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 Thoughts, we all have them. What is yours? |
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What is on your mind? I love all type of topics and will talk about almost anything! So, what is happening with you lately? Come, tell me about yourself. What excites you about writing? What other things do you do: Art, music, animals? Photo: The Huntington Japanese Gardens, photo by Seabreeze |
| April 27, 2026 Termites - OMG! Today, I had the bug people spray for termites. We saw a small amount of debris that indicated termites, the swarming kind that somehow got into a front closet. I see visions of these creatures carrying away my house. Since only a small evidence was found, we decided to do a spot spray instead of the tent application that the first bug company wanted me to do ($1900). I can think of many more fun ways to spend $1900 dollars, but again, I do want my home intact! Where do these creatures come from and why can't they like plastic? The world is so full of plastic and they could have a field day at our local dump! |
| Prompt #F219: The Garden of Statues. A character realizes the statues in the park move only when no one is looking, and they’re getting closer to the exit. It was a bright sunny Sunday morning and I decided to take a walk in my grandfather's garden. I drove over from my hometown, only about twenty minutes away and parked on the street. Grandfather created this garden in the late seventies. He had a thing about statues. He wanted them positioned in a certain manner. Grandfather wanted all the chess pieces from a complete set designed and properly placed in the garden based on a chessboard. As you came into the entrance, you would face the chessboard with a white square in the far right of the garden. This is where, in chess, the white pieces would be placed, just like in a regular game of chess. So all 32 pieces of the game of chess were represented in grandfather's garden. I just loved to walk through it and pretend that I was making the pieces move. I wasn't of course but it was a mind game. Well, today when I started my walk, I noticed something strange. I could not believe my eyes, but one of the pieces, a white pawn, was missing. Now, mind you, this is near impossible. These statues or chess pieces are very heavy. It would take some ingenuity to move or take a piece from the garden. They were carved from marble and especially weighted at the base to prevent any movement. I continued my survey to see if any other pieces had been tampered with. Nothing else seem to be disturbed. After making the rounds in the garden, I decided to leave for the day. I needed to go home, make some calls, especially to the caretakers of grandfather's garden. After speaking with the caretakes of grandfather's garden, I was assured that everything was fine when they left last week after completing some maintenance. All 32 pieces were there. They even asked me to go back and make a recount. Maybe I made an error in counting. I told them that I knew how to count and was not mistaken! Several weeks went by and I decided to head back to the garden. I was somewhat afraid to enter not knowing what I might find. However, I started my walk and to my amazement, the white pawn that was missing was off to the side of the board. In its place was a black pawn. What the hell is going on? Someone is playing with my mind and when I find out who, they are going to be in big trouble. What is even stranger, I could not find any footprints, or scuff marks or any sign of pieces being moved. I decided I would have to report this to the local police department and see if they could help me or see if anyone has reported any activity in grandfather's garden. After my meeting with the police department, they had no knowledge of any strange activity in the garden and since it is open and free for the public to roam, there wasn't much they could do to help. They did suggest that cameras should be installed and should have been years ago. I agreed that would be a place to start. I had cameras installed on all four corners of the chessboard. This was somewhat costly, but I thought before spending anymore money, I would start with just the four corners. There was a backup system that included a tape which would allow the system to monitor and record and hold any activity for several days. I was also able to get updates via my phone if any activity was received by the cameras. A few days went by and nothing seem to be taking place at the garden. I went about my normal business and assumed all was fine. And then, one after noon I got a hit on my phone with a somewhat of a "double take" picture of movement in the garden. I could not tell what had happened so I decided I needed to drive over and see for myself. After parking on the street, I walked in and went to where I thought the activity took place. To my amazement, the white pawn was back in its place and the black pawn had returned to its location. Again, no