This week’s prompt is Tower and to be honest the only one I can think of ever seeing and going up in is the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada. I remember the first time I went up I waited a long time to get on the elevator and the anticipation was rising. Once I got up I went to the section where there is a glass floor and you can actually see way down 144 floors!! I could not keep my balance and had to crawl on my hands and knees. All I could see were miniature people and cars down there!
The second time I went with my daughter and my grandson who was about 2 years old. He was not scared at all!! In fact he had spider man gloves on and actually thought he was Spider Man…it motivated me to give it a try again and I was able to stand up!!! Yay!! Of course we had to watch our little toddler who was running around and wanted to find a way to step outside to climb down! He named it the “Tower of Power”.
There is something about heights that makes me feel a bit wobbly on my feet and lightheaded. I felt the same way when I purchased my condo in Toronto in 1999 and I was on the 20th floor which was the penthouse. Looking down on the balcony made me whoozy. I only bought it because I fell in love with the magnificent sunset and seeing the planes from Pearson Airport land and take off. At night they looked like stars circling while waiting to land. My grandson sure loved watching that more than any movie. I would push the couch against the wide patio window when he came to visit and I think I enjoyed more watching his face light up watching the planes. The beauty of living there was seeing but never hearing…we were not in the flight path so it was always quiet.
The first thing my son did when he came to visit at the age of 21 was lean over the balcony and spit …no there were no people below, just garbage bins…still. [sighs] What is it about young guys spitting from high buildings?
Years later when I moved back to Montreal, my daughter met and married a very nice man who towered over all of us at 6’4”.
November often is filled with grey skies, fallen leaves and cold rain that often turns to snow. It is a time of transition between cool to cold, between vibrance versus calm and rest. Mother Earth needs a rest and will wrap us soon with a white blanket…Some people are excited for the holidays but many feel melancholy, missing loved ones far away or no longer here. Some are living in a past that is missed, others look forward to the joys of holiday gatherings, good food and children’s eyes twinkling with excitement.
At my age, I’ve been blessed with archives of many joys and here are just a few…
Sitting by the riverside, waiting for the sun to set
willows weep with joy last sights of nature’s beauty sun dips below silent nestlings tucked in robin does her last round
sunset dips beneath blue azure fluid hues of joy
So many joys to share…moments in time linger in my memory.
The first time you learn you are pregnant after years of trying. I remember not believing the pharmacist and asked him to write it down on the receipt to show my husband. My legs were shaking so much, giggling nervously and I could not drive for a good fifteen minutes.
I remember thechallenges of being a first time homeowner. One morning, my husband had to call the contractor for help when our basement was flooded. I just kept smiling…Iwas in my own world because I felt my baby move in my belly for the very first time.
Hearing the crunch underfoot walking on that first snowfall. Making snow angels and tasting snowflakes on my tongue. Hearing my grandson giggle when I slipped and fell in the snow. Hearing my grand-daughter respond to my ”Te amo”…with ”Mucho mucho!”…a joy that makes the heart melt with so much love.
Seeing my grandchildren wave and smile at me on video chat!! Even technology can bring me joy!
The first time my child says, “Mummy” My adult child that says“I love you, Mom!” Grandchildren saying, “I love you Nana!”
A struggling youth in such pain ends his call with me, “You give me hope”
Toddler walking barefoot on the grass for the first time, lifting his foot because it tickles.
night unveils new dawn dewdrops on soft petals sun kissed skies
Memories transport me to another time…
sitting on a park bench giggling children joy painted on their lips
sitting on a park bench swallows chirp telling stories
giggling children skipping, running joyfully tag you’re it
joy painted on their lips brings new life to any day how the spirit glows!
Awakened Christmas moring discovering Santa’s surprise under the tree. Eavesdropping from my bed, “But how did he know?!” my heart bathed in love, weeping tears of joy…
Carols echoing Adeste Fidele…such moments of delight! Yesterday’s joys, born again, I smile anew!
do you remember when the ambulance would not let you come with me?
i do… and I sighed with relief
do you remember when the doctors pushed you away?
i do…
do you remember when the security guard took you outside?
i don’t, because that’s when I lost touch with reality…
they say I went into a semi-coma.
it felt odd and if there is such a thing as heaven, I bet this is what it must feel like.
my head no longer hurt, my arms were all healed, my back felt smooth and all the bumps and marks disappeared. my legs were smooth and pretty and I felt like I was floating. my hair was thick and fluffy. It was a miracle that all the bald spots had filled out. i truly must have been in heaven.
suddenly I felt something licking my face. omg, Jamie, my Irish terrier was alive!! he was so excited to see me and me too!! it tickled me when he licked my nose that i could not stop giggling. it felt so weird to laugh but a good weird. oh, Jamie, i missed him so much. do you remember when he would bark at you to protect me. you really did not like that and then one day, he was no longer here. you said he got run over by a car. do you remember telling me that?
