Thursday, May 19, 2011

A sad goodbye (and Book Blurb Friday)


This has been a pretty miserable week what with the almost continual rain and the death of a much-loved colleague. This particular teacher had taught for nearly 50 years, passing up retirement to continue to do what loved best, teach.

His students adored him and his avant-garde approach to teaching biology. Teachers gravitated toward him because of his positive outlook and sense of humor. Ever the performer, he could always make light of a situation and get you laughing before dealing with anything serious-I will miss our talks.

He was everybody’s grandfather, a lover of Kerry Blue terriers, an ever-fixed mark, and the halls of our school will never be the same. Goodbye Mr. Kistler.

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Sorry to be such a downer this evening-the only good thing is that it's time for Book Blurb Friday This is where Lisa Ricard Claro, from Writing in the Buff, posts a picture meant to serve as a fictional book cover. It's your job to write a blurb about the book in 150 words or less to entice a prospective reader. Are you up to the challenge?
Here is this week's picture and my story:


The Gilded Mirror



Nola hadn’t been to the old house since the funeral, but there were some personal things of her mother’s she didn’t want strangers handling, and there wasn’t much time before the movers arrived.

She quickly headed upstairs to her mother’s bedroom, and walking over to the dresser, she lightly fingered the intricate carvings of her mother’s hairbrush. An uncontrollable urge came over her and she began to brush her hair.

Memories came flooding back along with the tears, but Nora continued to brush, mesmerized by her image in the gilded mirror before her. And with every brush stroke, the mirror began to glow.

Shaking, Nora reached out and all at once found herself in a room surrounded by what looked like very detailed statues. A golden horn lay glowing at her feet, and picking it up she placed it against her lips and blew-slowly the statues began to move… (149 words, not including the title)

I hope you enjoyed the little fantasy twist to tonight's blurb. I can tell you that I reworked it several times trying to get it under that 150 word limit-I just had so much I wanted to say with this one.
The weatherman says it will dry out this weekend, and I am looking forward to a little sun and reading your stories over the next couple days!

12 comments:

  1. Good teachers are life's blessing

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  2. Susan,
    I was so taken with you story I was sorry it came to an end! Good story - please continue writing!


    ~Jean

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  3. Statues brought to life by music - ANOTHER highly individual take on this picture!

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  4. Wonderful fantasy. Sorry to hear of your friend's passing.

    Bronze Mirage My 1st attempt at this meme.

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  5. Nicely done!

    I'm sorry about the loss of your friend.

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  6. Hi Susan,

    I'm sorry about your friend passing on. He sounds like a wonderful person who will be missed by so many.

    Your story is absolutely wonderful! I am very drawn in and look forward to learning what happens next.

    Thanks so much for stopping by to say hi.

    Take care,

    Kathy M.

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  7. Susan - Mr. Kistler sounds like the kind teacher and friend we all wish we had. He must have positively impacted thousands of children's lives over the years. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

    Your blurb is both bittersweet and whimsical. I'd love to know the whys and wherefores of this. It almost seems a metaphor for the side of her mother she didn't really know. Great blurb.

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  8. Mr Kistler sounds like a wonderful man. The world loses another of it's special gems.

    Nora sounds like the sort of person that can't help getting herself into trouble! Now have the statues come alive in a nice way or in a "run!" sort of way! We'll just have to read the book to find out!

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  9. I'm sorry about your colleague. He sounds like he was a wonderful person and someone who is able to connect with students in that way is such a rare gift these days.

    Great imagination on this one! I would have been stumped.

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  10. I'm sorry about your teacher/friend. It's always hard losing someone. Sending love your way.
    Loved your blurb - how the music made the statues come to life!

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  11. I love the eerily painted picture you created for us in your book blurb! And I'm so sorry about Mr. Kistler. Very sweet tribute to him.

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  12. I'm very sorry to hear of your friend and colleague's passing. This is a lovely tribute to him.

    Great book blurb once again Susan! You set up a vivid picture in my mind.

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