Tag: daily prompt

No Immortality

I haven’t responded to a Daily Prompt in over a month, but I thought this one: Finite Creatures: At what age did you realize you weren’t immortal? was thought-provoking.

As a small child, between the ages of three and five, my family and I lived in a series of rental homes. Dad hadn’t yet been elevated to the position of Piggly Wiggly manager, and Mom was a stay-at-home parent, as far as I can recall. At any rate, she was at home the day I came running in the front door crying my eyes out.

“Mommy! I’m going to die!”

“No you aren’t sweetheart!” she said, hugging me.

“Yes, I am  _________________ said I was going to die and Mr. Bugs is going to die and you and Daddy are going to die.” I hiccuped between sobs.

I remember Mom sighing. I know now that sigh meant, “That little brat _______________! Now I have to explain death to my baby.”

My mother was very good at explaining tough things, much better than I ever was. She sat and cradled me in her lap and said that _________________ was right, that everyone dies.

“Even dogs?” I whispered, hoping Mr. Bugs was immune.

“Yes, but Mr. Bugs is a puppy,” she said. “He’s going to live a long time. And you’re just a little girl. You’re going to live a long time, too.”

Of course then I had a bunch of little girl questions:

“Does it hurt to die?”

“What happens when we die?”

“Why do people and dogs die?”

“Will you and Daddy die?”

Mom answered my questions that day as best she could and for many days after. I became obsessed with death. 

I believe this is why I never had that feeling of immortality that most kids and teenagers experience. I never was a daredevil, never a rebel. Caution was my middle name. Death my dread.

We were Christians and the promise of eternal life was always there, but I sure didn’t want to lose this one. I remember vividly _____________________ sitting in his swing, calmly informing me I was going to die. I don’t remember his name, but I’m blaming him for dampening my youthful exuberance.

Stupidhead bunnyfart ___________________!

  
Peace, people!

Commemoration

If you could pick one person to be commemorated on this day who would it be and why? 

    

Han Solo. Because, he is freaking awesome.

Autumn on Tap

Written in response to the Daily Post’s daily prompt: Turn, Turn, Turn. Which season do you look forward to most?

Serve me a large mug of Autumn:
Oranges, golds, yellows, and
Browns
Fires on crisp October
Evenings.
Sweaters, hoodies, woolen
Socks
Broken-in blue jeans and a
Soft blue barn coat–
Flannel lined.
High school football,
After game party
Hay rack rides
S’mores cooked to perfection.
Delicious chill in the air
Tailor-made for cuddling.
Trick-or-treating and
Jack-o’lanterns
Hot apple ciders and chocolate
With marshmallows.
Fill my mug again.

  

Cinnamon

Daily prompt: Smell you later. Tell us about a smell that transports you.

Mama made a treat
when I was a child of four
I remember still.

to this very day
the delicacy prepared
makes my mouth water.

memories flood in
cinnamon sugar on toast;
a slice of heaven.

cinnamon and mom
are all mixed up in my head;
a sweet memory.

  

Lingering Over Wine With Friends

We linger for hours
over bottles of fine wines;
no need to hurry.

  
These perfect moments
captured in warm memories
even as we drink.

  
Friends enhance the grape
even mediocre wines
seem superb vintage.

Written in response to the Daily Post’s Daily Prompt: Linger–tell us about times In which you linger, when you don’t want a day or an event to end.

Houses

To sleep, perchance to dream…

I often dream of houses
that seemingly have room
after room with no hallways.

In these rooms I wander
finding unexpected treasures,
antiques, and curiosities in each.

Someone once told me that
when we dream about houses
we are dreaming about our lives.

In that case, my life is
filled with wonderful oddities
and treasures all hiding in plain sight.

Written in response to the Daily Post’s Daily Prompt.

In response to the Daily Post’s Daily Prompt: If you could have a guarantee that one specific person was reading your blog who would it be? What would you say to them?

I’m awfully good at flippant remarks, and so very many rushed to mind when I first read this prompt. For once instead of just blurting out a quick answer, I took a deep breath and thought. And thought. Then I thought some more. I thought so long that several daily prompts came and went, and I was still thinking.

Finally I decided.

Mom, 

I miss you. I think you would have enjoyed my blog. Heck, you’d have had one yourself. You’d have never thought your writing was good enough, but you’d have continued writing just the same. I get that from you. 

I hope you can read between the lines of my posts and see just how much I still love you and how much of you lives on in me.

With love,

Leslie

It’s My Party

In response to the Daily Post’s Daily Prompt: You’re throwing a party–for you! Tell us all about the food, drinks, events, and party favors you’ll have for your event of a lifetime. Use any theme you’d like. It’s your party.

I’m awkward at parties, even my own. I can’t imagine that my imaginary party would be any different.

“Hi, come on in!”

“How do you like the disco ball?”

“Are you going to eat your tots?”

“Yes, those are mothballs you’re smelling. Why do you ask?”

“Goulash for everyone!”

“Who’s up for a rousing round of piñata poking?”

“Every guest receives a free kitten and a box of condoms.”

Anonymously Yours

In response to the Daily Post’s Daily Prompt:

Write an anonymous letter to someone you’re jealous of.

Dear Pampered House Cat,

I want the life you have:  
Sleeping all day, anyplace you’d like. Carousing all night, chasing imaginary mice.
Claiming a lap, making it your own.
Purring when petted, knowing you belong.

Yes, dear kitty, I’m jealous of you
Sincerely,
Anonymous (but you know who.)

 
Peace, people! 

Style Tangents

In response to the Daily Prompt: The clothes (may) make the (wo)man. How important are clothes to you? Describe your style if you have one, and tell us how appearance impacts how you feel about yourself.

i often complain
that i’ve not found my style
some days i’m tailored,
then gypsy awhile.

my brain and my body
can seldom agree
on what I should wear
or what looks best on me.

at my age you’d think
I’d have developed a plan
for looking my best
or as sharp as i can.

alas i’m afraid
more often than not
my style comes across
looking none too hot.

I have some incredibly stylish friends, women and men who know exactly what defines their look. I admire their fashion sense. Occasionally I can almost picture my own style and decide to build a suitable wardrobe. Then something odd or offbeat catches my eye and I’m off on a tangent. A style tangent.

interesting graphic found on Pinterest.