Prolific Pulse Blog

Meet Me in the Middle

August 26, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

“You have me bending over backwards every day and I am sick of it!” Meghan stomped out of her and her husband’s house. They had another daily spat over one more thing and one more thing was enough to break Meghan’s ever patient mind.

“It’s unacceptable to be constantly running around all day long and not get anything done; look at this house, it is a pigsty,” exclaimed Clarence right before Meghan ran out on him.

Looking at the house, there were the morning’s dishes piled in the sink and yesterday’s laundry in the basket to be folded, while Clarence sat at his computer and played games, waiting for Meghan to wait on him, while he also ignored the children; and that’s when things got loud; Clarence opened his mouth and asked when would lunch be served. This was right after Meghan just got home from picking up their children at school, along with running errands for groceries, gas, getting his list of “necessities” and not grabbing a latte.

As Meghan drove away, she heard this song and made one of her own.

Just a little bending

Takes so little effort

Putting down that plaything

Would be more acceptable

Over unacceptable responses

Killing chances at harmony

…..

There you have it! This is my Six Sentence Story – Double Feature 😉 A little prose, a little poetry and away we go! Want to join us? Go to Girlie on the Edge and have a shot at at.

And bonus points for checking out Living Poetry for the other prompt for this week. Win:Win

poetry, TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – August 21 2020

August 21, 2020August 21, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Happy Friday and Happy TTOT! Let’s get started!

It’s cooled down! WHEW!!
Remember the Scavenger Hunt last week? Well, we picked up the prizes yesterday and WOOWEE there were gift cards all totaling $30.
I am almost to the end of a special project, anticipating total endness by Monday.
I am keeping up with the poetry book a day. It’s been educational and uplifting.
Uplifting messages through various media forms make me smile and often it is a simple statement.
Poetry Critique group to help me be a better poet and I hope I help them too.
It’s just been recently that I have had the itch to get out in the world, especially missing coffee shop hanging out. But, I can still mobile ahead and pick up or drive thru, but the feeling of sitting in a coffee shop is missing. They did open up the renovated clubhouse at our property. We can go there for coffee, but you sure need to mask up and be super cautious. Because…cooties…
Opportunities for penance. I am glad I can repent for something I feel remorseful about.
Saving the news for almost last. Poet and friend to me Aruna Gurumurthy’s book was published yesterday. I was an editor for the book, so I feel celebratory, as well. Down the Grassy Aisles was published by Kelsay Books.

10. YOU!! Here’s a chance to share your TTOT’s! Join us, why doncha?

Short Fiction, short story

Math Problems

August 17, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Perry Jameson always thought his station in life was to follow in the footsteps of his father, an accountant. There was only one small problem, Perry did not understand math. His father sat with him poring over math homework, Perry, staring of the numbers, his father scratching his head, rubbing his eyes, tapping his pencil in frustration. Determined to use the old school methods of writing out the problems, Perry’s father insisted that Perry must get the answers correct and they spent numerous hours, often on weekends, too. Then, it occurred to Perry’s father, when he was working on a reconciliation of accounts, that Perry may not see the numbers in the same way as his father. When he got home from work, Perry’s father sat down with Perry and they worked closely, one number at a time, not working on problems, but writing down and reading numbers and using some tools he learned about in his research; gradually, Perry gained a better understanding about math and his father sighed many sighs of relief and was, frankly, more than embarrassed that it did not occur to him, as one of the rules of accounting is to check for transposition of numbers when errors indicated this, which was obvious, when using proper tools.

Transposition Errors

Teaching Math to Students with Dyslexia

And there you have it! This is my Six Sentence Story for the week. Would you like to join? Go to this link to get more information!

Short Fiction, short story

Glassblower’s COVID-19 Response

August 14, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

Ever since the pandemic made its first creepy appearance, Curtis Genaldi could not comprehend how he would be able to usefully function in his career as a glassblower. While he was able to perform his art, it became clear that the need for beautiful glass objects, no matter how practical, would not be in demand. What he did know was that the need for medical products was one of the greatest needs anywhere he looked. Putting on his thinking cap, Curtis researched and sketched out some ideas on how he could be a help in these hard times and occupy himself, as well. After spending long, tiring hours hunched over his sketch pad, Curtis had a flash, like a light bulb over his moppy head. Calling up his support network, Curtis joined the ranks to create splitters for ventilators, helping coronavirus patients.

This story was inspired by this news report about a glassblower who helps with COVID-19 You can read the article HERE

And that’s my Six Sentence Story! Go HERE to join in and read the stories of others.

poetry, TTOT, writing

Ten Things of Thankful – August 14 2020

August 14, 2020August 17, 2020 Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld

It’s the end of a great week and time for TTOT. Let’s get to it!

Photo by Harry Cunningham @harry.digital on Pexels.com

Scavenger Hunt Zoom Style! Our apartment community has a CARES program. This is run by a couple who plan social events. In these pandemic times, they have to be creative. Last week they had an ice cream truck come by and offered free sundaes to the first so many people. We started out, but it poured rain, so I ended up making smoothies for our own treats. It all worked out. So, last night we had a scavenger hunt. We were the only ones who showed for the Zoom event, well, an the facilitator. So, we competed in our household. We worked up a sweat rushing around looking for things to show on the screen. We pretty much tied and we are getting a Panera gift card for participating. My favorite find was the last item on the list. She asked us to show something that was the most precious to each of us. It was easy. We put our arms around each other.
So I think I mentioned at least 3 thankfuls in #1 so there’s that.
Ditto.
I am nearing the end of a special project and look forward to the last piece. It was a good project, but just ready to get to the next one.
The Sealey Challenge. I have been reading a poetry book each day for this project. It is findable on Twitter #thesealeychallenge It has been inspiring to read other’s words. At some point, I will review what I have read. If they are on Goodreads, for now, I am at least giving points. When I have more time, I will write a more detailed review.
Poet’s Connection event coming up on August 22. It is getting down to the last week to sign up for the event. Hint Hint Justine Quammie is presenting on August 22 at 10 a.m. for the Poet’s Connection meeting. It’s a workshop and it’s going to be awesome. I participated in one of Quammie’s workshops and she does a fantastic job. If you are interested, please let me know. I can send a link if you message me with your email. The attendance looks light and it would be great to have more attend. There is no charge. My thankful is that we can have this workshop with such an awesome presenter.
Testimonies from others about how this pandemic has brought out the helpers. I have heard of people getting financial and physical help in these challenging times and I love to hear the stories.
Poetree – is a book I stumbled upon when I was looking at the online library options. I was showing my daughter how to get books online and how to get the Kindle app on your phone to read the books. So, now, she is reading books on her phone.