Quote of the Week

It is day 24 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is And then she said.  To find out more about what was said, get thee post haste to WWFC.

"The world is your kumquat" she said.  She was always saying quirky things like that.

Image Source: Adam Fagen

"What does that mean" he asked?

"What do you think it means?"

"Why do you always answer a question with a question?"

"Moms are like that sometimes."

And then she said...

Sometimes questions are more important than answers.  
- Nancy Willard, American Poet

Why would she say that?  There always seems to be more questions than answers.  Maybe she means that when we stop asking questions, we stop learning and that is important no matter what the answers are.

Life

It is day 23 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is There are things.  For more insight into all kinds of things, head over to WWFC.

There are things that make me

Happy

Sad

Angry

Frustrated

Crazy

There are things that make me

Smile

Laugh

Cry

Shriek

Pout

There are things that make me

Run

Jump

Dance

Skip

Sing

What are all these things?

Life!

It's Only A Dream

It is day 22 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is It's only a dream.  Head on over to WWFC for a peek into some more dreams.

Fear rises, heart pounds

Silent scream, frozen in place

Eyes open, relieved

Image Source: BiblioMama

How often have you had a scary dream and were able to wake yourself up?  It seems when I'm having a dream that I know is going to end badly for me, I manage to wake up before anything happens.  Sometimes it me waking up just in time, but other times it is actually me telling myself that this is not real...it's only a dream. 

Pizza Pizza!

It is day 21 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Yes, I made that.  Head on over to WWFC to see what the other participants have cooked up.

Who doesn't love pizza?  I always look forward to pizza night, which is usually every other weekend. There are a number of places nearby that would be happy to deliver us the semi-hot pizza of our choice for $9.99 or whatever is the deal of the day.

However, according to my husband, the best pizza doesn't require a phone call, an internet connection or a tip for the driver.  The best pizza place is our own kitchen.

Yes, I made that.

Start with a ball of homemade dough, add sauce, cheese and your favorite toppings and bake. Then sit back with your favorite beverage and lose yourself in the deliciousness that is pizza. This is my favorite, pepperoni and onion.

Lest you think I do it all, it is a team effort.  Hubby takes it out of the oven, slices it and serves it up.  

Chaos

It is day 20 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Chaos.  For more chaotic tales check out WFCC.

This is my brain on 30M2DoW.  When you write it like that it sounds like some deadly chemical or a drug used for mind control.  Oh no! Anyone know if there's an antidote?

Troubled brain
Clogged up
Bogged down
No refrain

My eyes close
Freaking 
Shrieking
Panic grows

My eyes open
Blinking 
Thinking
Start again

Alligator's Anonymous

It is day 19 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Tastes Like Chicken.  Now fly on over to WWFC for more tasty treats.

"Hi, my name is Albert, and I'm an alligator."

"Hi Albert!  Would you like to tell us a little about yourself and what brings you here?"

"I don't taste like chicken.  I hate it when people compare me to a such a fowl creature."  

Image Source:  toonpool.com

"You tell it Albert.  Let it all out!"

Albert continued.  

"I am strong and powerful, and I eat chickens.  I will not be compared to the likes of those scrawny-legged wimps.  They are just...well, chicken. Where do you think the phrase chicken-hearted comes from."  

Clapping and cheers errupted from the others which validated Albert's feelings. 

"Whoo...You go Albert...Yeah!"  

*******

So what else can you find when you Google "tastes like chicken"?   

Behold!  A band named Tastes Like Chicken.

Click here for the full clip.

Edit:  Sorry, they made the video private.  Too bad it was great music.

The Colombians

It is day 18 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Liars.  Truth or lies?  Check out WWFC for the facts.

Agent Shore sat as his desk, a phone in one hand and a cup of strong, black coffee in the other.  This case was eating at him.  "I've questioned every man, woman and chimpanzee. I've turned over every stone from here to hell and back, and no one knows anything.  Just a bunch of liars!  Somebody knows something and I'm gonna find out."  Sometimes Charlie got a little dramatic when a case got down into his soul.

"Who you talking to Charlie" asked his partner.

"Hey Alex.  I'm still digging through the evidence from that crash, but it's just not adding up. I've got boxes of files, dozens of transcripts, including the black box.  Feel like jumping in," he asked?  "Two heads and all....  I know I'm missing something.  I'll order some lunch.  Feel like Chinese?

Image Source: Ksayer1

"Yeah, I'm in and Chinese is fine...make sure you get some of those hot peppers.  And get some extra fortune cookies too...I've got a date tonight," quipped Alex.  

"Okay, let's get down to business.  What do we know?"  Charlie got them back on track.

"Well, we've narrowed it down to two intended targets.  Tomas and the pilot, what was his name? Rafael?  Raul?  Whatever...who assigned him to this flight? Terrorist plot?

"Maybe it's a terrorist attack but I don't think the pilot was involved and I think Manuel was just plain lucky.  No, Tomas was going to work on some contracts so we need to find out who he was dealing with.  Maybe someone wanted those negotiations to fail."

"So, we're going to Colombia, huh Charlie?"  It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yep."

"What about my date?" complained Alex.

