SUNDAY SCRIBBLINGS - A WINTER'S TALE

THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN ACROSS THE ROAD FROM MY HOUSE IN ENGLAND. THERE'S ONLY A LITTLE SNOW HERE. CAN YOU SPOT A YOUNG KB?

I'm finding it difficult to write a winter's tale. It's a beautiful, sunny day on my side of the world.

The winters here are very mild in comparison to where I grew up in England. I remember school finishing early one day because there was a storm coming. My parents were at work so I took the bus home. I lived up on the Moors at the time. The ride usually took half an hour but the bus crawled up the hill, despite the fact the road had been salted due to previous snow fall.

I arrived at my stop around 4 o'clock. It was already dark outside - not unusual for an English winter afternoon.

I proceeded to make my way home in a snow blizzard. Not easy while carrying a violin, school books and gym gear. I still remember taking one step forward and being blown two steps back for quite some time. My hood fell back and I couldn't retrieve it as my hands were full. By the time I arrived home, my hands and face were raw and I was crying my eyes out in frustration from having to face the elements.

In the morning, there was snow backed up on one side of our house, covering our front door. We had to make our way down out of the second floor window. Cool fun for the kids but not so much for Mum. The school bus couldn't reach us for a few days - so sad, hehe.

So now, when people around me complain about how cold they are, I call them pussies and tell them they have no idea what feeling the cold is really like.

DO I KNOW YOU?

I was watching an episode of Seinfeld the other day. George was unsuccessfully trying to find the perfect come back line. He finally decided to tell his work buddies he had slept with their colleagues wife before being informed that this woman was in a coma. I laughed so much the tears were rolling down my cheeks for quite some time. I guess you had to be there but it reminded me of a little story.

A family friend was telling a tale about her daughter. They were out together recently, a man approached her daughter and asked if they knew each other. She was quite sure they had never met but the man persisted. He even went so far as to ask for her business card. Loser!

I wish I'd been there because I came up with the perfect response...maybe you knew me when I was a man.

I really must use that line some day.

THE KIWI PATIENT

Hubby's leg is healing nicely. His cast was removed a fortnight ago and he's been fitted with a moon boot. He's able to remove it to shower and sleep which is great.

I'm still busy playing nurse and driving him around to his appointments but he's finding it easier to get around and help me out a little more each day.

He has an appointment with a specialist soon and we're hoping he will be able to start driving again and be more mobile.

Anyway, that's why I haven't been around much. Miss you guys.

Take care
Love KB
xxxx

FLASH 55 - MISUNDERSTOOD

I discover a letter from days gone by. Images of Grandad flash before me - marathons, bible readings, games of chess, crossword puzzles, the fear of a nudge from his stick.

Tears flow as I realise why he kept many secrets from me. Stories of parachute jumps, friends lost, the cruelty of war.

A man misunderstood.

BACKGROUND INFO

A copy of a letter to a publisher was given to me after my Grandfather's death.
He was asked to submit to a book regarding his experiences during the War. Unfortunately, the family members I have spoken to have no idea if the letter was ever sent. I hope Grandad won't mind me sharing the letter with you. I would rather post it here than leave it sitting in a draw somewhere. It's rather long and hard to read in places so I'll begin typing it up now and post in a couple of days.

Love you Grandad. I wish I had know you better.
xxxxxxxxxx


Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -

G-MAN

If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.

Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB

GRATEFUL

This week the prompt from Sunday Scribblings is - GRATEFUL

Grandma's cuddles
Freshly baked bread
Fairytale stories
Tucked up in bed

First true love
Joy holding hands
Sitting on benches
Making big plans

Family and children
Glowing with pride
Tiredness and sacrifice
Pushed to the side

Woman full grown
My time to shine
The simple life
Suits me just fine

THE STRANGER

This week's prompt for Sunday Scribblings isn't up yet so I'm going to try the prompt from last week - Stranger

It's a welcome change to have the pool area to myself. Ah, the perfect afternoon. After dangling my feet in the pool, sunning myself on the deck, enjoying a cold beer and a sandwich, I'm ready for an afternoon nap.

A shadow passes by, stirring me from peaceful slumber. I'm annoyed by this disruption to my solitude. From beneath my shades, I check out this intruder. He is a STRANGER to me but man would I like to know him better.

While feigning sleep, I watch him settle himself by the pool. He removes his watch and kicks off his shoes. I watch entranced as his long fingers unbutton his shirt. He is tall and lean. I imagine running my fingers through the hairs on his chest.

