The Note

Kenny arrived home from work, late as usual.  These long hours were paying off, he thought, as he parked his shiny new Lexus in the garage.  Sharon would have dinner holding in the oven.  It was Friday night, so it was probably lasagna.  She would be waiting in family room, a glass of her favorite red wine on the table as she played bejeweled blitz or some other Facebook game, with the TV on in the background.

prowellwoodworks.com

Kenny walks into the kitchen, the light is on, but there's no familiar smell of dinner waiting.  He calls to Sharon, "Hey, I'm home.  Did you want to order in tonight?"  No answer.

He goes to the family room, no Sharon.  He goes from room to room, but she's not there.  Wait a minute, her car was not in the garage.   How could I have not noticed that? he thought. 

Worried now, he headed to the bedroom.  He glanced around the room and then he saw it, there on his pillow.  "Good-bye" was all it said.

As Kenny sat and stared numbly at the note, it hit him.  There was so much he hadn't noticed.

Written for the prompt "Note" at One-Minute Writer - Friday Fiction.

Beneath the Streetlight

Shadows on the Street

Wordless Wednesday

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

We find our energies are actually cramped when we are overanxious to succeed.  - Michel de Montaigne


The pressure we put on ourselves to succeed creates anxiety, which in turn hampers our abilities.  Success is achieved not only with hard work and perseverance, but with patience. Let us be patient with ourselves and success will follow.

A Day at Ft. DeSoto

Stepping back in time, we take a brief look at Ft. DeSoto in Pinellas County Florida.  I know I post a lot about Florida, but it is one of my favorite vacation places, and Ft. DeSoto is a "must visit" every time we go.  

Last year we were there in November, somewhat later than normal, and it was unseasonably cool that week.   As usual we headed out to Ft. DeSoto for the afternoon, only this time instead of fishing we rented bikes.  This was something we had wanted to do for years, but it was always too hot.  Now was our chance!  The temperature was in the 70s and there was a nice breeze.

Practically everywhere you can go by car, there is a separate bike lane.  We had a grand time, and put in several miles of tooling around, stopping for lunch at the snack bar next to the Gulf Pier.

Our method of transportation today (mine has the basket).

This was our view at lunch.  It is hard to tell from this photo, but the specks you see are really dragonflies...large dragonflies...and lots of them.  This pier faces the Gulf of Mexico and is a great place for fishing or just strolling along watching the birds.

Gulf Pier

Just up the road from here is the Bay Pier, which faces Tampa Bay.  Between these two piers is where Tampa Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico.  It is definitely a beautiful place.

Beach at Ft. DeSoto with a view of the Sunshine Skyway.

There are still remnants from the war at the Fort, and many of the rooms are open for exploration. 

Ft. DeSoto has something for everyone including swimming, boating, wind surfing, fishing, picnic areas, bike and kayak rental, and offers great photo opportunities.  There are also several snack bars and a gift shop.

I am looking forward to my next visit and more biking and fishing this fall.

New Beginnings

In response to The One Minute Writer prompt Era, our life is in the Era of New Beginnings.  Times are changing and we are charting a new course, taking up new interests and renewing some that have fallen by the way.  Our world has expanded significantly, and I see good things on the horizon as we sail toward all that life has to offer. 

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

If I am what I have, and if I lose what I have, who then am I?  - Erich Fromm

We are more than the sum total of our possessions, and our lives have meaning beyond what we have accumulated.  What we are inside is who we are, not what we have or don't have.

Running Away

Mile after mile she sped down the highway, hoping with each passing town she would be further from the past that has haunted her every waking moment for nearly two decades.  She would be eighteen now, graduating from high school and starting life as an adult. Jenna hoped her daughter would make better choices than she had at that age as she reflected back on those days of drugs, booze and indiscretions which resulted in a life-altering moment as she gave up her first-born child.  

This current upheaval came about the week before when she received a phone call...one that she had dreaded for eighteen years...Mom?

Knowing in her heart of hearts (albeit mistakenly) that this was the best thing she could do for the daughter she abandoned all those years ago, she did what she has always done when her life runs amok, she runs away.

Written for Five Sentence Fiction based on the prompt Distance.

The Frogs at Salem Lake

This was filmed at Salem Lake a couple of years ago when we were serenaded by a bunch of frogs.  Not the peepers of Spring, but big bullfrogs.  At least I think they were bullfrogs - we didn't actually see them.

