LIKE A CAROUSEL

Posted on October 8, 2015 by hafong

It is Thursday evening, not quite Friday but it is good enough to tell tales of 100 words on Friday Fictioneers. We are hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Here’s my 100 words prompted by this week’s photo.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

Her head was spinning like a carousel out of control. Her heart pounded. Lub dub! Lub dub! She crossed her arms across her chest as if to hold the sound in. She bent over, taking a deep breath.

Her head cleared. She sighed in relief. She could think again. She was tired of being down trodden, being at everyone’s beck and call, pleasing them, cheering them on. There was no time for herself. There was no her.

“I’m tired of it. Damn it all to hell!” She muttered. “I’ll have no more of it. I know what I will do.”

STAYING ALIVE

Posted on September 24, 2015 by hafong

I’ve been away too long, lost among overgrown untravelled paths this last while with no fiction in my mind nor fingertips. But I’ve found my way back to this favourite spot – Friday Fictioneers. It’s where storytellers gather to tell their tales of 100 words or so according to a photo prompt. We are hosted by our gracious host, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields of Addicted to Purple. Here is my tale of 99 words.

The glare of headlights nearly blinded her. She clung onto the steering wheel with all her might, willing the car to stay the course. Horns honked and blared. She willed herself not to scream. Everything was coming at her every which way. What kind of nightmare was she in? Was she sleeping or awake?

She remembers going down this road so many times. Oh, how she wishes she could forget. Memory lane is not what it is cracked up to be. Where’s the champagne and balloons? Where’s the laughter? Where’s John Travalta singing Staying Alive? Where’s……Oh my God, Nooo!

AFTER THE PARTY

Posted on September 18, 2015 by hafong

After the party is over, after all the drinks are gone, after all the speeches have been spoken, after everyone has gone home… We can relax and let our smiles fall. We can take our shoes off and drop our clothes on the floor. We can sigh, breathe and let our shoulders drop. We can wash the weariness off our faces, smile again, remembering the moments, faces, toasts and stories, feeling grateful that we have friends and family to invite and share.

After the party is over, after we can take no more, after we have come home, we can let our faces fall. We undress, hang up our clothes and stumble to the bathroom. Under the warm shower, we breathe and sigh with relief and contentment. We smile at the memories, stories and happy faces, feeling grateful to be invited.

After the journey is over and the dog collected, after the bags are unloaded, after a cup of tea and a glass of wine, after a meal cooked and ate, after a good night’s sleep…..After the bags are unpacked, the clothes laundered and hung, I am able to sit here, feet up, tap, tapping on the keyboard, feeling grateful for the journey, the hills and valleys, the laughter, the tears and the people who travelled with me.

READY, SET, GO

Posted on September 3, 2015 by hafong

It’s another day. I still have a million and one things to do. For now, let me rest in this space if I can, but difficult neighbours seem to be my cross to bear – especially the obsessive compulsive type. Right now I can hear the constant whine of her leaf blower. It’s like hearing fingernails scratching on a blackboard over and over. I don’t mean to be unkind but I wish she would disappear. It’s my evil twin speaking.

It stops and starts again, this never ending stream of irritation. I will breathe and sip my cuppa and tap away on my keyboard. There! It has stopped. Praise the Lord! I close my eyes, unfurl my eyebrows and let my shoulders drop. I am tired but it is a good day. The car is back from the shop with a set of brand new Michlin tires. Have tread, will travel far. No worries. I am ready, set and can almost go. It feels heady not to procrastinate.

Now if I can get to my tomatoes. There’s no end to them. Seems like I pick bushels of tomatoes and sunberries every day. I’m complaining a little now. Come winter I will be happy to have tomatoes for soups and spaghetti sauce. And those little berries will be delicious in muffins. Suffer now. Enjoy later. Oh, that whine has started again. It’s like being at the dentist’s.

CHANGES – Endings and Beginnings

Posted on September 2, 2015 by hafong

The dishes are done and laundry hung. The Roomba is operating on its own in the living room. There’s still a million things to be done but isn’t there always? The tomatoes can wait. A few more hours on the vine will sweeten them more. That goes for the grapes also. Everything can wait.

It’s time for me to put up my feet and have my tea. What is it with us girls? We just can’t do without our cuppa. Life is so much better and easier with this pause in the day. I like to sit here in my favourite spot and savour the experience. Thoughts, pictures and words parade through my mind.

It is September, end of summer and the beginning of another season, school and work for some. For us it is a return to the city from the lake. Endings, beginnings and changes are ever with us. But for all that, the more things change, the more they remain the same.

It is easy to slip back into the same old ruts. The grooves are deep and the mud is sticky. It is only with grit and determination that I don’t fall over the slippery slopes again. Past experiences are painful but I do learn from them.

My ugly sister, my evil twin showed herself again, whispering her thoughts and feelings. I believed her at first but then I had to ask. Is that true? She was silent. I forgave her lies and loved her anyways. I loved her that was part of me.

We are stronger knowing we are part of each other. Even though with all the things that remain the same, we do not have to be the same. We can do different.

