Blither
Friday, October 30, 2015
The Heartbeat of One--Hallowe'en Edition
The light was fading and the trail was getting harder and harder to see.
She rued that she had not taken the flashlight from the back of the car.
Flashlights always seemed so cumbersome but as she shifted the weight of her backpack from her hip to her shoulder while half stumbling over a muddy rut , she thought of the fully charged red emergency 'lantern' as her father called it sitting unused but not unneeded a fifteen minute walk away in the opposite direction.
She quickened her pace as the roof of her destination could be seen through the tops of the trees.
The 18th century wooden house was set two miles from the main highway on an unused dirt road. A mere trail would better describe the grass covered route. How it could be considered a road on the computer map was beyond her or anyone's guess. But she had finally arrived , flashlight or no flashlight, road or no road.
The two story structure had only two windows on the ground floor and two on the top. A door faced the approaching path. The windows seemed to gape wide eyed and dark as she approached the door and took out the key that had been sent to her along with the directions in the mail. That was a few short dsys ago after she had placed the ad on Kijji Real Estate Section for Out of town property.
The key slipped in easily and as she turned the lock there was just the slightest resistance and then a click and the door swung inward into the darkness beyond.
Grasping her backpack strap she stepped in and slid her hand along the inside wall searching for a light switch or panel. None could be found. Her eyes gradually became used to the grey light inside and she could make out a the shape of an cosl oil lantern on a shelf not far from the entrance.
She placed her knapsack in the doorway stoop to hold the door open to let in the dimming evening light . She walked towards the lamp. Taking out her lighter, being grateful for her smoking habit, she removed the glass from the lantern and touched the lighter flame to the wick.
Light in the form of a fading arc shone from the flame.
As her eyes grew accustomed to the pale glow she became aware of an unease that perhaps was due to the damp and cold that seemed to surround her . She raised the wick in the lantern and as she did so the light grew brighter but the dampness seemed to became colder . She sensed a movement of air across her face as she leaned over to pick up her backpack which allowed the door to close slowly and without sound.
Picking up the lantern she proceeded to explore the room where she found herself. The floor was of a dark wood. The room itself was bereft of any evidence of furniture or even usefulness. There were no obvious clues to determine its past useage be it kitchen, living room or a combination of both. There was a doorway in the far corner and with lantern and knapsack in hand she walked over and discovered a curving stairwell leading to the second floor.
She started the climb upward. The wooden stairs were worn and cut so as to accommodate the circular design of the stairwell . Therefore she could not see the top of the stairway until she was only a few steps away. The lantern light seemed to fade as she climbed higher until the light from the waning flame dwindled to nothing until only a weak orange glow remained at the precise moment her foot touched the top landing.
She looked downward at the stairwell and was tempted to return but as she could only see an enveloping darkness combined with what seemed to be an actual encroaching mist now instead of the intense dampness that was felt on the main floor she decided against it.
She sensed rather than saw the outline of a window about 10 steps away . She carefully, with one foot sliding in front of the other, approached the outline. She tightly clinched her knapsack in her fist as she peered through the dirty window pane. She saw only the forest that surrounded the building and the faint trail that brought her to it.
There seemed nothing left to do but to stare out of the window and wait and watch.
The darkness grew deeper.
The lantern grew cold inspite of concentrated efforts to relight it with the lighter.
She felt rather than saw the mist wrap around her. She began to feel a deep and penetrating chill.
Taking out her cigarette pack she decided that at least the burning cigarette would provide solace as well as a bit of warmth against the seemingly insidious moistness that even started to cause a dampness on her clothes and made her grip on her knapsack wet to the touch.
Time dragged on. She decided to sit down and wait until daylight as she daren't try to manoeuvre that now slippery circular stairway in the blackness.
The darkened silence that settled in the building was strange to someone who was used to city lights and sounds.
That quietness of one that makes the individual believe that they are the only living thing in existance fell upon her.
That quietness that allows one to hear their own heartbeat and their own breathing . The intake of air and the body's momentary stillness followed by the inevitable explusion of warm C02 and smoke became oddly comforting to her.
She could almost believe she wasn't alone and that she had a living breathing companion near her in the dark.
She put her dying cigarette out on the cool moist floorboard.
