Dinner time

The day had been spent trussing and trimming, primping and pandering. As the sun set in the West, the candles were lit. The iridescent glow from candlelight cast an uneven shine against the bone china and silver flatware. The only sound that could be heard was the ticking of the clock on the mantle. The phone ringing shattered the silence. Listening to the news the first thought that went through her mind was, "The chicken is ruined."

Where or where

Joining my sis for Coffee Chat - come on over - grab a cup and let's sit for a while and chat! Today we get to finish this sentence: If I could go anywhere today: I don't ever really have to think about this answer - - EVER! My dream is to live with an ocean view - I love the sight, the smell and the sound of the ocean. The strangest thing is that I really cannot stand the FEEL of it --- I don't like sand in my feet, and I am not wild about the ocean itself. I think that most of that has to do with my childhood and being forced to go all the time as my brothers sailed. I learned how to swim in the ocean and let me tell you ---- if you think gulping and gasping for water is hard when you are learning to swim --- try it with salt water!! For your viewing enjoyment:

Well

"Well done!" The words rang like crystal to his ears. It had been such a long time since anyone had said anything to him, forget anything nice. It didn't really matter what it was for. The accolades were appreciated. "Well done!"

Time worn

Joining the gang for Six Sentence Stories where this week's prompt is Question


The weather worn tattered curtains blew in the gentle breeze as it entered through the open window spilling over the back of the lovingly worn couch. The once white lace that rested on the arms had turned into a murky putty color years earlier. Upon the floor lay the lovingly made hand rug from bygone times. The clanging of the pewter dishes could be heard coming from the kitchen as she slowly put them away. Glancing through the open space she caught a glimpse just before the door popped open. "Can I ask you a question?"

Tunics

Joining my sis for Coffee Chat - come on over - grab a cup and let's sit for a while and chat!
Today Les is posing the question of what would we buy for a new spring outfit.
I am always drawn to frilly things; yet I never buy them. I am a very practical shopper (and clothes wearer) - but of late - and I mean for the past 5 years - I am loving leggings and tunics - the longer the better!  It took me a while to jump on the leggings wagon, but now that I'm on you're going to have to throw me off!
and the longer the shirt - to cover me up the better --- it is sort of like I would have fit perfectly into the victorian era where nothing was visible.
Happy Spring 

Open wide

Joining the gang for Six Sentence Stories where this week's prompt is Key

Judy slid her hand inside just to make sure that it was still there. She felt the sharp edges and felt somewhat reassured. It had been a long day and there was still much to get done. The truck had to be returned and she wished for nothing more than a hot shower. Hailing a cab she gave him the address with a bit of elation.  Walking up the steps she slid the key into her brand new home.

ten year old me

Joining my sis for Coffee Chat - come on over - grab a cup and let's sit for a while and chat!
So - There is a birthday in the works! and Les wants to know what we would tell our younger selves as we were turning 10 
There is  list of things I would tell me 
1.   Take a deep breath - this too shall pass 2.   No, everything is not your fault! 3.   You are a child and should be able to act like one. 4.   No, everything is not your fault! 5.   Yes, he is gone and has a new family 6.   No, that doesn't mean he doesn't love you - he just doesn't know how to show it 7.   10 is a magic age - enjoy your friends 8.   She doesn't mean to say those things 9.   Your brothers do love you
Now looking back on it, I'm not really sure any of that would have made a difference. At 10 my world had changed irreversibly - I had new step-parents in a world without divorce. 
The world is a different place today than it was 47 years ago - Happy Birthday Angel Girl!  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Grand entrance

Joining the gang for Six Sentence Stories where this week's prompt is Entrance

There were two gates. One said 'Exit' with a sign that point to the right that said 'Entrance This Way'.
No one could be seen anywhere near the exit; however there was a line of people trying to get in.

Julia ran to get some help when her little brother went into the gate. She'd been waiting all day for him to come out. But even when it turned dark, she'd not seen a person leave.

WW Best Tea Party Ever!

Crazy Me

Joining my sis for Coffee Chat - come on over - grab a cup and let's sit for a while and chat! Today's topic - what is the silliest or craziest thing you have ever done. Normally I can just come up with a subject to talk about, but I have to tell you sis - you stumped me on this one! I was raised under an iron thumb and silliness was just not tolerated - in fact I remember getting in trouble for laughing too much at the dinner table - now seriously - who does that?? And although I introduced quite a bit of silliness into my children's lives as they were growing up - after all - who else can make up a story at bedtime like the flick of a thumb? They were introduced to some very interesting characters!  But I'm not sure I've ever been a member of the crazy train for myself - there is this silly little person inside of my head that manages to keep me on the right track. Perhaps I will use this as a lesson to myself and next year when this post comes up I'll actually have something to offer.

