tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19019095287507520622024-03-05T21:49:11.911-05:00View of SueSuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.comBlogger312125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-37934614598935547362013-09-11T11:12:00.001-04:002013-09-11T11:12:17.612-04:00Any other day I would have sent him off to play soldier.I published this on <a href="http://skirt.com/suzanneseese/blog/any-other-day-i-would-have-sent-him-play-soldier" target="_blank">Skirt</a> 2 years ago. I wanted to post it again.<br />
<br />
<br />
September 12, 2001, I walked down my steps and opened the <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://skirt.com/suzanneseese/blog/any-other-day-i-would-have-sent-him-play-soldier#" id="FALINK_3_0_2">garage door</a></nobr>
to take out the garbage. The sun was going down and it would be dark
soon I was going to make sure the big garage door was closed too. In our
garage I found my 12-year-old middle son. He had on everything
Army-ish. Camouflage pants and t-shirt, the only boots he owned, snow
boots and an Army helmet from a Halloween costume. He also had his toy
rifle and when I stepped into the garage, he appeared to be pretend
loading it.<br />
“What are you doing baby?”<br />
This annoyed him, he rolled his eyes at me, I guess in my surprise at
running into him down there I made a critical error in calling my
little soldier, baby.<br />
“Mom, I’m securing the perimeter of the house.”<br />
Any other day this one little story of mine would have found itself
in my humor blog. Any other day I would have sent him off to play
soldier. Any other day I would have smiled at him instead of having
tears well up in my eyes.<br />
But this day I asked him to go upstairs and told him we need to talk.
I had to find out what was going on in that 12-year-old head and try to
ease his obvious concerns. And after all I couldn’t have him walking
around the house with a toy gun in the dark, everyone was on red alert,
someone would have called the police, I know I would have. We were all
on edge, uncertain and scared.<br />
I was able to send my baby back into the <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://skirt.com/suzanneseese/blog/any-other-day-i-would-have-sent-him-play-soldier#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">security</a></nobr> of our <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://skirt.com/suzanneseese/blog/any-other-day-i-would-have-sent-him-play-soldier#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">home and</a></nobr>
thanked God for that. I had been praying just about non-stop since the
day before, September 11, 2001, when Islamic extremist flew our
airplanes into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the field in
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.<br />
This anniversary of terrorism is difficult for me, I have a hard time
looking at the pictures, listening to the stories and seeing the
videos. Maybe it’s because that day has become just that, an
anniversary. To me, September 11, 2001 is unresolved and unfinished. The
threat is still there. Mothers are sending their babies to war. Mothers
are trying to explain Army isn’t a video game. And with each
“anniversary” that goes by I ask myself what has to happen to change the
uneasy feeling I get every September 11<sup>th</sup>?Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-76885638199406063172013-07-13T13:01:00.000-04:002013-07-13T13:01:49.722-04:00July Blog Chain Prompt<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"> </span></span><u>This month's prompt at the <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">Absolute Write</a> Blog Chain: </u><br />
<b>Dog Days of Summer<br />
<br />
</b>In other words, the hottest and most sultry part of summer. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_days" target="_blank">Etymology lesson here</a>. As always, can be prose, poetry, play, fiction, nonfiction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I used my main character from my novel and this prompt actually helped me get 'unstuck' in a particular area. Really, Really helped. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Please be sure to check out my fellow bloggers contributions to this prompt below.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">___________________________________________ </span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even
though he was alone Niles croaked out of his dry mouth,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m
either in Hell or walking towards it’s deep dark depths.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
kept walking but had no idea where he was going, how he got there or why. The
answers to these questions were in his head somewhere, he knew that, but
accessing them proved to be futile. The intense heat he found himself in, bore
into his head and any thought or memory that tried to surface was quickly
turned to ash by a barrier of molten lava that swam around his brain.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
bottoms of his feet burned with every step, he looked down and realized he had
no shoes. As he examined the rest of his body and saw he was wearing a white
t-shirt and blue pajama bottoms drenched in his own sweat. These were not his
clothes, he knew where they came from but that barrier kept all information he
sought from surfacing, rendering him an idiot.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
temperature continued to rise and his heart beat wildly. Niles placed his hand
on his chest for fear his heart would explode. He was panicking and the more
fear he let seep into his bones the hotter the air became, so much so that
breathing it in was painful. His tongue and the roof of his mouth became two
pieces sandpaper rubbing together. He was certain he could no longer speak.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
looked at his arms and before his eyes bright red blotches appeared. They
turned blood red until they began to bubble then break open oozing a clear
liquid that evaporated as soon as it appeared. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He turned away. Was he in Hell or the surface of the sun? He was beyond thought
and reason. Air could barely make it to his lungs. He was ready to burst into
flames and melt in to the ground on he which stood,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Niles.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Did
someone call his name? Or was he imagining rescue?”<br />
”Niles.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Again,
from a different direction.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Niles.
Niles. Niles. Niles.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Voices
drew closer. He could feel himself leaving his burning body. He grabbed the
sides of his head to keep it from popping off his shoulders. If he could just
hold on until the voices reached him maybe he would be saved.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ahead
of him a figure started to form. At first it was a blob that wavered far beyond
his reach. It quickly moved towards him, he noticed it had legs. The legs were
running to him calling his name over and over. He turned to look back from were
he came and he saw and heard the same. His stomach turned and twisted into a
nervous knot. Some how he knew these two figures descending upon him
represented good and evil and they were in a race to see who would embrace him
first.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">___________________________________________ </span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><br />
<u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.com/2013/07/03/from-sirius-rising-in-the-midwest-by-altos-wexan/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/july-2013-blog-chain-dog-days-of-summer/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
articshark - <a href="http://www.drslaten.com/blog" target="_blank">http://www.drslaten.com/blog</a> <a href="http://www.drslaten.com/july-blog-chain/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Sunwords - <a href="http://susannedoering.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://susannedoering.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://susannedoering.wordpress.com/2013/07/05/once-a-summer/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Diem_Allen - <a href="http://mindovermistakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://mindovermistakes.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://mindovermistakes.blogspot.com/2013/07/enough-said.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
U2Girl - <a href="http://ancatdubh.org/" target="_blank">http://ancatdubh.org</a> <a href="http://www.ancatdubh.org/?p=326" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
robynmackenzie - <a href="http://www.iwanttobeawesomewhenigrowup.com/" target="_blank">http://www.iwanttobeawesomewhenigrowup.com</a> <a href="http://www.iwanttobeawesomewhenigrowup.com/2013/07/i-hate-summer.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Lady Cat - <a href="http://radomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">http://radomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca</a> <a href="http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/2013/07/july-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
MsLaylaCakes - <a href="http://www.taraquan.com/" target="_blank">http://www.taraquan.com</a> <a href="http://taraquan.com/2013/07/11/awbc/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2013/07/july-blog-chain-dog-days-of-summer.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Angyl78 - <a href="http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
SuzanneSeese - <a href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
Diana_Rajchel - <a href="http://blog.dianarajchel.com/" target="_blank">http://blog.dianarajchel.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
HistorySleuth - <a href="http://historysleuth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://historysleuth.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
AshleyEpidemic - <a href="http://www.soipondered.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://www.soipondered.wordpress.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
SRHowen - <a href="http://srhowen1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://srhowen1.blogspot.com</a> (link to post) </span></span></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-8161637388663429922013-06-06T12:41:00.000-04:002013-06-10T23:11:49.752-04:00Bugs, frogs, Benedryl and vodka<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>This month's prompt at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/" target="_blank">Absolute Write</a> Blog Chain: </u><br />
<b>Bugs<br />
<br />
</b>Yep. Bugs. Simple and easy. Prose, poetry, play. Fiction, nonfiction. It's all good, all bugs. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My contribution to this month's blog chain is stretched a little bit. The main character is a frog but I did mention bugs. There is a link in this post from last year that I read over and decided that my writing is getting rusty and that pisses me off. If anyone knows of any other online writing prompts please direct me.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Also please be sure to read my fellow bloggers posts for this bug prompt. Their links are below my post.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
firmly believe that God gives you what you can handle. And I can handle my
three boys doing all of my yard work. Some people like to work around in the
yard. But I, on the other hand, prefer not to have bugs flying around my head,
sweat dripping down my face and frogs jumping out from under my fallen
daffodils very closed to my gloved hand. I can’t understand what people see in
this activity especially when the internet is up and running.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But
I dragged myself outside with my necessary spring clean up tools to the side of
the house. The side where I usually start every summer, the side that is all
that ever gets done because I give up when something either bites me, crawls on
me or in this case jumps out from its secret hiding place where it has been laying
in wait for just me and only me. I believe it is a sign telling me to get back
in the house and pour myself a cocktail while making a list of landscaping
chores for my three able bodied offspring. The ones that I carried in my womb
for nine months each and rounding it off about 12 hours of labor for each also.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
is when the sneezing factors in followed by the Benedryl that I have washed
down with orange juice laced with vodka. By this time I really don’t care what
my yard looks like because I have a pretty good buzz going on.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once
this frog made its move, I cried out in surprise, dropped my garden tools,
snapped some pictures and ran in the house. The husband sat in his recliner
watching a baseball game,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Did
you hear me yell?” I know he heard me.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Huh?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Just
now. Did you hear me yell?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
don’t …….. the bases are loaded.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I
was attacked by a cross species of toad and I don’t know what the hell. You
have to come see this thing.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“There
are 2 outs ………”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m
not going to let this go until you tell me if this creature is poisonous.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">His
head had never turned away from the TV. There was a long pause and then a
string of baseball profanity and he directed his attention towards me,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Do
what now?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still
with my bright yellow garden gloves on my hands I made a gesture with one
finger and then placed them on my hips, took a deep breath and reiterated,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Come
outside with me and take care of a mutant toad that is trying to kill me.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“A
mutant toad?”<br />
”I don’t know what the hell it is, I took a picture but I want you to see it in
person.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
his interest peeked, he finally followed me to the side of the house. Yep, ‘it’
was still there.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“It’s
a frog.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“That’s
isn’t a frog. Maybe part frog. Maybe a frog and a toad had sex and this is what
they produced. This doesn’t look like anything the boys use to bring home from
the pond.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“It’s
a frog. Give me the shovel.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“What
are you going to do with the shovel? This is where the <a href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/2012/04/dead-bunny.html" target="_blank">bunny</a> met it’s demise I
can’t have frog blood on my hands too.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m
going to scoop it up and put it in the woods so you can get back to work.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
began to laugh,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’ve
been out here for 50 minutes already, I’m done for the rest of the summer. My
eyes itch, my nose is running and I’m seriously freaked out. I need Benedryl
and vodka. You need to get those boys of yours over here.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yes
dear.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“I’m
going to buy some potted plants and put them on the front steps the rest of the
yard and wildlife is all yours.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yes
dear.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_AnTcxcwDk2m-fSLGl2_pl9UT2gjVDznm5IPKBC2uTkK5-xUhFj2wdFXoubK2Eu_ZL4b5BL4Uv9V-WFYdGesN9GUywEQbICdylzVrOBlToSEgdYtUGF6A72SQmEyUWrinDhT8_x9Z6kr/s1600/frog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_AnTcxcwDk2m-fSLGl2_pl9UT2gjVDznm5IPKBC2uTkK5-xUhFj2wdFXoubK2Eu_ZL4b5BL4Uv9V-WFYdGesN9GUywEQbICdylzVrOBlToSEgdYtUGF6A72SQmEyUWrinDhT8_x9Z6kr/s320/frog+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.com/2013/06/01/from-war-of-the-bug-juice-by-greg-rolls-wetherbee/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Diem_Allen - <a href="http://mindovermistakes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://mindovermistakes.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://mindovermistakes.blogspot.com/2013/06/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/jnue-2013-blog-chain-lord-of-the-flies/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
articshark - <a href="http://www.drslaten.com/blog" target="_blank">http://www.drslaten.com/blog</a> <a href="http://www.drslaten.com/june-blog-chain/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Lady Cat - <a href="http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca</a> <a href="http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/2013/06/june-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
U2Girl - <a href="http://ancatdubh.org/" target="_blank">http://ancatdubh.org</a> <a href="http://www.ancatdubh.org/?p=209" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
MsLaylaCakes - <a href="http://www.taraquan.com/" target="_blank">http://www.taraquan.com/</a> <a href="http://taraquan.com/2013/06/06/awbc-heather2/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
SuzanneSeese - <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">ME!</span></b><br />
robynmackenzie - <a href="http://iwanttobeawesomewhenigrowup.com/" target="_blank">http://iwanttobeawesomewhenigrowup.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