"What did the fortune cookie say?"

"Congratulations! You are on your way"


Previously:
Beyond the Window
Risky Business
Aliens, Really?

Quote of the Week

It is day 17 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is I faked it.  Check out WWFC to see who else faked it.

Being positive isn't about faking it. It's just about being grateful for what you have and letting your light shine. - unknown

Genuine positivity is not something you fake, it is the product of gratitude and inner joy which is where your light comes from.  So be grateful, let your light shine and you will never have to say "I faked it".

What's That He Said?

It is day 16 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Shakespearean English.  Put on your best English accent and join us for a Shakespeare festival.

Hamlet anyone?

"I ask to be or not to be, that is the question."  What kind of question is that?  Either you are or you're not.

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."  It's the Cheese!

"The rest, is silence."  Well that's [yawn] boring.

"Remember me."  Remember you...I don't know you.

"A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm."  What?  Now you're just trying to confuse me.

Even Gilligan got into Shakespeare.




Three Little Pigs - Shakespearean Style!

Here we look at how a simple children's story might have been written in Shakespeare's time, as told by John Branyan. It's a tad long, but it's worth it.  

What Does It Mean?

It is day 15 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is My ears are ringing.  Are your ears ringing yet?  No, well head over to WWFC for the latest buzz.

Image Source:  ed101.bu.edu

We've all had ringing ears at one time or another, right? You know that high pitch sound that comes on suddenly and other sounds are momentarily hushed.  It's obvious immediately when it happens but it goes away so gradually you hardly notice. When the ringing in your ears doesn't go away it is likely tinnitus, which commonly affects people over 40, and more often men than women. Medication or injury can also cause ringing ears.  

But this is not a medical lesson.  We're here for another reason. Superstition. That't right. Did you know there is a superstition about ringing ears? You didn't?  I didn't either. 

The superstition holds that if your left ear is ringing, then someone is saying nice things about you. But, if your right ear is ringing, beware because someone is speaking badly of you.  I had always heard that if your ears were burning, then someone was talking about you. This is better because you know if it's good or bad.

According to one source, you can break it down even further by not only left or right ear, but by the time of day the ringing occurs.  

11 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Left ear means a girlfriend or loved one is thinking about you.
Right ear means you will lose money.

1 a.m. - 3 a.m.
Left ear means you will have a quarrel.
Right ear means you will have a more serious dispute.

3 a.m. - 5 a.m.
Left ear means you will lose money.
Right ear means you will be rushed off your feet.

It goes on to cover all 24 hours of the day with such predictions as friends coming over, you will be taking a journey, you will have a feast, etc.   The writer states that these are the Chinese interpretations of ringing in the ears.

After all that, my ears are ringing, how about yours?

Aliens, Really?

It is day 14 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is It has to be aliens.  If your brains are still intact sail over and check out the other alien transmissions over at WWFC.

After clearing the wife, the driver and the pilot who had the good fortune to have the flu, he went to question the housekeeper.

"Good afternoon ma'am.  I am looking for Angela Perez."

"I am Mrs. Perez" replied the woman, wiping her hands on her apron.

"I'm Special Agent Charles Shore, FBI  and I am investigating the crash of Flight 0070.  I understand your employer Tomas Garza was on that flight.  Can you tell me the nature of his business in Colombia?"

"Only that he had to meet with some important people in Colombia.  It was a very important meeting.  I packed his suitcase for him."

"Do you know if he was involved in anything illegal" 

"Oh, no, Mr. Tomas would not do anything illegal" replied Angela sadly. "Mr. Tomas is...was a good man."

"Do you know who anyone who might want to harm him?" pressed Agent Shore.

Image Source:  Wikimedia

"Aliens," she said with certainty.

"Why do you say that, ma'am?"

"They are after our brains, you know.  They're out there just waiting for us...to suck out our brains."

"No ma'am, those are zombies, and I'm certain this crash was not caused by the undead.  It is for the real dead that we are trying to get justice.  Thank you for your time" replied Agent Shore, as he turned to leave.

"No, Wait!  You don't understand,"  her face pale beneath her tan.  "They make you do things.  They take over your body and make you do terrible things."

"What kind of things?" he asked, not believing her, but curious as to where she was going with this.

"They said if I tell anyone about them they will suck out my brains.  They will put this metal hat thing on my head with wires on it and flashing lights and tubes in my ears and my brains will be scrambled."  

"Ah, brains and eggs...oh forgive me.  [who said FBI agents have no sense of humor]  So, tell me why do you think they caused the plane crash?"

"Not them...ME" shrieked Angela.  "They made me do it, and now they will be coming for me."

"Why would they want to bring down an American plane?" he asked, but Angela's eyes had glazed over.

Agent Shore was pretty sure Angela was a nut case, but he wasn't ready to let her off just yet in the event that she was actually involved in some way, and this was just a ploy to avoid prosecution.

However, at the end of the day, he was no closer to finding out who was behind the crash, but had ruled out Angela and the brain-sucking aliens.

Disconnected

It is day 13 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Incommunicado.  Now get on over to WWFC and see what the other participants put forth.

