Time moves on...

Time is once again the subject of Microfiction Monday #73. Susan, over at Stony River, delivers a challenge once a week-we are to write a story about a picture she posts in 140 characters or less (including punctuation and spacing)and then link up back at her site.

I loved this week's picture because it conjured up all kinds of images relating to past loves, lives torn apart... Yes, it's my usual deep stuff again, but I go with whatever pops into my head. Here is this week's picture and my first entry:

Anna inhaled sharply when she saw it-closing her eyes she caressed the gilded frame, willing the photo to come alive, to go back in time. (138 characters)

Now for an attempt at some poetry

Life, so grave,
To women and men.
Never a smile,
In photos back then.
Icy stares,
Looking so bold,
What are the secrets,
They never told?
(140 right on the dot...)

The poetry for this one was hard, mainly because the words I chose had quite a few syllables, and the character counter had me in the 160 range until I made things much simpler. (I think I like my prose better this week.) Since the subject looks a little on the angry side, I'm expecting great things from the humorous among us-I'll be by your blogs as soon as I can!

Monday Magic

There is magic in the air as we all get ready for Microfiction Monday #72. If your new, Susan, over at Stony River, delivers a challenge once a week-we are to write a story about a picture she posts in 140 characters or less (including punctuation and spacing)and then link up back at her site.

I loved this week's picture, and let my mind wander about it for a while before trying to formulate my entry. For some reason the poetry flowed much easier than the prose, although I'm pretty happy with both (I can't wait to hear what you think.) Here is the picture:

And here is my first entry:
The fairy floated down, resting her staff inside the little boy's shoe-one silver coin for one small tooth, and she would be on her way. (135 characters)

And here is my poem

Pixie dust, fairy wings,
Knights, castles, noble kings,
Pretty pink polish,
And plastic rings,
My little girl's world,
Is my everything. (138 characters)

I am looking back tonight, so this is probably why the poem came much more easily. My little girl is not so little anymore-she turns 12 next week, but I still remember those early days like they were yesterday.  Sigh... I see the link isn't up yet, so I will come by your blogs tomorrow!

Past and Present

It's that time again, Mircrofiction Monday #71-this is where Susan, from Stony River challenges us to write a 140 character story (or less, including spacing and punctuation) based on the photo she posts. I should be doing work on the computer, but I took a short break to post my entry. This picture was haunting, but I didn't know it was a building still being used until I read Susan's description on her blog-somewhat unnerving, to say the least!

Anyway, I did both prose and poetry again, but my poem is sort of "out there"-I didn't want to do just a rhyming version of my first take... So here is this week's picture and my first story:

Our feet echoed in the grimy hallway-this had been our school, once teeming with life and promise, but now a hull holding only memories. (138 characters)

And here's my poem:

I look for you,
Knowing you're not there.
I call for you,
Refusing to care
That you are only,
In my mind,
Just a memory,
Love left behind. (138 characters)

I want to thank all of you for your lovely comments, especially those encouraging me in the poetry realm. This was a challenge I gave myself, and I really enjoy it! I look forward to reading your takes this week too-would anyone see any humor in this? I wonder...

Two's company and threes a crowd...

Happy Valentine's Day everybody! It's time again for Microfiction Monday #70 where Susan, over at Stony River, challenges us to write a story in 140 characters or less (including punctuation and spaces) based on a picture she posts. Susan was right-on with this week's picture because of its "love" theme. For some reason, I didn't have much trouble doing verse or prose, and I'm attributing this to the anticipation and excitement that goes along with this holiday. Now I know I said that I could live without Valentine's Day, but my kid’s excitement is rubbing off on me, and my husband is acting very strangely… Anyway, here is this week's picture and my first story:

Cedric kept his eyes on the countryside, trying hard to ignore his friends-if he had known it was a lover’s picnic he never would have come. (140 characters)

And here is my poem:

As I sit beneath this tree,
A thought doth occur to me,
Wherever I go,
Or aspire to be,
I am but a tiny speck,
In a world of uncertainty. (140 characters)

Hmm...the poem maybe a little on the depressing side, but I kept thinking that if I was that fifth person, I wouldn't be the happiest of people. I look forward to reading all of your entries, especially since I know a lot of you may address the fact that some of the boys look a bit like girls-I'm hoping for some good laughs! Take care!