i could hear someone far away calling my name. there was a lot of beeping sounds and the voices came closer and closer.
and then I hurt again…
why does living hurt so much?
do you remember when I got out of the hospital on crutches?
i do…
do you remember the red brick house where I went to live?
i do…
the lady, there had a gentle voice and soft bulky arms she started to wrap around me. but I backed away thinking she wanted to hurt me and then her warm smile told me otherwise. it is odd how the body can speak too. every movement of her body spelled kindness and love.
do you remember that red brick house?
oh that’s right, you were not allowed near that house…
and that’s when life started to hurt a little less every day…
Jacques reflects back on this past year. It felt more like twenty! Detox was just a little taste of his journey that lay ahead.
How he loathed himself and now he had to face all this sober. His mentor and sponsor, once said, “You will love again the stranger who was your self.”
No one told him the first step started within and not pointing fingers. Improve what you need to improve but do the work yourself. It was so much easier to blame someone else for his misfortunes.
Accepting responsibility for his actions was probably the toughest pill to swallow. He has finally forgiven himself even if some still cannot. He’s accepted that truth too.
He sits in the front row at the legion hall, waiting to be called up to the front to share his story and accept his one year chip.
On Monday, August 19th, Kim is hosting Prosery at dVerse. This prompt is where you write a flash fiction using a maximum of 144 words including that line of poetry.
Returning from a lovely birthday celebration for my Aunt Mae, my head was swimming with thoughts on my return home by train on this 13th day of August 2013.
It is a solemn day today; I’ve felt blessed being with people who changed my life; people who encouraged me when no one else did; people who believed in me and offered me the sanctuary of their home so I could save first and last month’s rent when I started a new life in a new city 400 miles from home. People who had not been in my life for almost 30 years and yet never hesitated to offer their unconditional support! They never judged me; nor did they expect anything in return!
They invented “paying it forward”!
Meet my Aunt M who is my father’s sister; she lived too far most of her adult life to be privy to family drama and stories; she was busy raising her family, making her way and a wonderful way of life she did as well.
She is an amazing mother who raised three fine sons…3 fine men…3 fine cousins…three fine creative souls! She is an amazing wife, who followed her husband across the country and enjoyed every minute with the man she loved. She encouraged and supported his decision when he too returned to university so he could change his career for the second part of his life. She is a grandmother, aunt, wife, artist, mother-in-law, model and mentor in life.
She is an amazing friend who never forgets any friend she has encountered along the way on her life’s travels…just check out her monthly postal and cards’ expenses!
She is an amazing person who embodies goodness…volunteers, is always there to help, contributes for events that entail fun(oh, how she loves to play) she is always available to chip in at potlucks, bring the best peanut butter cookies to friends and friends of her children who have to move; she is there to help at parties, special events and people of all ages just love her!
She is an amazing “ma tante” who gave selflessly and proudly…merci, Ma Tante! She is an amazing and accomplished artist …creating beauty for the past 70+ years The profile pic on this blog is ONE of her many paintings she has created, she sculpts as well, draws, does stain-glass, teaches art …multi-media and so much more!
To my amazing Uncle F (Mr. G) who is an amazing father! He raised 3 sons to be 3 amazing husbands, 2 amazing loving fathers! He nurtured them, played with them and gave them guidance…he is a father, a dad , grandfather, uncle, friend, and a mentor. I always envied my cousins for having the most amazing dad on this planet…and I am thankful to have been blessed with his tender love, wise guidance and fatherly support…he was the dad who loaned me his shoulders for support when my heart was broken, and his insights when I was at a crossroad. Thank you, Uncle F!
He is an amazing husband who encouraged his wife to grow and develop her creative side at an art college in her middle years, and as well, later on, he pursued a second career in improving the lives of people, who volunteers to this day and continues to help people in need. He is a loving grandfather, father-in-law, uncle and model/mentor to look up to.
I love them so much and today we had a pleasant and sombre rendezvous. I was looking at two people whom I love very much… aging…and yes, it is part of life’s cycle…I get it!
I choked with sadness and longing as I heard my uncle comment calmly, rocking in his chair, “We are getting closer to the summit of our horizon”. I looked at him in awe…maybe I saw an aura…this warm kind man radiating so much wisdom!
Later during our lovely lunch I was thrilled listening to my aunt giggle to a comment I had made. She was still 16 inside that body…this body who still swam twice weekly doing 42 lengths each time…this woman who did her 15 minutes of exercises every morning she was still swimming at the age of 84! {Yes, I have so much to look up to and learn from and have yet to get off said lazy butt and do some of this to stay healthy!}
How I loved to discuss issues of medical or mental health nature with my uncle. To discuss books he has read…he who is still a member of book club at the age of 85. This man still volunteers and reads and is so vibrant and alive despite his frail body that refuses to retain iron and whose bones are so fragile…and yet, he still pushes himself to stay active. How I love him and admire him.
