Category Archives: Essays

Fallen

For MindLoveMiserysMenagerie’s Sunday Writing Prompt: to write a piece launched by this quote from Sherlock Holmes (the series):

Oh, I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them …..

Seventy times seven, blah, blah, blah. Have you ever done the math? I have. 490. That’s it. At this point I have more than fulfilled my quota of this mandate to forgive. Besides, I don’t see anyone standing in line to forgive me for existing. In fact, the hits keep coming, if you know what I mean. Here are a few gems from that hit list…

“Love the sinner, hate the sin…You know we love you. We just don’t agree with your lifestyle choices….You could change if you wanted to…You have an agenda…Stop flaunting your sexuality…It’s just a phase…You don’t deserve special rights…It’s because of you we have earthquakes, hurricanes, floods…the plague (I wish I was that powerful)…You’re an abomination…God hates you…You’re going to hell (kinda thought I was already there)…and my personal favorite; the one that rips through me like a hot poker through butter…I’m praying for you.

Please don’t. I’m trying to forgive you. I’m trying to not judge you. I’m trying to love you, but you make it so difficult.

Because there’s this too. “Love your enemies… If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” I fall short everyday. But that doesn’t mean I don’t keep trying; 490 times 490 times and counting.

One day I’ll get it right. In the meantime I am well aware of my flaws and weaknesses. I’m no angel…but neither are you.

And there I go again. Judging you for judging me. I guess that’s why we need practice at this forgiveness thing. I should have just said, “I’m no angel” and left it at that.

~kat


Ostensible – Friday’s Word of the Day

Today’s Word of the Day fro the Free Dictionary is Ostensible. It entered the English language in the Mid 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin ostensibilis from Latin ostens- ‘stretched out to view’, from the verb ostendere, from ob- ‘in view of’ + tendere ‘to stretch’. It means “Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.”

When I looked for examples of this word used in a sentence, I was inundated with a many references to politics, religion and conflicts touted to be something they were not. These examples certainly prove one thing: that human nature and how we accomplish what motivates us through deception hasn’t changed much. Here are a few quotes to show you what I mean from Your Dictionary.com:

‘It was a simple matter to manipulate these so as to throw the effective power into the hands of the propertied classes without ostensibly The depriving any one of the vote.’

‘The Federal government now attempted to enlist recruits, ostensibly to protect the western frontier from the Indians, but actually for the suppression of the insurrection; but the plan failed from lack of funds, and the insurgents continued to interrupt the procedure of the courts.’

‘In any case the countess profited by the cardinal’s conviction to borrow from him sums of money destined ostensibly for the queen’s works of charity.’

‘A serious outbreak took place at Adrianople in 1804, where 20,000 of the new troops had been sent, ostensibly to put down the revolt in Servia, but really to try to bring about the reform of the European provinces.’

‘In June 1770 Frederick surrounded those of the Polish provinces he coveted with a military cordon, ostensibly to keep out the cattle plague.’

‘It is a striking example of the way in which such legends grow, that it is only the latest of these authorities, Hsiian Tsang, who says that, though ostensibly approaching the Buddha with a view to reconciliation, Devadatta had concealed poison in his nail with the object of murdering the Buddha.’

See what I mean? Power, politics, and faux piety are fertile ground for application of this word. Very timely indeed! Here are a few Haiku.

Have a great weekend!

WMD’s
Ostensibly caused the war
But it was revenge

motives are revealed
ostensibly kind acts
become self-serving

ostensible posts
impress anonymously
online mugs deceive

~kat


Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 10 September 2017

My fortune cookie this past Saturday… 

Life does not go on…not just yet. We were burdened this past week with aftermaths of destruction: hurricanes, earthquakes, raging wildfires, crushing inhumanity by so-called leaders, while the best of humanity hangs in the balance, at the ready to take make things right. But life is not going on…not just yet as we face even more catastrophe on our southern shores. We remind ourselves of our incredible resilience in the wake of all of life’s storms, be they nature-driven or human fabricated. Life goes on…sometimes, and sometimes it does not…

I feel helpless in the eye of the storms that rage around me. There is nowhere to run…nowhere to hide. We can try to prepare. We can hope for the best. But ultimately we must wait.