It's that time!

I thought I would kill a little time and do number 69, Microfiction Monday that is. Once again Susan, over at Stony River has posted a picture and dared us to write a story in 140 characters (including spaces and punctuation)or less. I was able to put together a prose piece pretty easily, but my mind was resisting any attempts at poetry as long as the game was still on. Alas, the Steelers lost, and I was able to come back and write one. Here is this week's picture and my first story:

Ann was shaking as she looked at the old clock-he was to meet her in 15 minutes, but could he give up everything so they could be together?(140 characters)

And here is my poem:
The stately building covered in grime
Sighed as the old, iron clock chimed
I was rather grand in my prime
If only I knew a way to stop time (140 characters)

I know at least one Steeler player who probably wishes he could turn back time when his team was only down by three! I think I need some Rolaids...   (I'll hop by everyone's blogs tomorrow.)

The seas are angry my friend! (# 68)

Ahoy there everybody-it's my favorite time of the week-Microfiction Monday. Susan over at Stony River challenges us to write a story based on pictures she posts, but there is a catch-they can only be 140 characters or less (including spacing and punctuation.) This week we have an "ocean themed" picture, so since the subject matter was a little silly, I tried to match it with a little humor of my own. (Now those of you who come by here often know that I usually leave the humorous posts up to other members, but I just couldn't come up with anything serious!) Here is this week's picture and my first post

Fin was taking it hard but Seamus was ecstatic. "It’s a sign Fin! We're gonna live, and we're gonna smell awfully sweet while we wait!" (137 characters)

And this week, since we are leaning more on the funny side of things, I thought I would try my hand at a limerick (I haven't done one of these in quite a while, so bear with me...)

Two sailors alone on the shore,
Were stranded so sailors no more
They had hope,
When up washed some soap,
But a meal of suds is quite poor!
(140 characters)

What did you think-did I get you to chuckle? I can't wait to see what the rest of you wrote, and if you are new here, why not join us? Just be sure to link up to the Stony River website.

It's raining, it's pouring...

Well I'm back for another installment of Microfiction Monday. It's #67 in fact, and Susan, over at Stony River challenges us every week to write a story in 140 characters or less (including spaces and puntuation)based on a picture she posts on her site.

I'm feeling a little under the weather (no pun intended) this evening, so I wasn't sure I would be able to post anything tonight. But when I'm in this chair, typing away, I perk up a little.   Here is this week's picture:

And here is my attempt:

We shared some good times my brother and me, on that old bridge after a cold winter rain, watching the fog tuck the river in for the night. (140 characters-cutting it close I know...)

I really wanted to do a poem with this one, but I need to get some sleep. Maybe I'll try tomorrow. Anyway, I look forward to reading all of your thoughts but I'm going to wait until I'm feeling a little better.

PS: I didn't sleep to well last night (almost not at all in fact), but I feel loads better so I came back and did some poetry-I just couldn't stop myself because this picture just evoked such powerful feelings in me-did you feel it too? Anyway, here is my poem:

I like sun, but I also like rain,
It calms my soul and eases my brain.
The gentle hum on my windowpane,
Helps bring him back to me again. (138 characters)

Thanks for your well wishes, and I am off to read more of your entries!

