Saturday Centus: Hunting Season

Oh dear. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Our beloved Ms. Jenny has decided that this was the week to test our lyric writing skills. She gave us the melody (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star). She gave us the prompt: In the autumn. And she gave us the limitation of up to 32 words INCLUDING the prompt. At this, I take issue...I have always counted the prompt in every single centus limit Ms. Jenny has imposed and kept to the imposed word count exactly. In order to keep true with the notes and rhythm of "Twinkle", I had no choice but to cheat and use 34! Forgive me, Ms. Jenny!

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(image courtesy of Total-Wallpapers.com and Google Images)

In the autumn’s cool, crisp air

Mums abloom with vibrant flair

Leaves hitch ride on fall’s brisk breeze

Bare are now embarrassed trees

Time has come for season’s change

Watch out turkeys! Shooting range!

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Fall is my favorite time of year. Time to break free those sweaters and boots from summer's hiding place. Long morning runs, in the cooler weather, with leaves crunching beneath the feet. Time for harvests and a myriad of fall festivals. And, of course, hunting season commences. It was tradition for my father, along with my brother, and my sister's husbands to go hunting at this time of year. Often times we'd feast on pheasant and quail, invariably biting into a wayward pellet or two. I do miss that (well except for the time my dad took me out hunting and suggested I be the "bird dog" and retrieve the "kill"...ewwww, ick!) Oh, the memories! Hee hee hee!

The Letter J and What it Means to Me

J is for Ms. Jenny and my Alphabet Journey through life.


Jenny knows this but many of you may not. Sweet Jenny has been my guardian angel for quite some time. She has been my cheerleader, my mentor, and a very special, loving friend. She has been by my side, every step of the way as I worked my way through her alphabet series (twice!). Alphabe-Thursday became a stepping stone in which I began to explore life, on a deeper level, with poetry and other writings. So you all will just have to excuse me and understand when I take ownership and call her "MY" Ms. Jenny, okay?


Anyway, I was finally able to thank her properly. My Jenny was kind enough to forward me a photo of her beautiful mug.

Using my personal techniques I turned Ms. Jenny into a work of art (not that she wasn't already)

Jenny...I love and adore you. I thank you, with sincerity of heart, your encouragement and gentle guidance as I walk down this new road on my journey through the rest of my life. You are my forever friend!

Saturday Centus: Two for One!

Last week I was at work when our dear Ms. Jenny posted a wonderful story prompt. She was heavy in my thoughts as I penned this little100 word story (taking place FAR into the future). The prompt is in red. 

The elderly woman shuffled towards the old shed she used for storage. She was grateful that she needn’t worry about inclement weather destroying her possessions as the hot Arizona sun beat down upon her bent frame.  She stepped through the creaky door into the stuffy interior. She spied the trunk. Fumbling with the old skeleton key on a chain around her neck she unlocked and raised its lid. There they were. She lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest. Smiling she began to read:  “A is for…”

And that is where her children found her the next day. 

(In no way was this meant to be morbid but rather an honor to the woman whose memes helped me find my inner voice and strength through the alphabet!)

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And the following is this week’s essay. Consider it my little 100 word public service announcement. The prompt is in blue. 

She knew she needed to leave it alone, let it go its course, but she couldn’t stand it. She couldn’t help herself. She had a date that night and didn’t want that monstrosity remaining on the tip of her nose. So she did what any naive 17 year old would do. She squeezed and picked at the darn thing.  Unfortunately for her, this was no ordinary pimple. It was infected. MRSA to be exact.  It was growing bigger by the minute. She missed out on that date as she was rushed to the hospital with a severe case of cellulitis. 

I am sorry for the "Ewww" factor of this particular story. Please, however, visit the following links for further information on MRSA or cellulitis.

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Catch Up Time: Saturday Centus, Sunday 160, Micro-fiction Monday

I have been busy working at my "real job" the past several days and have had absolutely no time to keep up with my blog. This morning I arose before daybreak to play a little catching up with my favorite memes!


First shall be Ms. Jenny's Saturday Centus, combined with Susan's Micro-Fiction Monday. 


Susan, from Stony River, leaves us a unique, unusual picture each and every week for us to design a 140 character story (spaces included). It is definitely a challenging exercise in brevity and one I've come to really enjoy.


Normally, Ms. Jenny gives us a 100 word essay limit for her weekly Centus. But not this week. Never to be one to do the same ol' same ol', our dear Jenny decided to mix things up a bit abbreviated and limit our essay to a minuscule, measly, 25 word flash fiction using a word prompt. (Her prompt will be in red in the story to follow)


140 characters usually approximate 25 words. What better way to challenge myself than to use both as prompts. Right? Well, you all be the judge of that. 

Koeru-San

I shall be your escort

as you redeem the lottery ticket.

Never mind that, Tamotsu-San.

Go fill my parasol, to the brim,

At Benihana’s.

Note: Koeru means to “grow fat” and Tamotsu means “defender, protector” in Japenese

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Next shall be Monkey Man's Sunday 160. Since I am still recovering from a crazy busy work weekend this is a short piece belaboring an unfortunate truth about hospital work.   

Nothing.

Hot soaks,

Massages,

Nor even a brand new pair 

Of top of the line work shoes

Will prevent foot pain

Or leg cramps

When one is on their feet

For over 36 hours!

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