Uncle Fred & Aunt Mae
How I loved to attend art shows where my aunt hung several pieces of her art and she still continues to expose her art this week at 3 places in the city including City Hall. What an amazing artist! How I loved to go shopping especially taking advantage of those “great sales” on shoes!! She always made me feel like her other daughter…so much more than her niece. And to Uncle F, he too made me feel like his extra daughter…somehow there was always room in both their hearts for me…and that makes me weep happy tears.
And so I am soaking up this unique and special love I feel for them and they have for me…and know I want to try to come more frequently to see them…for the days, the months, the years are limited …
Sparrows chirped in the old oak tree bidding good morning to the neighbourhood. Soon life would be intruding on the quiet with dogs barking, children giggling at their bus stop and cars leaving for work. For now, at such an early hour, only Toby Tyler was riding his bike delivering the morning paper.
Further, down the street a strange car had been parked all night facing the baseball field. No one had noticed except for Mr. Baker. He always woke up at dawn and walked Bella before reading his paper along with his morning coffee. Bella stopped to sniff the back tires and started barking.
Suddenly two teens awakened from their late night rendezvous as they peered out the back window.
The man had a thick brown beard that hid his face and neck. His small brown eyes were hidden under his bushy eyebrows. He was not tall and for North American standards, he was leaning towards short. The man walked with a purpose like a bear searching for his prey. Not a sound, not an expression, just bland apathy painted on his face.
I hid behind the couch with my friend looking out at this strange man who had already kidnapped four of my friends and a baby. The police had been contacted by the man but I never heard anything from them.
My friend refused to run with me saying it was no use and she feared the man would only get more agitated and shoot us.
I refused to give in without a fight, so I ran out the back door, jumped into my car and drove off to my old apartment where I had lived ten years ago. The superintendent recognized me as I ran to him telling him I had to hide somewhere safe. We went up to the sixth floor and looked out the window of his brother’s condo. The bearded man had followed me. I had to run again. I was running out of options. My heart beat so quickly, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Then, I remembered the secret hallway on this floor. The superintendent knew my plan the moment I ran towards that hallway and told me to take his car, handing me his keys. He said his car was where he always parked and he would try to slow the bearded man to give me a head start.
The hallway brought me to a fire escape which landed behind two brown dumpsters. The super’s car was there and I drove out the private exit that only the firemen were allowed entry. I had no idea where I could hide. I didn’t want to go to my workplace downtown to put my colleagues at risk. My car was going west out of an old habit, towards the airport and then I thought of Rick. No one knew of my past employment there. It was too long ago and the warehouse would be a great place to hide so I could get in contact with the police.
I drove to the side entrance of the warehouse and the huge doors were open, so I parked my car inside and screamed, “We have to lock down now!” The shipper recognized me and buzzed Rick as he closed all doors. I hid between the racks of nuts and bolts, too afraid to be seen in the front office.
Suddenly I was in the office and so many people crowding around me with concern on their faces. I briefly told Rick and asked if he could let me stay there. I went into his office and called the detective who was in charge of the case. Detective No Name said to sit tight, that his men were still negotiating and told me not to worry.
“Not worry!! It has been 36 hours and five people have been kidnapped and still nothing! What are you doing to about this?”
Detective No Name explained he had other more urgent cases he was working on…his voice trailed and I yelled, “What is the amount of the ransom?” I was contemplating that I might be able to borrow from my mother’s house not yet sold and there is a little bit left in her estate. I was wondering how many hundreds of thousands of dollars the ransom could be and discouragement started to weigh on me.
“The kidnapper is asking for $3,000.00”.
WHAT?!!! All this trouble for so little money?!!” I could not believe my ears. What kind of desperate person kidnaps so many people for $3,000?
“Let me just pay it! Why can’t I just speak to the kidnapper when he calls you? Do you know how many lives are at stake right now…how f*&^g stupid are you guys?!”
My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I rolled over trying to get back to sleep to visit with Rick.
(c) Cheryl-Lynn ’18/08/19
Author’s note: The bearded man looked exactly like , Huck, a character in the series Scandal. Rick was my employer and friend when I first moved to Toronto. He and his family made such a difference in my adjusting to my move away from home in the late 90’s. A year after I left his employment, I got a call at work from an employee at his warehouse that he was tragically killed in a biking accident…such a tragedy for a young man in his early 30’s. I still think about him. I feel blessed that I still am in contact with his family and twin sister from time to time.
