Third Time’s a Charm – Friday Fictioneers

‘Tis Wednesday and, she who loves all things purple, and keeps all us all afloat, has chosen a picture from Jennifer Pendergast for this week’s Friday Fictioneers.  Once I saw it, I could not help but want to close up my date trilogy started last year.  Should you desire a refresher, just click on the links in that follow, to see why I went here after going there and there.  No need, of course, but do click on my fancy-dining frogs below to be brought to the linky-thingy to add your very own 100-word story inspired by this lovely image.  Now sure how?  Rochelle’s post will do the ‘splaining of the hows and whys of playing along.

Take a foodie break in Pas de Calais - The Good Life France

Click on us to dine along

 

Wow, this is pretty snazzy!

Anything is better than the last two joints we went to.

You’ve got that right. Though, I thought my choice was funky.  And now I can see why you said to kick my duds up a notch. Like my suit?

It wasn’t funky it was filthy.  And you look very handsome.  I should request it more often!

Thanks, and don’t push it.  Your choice was the shits.

Can’t argue that one. Once you see it you can’t unsee it.  Like my dress?

Let’s forget the past.  You look very sexy.

Shall we go in?

Absofuckinglutely!

 

 

Let Me Show You the Waze

I was watching Chicago Med the other day (what can I say? I enjoy the three Chicagos, Med, PD and especially Fire).  Anyway, Dr. Crockett Marcel uses this AI O.R. 2.0.  It is a very advanced way of doing surgery.  The 2.0 is programmed to let you know when you can or cannot do something, give you best options, or even let you know if you are too tired to operate.  They had this very weird scenario where, to save a hand until it can be reconnected (due to infection), they do what is called ectopic banking, which is basically to plant an amputated member onto another part of the body (in this case, the hand to the leg) to keep it properly perfused and prevent the member from dying until it can be reattached.  The 2.0 has no record of how to do this but it can keep tabs on the perfusion.

After they successfully do this operation (of course), Crockett then chooses to use a regular OR for some other procedure.  When asked why? He responds:  “Do you ever go anywhere without using your GPS?”  The person responds, “No, why should I?  It’s there, might as well use it.”  His answer to that is:  “Well, I have the need to make sure I can still find my way without this type of technology.”

This brought me to a discussion with B about the very same thing.  How once upon a time, I would have just looked up the road to take (or asked directions) and taken it.  I could possibly hit construction detours, but hey, I would have figured it out in the end.  Now? I use the damn thing to go to places I know off by heart!  Why?  Simply to see if there is traffic to avoid.  It’s a good justification, right?  Maybe…

Besides the traffic pitfalls to avoid (or the least painful ones), Waze (I choose over Google Maps) gives me some interesting routes.  It rarely screws up, either.

I have used it almost every day since Monday, visiting my daughter at the clinic where she is recuperating from elective surgery.  What you might not be able to see on the image at left is that where she is, is at the very top part of the island of Montreal.  You see I have to cross one bridge, drive across and through to the other side.  So far to the “top” that it is right beside one of the many bridges to cross over into the Island of Laval.  There are a few options to cross but all depend on which way the traffic stalls.  Ugh.

What does not help is visiting hours at the centre are from 2 pm to 8 pm. I figure most of her friends would only be able to visit after work so I leave the evenings for them (we can only visit one at a time, anyway).

Wednesday, I took pity on her and brought her a good pillow.  I figured I’d get there for 2 and leave by 3:30, latest, getting just the beginning of traffic. HAH! Jokes on me.

Well now, while the drive took me almost an hour, it was a surprising and rather enjoyable one.  Instead of sending me over to the Champlain bridge, or to the tunnel (which I avoid like the plague since they are redoing the damn thing), it took me to the Jacques-Cartier bridge.  Hmmm.  This meant going through boroughs and along streets I was not expecting (nor familiar with, at least not this far north).

 

It took everything in my power NOT to pull over and take a bunch of pictures.  Though I will admit to taking quick pics at stop signs and stop lights… ahem.

I am determined, now, to take a day (I would have today but with yesterday’s snowfall?  The street, and especially parking, will be hell.

See that slushy mess?  And the ploughs pass when they do and you get snowed in. It’s gross and unpleasant.  I shall see what the deal is shortly!

Now I just have to remember where I saw the following mural – taken through my dirty window while at a red light (I’m not that foolish!)

Maybe GPS is not so bad after all, eh?

 

 

 

Nimble to Zen

 

Fingers laced through the handle of my coffee cup

warming my hands

I gaze out through my patio door

It’s a colourless February day

Yesterday’s rain and wind have melted the piles of snow

But I know, winter is far from over.

I look up and see a squirrel scamper nimbly without a care

along the wires that criss-cross my backyard

From there he jumps onto an outstretched tree limb

runs along it then up and around the trunk, making

his journey all the more interesting

as no other beastie, two-legged or four

is chasing him and I see him no more

Was it that long ago that I was so intrepid?

Without a thought I would climb

to the top of the monkey bars

and stand on the summit, arms outstretched

fearless, though heart thumping

(there is no proof as no way would

mom or dad have approved)

There is not enough money in the world to get me to do that again.

