TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – May 24

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A picture I took at New Bern NC Tryon Palace grounds.

Good Morning and Happy Ten Things of Thankful Day!!

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As we go into Memorial Day Weekend I am thinking of those who did not return from wars. As I am not certain of my complete family history, I don’t know who did not return. I wish I had done better about keeping track of things. Mom would know, but she’s on the other side. One thing I do know is that when you have people away fighting wars, as I do remember that part of it in my family, it is scary. My Grandmother Hall had a rough time of it when her boys were fighting WW II. They all came back, but every time Grandma would hear something about the war she would be so afraid that one of her sons was affected. I don’t remember hearing what it was like for Grandma Tomey, but I know she had all of her sons in the war. Both would have been a Blue Star Mother which was started during WW II. I remember a letter stating this for Grandma Tomey.

Several years ago, we attended the wedding of a sweet couple. He was in the military and going back for another deployment. After the wedding they took off on a honeymoon, cherishing the time they had together before he had to return to duty. Sadly, he did not return. He died a hero, putting himself in the protection of his troops. I only met him at the wedding, but I know his wife, who was my co-worker, and I remember their devotion to each other. His loss cut to my heart for the pain she endured and I am sure there are still those pains, for her. Love has no end when we lose those we love, it lives on with memories and with the impact we make in our lives. Such a person that she is, that love does live on.

So, it’s only natural that my #1 Gratitude is for those who have sacrificed for our freedom and those left behind who have supported them all the way.

2. Last year I posted a story about suicide and I just this week was asked to contribute to Noteworthy Journal, a part of Medium. Here is the POST I am grateful if this can reach more people, the whole purpose of accepting this honor, as this is a most important topic, close to my heart.

3. Six Sentence Stories – I am still keeping up with this weekly effort. Here is a LINK to a recent one. These have helped me to be more concise wit my writing.

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4. Research Triangle Writers Coffeehouse – This is a monthly group of a variety of writers who come together for a common cause which is to accomplish writing tasks. We share, problem solve, offer encouragement, genuinely supporting each other in our efforts. We meet at the Quail Ridge Bookstore in Raleigh NC the second Sunday of each month. Here’s the Facebook page if you are interested.

The one I am listening to.

5. Luther Vandross – Because I can only be grateful for such a sweet soul, gone too soon. Listening to him now.

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6. Our cousin Cheryl is visiting (in Charlotte) and helping her bestie sort stuff and sell such stuff as her friend is moving to Florida. I am excited to get to visit with them. She comes to NC maybe once a year, sometimes more, but this is the last trip to NC. She lives in Iowa. It makes me sad to know she won’t be back this way, but it’s important to think of the time we do get to see each other. This picture is from last year.

7. The pool is soon opening! As I sit here, I have learned that the pool inspector is coming today and we will get to swim this weekend! I cannot wait! We love to swim! Can you tell?

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8. Sleep – The insomnia bug is back to crawl in my brain Shoo shoo! I am grateful for when I can get sleep and for tools to help me get what sleep I can.

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9. Food – Yes, basic needs must be met and my clean eating efforts are paying off as I see the scale keep dropping.

10. Secret Projects – I am on another secret mission and will be able to reveal once I have cleared it with the powers that be.

So, there you have it! Those are my 10! How about you? Why not join in by going to this link: TTOT

 

Short Fiction, short story

Framed – Six Sentence Story

red petaled flowers in white red floral ceramic vase beside red and green grapes
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Framed

First she painted the picture of her beloved’s beautiful gift, a pitcher vase from his Aunt Beatrice’s estate, framing the picture and sending it to the governor.

Rich in ornate styling, she buffed the vase to a sheen and placed it on the library table for everyone to see.

As the guests came into the parlor, they saw the vase in all glory, filled with roses and daisies.

Mastering the art of floral arrangements, she won first prize in the Blooming Beauties for the first time.

Empty of the floral arrangement, lasting a mere moment in the light of day, the governing force confiscated the vase.

Denying any involvement, she pleads her innocence for the theft of the priceless vase, once in the governor’s mansion, part of the collection spanning many years past.

