Microfiction Muse #14

This is my first time to take part in a new microfiction blogpost.

(*Note: I realized my wording was kind of misleading here. I've written microfiction before, but just not on Diane's blog. It was on Stony River's Microfiction Mondays, and those have been discontinued for quite some time. So, I was so happy to discover Diane's!)

Microfiction means the shortest of short stories. Think Aesop’s fables, comic strips, or even jokes: complete stories that can be told in under a minute. 

You are invited to write a story about a select picture in 140 characters or less (including spaces and punctuation).

 It is hosted by Diane Estrella. Please stop by her blog if you'd like to participate, too.

Here is my take on the photo:

"You are getting sleepy. Very, very sleepy.  You will obey my every command. Got that, mister?"

(95 characters)

** Also welcome to my newest follower: Marsha. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"My great mistake, the fault for which I can't forgive myself, is that one day I ceased my obstinate pursuit of my own individuality." -- Oscar Wilde

Happy Birthday, America!

We are not a perfect country, by a long shot, but we are free and have every opportunity to grow, learn, and enjoy a good life.

Welcome to my newest follower: Jen. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you." ~Author unknown, sometimes attributed to M. Grundler

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

(courtesy: google)

Who remembers this TV show and board game? I loved both! I thought it was so neat that the contestants could actually walk on the "game board" set up in the studio. And so, I just had to have the game. I think I bought it with my allowance!

 

(courtesy: google)

How about this game? Ever heard of or played this one?

The only times I've ever seen it or played it was with my cousins in Colorado. That was another one of our summer vacation destinations. They lived in the country and there wasn't much of anything to do but play card games and board games. This was my favorite because it has little plastic milk bottles, slabs of cheese, etc. What fond memories!

What about you? Do you have fond memories of board games? And were any of them just played during vacation, or just at certain homes?

Memories (sung by Elvis Presley)

Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind

Memories, sweetened thru the ages just like wine --Written by Bill Strange and Scott Davis

Surrounded by Books

Have you ever seen that episode on "Two and a Half Men" where Alan totally loses it in the book store? He's sad and upset that his little boy is growing up and doesn't need him as much anymore. So, Charlie, actually trying to be helpful, tells Alan that now he'll have the time to do the things he really wants to do. At first, Alan agrees and is happy, thinking about reading....and then becomes unglued, thinking he doesn't have enough time left in his life to read all the books he yearns to read. He starts yelling as he pulls one book after another off the shelves, and finally slips down onto the floor, sobbing as he drops books everywhere. (I found it hilarious, but then I have a warped sense of humor.)

 (courtesy: Google)

Yesterday afternoon I was attempting yet again to de-clutter my loft. It's such a beautiful room, with large windows, a ceiling fan, overlooks our entry foyer. I also have my collection of CD's, a few books and knick-knacks on a shabby-chic bookshelf. But, since we really don't use the room, over the years it's become my "craft" room. I work on my homemade cards there. I stash old photos, magazines and books in there. All with the promise to myself that I'll get it cleaned up and organized soon. But, unfortunately, the minute I walk past it, going down the stairs, I forget about it...until the next time I come up the stairs, go down the stairs, etc.

So, yesterday, I said to myself, "Self, you are going to get a good start on this room. You have no excuses, particularly since you're in kind of a writing slump!"  Hmmm...KIND OF?!

First things first. Pull out all the books that are in the shelf with really deep shelves, and then dust it. OMG, I found all kinds of books that I'd completely forgotten I had! It was like Christmas.....at first...but then, I began to feel a little like Alan. I have all these books I WANT to read. Some I even began at one time, but for some reason, just couldn't get into. Novels, memoirs, How-To books about writing (boy, do I ever need to start on those!)...

       (photo: courtesy The Overweight Bookshelf blog)

So, I began stacks of books.

One - books to definitely read asap.

Two - books to read after I read all in stack number one.

Three - books to donate to library

Four - books to use in my blog give-aways

Five - books to sell in our Saturday Writers Silent-Auction

I found myself completely surrounded by books and feeling overwhelmed. That's when the TV episode crossed my mind. I also felt a bit like the girl in the photo above, only I was sitting on the floor. How had this happened? Why wasn't I reading as much as I used to? I can think of two reasons: The time I spend writing my book, and the time I spend blogging. I need to make up my mind what the most important thing(s) are in my life (besides family & friends) and spend quality time on those. And reading is being pushed up to Number One for the month of July.

What about you? Do you have a task you keep putting off? Do you feel you are spending your time on what's really important to YOU?

Welcome to my newest follower: Jo. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! 

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." —Louisa May Alcott

* I WONDER *

Can it possibly be Friday again, already?

