The Bag Lady

Image : sumerianalien.com

“The night is dark and full of terrors” – Game of Thrones

She only knew the way by watching the Dog Star. If she kept it on her right side through the meadow, she would be safe. In the thick woods where the star wasn’t visible, she had marked a few trees to show her the way. The woods weren’t dangerous or frightening during the day but at night she wanted to make quick work of them.

It was only a legend after all, no one had seen anything ethereal in the last century. However, the stories were chilling and Sophia took no chances. Every step was rehearsed in the daylight, and at night when this trek was necessary, she was confident as she could be all would be well.

Growing up with those scary stories, it was difficult for any child to feel comfortable in the darkness. It was not ghosts they really feared, because every old home had a ghost of sorts. It might be in the form of a moving window curtain, a slammed door when no one was close to it, or a creaking from the attic floorboards, all indications of a half-welcomed guest. Sophia was fairly used to the idea that family members never really left earth, but stayed close in spirit form, and it never frightened her, just startled her once in a while.

The nightly travels from her work to home were practiced. She had many times pretended to be chased or followed and arranged hiding places or safe caves she could duck into if needed. The Dog Star seemed to be a faithful companion on these nightly trips, ever vigilant, watching over her till she arrived home safely.

Weekly Writing Challenge #150

“Would you please be still” the mom pleaded with her son in the doctor’s office, because he always talking, while they were still waiting for the appointment to find why her daughter was always fidgeting, and never still.

https://stephaniecolpron.wordpress.com/2018/07/17/tuesdayuseitinasentence-still/

https://rugby843.blog

https://rugby843.blog

As a child my favorite thing

Was climbing into the oak tree swing

From high view I saw the lower swamp

Just a bog of sorts, with plants all damp

The cattails weaving when lit upon

By redwing blackbirds, and the song

Of frogs and crickets in the night

All residents of this delight

Swinging was a fantastical place

Flying over a beautiful space.

Photo by : mikeintyler.smugmug.com

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2018/07/17/photo-challenge- 222

When we lived in Houston, TX we had the same type of cattle drive which is still the largest Livestock Show and Rodeo in the world. Calgary Stampede is the world’s largest rodeo. I’m not into rodeos, but the drive itself is a great “old west” happening, fun to watch.

https://rugby843.blog

Flaky and filling might apply

To a lot of things.

I prefer pie.

The buttery crust I eat every crumb

Leaving it on the plate

is just. . .dumb!

Why you can have pudding any time

Fruit compote always sublime

But the combination of crust and filling

I might have some today, God willing!

Rhubarb please, NO strawberries!

Chatting with a friend, he had this to say:

I agree. Could this be the straw we need to break the camel’s back?

And this started as a great day. . .

https://rugby843.blog

Before we get started I have to admit something I just noticed last week, my bad. And this is truly embarrassing! I’ve always excelled at typing. I used to type 120 words a minute, and that’s on a manual! The same for shorthand. Of course I haven’t used those skills in a million years and my laptop is old, slow and covered with dust. Sometimes I surprise myself in the fact of how much I ignore technology because I can’t seem to grasp it, so let it pass by.

Wait, this is funny. . . I get a notice once in a while on my phone asking if I want to change keyboards. They offer this “qwerty” keyboard and I never checked it out. Yes, my face is reddening as I write. Last week I was staring blankly at my iPad wondering about a word and noticed the first six letters on the top row of the keypad. . .yup, qwerty.

In my defense, all the time learning typing at least a hundred years ago, we were not allowed to look at the keyboard. So all letters were stored in memory by your fingers, not really visualizing them as a board? I don’t know if I’m explaining it right. But usually I’m the only one in such matters, yet again. Ok, let me hear a big “DUH!”

Here are my answers to ceenphotography.com‘s Share Your World this week. Thank you C, this is a wonderful way to get to know more about each other!

1. Gelato if it’s only one. To me it has much more flavor and creamier, even though the labels read differently. Maple walnut is my favorite ice cream flavor, but hard to get outside of New England. I like yogurt okay, but rarely have any of these. It’s like plum wine, I don’t keep it around the house, too easy to indulge.

2. I like to people watch but rarely get the chance.

3. I like them all, but being in the mountains with a fresh water lake would be a dream.

I have to say some blogs and a very close friend made me smile this week already and it’s only Tuesday! How great is that? A few of us went to see Antman and the Wasp and it was funnier than the original, very enjoyable.

This week I’m just happy my bills are paid, I have a clean made bed, and not having any appointments or phone calls to deal with. Compared to last week, this is heavenly!

http://ceenphotography.com/2018/07/16/share-your-world-july-16-2018/

He didn’t think her bones were that easily broken. Using the latex gloves from his pocket, he crouched down to lift her. It was difficult retrieving her body from the marsh, but now out of the swamp, he could take her to the cellar.

He was surprised she didn’t cry out. Maybe it was the withering look he gave her warning her not to. There might have been night fishermen close by but she never uttered a word. As he held her under, it didn’t even seem she resisted. It was a mournful testament to the influence he had on her mind. He almost smiled thinking of how he intimidated her into doing exactly what he wanted. As their relationship grew he had total control and she reacted as if in a stupor sometimes. He used no drugs, just his will, a Svengali in modern time.

As he placed her inside the alcove, mortared the opening, he had no thoughts of her returning as a preta, her mind was too weak. Sufficiently sealed for eternity, he once again returned to the dark streets of the night, hunting.

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2018/07/16/wordle-204/