I am in the process of learning how to edit my videos.  This was done using Windows Live Movie Maker to edit out the dead spots and other conversations.  Any tips for the beginner?

Quote of the Week

 


Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.  - Sally Koch



Anywhere, at any time, you may be presented with an opportunity to help someone in need.  Yesterday, it took two men little more than 5 minutes to change a tire for a lady in need in the church parking lot.

I was not the lady in question, but my husband was one of the men.  People helping people; it's a beautiful thing. 

Can You DrawSomething?

A while back I was introduced to a new app called DrawSomething.  I play this on my Samsung Stratosphere smart phone which has a 4-inch screen.  Some folks use iPads or tablets, which obviously provide a bigger "page" on which to create their masterpieces.  You have a choice of 3 words, and you must choose one and draw something that represents that word.  It's sort of like charades, and the drawing instrument is your finger.

I have virtually no drawing talent, but it's fun to draw, and then watch the other player guess your drawing.  You get coins as points so you can purchase more colors or bombs.  Bombs serve two purposes.  One, you can use them to get special or additional words to choose from.  Or you can use a bomb to explode away some of the unnecessary letters if you are having difficulty guessing a drawing.

It's a great way to while away some of those long hot summer hours, and you can dream about where you would  really like to be.  

Want to know more?  Check out the video.

  Are any of you DrawSomething fans?

Silly Goose

Wordless Wednesday

Now you see me.

Now you don't.

Quote of the Week

You don't love someone because they're perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they're not.
- Jodi Picoult

If being perfect were a prerequisite for being loved, we would all be out of luck.  As it is, we find someone with whom we can share our imperfections.

I'm Melting...

Free-extras.com

It's past my bedtime, my brain cells have melted, my cat's had his knickers in a twist all evening and my muse is on strike again.  So beat the heat and have a great weekend!

Music for a Friend

The Chad Morris Band

Last Friday night we attended a benefit concert and silent auction. Several local bands joined together to help a friend in need, and local artists and businesses donated items to be sold at the silent auction. In addition there were baked goods, and tea (courtesy of Chad's Chai and Tea Company) available for sale. It was an evening of music and fellowship of the community.

When people talk about how bad the world is today it makes me sad.  True, bad things do happen.  They always have and will continue to.  That doesn't make the world bad, or the human race on the whole bad.  What it does do is prove how much good there is in the world and in man kind.

  

In times of trouble, sickness, natural disaster and tragedy, people come together to help one another.  We saw this first hand Friday night, and we see it time and again - the inherent goodness in people.  There will always be dark nights and troubled times, but the sun always rises, and so do we.

The evening included performances by The Chad Morris Band, Suitcase and Michael Kuehn.

Intermission

Not exactly quality photographs from the back of the room with my phone.

Quote of the Week

Indecision becomes decision with time.  - Author Unknown

For example, have you ever waffled around trying to decide whether to do something or not only to discover that, for whatever reason, it is too late?  By waiting until you could decide, the decision was made for you.


 

Divine Llamas

While searching for ideas for today's post, I came across this video from a couple years ago.  We visited the Divine Llama Vineyard for a wine tasting.  It was a double treat to visit with the resident llamas.  You can read more about that here in Wine and Llamas.

Here's what they had to say about it.

Llama #1: Just once you'd think they would come see us first. 

Llama #2: Yeah, they beeline to the tasting bar without so much as a glance our way. It's only after they hear about how our llama beans* fertilize the vines that grow the grapes that make the wine that they ignore us for, that we get some appreciation.

Llama #3: My friends, we don't have to stand for such second class treatment. Follow me!

*this is the term the folks at Divine Llama use for llama poop.

If The Shoe Fits

Can I get that for you in a smaller size?

Sophie trying on my shoe

I hope I have better luck with these!

My first mail order shoes

Do any of you order shoes online?

Quote of the Week

We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box.  - Robert Fulghum

Just like a box of crayons, it is a big beautiful, colorful world filled with beautiful, colorful people.  Just think of all that we could create and accomplish if we learn to live and work together without fear and prejudice.

Into the Tunnel

There isn't a lot going on in the creative department today, so I take you back to June of last year and our visit to Minnesota. 

Here we are about to enter a tunnel.  No big deal, but there aren't any around here which makes it interesting.  For some reason I've always enjoyed tunnels.  Why?  I dunno, just do.

This was a very short tunnel within in the city.