I’m tempted to wrap myself in my woobie and sleep long and hard until it’s over…until it’s time to gather what is left; until it’s time to make something of the rubble. What if nothing remains? It’s useless to worry about it. What do we do with time when it’s not time to move on, not just yet?

Moments count most right now. I light a candle for us all as I embrace the frail excruciating weight of this single moment. I breathe in deeply, exhale slowly. I gaze at my surroundings; the people, pets and things that give me comfort, that I love, and last but certainly not least, I eat the damn cake, savoring its sweetness. As moments go it is enough. I’ll leave the moving on until it’s time.

Be safe, be kind, love one another…peace.

Shi Sai Sunday’s Week in ReVerse – 10 September 2017

soft the gloaming hush descends
breath of withering blossoms dying
there’s a cool snap in the air
a coffee, please
excruciating, the wait,
oh…I had a secret invisibility cloak once
pretending to be impressed with his strip shuffle
sinful indulgence
falsehoods fade slowly
dusty nooks, cluttered,
for nuggets of gold
treasure ‘midst rubble
so easily crushed
late summer storms swell
sleep in if you like
whisper me lies
they never rest
they know my heart best
eat the damn cake…do it

~kat

A shi sai or ReVerse poem is a summary poem with a single line lifted from each entry of a collection of work over a particular timeframe and re-penned in chronological order as a new poem. Unlike a collaborative poem, the shi sai features the words of one writer, providing a glimpse into their thoughts over time. I use it as a review of the previous week.


Fossick – Friday’s Word of the Day

Fossick is today’s word of the day at Dictionary.com. It’s an Aussie word…as in primarily used and originating in Australia. It means to hunt; seek; ferret out and is also a mining term that means to undermine another’s digging; search for waste gold in relinquished workings, washing places, etc.

Dictionary.com explains: The verb fossick is confined pretty much to Australia and New Zealand. As with many regional and dialect words, its etymology is unclear: the verb seems to be a regional British term fussock, fursick meaning “to fuss, fidget, bustle.” In Australia and New Zealand fossick originally meant to hunt for gold or other precious metals or precious stones by digging with a knife or by studying the ground for overlooked fragments. Fossick has an additional sense of hunting for or foraging for small items e.g., to fossick through a drawer for scissors. Fossick entered English in the 19th century.

Did you know that there is an entire tourist industry devoted to fossicking in Australia? Intrepid explorers need a license to fossick, and there are a number of rules and responsibilities to be followed. But for those who choose to plan for a day of fossicking on their itinerary, there are is treasure waiting to be found.

Australia has a long history when it comes to fossicking. Depending on the site, fossickers may find a treasure trove of gems including opals, topaz, garnets, diamonds, sapphires, zircon, and gold. There are designated areas devoted to the pastime. Here’s a LINK to learn more.

So, I’ve learned something new. Who knew fossicking was a thing? Apparently the Aussies knew! I guess you had to be there…down under, that is!

Have a great weekend. Happy fossicking! A few Haiku…

seasoned fossickers
are ferreting gold-diggers
treasure ‘midst rubble

tourists down-under
plan fossicking excursions
for nuggets of gold

dusty nooks, cluttered,
second-hand tomes to fossick
where book mongers swoon

~kat


Twittering Tale #48 – 5 September 2017

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About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story based on that prompt in 140 characters or less. Be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.

A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.

I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. Have Fun!

Twittering Tale #47 – The Roundup

Loved your tales this past week. Several of you took a stroll down memory lane, relived childhood play and recalled some of the interesting things we did with marbles…like frying them to make them crackle. Thanks, Ghost, for that memory. I had forgotten all about crackling marbles. As always a few of you took an inspirational approach…and there were a few that just plain made me chuckle…and blush! Thanks again for joining the challenge. Here’s the Round-up. Be sure to visit you fellow tweeter’s blogs!

marbles-2056813_1280

Photo by David Estebanez at Pixabay.com

Starting us off, here’s mine:
I heard he lost his marbles!
Yeah. That mibster was fudging. He knuckled down, knocked his aggies out and even took his taw for keepsies. 
(137 Characters)

From Reena at Reinventions:
The glass artist said marble collections inspired him.
“Ur take on the stained glass deceptions painted on canvas?”
“The artist has grown up.”
(140 characters)

From Michael at Morpethroad:
My dad’s better than your dad.
He isn’t, my dad never fudges.
Neither does mine, he’s round to go round.
My dad will beat your dad.
Bet cha.