In spite of the chill she slept. She dreamt of warm sunshine on a beach. The dream was so real that just for the slightest moment she felt the pressure of something coarser than sand pressing over her body and neck. She seemed to be caught in the strap from her knapsack . She struggled to free herself ...but for only a moment.
What was that red flashing light?
The newspaper article stated that the cause of the fire was attributed to careless smoking. The victim's name will not be released.
In other news, the authorities reported that an abandoned car was found in the same area of the fire. They noted that a red lantern type flashlight was found blinking on the front seat of the car by a passerby. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of the owner are asked to call their local police.
She rued that she had not taken the flashlight from the back of the car.
Flashlights always seemed so cumbersome but as she shifted the weight of her backpack from her hip to her shoulder while half stumbling over a muddy rut , she thought of the fully charged red emergency 'lantern' as her father called it sitting unused but not unneeded a fifteen minute walk away in the opposite direction.
She quickened her pace as the roof of her destination could be seen through the tops of the trees.
The 18th century wooden house was set two miles from the main highway on an unused dirt road. A mere trail would better describe the grass covered route. How it could be considered a road on the computer map was beyond her or anyone's guess. But she had finally arrived , flashlight or no flashlight, road or no road.
The two story structure had only two windows on the ground floor and two on the top. A door faced the approaching path. The windows seemed to gape wide eyed and dark as she approached the door and took out the key that had been sent to her along with the directions in the mail. That was a few short dsys ago after she had placed the ad on Kijji Real Estate Section for Out of town property.
The key slipped in easily and as she turned the lock there was just the slightest resistance and then a click and the door swung inward into the darkness beyond.
Grasping her backpack strap she stepped in and slid her hand along the inside wall searching for a light switch or panel. None could be found. Her eyes gradually became used to the grey light inside and she could make out a the shape of an cosl oil lantern on a shelf not far from the entrance.
She placed her knapsack in the doorway stoop to hold the door open to let in the dimming evening light . She walked towards the lamp. Taking out her lighter, being grateful for her smoking habit, she removed the glass from the lantern and touched the lighter flame to the wick.
Light in the form of a fading arc shone from the flame.
As her eyes grew accustomed to the pale glow she became aware of an unease that perhaps was due to the damp and cold that seemed to surround her . She raised the wick in the lantern and as she did so the light grew brighter but the dampness seemed to became colder . She sensed a movement of air across her face as she leaned over to pick up her backpack which allowed the door to close slowly and without sound.
Picking up the lantern she proceeded to explore the room where she found herself. The floor was of a dark wood. The room itself was bereft of any evidence of furniture or even usefulness. There were no obvious clues to determine its past useage be it kitchen, living room or a combination of both. There was a doorway in the far corner and with lantern and knapsack in hand she walked over and discovered a curving stairwell leading to the second floor.
She started the climb upward. The wooden stairs were worn and cut so as to accommodate the circular design of the stairwell . Therefore she could not see the top of the stairway until she was only a few steps away. The lantern light seemed to fade as she climbed higher until the light from the waning flame dwindled to nothing until only a weak orange glow remained at the precise moment her foot touched the top landing.
She looked downward at the stairwell and was tempted to return but as she could only see an enveloping darkness combined with what seemed to be an actual encroaching mist now instead of the intense dampness that was felt on the main floor she decided against it.
She sensed rather than saw the outline of a window about 10 steps away . She carefully, with one foot sliding in front of the other, approached the outline. She tightly clinched her knapsack in her fist as she peered through the dirty window pane. She saw only the forest that surrounded the building and the faint trail that brought her to it.
There seemed nothing left to do but to stare out of the window and wait and watch.
The darkness grew deeper.
The lantern grew cold inspite of concentrated efforts to relight it with the lighter.
She felt rather than saw the mist wrap around her. She began to feel a deep and penetrating chill.
Taking out her cigarette pack she decided that at least the burning cigarette would provide solace as well as a bit of warmth against the seemingly insidious moistness that even started to cause a dampness on her clothes and made her grip on her knapsack wet to the touch.
Time dragged on. She decided to sit down and wait until daylight as she daren't try to manoeuvre that now slippery circular stairway in the blackness.
The darkened silence that settled in the building was strange to someone who was used to city lights and sounds.
That quietness of one that makes the individual believe that they are the only living thing in existance fell upon her.
That quietness that allows one to hear their own heartbeat and their own breathing . The intake of air and the body's momentary stillness followed by the inevitable explusion of warm C02 and smoke became oddly comforting to her.