©Ron Jones

Just last September, I gingerly made my way to my roof

stepped onto the rusty little table, then up onto the fence

(around my propane tank)

holding on for dear life to the house roof

as I hauled myself up onto the garage roof (lower)

I stood up, legs wobbly, heart pounding

but feeling exhilarated

(No matter that I have watched my son

hop, step and jump his way up with nary a care

sigh)

still

I am not so feeble that I daren’t try

And how it was worth it!

I may not be as nimble; I may not be as quick

but that’s okay because I still do things

that make my heart quicken and me feel alive

I have also learnt that it is quite okay

to step back, centre, stretch, meditate

and find my Zen

Even the squirrels find the time

 

 

 

Weekend Writing Prompt #280 – Amok

It’s only 35 words.  Plus, the key word is basically how my thoughts have been running inside my head for the past three weeks.  How can I resist?  Besides, I’m one who chooses to laugh rather than cry over stuff – especially stuff that’s out of my hands.  So, thank you, Sammi, for providing the way!

wk 280 amok

Fool’s dream

No hiccups, no surprises,

No scary electrical things hiding

behind now-exposed walls

No wonky plumbing

waiting to blow

As if that’s not enough

Let’s have tools running amok

Landing in wrong places

It’s only money

It’s Terrasse Time! – Friday Fictioneers

Good Wednesday, my peeps!  It’s Friday Fictioneers Day and I could not resist this photo.  It kinda called me to do a certain sequel to my story from a couple weeks ago.  As always, a thank you to Rochelle, our fearless leader, who, while still frolicking in the ocean, still manages to host our weekly shindig.  Should you want to join in and write a story inspired by Roger Bultot’s photo, then click on the frogs below to add your link!

frog, chair, cozy, for two, drink, wine, soaked, cute, sweet, funny,  relaxation | Pikist

Click to play

 

Since you didn’t like my choice last time we got together, you pick.

It was disgusting.  And great, it’s terrasse weather.  I know just the place.

Terrace weather, you mean.

Terrasse, terrace. The important thing is we sit outside.

In the shade?

Yes, in the shade.

Okay.  Meet you there?

7:00 pm.

***

This is your choice?

Yes, this is my choice.

You thought my tables looked like toilets, what the hell is this?

Art.

Art? It’s graffiti!

Stop. The food and drinks are worth it.

They better be.

At least we won’t feel crowded.

Why does that bring me no comfort?

 

It’s Gonna Be a Bumpy Ride – Friday Fictioneers

Hello my peeps.  Lovely to see you on this first hump day in August.  How it is already August when July was barely a day long is beyond me, but I digress.  Rochelle may be off cavorting in the ocean on vacay but she still manages to host this weekly shindig.  She is a rockstar, eh?  When I saw this photo by the super-talented Sandra Crook, I knew exactly where I wanted to go.  Then I remembered (vaguely) that I was pretty sure I had written about this experience before. Dang it!  A search revealed that I did.  Back in June, 2017.  Wait… back in 2017… who the hell is gonna remember it anyhow, right?  Right.  And, hey, it happens that others repost old stuff.  This is more of a rearranging.  Apologies to those who do remember it.  I was surprised to see the number of Fictioneers from then who are still around today.  Hope the newbies enjoy… If you’ve got an idea for a 100-word original story, then by all means, do click on the frog below and add your link.  G’head. It’s fun 🙂

Frog Driving Car Stock Illustrations – 99 Frog Driving Car Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime

Click me to play!

 

“Total gridlock, Mon, in Sint Maarten! We’re gonna miss the boat!”

The walkie-talkie crackled with Sébastien’s voice.  “If I make a move, you guys gonna follow?”

“Hah!  Go?  There’s nowhere to go!”  Mick grumbled.

Karl’s voice came on, “We’re in!”

Suddenly Sébastien’s jeep, followed closely by Karl’s, passed us on the left.  On the sidewalk.  People scurried out of the way.

“Are they stupid?”

“You best be stupid, too, if you don’t wanna miss the boat!”  I yelled.  The song “Bumpy Ride” came on the radio. Serendipity? A sign?

“Put the music up louder!”

“Whoo hoo!  Go, Daddy, Go!”

 

 

 

Shift In Gears – dVerse

There is no way in hell I could resist this fantabulous challenge, issued by Lillian, for dVerse in which it’s all about Ben & Jerry’s ice cream… More particularly, the flavours listed below (the dates are when they were in service or laid to rest.  But here’s the rub.  We cannot write about ice cream, AND, we cannot change the names of the flavours.  The only thing we are allowed to do is add punctuation and play with the capitalisation.   We could use one or two or, in my case, ALL of the flavours.  Hope you smile as much as I did, writing this baby!  We actually visited the factory back in 2010 so… 

At the factoryChange is Brewing  – current Half-Baked  – created in 2000 -still going strong Urban Bourbon  – 2017 -still going strong Coffee Coffee Buzzbuzzbuzz  – current Wavy Gravy  – 1993 – 2001 Urban Jumble  – 2000 -2001 Dastardly Mash  – 1979 – 1991 Miz Jelena’s Sweet Potato Pie  – 1992 – 1993 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road  – limited edition available July 18 to 25, 2008 Late Night Snack  – 2010 – 2014
Imagine Whirled Peace  – 2007 – 2013 Sugar Plum  – 1989 – 1990 Economic Crunch  – only in 1987 during the stock market crash
This is Nuts  2001  – 2002

A change is brewing, my dear

the time has come

What do I mean, my Sugar Plum?