milkweed - <a href="http://www.prairiefibers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.thistlequill.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
Sunwords - <a href="http://susannedoering.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://susannedoering.wordpress.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
Angyl78 - <a href="http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
susanielson - <a href="http://somesemblancethereof.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://somesemblancethereof.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
HistorySleuth - <a href="http://historysleuth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://historysleuth.blogspot.com</a> (link to post) </span></span></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-23020161314089732332013-05-14T12:17:00.000-04:002013-05-14T12:20:11.193-04:00Sue has another blog and she ignores it. But not today.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I jumped back into <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">Absolute Writes</a> blog chain after a short hiatus (laziness).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sure to check out the list of other writers and their contributions to the prompt. They are listed below. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><u>This month's prompt: </u></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>Dialogue Only<br />
<br />
</b>Make a post that is only back-and-forth dialogue, with no
description or tags. As always, it may be fiction or nonfiction, prose
or poetry, or any other form you care to use. If you want an additional
prompt for your dialogue, you can use "Wrong Place, Right Time," but
this is strictly optional.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please let me know if you follow this post or get confused on who is speaking, I really want to know. It is an actual conversation between my son and me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Oh and Blogger sucks. It makes it's own paragraph spaces no matter what I do, sorry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #20124d;">_________________________________________</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">"It's a ten year old
car, stuff breaks." </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“But mom the rear view
mirror is just hanging.”<br />
"I think they sell a special glue just for rear-view mirrors, pretty sure,
yeah they do, let me call your father."<br />
”Yeah they do.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Do they have it at
WalMart?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Let me call your father.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">”Yeah they do.”<br />
”Then can we pick some up now since we’re going there anyway?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Sure put it on your
‘stuff to eat after getting my wisdom teeth surgically remove’ list.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“This isn’t going to take
long is it?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“I sense your concern and
I promise I won’t embarrass you.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“It’s just that last time
I went shopping with you ……”<br />
”Hey. I got this.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“You always feel the need
to talk to strangers. You sent me mixed messages as a kid, you know.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Get out of the car and in
the store before I take those teeth out myself.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Fine mom, let’s get the
glue first.”<br />
”Wait we just walked right past the shopping carts, we need one of those."<br />
"Here's the glue aisle. Look at all of them. Which one?”<br />
"I'm going to go ask that car guy over there if he knows about special
rear-view mirror glue, you continue to look."<br />
"Can I help you ma'am?" <br />
"Yes, do you have special glue for rear-view mirrors that fall off the
windshield?"<br />
"Yes, let me show you. I saw some of that glue yesterday, I hope we're not
out of it. You know it has a funny name, maybe that's why you can't find
it."<br />
"Really?"<br />
"Yep, you'll laugh when you see it."<br />
"Ah, we still have some, see here, isn't that a funny name? <b>REAR-VIEW
MIRROR ADHESIVE.”</b><br />
"I can't believe we didn't see that."<br />
"Either can I, hey I got a joke for you."<br />
”You’re a funny guy, thanks for the help. We have to be going now.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“What the heck? Is he the
WalMart comedian?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Shhhh wait until we are
out of his range. You know that wasn’t my fault right? I was trying to jump
into his comedy routine without being rude.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“I wish I could find a job
where all I had to do was tell bad jokes all day.”<br />
"I should tell you the joke Grama told your dad and me."<br />
"Grama?"<br />
"Don’t worry, it's not that bad."<br />
"Here's the Popsicles."</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
’<i>So there's this little girl and she has her dog on a leash ready to take it
for a walk.’</i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
"What kind do you want?"<br />
"Grape."<br />
"Grape? They don't sell just grape, they have grape with orange and
cherry."<br />
"I'll just eat the grape ones."</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
’<i>So this little girl, she asks her mom if she can take the dog for a walk
and the mom says, no she's in heat.’</i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
"What else do you want? You need cold stuff because your throat will hurt
too, these will really help. Oh the red, white and blue bomb pops. I love
those."<br />
"I don't like those, I want fudgesicles."</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
’<i>So she says the dogs in heat you can't take her for a walk and the little
girl pouts and insists on taking the dog for a walk.’</i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
"Not those, they're fat free. You need all the calories you can get. No, those
are sugar free."<br />
"Just forget it. I don't need fudgesicles."<br />
"Would you wait one minute, I know there are regular sugar filled
fudgesicles here somewhere. Fine, just walk away, we have to get your dad's
pop, go to the pop aisle."</span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
’<i>So the mom says to the little girl, go ask your father. The little girl
finds her father in the garage and says she wants to take the dog for a walk.
She's in heat honey you can't take her for a walk. But he looks at her sad face
and says wait a minute. He gets a rag, pours a little gasoline on it, rubs it
on the dogs ass and says there, you take her around the block once, just once,
okay?’</i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
”Do you see why we need a shopping cart? I’m going to drop something. We should
get Gatorade."<br />
"Mom."<br />
"What?"<br />
"I just want to go."<br />
"Where is this coming from? We were just laughing with the car guy and now
your popping an attitude."<br />
"Can I just say something?"<br />
"Jesus Christ, alright go ahead."<br />
"Why do I have to suffer because people can't put their forks down?
Everything is fat free or sugar free. I want a fudgesicle full of sugar."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Are you done?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Yeah.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
’<i>Okay so the little girl takes her dog for the walk. She comes back to the
garage alone. Uhh, honey, where's the dog? Oh daddy, she ran out of gas about
half way around the block so another dog is pushing her home.’</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #20124d;">_________________________________________</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Others:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.com/2013/05/03/from-things-hissed-through-drunk-tank-bars-by-eric-cummings-jr/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/may-2013-blog-chain-wrong-place-right-time/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
articshark - <a href="http://www.drslaten.com/blog" target="_blank">http://www.drslaten.com/blog</a> <a href="http://www.drslaten.com/may-blog-chain/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Sudo_One - <a href="http://sudoone.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://sudoone.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://sudoone.wordpress.com/2013/05/08/fiction-morning-tea/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Nissie - <a href="http://www.rinchupeco.com/" target="_blank">http://www.rinchupeco.com/</a> <a href="http://www.rinchupeco.com/writing-prompt-a-study-in-dialogue/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Angyl78 - <a href="http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/absolute-write-may-blog-chain/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Lady Cat - <a href="http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/</a> <a href="http://randomwriterlythoughts.blogspot.ca/2013/05/may-blog-chain-dialogue.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
U2Girl - <a href="http://ancatdubh.org/" target="_blank">http://ancatdubh.org/</a> <a href="http://www.ancatdubh.org/?p=164" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
MsLaylaCakes - <a href="http://www.taraquan.com/" target="_blank">http://www.taraquan.com/</a> <a href="http://taraquan.com/2013/05/14/awblogchain-may2013/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
SuzanneSeese - <a href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
LanaK - <a href="http://lanaketrick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lanaketrick.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
in_one - <a href="http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)</span><i> </i></span></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-74076351834896994492013-01-19T20:09:00.001-05:002013-01-19T20:09:29.959-05:00Rest in Peace<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I had the privilege of speaking at my mother-in-laws funeral service today. The following is what I wrote. I hope comfort comes to my family through this difficult time:</span></span><br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcBFqp3X0Jd9Nk7Vyz_-o2_XzU8VuvGaJ7nHZxgbyUax-QBN5AJ2nZ3QaoQMxil9HSmLOI8kPs0u2t6b0-VuvXSW5FgBptQ7yszd2BjGinMq7cgkH3AX3KwnylpkaVwyAKBphQN5R6iG1/s1600/Mom+Seese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcBFqp3X0Jd9Nk7Vyz_-o2_XzU8VuvGaJ7nHZxgbyUax-QBN5AJ2nZ3QaoQMxil9HSmLOI8kPs0u2t6b0-VuvXSW5FgBptQ7yszd2BjGinMq7cgkH3AX3KwnylpkaVwyAKBphQN5R6iG1/s320/Mom+Seese.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">They say children are a reflection of their
parents. If that is true then these first few rows of people here are one of
the feistiest, hard headed, stubborn group you could ever run across.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I’m sure Mom Seese is standing at the pearly
gates directing the souls that pass through to their assigned spot in heaven.
Telling them the best way to get there and where they should park.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Our family is a lively bunch but along with
learning the art of being heard, mom and dad Seese taught us the importance of
family. We learned how to build a strong marriage and from that strength we
built our own families. As we grew Mom Seese embraced each addition with love
and pride.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">You might feel an empty space in your heart
today. So try to remember Thelma Seese had a smile that could light up a room.
She had a strong shoulder to comfort anyone. She had patience to listen to her
children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her extended families. Fill
that empty space you have in your heart with the memories of Thelma Seese’s
smile, the joy she had for everyone who had the honor of knowing her.</span></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Mom is with Dad Seese, her daughter Becky and the rest of her
loved ones she has been waiting to reunite with. Be happy to know she is at
peace. Fill your heart with love because that is what she would have wanted.</span></span></span></i></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-40856034663570568902012-12-16T14:11:00.000-05:002012-12-16T14:11:38.681-05:00The End of the World<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span style="font-size: small;">It's time for the December <span style="font-size: small;">blog prompt at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">Absolute </a><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">Write</a>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
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<u>This month's prompt: </u><br />
<b>The End (of the World)</b><br />
Yes, since the predicted Mayapocalypse only fails to materialize once
every 500 years or so we are piggybacking on it. Write what you will
about the end of the world (those disinclined to eschatology can write
about "the end" in a broader sense). Hopefully, after these ends of the
world as we know it, we'll all feel fine.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Below my story there are more. Check out the links of my fellow blogging buddies from Absolute Write. </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span style="color: #073763;"><b>_____________________________________ </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Do
you still hear that hummin’ in your head Dave?”</span></span></span></i></div>
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</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Dave
nodded yes and the two men continued their morning chores in the barn. Dave and
Jimmy were brothers and had taken over their daddy’s farm after he passed five
years ago. They were hard working men struggling to keep the farm going to
support their wives and children along with Maw and Old Uncle Ned. Jimmy spoke
to his older brother again,</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“You
know Uncle Ned’s in the kitchen talkin’ about Nam. I think the metal plate in his
head come loose again.”</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Uncle
Ned didn’t have a metal plate in his head, it was just the family’s way of
noting Uncle Ned might be in one of his ‘spells’.</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“So
I locked up his shotgun just in case he decides to go chasin’ Charlie.”</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Jimmy
heard nothing from Dave which disappointed him. He would rather chatter through
the day than listen to the mysterious droning hum they all started to hear a
couple days ago, giving them all a headache. Today especially, it seemed to be
louder and now followed by a rotten egg odor. But Dave appeared to be in one of
his quiet moods. Jimmy looked up towards his brother. He wasn’t there. Jimmy turned
around to look for him. Dave was standing in the barn doorway with his hands on
his hips.</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Dave
what ……..”</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Dave
held up his right arm and motioned with his hand for Jimmy to come to the barn
door. He put his shovel down and walked over. Standing next to Dave, he followed
his eyes towards the pasture that was filled with their dairy cows. It was
December and the cows were out grazing because they hadn’t seen any snow, the
temperature had been hovering in the high 50’s all month long. It was almost
Christmas but it felt like Spring. Anything was possible with Northeast
Ohio weather.</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Both
men stood watching the cows in the pasture. Every one of them slowly walked in
their own little circle, they’d wobble a little bit and then fall over. Once on
the ground they’d shake their heads, get back up and start all over again.</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“They
look like they’ve been on an all night drunk. Some day we might laugh at this
but right now I’m scared enough to piss my pants.”</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Before
Dave could respond Jimmy’s two little girls ran towards him from out of the
chicken coop. Their faces were streaked with tears and they were visibly
shaking. He told them to go to the main house,</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Your
momma’s in there with Grama.”</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>He
turned to Dave, he wasn’t by the barn door. Jimmy had to search for him. He
found that he had moved closer to the pasture watching the cows. Dave turned
around and looked towards Jimmy, not at him but he seemed to be looking through
him. Jimmy turned to see three boys running out of the woods, two of them were
Dave’s boys and one his own son. The boys were wide eyed with fear. Before they
could speak Jimmy sent them to the house.</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>The
family was all together today decorating the Christmas tree, the women were
baking in the kitchen and Uncle Ned was sitting in his favorite chair talking
to no one in particular.</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Dave,
I’m going to go tie up the dogs. There’s something strange going on with the
animals and I don’t want them runnin’ loose.”</span></span></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span></i><div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Again
Dave was not where Jimmy last saw him. He spun around again looking for his
brother. He spotted him at the front door of the house. They each stood still
for a moment and then Dave faded into the front door.</span></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Doctor
we have a situation in Mr. Douglas’s room.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Dr.