A little sword play for #66

It's a war out there-literally in Microfiction Monday #66! For those of you who are new, Susan, over at Stony River, challenges us to write a story (140 characters of less including spacing and punctuation) based on a picture she posts each week. I worked on both the prose and poetry while at my daughter's gymnastic meet tonight. I did it in between events, and yes, this time I was able to get a poem out (although it's pretty darn short.) Anyway, here is the picture and my first story:

Fudo grabbed the first thing he could reach, hoping it would buy him some time, but Rafu'a sword would test this tactic in mere seconds. (136 characters)

And here is my poem:

The war raged on,
Pitting father against son.
But in the end,
Nobody really won. (80 characters)
It's a little rough around the edges, but no time for rewrites...
Now, a few of you (I hope) will exercise your funny bone tonight, so I can't wait!

Mothman: winner or loser?

My son was intrigued with this week's picture for Microfiction Monday and was with me in the kitchen when I was trying to pen a story.  However, he didn't like the fact that my story might not end happily, so the two of us put our heads together to come up with a decidedly positive approach.

Here is our story (super hero style):
Mothman's steely grip was no match for Madam Blue's icy stare-she quickly reduced him to nothing more than a shiny pile of rubble. (130 characters)

And here is mine:

Mothman drew Sarah closer, tighter-she froze knowing his victims rarely survived, and that soon she would take the form of her captor. (134 characters)

As for poetry, after two "regular" entries, I'm spent, so I'm hoping that one of you took on the challenge.
If you are new to this meme, our host Susan, over at Stony River asks us to compose a 140 character story (including spacing and punctuation) about a picture she posts. So if you decide you are in the mood for a challenge, write your entry and link up at Stony River.  I can't wait to see what everyone has written!

Just a dab will do 'ya'...

It's 2011 and I wonder how long it will take me to stop writing and thinking it's still 2010? I did remember the change yesterday mainly because I'm a techie and numbers like 010111 are more than a little interesting. Does anyone else get a kick out of number patterns?

Well, I'm way off topic tonight as we head into Microfiction Monday #64. Our host Susan, over at Stony River, posts a picture and asks us to compose a "story" in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation). I also struggled a bit with this week's picture-I didn't want to do the obvious but I ended up giving in and going with my gut on this one. Here is this week's picture and my prose:

Carlos motioned the gentleman closer. "Gapacho, look, just for you. Texaco grease-fix your car, your hair, and attract the ladies!" (136 characters) *Note: "Gapacho" means foreigner.

Now I almost gave up on a poem tonight even though I thrive on challenges. My major mistake was trying to write it while guiding my kids to bed, and the words just wouldn't come. I also thought I would tackle it in a couplet, but that was not to be. Here is what I came up with:

He tugged my sleeve
And lured me in
To gaze upon
A tiny tin
Grow hair, tame curls
Add color, get shine
For just pesos
The tin was mine
(Another 136 characters-interesting...)

Well, I hope none of you are having the trouble I was having, and I look forward to reading your posts. And if you are new, why not try your hand at 140 characters of less-just be sure to link up at Stony River.

I promised some upcoming reviews, but it took me a while to get back into the blog after being away for a week-just know that I will be doing these in the next couple days. Happy New Year everyone!

A little birdie told me... (#63)

Merry Christmas everyone! I was a bit down on my b-day, but we had a fantastic Christmas so my emotions are on an all time high (however, we are off to visit our families for about four days so that emotional lift may be temporary...LOL!)  Anyway, if you're new here, it's Microfiction Monday where Susan, over at Stony River, posts a picture and asks us to compose a "story" in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation).

My stories seem a little elementary this week (especially my stab at a poetry piece), but I'll let you all be the judge. Here is this week's picture and my first story (I used some good old Irish names since Susan took this picture in Ireland):

The epitome of cool, Casey sat motionless, waiting for his chance-Devlin always got the prime roosting spots, but today would be different. (140 characters)

I worked and reworked (and reworded) this poem throughout the day-even burning a pan full of nuts I was roasting for candy. Anyway, I landed on that 140 marker finally and this is what I came up with:

Two pigeons at odds
Atop an old rail
Each sitting still
Not moving a tail
He is wrong
I am right
And there they sit
All day and all night
(140 characters)

You know, it's funny what pops into your head when you sit down to write a passage. After some family events a couple days ago, I can't help thinking I'm like one of the birds in my poem. Maybe I need to heed my own warning? What about you-did your writing this week resemble anything going on in your every day life? Just curious... See you all next week, and Happy New Year!

