Shades of Blue

This is Day 8 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Blue. Please visit the other participants for more stories.

Image Source: Wikimedia

There are so many different directions to go with this one. I could write a blue poem, but I'm not feeling poetic at the moment. So let's look at what kinds of things are blue. The sky, the ocean, birds and flowers. There is even a blue potato. How strange is that? Can you imagine a pile of blue mashed potatoes?

There are blue gem stones and minerals such as sapphires, blue quartz, barite, beryl and many others. Nature is full of the most beautiful colors. We could take every color in the rainbow and find shades from the most gentle to the most intense.

In Googling the word blue for this post, I came across this question. When was the color blue discovered? That's not a question I would have thought to ask given how plentiful it is in nature, but nevertheless, it appears to be a valid one because there is an answer.

There is a whole wikipedia article on it, but here is a brief statement to it's origin.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Beginning in about 2500 BC, the ancient Egyptians began to produce their own blue pigment known as Egyptian blue, made by grinding silica, lime, copper, and alkalai, and heating it to 800 or 900 °C (1,470 or 1,650 °F). This is considered the first synthetic pigment.

I think we take a lot of things for granted in today's world of technology and general busyness. Maybe we should slow down just a bit and look around and admire not just the blues, but all the colors in the spectrum.




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A Tropical Paradise

This is Day 7 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Dream Winter Vacation. Please visit the other participants for more stories.

What would be my dream winter vacation?

Blue skies, beautiful waters and soft breezes. 

Quaint little tables beneath swaying  palm trees.

Fruity tropical drinks in coconuts with little umbrellas.

Peaceful days and blazing sunsets.

A tropical paradise.

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Nicknames

This is Day 6 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Nicknames. Please visit the other participants for more stories.       

I love nicknames. It makes me feel loved. It makes me feel less alone in this world. - Ellen Page

I would wager that just about every has had a nickname at one time or other in their lives. Nicknames can be endearing or embarrassing, sweet or mean, depending on who bestowed it and how it is used.

Sophie a.k.a. Soapy, Sophes, Twit

I grew up with several different descriptors attached to me, all of which were used with the utmost affection. Used in this manner, nicknames do make you feel special, like you fill a place that no one else can, which is true.

Even our furry friends have nicknames in addition to the official name of record at the vet. Rosebud was always Rose or Rosie, and Dood's official name was R.P., but he eventually became Doodle, which got shortened to Dood. Missy became Mizzle and then Miz, but I often called her Sweet Pea, and her Daddy called her Pudge.



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A Rough Week In Philly

This is Day 5 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is Philadelphia. Please visit the other participants for more stories.


Our favorite FBI Agents, Charlie and Alex are back with more adventures. When we last saw them they had just wrapped up a kidnapping in New York City.


"Hey Alex, what's up? asked Charlie.

Alex groaned, "This paperwork is killing me. You know I'd rather be out in the field than sitting here pushing a pencil around."

"You know we have computers for that...and admins," quipped Charlie. "What's the deal?"
"It's just beauracratic BS. Since I knew Jenna from before the last case, and we ended up involved with the mafia and then the kidnapping, they want to make absolutely, positively 100% sure I had no involvement with any of the suspects. Some things just don't die easily. On top of that, we've had dinner a couple of times and that was relayed to the bosses."

"Didn't I suggest that you might let the dust settle a bit before pursuing a relationship," reminded Charlie?

"Ah the voice of reason. You might have mentioned something to that effect," replied a chagrined Alex, "but it will all be sorted out shortly, and they haven't pulled me from active duty, so please tell me we have a case."

"As a matter of fact that is why I was looking for you. The Philadelphia office is a bit shorthanded, since several guys retired and a couple more are out with injuries, so they've ask me to take my team to Philly to help out for a few weeks. I'll clear it with the department chief for you to go, unless there is some particular reason you'd rather not take this assignment," grinned Charlie wickedly.

"Like you said, I should let the dust settle," Alex sighed.  "Jenna is still a little shaky, so some time and space is probably a good idea. She's got my number if she needs anything. When do we leave?"

"Sunday night," Charlie replied, "so we can start pitching in Monday morning. I don't know what we'll be working on, but hopefully it will just be routine. We could use a bit of that after these last few cases. At any rate, we will be assisting, not taking the lead this time. I'll call Kyle and Bobbie and fill them in. I expect they are itching for some action, too."

The team arrives in Philly on Monday to find the place in chaos. "Well, so much for a piece-of-cake assignment," Alex stated matter-of-factly. As it turned out, the lead agent on a big case came down with the flu. 

"Agent Shore, you're the senior agent so you run point and our guys will follow your lead," instructed the local agent.


One week into their two-week relief effort, they slide into a booth at the end of a long day. Day meaning about 36 hours straight of surveillance, intel gathering, search warrants and subsequent searches. "Whew," huffs Alex, "and we thought the Colombian case was bad. This has been a rough week."

"Yeah, maybe that pencil pushing is looking better" grinned Charlie, "but I think we're gonna nail this one shut in a couple days."  To be continued...



Other Adventures of Charlie and Alex:

Risky Business

Aliens, Really?
The Colombians
The Key
Stranded
The Last Laugh
The Morning After

Bears, Beans and Beer

Kidnapped

Jenna's Misfortune

Murder in the Warehouse

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That Darn Ball

This is Day 4 of the 2017 edition of the 20 Days of Chill writing challenge hosted by P. J. at A ‘lil HooHaa. Today's prompt is I Found a Ball. Please visit the other participants for more stories.

I found a ball

upon a wall

I picked it up

I dropped my cup

I sat down

with a frown

upon a stump

with a thump

oh my dear

what's that I hear

are those bees

I scrape my knees

away I run

not having fun

may I say

it's not my day

I know it's lame

I lay the blame

upon that darn ball

that is all

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