Fast Times

Did you ever notice how much drinking goes on in tv series or movies? I wonder what the actors are drinking all that time, tea, grape juice, cranberry juice? And it’s not just the rich well to do people either. It’s everyone, especially wine of some kind. And there’s always the Russians and vodka, which could be water.

It doesn’t matter if the script calls for a celebration, party, a bar, a restaurant, or simply at home with dinner–every night? Are you kidding me? Drinking alone very popular, too. Who actually does this? Anyone, anyone? Bueller? Well Bueller, probably since by now he’s a disappointed middle aged loner. Which proves a point. . .why so much “instant I get home pull out the old bottle”? It’s like sex. . .no foreplay, no loving thoughts, just up against the wall in two seconds. What’s up with this? Instant gratification in all things, all the time.

Maybe it’s cell phones. We can’t live without being connected to them every second. Were they the start of all this instantaneous life style? People in deep serious conversation–like that’s going to happen–and buzz, phone absolutely has to be answered. Ever notice anyone by themselves or in a group out to dinner or anywhere really, not glued to their phones?

Maybe it’s the Internet. Everyone wants to blame the Internet for everything. It’s like, Google made me do it. Is there no self control anymore? Is everyone so afraid of Trump or global warming that they are desperate to find anything to numb them? Is it “1984” for real? What do you think?

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https://rugby843.blog

Camping – Yea or Nay?

We were just setting up camp and the trees provided some protection from the wind huffing off the mountain. It was our first time camping out with children. My husband and I spent many weekends in the rough, hiking, swimming in icy lakes and enjoying nature. We wanted our children to grow up respecting nature’s gifts as well, and thought camping was a perfect solution.

We had just set up the tent when the boys went down to the water. Throwing rocks was great fun they thought until one of the jetted stones landed on the other’s head. I still have a photo of him with a baggie of ice on his head and a red face.

Later that afternoon, he decided fishing would be a great idea. Unfortunately casting, reeling in quickly because of his impatient nature, never yielded a fish. His older brother did catch one and holding it up, hooked on the line, got teary eyed at the thought of killing it, and released the fish back to the stream. My husband did have an odd way of killing a caught fish. While I grew up seeing my dad just break the fish’s neck, which is cruel I admit, but at least it’s quick. My husband grew up with his dad whacking the caught fish on a rock till it died. Returning the fish to the stream was a great relief to us all.

My middle son suddenly seemed accident prone. At our campfire that night, we were roasting marshmallows with sticks “the men” hewed. Nature called and he set his stick down and went for a stroll. It was dark and when he came back he picked up the wrong end of the stick and burned his hand. All night beside his sleeping bag he had his hand in a dish of cold water.

I would say the adventure of camping never appealed to him after that. Nature is beautiful, having trees protect and watch over you, but also dangerous and harmful to the unschooled. To my son, it is better viewed in photos.

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https://rugby843.blog

Rory’s Fashionista Questionnaire

Could you cope with buying no clothes for a full year?

Definitely.

How many pairs of coloured/patterned socks do you possess?

Probably twenty or so. It’s cold here.

What is YOUR number one fashion rule?

Easy off and on, no buttons.

What is the quirkiest customised outfit you have ever worn and where and what for did you wear it?

A friend dresses as a clown, sings, plays the accordion to entertain in nursing homes and asked me to join her. I dressed as an opera singer, lots of makeup, rose in my hair. It was great fun.

In your opinion what are 5 basic but important items of clothing?

Nice shirt, nice pants, skirt and good fitting underwear.

Ok, so Flares? Once popular for the 70’s sure …. but where are they now?

I’ve seen some sixties and seventies clothing making a comeback. Yikes!

Which are your best three quotes that mean the most to you with regards fashion/clothing/lifestyle?

I have none.

You obviously have favourite colours you enjoy wearing, we all do – but if you were asked to wear the opposite colours to what you normally wear what would those colours be?

Bright pink, bright yellow, bluish red.

What are the wrong trousers to wear like ever?

I think the most unflattering pants are very wide legged or ones that stop in the middle of the calf.

What is your favourite style of nightwear from the following options?

I wear a camisole and underwear.

Would you wear stripes with  squares?

Probably not

Which out of the following line up are you most likely to wear?

Heels, Boots, Flats, Loafers, Sneekers, Brogues, Thongs [Flip Flops], Running Shoes, sandals, Wedges, Slippers, Lace Ups, Decks, Wellingtons, Riding Boots, Mules, Ankle Boots, Boat shoes, Chukkas, Chelsea Boot, Slips ons?

I wear slip on dressy shoes or sneakers. I also have a pair of lined boots for snow. Needless to say they don’t get worn out!😂

Are hats your thing? If so which styles?

I have one sun hat I wore to a graduation

For women; last time you wore a scarf and for men; last time you wore a tie?

I have a long thick knitted scarf I wear on our cold windy days.

Have you ever physically suffered for the sake of a fashion trend?

Years ago I walked in a pair of high heels to an event, didn’t know we weren’t taking the car. My feet swelled horribly. Those were the days of pantyhose. Today I would have taken them off.