She could almost believe she wasn't alone and that she had a living breathing companion near her in the dark.
She put her dying cigarette out on the cool moist floorboard.
In spite of the chill she slept. She dreamt of warm sunshine on a beach. The dream was so real that just for the slightest moment she felt the pressure of something coarser than sand pressing over her body and neck. She seemed to be caught in the strap from her knapsack . She struggled to free herself ...but for only a moment.
What was that red flashing light?
The newspaper article stated that the cause of the fire was attributed to careless smoking. The victim's name will not be released.
In other news, the authorities reported that an abandoned car was found in the same area of the fire. They noted that a red lantern type flashlight was found blinking on the front seat of the car by a passerby. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of the owner are asked to call their local police.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Library of Love
Assignment 2
“I wasn’t planning on this. Falling in love with you was the last thing I wanted. Because I know our time would have to come to end. Yet, here I am, begging you not to turn the page.” Who is the speaker and who is the speaker talking to? Finish the scene.
"I wasn't planning on this. Falling in love with you was the last thing I wanted. Because I know our time would have to come to end. Yet, here I am, begging you not to turn the page." She whispered softly. Her breath hot on his gilded leather jacket.
"Must I illustrate to you the danger of this relationship? You know I must finish this. It isn't right to any of those involved. I am being sought. This chapter must end."
"Please no. I beg of you. We could make it work." she persisted as she held him close. .
He shrugged her cloying fingers from his supple spine and turned away as he stared up at the shelves on the far wall.
"My future is not here but in higher places. I cannot go on any longer."
"But my darling, we have kept away from prying eyes for so long now. I have carried you close to my soul for weeks. Please let us keep this chapter going." , she said as she stroked the cover of his jacket.
Resolutely he pulled away. "You are tearing me apart! Please stop!"
"It is your Title isn't it? You worry about your Title!"
He slipped out of his jacket and fell to the floor.
Finally he was away from her grasp.
"Read my lips." he shouted. "It is finished. It is THE END."
There was only a quiet hush.
A pause.
A sigh.
And then she helped him up and gently placed him back in the library -- three shelves up.
Ivanhoe was finished .
She would never touch him again. The book was closed. The chapter ended.
After a few moments she glanced along the rows of books and she saw an interesting title and reached out.
"Perhaps ...this time." she thought as she gently placed her long and delicate fingers around the cover. As she slowly and lovingly pried the pages open she sat down on the window seat where the morning sun highlighted her glowing face as her rosebud lips repeated the title over and over and over...
."..Tom Sawyer....Tom Sawyer."
"I wasn't planning on this. Falling in love with you was the last thing I wanted. Because I know our time would have to come to end. Yet, here I am, begging you not to turn the page." She whispered softly. Her breath hot on his gilded leather jacket.
"Must I illustrate to you the danger of this relationship? You know I must finish this. It isn't right to any of those involved. I am being sought. This chapter must end."
"Please no. I beg of you. We could make it work." she persisted as she held him close. .
He shrugged her cloying fingers from his supple spine and turned away as he stared up at the shelves on the far wall.
"My future is not here but in higher places. I cannot go on any longer."
"But my darling, we have kept away from prying eyes for so long now. I have carried you close to my soul for weeks. Please let us keep this chapter going." , she said as she stroked the cover of his jacket.
Resolutely he pulled away. "You are tearing me apart! Please stop!"
"It is your Title isn't it? You worry about your Title!"
He slipped out of his jacket and fell to the floor.
Finally he was away from her grasp.
"Read my lips." he shouted. "It is finished. It is THE END."
There was only a quiet hush.
A pause.
A sigh.
And then she helped him up and gently placed him back in the library -- three shelves up.
Ivanhoe was finished .
She would never touch him again. The book was closed. The chapter ended.
After a few moments she glanced along the rows of books and she saw an interesting title and reached out.
"Perhaps ...this time." she thought as she gently placed her long and delicate fingers around the cover. As she slowly and lovingly pried the pages open she sat down on the window seat where the morning sun highlighted her glowing face as her rosebud lips repeated the title over and over and over...
."..Tom Sawyer....Tom Sawyer."
Canadian Election
Election time is nearly here
Hopefully the result will soon be clear.