STEPPING OUT IN THE DARK – AugustMoon finale

Posted on August 31, 2015 by hafong

It is the last day of August and last day for AugustMoon 2015. It has been a wonderful few weeks of writing. These weeks of reflection have given me rest and pause to see with more clarity into the world and life as it is. I am surrounded by sunlight streaming through the woods as I sit here tap, tapping on my keyboard. I am happy and at ease.

AugustMoon Day 16 photo prompt

We had a super moon last night coming home from our friends’ house in the woods. In light of the full moon, our path was lit. It was easy to take a step without stumbling over roots and such. The trick in life is taking a step forward in the dark, not knowing what lies ahead.

But if you can suck it in and take that bold first step, it gets easier. Your eyes get accustomed to the dark. You lose some of the fear. You can relax a little. Your shoulders come down and you can breathe. You can think. You might find that there is nothing to be afraid of. There are no boogey men or demons behind every tree. It’s only your shadow. I have learned to take that bold first step. It was terrifying and exhilarating like riding the roller coaster at the fair. It is very worth the ride.

FIRE WITHIN – AugustMoon Day 12

Posted on August 30, 2015 by hafong

When I hear the words ‘lit up from within’ what immediately comes to mind is a fire eater. I wonder if that is where the term ‘fire in the belly’ comes from. You would certainly be lit up. And if you walk on fire, you’ll be dancing as well.

I am not an exuberant type of a gal. I am not comfortable displaying joy, elation – my fireworks. Neither am I a good dancer, a fire walker or eater. But what lights me from the inside out are words and pictures. Words paint pictures and pictures talk to me in words. I love your pictures and words as well as my own. Together they allow us to know each other a little better. They can speak across the room, the street, towns….oceans.

Even though I am a reserved person, the magic of words and pictures can ignite a fire within, bring a grin to my face. I might even kick up my heels in delight. One can never tell.

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Writing from the woods on this second last day of August, I am lit up within, finding my words and pictures. Sending thanks to the Universe and my readers. Gratitude to Alana Lawson of wolfandword.net for this writing forum of August Moon 2015.

THE BRIGHTEST STAR – AugustMoon Day 11

Posted on August 29, 2015 by hafong

AugustMoon Day 11 photo prompt

You have always been the brightest star in my sky from the moment I began as a speck in your womb. You have nourished and nurtured me with your body until my birth.

We were one. Then we became two. You forgot that sometimes but that’s okay. It’s the being human and the mother in you. It’s hard to let go and watch me stumble, fall and bruise myself. It’s part of learning for both of us. It hurts for only a little while. I can get up and dust myself off.

Though I can feel you in my bones, in the marrow of my body, we are separate beings. Sometimes I forget and feel I have to protect you from hurts. That’s being human and the daughter in me. I forgot you knew how to get up and dust yourself off long before I could. It’s allowed – this being human and caring for each other. We are doing the best we can.

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Writing from the woods, one can see life’s brightest stars. The sky is not obscured with city noise, lights, distractions and pollutions. August is almost over. I can feel, see and hear the autumn around me – the beauty of changing seasons.

MUSIC- HEART AND SOUL – AugustMoon Day 10

Posted on August 26, 2015 by hafong

AugustMoon Day 10 photo prompt

I love the power of music to lift the spirits. On another day, I would probably head to the stereo and put on K. D. Lang’s Hallelujah and let her voice carry me up, over, and beyond. Most likely I would put on Sachmo’s What a Wonderful World. His raspy voice is as beautiful and stirring as K.D.’s. I could very well sing, sway and dance along with Miss Carol Channing, Well hello Dolly, well hello Dolly…

However, today I am putting on the quiet, listening to the music of silence. I am listening to the colours of the rainbow around me. It is so strengthening for the heart and soothing to the soul. The whole orchestra is playing. Hear the joy.

LUMINOUS FIRST LOVE – AugustMoon Day 9

Posted on August 25, 2015 by hafong

AugustMoon Day 9 photo prompt

There’s no love like first love. What woman can forget her first? It is all true – the silly things they say and sing about. I have felt it all. I can admit it now. I’m old enough. I can talk about it without embarrassment.

I remembered that moment of standing in the doorway. The room was crowded and dimly lit. Music was softly playing. My eyes furtively scanned the room. I was caught by a pair of brown eyes looking straight at me. He was very handsome and smiling at me.

I glanced over my shoulder. Was there someone behind me? Surely it wasn’t me he was smiling at. I had my hand over my heart and a question on my face. Who, me? You want me? He smiled and walked over. In that moment I felt luminous. The room stood still. The noise fell silent into the background. There was only me, standing and looking at him, thinking it can’t be true.

I am remembering all this after many years. I see it so clearly – the blue dress I wore, the friend I was with. She was the one who kept pushing me to ‘pick up’ a guy. But she was miserable towards me after. I hardly noticed. I had a prince charming.

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I am so enjoying writing for August Moon. It’s great time for slowing down and reflecting on life, enjoying all the colours and nuances it has to offer. I am learning to appreciate and love myself better in the process.

onethousandandtwo

Looking at Infinity