I have proven that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

When I was a kid my parents and I would travel North along 1-95, and would go through several tunnels on our way to Maine where my Mom's family lived.

Here's one we probably went through.  

If you like tunnels too, come join me on a wild ride!

Not Just Another Teddy

Did you ever have a favorite teddy bear that you liked to sleep with as a child?  Those were the days, right?  Safe and comfortable and taken care of.  And then you grow up and leaving behind the safety and comfort of childhood.  That's what I thought and then... I was about 22 and had moved into my first apartment with my best friend from high school.  I won't dwell on how much of a mistake that was, but I moved out five months later.

In the meantime, I went to work every day and my roommate worked the night shift.  I was usually up until she left for work and gone before she got home in the morning.  Not enough sleep and poor eating habits led to my getting sick twice that summer.  Both times I was diagnosed with strep throat and both times I had different symptoms.  Let me just say that I went to what would today be referred to as "an old country doctor".  He had probably practiced in that same tiny little office for at least 40 years.  

He didn't do any tests or cultures.  You're supposed to get a culture for strep, right?  Nope!  The first time I just had a sore throat and otherwise didn't feel all that bad.  The next time my glands were swollen, and I had a fever - for a solid week.  I took antibiotics and aspirin around the clock for a solid week.  

Did I mention that my parents were on vacation a thousand miles away?  Or that my roommate had absolutely no sympathy for my situation?  "Aren't you going to work" she asked?  Duh!  I'm sick!  What do you think?

I began staying at my parents house even though they weren't there.  I drew comfort from just being home.  They were due back at the end of the week and I was literally counting the days.  I suppose you are wondering where teddy bears come into the picture.

I was there when they got home, and the first thing Mom did was hand me a teddy bear.  I instantly felt 100% better.  My fever went down and I felt better than I had over in a week.  It did go back up that evening, but I was so much better.  I slept with that teddy bear for a very long time after that, and I still have him.

Was it the bear?  Was it a mother's love?  I think it was both, and they were one in the same.  

Quote of the Week

We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.

― Robert Fulghum, True Love

I think we can all relate to this on some level.

Quote of the Week

Heat, ma'am! it was so dreadful here, that I found there was nothing left for it but to take off my flesh and sit in my bones.  
- Sydney Smith, Lady Holland's Memoir

free-extras.com

This quote seems most appropriate given the heat wave that we've been having.

June was a great month and participating in the 30-day writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese was a lot fun.  Now I'll be taking a short break and return to my regular posting schedule soon.  I'll still be coming around to visit.

Happy Fourth of July! 

It Could Have Been Worse

This is the last day of an insane incredible 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.   Today's prompt is it could have been worse.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to see how excruciating invigorating this has been.

Today we conclude 30 intense days of writing, the likes of which will probably send some of us into therapy.  Along the way we have laughed and cried with one another.  We have teased one another.  We have inspired, or been inspired by one another, and perhaps gotten to know each other just a little better. Some of us have made new friends, and maybe connected on a new level with long-time buddies.

How did this all come about?  Well...thanks to Nicky and Mike-

We roasted and toasted and lived like there's no tomorrow.  

We praised our friends, challenged the babysitter, embarrassed the defenseless banana, and even extolled the virtues of the camel.

We sang and danced as they played our song.  We felt the pressure and broke a few rules along the way.

We went solo, and just when we thought we couldn't make it anymore, we reached the turning point.  We should all feel a great sense of of accomplishment for surviving the challenge without needing an intervention.

So as our time here draws to a close, what can I say about the past 30 days?  It could have been worse.

And now to help wrap this up in a proper cheesy fashion - some cheese rap!

 

Breaking the Rules

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  This is day 29, and the next to the last day of this incredible writing challenge and those who are still standing will be weighing in with today's prompt is breaking the rules.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to see who's breaking the rules.

I've never been much of a rule breaker - too afraid of getting in trouble I guess.  I did break the rules once in kindergarten but I've already confessed that in "Black Eyes and Tutus".  I learned early on what can happen when you break the rules.

Rules are made, rules are broken, and somehow life goes on and more rules are made. 

I leave you now with a few quotes on what other people think about rules.

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt

The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes   

You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.
- Richard Branson  

Principles and rules are intended to provide a thinking man with a frame of reference.
- Karl Von Clausewitz

No tendency is quite so strong in human nature as the desire to lay down rules of conduct for other people.
- William Howard Taft

I had these recipes that say do this, do that. Who MAKES these rules?
- Emeril Lagasse  

There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about.
- Helen Frankenthaler

 

Learning to Eat

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  It is day 28 of the writing challenge and those who are still standing will be weighing in with today's prompt, the turning point.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to turn on to some great writing.