From Di at Pensitivity101:
‘I found these for you Grampy as Nan said you lost yours years ago.’
The old boy smiled toothlessly, his eyes alight.
‘Wonderful! Let’s play!’
(140 characters)

From Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
Glass Cat’s Eye marbles for sale. Various sizes and shapes. Great for kids and collectors. These gems will go fast, so don’t miss out.
(134 characters)

From Willow at WillowDot21:
Mirror glass and  colours  shine
All reflections  and  fractals entwine
Rolling  swift across  the  floor
Bowling graded balls  of  glass
Lovely childhood  memories for  sure
Even ground or  sloping  hill, Tarmac  or  grass
Super special best game of  marvellous  marbles

From Lady Lee at Lady Lee Manilla:
Memories of youth
My happiness
Naive in the world
I wanted simple things
Ate ice – cream
Played hide-and-seek
Played catch , marbles , yoyo
My past
(140 characters)

From Deepika at Deepika’s Ramblings:
We are similar to humans and come in different colors, sizes and textures, just like them. The difference being, we believe in transparency.
140 characters

From Leena at Soul Connection:
“Mom Look Wht I Found,MARBLE!”
She Took,Closed One Eye n Held It 2wrds Sun.Smile Carved On Her Sad Face.
Childhood Memories Nvr Fail To Do Dat.

From Vivian at Smell the Coffee:
As we played, one marble rolled away and disappeared into a hole
in the wall. I bent low to see and sat up in shock; an
eyeball stared back.
(140 Characters)

From Francine at Woman Walks Dog:
Kat’s photo prompt this week is of a cluster of shiney new marbles. Led me to think about Britain’s colonial past, would you believe ?
UK Envoy             We have marbles for you
Greek Curator   You mean THE Marbles
U E                         Er   yes
G C                        The Elgin marbles you stole from us
U E                         Look at these lovely marbles truly gems in glass

From GhostMMNC at TeleportingWeena:
“Coming of Age in Marble Land”
“Don’t be scared, little ones,” said Mama Marble
“The skillet is very hot, but you’ll love the icy bath afterwards,
and you’ll be beautiful.”
Character count = 139

From Radhika at Radhika’s Reflection:
Hey buddies! I am bored sitting here . Kids these days, just don’t let go their gadgets.  I yearn for the good old days of play time and fun!
Letter count : 140

From Edwin at Edwin’s Journal:
A Round Marble,
Once it was fun, loaded to the fullest
A Game, I wished to play, forever enjoy
But now, a thing of nostalgic feelings

From Kirst at KirstWrites:
Every step echoed across the bare floor. Holding a box of broken toy cars and faded drawings, he closed the door for the last time.
(131 characters)

From Peter at Peter’s Ponderings:
For those of a delicate disposition READ NO FURTHER.
These are what they used to get the right dangle.
The scar is fast disappearing so you can hardly notice!
Bollocks, I do so miss them though!
(139 characters)
TOO LATE!

From Kalpana at Gemini in the Sky:
Dad, Mom, my siblings were relaxing in our box. 
The naughty kids picked us to play a game.
Can’t these humans be on their play-stations?
139 characters.

From Adnil on Facebook:
Marbles nudged by soaked red mittens. Little holes in the frozen white snow. Ad hoc rules of innocence. Spoils of “victory” still make the ❤ smile.

Twittering Tale #48 – 5 September 2017

It’s time for a coffee break. So tell me, is this a secret rendevous, a business meeting, a favorite study nook, a blind date, deep conversation, an argument, a meet up with an old friend? There are so many possibilities! Coffee shops have become the dime store “diners” of our time. (If you don’t know what a dime store diner is…or for that matter a dime store…they were the meet and greet places back in the day…I’m talking 1950’s-60’s with daily “Blue Plate Specials” on the menu. So, my fellow tweeters, brew me a tale of 140 or less. Have fun! I’ll see you at next week’s roundup!

coffee-shop-1209863_1280

Coffee Shop from “Free Images” on Pixabay.com

“Get whatever Gramps. I’m payin’.”

“A coffee, please.”

“Decaf? Dark roast? Cream? Soy? Sugar or…?

“Good god! COFFEE! Black. Do you have that?

(140 Characters)

~kat