signs of any movement what so ever! At this point, I am about to lose my mind. I was startled by some very light snickering coming from within the garden but no one was there but me. It was as if some of the pieces or statues were making the snickering. Now I know I am losing my mind. I left immediately. After checking with the company who installed the cameras; having them pull the tapes and analyze the activity, they could find none. I said that is impossible as I saw it on my phone. They said, sorry, but what we have on tape is what you saw, which is nothing. They indicated I must have look at something else. I was furious but since I could not pull up they tape on my phone again, and didn't keep a copy, I was left with no argument. I was so upset with this whole mess, I decided to let it go for weeks. Then, I got curious and when back to the garden. All was quiet and all the pieces were in their assigned places. On my way home, I could not stop thinking about what had happen to me. Was my mind going? Is there some other explanation. Could it be that the pieces were coming alive? He regained my senses and continued on home. I don't think I will ever look at another chess game again. |
| Prompt #54: Which of your five senses would you be most distraught to lose? If you had to pick one to lose, which would it be? Oh my, that is tough but I do know which one I would select that I must keep, my sight. I love nature and to think that I could not see the big Sequoia trees, or the ocean or my son's smile again, would be a killer for me. When I am in a grocery store, I just love to flirt with the babies moms bring in the stores. What a joy to see their faces, watch them as they analyze me to see what I am up to. Waterfalls, oh how majestic they can be. Watching a horse run, the power in those legs. Looking up at the night sky, especially out in the desert where you do not have all of the city lights to drown out the lovely stars. To take watercolors and see them blend on white paper, hoping to acquire a picture worth framing; such a joy. I can imagine losing my taste, my hearing (but I do love all kinds of music), my smell (oh the fragrance of a rose), to not feel (oh but to love), it would be hard to deal with the loss of any of our senses. To not taste ice cream, or a juicy hamburger, or warm apply pie - well, I could do without. It is interesting how, once we have tasted certain foods, we can think about them and almost taste it as we go through the thinking process. That reminds me how I love chocolate! However, Smell would be the one I would choose to lose. I think there are so many smells I really could do with out. Driving in traffic, smog, farts, even the odor of gas indicates there may be a problem if you smell it. Another is burning flesh. Worked in a hospital once and did smell a little of that while working the night shift. I believe it was from an auto accident. Yes, smell would be one I believe I could live without. It is an interesting question. One I hope I never have to address. Words: 374 |
Prompt #213: The Gift of Time. If you were given an extra three hours every day that could only be used for leisure, how would you spend them? Easy, this one. I would split it between playing the piano, watercolors, writing and chess. These are my loves. I love music and listening and playing. I am not a master at the piano, but have taught myself several chords and can read the easy chord books. I try to play a little each day. I paint in watercolors. Once again, still learning but I have a few pieces I am very proud of. I just love the flow of colors and what watercolors will do. I discovered chess and have a love/hate relationship with the game. I am a beginner, not rated, but love to play on line. I have never been very competitive, or lose my cool over games until I came across chess.; wow! I just want to be better at it. I enjoy my time here at Writing.com. I write mostly poetry. I am trying to blog more and maybe try some short stories. Having time (I am retired) to spend on these four gifts, give me such pleasure. I feel very blessed. Words 193 |
Prompt #209: The Ghost of Your Potential. If you had followed the career path you dreamt of at age seven, what would your typical Tuesday look like right now? Digging! I wanted to be an Archaeologist. I have always been fascinated with old things, especially rocks, bones, shells and the history of it all. I came from a poor family and did not get any encouragement from my parents regarding college and how to get there. So, never came close on my own. Got married and that was that. I still to this day, enjoy documentaries, magazines and tells of digs. I am content with the fact that I didn't make it to such a dream. I am 80 now and most of my traveling consists of watching videos of others doing the traveling for me. Much easier on the knees these days. Words 135 |