Howard Penner was making his rounds with a group of fresh interns. He asked the
nurse that called out to him,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Did
you have to restrain him?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Sorry
doctor we had to, this is a bad one today.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Okay,
hold off on his medication until I have the chance to talk to him.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Then
he addressed his interns,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“You
won’t be going in to see this patient but here is his file. Study it and watch
from the observation room.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Dr.
Penner gave his students a chance to get to the observation room then walked into
James Douglas’s room. James was restrained on his bed with his familiar wild
disheveled look of confusion. This patient was a challenge for the doctor but
he would persist, he never gave up on a patient and wasn’t about to start now,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“James
can we talk?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“My
name is Jimmy.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Sorry
Jimmy, did you have your dream again?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“It’s
not a dream. Just let me go back to the farm. Please my family needs me.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Dr.
Penner proceeded to walk Jimmy through the events that happened on December 21,
2012. He painstakingly went over that day with him almost once a week because
one day he knew he would reach Jimmy and then hopefully they could move
forward.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>The
interns watched intently as they read the file of James Douglas. A pocket of
methane gas had been building up for days seeping into the air and exploded
under the main farm house with his entire family inside. There were no
survivors except Jimmy who had run to the barn to tie up their dogs.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Dr.
Penner stopped for a moment and asked Jimmy,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“Do
you understand what I just told you about December 21, 2012 Jimmy?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>The
room was silent for about five minutes. Dr. Penner waited quietly for Jimmy to
respond. He watched as his patients eyes darted around the hospital room. The
wild confusion, the product of one of his vivid dreams, seemed to quell. No
longer was he straining to free himself from the padded restraints attached to
his bed. He took a deep breath, tears welled up in his eyes and he finally
spoke,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>“December
21, 2012, that’s the day my world ended.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span style="color: #073763;"><b>_____________________________________ </b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Check these out!</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
orion_mk3: <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.com/2012/12/03/from-the-prosperity-ride-by-c-alton-parker/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
dolores haze - <a href="http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/my-own-private-apocalypse/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
randi.lee - <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/2012/12/december-2012-blog-chain-end-of-world.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/2012/12/end-of-world-december-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
bmadsen - <a href="http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/the-end/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2012/12/05/december-2012-blog-fest-the-end-of-the-world/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
AllieKat - <a href="http://roelke.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">http://roelke.livejournal.com/</a> <a href="http://roelke.livejournal.com/6991.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
MsLaylaCakes - <a href="http://www.taraquan.com/" target="_blank">http://www.taraquan.com/</a> <a href="http://taraquan.com/2012/12/09/the-end-of-the-world-undead-fairy-tales-style/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
katci13 - <a href="http://www.krystalsquared.net/" target="_blank">http://www.krystalsquared.net/</a> <a href="http://www.krystalsquared.net/2012/11/december-blog-chain-its-over.html?m=1" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Angyl78 - <a href="http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://jelyzabeth.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/aw-december-blog-chain/" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2012/12/10-stupid-things-to-do-before.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
Araenvo - <a href="http://www.simonpclark.com/" target="_blank">http://www.simonpclark.com/</a> <a href="http://www.simonpclark.com/2012/12/aw-december-blog-chain-end-of-world.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
CJ Michaels - <a href="http://www.christinajmichaels.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.christinajmichaels.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://christinajmichaels.blogspot.com/2012/12/aw-blog-chain-end-of-world.html" target="_blank">(link to post)</a><br />
SuzanneSeese - <a href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ME!</a><br />
BBBurke - <a href="http://awritersprogression.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://awritersprogression.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
gell214 - <a href="http://filipinaonlinefreelancewriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://gelliswriting.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
<br />
<u><b>Bumped:</b></u><br />
SRHowen - <a href="http://srhowen1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://srhowen1.blogspot.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
meowzbark - <a href="http://www.lizzylessard.com/" target="_blank">http://www.lizzylessard.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
Aheïla - <a href="http://thewriteaholicblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://thewriteaholicblog.wordpress.com/</a> (link to post)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6058237" target="_blank">Archive of Past Blog Chains</a> </span></span></span></div>
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Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-80180906564841401402012-10-21T14:40:00.000-04:002012-10-22T00:50:22.696-04:00Giant step to the point of no return<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizx2LSvMONlNHULdeYAlvjxmPJMTE1XUNg_BNIwof_3nmK01RN0XJ0l9eu1LQRs6gctxIl-4uTObiUFXEg1mPYEszQ_6au8aVjAjRoBrNmuVm423uuPgjzHCMS-WYshEae6PoHR4ihqto4/s1600/aw_logo_smallcropped.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It is time for my monthly contribution to this months blog chain prompt over at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">Absolute Write</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>This month's prompt: </u><br /><b>Otherworldly</b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /><br />
Ghouls, ghost and things that go bump in the night. Old Hallows Eve, Dia
de los Muertos and Halloween. October is the month where the veil
between our world and the Other thins. So this month is about those
things beyond our world, be they scary, funny or anything in between.
Write wherever the prompt inspires you, </span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry.</b> Do try and keep things at a PG-13 level, though.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My brain has a hard time multitasking when it comes to my writing. It isn't letting much out except my novel because I've been fooling around with it too long. So my post is another excerpt from the novel that has taken over my brain.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please don't forget my fellow bloggers below. Have a look at what they came up with this month. </span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><b>________________________________________ </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Are we able to speak freely
Stephen?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Yes, I told them to give us
some time to access our new patient. James, how did you arrange this?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">James watched Stephen run
his hand through his hair and then stopped to grab onto a fist full, his face
clouded over with uncertainty. His other hand slapped his chest and he
unconsciously gathered his shirt into his fist. He was starting to panic. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Stephen you wanted this
knowledge. I can show you so much. Things you would never believe. This man
laying here is a drifter, no family and an aneurism in his brain ready to
burst. He would have been dead in less than a month, he’s perfect for our plan
to proceed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dr. James Matsuo and Dr.
Stephen Ellis had been friends and colleagues for almost ten years. Immersing themselves
in the world of molecular and human genetics, developmental biology and neuroscience who became know as top in their fields. They were the government’s
first and immediate choice for what was quickly becoming a global crisis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Stephen knew he had already taken
several small steps towards never turning back. This man on the exam table in a
drug induced coma represented his giant step to the point of no return. Science
and its discoveries are intriguing and exciting. Unraveling what others could
not was an indescribable high. That is how this project started and then
Stephen went a little further, stretching his standards thinner than he had
planned. He dropped some of his principles along the way and ended up right
where they were now, about to deceive his country. Because when you bend the
rules of morality eventually they break and there is no going back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">James knew how Stephen
struggled but he pushed a little more,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“I just need an hour without
any interference. Can you manage that my friend?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Time stood still for
Stephen, beads of sweat formed on his forehead, he nervously wiped his clammy
palms on his white lab coat. He made eye contact with James. He and James had
come so far in their field and now with the promise of further advancement he
took the giant step,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Yes. You can do this in an
hour?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“I promise you I can. I
haven’t misled you in any way so far. You still trust me right?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“I have no doubt James.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">James smiled at his long
time friend and put his hand on his shoulder, gave him a reassuring squeeze,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Then you go, brief them on
the findings we discussed earlier. And by the time you get back they will think
he’s the Alien and never suspect that I am the one they have been looking for these
past ten years.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
Ralph Pines: <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com</a> (<a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/aws-october-2012-blog-chain-wizards-world-war-s-3-awakening/" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
randi.lee: <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com</a> (<a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
Aranenvo: <a href="http://www.simonpclark.com/" target="_blank">http://www.simonpclark.com</a> (<a href="http://www.simonpclark.com/2012/10/aw-october-blog-chain-otherworldly.html" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
pyrosama: <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com</a> (<a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2012/10/other-worldly-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
hilaryjacques: <a href="http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com</a> (<a href="http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com/2012/10/aw-blog-chain-get-thee-behind-me.html" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
meowzbark: <a href="http://erlessard.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://erlessard.wordpress.com</a> (<a href="http://erlessard.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/aw-october-blog-chain-otherworldly/" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
slcboston: <a href="http://fleasof1000camels.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://fleasof1000camels.blogspot.com</a> (<a href="http://fleasof1000camels.blogspot.com/2012/10/hauntings.html" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
areteus: <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com</a> (<a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/aw-blog-chain-otherworldly/" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
dolores haze: <a href="http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://dianedooley.wordpress.com</a> (<a href="http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/an-otherworldy-blog-chain/" target="_blank">post link here</a>)<br />
SuzanneSeese: <span style="color: red;">ME</span><br />
bmadsen: <a href="http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com</a> (post link here)<br />
Linda Adams: <a href="http://garridon.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://garridon.wordpress.com</a> (post link here)<br />
Alynza: <a href="http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com</a> (post link here)<br />
Orion mk3: <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> (post link here)<br />
BBBurke: <a href="http://awritersprogression.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://awritersprogression.blogspot.com</a> (post link here)<br />
SRHowen: <a href="http://srhowen1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://srhowen1.blogspot.com</a> (post link here)<br />
Damina Rucci: <a href="http://thegraypen.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://thegraypen.wordpress.com</a> (post link here)<br />
CJMichaels: <a href="http://christinajmichaels.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://christinajmichaels.blogspot.com</a> (post link here)<br />
wonderactivist: <a href="http://luciesmoker.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://luciesmoker.wordpress.com</a> (post link here)<br />
Lady Cat: <a href="http://carolsrandomness.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">http://carolsrandomness.blogspot.ca</a> (post link here)<br />
xcomplex: <a href="http://arielemerald.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://arielemerald.blogspot.com</a> (post link here)<br />
debranneelliot: <a href="http://www.debragrayelliott.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.debragrayelliott.blogspot.com</a> (post link here) </span></span></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-77442964647751506202012-09-18T10:30:00.000-04:002012-09-23T00:58:20.414-04:00You are the seventh<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's my turn for this months blog chain at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">Absolute Write</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>This month's prompt: </u><br />
<b>The Number Seven</b><br />
<br />
September used to be the seventh month of the old Roman calendar and its
name literally means seventh "month," so this month is brought to you
by 7. Write wherever the prompt inspires you, <b>fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry.</b> Do try and keep things at a PG-13 level, though.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have been working on my novel, so that is what has been in my head. I decided to post an excerpt. Pretty much because I couldn't think of anything else. I may be stretching the prompt to it's limit. Oh and this is my first novel so be gentle. I can take constructive criticism if you feel inclined to do so.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Below are my fellow bloggers and a link to their posts, please be sure to read more "Seven" posts.</i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"> ___________________________________</span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“You
are the seventh, there are six others like you.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Niles felt the mans presence
before he heard him speak. But he remained silent with his head down. He sat on
the floor of his latest cell. His feet planted in front of him on the cold
cement and he rested his arms on his knees letting his hands hang but every
once in a while he clenched his fists when he felt himself start to tremble. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>‘Six others?’ Niles thought. ‘I’m the
seventh like them? Like what?’</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
tried to place the pieces of the complicated puzzle together since he found
himself living in this nightmare. Some of the pieces were missing, some were
upside down. His eyes widened and darted back and forth searching the floor for
what, he didn’t know. He refused to acknowledge the man talking to him several
feet away from the bars of his new residence.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Niles began to struggle to
breathe. It was almost as if he forgotten how to bring air into his lungs and
then let it back out. His temples pounded with each beat of his heart and each
beat came faster than the last. The man spoke to him,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Niles you can control
that. You are in control of your breathing and heart rate. Search your mind,
you have capabilities you’ve never had before. The average person uses only 10%
of their brain. You have been given a gift. Think of your brain as a maze with
unopened doors. These are doors you can now open.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
mans tone had a hint of desperation mixed with excitement,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Niles you have to work
with me if you want to leave this place. I’m sorry about Derek. We did everything
we could to save him, I promise you that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bringing
Derek up so soon after Niles
watched him die brought his rage to the forefront again. He was on his hands