Today's prompt is the turning point.  That should be an easy topic to write on, right?  We've all had at least one, and probably many smaller, less significant ones.  So what is a turning point?  I found this definition:  When an action or an event takes a turn for the better or for the worse, or changes direction.  This could mean getting or losing a job, getting married or divorced, moving out or moving in, among other things.

Dinner at Waltz

I've experienced all but one of those, but perhaps a more significant turning point was food related.  I learned to eat!  No, not really, but it seemed that way.  My Mom was a great cook and everything she put on the table was delicious, however as a kid I didn't always like it and if I didn't like it (or thought I didn't like it) I didn't have to eat it.  My father was not an adventurous eater, and so Mom's repertoire was limited.  After fixing something once that he didn't care for, she vowed not to serve that to him again.

So I entered adulthood still thinking Mexican food came from Taco Bell, and wouldn't dream of eating Chinese, Japanese, Indian, (real) Mexican, German, or any of the other cuisines I now enjoy.

Then, when I was in my mid 20s, enter my boyfriend, who is now my husband.  He liked all these things and more, and wanted more than just meat and potatoes.  He took me to a Mexican restaurant called Casa Galliardo's, and that was the beginning of my conversion.

Before that going out meant seafood or steak.  With my newly discovered taste buds, I even became more experimental with seafood, and pretty much if it swims, I'll at least try it.  Well done steak - forget it!  I've eaten crawfish and alligator, and tasted kangaroo and ostrich.  I found I like spicy foods too...who knew?  Indian and Thai, bring it on.  Jerk and Cajun, yum!  Our most recent discovery is a lovely little authentic Greek restaurant. 

That was definitely was a major turning point which has made for some really delicious meals.  We like to say that we vacation for food because we like to check out all the local specialties.  So I say thank you to my husband for broadening my culinary horizons.

Waltz Seafood at John's Pass

Side of the Road

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  It is the 27th day of this challenging event, and we are approaching the finish line.  Today's prompt is Side of the Road.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to get on the right side of the road.

My apologies in advance to Katherine.  Her Intervention post inspired this poem. 

Katherine she got smashed

No, I mean she got crashed

Her car that is

I hope it's not trashed

She got smacked from behind

Were they out of their mind

I bet for this screw-up

They'll surely be fined

She came to a halt

From the slamming assault

At the side of the road

It wasn't her fault

Now her neck's in a twist

And her friends did insist

That to the doctor she go

And she did as they wished

With pills he did stuff her

No pain will she suffer

At home she must stay

Until she is tougher

Saving the Day: An Intervention

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  It is the 26th day of this challenging event, and we are approaching the finish line.  Today's prompt is An Intervention.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to get the inside scoop.

**Fiction**

The headline read Saving the Day:  An Intervention.  "I was just doing my job" John told the reporter, after he was photographed being hugged by the little girl's mother.

It had started the day before when the FBI profilers had narrowed the search to one man, Hector Stimfield.  He was wanted in six states for kidnapping and murder.  He targeted blond-haired, blue eyed girls between the ages of 10 and 12.  They believed him to be a victim of abuse by his older sister when he was a child.  His sister was now in prison for dealing drugs and assault.

Hector moved from state to state, and job to job.  In his current location he worked as a furniture delivery man, which allowed him to gain entrance to people's homes.  That is how he searched for his victims.  His most recent kidnapping was 12 year-old Eliza Parker.  She had been missing for two days.

Image Source:  geograph.org.uk

Local authorities, working with the FBI, had a tip of a blond girl and a man fitting Hector's description in the warehouse district on the north side of town.  The FBI and SWAT were on the scene in minutes.  There was an old white delivery van parked outside an unoccupied warehouse.  Snipers set up on the roof tops of several nearby buildings.

They tried to negotiate with her kidnapper.  They knew what he was capable of and that the situation could become volatile at any moment.

This is where John came into the picture.  He was positioned with a direct line of sight into the warehouse through a broken window.  His rifle, an Intervention sniper rifle, was among the best and most accurate.

He was waiting for his cue.  The FBI wanted to give Hector the opportunity to surrender so he could be arrested, tried and hopefully convicted.  If he failed to comply, then they would allow John to take the shot when he had it.

