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

Can You tell a Story in 61?

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
Dressed in team colors, orchid and lime green, Sylvia was ready for volleyball practice in the palatial gymnasium. Approaching the gym, realized gravy she had on morning breakfast biscuits might have been a bad choice. Her sneakers let out complaining squeaks as she beelined it to the bathroom. Sitting there killing time, she sorted a jigsaw puzzle painted on the wall.

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Can You Tell A Story In…

The Writer’s Workshop

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
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My thoughts are clouded by tears because I still can’t look at photos or videos etc of that day. We got up fairly early, living in Houston in an apartment. We had to take our shitzu into the vet so we were getting ready, and I sat down on the bed and turned on the news. What I saw was incredible. I told my husband that can’t be an error, there’s another one crashing into a building! After that the sickening sounds I’ll never forget of bodies landing on the pavement as people tried to escape out their windows. I have not even seen the memorial. I’m too old and too emotional to relive it. My oldest son lived in NYC at that time and of course we were worried about him but heard from him soon. So, no I try not to think too much about it. The way Trump is going I wouldn’t be shocked again by such an event occurring.

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This Week’s Writer’s Workshop Prompts: September 11, 2025

Devastation

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
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It had come down to this, she thought, sadly surveying what used to be their home. Not the entire city of course, but a lovely apartment with a rooftop garden, right up there, as Susan pointed out for her husband Charlie, whose eyesight was going. And it wasn’t so long ago, either, just three years. She chided herself for her lackadaisical attitude back then.

She and Charlie had a perfect life, before, and why to heaven they were so satisfied to just sit back and ignore what was happening, she shook her head. We just turned on the Hallmark channel loud enough to deafen the protests happening beneath us. When they finally decided to face the news and actually saw faces of their old neighbors marching, it was too late. The devastation of democracy was in full swing. Later they heard bombs, and were petrified.

Charlie had a nephew Joe, who lived in the country. They packed a few essentials and decided to walk the few miles to the nephew’s home. Communications had been wiped out in the city so they hoped to find a welcoming solace with Joe and his family.

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Weekly Writing Prompt

Fandango’s Story Starter

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized
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She sat in the chair, just staring off into space. It wasn’t the first time, in fact it was becoming an everyday thing! She would be working at her writing, hoping for another chapter for her publisher, and then what? She would wake up staring at nothing. She was encouraged by her friend to see a doctor, but Susan was not ready to hear what might be wrong. She needed time, time to finish her memoirs.

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Fandango’s Story Starter #217

Living Poetry

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

This week let’s write an excuse poem. Whether justifying your own poor choices or attempting to explain the actions of another, describe the extenuating circumstances and mitigating evidence, real or hypothesized, anything to shift the blame. You have no excuse for not posting a poem in the comments below.

“Well, excuuuuse me!” from Steve Martin
comedian in 70’s not meant as a pardon
rude standing there with a balloon on his head
but apolitical, he wouldn’t tread
on famous people like George Carlin
if speaking today he would be hauled in
of course the vigilantes have no excuse
it’s not lawful, their abuses
this word has many uses
though it seems no-one tries to make excuses.

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Monday Poetry Prompt: Excuse

SYW 9-8-25

by rugby843, posted in Uncategorized

Here are this week’s questions:

 Do you revisit or reblog some of your earlier posts?Sometimes if I see a comment on an old one, and I do Fandango’s Flashback Friday.

  Do you have a favourite post/posts?I have an old one but most posts that get a good response are not my favorites.

  How long have you been blogging? I started in 2015.

  Do you have another blog elsewhere?No.

Gratitude: I have a lot this week! My granddaughter who just started college is now healthy again. She has played in scrimmages and two regular soccer games, first was a draw and second last week was a win 4-1. She’s a happy busy girl. The soccer practices are hard and long but she’s managing. I also found out I have a second great grand baby on the way! Life is good.❤️

Share Your World: 8th September