** Psst....notice my new graphic to the top right  →
The one that says: "The One-Minute Writer.You have 1,440 minutes a day. Use one of them to write."

Isn't that fabulous? And doesn't it go perfectly with today's post? Thanks to brand new blogger friend, Jo, of Memorable Meanders, because that's where I saw it!

 I Wonder: How many anthologies will I submit something to during the month of July? I plan to write and enter at least three. It's so unproductive and uncreative of me not to do so. (and rather stupid, I must say! Although I would never say "stupid" about anyone else, I can say it about me!) Why is that? Because anything I write for an anthology can most likely be included in my memoir. And, if I get paid for it along the way....well, duh!

I Wonder: How many of you will join me in writing and submitting something to an anthology or contest? Let's keep track of our progress. We can help, advise, and encourage each other. What d'ya say? Come on! Let's go for it!

*After I wrote this post yesterday (and then realized it didn't seem like Friday yet, because it wasn't!) I did begin writing a story for one of the anthologies mentioned above! Yay! I'm so proud of myself. ☺
I'm working on one for the Storm Country book. I hope to have it finished way before the July 15th deadline.*

Welcome to my newest follower: Debora.  I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! 

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts."

~ Unknown

If It's Thursday, I'm Really Mixed Up

Being mixed up should not come as a surprise to those of you who know me. I just composed and posted my Friday, "I WONDER", blog post. I even began with the sentence, "Can it possibly be Friday again, already?" Hmmm... Apparently not! So, that little bit of clever and witty info is waiting patiently in the Edit section.

Whew! Do I feel better! I thought I lost a day somewhere. Oh well, at least I already have tomorrow's post ready to go. Just hope I remember.

This morning, I'm enjoying the beautiful sunny sky, the chirping of birds, the leaves fluttering in the trees, hearing the easy-listening music on my cable tv, my cup of coffee, and the desire to write today!
So, it's tah-tah for now!


Welcome to my newest follower: Miss GOP (Good on Paper)  I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"I've forgotten many things but the most embarrassing by far was when I forgot to meet a friend for lunch. I was having a very lazy morning, still in my pj's, when my phone rang at 11:45am. The minute I saw her name on Caller ID, I remembered!" -- Becky Povich

* All Things Writerly *

I attended my Coffee & Critique group again today. Most of the time I don't have anything to read, but I always get so much from listening to others read, and then the critiques given as we go around the table. Two of the writers are currently working on stories to submit to Chicken Soup for the Soul, which made me think to remind everyone about all their Calls For Submission. Right now they have 12 books they need stories for. (There are various deadlines.) If they accept yours, you receive $200.00, plus 10 free books! Give it try. You've got nothing to lose!

Then I remembered Thin Threads and the stories they're currently looking for. They pay $100.00 for an accepted story. (Different deadlines here as well.) Wonderful blogger friend, Susan, of Writing Straight from the Heart, recently had TWO stories accepted and published in two different Thin Threads anthologies. Congratulations, Susan!!

And please don't forget about the Joplin, Missouri anthology, Storm Country. This one does not pay its contributors because all money raised will go to Joplin's school libraries to purchase books damaged or destroyed in the horrible May tornado. *Although you won't receive any money if your story is accepted, this is a wonderful opportunity for a beginner to be published in a printed publication, if your story is well written, of course. Be sure and read all the requirements....must be a weather related story. Deadline is July 15th.

A brand new journal I just came across, Adanna Literary Journal is having a love poem contest. There's a $10.00 entry fee and 1st Prize is $100.00

I'm not promoting any particular anthology, website, journal, contest, etc. I just like to let people know some of the things I come across... when I remember them! ☺

Welcome to my newest follower: Claudia Schlottman!   I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!


"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" -- Audrey Hepburn

* Nostalgic Sundays *

I'm a nostalgic gal. I love old TV shows like The Andy Griffith Show (only the B&W episodes, ya know!) I'm particularly drawn to the lovely citizens of Mayberry because this fictional town reminds me so much of the real-life hometown of my parents and grandparents: Greenfield, Iowa.

When I was a little girl we went to Greenfield every summer for vacation. It was a magical time. The late 1950s, life was slow and easy, we young kids could walk or ride bikes all over town. I have such fabulous memories of those days, some of which will be included in my memoir.

Today I thought of trying to begin another weekly post and call it Nostalgic Sundays. I'm not really sure what I'll post or if I can even come up with something every Sunday, but I'm going to try. And if any readers decide to post something nostalgic on their blogs on Sundays, let me know and I'll be sure to stop by!

That's it for this Sunday, and surprisingly I've already thought of topics for at least two more Sundays.

"There is a lovely warmness about feelings of nostalgia as though in one's head one is putting on a pair of comfy old slippers and curling up in front of a fire."  - William E. Geist