Tag Archives: Challenge

House as Self – Sunday Writing Challenge

You never know when you might need that 3-inch lug-nut wrench that came with the baby gate I had when my kids were toddling.

“How old are my kids?” you ask.

Well, if you must know, they have children of their own now. All the more reason to hang onto that little tool. Never know when they might need it.

“And the keys?” you ask, “What are they for?”

Well, that black one? That was from my first apartment. Great place that was. Just a block away from downtown. Loved that place. And that tiny one? My very first diary. I still have it…somewhere…I think. The others? I’m not sure. But someone knows. So I keep them around, just in case.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that all of this junk is useless. But I’ll have you know that I’m the first one everyone comes to when they need tape, a pen, a battery or a rubber-band. I can be counted on for a paper clip in a pinch, or a bandaid or one of those adapter thingies that you use to plug a three-pronged plug into a two-pronged outlet.

Junk you say? I know, and you do too, that you would be lost without me, but it’s okay if you don’t want to admit it. You know I’ll always be here if you need me. Remember that next time you need a twist-tie.

~kat

For MindLoveMiserysMenagerie Sunday Writing Prompt:”House as Self”. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the parts of a house that they are drawn to. I find myself reflected not in a particular room or space, but a drawer…a junk drawer to be exact. You know you love me…😉


Twittering Tale #72 – 20 February 2018 – “Hopewell”

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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 in 280 characters or less. When you write your tale, 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. And if for some reason I missed your entry in the Roundup, as I have occasionally done, please let me know. I want to be sure to include your tale.

Finally, have fun!

And REMEMBER…you have 280 characters (spaces and punctuation included), to tell your tale…and a week to do it. I can’t wait to see what you create this week.


Twittering Tales #71 – The Roundup 

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photo prompt by kbhall17 at Pixabay.com

Starting us off…

Oh, I could tell ya’ some stories. I’ve lived here in flat number 1 going on 40 years now. People don’t realize I’m behind this old red-framed door. They’re too busy planning adventures or their next meal. The things I’ve heard! Do you have a minute? I just made tea. Come sit.
(277 Characters)

From Reena at ReInventions:
But
The signs have added on over the years, indicating that tourist inflow to the city has increased. I am happy that a few faces who had migrated to the city for jobs have returned – to find prosperity in their hometown. One face that I cared about is back. But… he is not alone.
(276 characters)

From Lady Lee at Lady Lee Manila:
It’s a Sign
I am happy
That I am here with you
I am happy
With the mountain and the sea
Even with storms we’ve got to go through
The challenges we’ve surpassed, signs that we grew
I am happy
Signs of our lives
This way, that way
As long as we’re together
We’ll find our own way
Signs of our lives
(275 characters)

From Di at Pensitivity101:
‘Follow the sign’ he said.
‘You can’t miss it’.
46 characters

From Jane at Jane Dougherty Writes:
Tacky
The backpackers frowned, not at the plethora of B&Bs but at the street architecture, wondering if there might still be a corner of the planet that was not afflicted with the plague of that particular mass-produced door!

From Fandango at This, That, and the Other:
Analysis Paralysis
Should I go to the castle? Should I visit the cave? Should I stop by the lodge or the B&B?
I could take a hike or take a ferry. I might sniff around at the perfumery & floral center. I might hop on my bicycle and head for the college.
Oh, I’ll just walk to the pub and try to decide.
(279 characters)

From Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger:
The Sign
The feeling was overwhelming me. I’d hiked long hours and when I finally made it to town, my brain and body was telling me I could wait no longer. I could barely read the signposts in front of me to point the way. In desperation, I knocked on the door. “CAN I USE YOUR BATHROOM??”

“I told the mayor, Mrs Finigan I did.”Said Aylish Mehon, crossing her arms. “Those damn Murphy boys have repositioned each and every sign. Last night! I told Sean to go out and stop them. But no he’d not leave his bed! Now no one will know their Aillwee’s Cave from Frank’s Pub”
(280 Characters)

From Michael at Morpethroad:
Only in Ireland
The tourist asked the way to Cregan’s Castle.
I said go to the end of the street and turn right.
At the post office turn right.
Then at Shannon’s Hotel turn right.
The tourist said if I do all that I’ll end up here.
That’s right I said, the Castle is just across the way.
(Characters 268)

From Leena at Soul Connection:
Confusion
Here..No No There..Nooo.Ummm Yesss..May Be That Side…Ugghh…Ohh It’s So Confusing.
(‘Seems Lost’ He Thought Wtchng Her Lng Tym)
“Excuse Me. Can I Help You”
“Ohh Yes. Can You Plz Tell Me Whr Can I Place My Sign Board Here?
(Place For Signboard?Here?Is She OK?)
“Carry On..Good Luck.”

