10/04/mr-marsden-part-9/

 

“I can stop things, Mr Marsden,” said Ayls when they were half way through their first cup of tea.

“How do you mean stop things?” asked a curious Mr Marsden.

“Well I did it in the mall one day when I so hungry, and mum wouldn’t buy me any lunch as I’d been at her to go for lunch and she wanted to finish her shopping. I thought what if I stopped everyone, you know froze them, I could then get anything I wanted. And I did. Plus, mum was pleased to not hear me whinge any longer.”

“When you say you did, you mean you stopped the entire shopping mall?”

“Yes.”

“Amazing.”

“It was fun you know Mr Marsden. I could walk anywhere and take what I liked. But I only took a cake and a drink. But I could have helped myself but then I knew mum would want to know how I suddenly had stuff and I didn’t want that to happen.”

“How often have you done that Ayls?”

“Oh, not very often, only when I’m fed up with waiting in a line, I’ve done it then, I remember, it was the funniest thing when Wendy Evans who is bigger than me and a real bully pushed in ahead of me and when I suddenly appeared in front of her with a burger the look on her face was priceless.”

“We have to be careful Ayls of doing things like that, as sooner or later you’ll be noticed, and you won’t be able to explain it away. You understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes Mr Marsden, I am aware I could get into trouble, so I don’t do it too often, but sometimes people really irritate me and before I know it I’ve acted and there they are frozen to the spot.”

“So, its driven by your moods then?”

“Yes, a lot of the time. My mother says I’m highly strung.”

 

Mr Marsden sat and reflected on what Ayls had said and how easily she could induce a freezing spell.

Because she was so young, he knew he had to be careful with her as she was performing magic in all innocence, even if it was to get something to eat. Freezing spells could become addictive, and she could get herself into trouble so easily.

“I want you to do something when you are at my place,” said Mr Marsden, “I want you to refrain from performing any magic. Do you think you can do that?”

“Why?” asked a perplexed Ayls.

“I’m hoping to teach you some self-discipline,” answered Mr Marsden hoping Ayls would understand why he was making such a request. “I want you to stop and think before you do anything. Here you can practice that, you can ask me, tell me when you are tempted to wave those arms of yours around. Fundamentally magic is about discipline, knowing when to use it and when not to.”

“What if I forget?”

“If I remind you often enough, you won’t forget, and I can limit the amount of damage. Plus, around here only I will witness it.”

“I guess I’ll have to try,” said a dejected Ayls who secretly hoped she could impress Mr Marsden with the skills she had.

Having said that Mr Marsden then did a little magic of his own as he had researched how best to handle precocious young witches. He placed a magic block spell on her which would prevent her performing any sort of magic in his house.

The aim, of course, was to get her to a stage where she was in control of her own impulses, and he knew that would take time.

“Do they actually work?” asked Ayls looking at Mr Marsden across the table with her big brown eyes focused on him.

“Do what work?” he asked.

“Magic blocking spells,” replied Ayls, “I’m just asking that’s all.”

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TELL ME A TALE IN (EXACTLY) 120 WORDS – Family

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Michael

tmat120

Today’s prompt is:  Your family dynamics growing up.

I am the second child of four. My older brother is five years older than me, and for the most part growing up, I was his irritating little brother. At times I excelled at it.
Below me were a brother and a sister. My younger brother and I played a lot in the backyard, and my sister was sent to annoy me and has done that so well throughout life.
My dad was the head of the family unless mum took over when there was some crisis. I used to go and watch and ‘help’ my father with jobs, and after I’d irritated him to the point of distraction, he would say: “Go and tell your mother she wants you.”
Written for: https://rantingalong.blog/2018/10/04/joelles-tales-first-thursday-of-the-month-tmat120-writing-prompt-for-october-2018/
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Reena’s Exploration Challenge #Week 57

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Michael

austinkleon

They say it’s a virtue but at times a very testing one.

At present, I am awaiting surgery on my left foot. I have a plantar fasciitis issue and require surgery, but I also have a commitment to assist in the supervision of the end of year exams for senior high school students, and I need to be mobile for that.

The surgery is becoming more pressing as my foot is not getting any better, in fact, it’s getting worse, so my patience is being tested well and truly.

I think in most situations I am a patient person, to have survived a marriage and not gone insane is one indicator. Though some may differ with me on that one.

On the other hand, I do get anxious and impatient when it comes to travel. I like to think everything is in place and I am in control.

As a teacher patience is paramount in dealing with children. They can and often are annoying, and it takes all your patience not to behave in a similar way to them when you feel they have pushed every irritating button you have.

I remember when I was putting on shows at school you would organize weeks ahead usually, a rehearsal only to find at the last minute some kid was not available, or even worse didn’t bother to turn up. These were occasions where it was out of my control and though I would be disappointed in finding them choosing other pursuits I knew there was little point in getting frustrated by their actions. There was always tomorrow was my attitude.

So, for me, patience is a testing virtue, as I sometimes find myself saying, “Good things come to those who wait.”

Written for:  https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/reenas-exploration-challenge-week-57/

 

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In Other Words, harvest

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Michael

in-other-words1

Harvest

It’s is true that you harvest what you sow.

My Uncle Reg was a great backyard farmer with a veggie plot to be marvelled at.

He could grow anything, knew his soil and knew where and when to plant.

Was it any wonder that one day we found him dead among his beans?

My Aunt Mary said it was a perfect death, to be harvested among his beloved crops.