Not grasping the reality of his situation, Hector refused, saying "If you come in here, the girl's dead."  That was it.  John took the shot and it was over.

After the child was returned to her, Mrs. Parker insisted on meeting John to thank him, and that's when the photograph was taken.  She hugged him and thanked him profusely.  "If not for your skillful intervention, my daughter might have been killed.  I cannot thank you enough."

"You're welcome, ma'am.  I was just doing my job."

My Worst Christmas Ever

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  It is the 25th day of this mind-bending challenge, and I can say that my mind is both challenged and slightly off kilter.  Today's  prompt is Worst Christmas Ever.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to see who is still standing.

For most people Christmas is a happy time, filled with family, friends, big dinners and gifts.  Houses are decorated with lights of all colors, lawns filled with lighted reindeer, inflatable Santas and snowmen.  Holiday music begins and stores display large festive trees long before the Thanksgiving feast is prepared.

This is what we know, what we expect, and what fills us with the Spirit of Christmas.  However, sometimes things happen in life that changes that feeling.  Events beyond our control take over our thoughts, control our actions, diminish our joy and leave us feeling sad and blue.

That was the case in 2002.  Christmas was just weeks away when we discovered that my Mom had an electrolyte imbalance and had the option of drinking about a gallon of Gatorade or going into the hospital for a few days to get her sodium and potassium levels back on track.  We chose the hospital...there was no way she could drink that much Gatorade.

This was temporary and she would be home in a couple days.   OK we can fix this.  I arrange for ambulance transport because it would be the easiest and safest way to get her there.

We got her sodium and potassium back in line, but then there were more problems and by the time she'd been in for a week, she'd lost too much strength to go home alone.

At that point I faced what had been, thus far, the worst day of my life - the day I put my mother into a nursing home.

This was the middle of December and I visited her every day.  While we knew she had some issues, we still felt that after some physical therapy she could return home.  That wasn't to be.  On the night before Christmas she had taken a downward turn.

Two days after Christmas on December 27, she passed away when we had stepped out for a few minutes to get lunch. 

We all know that death is a part of life, but to have to face it over what is supposed to be a joyous, happy season is even more difficult.  Not once but twice have we faced the loss of a loved one at Christmas.  We lost my father-in-law just this past year several days before Christmas after two separate stays in the hospital.  Like my Mom, we thought that he too would recover and go home.  It wasn't to be in either case, so we each have a worst Christmas ever.

Cheers to You!

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  It is Day 24 and the prompt is Roast or toast another blogger.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to see who everyone's talking about.

Today we are supposed to either roast or toast another blogger.  I remember the Dean Martin Roasts, and they were funny but I don't possess the wit or talent to roast anyone properly.  The other option is to choose someone to toast.

Well, there are so many deserving folks that choosing one would not be possible or fair, and since this was not 30 days of roasting or toasting bloggers, here is a partial list of the many talented, funny, and highly entertaining people I have come to know through the wonderful world of blogging.

While I have created categories, I would say that there is much crossover among these multi-talented individuals.

Most photographic
Hilary from The Smitten Image

Hilary hails from Canada and takes the most amazing photographs of just about anything that strikes her eye.  Her nature shots are so clear and with such detail, you feel as though you are looking at them in person.

Most engaging 
Jayne from Injaynesworld

Jayne is a unique individual with a great sense of humor.  She has written for TV, and is a published author of the the book "Suitable for Giving".  She loves horses and living a quiet life in her mountain-top retreat.

Most poetic
Jannie from Jannie Funster

Jannie takes the ordinary and paints pictures through poetry, and is a talented song writer and singer.  She is artistic and creative and loves hanging out with her adorable daughter.

Most family oriented
Katherine from Shoot Me Now

Katherine shares her family stories, her trips to the beach and even her embarrassing moments with us so that we feel like family too.

Most Challenging
Nicky from We Work for Cheese

Nicky is the hostess of our 30-day writing challenge, and aside from her passion for shoes, is a funny, talented writer who can make the normal everyday life interesting, and also creates great fictional characters through creative writing. 

Most hilarious
Babs from Babs-Beetle

Babs shares the most hilarious, fly-on-the-wall moments so charmingly.  She and Mo have cracked me up so many times with their videos.

Most entertaining
Meleah from Momma Mia Mia Culpa

Meleah entertains us with her family drama, her Dad stories, her son, and her novel writing adventures.  They are a close-knit bunch and it seems there is never a dull moment in her home.