…..
There you have it! That’s my 6 Sentence Story for this week. Want to take a stab at it? Go to this LINK

Rules of the hop:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
Come back here on Thursday, link your post…
Spread the word and put in a good one to your fellow writers 🙂

PROMPT WORD: FRAME

poetry, short story

Goalie – Six Sentence Story

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 Goalie – It’s an Acrostic Six

Getting into position, staying at their post for 60 long minutes, spanning over time.
Only one place to hold, that place requires several movements unbelievable to the       common person.
All of at least seven points of view, this important player must maintain a stance.
Leaning forward, backwards, sideways, sometimes upside down, acrobatic skills are a   must.
Ice turning into slush, grating under the blades, taunting the slide into chunky     challenged glides, all while preventing a score.
Ending is the beginning of success or not and the goalie has one more important thing to   accomplish and that is to breathe a sigh of relief, either way they are done for this day.

…..
There you have it! That’s my Six Sentence Story for this week. It has been a busy week, so this is running close to the goal line 😉 Better late than never, right? Go check out this PAGE and join in!

 

 

blog, Book Announcements, North Carolina Finds, poetry, Short Fiction, short story, TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – May 10

It’s that time again to share the Ten Things of Thankful. You can go HERE to see more and to join in!

This has been a busy week. I’ve been on a break, I suppose one could say, but it’s been a short feeling break. So, without further delay, here’s this weeks YIPPEES!!

1. Getting Away-We took off on a weekend to New Bern NC. It was lovely there. Here are some photos to tell the story:
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Tryon Palace – The first state capital for NC

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Handsome man at the gate of Tryon Palace

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Me playing peek-a-boo at the shuttle station

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Entryway to the stables at the palace

2. Art

There were all these beautiful statues in the gardens of Tryon Palace

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3. Nature and Gardens

Lots of beautiful gardens at Tryon Palace and Stanly House

4. Textures – this is a thing I have – I love to capture interesting shapes and textures. Things I saw in New Bern

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5. The Neuse River

I have several more photos of the trip, but I don’t want to overload!

6. Mother’s Day is coming up and if you are fortunate to have your mother in your life,you are blessed. I miss my mother, who has been gone for 31 years. In light of Mother’s Day last year, I did a post about my own motherhood. Take a look if you wish: Mother’s Day is Every Day

7. Remember the secret I have been talking about? Well, I can now share it. You have to go to this post to check it out: Simplicity Beckons

8. Six Sentence Story – it’s still going strong. This weeks is a rather sad tale and I may go back and visit it some more. Focus Lost

9. Weight is holding it’s own…Staying the same the past two weeks, but I did go away and that’s sometimes a challenge, although I must say that I probably ate less vs more and made healthy choices. It’s not easy on the road, so I am saying I am grateful for this WIN!!

10. Farmer’s Market

On the way home I got a hankering for local strawberries and we stopped at the Farmer’s Market and loaded up big time. Pretty much, I got produce for the week and lots of strawberries!

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Short Fiction, short story

Focus Lost

cabin covered by snow
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Focus Lost

Felicity focused her eyes, peering at the glint of light, passing through the sliver in the wooden shack; She wondered who might cast shadows on the wall of this musty old cabin.

Stepping closer, to get a better focus she saw movement, not just one person but two; And she stopped in the mud, frozen by her vision, focusing all the more, yet not wanting to see as Richard pulled Charlene to his chest, struggling with Charlene; Gasping, Felicity thought they were lovers in abandon.

Richard lunged forward with his hand to his chest, wood scraping across the floor, bellowing as he fell against the wall, his girth sliding down the wall.

Running out the door, Charlene swooped atop the horse and galloped off into the darkened woods, leaving Richard moaning in pain and struggling, as Felicity heard him gasping for air.

“Richard,” Felicity ran to his side.

“Fel…” gasping for his breath, “I…” struggling for strength “‘m sor…lost…love…broke,” and as he took his final breath, she knew.

…..

So, there you have it! That’s my Six Sentence Story for this week.
Go on over and join us right HERE

Rules of the hop:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
Come back here on Thursday, link your post…
Spread the word and put in a good one to your fellow writers 🙂

PROMPT WORD: FOCUS