 

Written for: https://patriciasplace.me/2018/10/03/in-other-words-harvest/

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Tale Weaver #191 – The Race Against Time – 4th October – An Old Man’s Race

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Michael

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The old man knew the race was well and truly on.

His days he knew were limited, that was reality,

But still, he nurtured the belief that love would come his way.

He didn’t know how, or when or with whom,

But it was a yearning he never gave up on.

There had to be someone he argued

Who might see him as a viable proposition?

The days went by, his birthdays came and went

The numbers beside his name grew larger

The wrinkles on his face deepened,

More hair fell out, his paunch expanded,

But still, his eyes sparkled when any engagement occurred.

He knew he was slowing down, his legs hurt,

He grew to worry about mowing his lawn,

Exercise was getting harder to come by

It took longer each morning to get vertical.

He wandered out one morning and bumped into a stranger.

Apologetic he hated making a fool of himself

The stranger didn’t recoil from his mumbled clumsy excuses

But rather stopped to listen, nodded understanding

Said perhaps a cup of tea might settle his anxiety.

He was taken aback, this wasn’t how it worked

Where was the aggression? The telling him off?

Instead, there was interest and then concern

The stranger saw him as a person, a man of substance

He wasn’t used to it, rejection was his default consequence.

Over morning cups they chatted, told each other their story

And committed to doing it again, the next time at his place.

Later when at home he anguished over what he’d done

Thought dusting, I bet my stranger loves dust free

So set to work wiping shelves and benches so long

Neglected and allowed to run free.

He heard the knock upon his door

His heart skipped a beat, would he pass?

The stranger stood there more beautiful than ever

Reached out and took his hand, stepped up and kissed him.

It was in that moment he knew

It was he who had won the race.

 

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/tale-weaver-191-the-race-against-time-4th-october/

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Mr Marsden Part 9

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Michael

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Previous parts can be found here:

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/19/mr-marsden/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/19/mr-marsden-part-2/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/24/mr-marsden-part-3/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/26/mr-marsden-part-4/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/27/mr-marsden-part-5/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/29/mr-marsden-part-6/

https://summerstommy.com/2018/09/30/mr-marsden-part-7/

Mr Marsden Part 8

Telling Ayls to go home was an easy task for Mr Marsden. He needed time to think about the skills Ayls had demonstrated. It was rare for a girl so young to possess such ability and control.

He thought back over his life for any reference he could make to anyone he’d seen or heard of who possessed the skills Ayls did.

He remembered as a young man he came across a witch, a young girl at the time who could make the seemingly impossible happen. She had been taught by her mother and could lay claim to extraordinary skills. She lived on the far side of the country, and his meeting with her had left him with the feeling, he had a lot to learn. When he returned from his journey, he set to work to be the best wizard he could. But he did often wonder what happened to Amelia Marble.

The girl Ayls Main had opened his eyes to what could be achieved. He would have to nurture her abilities and, maybe he thought, the first lessons should be about understanding the craft of being a witch.

He recalled his father’s words regarding the benefits of White Magic as opposed to Black Magic. White Magic required a lot of skill and patience whereas Black Magic was very much more spectacular magic often impressing the observer but in the long run to his detriment.

He would need to impress upon Ayls that White Magic was more profitable. This would have to be a priority as he knew how easy it was to be lured towards Black Magic. The instant gratification he knew from experience was addictive but as he had learned not something to be sought after.

There had been a time when as a young man he could easily have gone that way. The lure of instant gratification, the trill of the magic was as addictive as he’d ever imagined. It took his father’s guiding hand, in the end, to lead him away from what might have been a disastrous time for him.

Now he had to find it in himself to act towards her as his father had to him. Her knew she’d been back soon as she was eager to learn and he feared, show off what she could do. Her skills at levitation had been impressive and her control beyond what he expected for a child so young.

The next afternoon Ayls again appeared at his door. Mr Marsden realised his ‘keep out’ potion, and the spell was easy pickings for Ayls, and he wasn’t going to worry too much about her getting past it. Instead, he questioned how she did it, how she had learned such control and what she thought it all meant.

When he did ask her the questions, he had decided to ask he was surprised by her answers.

For as long as she could remember Ayls had been able to conjure things. It was she explained a part of her DNA as her mother also possessed magic but was reluctant to encourage her as she explained to Ayls magic could lead you into great temptation from which you may never return. Being a naturally curious child, Ayls found waving her arms and focusing on an object allowed her to move and manipulate it.

It became fun, and as she saw no one was being hurt, she would often send objects circling her room and around the house flying from one place to another. The first few times she crashed and smashed what she moved, so she resolved to learn to control what she moved so as not to invite her mother’s anger. That in itself took her some time, but she found plastic cups worked satisfactorily and caused less stress to the household when they bounced off things, usually the floor.

It wasn’t until she became aware of Mr Marsden and his garden that she took a deeper interest in what she could do. She had gone home after seeing his roses and tried it out herself on her mother’s roses but had not any luck apart from the petals falling out the stem withering.

A few times she had performed things at school which had led to her parents being called in to explain Ayls’ conjuring tricks were best left out of the classroom as a pair of frogs appearing on the teacher’s desk one afternoon had led to chaos not before seen in a classroom.

At home, her mother could not stress strongly enough the need for Ayls to be discrete as unwanted attention could lead to visits from people her mum would rather not ever visit.

Mr Marsden nodded as he listened to her and decided on the strategy he would use to educate Ayls.

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