and knees now, dragging air into his chest. He looked at his arms streaked in
dried blood. Memories of the events that unfolded only minutes before flooded
his head and pounded on the inside of his skull as if trying to escape. He
would like nothing more than to let those memories go but instead he grabbed
his head on each side convinced if he let go it would explode. He let out a
guttural cry and shouted,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“God
damn it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Niles listen to me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
man’s hint of desperation remained but did not intensify. His voice stayed calm
and continued,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Niles go to your brain
stem. You can find it, think. Do you see it? Open that door, you’ll find what
you need.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Niles heard the man through
the pounding in his head and his rasping breath. He didn’t understand but with
his hands on either side of his head and his forehead now on the floor he
thought of where his brain stem was located. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“The
injections……….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
squeezed his eyes shut.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Yes
that’s the area. Do you see it Niles?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Niles searched, thick gray
clouds twisted and turned making him cry out in pain again. He continued,
trying to look past the murky fog. Something was there, he could feel it and the
air began to clear. He saw a distorted door knob. It stretched into an oval
shape, changed colors from a blurry purple to a muddled black. An array of
colors began to pixelate looking for a spot to form as the oval quivered and when
it snapped into a round shape the colors followed settling on a brilliant gold.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Open
it Niles.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
door knob became clear and it turned to the right. Niles saw the door it was attach to which had
opened about two inches. He tried to see what was behind it, as he peered
through the slight gap the door quickly swung back with such forced that Niles dropped to his side
and landed on his back. The swirling gray air disappeared as if sucked out with
a vacuum. Niles
stopped gasping for air and his breathing became normal. His heart rate slowed
down which stopped the thumping in his temples.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
rolled over to his stomach, back on his hands and knees, reached out to the
bars of his cell and pulled himself up until he was standing. He stared at the
man in front of him as he fought off a wave of nausea. They looked at each
other for a moment and when the dizziness in Niles head slowed to a speed he could trust he
asked,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“What
just happened? What did you bastards do to me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">“Get
some rest, we’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll make sure you get something to eat. We’ll
talk Niles, I
promise.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Niles watched him walk down
the short hall and out the double swinging doors. He remained where he stood
gripping the bars until his knuckle where white, his eyes widened and his jaw
clenched shut. Did he just see what he thought he saw? He heard the man’s voice
in his head but his mouth did not move.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>_____________________________________</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2012/09/03/from-i-wonders-by-loren-h-cossairt/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/aws-september-2012-blog-chain-three-and-a-half-three-and-a-half/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
bmadsen - <a href="http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/all-it-took-was-seven/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2012/09/7-antagonists-i-love-and-why.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
areteus - <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/aw-blog-chain-post-seven/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
randi.lee - <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
wonderactivist - <a href="http://luciesmoker.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://luciesmoker.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://luciesmoker.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/a-convergence-of-anger-7-things-i-admire-about-occupy-wall-street/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
<i>BBBurke - <a href="http://www.awritersprogression.com/" target="_blank">http://www.awritersprogression.com/</a> (<a href="http://awritersprogression.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">link to this month's post</a>)</i> <br />
meowzbark - <a href="http://erlessard.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://erlessard.wordpress.com/</a> (<a href="http://erlessard.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/aw-blog-post-chain-seven/" target="_blank">link to this month's post</a>)<br />
SuzanneSeese - ME<a href="http://viewofsue.blogspot.com/2012/09/you-are-seventh.html" target="_blank"></a><br />
AFord - <a href="http://writeword.blog.com/" target="_blank">http://writeword.blog.com/</a> (<a href="http://writeword.blog.com/?p=94" target="_blank">link to this month's post</a>)<br />
Kricket - <a href="http://kricketwrites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://kricketwrites.blogspot.com/</a> (<a href="http://kricketwrites.blogspot.com/2012/09/krickets-7-writing-tips.html" target="_blank">link to this month's post</a>)<br />
SRHowen- <a href="http://srhowen1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://srhowen1.blogspot.com/</a> (<a href="http://srhowen1.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html" target="_blank">link to this month's post</a>)<br />
BigWords - <a href="http://bigwords88.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://bigwords88.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)</span></span></span></div>
Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-6275610726195507522012-08-17T11:13:00.001-04:002012-08-17T13:12:38.808-04:00Tempers were short that day my friends<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I've missed the last few blog prompts at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php" target="_blank">Absolute Write</a> but I'm back in with this months prompt:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Fire and Ice</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">You can do either or both, compare and contrast, or anything else that suggests itself. Write wherever the prompt inspires you, <b>fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry.</b> Do try and keep things at a PG-13 level, though.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I don't know what happened with this post. I just let it go where it wanted</i>. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tempers were short that day my friends</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"Please wait for assistance, please wait for
assistance, please wait for assistance." The grocery store wants me to
scan my own food, weigh my own produce and put it all in a bag myself? And the
Italian bread at the bakery is a dollar more than it was the last time I bought
a loaf there? Hold on just one minute. This is an act of lunacy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tempers were short in the grocery store that day
my friends. Maybe it’s the higher than normal temperature and humidity. Perhaps
the lack of rain, maybe we humans, like the outside vegetation, need to be
watered once in a while too. Or the earth is preparing itself to crack open and
swallow us up on December 21, 2012.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Whatever it was, the grocery store was in chaos.
There were employees scattered around helping us morons communicate with the
machines that have replaced them. They'll expect us to catch on to this modern
age of grocery shopping. Haphazardly scanning our own Rice-a-Roni, with no one
there to listen when we say, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"Did you scan that twice? I think you
scanned that twice." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The computer generated voice barked out its
orders and if we didn’t follow them, lights began to flash and the voice
commanded,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Please wait for assistance.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A little old man wandered back and forth looking
for a cashier, hopelessly lost, wondering how he was going to get his food
home. That’s when I snapped, my heartstrings were stretched far enough to take
action. I stood on the grocery conveyor belt, swinging my rather expensive
Italian bread over my head and screamed, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">"We're mad as hell and we're not going to
take it anymore.” I pumped my fist in the air for emphasis. And as if they were
waiting for a leader to emerge, my minions responded with a resounding yell of
defiance. They dropped their 10-pound bags of potatoes, their orange juice and
their fabric softeners raising their arms in the air. I had successfully
whipped a crowded grocery store into frenzy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Before I knew it I was lifted in the air, given a
mop as my scepter and someone had quickly fashion a tin foil crown to place on
my head. For I was the leader of the Great Grocery Store Rebellion of 2012. I
pointed my scepter towards the customer service counter and said to the
manager,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“You sir, remain where you are and we shall
return with a list of our demands.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We assembled in the frozen food section opening
all the doors to feel the arctic blast on our sun soaked sweaty brows. The
frozen air mingled with the hot tempers in the aisles, creating swirls around
the angry mobs heads providing temporary relief from the equatorial summer
heat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Ma’am, ma’am?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Huh?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“What seems to be the problem?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A cashier was talking to me, jarring me out of my
daydream. She turned off the droning of the computer generated voice and
flashing lights. I could see another cashier helping the older gentleman scan
his Ben-Gay and prune juice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Ma’am?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Uhhh, I tried to weigh my bananas.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Let me help you with those.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">She pushed some buttons and I didn’t bother
paying attention as to how bananas are weighed and scanned. I was too busy
turning on my reality brain cells that I had inadvertently let grow dim or
perhaps the sweltering heat had affected them because I usually have a pretty
good grip on my brain cells. She spoke to me again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Can I help you with anything else ma’am?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>‘You can stop calling me ma’am and while you’re
at it wipe that fake smile off your face.’</i> I said with my
inside my head voice and with my outside my head voice,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“No thanks, I think I’ve got it from here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Okay, have a great day and try to stay cool.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What
did she mean by that? There is no way she could know my plan of the Great
Grocery Store Rebellion of 2012. I thought to myself as I bagged my own
groceries. I opened my eyes a little wider, tightened my grip on reality and
headed for the exit. As I reached automatic doors it felt like the very gates
of hell opened as a wave of at least 200 degrees enveloped me. Tempers were
short that day my friends.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">___________________________________</span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Be sure to check out the other bloggers posts! </span></span><br />
<br />
<u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/from-mutt-of-ice-and-fire-by-altos-wexan/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2012/08/07/aws-august-2012-blog-chain-fire-ice/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
areteus - <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/fire-and-ice-aw-blog-chain-for-august/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
Catherine Hall - <a href="http://theelephantinthetemple.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://theelephantinthetemple.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://theelephantinthetemple.blogspot.com/2012/07/no-separate-self.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
bmadsen - <a href="http://www.bernardmadsen.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bernardmadsen.com/</a> <a href="http://hospitaloflife.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/fire-and-ice/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2012/08/aw-blog-chain-fursious-forest.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
meowzbark - <a href="http://erlessard.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://erlessard.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://erlessard.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/august-aw-blog-chain-fire-and-ice-prompt/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
BBBurke - <a href="http://www.awritersprogression.com/" target="_blank">http://www.awritersprogression.com/</a> <a href="http://awritersprogression.blogspot.com/2012/08/cult-of-popularity.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/2012/08/cross-on-public-property-dugger-indiana.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
wonderactivist - <a href="http://luciesmoker.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://luciesmoker.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
SuzanneSeese - <a href="http://viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ME</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
randi.lee - <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
<br />
Proach - <a href="http://desstories.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://desstories.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
BigWords - <a href="http://bigwords88.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://bigwords88.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
<br />
<i>magicmint - <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.loneswing.com/</a> (link to this month's post)</i><br />
<i>tomspy77 - <a href="http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)</i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-34893563473624320972012-06-23T18:34:00.000-04:002012-06-23T18:34:35.355-04:00Dear Spammers<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is a blog used for my writing. It isn't very visible and gets very little traffic. It is used to practice my writing and prompts from the writing forum Absolute Write, where I'm guessing you found this blog to begin with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's the thing. I'm not going to publish your spam comments nor will I read them. I will not click on your links. You will be in my spam file and deleted so fast it will make your head spin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I guess what I'm trying to say is leave my little blog the hell alone. You pain in my ass.</span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-20664820001227091322012-05-19T23:28:00.000-04:002012-05-19T23:30:19.595-04:00Apocalypse Now!<div class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<u>This month's prompt: </u><br />
<b>Apocalypse Now!<br />
<br />
</b><i>Give us your take on the zombie apocalypse, be it a zompocalypse
story, a zom-com, or a reflection on the genre and the films that
inspired it. Write wherever the prompt inspires you, <b>fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry.</b> Do try and keep things at a PG-13 level, though.</i> </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b>Be sure to check out the rest of my blog chain buddies post below! </b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0b5394;">_________________________________ </b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As we
looked up to the darkening sky, a dingy, gnarled fog stretched over us and
separated into murky orange tendrils as if grasping for something just out of
reach. They appeared to be stagnant but as we gathered our survival packs and
prepared to go underground, you couldn’t help but look back up and they were
always a little further across the sky than they were before.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">That
was how it all began. Rumors ran rampant as to how it started but after several
months it didn’t seem to matter anymore. Humanity was lost.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Those
that chose to ignore the warning signs were the first to fall. The gruesome fog
slowly descended upon anyone that hadn’t sought shelter. Perhaps they were the
lucky ones with immediate death. Their decaying bodies littered the streets
leaving a constant reminder of the day life as we knew it ended.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We
found each other, my underground dwellers and I, on the internet. I knew there
were others like me. Ones that can never be too prepared, planners, doers and
survivors. We met weekly underground storing provisions. And always enforcing
our plan to meet here if anything out of the ordinary happened. It was better
to error on the side of caution.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The
people in the middle, the ones that managed to miss the initial orange claw of
fog were neither dead nor alive. We started to call them Zombies. They were
trapped on the surface with the dead. We are able to communicate with others
that have gone underground using car batteries to power up the internet. Those
that have more technology than us have posted pictures of the middle people,
the Zombies. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The
orange fog didn’t kill them for they were able to seek some sort of shelter.
But they came out and the residual effects are hindering their thought process.