From Peter at Peter’s Pondering:
It’s a Sign
Max was a rogue!
Everyone said he would probably end up in jail!
He stole the signs over many years and added them to the posts.
No-one cared that they weren’t relevant, but tourists came in their thousands to take selfies.
Max, in his successful ice cream parlour, next door, smiled!
(280 characters)

From Isabel at Isabel Caves:

Gregan’s Castle
When I knocked on the door of Gregan’s Castle I never expected to end up living here. I didn’t believe the rumours about the strange owner either. It’s OK though – I’m never hungry, and I’ve always liked bats. When it comes down to it, being a vampire isn’t all that bad.
(271 characters)

Thank you everyone who played along this week. Twittering Tales about a stack of quirky signs turned out to be just what the doctor ordered to lighten the news of the day. I hope this week finds you well.

This week’s photo Prompt by Leigh Heasley at Pexels.com is a mystery. Is this a destination or just a sight along the way? Hope to see what you think at next week’s roundup. Peace to you…

Twittering Tale #72 – 20 February 2018 – “Hopewell”

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Photo prompt by Leigh Heasley at Pexels.com

He tapped the steering wheel absentmindedly. She leaned against the door, face pressed against the glass, when a stone column caught her eye, “Hopewell”.

“More like hopeless,” she thought.

He broke the silence, “We could adopt…”

“Really?” she slid over, leaning into him.

(276 Characters)

~kat


Empathy

it takes empathy
the kindness of bleeding hearts
freaks who care too much
to restore our dignity
and grace, our reputation

~kat

A Tanka for Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge using synonyms only for the words:

affection: kindness, grace, empathy

character: reputation, freak, dignity


Lunacy

there’s a green cheese moon
high above a flat earth…cows
and cats with fiddles

~kat

For Haiku Horizons Weekly Challenge, Prompt Word Moon.


Euphoria

If I’m being honest, there are only a handful of times I’ve experienced true euphoria. Meeting my children for the first time ranks right up there.

Certainly it was euphoria erupting in the sterile confines of those clinically-monitored natural events. I recall the sting of ammonia residue burning my nostrils, released in short Lamaze “hee, hee, ho, ho, oh god!” purse-lipped bursts, the push, don’t push groaning pelvic floor implosions, and the excruciating waves of dull, sharp, 9-10-is there an 11? on a scale of how bad is it? pain.

I was drenched in euphoria by the tingling tickle of cool sweat beads popping from my pores under the glare of strobing fluorescent lights, my muscles shaking uncontrollably, the incessant click-clacking of wheels on linoleum, paper-booted feet shuffling, fetal heart monitor lub-dubbing and by the startling smack of cold metal on my bare back on its sticky slide to the edge, my fuzzy-socked feet lodged securely in stirrups cradling my heels, while a dozen excited eyes burned a hole through my gaping crotch.

But oh… that was only foreplay, euphorically speaking. The exquisite climax to this laboring rush came at long last in the hot, wet, rushing sensation of soft alien flesh sliding from my core into the waiting, latex-gloved hands of a masked stranger who uttered the words I had waited nine long, bloated, nauseating, glowing months to hear…maybe even longer, if I’m being honest. “You did it, Mama! Meet your beautiful daughter!” That, my friends was euphoria!

Euphoria is a sliver shy of madness don’t you think? It’s a scientific fact actually, in some cases, you can look it up. But if we are lucky, it consumes us at least once in a lifetime. I have been quadruply blessed, but I fear my heart could not survive a steady dose of it!

even euphoria

an exhilarating experience
has a dark side

it’s sometimes a symptom
of carbon monoxide poisoning, hard drugs or mania…
I’m perfectly content with really, really happy

~kat

A few thoughts and a Cherita on the topic of Euphoria for Mind Love Misery’s Menageries’ Sunday Writing Prompt: Describe a moment in your real or fictional life when you experienced euphoria. Be as vivid as possible, hit all the senses (and I don’t just mean the basic 5).