It’s time for what?

 

I’ll tell you what!

To say goodbye, Yellow Brick Road

This urban jumble of a jungle

This constant coffee, coffee, buzzbuzzbuzz

This is nuts, I say, nuts!

 

This economic crunch forces us

to go go go, a dastardly mash

a non-stop dash

And for what I tell you?

For some half-baked notion

that more is more?

 

Well, it’s not

I wanna slow things down

feel wavy gravy while we partake

of the urban bourbon of life, slow-like

while we imagine a whirled peace

a different way of living

 

Are you in?  What say you? Wait.

How about this?  We’ll have a slice of

Miz Jelena’s Sweet Potato Pie, or,

if you prefer, some key lime instead,

And plan for our shift in gears.

 

 

 

 

Design Flaws – Friday Fictioneers

It’s Wednesday.  Oh. Em. Gee…. So, this happened!  I wasn’t gonna but then, with fifteen minutes left to work, I didn’t want to start something I couldn’t finish so I looked at the FF prompt and suddenly a story popped into my head.  How do you like them apples, Rochelle? Fleur Lind’s photo sent me nowhere I thought it would.   Should you have a grand idea inspired by this photo, then please click on the frog below and add the link to your 100-word story.

Frog On Toilet Reading Phone | Joe Wilcox Indian Den

Hey!  Good timing!  I didn’t order you anything yet, since I wasn’t sure what your mood was.

Smart.  It’s like you know me.

I do.  Are you in a bourbon mood?  Beer? Martini?  Couldn’t chance it, yanno?

Hah!  Smartass.  What is UP with this table?

Funky design, eh?

Crappy, if you ask me.

Crappy?

Yeah, it looks like a toilet bowl.  It’s gross.

Jesus. The things you see…

Babe. Seriously. Look at it!  They could at least have made the inside white.

Oh, great. Now all I can see is diarrhea.

Guzzle that. We are outta here.

Copy that.  Next!

 

Fairy Tale Redux – Friday Fictioneers

Wednesday is here and – gasp!  I am participating for the second week in a row!  Wild.  Rochelle is both hostess and photographer, this week.  A thanks goes out to you, Miss Thang, for being at your post week after week.

I fear I have lacked originality this week but so be it. It is what it is and for some strange reason, the idea I had before starting to type was something completely different but my brain could not seem to control my fingers. It’s my story and I’m sticking to it 😉  Should you have a better take, they please, by all means, click on the frog below and add your link!  G’head! I’d love to read it 🙂

 

I hate fairy tale gift frog fairy elf' Men's Vintage T-Shirt | Spreadshirt

G’head click to play

 

Tell me a story, please, Mom.

Fairy tale or a real story?

Fairy tale.  Real life is too unbelievable.

Hah!  Gotcha.  Classic?  Rumpelstiltskin?

With your twist.

That’s my girl!  Lemme see…

“Once upon…”

Really, Mom?

Shhh. Quiet.  “Once upon a time a farmer’s daughter met a goofy-looking elf.  He had these sweet powers and could turn anything to gold.  So they partnered up and made a fortune selling golden strands of wool.  He really wanted a kid so they adopted one.  He stayed home, while she took care of business.”

Why adopt?

Lots of ragamuffins back then.

Win-win for all.

 

 

 

What Are the Odds? – Friday Fictioneers

Hola my peeps!  Yessiree, it’s me, participatin’ in the weekly activity known as Friday Fictioneers which starts on a Wednesday, coz that’s how we roll… Get in early, keep up with the new arrivals and Bob’s your uncle!  This week, our hostess with the mostest, Rochelle, has selected a photo from Lisa Fox.  Don’t ask me why I went where I did. I just did. Coz that’s how I roll 😉 Plus, OK… maybe when I first saw the image smaller, I saw something else. But since my brain went there, who am I to redirect it?  If’n you come up with something more betterer, then please, by all means, click on the frog below and add the link to your 100-word story!

A Famous Horse

Click me to play

There’s the pistol!  And they’re off!  We can barely tell one from the other.  Round the bend they go and it’s Smiley-Joe in the lead. Not too far behind is Jack-in-the-Box with Happy-Go-Lucky sneaking up.  Lucky Charm is at the back of the pack and there is no way he’s gonna be a contender!

Wait! What’s going on?  There he goes… he’s surging outta the pack!  Holy crap! He’s past Suzie-Q, now Sweet-Cheeks.  He’s closing in on Happy-Go-Lucky!

My God! I’ve never seen anything like it.  It’s like he’s possessed!  Whoa!  What an upset!  No one saw Lucky Charm coming!

***

K. Normally I don’t dig on explanations to stories, choosing for readers to make of it what they will.  However, let me just say I thought I saw a vine climbing higher…