Saturday Centus - Eeriness

Jenny Matlock - off on my tangent has enlisted the help of ever-prolific artist, Judie, of Rogue Artist, who has challenged us with this week's Centus prompt. (Nice job, Judie!) The prompt is below in bold. My story follows.

"She lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest..." and as she did, a photo fell from the stack. The corners were torn but the photo itself was in very good condition. It was a picture of a young woman dressed in turn of the century clothing sitting in a high-back chair. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up!

“She looks just like mom!” she thought. She slowly turned over the picture and read the words “Jane – 1896.” It couldn't be her mom; she wasn’t born yet. The resemblance was eerie. She set the picture on the desk and opened the letter on top…


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Wednesday Wickedness - Walk This Way

Welcome to the always fascinating meme sponsored by Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, Janera Jepson posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. This week's meme posts quotes from well-known musician, actor, father, grandfather, and American Idol judge, Steven Tyler! Enjoy his quotes, the questions and my silly responses!


1. And the things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those that got there first. When was the last time that you wanted to do something, but it was all done before you got there?

Eat dessert!


2. As good as I am, I'm nothing without my band. Do you feel there is anyone you could not do without?

My best girlfriends and my kids!



3. Back then it was nothing like today. So you'd go to the bowling alley. We bowled and you could be in the back and you could make out, you know? And you know how hot it was to make out. When you were young and innocent, what place did you make out?

Back seats of cars; school bleachers; movie theatres; Disneyland rides; the beach.



4. Drugs will get you out of your own way, but we lived it, and that's dangerous. It can actually turn around on itself and steal your soul, and that's what happened. Were you ever tempted by something that could “steal your soul”?

Yes, when I was up for the part of "Elvira, Mistress of the Night." I wouldn't worship directors who made horror films because I thought they were the Devil's posse.



5. Every life has a measure of sorrow, and sometimes this is what awakens us. How do you deal with sorrow?

I give myself time to be sad (about 10 minutes) and then I go out to lunch with a friend. Actually, I deal with sorrow by writing.



6. Fake it until you make it. Did you ever have dreams of making it in showbiz in some capacity?

Yes I did...for about 15 years. In fact, I still have dreams of being involved in some capacity...getting coffee; picking up dry cleaning; giving shoulder rubs; writing a brilliant screenplay.


7. Humility is really important because it keeps you fresh and new. What keeps you fresh and new?

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder.



8. I don't mind being a grandfather. If you are a grandparent, do you at first “mind it”? If you aren't, how do you think that you would feel about it?

I would love to be a grandparent. But I won't pressure my kids, especially the non-married ones.



9. I grew up in New Hampshire. My closest neighbor was a mile away. The deer and the raccoons were my friends. So I would spend time walking through the woods, looking for the most beautiful tropical thing that can survive the winter in the woods in New Hampshire. Do you enjoy winter where you live?

I love winter where I live because all of the bugs go away. I hate bugs! Also, winter is the only time that it's okay to look like a bear in your clothes.


10. I have to get inspired by something that touches my soul, or rocks my soul. What rocks your soul?

Music and lyrics rock my soul. Meaningful and uplifting words rock my soul. Really hot guys rock my soul.


Thanks for checking out this Wednesday's craziness. Please visit the Wednesday Wickedness site by clicking on the the logo below.





Thanks for stopping by and have a great Wednesday!

Beam Me Up...are you there...Scottie...Hey!

Well, well, well Ms. Jenny Matlock! At it again are you? Jenny's Saturday Centus is always a treat for readers and writers. The reads are short, and the writes are no more than 100 words long (in other words, short). Each Saturday we are given a writing prompt and challenged to make it come alive...in just a few words. This week's prompt is "Beam Me Up Scottie" and appears in bold lettering in the story.


Upon entering the moon station, I felt a draft. I caught my profile as I passed the full-length mirror. I screamed, "OMG! I’m naked! How could this happen? Maybe if I pretend that it's normal to be naked, nobody will notice?"

I sat down and turned on my computer. I could see the camera angles to the entrance of station. As I brought up the main level cameras, I saw groups of workers converging upon one cubicle….my cubicle. Fifty people were all within 10 feet of me! I screamed, but it came out as a whisper, “beam me up, Scottie!” Then, I woke up.

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O is for OSCAR

It's Thursday, and time for Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday! This week's letter is "O". Having watched the Globes the other night, I'm thinking about the upcoming Oscars. I thought it would be fun to research people or things that use the name Oscar. Enjoy!


I covet, I lust for and I wish I could just touch one....once!




Walter Mathau played Oscar in the original movie of "The Odd Couple" as well as the Broadway play.


Oscar Schindler, as many of you know, played an incredible humanitarian part during World War II.




Oscar from the TV series, "The Office."





Famous Fashion Designer for both men and women, Oscar de la Renta




Oscar Wilde, poet, writer, kinda hot but from a different era, and sensitive.




My favorite! Oscar the Grouch from the long running TV series, "Sesame Street!"


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Have a great Thursday!

Wednesday Wickedness - Who Is This Guy?