| Prompt #203: The Name Story. Do you know how your name was chosen? Do you feel like you "grew into" your name, or do you wish you could trade it for something else? I can't say that I do. I like my name and always accepted it as what my mother and father chose. Since I didn't have any say, it is not something I have ever been concerned about. My given name is Sandra Sue and I usually have people call me Sandy. My given name may have had something to do with my hair or maybe my mother didn't like her name and wanted to hear Sandy instead of her given name Cecilia. However, I would have liked her name as well. Names are important and they do give us a personal identity. I always thought that it was more important for boys, or the male sex because I was always told men should be strong and you would not want a guy to have a wimpy name. I named my son, Michael. I picked this name because of a boy I knew when I was a kid. I was about 10 and he was a young teen, maybe 15 or 16. He was always nice to me (I was overweight), and polite to everyone and I told myself, if I have a son some day, I want to name him Michael. My husband wanted to name him John. I did not like that but we did agreed that Jonathon was a good middle name. Words: 255 |
| Prompt #202: The Unattainable Talent. What is a talent you’ve spent time trying to acquire, but finally had to admit you just aren't wired for? If you can call it a talent (which I do), trying to develop a stronger outgoing personality. I do great with a one on one conversation, even with a stranger. However, in a crowd or several people I occasionally know, I am at a loss for conversation or I don't seem to know how to engage or join in on a conversation. Many times it is the subject matter. Let's say, I am with people I know because I play cards with them twice a week. Maybe these people know each other longer than they know me. They talk about things I am not familiar with and at times I feel left out. I don't want to be left out. I do ask questions, like, "I am sorry, I don't know that person?" Sometimes they will interject who they are talking about or sometimes it seems that they didn't hear me or didn't want to hear me. That is frustrating. I am a lot more outgoing than I use to be, but it seems I have been at this a long, long, time. I am 80 years old and should not even be discussing this as a problem. I should have learned by now how to communicate. It does seem unattainable. |
| Prompt #201: The Museum of You. If there were a museum dedicated to your life, what would be the five main "exhibits"? The Museum of Seabreeze. It sounds better than Sandy. But, it would be me. It would have a few paintings of me as a child, playing outside where I lived as a kid. We had eight acres with chickens, a goat, cow and pigs. Paintings would be displayed because that is part of what I like to do, watercolors. My museum would also have music playing; soft music featuring the piano, pan flute and various instruments. I play the piano and the others, they are well, just what I love. And, there would be one corner where games would be displayed. Cards, chess, and Cootie and an all time favorite, Monopoly. As you continue through my museum, you would see pictures of various pets, mostly dogs that were part of my childhood. However, you will see one unusual pet, a goat. Mom use to give us goat milk, so I guess that is why we had him. However, I would go out and run down the fence and he would run along with me. It was a game we both enjoyed. One day, he got out. I came home from school and mom said he was gone. They found him dead. He had eaten Oleander bushes, which I understand are toxic. You would also be able to see my poetry. I have a few pieces I am very proud of and they would be displayed along with some watercolors. Those would be my five favorite loves to share with the world. As with any museum, my life is still growing and I would continue to update my museum with changes as my life goes on. Words: 285 |
| 4/4/26 It is April. I want to know what happen with January, February and March, especially March. They just flew by. I have said to many people that I believe that the second measurement has changed. A second is not the second we all knew when we were kids. I am sure something has changed. Of course, since the second has been moving faster, so is the rest of time. I am okay on my days. I seem to have enough time in my days. But, I have noticed that the weeks seem to slip by quicker. So, what is going on? |
Baby, its cold outside! I am in Florida and the temp dropped down to 31 this morning. We knew it was coming and it isn't really anything to get too excited about; just different. When I lived in Utah, now that is cold. We had snow six months out of the year. I am so glad I am in Florida. Cold has its benefits, like staying in doing jig saw puzzles, or watercolors, playing chess or cards with my hubby and occasional movie on TV. Then, when the weather is better, out for some shopping. So, I am blessed to live in the good old USA and having my heating with my thermastat at 74. |
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