"Walking in a winter wonderland... "

It's Microfiction Monday, my favorite time of the week (and that's saying a lot because otherwise I loathe Mondays!)Susan, over at Stony River, posts a picture and asks us to compose a "story" in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation). This week's picture was a good choice for the season and only served to remind me of how little time there is before the Christmas holiday. (Do all of you have your shopping done? We drove past one of the large malls this afternoon and it was packed, and I thought how glad I was to have everything done...) Anyway, here is the picture and here are my stories (I actually took a stab at humor with my first):

Tiny Tim boasted about carrying the pig, so the others decided that a little strategically placed snow would wipe the smirk off his face. (138 characters)
And a Cinquain poem to get you looking forward to spring:

Nature
Lowers her head,
On downy white pillows,
Until the sun’s warmth rouses her
Again.
(89 characters)

I can't wait to come around to see what everyone else did with this picture, and I'm sure I'll get a good laugh or two because some of you have a very quick wit! And as always, if you are coming my blog for the first time, why not join up at Stony River too-the more the merrier!   Oh, and tune in later in the week for a book review and a tale or two...

One more thing, please make sure to have your monitor's properties set at 1024 by 768 pixels because this is the best way to see everything on my blog clearly. I'm going to be tackling some bubbles in my background over the holiday-maybe even changing the background completely-so that it's easier to read.

#61 and counting (Microfiction Monday)

Well it's that time of the week again-Microfiction time. It's where our host Susan, over at the Stony River, posts a picture and we write a story about it in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation.)

I'm still reeling from an incident that happened at my daughter's chorus concert so seeing the "merry" in this picture was not to be, and believe me, I tried. The thing is, each one of us will see something different in the picture, and the resulting post may depend on our mood at the time. (Plus I am still, at this moment, finishing my own laundry, so this also adds to my jaded outlook...) So, here is this week's picture and my two rather moody stories:

Mabel thought that if she could just keep smiling, she could pretend the chore at hand was fun and the weather around her foul. (129 characters)

Now, before you read my verse, rest assured that I'm not running away-the picture just reminded me of housewives of the past and how their joy out of life supposedly came from how well they kept their houses. Here's my verse:

I’ll adorn my bonnet with flowers,
And smile throughout the day,
But I’m waiting ‘til I’m brave enough,
To turn and walk away. (128 characters)

Now if you are visiting here for the first time, why not join the meme and write your own story. (Just be sure to link up at Susan's site.) And those of you connecting from Stony River, I can't wait to read your stories!

"I'm as silent as the grave," except on Microfiction Monday!

Well today marks the big '60' for the Microfiction Monday Meme. Our host Susan over at Stony River posts a picture with a challenge-to write a story about it in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation.) Here is this week's picture and my two takes:

Rambling weeds and creeping moss,
Wrap around the crumbling cross.
A name and date once graced the stone,
Marking a life that now is gone.
(138 characters)

She stared at the massive gravestones blackened by time and neglect-their purpose was to mark the end, but life had gone on around them. (136 characters)

I was struck by the sadness of the scene so no humor in my entries today, although it does almost look as if the one stone is trying to lean away from the other. I am anxious to see if anyone else picked up on that in a comical way.

And if you are new here, why not try a passage out yourself? Just be sure to link back to Stony River.

