Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana |
Today is February 29th. Leap day - Leap year. Our modern day nod to the inability of modern man to adjust time to the sun. Gregorian calendar adjustment or Julian calendar adjustment? Who remembers this? Now that I write this off-the-cuff little blog I will have to go and check this. Just like those folk who have birthdays that fall on holidays, I pity even more those who have birthdays on February 29th. Imagine only having a birthday once every 4th year! Yes I know, you can have it before or after, but on the real, actual day. But then that would make it very special. Leap baby. Leap year. Leap ahead. Leap and bounds! Leap frog. Leaps and peeps. Leaps and bounds. A leap of faith. Oh my, the fun you could have with this. Give it a day or two and write about it. Now I have to go and see if any contests have this as a prompt. |
I recently entered the new contest - Wonderland. Looks interesting. It suggested in the information that you read "Alice In Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" before the contest begins on March 1. So I dutifully go to the big box book store like a good student in a college course and buy a copy of Lewis Carroll's classic. Why had I never read this before? I was an inveterate reader as a child. I have never known not reading. Amusing, intriguing and yes, I can see why some think the author could have been using some alternate sources of enlightenment. But that's okay. It makes a great read. And great readers make great writers. Do you read enough? When was the last time you read a book? A classic? Put down the pen, the cursor, the whatever. Pick up a book, a kindle, whatever device and read. |
I had a strange dream last night. In it were a dog I recently lost. It was nice to see the dog, until it turned around and I saw that the dog's eye sockets were empty. Blind. Okay. Then I saw my son, whom I haven't seen in over 15 years, plus many of his old friends. Then I saw an old friend from many states removed whom I haven't in many years. I find it curious that I haven't seen any of those people for many years. And I also find if curious as I remember the dream it all relates to seeing important people, an important animal in my life. So strange how dreams work. Then I sign an email with the name Orma. Hmmm. New pen name? I think not. Maybe a new character name, maybe. |
SO, I am in this writing group. I am sure I mentioned this before. The leader of the group mentioned she is writing a book. Bravo! I think to myself and say to her. Then she starts a rant that lasts for the entire rest of the time for the group about how hard it is to write this book and how much time it takes and how disheartening it is to come to this group when only one or two people show up and how she always shows up and do we still want to have this group and don't interrupt, Stan, and do we still want to meet here? and maybe another day? and what about Mondays? and good, that is a good idea but wait I say, this is a bank common room, shouldn't we see if the bank is open the next day we meet? someone runs out to check, and, oops, no that is a bank holiday, so that brings into the discussion that every day that is a bank holiday on a Monday that we are to meet the bank is closed so we have to go to an alternate location that someone has to arrange through a relative that has the secret key to that location, and how are we remember all this? and on and on........... It really went on like this for the better part of an hour. I tried hard not to roll my eyes, scream and rent my clothes and pour ashes on my head. But we don't so that anymore in society. We sit quietly and internalize our anger. Is that right? I think not. But murder is not legal. Suicide is frowned upon. I don't smoke or drink. So I write about it. Here. Where none of my companions can read about my frustrations. I feel better. And that incident is filed away in the database in my brain titled 'Group Writing Location'. It'll crop up sometime in a story, maybe. You never know. |
I live in a small town in Montana. There is a garbage dump on the outskirts of town. It is a fun place to go. I know, that sounds strange. But what makes it fun is the decorations that pop up occasionally and one of the persons who work there. First thing you see as you drive in is a female mannequin. Full size - dressed for whatever season it is. Then lining the drive are bowling balls. Depending on the season, you may also find some Christmas trees fully decorated and scattered about. One of the men that are employed at the dump is handicapped. He is an older gentleman and has some difficulties getting around and talking. But he is always smiling and always says hello and is eager to help you. Every Christmas this man will give everyone who drives up a Christmas card. What a nice thing for him to do. So in this world of depersonalization it is nice to have a place where people still help other people and take some time to make you smile. |
Written after an out-patient surgical procedure I had. I watched the DVD of the procedure and listened to the audio, even though my husband told me not to. But I am by training a Medical Assistant in my previous life, so I found it all quite amazing. It was so unexpected - the words the surgeon spoke. "Paralyze her." It led to more perusing: *Paralyze her - don't let her listen to that tape player - her voice is deep and strong - so unlike that of a 12 year old. She will be paralyzed by that unexpected sound and will not speak aloud without embarrassment for years. *Paralyze her - uncurl her hair while she is asleep - straight hair is approved. Curly hair looks so odd - but curly it remains as a torturous crown until her acceptance of the gift as an adult. *Paralyze her - keep her from feeling unloved as a teen - keep the pills from hurting her - soon things will be better. She needs to know this. *Paralyze her - don't let her feel the pain of having 2 babies without painkillers and the pain of no more babies after a hysterectomy. Let her realize her worth as a mature woman. *Paralyze her - Keep her 2 minutes longer at home - away from the danger driving down the mountain. Away from the life-altering collision and injuries. The injuries resolve and bring us to the statement by the surgeon on the tape of the operation "Paralyze her - NOW!" |