He opens a magazine and chuckles at the images before him. Unaware of my glances, he gently strokes his chin which appears to comfort him as he reads on. I imagine how the stubble on his face would feel against my body.

I stretch and yawn to attract his attention. I look over and he grins for ear to ear. My heart melts. He stands and runs into the arms of his lover...an equally attractive man. Bloody typical!

FLASH 55 - SUMMER ESCAPE

She closes her eyes. The smell of seaweed fills her nostrils, gentle waves lap against her feet, she tastes salt as she moistens her lips and feels the sun warming her golden skin.

She's never felt so alive. Salty tears return to the ocean as she let's go of life and surrenders to the sea.

Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -

G-MAN

If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.

Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx

ELECTION DAY

This week's prompt from Sunday Scribblings is CHANGE.

It's Election Day in New Zealand. Our current Prime Minister - Helen Clark, has been in charge for 9 years and I believe a CHANGE is well overdue.

As I ponder my choices today I see the usual suspects: Labour, National, Alliance, Green, Act. There's a couple I've never noticed before too: The Bill and Ben Party and The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party. The mind boggles.

Helen's party offers an interest free student loan. The students I have talked to will be voting for the Labour Party for this very reason. It's a smart move for Labour as New Zealanders rarely change their voting choice and these kids will continue to vote for them in the future.

I believe this is one of the major problems with the NZ voting style. We have the 'she'll be right' and 'it's better the devil you know' mentality rather than considering how a change may benefit our country.

Righto, I'm off to tick the boxes. I feel a CHANGE is in the air. Here's hoping my vote will make a difference.

Have a great weekend.

FLASH 55 - A DOG'S LIFE

I watch her soundly sleeping. She wastes the day away. The hardest decision before her - should she chew her bone or play?

She enjoys simple pleasures. The fact her life will end some day a reality she never has to ponder.

I imagine trading places...the concept of butt sniffing snaps me back to reality.


Flash Fiction - Every Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -

G-MAN

If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.

Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx

THE WEEK THAT WAS - PART THREE

ASK YOURSELF BETTER QUESTIONS

Hubby and I are listening to a very informative personal development programme. Before you all cringe, it's actually interesting and I've learned a lot.

One of the assignments was to write down some common questions we ask ourselves on a regular basis. Some of the examples were:

Why does this always happen to me?

Why am I in a relationship that doesn't work?

Why did I do something so stupid?

The mind is a powerful tool. If you ask the above questions, your mind will search for the answers and focus on all the reasons...these things always happen to you, why your relationship doesn't work and why you are stupid.

Consider asking yourself better questions. Here are some I came up with:

How can I design a better life for myself and my loved ones and enjoy the process?

What can I learn from my relationships so I don't make the same mistakes again?

What's amusing about this situation and how can I learn from it?

Give it a try. Changing the questions you ask yourself really does take your focus in another direction.

I have to dash off now but I'll be back.

Love y'all
XXXX

THE WEEK THAT WAS - PART TWO

A STAR IN OUR MIDST?

One of my favourite blondes was in town last week. My youngest step-daughter came to Auckland to audition for a lead role in a film. She has made it to the final two and I'm sooooo proud of her. I'd appreciate it if you could keep your fingers crossed for her.

She came over for dinner and had us in stitches with her stories of life as a student. She has been living in a house with 8 other people this year. She informed us the house was filthy and the reason could have something to do with the fact they don't have a vacuum cleaner and non of them are willing to pay for one. Interesting the way students won't fork out for a cleaner but have money for frequent visits to the pub. More reasons for me to believe she is studying for a degree in piss drinking. Ah, the joys of student life.

Good luck with the film sweetie.

THE WEEK THAT WAS - PART ONE

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

Where to begin? Hubby and I have been experiencing several challenges recently (understatement of the year).

We decided it was time for some relaxation. Hubby de-stresses by exercising. He used to play volleyball for New Zealand many years ago and has recently taken up the sport again. The problem is, he plays with the enthusiasm of a 19 year old while residing in the body of a forty something. So, I sent him off on his merry way with the words, "Don't over do it."

Ah, time for me to relax. I ran myself a bubble bath, lit candles and poured myself a glass of wine. I'd been in the bath all of five minutes when the phone rang. "Hi darling, I'm at the A&E (accident and emergency room) can you pick me up when you are free?"

This was the end result.



Looks like I'll be playing nurse for at least six weeks.