Who's to blame

Joining the gang for Six Sentence Stories where this week's prompt is Fault


A vase flew through the air smashing into small bits of fine china as James yelled, "Everything that has happened here is your fault!" Lisa's tear streamed face just nodded in agreement as her husband of less than two years flew into yet another rage.

Just like the pieces of fine china strewn across the floor, her heart shattered. Gathering every ounce of strength she could muster she walked towards the front door and looked back at her husband saying, "You are so right. It's my fault that I married you. It's over!"

WW -- Yum Yum

Ravioli Lasagna
Cooked cheese lasagna on a bed of spinach, mushrooms, onions, zucchini and sauce

Go To Confidence Builder

So - I know it has been a VERY LONG time since I participated with my sister across the lines - but I am going to discuss Coffee --- or rather chat about coffee (that is what the meme is called after all)

Actually I'm not going to talk about coffee at all!  I am going to join Les at Ink Interrupted where she hosts Coffee Chat
Today's Topic - What is your favorite confidence builder.

Now - I have to say that I normally shy away from topics I have no clue what the answers are - but I am trying to challenge myself these days.

Confidence - that is tough subject. When you are a person who listens to what other people think it is a shatterable film. As I age I care less and less what people think of me and try very hard to think in the positive and move one foot in front of the other. I have never really thought of myself as a beautiful person, therefore confidence for me does not come from the way I look or dress. This might sound rather strange but when I set out to do a task - even clean the house - and I complete it - that gives me confidence.

I have a history of 'giving up' on things - or rather I believe I have given up on things - So that now I think when I actually finish something it builds up more confidence.

The actual definition of confidence is: belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities


I don't believe that I don't believe in myself - but there are times when that belief is in doubt!

Now it is time to go get that cup of coffee.... all this brain wracking has made me thirsty!

Old you or future you

So as I was driving (we won't even begin to talk about that one!) into work this morning (in the very wee hours of the day) there was a radio ad.  The premise is that their company doesn't make you make difficult choices like : Who would you prefer to spend a day fishing with:  Your past self or your future self.

I know it was just a commercial but - what would your answer be?

I thought about it being my past self and then realized I really wasn't a very happy, content or satisfied past self and if I was going to spend the day fishing with her She would probably be sitting there thinking about all of the other things she needed to be doing, or wanted to be doing and not be sitting there as good company. Whereas I am hoping that my future self would be much more content in her surroundings and enjoy the moments as they occurred.  I can imagine sitting in a boat enjoying the quiet, the soft lapping of the water against the side of the boat, the gentle sway of my hair as a soft breeze saunters by.  That would be a much more enjoyable person to spend a day with.

How about you?

Spring has sprung

Happy first Sunday in Spring.

I have really missed blogging and writing down my odd thought and random meanderings. I have no idea why I come and go so much in the past year - well, actually I do - -  an awful lot of things have been happening in my personal arena and there just hasn't been any energy left for me to do what I love. However, I decided yesterday (so we'll see how long that lasts!) that I need to begin focusing more on me again and rather than playing an extra round of candy crush, it is a good idea to write.

Before I actually write the post for spring that is running around in my head I do have a question/favor for someone (body)
I have been writing a book - Cracked Cocoon - since 2014 and I am seriously close to finishing it - - but I would love to have someone who loves to read check it out before I decide what to do with it. I can either see if I can get it published the old fashioned way or just put it on Amazon like I did with The Mirror. Please let me know if you'd be interested and I can send you the file - - -

Now - back to Spring.
I LOVE FLOWERS! and I love flowers in my yard that make my house look so much prettier.  I have always wished I could have one of those houses that people drive by and say, "Wow! that yard is beautiful" but of course I don't want to pay anyone else to do it for me. That being said, I have a front yard with beautiful colors springing out of it.

Sad apple tree - it will be full in no time!

Hopefully the avocado tree will grow really big!

I also have a back yard filled with Geraniums and have decided that every open spot in my yard should be filled with color so I have been gathering geranium clippings and sticking them into the ground. I can hardly wait to see how this grand experiment turns out!

Thank you all for sticking with me through all my ups and downs - - - here's to more ups than downs going forward!

Six Sentence Stories

Today's queue" POINT

"Do you always have to point out what I am doing wrong," She asked with tear filled eyes.  "Isn't there anything I ever do that is right or good?"
He opened his arms for her to fall into and replied, "Of course there are. There are many things that are perfect."

He led her around the house and made sure to point at every single picture of their children. "I see perfection everywhere I look."

Joining Six Sentence Stories linkup

jar

Now

I might not be here often.... and I might not respond.... but please know that this is how I am living my life:

Starting over

So True

enjoy

Moving On?

now

change

Anger

Strength

tears

Hero

Look

Magic

Attitude

stress

kushandwizdom

Believe

Dont give up