Five Minute Friday: What Mama Did

I've been quiet on the blog lately... It's very hit and miss! I'm busy finishing an online writing class that is consuming way too much of my time. Did you know that it's way easier to write just for the fun of it, than it is to write when you HAVE to?  I'm making it through, and I have one more week left!  I am also thoroughly enjoying my Brit Lit class I am taking (This class will last till May, but it's not as intense as online)  Someday, I will write a post about Frankenstein... This week I am reading Emma, by Jane Austen.

But today, today is FRIDAY, and that means Five Minute Friday. And this week is just awesome. Lisa-Jo did a phenomenal series on her blog and if you haven't seen it you MUST go check it out... and read every day.  Then she gave us the prompt today, but she only gave us Five Minutes! :)  So here is my quick memory of my mom.

What Mama Did--Chinese Checkers

It was exam week in high school. Studying, studying, and more studying took place. Suddenly, from the bottom of the stairs, Mom would call out,

"Time for Chinese Checkers!"

It didn't matter where we were in test preparation, or how little we felt we knew for tomorrow's big exam. It was time for a break. And we tumbled down the stairs, my sisters and me. Sometimes she would have to call us more than once, but always it was the forced break in the middle of an intense school week to play a little with some marbles, to have some fun, to let off a little steam.

To remember that family is more important than the final grade.

STOP

I'm sure my sisters' can remember these moments with more clarity than I can, I think she gave up after they graduated...  I'm thankful for my mom, for so much more than the stress relief of playing Chinese Checkers. It's just the memory that came to me!

What did YOUR mom do??  Share it in the comments here, or make your own Five Minute Friday post and link up with Lisa-Jo.

Writing Wednesdays: Poetry

My blog has been quiet this week... No time to edit my thoughts, write things pretty, find pictures to go along with it, and share it all with you!  I'm discouraged just a little bit.




Just for a miscellaneous update... I'm still working my way through Frankenstein for my Brit Lit class (and actually liking it) Did you know that "Frankenstein" is not the monster?  ... He was the creator of the monster! and did you know the author of this book was NINETEEN when she wrote it!?!?!

I had a way too short coffee date with Donna... one of my Allume friends. She's such an encouragement. I really appreciate all the people I got to meet at Allume last year... and I really want to go again this year and am now accepting donations to my Allume fund! :)

MY BABY turned five this weekend and I was very busy celebrating her, celebrating with her and hosting a Dora birthday party for her! She is PRICELESS!!!





But the main reason for this post is:
I said I wanted to share some writings with you from my Creative Writing class and this week is Poetry! I had lots of fun with this one, so I'm sharing it with you! I hope you like it.

{source}

Foggy Personality

Little wisps moving here and there,
They weave themselves through branches bare.
Light and airy, floating ‘round
It dances to and from the ground.
     Delicate fog 

Quickly moving across the field,
Not even the tree line makes it yield.
Lighter first, then filling in,
The neighbor’s house is falling dim.
     Rolling fog 

Settled in the valley low
Patches of clouds row upon row,
Mixed with fields, and trees of green,
Makes an artist’s painting scene.
     Beautiful fog

Looking through the window frame,
My backyard always looks the same.
The air turns heavy, wet, and cold.
The scenery changes, dark and bold.
     Heavy fog 

Tree branches scraping in the wind,
Sight obscured, my heart skips within.
I take two steps, maybe three at most,
Though nothing’s moving, I feel ghosts.
     Ominous fog

Driving up the mountain steep,
The air so thick, I cannot see.
My fists are clenched tight to the wheel,
I’m gonna die for sure, I feel.
     Strangling fog 

The windowpanes are fully white.
Inside the fire is burning bright.
All tucked in tight, no place to go,
A heavy blanket on my home.
     Comforting fog

There are a few lines that I don't like, so it still needs some work... suggestions welcome!

Have you ever written poetry?

Writing: Flash Fiction

Well, it's Wednesday! and I promised you last Friday that I would share a little something with you. I'm feeling a little insecure right now...

The backstory is that I tried to combine Five Minute Friday with my writing assignment for Creative Writing. However, fiction writing isn't exactly my passion. In fact, I hardly have any interest in it... although I LOVE to read a good fiction book.


So the assignment was a flash fiction story with 3 characters...

Here it is in all it's unedited first draft glory... Friends, this took me ALL DAY!!!

Date Night

by Julie Wilson

The bell jingled as the door swung open and a rush of cold air blew in. The man stomped his feet as he turned to brush the snow off his companion’s red wool coat. Cindy, the waitress, called from the far corner, “Sit yourselves anywhere, Darlings,” as she poured another cup of coffee.

David glanced around and found a booth with a view of the street and escorted Sophie and sat her with elegance. Wide-eyed, she took in her surroundings. The table was clean, but well-worn, the curtains were heavily faded. At the counter sat three truckers, talking loudly and shoveling in food as if they hadn’t eaten all week. An elderly couple in the corner was as quiet as the truckers were loud. Through the kitchen window Sophie could see the cook moving efficiently between his work stations as he swung a plate onto the serving shelf and shouted, “Order up!”

Her survey of the room complete, she glanced at her menu. Burgers, sandwiches, fries, onion rings, and milkshakes, there were so many choices. She was so excited to be here with him. He held her hand as they picked out their meals and waited for the waitress to take their orders.

Cindy made her way over to their table. “Can I take your order, sweetheart?” Cindy smiled through tired eyes as she attempted to stay upbeat till the end of her shift.  

David replied, “A burger and fries for the lady; I’ll have a burger and onion rings, and a large chocolate malt shake with two straws, please.”

She knew most everyone in town, but these two were unfamiliar. “Are you new in town?” Small talk often resulted in better tips.

“No,” he replied, “We’ve been in the area since summer, but this is our first time here.”

She assured him that this was the best burger joint in town, and headed to the kitchen to place the order.

Sophie’s eyes sparkled as she watched the bustling of shoppers in the street. She loved the rows of Christmas lights lining the street, and the storefront across the street had some treasures she wanted to add to her Christmas list.

Dinner came and they quickly dug in. Everything and everyone else faded into the background as they chatted and enjoyed what truly were the best burgers they had ever had. When it came time to share the shake, David moved from his seat across from Sophie and sat next to her. They giggled and slurped and enjoyed every last drop of that deliciously thick chocolate shake.

As Cindy returned to give them the check, David took note of her heavy shoulders. His memory took him back to another diner visit, the one where he had met the woman of his dreams. He remembered her long hours and the verbal abuse from some of the harder customers. He dug through his wallet and paid the bill, doubling the amount to give a hefty tip.

Sophie didn’t notice. She was just thrilled to be hand in hand with her favorite man. Date night with daddy was such a special treat.

So what's your opinion? Do I have any future in writing? or should I find another dream? What would you change?

I'm hoping to share some of my writings every Wednesday...