The Ultimate F-word

May 14, 2012 by 9 Comments

Milestone….An important event, as in a person’s career, the history of a nation, or the advancement of knowledge in a field; a turning point.

Hmmm.  Well, today does mark a very important event.  The Lightning and the Lightning Bug’s  50th Flicker of Inspiration link-up.  Historical in the world of blogging and something that has contributed greatly to my personal advances in the field of knowledge.  Now, everyone who is a part of this terrific site looks ahead with anticipation as we turn towards the next milestone of 100 and beyond.

So, what to write about that fits this event?  The Ultimate F-Word, of course!

F = Flicker

F = Fabulous

F = Friends

F = Fifty

Okay, I’ve run out of applicable F-words that all add up to what this topic should be about…a Milestone and if there is something worthwhile that I can share in the way of an accomplishment or a goal that I’ve achieved… I’ve come up empty, folks.

Except for a major step in my life that took place yesterday, Mother’s Day.   Does this count? 

Take a deep breath and promise you won’t feel all kinds of envious while you sit, at the edge of your seat, waiting to read.

I cleaned closets….mine and the hubs!

I know, I know.  Hey, for both of us it was a milestone, please don’t laugh!  There probably isn’t one of you who does not have clothes going back to the 80’s that you think just might come back into fashion.  Right?  Come on now, fess-up!  Faded  jeans with a hole in the knee that are perfect for gardening or just hanging-out; so soft and comfy that they’ve been in your wardrobe for at least twelve years.  Other jeans that look best with one pair of boots, low-rise, mid-rise, high-rise and the ones that you have to lie down, flat on your back  in order to zip.    Sweaters, with shoulder pads that make you look like a quarterback.  Coats that will keep you toasty warm when Winter returns but have holes in the pockets or a broken zipper that you’ve been meaning to get replaced.  T Shirts, all colors, some with advertising or from concerts,  a few with big stains that would make great dust rags…if you ever remember to cut the damn things up!  Special occasion outfits that have been worn just once, only to become this old thing, crammed in between other forgotten misfit clothing.

Well, that accumulation of selective clothes-amnesia, compounded by wishful thinking, is bagged and ready for a Goodwill donation.

This was a major step in re-organizing, and NO, I’m not a hoarder, not by any means.  Well, the hubs is, in a way.  He refused to part with his Softball uniform…from 25 years ago or seven heavy jackets that he wears when he’s snowplowing (not all at once).  Dude…we had one major snowfall in New York last year.  One.  Bag them!  

And so this was my one small turning point, a half-milestone at least.  Now I can go shopping with a very clear conscience!

Ohhhh, just kidding.  Lighten up, will ya?

Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #50: Milestone

Time to link up for the 50th Flicker of Inspiration prompt! Your assignment was “Milestone” – like ours! What a coincidence! Write a story that’s about or at least involves a milestone of some kind. It’s been a great 50, hoping for 500 more!

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Why?

May 1, 2012 by 20 Comments

It was my intention to draft an incredible post this morning but, now, I sit here absolutely drained.  Words are stalling in my head and so I write, with great sadness.

Bad things happen to good people.  Conversely, they happen to bad people as well but I won’t go into that entire debate over the quality of humanity on any level of social acceptance and the issues that befall them.

This is about tragedy in my immediate world.  Incomprehensible, heartbreaking occurrences that strike innocent people and destroy families.

Over this past week-end here in New York, a family of seven were killed in a horrific car crash.  The driver wasn’t reported to have been distracted other than swerving into a guardrail, losing control and tumbling down a steep embankment.  A mother, children and two grandparents who had just arrived in this country…perished.

It’s so easy to offer silent prayers and feel sad inside for such loss but if you have a heart, the question of  why comes into play. 

At least it does for me.

Early today, I checked local news at home only to read that a local family of four, mother, father and two young daughters, perished this morning in a house fire.  Only the son escaped, was hospitalized and released to his grandparents a short while ago.  This one hit very close to home for the father was someone well-known to us at our business.  A local  Police Captain, he was a friend of the community, well-respected on so many levels and always giving of himself.  His two daughters attended high school here, one studying to become a nurse.

Again, all I can keep thinking is why?

Back when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, I wrote a blog post that asked God to look down on all who were suffering.  Today, I ask Him the same for these families and anyone else devastated from a tragedy.

And, for the lack of anything else to say in my prayers, I again ask Him…why?

 

yeah write #55 hangout grid

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Through my looking glass…

April 29, 2012 by 6 Comments

 

 

The world is a looking glass and gives back to every man the reflection of his own face. –William M. Thackeray

 

 

 

 

My looking glass is a relection of someone reaching, always trying to grasp a fleeting moment or a challenge.

That image in the mirror doesn’t show what others see, or what they will never know about me.  My shortcomings or triumphs, my sorrows and joys, each lies hidden in that glass on the wall.

Passing years seem softened somehow, so much kinder than the opinion of a camera lens.  The smile is the same and the heart inside that mirror image beats with the same anticipation of long ago.   Each day, I’m reminded to look forward while there is still time.

 

I quickly glance into the glass and see my past resting in a corner… on a chair that is running out of room.

 

                                   

 

 

 

 

 

 Flicker of Inspiration Linkup #48: Mirror Image

                                                    

Take a good look, decide what you see. Write about that. I see two sparrows carrying coconuts; try not to let that influence you before you get started. Whatever you see, that’s your prompt. If you really really don’t think you see anything in particular, do a freewriting exercise; just type random words for ten or fifteen minutes or so. Share whatever you come up with, even if you start an actual story halfway through.

I started writing this post before I did some heavy meditation on ol’ Rorschach.  Actually, when the topic of this prompt was mentioned a few days ago, I was drawn to a basic, everyday mirror image and all that it entailed.  Thus, today’s post for the link-up.

Then, just before I was ready to hit “Publish” this morning, the Lightning Bug prompt image jumped out at me.  Well, not really.  It just conjured up an immediate thought of what it made me think about…”Hal” from 2001 A Space Odyssey. 

                                                                    

No, no…trust me, I did not drop any serious drugs during the 60’s.  In fact, my mind even jumped from outer space to the kitchen, reminding me of when a 13 pound Lobster tried climbing out of a huge pot of boiling water.

Wonder what Rorschach would think about all of this?

 

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