Our country's future is greatly at stake
How many seats will each party take?
Steven or Justin? Tommy or May?
I think it will be a mixture at the end of the day.
Oil and gas worries, headdresses and fear,
Refugee crises and trade wars draw near.
This time next week the deed will be done
All the signs and billboards will all be as one.
Piled in a heap for the Hallowe'en fire
Let us hope that the rest of the country isn't put out for hire.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Turtle Wise
They told me seeing a turtle on your wedding day would bring good luck and I didn't argue. One did not argue with one's future in-laws but I just wish they hadn't tried to prove it.
It was a glorious day. Beautiful fall leaves decorating trees, lawns, and roadways.
All was ready. Bridesmaids and flower girls adorned in their finest matching outfits. Best men clean shaven with fresh haircuts and bow ties.
The reception area was festooned with balloons and flowers. We had gotten a 'deal' from my future husband's second cousin's sister on the use of the reception area. She arranged the rental of a small town's hall just outside the city limits for a really modest price.
The delicate aroma of the carefully prepared luncheon of chicken salad croissants and lightly spiced cabbage soup wafted over the dining area tables set with Royal Albert Chinaware of the Pettipoint design. The covered chairs were set precisely in front of each place setting awaiting the arrival of the 30 invited guests.
The ceremony was lovely by anyone's standards. The soloist sang beautifully. The bride was exceptionally lovely if I do say so myself, and the groom was especially handsome. After the "I do's" were done and the deed was signed we dutifully walked down the aisle into the fresh autumn air to an awaiting Limousine where wine was being chilled and the kisses would be hot.
Just as we were whisked away amidst hearty congratulations I noticed a small package beautifully wrapped in gold foil and blue ribbon sitting on the seat beside me. I thought immediately that it must be a gift from my true love, my most recent husband. 'A Token of love Devine' no doubt.
I cuddled closer to my newest "Raison D'etre" and shook the package gingerly while sipping on the red wine. He claimed that he had no idea of what was inside and nor had he had any idea from where the package came. But I all knowingly suspected that it was just merely a playful love ruse to add to the excitement of the day.
I teasingly took the parcel and placed it under my sweet loved one's nose and he gently but firmly pushed it aside. I shook the golden nugget once more and could hear a light thud thud sound. 'Hmmm...not anything that is actually attached ...so it probably isn't jewellery.'I thought. 'Interesting.'
I glanced out the window of the Limousine to see how close we were to the reception hall. It looked like the driver was taking the long way through the suburbs. 'Typical.' I thought. 'Taking the slow way to pad the fee.'
I slipped off the seat and gingerly leaned over trying not to get my dress caught between my feet and the floor and verbally indicated that we were only obliged to pay the previously agreed upon price for transport from the church to the reception and that we would like to get to said reception as soon as possible with no dallying. The driver assured me that he would pick up the speed and consequently made a sharp turn and proceeded towards the speedway.
As there were no more than fifteen minutes of travel left in our journey to the festivities, I daren't not get my hair mussed so I placed the brakes on the kisses and focused again on the package of gold.
It was about the size of a block of butter. I carefully removed the ribbon and then slowly and precisely picked at the little pieces of tape until the golden paper fell to the floor and revealed a purely white satin like box with a hinged lid.
I knowingly winked at my new husband as he gazed at me with love filled eyes and then I flipped the lid.
There it was.
Staring at me eye to eye.
Blinking slowly.
Mouth gaping.
Feet slowly wiggling.
A live Turtle!
Over the sound of the screams , which turned out to be mine, I could hear laughter. Hysterical laughter. It was the type of laughter that takes away the person's breath so that there was also a sound of gasping combined with a laughter so loud and raucous that it made even the limousine driver turn to see what the commotion was about.
Charges of involuntary manslaughter are taken quite seriously in our country. The jury it seemed just didn't want to understand why it was apparent that the turtle was caught in my sweet, sadly departed, husband's throat in spite of the fact that the driver had hit the brakes to avoid hitting a rabbit that had run in front of the vehicle. The driver said he had been momentarily distracted by the strange sounds from the back of the limo.
Now I am doing 10-20 in Federal Prison.
Stupid Rabbit.
My assignment was: Start your story with “They told me seeing a turtle on your wedding day would bring good luck” and end your story with “Now I’m doing 10-20 in federal prison. Stupid rabbit.”
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