I "herd" it's Microfiction Monday (#59)

I decided to "mooove" in a different direction this fine Microfiction Monday, even though the picture struck me as funny at first. I mean, all I could think of were a stream of one-liners and quite a few cow puns, so "udderly" ridiculous-okay, that was the last one, I promise. Here are my serious takes on today’s picture:

I am like you bull, betrayed by a trusted caregiver-my father sees me as an object for barter, but will my new husband view me as such? (137 characters)


Thirty heads of cattle
That’s the price to pay
Thirty heads of cattle
Nothing more to say
Just thirty heads of cattle
For my wedding day (138 characters)

Just head on over to Susan's blog, Stony River and check out all the other submissions. Remember, you can have no more than 140 characters, and that includes spaces and punctuation-quite a challenge I can tell you!

I know I have been a bit absent on my blog lately, but I decided to really relax with my family this holiday, and that meant no computer time. But I will be posting at least two more times this week-one will be a review of educational but still fun DS games, and the other will be a jocular post centered around the funny things my kids have done these past few days, so I hope you'll be back!

A writing we will go (#58)

Good evening everyone and welcome to Microfiction Monday, where Susan, over at Stony River, challenges us to look at a picture and write a story in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation). This week's picture finally struck my funny bone a bit. Here is my first entry:

Mom warned him about danger in the woods, and said to never eat rotten berries. Uncle Buck did, and now he’s modeling sportswear. (132 characters)

I struggled more than I care to admit on getting a poem out of today's picture. Nothing sounded right and every try was way over 140 characters.  (I think my record was 223...)   This is what I came up with:

What’s hanging in the hall
Deer Cape mount on the wall
This is no cabin in the wood
Yet there it is and I could
Make no sense of it at all!
(140 characters with the addition of an exclamation point at the end-I really felt I needed some form of punctuation for emphasis, although I'm feeling a little guilty for not putting it elsewhere.)

Anyway, I can't wait to read all of your posts-to me this in itself is pretty exciting about this exercise. I can't believe how many different points of view there are! If you are new to my site, try a Microfiction out for yourself, but be sure to link up at Stony River as well.

Sustantivo (Story) #57

It's that time again-microfiction time that is. Susan, over at Stony River, challenges us to look at a picture and write a story in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation). Here is this week's picture, my story, and a couple poems because I enjoy a challenge...

Eduardo contemplated his next move; finding shade was a priority, but keeping an eye out for rattlers was second. A stick won't help much. (138 characters)

The sun,
Searing, scorching,
Burning my head and feet,
Until I look up and she’s there,
With me... (Cinquain, 99 characters)



The air is so deep
It hurts to breathe.
The blazing sun
Has a hold on me
But I don’t have far to go,
I know,
I don’t have far to go.
(134 characters)

So what do you think? My husband asked me why I was doing this (I was struggling with my word count at the time), and my answer? Because it's fun-I love trying to come up with a unique account from just a picture, and you might too...

Ready for Mocrofiction Monday (#56)?

I couldn't wait to do this week's microfiction post. For those of you who are new, Susan, over at Stony River, challenges us to look at a picture and write a story in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation). I thought I would challenge myself, and I'm glad I did because this exercise helps me tighten up otherwise overly wordy posts. Here is this week's picture and my stories:

I watched her, aimlessly shuffling through fallen leaves, deep in thought and purpose, unaware of what I would soon do for her-for us.  (134 characters)

Once again I wanted to go beyond my comfort zone and try a little poetry, just to see if I could do it. I am following no known rules of verse here, mainly because I can't remember any, and my last line seems very cliché, but I still want you to tell me what you think.

Flash of pink amid orange and brown
The brightest spot in my life
I'll be here 'til' the day she’s grown
And she spreads her wings to fly
(137 characters)

I couldn't use any form of punctuation between the lines because that would put me past the 140 mark, so the breaks in thought and voice were done with spacing alone. I'm not sure a professional would approve but I'll check: is this alright septembermom?

Why not take up the challenge yourself? Put your story in a comment or write a post of your own. (Just be sure to link up at Stony River)  Now for some reason I'm craving apple cider, so until next week...