Welcome to this always fascinating meme sponsored by Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, Janera Jepson posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. This week's meme posts quotes from some guy of whom I have never heard in my 50-something years, by the name of Ricky Gervais! Since I neither know him, or for that matter, like or dislike him, I hope you enjoy my delicate sarcasm of his views, and my completely obnoxious responses! You may scold me for not knowing this character, even after googling him, but I guess this hunk of meat slipped through the cracks of my humble faux wood flooring!

Let's Do This!

1. “Why by a book when you can join a library.” When was your last trip to a library?

My last trip was a few weeks ago when I returned books from 2009. Yes, Gandalf, anyone can join a library, but one is not allowed to make notes or draw scary pictures in library books!


2. “People see me in the suit and they know I'm not fooling anyone, they know I'm rock and roll through and through.” Does your attire properly represent you?

Well, Frodo, I've never seen you in a suit, and from your picture above, you aren't screaming "rock & roll!" My friends at work think I dress like Blanche from "The Golden Girls." That's my body age, but my maturity is that of a 35 year old trying to hold on to her twenties!


3. “I'm from a little place called England ... We used to run the world before you.” Do you feel the United States really runs the world?

I'm from a little place called Anaheim, Gollum, where the Happiest Place is the World is located. We used to be the greatest theme park of all time! I feel that the United States may have run the world during the Reagan Administration, but not any more. It's every country for themselves now!


4. “No one grows up saying 'I hope I work in an office one day?' And that fascinated me. People from 16 to 65 are just thrown together and that is a tantalizing mix.” When was the last time that you worked in an office like that?

Listen, Aragorn, a lot of people grow up saying "I hope I work in an office one day...while I am waiting to interview for my dream job!" It is a great mix to see what gets thrown together. Some people like it, and forget about their dream job because they are having so much fun! I work in an office like that right now! (I'm still waiting for that dream job!)


5. “Where there's a will-there's a relative!” Do you have a will? If yes, have you ever changed it?

I used to have a will, until I had children, and then I decided to spend it all while I am still alive!


6. "When I see a toreador in a bullfight getting gored I think: `Good, you shouldn't be in there`. What is the pleasure in seeing an animal speared to death? It`s the same with fox hunting. They`re just psychopaths.” How do you feel about bull fighting and hunting?

Now, now, Boromir, haven't you ever watched a tennis match between the US and UK? It's very close to a bullfight, don'tcha think? Also, I don't think those involved are exactly psychopaths; they are making a living doing something at which they are good. I do not agree with any kind of fighting, whether it be human to human, animal to animal, human to animal or animal to human. I think hunting animals for sport is tops on my "you are really messed up" list!


7. “Money gives me the creeps and mildly embarrasses me. I get paid too much anyway.” Have you ever thought that you were over paid for a job?

Hey, Sauron, money gives you the creeps? Try spending some of it. Then, it won't seem so creepy any more! Never in my entire lowly life have I thought I was overpaid for anything, especially for a job!


8. “I hate lateness. I hate people who are late. There is no excuse for turning up late for anything. I`ve never been late for anything in my life. I was actually born a week premature, because I wanted to be early for my own birth.” Are you usually on time for things?

I think that some people are never late, like my DH. On the other hand, some people, like moi, try so very hard to be early or on time, but it just doesn't happen all that often! I think most people should be forgiving of others who share this disease with me. Hate, my friend Legolas, is a very strong word. You might want to be careful to not throw it around too much!


9. “I have plenty of pet hates. I can`t stand people scraping their plate or slurping their soup. I can`t stand waiting in lines. I hate people talking inanely about the Lord Of The Rings. I hate people whistling. But I`m not like this because I`m famous. I`ve always been a grumpy bastard.” What are your “pet hates”?

Like I said, Sam, hate is a very strong word. Here in the states we say "peeve" instead of "hate." I not only scrape my plate and slurp my soup, I also will wait in line, especially to see unknown celebrity, if I think the outcome will benefit me or someone I know. I can't whistle, so there's something about me you don't hate! And yes, you are a grumpy person!


10. “I don`t like all this stupid Gollum begat Wobblo and the Oompa Loompas and...Oh Jesus Christ! There was too much "Oh, God, here come the gloodloys..." Christ Almighty, what are they talking about!?” Are you a fan of “Lord of the Rings”?

As a matter of fact, Witch-King of Agmar, I am a fan of the "Lord of the Rings!" I am also a fan of the Lord, AND I REALLY HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE THROW HIS NAME AROUND LIKE IT WAS TRASH!"


Well now, I sure feel better. How about you? Please click on the Wednesday Wickedness logo below and see what some of the other fans of "whatshisname" said!





Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your week. Snow Day Thursday in the LOU!

To Be Invisible

I've been following this great blog called "Sunday Scribblings" for a few weeks, but just haven't gotten up the nerve to put it out there yet. Each week, we followers are given a prompt with which to write about, either in story or prose (or even song I think!) This Sunday's prompt is "Invisible."

