The Bag Lady

The drone of fans filled the tenement building, dozens of plastic and aluminum blades filling the silence and stirring the humid air. Unfortunately the air in a tenement building is not longed-for fresh air. Any open windows bring in car fumes, garbage scented dumpsters, and animal deposits, especially in summer heat. If you are on the inside of the building without windows, you are subject to Grandma Willy’s home cooking which is a delight or a curse depending on what is on her menu. If you are lucky enough to live in a corner of the building you may get a cross breeze placing a fan in one window and pulling the air through another window instead of blowing around inside stale air. Air movement of any kind can be a blessing sometimes.

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https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/first-line-friday-july-17th-2020/#like-20305

Up, down or across

I am the one at a loss

Stacked apartments all

Unknown lives across the hall

Should be first to make a call

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Quickly shut your door

Not wanting to know much more

Fast glance, curb your dog

People walking to their cars

They could even be from Mars

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Grandkids call it shade

Nowadays no greeting made

Step lively sir, or

Grab the keys before the door

It’s the virus, keeping score.

***

https://amanpan.com/2020/07/20/eugis-weekly-prompt-neighbors-july-20-2020/#like-67009

“Home of the Brave” starring Samuel L. Jackson, is far from the Nick Fury character in this movie, Jessica Biel, 50 Cent, and Brian Presley. It’s not an award winner but brings to light an important issue. And lest we forget, there are US soldiers maimed and dying across the world, every day.

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https://rugby843.blog

You may never have watched this television drama from 1999, but it is available now. I watched it back then and am rewatching it now on Netflix. Today, Season 2, Episode 3 was particularly fine. You might check it out if you like. I personally think we desperately need a Bartlett in the Whitehouse.

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https://rugby843.blog

I didn’t expect a death sentence, but as other voices started to wail, it was difficult to deny the signal my heart gave out. It was beating wildly as I watched them throw each body bag of dead into the tunneled ditch. Still, a guilty sigh of relief in my breath as they skip me, move past my ragged line, and choose the next victim.

https://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com/2020/07/19/wordle-464-2/#like-2372

***

Yup, that’s where it happened, alright. I can still picture him stuck, crying. He wasn’t hurt, just embarrassed the firemen had to get him out. We told him, don’t go in there, but you know Charlie, always did anything you told him not to. What? You’re going to what? No!

https://talesfromthemindofkristian.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/50-word-thursday-81/

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I guess I should not have been surprised, really. I had seen the results of Madame Fate before. It was Jimmy, now referred to as James Allen Berks, Esq. Jimmy was one of our classmates at PS41 and no one–parent, teacher, or principal, thought any of us would amount to anything, meaning of course, neither did we.

I’m not complaining, it was just the times, and we got by until we left high school and real life began. Some of us followed our dads into the factory, some lazed out on the street corner for the day, and only a few tried to get into higher education. But as I said, no one expected much. Jimmy was a bit different, as he had dreams. He wanted that other life, a fancy car, a gorgeous movie star girlfriend and of course, money.

On a summer afternoon a group of us entered Madame Fate’s tent at the fairgrounds and Jimmy was the brave one who had saved his pennies to have a fortune told. We all sat around fascinated as she doled out cards with funny pictures, but Jimmy was mesmerized. In the sun’s dust ball atmosphere shown by a rip in the tent, the cards revealed Jimmy’s future. He was going to discover a new product that would delight the public and bring him fame and fortune. Our eyes widened at the thought, the possibility of such an accomplishment, but in our hearts, we all doubted it.

A few years later, as adults in our daily activities that resembled our parents lives, we would get together and someone would bring up that adventure. Jimmy had not been in the neighborhood for some time and we lost track of him. The usual Saturday night gathering was interrupted as Jimmy strode in, dressed to the nines with a beautiful woman by his side. He was smoking a cigar and a large diamond ring flashed from his right hand. He came over and sat down with us, as we stared enthralled by his story. After it was only the three of us, he leaned over to me and whispered, “I was amazed the fortune teller got it right”.

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2020/07/19/sunday-writing-prompt-i-was-amazed-19th-july/#like-20294

I fell for the top hat

Fell for the wand

Even for the rabbit I was fond

I fell for the trick

The spell of the stick

Thought I loved magic

But it turned out tragic

Under your spell, did things willynilly

Now I realize I was just silly

I wanted the fantasy I thought to be true

But as soon as I fell, you disappeared too.

***

https://lightmotifs.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/thursday-inspiration-65/

“What, me worry? Are you nuts? I’ve been on this diet so long my ears are connected! I want some real food with actual calories in it! Some salt, some sugar, some fat! You know they just found out those snacks you love, rice cakes? They’re not good for you!”

“Quit ranting, Charlie. After dusk when no one’s watching, I’ll sneak out of the clinic and get you a triple Big Mac with cheese, extra large fries and a huge coke slurpee! Then you can eat to your heart’s content, or should I say demise?”

🍔🍔🍔

https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/three-things-challenge-298/

The hinterland of the world today I refer to is the internet – “an area lying behind what is visible or known” according to one definition. And what an area! You can find absolutely anything you want in this land.

If you like cooking, there are probably millions of recipes available for white cake alone. Sports are popular, and with the virus, old game videos are available. Two examples only here, choices are huge. These choices also make you vulnerable. You’re watching them while they’re watching you.

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https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/weekend-writing-prompt-166-hinterland/