I often get odd dreams with my mom or grandmother but this is the first time Rick has ever visited me in a dream. I could never get him back when I went back to sleep, only Mister Beard kept turning up.
This is the photo to inspire the flash fiction (c)Ted Strutz
The Ferry blared its horn. Jillian sighed as the children were getting restless already!
“Give me that!” squealed Leslie.
“Try and get it, whiner!” Sidney raised the stuffed teddy out the car window with a smirk on his adolescent face.
“MOMMY!!!!!
Jillian turned her head and gave Sidney, “The LOOK”. He shrugged and threw the teddy back on Leslie’s lap.
“Sidney, you promised to help me today.”
He looked down at his hands, hating to disappoint his mom, especially today.
Once they boarded the ferry, Sidney asked if he could bring his sister up on deck promising to hold her hand. Jillian felt a pang of remorse for being so demanding on her eldest child. She promised herself to bring them to the Reservoir for lunch later when they returned inland. The children loved feeding the swans and ducks there.
Twenty minutes later, the ferry was already approaching Isle Lasonde. There were only three federal buildings and a military camp on the island. They were going to a parole hearing at le Pénitencier Lasonde. (174 words)
Hot, heavy dampness hangs in the air, as she rocks in front of her window looking out over the river. The air conditioner is on the fritz again and the fans that had been running 24/7 give little breeze to comfort even an ant. The temperatures are unforgiving at 40C and 92% humidity.
The house is silent except for the creaking of her rocking chair and the buzz of useless fans. Her breathing has finally calmed after her morning paroxysm of asthma. The weather in the past few weeks has forced her to use up all her sick days. She does not know how she will manage now with the weeks ahead if she is unable to get to work…again. Her wheezing becomes louder and she knows she has to calm her thoughts or else she will have another asthma attack.
She often tries to use her imagery times like this. Placing a wet cold compress on her forehead she imagines she is in the Northwest Territories, hearing the crunchy sound of her feet on the snow as she walks outside. She is dressed in a down filled parka and snow pants and white clouds escape her mouth when she exhales. Night has already fallen and she waits patiently for signs from “the other side”. Looking up at the sky, she starts noticing the different hues lighting up the heavens and she is dizzy with joy; she kneels in reverence, listening to the echoes of her ancestors. A veil of calm envelopes her until a piercing whistle from her tea kettle brings her back to reality.
lighting up the skies
blues, pinks and green waver
message from beyond
living in comfort
in her mind’s eye
Calescent ((adj.) growing warm; increasing in heat)
Sheets
Paroxysm ((n.) any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of violent action or emotion: a severe attack or a sudden increase in intensity of a disease)
Temperature
Tea Kettle
Window
Breeze
Kneel
Forehead
Dizzy
Damp
Comfort
Usually when I start reading a book written by a fellow blogger, I put up the book and subtitle “Currently reading” but this one I read too quickly!! That says a lot about the author, Linda Hill.
THE MAGICIAN’S CURSE:
A PARANORMAL ROMANCE, THE GREAT DAGMARU, BOOK ONE
I have been selective in my reading in the past 5 years since I started blogging and love reading the works of some bloggers who have become so much more than virtual bloggers to me. Linda Hill is a woman who I admire for all that she does, as a full-time mom of three, writing books and novellas, writing prompts and encouraging other writers! She is a wonderful part of our WordPress community!
Had I known the young love of the magician was just a teen, I would have started reading sooner, being a youth counsellor for a National youth helpline.
Such a romantic fifty’s style novel with a chance meeting on a train, finding true love, not knowing what mysteries are behind this handsome magician! It is a timeless novel that seduces the reader to read on.
I had not read a romance novel in decades but having read Linda Hill’s book, All Good Stories a while back, I was totally entertained with her writing style that I completed it in an afternoon.
I knew, then, I had to read Linda’s Magician’s Curse, because I love her writing style. Although I know how skittish I can be with paranormal stories or novels, remembering how scared I was reading the Mayfair Witches by Alice Rice and Needful Things by Stephen King but, it was their writing that drew me in just as Linda Hill’s writing did, once again.
I started reading, The Magician’s Curse: A Paranormal Romance The Great Dagmaru Book 1, yesterday and after Chapter 2 I was hooked! I just finished it this afternoon.
The Magician’s Curse has just enough suspense and the pacing is perfect so the reader has time to catch up; there is romance, erotica (bravo, Linda, got me a tingling all over!) and more than a love story but a family’s saga brought down from generation to generation, you want to know more and more about, so you just have to read the The Magician’s Blood, Book 2.
![The Magician's Curse: A Paranormal Romance The Great Dagmaru Book 1 by [Hill, Linda G.]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41cRL5kzr9L.jpg)
Tournesol dans un Jardin 