They wander, from what we’ve seen. And their eyes are what haunts me. When you
look past the blot of gray under the red outline of their eyes they are
lifeless and hollow. We are not even sure if they can see. So far they have
shown no aggression. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Confinement
in our small underground shelter has everyone on edge, some want to leave and
take their chances into the unknown. But it has been made clear if anyone were
to leave they would not be allowed back. We couldn’t risk being affected by the
strange orange fog that fell from the sky. I sometimes find myself wishing
someone braver than me would go out there and tell us everything is fine. Tell
us we can go back to the way it was. But that can never be.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So I write my final thoughts now, it’s only a
matter of time before our rations are gone. Our group is slowly crumbling,
tempers flare and the tension is thick. Should I survive I will have my journal
to look back on the dark days and perhaps write a novel. But if you find this
journal my name, date of birth, family members and picture of them are in the
final pages. I also included my last known address. If it isn’t asking too much
would you go check to see if I left on my iron? </span></span><br />
<u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />
dclary - <a href="http://www.hardhobbittobreak.com/" target="_blank">www.hardhobbittobreak.com</a> <a href="http://www.hardhobbittobreak.com/?p=161" target="_blank">(link to this month's image)</a><br />
orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/from-odessa-mullen-slips-back-into-the-zombieworld-by-petra-natalia-langley/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
randi.lee - <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-2012-blog-chain-zombie-apocalypse.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)<br />
</a> Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast/wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast/wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2012/05/08/may-2012-blog-chain-zompocalypse/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/2012/05/mays-absolute-write-blog-chain-zombie.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
dclary - <a href="http://www.davidwclary.com/" target="_blank">http://www.davidwclary.com/</a> <a href="http://www.davidwclary.com/post/2012/05/12/The-Zombie-Question.aspx" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
SinisterCola - <a href="http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/absolute-write-may-blog-chain-post/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
PragmaticPimp - <a href="http://www.unfoldingmyth.com/" target="_blank">http://www.unfoldingmyth.com/</a> <a href="http://www.unfoldingmyth.com/absolute-write-may-blog-chain" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
magicmint - <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.loneswing.com/</a> <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/?p=173" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />
SuzanneSeese - <a href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
AFord - <a href="http://af12.webs.com/apps/blog/" target="_blank">http://writeword.blog.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
J.W.Alden - <a href="http://www.authoralden.com/" target="_blank">http://www.authoralden.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
Nissie - <a href="http://www.paperheroes.net/" target="_blank">http://www.paperheroes.net/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
MonkeyQueen - <a href="http://www.mylifewithmonkeys.com/" target="_blank">http://www.mylifewithmonkeys.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
areteus - <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
pangalactic - <a href="http://sonofflash365.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://sonofflash365.blogspot.co.uk/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
Sweetwheat - <a href="http://gomezkarla.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://gomezkarla.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
Penelope - <a href="http://poet-slash-writer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://poet-slash-writer.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
kimberlycreates - <a href="http://kimberlycreates.com/" target="_blank">http://kimberlycreates.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />
Diana_Rajchel - <a href="http://blog.dianarajchel.com/" target="_blank">http://blog.dianarajchel.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-83509878086406977512012-04-05T11:52:00.005-04:002012-04-11T09:36:20.556-04:00The Dead Bunny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://absolutewrite.com/"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 51px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzWAv_RuA7yuQAv31f1Kar5hzlIXDIuYhMy81TOFIGvOgM1wUQg-pscPxei106bHjdJztQ4yav1NoSEchoDO9pqY4MsCh9r31HCgHQUH2D4d-pf1lKjoT3PNXc_gLZsP0lULNMG-q2o5e/s200/aw_logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727946244311115234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">We've been having fun over at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php">The Absolute Write Water Cooler</a>. Our blog chain prompt for the month of April:</span><br /><br /><b>Dead Bunnies<br /></b>I'm not even going to touch that one <img src="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" border="0" /><br />Write wherever the prompt inspires you, <b>fiction or non-fiction, prose or poetry.</b> Do try and keep things at a PG-13 level, though.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Please make sure to read my fellow blog chain buddies posts (below) and see what they can do when asked to write a post about Dead Bunnies. They are very clever! I might be adding more as the mo</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">nth progresses.<br /><br />Here is my submission, oh and I really wish this was a fictional piece, sadly it isn't:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">__________________________________<br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> </div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >The entity remained fixed on the side of her house. Weeds grew against its round concrete frame, every Spring they had to be removed. It was her task. She dreaded that side of the house because of the menacing entity that taunted her. Its foreboding black pipe reached out of its leaden lid and bent at an angle parallel to the muddy earth, it had just enough space around it to shake. And when it shook she would barely have time to run from it before the black hose erupted sending water from the dark dept</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >hs of the unknown.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >One particular year the round concrete frame cracked, a triangular piece went missing and no one could explain its disappearance. Nevertheless, the weeds at their fullest in the beginning of Spring still had to be cleared. Skittish and uncertain, she made her way to the right side of the house to finish the chore.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >As she came closer, her body tensed. Something moved in the weeds. Had the entity amassed some new devilry? Had its evil presence seeped into the untouched soil? Had the weeds become alive? She was letting her imagination lead her down a frightening path, she nervously laughed at herself. Then saw movement again.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Taking a step backward, she surveyed her surroundings. Children were playing across the street, her husband was mowing the lawn and neighbors were doing exactly what she was doing, pulling weeds, she felt silly. She boldly stepped forward. She ever so quietly she peered into the mangled foliage. A smile came to her face. It was a bunny, so small that if you gently cupped your hands together the furry little animal would rest snuggly there.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >She had no intention of scooping the bunny in the palms of her hands but she did stepped toward it to get a closer look. She startled the animal and it hopped away. But where? It seemed to have di</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >sappeared, until she heard the splash.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >The birds stopped in mid song, crickets ceased their chirping and the cicada’s hum went silent. Her eyes grew wide as she realized the horror brought from her actions. The cute baby bunny jumped down the sump pump. She could hear more splashing as the bunny struggled in the deep darkness of the round, concrete cistern. The sounds of nature returned as if crying out to her to help one of their own. And she ran across the yard, she ran to the sound of the lawnmower. Waving her hands in the air, calling out to her husband. Having his attention, she ran back to the right side of the yard and he </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >followed her, not knowing what to expect. He could not understand her incoherent babbling. The children across the street followed her husband. The neighbor’s heads snapped up from their yard work. She had successfully created a scene.</span></p> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >Once her h</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >usband caught up to her he found her kneeling next to the sump pum</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >p. She explained to him the horror that had unfolded. They both turned</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > an ear towards the triangular opening and heard nothing b</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >ut silence. He looked over at her and then the children that had gathered</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > behind them. His face told her everything. He could not open it in front of the inquisitive</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > children. The risk of having them mimic him in the future was too</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > great. He had to use the situation to explain the dangers of the</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" > sump pump. He explained how deep it went down into the earth and </span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >how very heavy the cement lid was. She l</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >istened to him and she knew. She kne</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >w the bunny was dead. Forever entom</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >bed in the sum</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;" >p pump.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yDM_NOJ156RPG9CcGEonYt-dgYD65pJvq-3SrCBaLPjX1Yb1A8nhktzO-F_Uo7bTo_q536qM1FFxVLfxmLLKKysmIRO6gXE00GgYkcT3GKH8kaCVilUajGjaddU9lD6CPrz2Bcb3EkDV/s1600/sump+pump.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yDM_NOJ156RPG9CcGEonYt-dgYD65pJvq-3SrCBaLPjX1Yb1A8nhktzO-F_Uo7bTo_q536qM1FFxVLfxmLLKKysmIRO6gXE00GgYkcT3GKH8kaCVilUajGjaddU9lD6CPrz2Bcb3EkDV/s200/sump+pump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727950348841339554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Tomb</span></b></b><br /></div><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">_________________________________<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Participants and posts:</u><br />orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/from-rabbits-of-the-dead-by-veronika-trowel/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />KatieJ - <a href="http://www.crystalwindchimes.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://www.crystalwindchimes.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://crystalwindchimes.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/there-are-a-hundred-stories-in-the-naked-forest/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />kiwiviktor81 - <a href="http://storygenerator.net/" target="_blank">http://storygenerator.net</a> <a href="http://storygenerator.net/deadbunnies" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Nissie - <a href="http://www.paperheroes.net/" target="_blank">http://www.paperheroes.net</a> <a href="http://paperheroes.net/2012/04/aw-blog-chain-april-2012-how-to-kill-off-unnecessary-plot-bunnies" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />SuzanneSeese - <a href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://viewofsue.blogspot.com/2012/04/dead-bunny.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-blog-chain-dead-bunnies.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />dclary - <a href="http://www.davidwclary.com/" target="_blank">http://www.davidwclary.com/</a> <a href="http://www.davidwclary.com/post/2012/04/07/The-Rabbit.aspx" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />randi.lee - <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Turndog-Millionaire - <a href="http://turndog-millionaire.com/" target="_blank">http://turndog-millionaire.com/</a> <a href="http://turndog-millionaire.com/2012/04/10/the-agony-of-a-dead-bunny/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />julzperri - <a href="http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/absolute-write-april-blog-chain-prompt.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Penelope - <a href="http://poet-slash-writer.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://poet-slash-writer.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />AFord - <a href="http://af12.webs.com/" target="_blank">http://af12.webs.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Araenvo - <a href="http://plottypus.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://plottypus.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />areteus - <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />magicmint - <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.loneswing.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Whisky - <a href="http://nopart2.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nopart2.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Anarchicq - <a href="http://anarchicq.com/" target="_blank">http://anarchicq.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Joliedupre - <a href="http://www.preciousmonsters.com/" target="_blank">http://www.preciousmonsters.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Tomspy77 - <a href="http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)</div></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-24176691507893628102012-03-26T22:40:00.004-04:002012-03-26T23:25:18.957-04:00It's a major award<span style="font-family: verdana;">How awesome is this? I won an award. I was chosen by my new blogging friend from <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php">Absolute Write</a>, <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/">Diane Carlisle</a>. Thank you Diane! I am the recipient of the prestigious Liebster Award.<br />This has been traditionally awarded to honor those blogs which motivate and inspire us. It is also granted to those blog authors who have accumulated 200 followers or less. Its purpose is to summon new followers and increase awareness of other noteworthy blogs.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">I accept and will follow the steps in order to promote a continuum of this worthy cause. Here is my list of chosen recipients for this award:<br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://clarity2010.blogspot.com/">Relax Max</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> < he changes the title of his blog every other day</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.toomanymornings.com/">Mike at Too Many Mornings</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://reflectionsonamiddle-agedfatwoman.blogspot.com/">Reflections on a Middle-Aged Fat Woman</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://venomscrown.blogspot.com/">Venom</a><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.predatorpress.blogspot.com/">Lobo at Predator Press</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> < I don't think you can even comment over there any more, but it's a good blog.</span><br /><br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">To Accept the Award:</div><ul style="font-family: verdana;"><li>Thank the person who nominated you on your blog and link back to them.</li><li>Nominate up to 5 others for the award.</li><li>Let them know by commenting on their blog.</li><li style="font-family: verdana;">Post the award on your blog.</li></ul><span style="font-family: verdana;">So there you have it check these blogs out they are worth a look! And thanks again Diane.</span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-24444264560198501372012-03-20T15:47:00.005-04:002012-03-20T16:13:30.774-04:00Brewing Storms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 51px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivG6izUa3maiBqQeny7P79ILT126V0Qpzn1Gfd122ywz1GQ6Sj62yqxn3dHiB0KK5BuRtWcdpJcBesazjWaxw9FUlxLzZbVPzRorYpEBs8QyEJEly0eiqiSOD6n9f9IpAD6cASqVKh-gHV/s200/aw_logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722069315520002402" border="0" /></a><u>This month's prompt: </u><br /><b>Rainy Days</b><br /><br />Write wherever the prompt inspires you. It can be <b>fiction or non-fiction</b>, all wet or high and dry, mushy mud or hard-packed earth. If you want to go with snow, hail, boiling hellrain, biblical frograin, or some other kind of precipitation, knock yourself out.<br />Here is my addition to the blog chain and don't forget to check out the other blogs and there Rainy Days prompts below.<br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Brewing Storms</span></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Your mom is having chest pains.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Dad, please call an ambulance.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Nah, I’m just going to take her to ‘our’ emergency room.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“WAIT. I’m going with you, pick me up.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dad then hung up the phone. I knew </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I had 5 minutes tops to call my brother, get my purse and shoes, remember 10<sup>th</sup> grade CPR class, explain to my husband and boys that if I ever have chest pains it’s okay to call 911 and not to do what grandpa does and would you please run to the driveway with me to try to stop him. While I was rambling on, running through the house like a chicken with its head cut off, I was also on the phone with my brother, who was talking to me,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Don’t let them out of your driveway. Just call 911.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And I was whispering to my husband,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Have you seen my shoes?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My husband threw up his hands,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Jesus Christ.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A crackle of thunder put a slight pause on our chaos. We all looked up at the midnight blue horizon. Clusters of gray and black colors found each other and gathered above us. And as if the sky knew it had our attention, flashes of lightening followed the forming ominous clouds. Mom and dad pulled into our driveway.