Author: rugby843

I am a widow since 2013 and live by myself in a small apartment. I use a wheelchair to get around, but I wouldn't consider myself disabled. I'm 11 years away from having bladder cancer resulting in a urostomy and I'm doing well. This cancer was a result of having radiation in 1995 because of uterine cancer. So have faith in yourself, a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. My first try at blogging was an attempt to help other people with my condition. I am a mother of three married children, and a grandmother to eight gorgeous kids, featuring them often here, and a great grandmother to two as of today, 6/7/25! I enjoy exploring my feelings and like to try the challenges. I like humor, music, movies, games, and some sports. I absolutely appreciate your reading and commenting on my blog. I am happy to read all of your blogs and learn more about you. Please comment however you like, ask whatever, and I'll answer honestly. Thanks for reading! Cheryl

Android

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
Maria looked in the mirror and still held her head high. It was a sacrifice, but needed. As the gears and screws moved slowly up the right side of her body, she felt excruciating pain, and soon she would pass out and wake up to see more than half of her body an android.

She looked again, hesitantly into the mirror, trying to set what’s left of her human side to memory. It was worth it she thought, as tears ran down, shining on the metal. He was dead, never to hurt anyone on the planet again. So few humans were left completely intact, the results of unending war he caused. Even in this condition, she would be at peace.

Weekly Writing Prompt

The Reader

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

No it’s not about a book or movie or tv show…it’s about the WordPress Reader. Mine is stuck on three to five days ago. I checked it out again today because I thought trying to leave a comment there might be easier. Commenting or even a like on a blogger’s email post I received, causes a five minute dentist drill in my brain.

I have had this blog for nine years and I still have to sign in again and again and then sometimes my comment gets deleted or lost somewhere. It is very frustrating and should be fixed by WP. The disgusting ads revenue interrupting our prose or poetry should be sufferable enough that WP could at least make reading posts and commenting easier.

https://rugby843.blog

MLMM – Adverbs

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
***

Adverbs? Seriously? I almost never use adverbs. Normally I like to use adjectives, nouns and verbs, but an ADverb? Eventually of course everyone has to use an actual adverb or your writing would rarely see the light of day…It’s entirely possible to pose a poem swiftly and try not to use any adverbs at all such as this:

Joe’s dog is mean

Meanest dog I ever seen

He will bite your leg or arm

His master says he ain’t no harm.

—

So in conclusion, I would politely , playfully, offer this advice. A thoroughly enjoyable piece of writing almost always has to contain words that are adverbs, describing, where, when and how.

***

Adverbs

Fandango’s Flashback Friday

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

#writephoto 5-11-17. The Choice

I could keep on running. I could fool the dogs staying in the stream but that would mean going into the tunnel. How old is it? Where does it come out? Would I even be able to come out the other side? I haven’t been here before, I don’t know the area, and I want to get out of this water. It’s getting colder and I’m soaking wet.

I hear them coming, those howling, high pitched whines when they’ve found my scent. They’re closer. Should I keep going and brave the tunnel? It may have no other opening, it may be the entrance to a huge deep hole. Would I be able to breathe in there, are there snakes?

If I go into the tunnel and they follow. . .if there’s no other opening, I’ll be trapped! Their barks are louder, pretty soon they’ll see me and then I’m caught. The tunnel is so dark, covered in moss, it will be wet and cold there, too. I have no choice. At least if the water masks my scent, I have a chance.  There’s no chance on the open bank.

I’m going in, my feet sink slightly. I feel the air and the water are much colder here. I can’t see anything but it will take time for my eyes to adjust. I feel a shiver up my legs traveling up my spine. Is it a shiver? Or is it something. . .oh my God, I can feel it! It’s not a shiver, it’s a vine or an arm or a snake, what the hell is it? It’s wrapping around me. It’s choking me. I barely hear the dogs outside. I’m being dragged down, down and I feel a slimy presence engulfing me. I can hardly breathe. I should have stayed out of here. I should have. . .

Outside the tunnels, the dogs were anxiously watching the entrance, howling and whining louder than ever before.

Thursday photo prompt – Green #writephoto

Fandango’s Flashback Friday — August 16th

Politics – Wrong vs Right

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

Look what he’s done with his song, ma…

JDVance: “You know what really bothers me about Tim Walz, as a Marine who served his country in uniform? When the United States Marine Corps, when the United States of America asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it,” Vance said. “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.” (Lies)

But Army Lt. Col. Ryan Rossman, director of operations for the Minnesota National Guard, said Wednesday that Walz’s unit “received an alert order for mobilization to Iraq on July 14, 2005.” Walz had retired two months earlier, in May. (Truth)

***

Thursday Inspiration #241 Look What They’ve Done To My Song, Ma

The Transformation

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
***
A quiet unassuming girl was visited by an intimidating specter. The specter told her not to be afraid, but listen to her advice. “I’m going to transport you into the future where you will accomplish many things, defeat an evil king, and become a leader. The tools you will need will be provided. All you need is determination and using your inner strength. I tried and failed and as you can see, I am no longer human.”
Suddenly the specter disappeared and the girl felt a strange occupation of her being. She fainted and woke up in a different world. Looking down at herself, she had muscles, her hair was long and waving. Her dress had been replaced by leathers and boots and she had weapons on her sides. A breeze surrounded her and images of stone structures and horses appeared. By her side a man dressed in a helmet and armor sat, seeming sad and defeated.
The man looked up and saw her and a smile came over his weathered face. “Theodora! You’re alive! I’m so glad to see you! We looked everywhere and it seemed you disappeared, or worse, were captured. With you leading us again, I think we might have a chance.” Other men dressed in bloody armor started coming up to them. A few bowed or took a knee, uttering “Bellona”. Plans were made and battles fought, but Theodora and her soldiers ended victorious. It seemed her presence urged them on to champion in battle.
Later that evening the celebrations began.
***

All images thanks to Kevin, the Gorilla😉

No Theme Thursday: 08.15.24