So many times I have wished to be completely invisible...like the time I was late to class in junior high school and wiped out when I tried to swing my ever-so-delicate butt into my chair. My face caught fire with embarrassment. To top it off, the teacher accused me of purposely falling to get attention!

How about the story behind the movie "The Invisible" where a teen who isn't aware he has died, continues to walk among the living, attempting to communicate, but no one responds to him. There was a time that I felt as though I could have been that boy, when I was back in high school at a dance. It seemed like all the girls around me were getting asked to dance. Boys would brush by to ask the girl behind or next to me if they wanted to dance. I would smile but they just seemed to look right through me.

How come I could never be the invisible one in my dreams? I wanted to follow people around just to see what their life was like. I so wanted to see how others dealt with certain circumstances, whether they triumphed with joy, or shriveled with fear. Instead, and in most instances, I was followed by an invisible whom I never knew. Sometimes it was a comfort. Other times it scared the crap out of me. I could feel someone close to me; I could hear whispering voices; and I could see the results of negative antics. (I must have watched too many Twilight Zone shows when I was a kid!)

I think most of us want to be a part of life...almost any form of it, as opposed to being invisible somewhere, observing as it all happens around us.

Please stop by Sunday Scribblings and shower yourself with some very creative writings!

Thanks for stopping by today. Have a great week!

Saturday Centus - LOOZER!

It's another day in paradise with new challenges all the time! Jenny Matlock from Saturday Centus has sucked us in for another week of difficult tasks. We are writers, with a lot to say. She wants us to say it in 25 words (it's usually 100), and I thought I wasn't going to succeed. But, I did it! The prompt for this week is "the lottery ticket..."


Every week I buy one.
Our birthdays are the numbers.
I never win, but I always buy,
except for yesterday.
Guess what numbers won?


Please stop by Saturday Centus and enjoy reading some very short stories! Just click on the logo below!




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Rose Parade Leftovers

"I feel like an idiot" Otto complained. “This Fez-like hat is such a joke! They were supposed to remove all props at the end of the parade. I'm still wearing this stupid fake ice hat, and my arms and legs are still covered with the same, stupid fake ice! And, as if I couldn't be humiliated any more, some stupid paparazzi clicks away, and now I'm on the front of 'The Citrus Star', along with all the other stupid Rose Parade leftovers, and I fear that I will be remembered for this ridiculous look! Will somebody please just squeeze me?”

Jenny Matlock, threw us a zinger this week for Saturday Centus, and instead of writing 100 words or less in response to a written prompt, she wants us to write about a picture. Jenny, you are so strict sometimes!

Please click on the logo below and read some very creative stories about an ice covered orange!



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Sundays in My City - Bad Mama Nature

Welcome to Sundays in My City, St. Louis Style! I did not take this picture as I did not want to interfere with the clean-up, or more importantly, I wanted to give residents the privacy they needed during this very unfortunate act of nature. The pictures used in this post are from the files of the St. Louis Dispatch.

Missourians, as well as "ians" of bordering states, are well aware that a tornado could occur at almost any time there is a strong weather system passing through. Just as Californians are aware that an earthquake could occur at any time, as well. However, there is a bit more warning time for tornados.

The above picture was taken in a neighborhood about 20 minutes from where I live. The tornado also touched down in a neighborhood within five minutes of where I live. My neighborhood had no damage whatsoever. That's how it is with tornados; they are sort of hit & miss.



This gentleman and his wife escaped serious injury by way of what I consider to be divine intervention. The wife was running to her basement when a tree crashed through the sliding door window and blocked her from the basement door. She was knocked under the kitchen island by the refrigerator which broke free. She hid under the kitchen island and was spared. The husband was across the street moving a car into the garage. He hid under a tractor in the garage and only suffered a minor gash in his head.

Mama Nature...you were a bad, bad girl! There are some good things happen after these tantrums, over which Mama has no control. People immediately come together and help those in need; service organizations jump in and find those in need; and people get down on their knees and pray.

I lift up each and every person who has been affected by this event.


My thanks to Unknown Mami, who sponsors this wonderful meme where bloggers can visit and learn about places all over the world. Please click on the below logo and see what interesting places there are to visit!



I live in St. Louis, Missouri! Welcome to my City!

Lovely!

Happy New Year!

What a great way for me to start my year out by joining fellow bloggers who are huge fans of SATURDAY CENTUS by Jenny Matlock. She is one hard-working woman with a great sense of humor and incredible writing talent. She sponsors several weekly memes, this being my favorite! She gives us a prompt and challenges us to write a short story of 100 words or less around that prompt. It's always a treat for me to read the creative pieces by other talented writers. This week's prompt is in bold.


She pulled out her crumpled up list of resolutions.

“I don’t know why I continue to make a list every year! By mid-month, I’ve checked off at least half of my good intentions” she said to herself. "I guess seeing it written down makes me own them a little more rather than losing them in the abyss of my brain. Maybe I could spread the list out over a year instead of trying to finish it all at once. Can you blame me for wanting to hold on to the joyful feeling that comes from another’s smile?"

“You look lovely!” she said to the elderly woman.


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