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I ran to the car waving my cell phone as the first raindrops began to spill out of the swelling clouds,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“I can call 911 right now, you can just stay in the car and they will be here in less than ten minutes.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I had inadvertently hung up on my brother. I also realized that mom and dads windows were up. By the time I made it to the car dad was in reverse. So I jumped in the back seat as the car rolled out of the driveway. I started to explain to my parents, which wasn’t the first time for either of them,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“You can’t fool around with chest pains, we really should call 911.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Their come back is always the same. The emergency room they frequent when there is anything to do with the heart is the one that they will eventually be sent to because chest pains and heart related aliments mean a 24-hour evaluation. And this emergency facility has overnight accommodations. So they’re saving a trip. While they are explaining this to me I’m sitting in the back seat and dad is shooting me looks through the rear view mirror, I was quite certain he was ready to say,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Don’t make me pull this car over.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I called my brother to tell him that I too, was now in the car settling in for a half hour drive.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Jesus Christ.” He exclaimed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He hung up on me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The rain that was just starting to fall when I was waving around my cell phone was now beating down on the cars windshield. The sky that once held the bright shining sun was enveloped in darkness. The clouds had burst open unloading their heavy burden upon us with a rain and hail mixture. I sat back in my seat and let dad give his full attention to the road. While others pulled over under bridges to wait out the downpour dad continued. My brother called back,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“When you get there make sure you tell them mom is having chest pains, they have to take her right away.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Of course I’m going to tell them that, I know to tell them she’s having chest pains.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Oh.” Mom interrupted. “I’m not having chest pains now.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There was silence on the other end of the phone. I couldn’t tell if I was hearing the hail pounding on the roof of the car or if my brother was banging his head against the wall.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I assured him that I had this and he said he would meet us there. We made it through the storm and to the favorite emergency room door. Mom and I walked in and out of the side of my mouth, under my breath, I told her,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“I’m going to hold you by the arm, look sicker, so they take us right away after I tell them you are having chest pains.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">They took mom to a room and dad joined her. While a nurse helped mom settle in I left to wait for my brother. When he arrived we just looked at each other and shook our heads. We stood in silence for a few minutes and watched the raindrops fall in the puddles outside the windows of the waiting room. The dark sky that hung over us just minutes ago began to clear and the sun found a gap in the clouds to take a peek at what it had missed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“That was a big storm.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Yep.”</span></p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana;">I’ve heard that there comes a point in a family’s life that the children become the parents. We have not reached that point. Mom is fine now, she had 90% blockage in one artery that was taken care of during her catheterization with three stints.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:12pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><br /></span><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/from-a-rainy-place-by-fred-t-kent-jr-2/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)<br /></a> Bogna - <a href="http://bemaslanka.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://bemaslanka.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://bemaslanka.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/drought-adult-content/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/march-2012-blog-chain-it-rained-that-day/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2012/03/rainy-day-blog-chain-absolute-write.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Nissie - <a href="http://www.paperheroes.net/" target="_blank">http://www.paperheroes.net</a> <a href="http://paperheroes.net/2012/03/aw-blog-chain-march-2012-rainy-days/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Lyra Jean - <a href="http://beyondtourism.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://beyondtourism.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://beyondtourism.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/gentlemen-start-your-engines-the-race-that-put-nascar-on-the-map/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Domoviye - <a href="http://working-in-china.com/" target="_blank">http://working-in-china.com</a> <a href="http://working-in-china.com/2012/03/09/visiting-shanghai-and-nanjing-bring-a-raincoat/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />magicmint - <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.loneswing.com</a> <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/?p=123" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />areteus - <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/aw-blog-chain-rainy-days/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />julzperri - <a href="http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/march-2012-aw-blog-chain-post.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />hillaryjacques - <a href="http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://hillaryjacques.blogspot.com/2012/03/drowning-of-her-aw-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)<br /></a> AFord - <a href="http://af12.webs.com/" target="_blank">http://af12.webs.com</a> <a href="http://af12.webs.com/apps/blog/show/12749055-book-club-march-" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />randi.lee - <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com</a> <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/2012/03/rainy-days.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />J. W. Alden - <a href="http://www.authoralden.com/" target="_blank">http://www.authoralden.com</a> <a href="http://www.authoralden.com/2012/03/tanks-and-bottles.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />SuzanneSeese - <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ME!</a><br />Turndog-Millionaire - <a href="http://turndog-millionaire.com/" target="_blank">http://turndog-millionaire.com</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Tomspy77 - <a href="http://thomas-willam-spychalski.webs.com/" target="_blank">http://thomas-willam-spychalski.webs.com</a> (link to this month's post)<br />ronbwriting - <a href="http://ronbwriting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://ronbwriting.blogspot.com</a> (link to this month's post)Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-91281541584839225112012-02-18T16:19:00.004-05:002012-02-18T16:32:33.077-05:00Because of what you said<span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">This months blog chain assignment.</b><br /><u style="font-family: verdana;"><br />This month's prompt: </u><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">Second Chances</b></span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;"> Again, go wherever the prompt takes you. It can be </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">fiction or non-fiction</b></span><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">; the second chance in question can be a mushy valentine or a 1-up in Super Mario (or anything in between).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Long ago I was given a clear message by a total stranger. I think of her more and more as the years go by and wonder if she has any idea how she impacted my life. I don't think she does. I write about it often, this is my short and sweet version:</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >_____________________________________</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">It’s been at least 30 years since last we spoke, your face has faded in my memory. Did you have short brown hair? I think you did. I would not be able to pick you out in a crowd and I don’t know your name. But I would like to thank you because of what you said.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">When I found you sitting on the windowsill at the top of the stairs you told me you had to rest and asked me to join you. Out the window the sun was shining at it’s brightest just before it set. I had the choice to squint into it or look down the dark stairwell. But then you began to speak, drawing my attention to you, having me look neither left or right but straight ahead. That was why I was there, to listen to what you had to say. Because sometimes when we are young a stranger will tell you things you already know but they can find the crack in the wall you’ve put up to ignore those that love you.</span></p> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >My life was going in the wrong direction and I didn’t think I had the strength to stop it. The words of your journey mirrored mine, you couldn’t have been much older than me but you had made the mistake I was about to make. I don’t know what brought us together that day but because of what you said, you change my life.</span><br /><br />More second chances to read!<br /><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />Turndog-Millionaire - <a href="http://turndog-millionaire.com/" target="_blank">http://turndog-millionaire.com/</a> <a href="http://turndog-millionaire.com/2012/02/06/just-one-more-chance/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/from-second-chances-by-altos-wexan/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2012/02/08/aws-february-2012-blog-chain-second-chancesnot-goodbye-but-farewell-dao-fic/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />magicmint - <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/" target="_blank">http://www.loneswing.com/</a> <a href="http://www.loneswing.com/?p=113" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Tomspy77 - <a href="http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/second-chances-short-fiction/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />LilGreenBookworm - <a href="http://themayhemofwritingsahm-style.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://themayhemofwritingsahm-style.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://themayhemofwritingsahm-style.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-2012-blog-chain-second-chances.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />LiterateParakeet - <a href="http://lesliesillusions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lesliesillusions.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://lesliesillusions.blogspot.com/2012/02/second-chances.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />AFord - <a href="http://af12.webs.com/" target="_blank">http://af12.webs.com/</a> <a href="http://af12.webs.com/apps/blog/show/12268099-book-club" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Bogna - <a href="http://bemaslanka.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://bemaslanka.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />kiwiviktor81 - <a href="http://storygenerator.net/" target="_blank">http://storygenerator.net/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />randi.lee - <a href="http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://emotionalnovel.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />These Mean Streets - <a href="http://ohno-anotherwritingblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://ohno-anotherwritingblog.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />areteus - <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Domoviye - <a href="http://living-working-in-china.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://living-working-in-china.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />SuzanneSeese - <a href="http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.viewofsue.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />julzperri - <a href="http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.fishandfrivolity.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Nissie - <a href="http://www.paperheroes.net/" target="_blank">http://www.paperheroes.net/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />in_one - <a href="http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />sambgood - <a href="http://www.samanthabagood.com/" target="_blank">http://www.samanthabagood.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-23111492967163320382012-01-17T21:01:00.005-05:002012-01-17T23:21:19.819-05:00Winter's Nightmare<div style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u>This month's prompt for the January Blog Chain at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php">Absolute Write</a>: </u></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winter Nightmare</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Another broad one: go wherever the prompt takes you. It can be </span> <span style="font-size:100%;">fiction or non-fiction, the nightmare can be Cthulhu or just a struggle with a troublesome New Year's resolution (or anything in between).</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">I go where my mind takes me and this post turned out to be fiction and I'm hoping the beginning of a short story. It's also creepy, for me anyway.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">This story started from two post on my humor blog. I know, I have a weird brain. Sorry if I creep you out.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.farvelcargo.blogspot.com/2011/12/this-is-wtf-situation.html">Here</a> and <a href="http://www.farvelcargo.blogspot.com/2011/12/dont-touch-that.html">here</a> are the posts if you are interested.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">Be sure to check out my fellow blog chain buddies and what they did with the Winter Nightmare prompt below.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:100%;">_____________________________________</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The trees were the first to feel the impact of the raging winter storm. Their branches that were covered in the morning rain began to freeze as the temperature dropped. Ice crystallized and weighed them down. The weaker branches snapped from the weight and those that struggled to support the cumbersome burden gave way to the wind that whipped in frenzy. As the rain turned to snow, visibility became difficult for the neighborhood. The radio stations alerted the community to stay indoors and wait out the blizzard.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">While most took heed to the warnings, one of the few drivers out on the roads was only blocks from his house. Delayed by a meeting at work he slowly drove on the unplowed roads seeking the safety of his home. Barely able to see five feet in front of the hood of his car, he gripped the steering wheel tightly. With only 500 feet or so left to his driveway he almost let himself relax, until he felt a thump. First at the front of his car and then he knew his back tires drove over something.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Looking out the review mirror he could barely make out an object on the road. He cursed and stopped his car. The wind and snow made it almost impossible to see as he made his way around the back of his vehicle. The creature lay there in the road unmoving. The man surveyed his surroundings. No one was in sight, everyone was safe in his or her warm home. He dragged the creature into a wooded area and haphazardly covered it with snow. The man then continued his short journey home to wait out the storm.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The man, in his haste, didn’t see the shallow breathing of the creature. It lay to wounded to move in the freezing snow as night fell. Small insects from the earth seeking warmth burrowed in to the skin of the dying animal. They fed on its flesh and burrowed in deeper, feasting on its organs.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Power lines were the next to succumb to the ice and blowing snow. Isolating the community during the night. As the clocks told them it was morning the people emerged from their homes to access the damage. Although it was still snowing the wind had subsided. The sound of chainsaws and snow blowers hummed as the clean up began.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The creature remained buried in a blanket of snow as the insects ravaged its body. They had made their way to its brain, driving it mad. Foam formed in its mouth and its eyes rolled back in its head. It lay in a heap where it had been dragged waiting for death.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >As the days went by the power had been restored, temperatures rose enough for the children to play in the snow. A boy and his dog went to explore the woods, forbidden to do so by his parent, he went anyway. He and his dog ran through the woods, he threw sticks for his dog to fetch and threw rocks at the frozen creek trying to crack the ice. When his dog didn’t return with the stick the boy went to look for him. He could hear the dog barking in the distance and he followed the sound. He found the dog wildly barking at a lump in the snow. Curious, the boy got closer. He saw movement. The dog wouldn’t stop. As if he was warning the boy. The boy ignored the dog. He moved closer. Close enough to reach out. He began to brush away the snow. His hand came back red with blood. Wide eyed, the boy began to move away. But before he could, the creature with all the strength he had left lashed out at the boy and bit his hand. The creature’s misery ended there and the boys had just begun.</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">__________________________________</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > orion_mk3 - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/from-winter-nightmare-by-altos-wexan/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > MamaStrong - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://writingofme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://writingofme.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://writingofme.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-was-dark-and-snowy-week.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > pyrosama - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-stupid-new-year-resolutions.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Turndog-Millionaire - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://turndog-millionaire.com/" target="_blank">http://turndog-millionaire.