The Bag Lady

rusty crag carving

through bright snow covered softness

strength wins the contest

—

sunshine weather heat

melting bares the rocky peaks

springtime is coming

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SenHai Saturday #60

You’re just being ridiculous

And you’re being fastidious

The two brothers fought

Using words they thought

Would outdo the other

Of course they’re authors

Words are important

One of them said

And yours are impotent

The other one pled

Well at least I’m well dressed

Yes, I’m truly impressed

But may I suggest

Your suit needs a vest

Oh, bother, can’t you rest

I always look my best

And for the last time

Let’s stop these rhymes!

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Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Fastidious

Walking home from school was the worst part of Mary’s day. Even recess was okay because friends would keep horrible monster boys away from her. On the way home it was a different story.
Mary’s mother was very particular and wanted everything pristine, including Mary and her clothing for school, a starched uniform with white sleeves and collar. Boys she encountered on Mary’s walk home alone made sure at least one clump of dirt was thrown and landed on Mary’s dress. Mary knew her mom would be disappointed.

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Weekend Writing Prompt #476 – Pristine

Anyone out there like to wait?

Say for a new person on a date…

For me the answer is no

If waiting for someone who’s always slow

You can’t plan ahead because you know

They’re on a different piece of time

It’s like you’re lemon and they’re lime

Lovely together once they are

But it’s like an echo from afar

You know they’re there, on their way

But with nothing to do, seems not okay

Can’t do anything else cause you might miss

The meeting you want that causes bliss

So nothing to do but sit and wait

An activity I grow to hate

Trying not to see how much time has passed

Since you heard their last

“On the way”😉

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https://rugby843.blog

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Unfortunately I have a memory of jelly that popped in my head, but I don’t recommend watching or listening to the video I found. How I used to sing this on long car trips with kids I’ll never know!😳🤪.

Have a great weekend!

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The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS July 11, 2026

Blogbattlers – Blur

Evan was not the sort of guy who liked a challenge. His life was ordinary, possibly boring to others, but it suited him. Each day was much like the last, sleep, wake, coffee, get on the bus, work, get on the bus, eat, and sleep. You couldn’t blame him for not being ambitious, it was his family’s history. Evan had few friends, but they were aware of his inability to want more, as they did.

Frank was a friend of Evan. Frank also took the bus and worked at the same factory, but he always wanted more. Frank was adopted into a wealthy family, but left when he was sixteen. He never felt fully accepted, and preferred to be on his own. Leaving under poor circumstances, his family’s wealth didn’t follow, and he ended up barely existing. That is how he became friends with Evan, working at the same boring factory job and barely getting by.

The two men complimented each other in some ways, which turned out to be what led Frank to him. Frank conceived a plan to raid the factory’s office in the off hours of night. He made preparations in the way of starting a trusting friendship with the night guard. He often supplied the guard with a treat on his way out of his shift. As time went on, he engaged him in conversations that led Frank to more knowledge of the guard’s routine.

Evan was unaware of this deception, or its goal. The friendship with the guard was well executed, and getting close enough to him to learn of his background proved convenient. The guard had been in prison for small crimes when he was younger. The lenient, accommodating owner of the factory always thought it best to give second chances. His employment of the guard had proved him right. Sitting together, eating their homemade lunches, Frank decided it was time to start grooming Evan. He wanted him to be his accomplice in the robbery but without actually participating in the act itself. He wanted to lure Evan with thoughts of how having money could change their lives.

Evan never had money but was curious as to Frank’s plans. It was all a pipe dream to Evan, but he enjoyed listening to Frank’s stories. The day arrived when Frank decided it was time to act on his plan. He had asked Evan to engage the guard in conversation as Frank slipped past.

The guard had no reason to suspect Frank, and kept talking to Evan. Frank sneaked into the office and removed the locked cash box. The box was easy to find and even easier to remove the lock and pocket the week’s profits. He had studied the routine and knew pickup was every Friday night at nine. Frank pocketed the cash, fixed the lock and put the box back where he found it. Using the excuse of a restroom need, he made sure to make the theft as quick as possible. The guard was still speaking with Evan when Frank came out of the doorway.

Frank thanked the guard for letting him in, and joined Evan to catch the bus back home. Once on the bus, Frank told a new story to Evan, how an adventure was waiting for them. He wanted them both to leave town and travel to another state. Evan wasn’t receptive as Frank thought he would be. They parted ways at the bus stop.  

Frank knew he had to leave and quickly. In a few hours the theft would be discovered and he was probably the last person to enter the building except the guard. Frank boarded the last bus to New York under a different name, newly dyed hair, and sporting a beard. He left no trace in his rented room, also under another name. His plan worked well. He only thought a moment about Evan, was slightly disappointed he didn’t join him, but now Evan was on his own.

Evan slept, woke, took the bus to work as he did every day but Sunday. When he arrived there was a blur of activity, police cars and the night guard he spoke with the day before was sitting in handcuffs.  The factory owner seemed upset and was being questioned by the police.  Evan wondered what was going on, but wasn’t all that interested.  He didn’t want to be late to his section. Only one thing occurred to him, where was Frank?

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Fandango’s Flashback Friday — July 10th

“Who can play there” asked five year old Joey.

His mother, distracted, replied, “You have to be four feet tall I think.” Lucy walked over to the side to buy two balloons for her boys. Joey broke away from his brother Jimmy and ran over to the ride that looked like his bouncy toy at home.

Lucy returned with balloons and noticed Joey was gone. She anxiously asked where Joey was. He pointed to the large metal structure. Lucy grabbed his arm and ran over to the ride, only to see Joey disappearing high up on the stairs.

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10 July 2026

Falling asleep to Fox News because of his annoying insomnia, Joe leaped out of bed, hitting his head on the ceiling fan, cursing the world. The fan hadn’t been used lately, shaking dust off causing Joe to start sneezing. Throwing open the window, started yelling for them to stop playing that tambourine! How dare the band play loudly that late?

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Can You Tell A Story In…

This was a tough one, Esther😀

I am. I am sorry I thought everything should be perfect. It started out that way, honestly it was ideal. And then I lost control. Control was not a word I was familiar with until years later.

Funny, but now these prompts/confessions of sorts help me sort things out, so Jim, I guess you’re my pseudo therapist! “Sorry ‘bout that, chief” and if you’re old enough to get that reference, you may relate to my words. No offense to my male readers, but in those years of my life, most women’s roles were much different than yours. I had a great job I loved, was living on my own and life was what I imagined it would be. And all this at 18 years of age. Then I fell in love and all changed. I am not going to bore you with details, but as I married, had children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren, I try to say sorry for things and it just seems to bounce off. I’m sorry about that, too.

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Thursday Inspiration #331 Who’s Sorry Now

He regaled in victory

Dismantling history

You’d think he’d wear it on a vest

All could read it on his chest

A snake spewing his venom clear to see

Against all colors of skin, like you and me.

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Three Things Challenge #MM479