I don’t follow fashion trends, some are laughable! Because I’m always sitting and have brake handles to contend with I wear leggings and nonflaring tops.

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https://aguynamedbloke.blog

MLMM First Line Friday

https://ephraimrubenstein.com/

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“But why is the answer more books?”

Jack was pleading with his dad, again. It seemed every time Jack asked his dad a question, his dad would say “look it up.” Of course he did and sometimes that required researching not just one book, but two or three. Jack’s dad had books on most subjects and was an avid reader. He knew the secret of getting Jack to read more was to have him look up everything. Jack’s curiosity led him from one book to another, not realizing how much he extended his learning.

It was another trip to the used book store when Jack asked his dad where they were going. The answer was always the same, “we need more books for more answers.”

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/05/10/first-line-friday-may-10th-2019/#like-18088

The Haunted Wordsmith 5-10-19

“Why is there such an intimidating lock on this door? I wonder what happens if I try to open it?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Sandra spouted, being the older one in the group of schoolmates. The academy had left the girls on their own to explore the “Witches of Salem” tour. “You will immediately be set upon by a spell!” Receiving gales of laughter from all, Julie was still curiously investigating the door.

Julie was just reaching out to open the door when a tall thin man in a black top hat and long coat put himself between her and the door. “Oh, my dear young lady, that would not be wise. Many a pretty young tourist has succumbed to the power of the door. I would strictly advise against it. Now move along ladies, enjoy the rest of the tour.”

Grudgingly, the group moved on to the cafe, next on the schedule, to eat a lunch especially prepared for the visitors, consisting of rattail soup, hemlock salad and mouse mousse for dessert. All but Julie were happy to move on and finish the day’s tour.

That evening, Julie woke Sandra and convinced her to sneak out of their cabin and go back to investigate the door. As they neared, a mist suddenly appeared and surrounded the girls. It seemed to consist of white ethereal friendly figures, urging them without words away from the door. Deciding they were not brave enough to investigate further, the frightened girls returned to find themselves in the crosshairs of the matron at the door of their cabin. “Curfew was three hours ago! Where have you been? I was about to call the local constables!”

Sandra and Julie, white faced and admonished, crawled into their beds, glad to be safe. The next day the tour continued in a library consisting of volumes of material on witches and the like. The two girls were not surprised to find a section writing about so named white witchery. Apparently these “good witches” kept children from harm.

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https://thehauntedwordsmith.wordpress.com/2019/05/10/prompt-may-10/

FOWC with Fandango — Crosshairs

http://cyranny.com/2019/05/10/obvious-word-of-the-day-challenge/

#writephoto 5-9-19

I tried to leave, but as you can see I cannot. Is it my fate to be rooted here with you? Is it my secret desire to stay, only my heart knows for sure. I’m long planted here, seem to be spreading, not even knowing if that’s what I really want. I tried to leave, your roots combined with mine and held me. Maybe it’s need, a need for permanence, needing only your companionship. You shelter me, comfort me, seeming to know what I need. I tried to leave, but my roots stretch too far, too deep and seem forever mingled with you.

Thursday photo prompt: Rooted #writephoto

MLMM Tale Weaver #222 – Aging. . .moan

Second childhood, you say, and why is that! I wonder? Who ever came up with that term? The only thing I regret is being stuck in a wheelchair, but aging has nothing to do with it. If I was not, there wouldn’t be many changes in my life, no matter my age.

I have always been clumsy, always done my own thing, said pretty much anything I wanted to say, and went wherever I wanted. I had a nice life, was married for 47 years and I am fine most of the time now on my own. I do get lonely, but I also had lonely times being married.

I suppose you reach a certain level of freedom with age, as long as you are basically healthy. I’m not on medications, and as healthy as I can be at the present time. My only concern is transportation, and that’s not because of my age. There are no bus stops around me, and curb to curb bus service was suspended because I can roll myself a block. What one has to do with the other, I have no idea. Probably it’s the state and its infinite wisdom of never putting themselves in anyone else’s shoes.

All in all, I am truly lucky. I watched my grandparents age, become incapacitated and stuck in beds and probably wishing they would die. I know I wouldn’t want to live that way. Each person has their own way of aging, just look at Susie over at https://susiesopinions.blog. She doesn’t know the meaning of the word aging!

It’s how I perceive the world. As long as I don’t spend too long in front of the mirror admiring my increasing wrinkles, I can sit and be depressed and moan about my age or get on with it. It’s better than the alternative, isn’t it?

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https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/05/09/tale-weaver-222-the-opportunities-of-old-age-may-9th/#like-18001

Three Line Tales #171 – Desperation

Street lamps watch as I search for you. The mist rolls in, adding to the melancholy. Its grey foggy dampness only supplicate my feelings of despair.

I never heard your voice, I didn’t know. If only you had called, I might have convinced you, saved you. Can I still, are you here, where are you?

Please don’t leave, don’t leave in this desperate place. Don’t leave me. I can, I will, make it better. I can help you, please wait, give me a chance to try.

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https://only100words.xyz/2019/05/08/three-line-tales-week-171/