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://wp.me/p24wgV-4F" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Alpha Echo - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://aprilplummer81.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://aprilplummer81.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://aprilplummer81.blogspot.com/2012/01/aw-january-blog-chain-winter-nightmare.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > LilGreenBookworm - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://themayhemofwritingsahm-style.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://themayhemofwritingsahm-style.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://themayhemofwritingsahm-style.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-2012-blog-chain-winter.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Domoviye - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://lets-get-happy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lets-get-happy.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://lets-get-happy.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-blog-chain-winter-nightmare.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > writingismypassion - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-blog-chain-winter-nightmares.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > kimberlycreates - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.kimberlycreates.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kimberlycreates.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.kimberlycreative.com/2012/01/15/january-blog-chain-winter-nightmare/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Suzanne Seese - <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Right here!</span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Diana Rajchel - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://blog.dianarajchel.com/" target="_blank">http://blog.dianarajchel.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Ralph Pines - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Alynza - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Literateparakeet - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://lesliesillusions.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lesliesillusions.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > in_one - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://quirkythomas.blogspot.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Tomspy77 - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://thomaswillamspychalski.wordpress.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Inkstrokes - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://drlong67.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://drlong67.wordpress.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > areteus - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > Abielle Rose - </span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://stainedglassinthenight.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://stainedglassinthenight.wordpress.com/</a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (link to this month's post)</span><br /></div></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-71652919315098644652012-01-10T11:31:00.005-05:002012-01-10T11:42:28.783-05:00Slithering into uncharted territory<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">From the confines of the saturated planet the earthworms surfaced, freeing themselves from their underground world. Taking a risk to be on land only to be stranded on the wet pavement. They waited there, squirming between the mailbox and me. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The rain had abated to only a fine mist, under the cover of my overwrought umbrella, I made my escape from the building that holds me hostage Monday through Friday.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The slight incline of the parking lots blacktop to the mailbox seemed to be moving. The rain made it look like a sheet of glass, adding the worms gave it the appearance of the very beginnings of a horror movie and I, walking into the unknown, was about to become the first victim.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Someone with a vivid imagination could say the ground came alive on that rainy day. The clever worms had plans to take over the world one receptionist at a time. Turn around you fool, turn and run before the worms crawl up your legs and burrow into your skin. Yes, that thought did come to mind as I tiptoed through the gazillion worms.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">While I did not want worm goop on my shoes, I also didn’t want to upset them.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;">But most of all I didn’t want to hinder the earthworm’s progress. They had exposed themselves to the dangers of the world. The sun was bound to come out eventually, if they didn’t make it back to their muddy existence they would surely shrivel up and die, that is if a hungry bird didn’t swoop down on them first, because to a bird they were merely breakfast.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span>I admired the worm’s tenacity. They were breaking away from the normalcy of their lives and take a giant leap into the unknown. Some of them were going to fail in their venture, many obstacles awaited them. Yet there they were out of their comfort zone and slithering into uncharted territory. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 255); font-family: verdana;">__________________________________<br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This was one of my class assignments from early summer last year.</span><br /></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-86865099747602250632011-12-12T12:18:00.004-05:002011-12-12T12:53:46.876-05:00Light One Candle<span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >This is my second attempt for the monthly blog chain over at <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php">Absolute Write</a>. A fictional </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >Hanukkah </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >story. Blogger has been driving me crazy with the paragraph spacing. I have to check my settings, but that is why there is so much space in between paragraphs.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><u><br />This month's prompt: </u><br /><b>Home for the Holidays</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (not associated with the real </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Holiday" target="_blank">Holiday</a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >).</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > This one is broad: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><b>write about a holiday memory</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >. It can be </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><b>fiction or non-fiction</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >, and the </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><b>choice of holiday is yours</b></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" > (fictional holidays are okay too). Perhaps you can invent an annoying relative. Maybe you knew someone who got an actual lump of coal in their stocking. Or there's always the tale of Nilatir, Sword-Hero of Evinrude, and the Feast of Sam'x.<br /><br /></span><p style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Light One Candle</span><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">“So, you drink the Arcaffe coffee now?”</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">“I like the Arcaffe coffee. What is wrong with the Arcaffe coffee?”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">The playful banter between Alice and Jacob had been off and on most of the afternoon.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">“The coffee at McDonalds is a good coffee,” Alice argued, “I don’t understand why you have to have the fancy Arcaffe coffee, it’s so expensive.”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">“Alice, enough with the coffee.” Joseph, Alice’s husband, saved Jacob from is wife’s immutable nagging. “If Jacob wants expensive coffee, he should drink expensive coffee.”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Aunt Rose sat at the end of one long, makeshift table. If there would be a prize for the oldest person in the food court she would be in the running to win. To look at her you would have to wonder where her glasses were, her eyes looked out of focus and watery.<span style=""> </span>She wore a white blouse with muted beige, yellow and brown stripes. She pretended to listen to Joseph, Alice and Jacob, but she was lost in her own thoughts. She didn’t care about coffee, no one did for that matter, it was a way to pass the time, 1:00 p.m. was fast approaching.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>The small tables were pushed together to accommodate most of the group that were in their advanced years. A younger couple, Sara and Eric, were there talking to Albert. They weren’t talking about coffee, it was something more serious and they were keeping it to themselves. Someone that didn’t know Albert would more than likely stare at his left forearm. Although it wasn’t polite to stare, one couldn’t help but wonder,<i><span style=""> </span>‘Is that what I think it is?’</i></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“We have to go now Albert, good conversation.” Eric and Sara got up to leave.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“You have to leave now?</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style=""> </span>”It’s getting to be that time.”</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style=""> </span>”Yes, yes, go already.” And he waved them off with his left hand, giving people another glance.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“Shalom everyone, we shall see you soon.” And the young couple was gone. </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>This center of the food court seemed to become a meeting place, for the old and the young. The older would pull up a chair and stay.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“Robert, you are late.” Alice pointed out. “What is that stick you have?”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“It’s my new cane, you like?”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“It looks like a stick from my back yard.”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>The cane was very fashionable and you could tell Robert was proud of it. It had twists and knots, like the branch of a tree and was lacquered to fine polish.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“I will get coffee.” He says.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“What kind of coffee? Jacob …….”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“Alice, this is a peaceful day and you will have it ruined by coffee?”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“I will go with you Robert.” And Albert stood up to help his friend.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>The younger friends and family would stop by and give Aunt Rose a kiss, ask her how she was and she would politely answer, but said very little. They exchanged pleasantries with others in the center of the food court and then would be on their way after checking their watches. </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Albert and Robert came back with coffee, from McDonalds, and passed the piping hot liquid around. Everyone stopped to close their eyes and let their noses come alive with the aroma of fresh brewed coffee.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>That is when they heard the first notes of the music in the food court.<span style=""> </span>You could hear mumblings from the surrounding tables, </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“Is it a Flash Mob?”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“Record it, I think it’s a flash mob.”</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>Excitement grew in the air and the people became very still. Cameras and cell phones popped out. Then the young people that had stopped by to pay their respects to their elders began to sing,</span></p> <div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Light one candle for the Maccabee children</i><br /><i> With thanks their light didn't die;</i><br /><i> Light one candle for the pain they endured</i><br /><i> When their right to exist was denied;</i><br /></span></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span>“Light One Candle.” People exclaimed. </span></p> <div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice</i><br /><i> Justice and freedom demand;</i><br /><i> And light one candle for the wisdom to know</i><br /><i> That the peacemaker's time is at hand!</i><br /></span></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText" ><span class="vbig" style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Although the song is fairly new, it’s meant to remind the young and old the importance of </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Hanukkah<span class="vbig">. Aunt Rose beamed with joy as she witnessed the young and the old come together. She lifted herself out of her chair with the help of her walker, stood proudly and began to sing,</span></span></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Don't let the light go out,<br />It's lasted for so many years!</i></span></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"> </div><p style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>Don't let the light go out!<br />Let it shine through our love and our tears!</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:100%;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3yZ1zxtbOJE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="275" width="350"></iframe><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><b>Participants and posts:</b></u><br />orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://wp.me/pP03N-wr" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/space-for-rent-december-blog-chain-one-for-the-memories/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2011/12/twas-night-before-upgrades.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />AbielleRose - <a href="http://stainedglassinthenight.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://stainedglassinthenight.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://stainedglassinthenight.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/a-non-memory-of-christmas-past/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Domoviye - <a href="http://lets-get-happy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lets-get-happy.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://lets-get-happy.blogspot.com/2011/12/home-for-holidays.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Areteus - <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://lurkingmusings.wordpress.com/2011/12/09/home-for-the-holidays-aw-forum-blog-chain-post/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Alynza - <a href="http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://alynzasmith.blogspot.com/2011/11/december-2011-aw-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />SuzanneSeese - </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >ME!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />robeiae - <a href="http://thepondsofhappenstance.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://thepondsofhappenstance.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />SinisterCola - <a href="http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />MamaStrong - <a href="http://inamamasworld.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://inamamasworld.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />kimberlycreates - <a href="http://www.kimberlycreates.com/" target="_blank">http://www.kimberlycreates.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Cath - <a href="http://blog.cathsmith.com/" target="_blank">http://blog.cathsmith.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />AuburnAssassin - <a href="http://clairegillian.com/" target="_blank">http://clairegillian.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Diana Rajchel - <a href="http://blog.dianarajchel.com/" target="_blank">http://blog.dianarajchel.com/</a> (link to this month's post)</span></p><i><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;" ></span></i>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-47077751563098369532011-11-30T12:14:00.002-05:002011-11-30T12:18:14.785-05:00Something Wicked This Way Come<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Looking into the early afternoon sky I couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency. Up above me in the space that once held the warm, bright sun gave way to an ominous darkness that enveloped my little world.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">With several errands on my list yesterday I was distracted by the colors of impending doom. Black and gray with midnight blue mingled together and spread across the horizon. They slowly crept across the skyline as if they were trying to sneak up on us. The colors rolled together forming threatening tufts of clouds.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Each time I left the safety of my heated car the air outside felt colder. The wind swirled around me and the damnable clouds started to break apart bringing frigid raindrops to the earth.</span></p> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >This was it, it was rolling into our lives. Whether we wanted to see it or not, it would stay with us, like an annoying out of town relative overstaying their welcome. Winter has arrived.</span>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-90312065090610276802011-11-18T14:30:00.007-05:002011-11-18T15:01:57.605-05:00Back Cover Blurb<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Assignment from </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://absolutewrite.com/">Absolute Write</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Blog Chain:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Write up a </span></span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">back cover blurb</b><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" > for a book you </span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">have written</b><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" > or </span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">would like to write</b><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >. It should be short, sweet, yet give a sense of people and events without totally spoiling the ending. NaNoWriMo participation is </span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">not </b><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >required, and the blurb may be for </span><b style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;">fiction or nonfiction</b><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" > as you see fit.<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Being a new member on the Absolute Forum I couldn't help but gravitate to the blogging threads, it's where I'm most comfortable. But I'm jumping out of my comfort zone and unleashing my first book. I have entertained the idea of writing a book but haven't shared the idea with too many people. Unfortunately the idea in my head, the one that must come out, requires quite a bit of research. Don't look for this book to be done any time soon.