Most insightful
Sara from a sharing connection

Sara writes fiction with a flair, poems, and does the most interesting photo challenge posts.  She posts a picture and poses questions for the reader to answer, thus challenging their creativity.

Most adventurous
Linda from The Good, The Bad, The Worse

Linda's life on the edge stories are always funny and entertaining.  Her love of her husband, her family and her animal companions shows through in her posts. 

Best storyteller
Talon from Talonted

Talon is indeed talented.  She writes poetry and short stories, accompanied by some wonderful photographs. Like Hilary and Nicky, she also lives in Canada.

All these folks deserve a huge round of applause for keeping us entertained, making us think, and sharing the beauty of the human experience.  I would be honored to hang out with each and every one of you!

The Stilettos

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  It is Day 23 and the prompt is Stiletto Heels.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to see who's still standing.

In the little town of Shewville lived Spike Stiletto, his wife, Hotstuff and their teenage daughter, Kitten.  They were new in the neighborhood having moved in during the Spring season.  Spike worked at the tannery and Hotstuff modeled during the Fall and Winter seasons while Kitten was in school.  Life is good in Shewville, and they visit occasionally with their neighbors, the Phlats and Lowfers.

That was until Spike stopped off on his way home from work for a drink at the Golden Spur.  Across the room, pounding on the bar was his cousin, Blade,  from across the tracks.  His tanned face was leathery from working in the sun.

Blade had always been a troublemaker, and there he was dissing Spike's friend Crock, saying that the new house he had built looked like it had been cobbled together out of scraps.

OK, thought Spike, that's enough, getting pumped up.  I'm going to teach that heel a lesson.  Grabbing his beer bottle, he strode toward Blade who barely noticed Spike until they were nearly toe to toe.  Blade, not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, started in on Spike.

"What's this cloak and dagger routine, cousin?" sneered Blade.  "Think just 'cause you're Italian you're better than me?"

"You need to learn to keep your mouth shut, cousin, as he raised his bottle.  Blade ducked just as Spike raised his bottle, successfully blocking the blow, and sending the bottle to the floor, shattering it.  Spike lunged, stepping on the broken glass, slicing his sole. 

Undaunted and still wanting to sock it to Blade, he grabbed him by the collar jerking him off his feet.  Blade was by no means a small man, but Spike was a half size bigger, and hauled him, kicking and flailing toward the door.

Spike then turned his cousin around and gave him the boot, sending him face down into the street.  Blade landed unceremoniously at the feet of none other than Sandal, the prettiest girl in town.  She laughed and said "you really stepped in it this time, Blade."

If There Were No More Tomorrows

Written for the 30-day creative writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese.  It is Day 22 and the prompt is Like there's no tomorrow.  Check out the Linky at WWFC to see who's still hanging in there.

What would you do if you woke up in the morning to discover that this was your last day on earth, that there would be no more tomorrows? I don't know because I don't like to think about that.  Ideally, it would go something like this:

I suppose the first thing I'd do is cry a little because, well, I like my life.  Then I would decide that is a waste of precious time, and tell my husband to stay home, and we would spend the day hanging out.  

We'd get breakfast - pancakes, or bacon and eggs, or maybe doughnuts at a table on the sidewalk.

I could choose to go some place exotic, but who wants to spend any part of their last day sitting in a plane?  So instead we would go to a park and walk beneath tall trees that were here long before I was born, and will, most obviously, be here when I have departed.  

I could go to a rock concert, that would be fun, but who wants to spend their last day in a crowd of screaming people?  So instead I would watch the squirrels and chipmunks play and listen to the birds sing.  

Strangers would come and go walking their dogs, not knowing or caring that there is no tomorrow.

I would hug my husband and tell him how good my life has been for having him in it.  

I'd pet my cats, and watch the clouds pass lazily overhead.  

I love this life of mine, and I would take a moment to count my blessings.

I would marvel as the sunset paints the sky with colors too beautiful to describe.  

I would not sleep, so as not to miss a single moment of my day.  

And then should I be granted a reprieve, and see the sun rise yet again, I would take to heart the lesson learned.  

We should live our lives thoughtfully, thankfully and fully every day, because we never know when there will be no more tomorrows.

And that is how it should be.  In reality, however, I am a fighter and would probably spend it trying to figure out how to fix it.