The airwaves fell silent

And my screen went blank

What in tarnation

Could this be a prank

I can't hear your words

I can't see your face

We've been disconnected

With nary a trace

Who is behind this

I want to know

Why we are suddenly

Image Source: carina.org.uk

One Bite at a Time

It is day 12 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is One Bite.  Now pop on over to WWFC and see who else took a bite out of this challenge.

Another One Bites the Dust

If you just want a nibble, how about an Amuse Bouche?

Image Source:  Becky Quan

For the heartier appetites...

Image Source: comindwork

Be careful who you invite for dinner.

Image Source:  DeviantArt

This post has been brought to you one byte at a time.

Vanquished

It is day 11 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Succubus.  Now shimmer on over and check out the other participants at WWFC.  

First hell freezes over, then zombies and now a demon.  What is this challenge coming to? Anyway, after a brief Google search I found the following clip from a well-known TV series, so I'll leave you with these three lovely ladies to give you their explanation of what a succubus is.  [Update: Apparently the video has been removed from YouTube.]

And how they handle it...there is a spell to attract and vanquish the Succubus.

Image Source:  Wikipedia

POOF!

Quote of the Week

It is day 10 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Zombies.  Now march on over and check out the other zombies participants' tales at WWFC!

The website didn't say how much brains--or even how many--I should eat, only that I should eat them in 48 hours OR ELSE. Why doesn't anyone pay attention to details anymore? Would it be so hard to add a simple line like, BTW, Maddy, 3 pounds of brains per week is plenty? Seriously, am I the first new zombie ever to ask?  ― Rusty Fischer, Zombies Don't Cry

In spite of the seemingly endless volume of information at our fingertips, sometimes we still struggle to put the pieces together. It's like trying to make a dish with a critical ingredient inadvertently left out of the recipe.  

Whatever the situation, being well informed always makes a difference. Give us a break...even Zombies need a little help now and then.

Not What You Were Expecting?

It is day 9 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Dylan.  Now get on over and check out the other participants at WWFC!

I expect many of you have seen this show which ran from 1997 until 2004.  Dylan McDermott, who played Bobby Donnell, was the recipient of the Golden Globe award for best performance by an actor in a TV series in 1999, and nominated for others.



But how many of you ever watched Dark Blue?  This was a Crime Drama that ran on TNT 2009-2010.    McDermott played the Lt. Carter Shaw of the LAPD, leader of a small, secret undercover team.  The show had fans, but alas it didn't make it past the second season.  



I know this is not what was expected from or intended by today's prompt, but sometimes you've got to do whatever floats your boat. All I can be is me - whoever that is. -Bob Dylan

Score!

It is day 8 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Damn!  Now get on over and check out the other participants at WWFC!

Sample game

There were a few things I thought of that could elicit such an exclamation, but didn't think any of those would be appropriate. Then I remembered something that happened a while back. Hubby and I play Word Feud on our phones.  This is a game similar to Scrabble or Words with Friends.  

Anyway, Hubby had a game going with a friend of ours, and after making a particularly good play, he got a one-word text message. We could hear our friend as if he were sitting at the table with us..."Dayum".

Give Me a Hint

It is day 7 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Hint, hint.  So take a hint and go check out the other participants at WWFC.

"Oh please tell me.  I'll just die, die I tell you.  Won't you even give me a hint.  I've gotta know.  Oh please, pretty please" begged Charlie.  

"Never!  Not in a million years" replied his older sister. "You'd just blab it everywhere.  Nope, not a chance."

"Patty" complained Charlie, "I'd never tell.  I promise...cross my heart.  You're so mean.  You never tell me anything."

"Charlie, you really want me to tell you something" teased Patty?

"Sure" said Charlie, all ears.

"Get lost" she responded, frustrated at her little brother's persistence.

"Gee, I can take a hint" he grumbled as he shuffled away.

Scatterbrained?

It is day 6 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is Scatterbrained.  So check out the other participants at WWFC.

I was all set to charge through this writing challenge like a plow through snow.  I had pre-written the first four posts, and pulled the fifth out of my hat - literally at the eleventh hour, but now the hat's empty.  

I searched every nook and cranny looking for two words to string together, but all I found was dust bunnies and half eaten cat toys.  

I stared intently at the cat in hopes of gaining some inspiration, and she just looked at me as if to say this is payback for all the times you called me a twit.   

I went off in so many different directions it suddenly sounds like I'm a Phi Beta Ditz alumna.

Thoughts, elusive as the morning mist, have been bobbling around my brain like the head on a pigeon, never settling in one place long enough to put two and two together.  

So instead of coming up with some witty dialog, here I sit watching reruns and listening to the clock ticking off the seconds in my head.  

Scatterbrained?  No, but my low fuel light came on about 20% into the challenge.  I guess it's time for a fill up.

The Fruit of the Vine

It is day 5 of the Third Second Annual 30 Minus 2 Days of Writing challenge hosted by Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese and today's prompt is The Empty Bottle.   So toddle on over to WWFC and see the contributions of the other participants.

The fruit of the vine

Makes a wine so fine

By the bottle or glass

It goes fast

Then the bottle is empty