<br />Below is my blurb and also a list of the the other participants in the blog chain:</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">_____________________________________</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ></span></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Niles O’Brien sat in the back of the prison van locked in his seat and he waited. For almost two years Niles had waited and continued to believe he would be set free. He was innocent after all and the military would see that, he was a good soldier and this was all a mistake. He would soon be out of maximum security, have his name cleared and be back with his team. Holding on to this hope got him through each intolerable day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The vans door opened and another man was half dragged in, sat down and locked in place across from Niles. His new companions head was down, his chin rested on his chest and blood trickled down the lip and nose of his face and formed a small puddle on the vans floor.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Niles studied the silent man for a half a minute before he broke the silence. He cocked his head to the side.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“Looks like you put up quite a fight. Did you think you had any chance of getting away?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">After he said it he knew he sounded like a smart ass and from the menacing look he received as the man across from him slowly rose his head and made eye contact with Niles, it kind of confirmed the question came out wrong. So much for first impressions, Niles quickly realized his people skills were sorely lacking during his time of incarceration. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The van began to move, breaking the awkward moment of their first meeting. Their stare continued though and each saw the overwhelming, uneasy feeling that rested in the other’s eyes. They did not know where they were going, nor would they want to.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">What Niles and the beaten, bloodied man across from him didn’t know was that they had been targeted for a top-secret military mission from which there was no return. Because of the sacrifices made for this assignment, no one would want to volunteer. No, the time Niles spent in Leavenworth was the preliminary adjustment to his new life. A new life so deeply undercover that he would be dead to the world he knew, his family, friends and his brothers in arms.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Join Niles O’Brien as he struggles with lines he believes have been crossed in the world of advanced scientific discoveries. As he is forced into objectionable partnerships and learns more than he wants to of the threat to our world, the world he has been unwillingly recruited to save.</span><br /></p> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b>Here are other participants and their posts:</b></u><br />orion_mk3 - <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://nonexistentbooks.wordpress.com/2011/11/04/tunguska-butterfly-back-cover-blurb-by-altos-wexan/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Ralph Pines - <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://ralfast.wordpress.com</a> <a href="http://ralfast.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/weekend-roundup-october-30-november-5-blog-chain/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />MysteryRiter - <a href="http://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/nablopomo/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />AuburnAssassin - <a href="http://clairegillian.com/" target="_blank">http://clairegillian.com/</a> <a href="http://clairegillian.com/2011/11/07/aw-blog-chain-november-the-blurb/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Jarrah Dale - <a href="http://brattysramblings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://brattysramblings.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://brattysramblings.blogspot.com/2011/11/blurb-of-wip-for-aw-nov-blog-roll-2-fer.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />SinisterCola - <a href="http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://acgatesblog.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/aw-nov-blog-chain/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />dolores haze - <a href="http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://dianedooley.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/love-in-a-cold-climate/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />pyrosama - <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://matrix-hole.blogspot.com/2011/11/nablopomo-national-blog-posting-month.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Alynza - <a href="http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.alynzasmith.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://alynzasmith.blogspot.com/2011/11/november-2011-aw-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />writingismypassion - <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://charityfaye.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Cath - <a href="http://www.cathsmith.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cathsmith.com/</a> <a href="http://www.cathsmith.com/wprs/november-blog-chain-book-blurb/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />Inkstrokes - <a href="http://drlong67.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://drlong67.wordpress.com/</a> <a href="http://drlong67.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/november-blog-chain-cover-copy/" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />egoodlett - <a href="http://wordlarceny.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://wordlarceny.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://wordlarceny.blogspot.com/2011/11/less-than-three-back-cover-blurb.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />LadyDae - <a href="http://ladydaewrites.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://ladydaewrites.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://ladydaewrites.blogspot.com/2011/11/absolute-write-november-blog-chain.html" target="_blank">(link to this month's post)</a><br />SuzanneSeese - <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">You are here!</span><br />Anarchicq - <a href="http://anarchicq.com/" target="_blank">http://anarchicq.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br />Stu Ayris - <a href="http://tollesburytimeforever.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://tollesburytimeforever.blogspot.com/</a> (link to this month's post)<br /></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-1978800492010536532011-11-16T12:53:00.002-05:002011-11-16T13:08:10.239-05:00In transition<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This blog is in a transitional phase. From entertainment to a writer's blog. It's been stagnate long enough. I plan to post some of my other writing here, serious stuff that doesn't fit on <a href="http://farvelcargo.blogspot.com/">Farvel Cargo</a> the humor blog. If any of you writers want to be added to my blog roll let me know.<br />I've joined a writers forum called <a href="http://absolutewrite.com/">Absolute Write</a> and plan to use this blog for writing prompts and their blog chain prompts. I'm excited. I still watch too much TV but haven't the time to blog about it. I have to go work on my header now.<br /><br />Up coming post: A Book Blurb - I have to write a blurb for a book that I have wrote, I am writing or want to write, then post it here. I have just started on a book and I will be posting the blurb when it's my turn. I'm really nervous. Mommy.......<br /></span></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-38538356267720727742011-11-10T10:20:00.005-05:002011-11-13T17:27:38.021-05:00Once Upon A Time<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Remember back when you were a little kid, before you could read? I know it's difficult but try to remember those stories our parents read to us. That's what ABC's latest Fall Show, </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/once-upon-a-time">Once Upon A Time</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> is doing to me. It's making me search the dusty, cobwebbed corners of my brain, trying to remember who the hell is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumpelstiltskin">Rumplestiltskin</a>. I recall the name but can't remember his part in my childhood stories.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRrBR6xkhhXjUJefYqvEmLjYmfEQ4UxSUXXkgEqQNP6KRU3PEMpW3oCQAATGiYCMRquSt884dBatv31HQaj0vIeNAgE79I-sftVvAcljIGgeB72SSnjXXamY5m9nPkb4568_8emobua4i/s1600/once-upon-a-time-abc-tv-show.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRrBR6xkhhXjUJefYqvEmLjYmfEQ4UxSUXXkgEqQNP6KRU3PEMpW3oCQAATGiYCMRquSt884dBatv31HQaj0vIeNAgE79I-sftVvAcljIGgeB72SSnjXXamY5m9nPkb4568_8emobua4i/s200/once-upon-a-time-abc-tv-show.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673410552366840114" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember reading to my kids before they could read right before bed. You want them to go to sleep, you're tired, so you skip a few pages. It happens, everyone does it. Our parents must have done it because I can't remember most of this stuff going on in this show. I've been googling Story Book Stories since I decided to invest an hour of my week every Sunday.<br /></div>My theory is our parents skipped some pages to get us to go to bed quicker and to save us the nightmares from these conniving, heart stealing, black market baby racketeers. Along came Political Correctness and the pages were taken out. So now that we are old enough to handle the cruel world that is Snow Whites, there is no documentation to back it up, it's been erased.<br />We can march into our parents house and demand to know the whole story on this Rumplestiltskin or we can watch Once Upon A Time on Sunday nights. Because these people aren't afraid of the truth, they are filling in the blanks and I'm loving this show. I didn't think it would suck me in the way it has, the fact that it's executive producer and creator <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kitsis">Edward Kitsis</a> is a former producer of LOST might have something to do with it. If you are aware of the <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/lost">LOST </a>connection then you can't help but see the <a href="http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Numbers">numbers</a> everywhere and it sends chills up my spine. "Oh my God the evil mayor's address is 108!"<br /></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-71697972784261872912011-05-30T12:27:00.001-04:002011-05-30T12:35:08.458-04:00Ladies and Gentlemen was that boring or what?<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I guess I should post one last review of </span><a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dancing With The Stars</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> lack luster final. I'm really not sure if anyone is reading this but I'll do it anyway.<br />Here's the thing, I think <a href="http://www.kirstiealley.com/">Kirstie</a> has a bigger fan base than Hines Ward but I couldn't vote for after seeing that God awful cartwheel that had no place in a Dancing With The Stars Final and I don't think I was alone on this, just look for yourself:<br /></span><br /><object height="349" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qnJymaoSnDE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qnJymaoSnDE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="349" width="400"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So I didn't vote for her. And I don't think I'm alone when I say, again, I can't stand Mark Ballas. I'm sad for Maks not getting his Mirror Ball Trophy but he really needs to step it up with his final freestyle dances. Get flashy like a Broadway Show, their costumes didn't even have any sequence on them. Kirstie looked like a monk at first and then she took her brown robe off, they looked they were dressed for rehearsal. Very disappointing. Maks just never delivers on the last dance, the dance that counts. You'd think he'd have learned by now.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">A new season starts in September and of course I'll be watching. This season had a nice bunch of stars with no ringer, but it was still apparent who the judges wanted in the finals. I've learned to just be entertained by the dancing and ignore the judges. It's just a stupid Mirror Ball Trophy.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hopefully I can continue to post on this blog through the summer. I'm going to try to catch the reruns of <a href="http://www.fox.com/raisinghope/">Raising Hope</a>, I saw a few episodes of it and it's really funny.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I have 2 blogs, <a href="http://www.skirt.com/">www.skirt.com</a> that I blog for and I'm trying to get published. But I'd rather be writing than almost anything.</span></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-73538448740992082722011-05-17T17:35:00.004-04:002011-05-17T18:42:31.700-04:00Ladies and Gentlemen this is getting dangerous!<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm going to post the video of that Pittsburgh Steeler trying to break <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/kym-johnson/732776">Kim Johnson's</a> neck, very scary and hard to watch. They will probably win the Giant Mirror Ball Trophy now. I would like to see Kim win but not a Pittsburgh Steeler. If he wasn't on that damn team I would vote for them. I'm trying to decide if their perfect scores were sympathy 10's or if they deserved them, but I'm so anti-Pittsburgh Steeler I just can't make the call.</span><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Here is the video:</span><br /><br /><object height="390" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WBTEHcbT0v4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WBTEHcbT0v4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">There is no way they will be going home tonight. I think <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/ralph-macchio/726547">Ralph</a> is done, that's my prediction. I really want to see Mark go. Go, go, go. Before I hit you in the face. I'm sure he will be around for the finals, damn. <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/kirstie-alley/726544">Kirstie</a> and Maks have a huge fan base and should come in third.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">So the Pittsburgh Steeler gets the Giant Mirror Ball Trophy, cute little Disney Star <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/chelsea-kane/726423">Chelsea Kane</a> who got stuck with "what the hell is he on?" Mark, he yelled at her in rehearsal, will be second. Pretty sure Kirstie third and the Karate Kid goes home tonight. I could be wrong, if I am, I'll be surprised.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Now let's get to the real fun last night. How many people over the age of, let's say 10, need to have the concept of a coin toss explained to them? Really <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/brooke-burke/402490">Brooke Burke</a>, how many?</span><br /><br /><br /><object height="390" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mdSasEH-5YE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mdSasEH-5YE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Is there a female equivalent of <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/tom-bergeron/23296">Tom Bergeron</a> out there? I think not. But is there someone just a little bit smarter than Brooke, yes. Dancing With The Stars, please go find her.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">And then Bruno got bleeped. I think he went too far, this is a family show Bruno! You can tell Karina was offended and pissed.</span><br /><br /><object height="390" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZtfsjYIuZ0A?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZtfsjYIuZ0A?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I usually don't watch much of the "Somebodies going home tonight" Tuesday episode, actually just the last 5 minutes. I especially won't be watching tonight because Cheryl and Nick Lachey, I don't even care if I spelled his last name right, are dancing their stupid Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy dance again, Gah!</span></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1901909528750752062.post-21904998301273801192011-05-10T15:10:00.004-04:002011-05-10T16:30:15.663-04:00Ladies and Gentlemen We're Down to 5<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy06N731Quai0mg01B14fH27Qwz6rS8Y4JNGuH8q_CwjtgNtyIf4VnVoQqYC5OHsDhWF6hAu6Vmxy_nc8uon3WfMYyg41rXxCyq9D5Ti0_To5EL8e-XcA8MMKG_h_aXxboq54uaQD7P1y-/s1600/Giant+Mirror+Ball.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605186324808797810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy06N731Quai0mg01B14fH27Qwz6rS8Y4JNGuH8q_CwjtgNtyIf4VnVoQqYC5OHsDhWF6hAu6Vmxy_nc8uon3WfMYyg41rXxCyq9D5Ti0_To5EL8e-XcA8MMKG_h_aXxboq54uaQD7P1y-/s200/Giant+Mirror+Ball.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">I'm just not going to vote anymore. I'm happy with this final 5 but can not cast another vote. At this moment I don't care who wins the Giant Mirror Ball, they are all just about even, I'm okay with the chips falling as they may.<br />There is no way I can vote for a Pittsburgh Steeler. I was raised to hate them, I am a Cleveland fan. I know, one of the hardest things in the world to do is be a Cleveland Browns fan but I'm stuck with this legacy. I blame my ancestors for migrating to Northeast Ohio and staying here. Thereby sealing my fate, destine to cheer on losing teams for all eternity.<br />I'm not going to vote for the over dancing Mark, cause I hate him, as I've said before, sorry <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/chelsea-kane/726423">Chelsea</a>.<br />How can I justify voting for someone rolling on the floor in pain? <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/ralph-macchio/726547">Ralph's</a> day are numbered and I'm not going to be part of the crowd that feels sorry for him and votes for him to stay in the stupid competition and be a part of the reason he becomes crippled. Can't do that to the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/">Karate Kid</a>, who for some reason has decided to finally do something with his hair and use guy-liner the last 2 dances.<br />Um, when I saw <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/kirstie-alley/726544">Kirstie</a> bounce down the stairs in practice I decided as much as I love to watch <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/maksim-chmerkovskiy/732781">Maks</a>, I have YouTube. Let's put them both out of their misery. Something didn't sit right with me after watching them last night, something changed in their relationship/partnership. Maybe Kirstie hit her head, I don't know but that's all the speculating I'm going to do.<br />And then I really had to sit and think who is the 5th dancer and celebrity? Oh that <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars/bio/romeo/726548">Romeo</a> kid and whatshername. I wouldn't mind if they won it all just to piss off Mark. Muh ha ha.</span></div>Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04325183325187518360noreply@blogger.com0