“This is not the rhyming song!”
Upside Down or Opposite Day or then not?
Chocolate as a dietary measure
Which can be the ultimate pleasure
To get the same effect
From this heavenly confect
You would by eating a carrot
Oh don’t listen to the parrot!
At least double the amount
No no you don’t have to count
Per each pleasurable bite
When enjoying this healthiest of delights
Chocolate is the answer
Never mind what the question was!
The neighbourhood had seen better days, but Mrs. Pauley had lived there since before anyone can remember. She raised a family of six boys, who were all grown up and moved away. Since Mr. Pauley had died three months ago, she’d had no income. She’s fallen behind in the rent. The landlord, accompanied by the police, had arrived to evict Mrs. Pauley from the house she’s lived in for forty years…
***
I was sitting on the curve, waiting for my best friends Lily and Bobby. We were going to play hops-scotch after school today and as usual, I was early. My homework was done already and mom had awarded me with chocolate muffins she had baked herself. I consider myself a nerdy girl and try to live up to my favourite TV characters, meaning not having too many creature comforts. It’s kinda hard since I like dressing up, the colour pink and I especially love chocolate. Anyways, my grams told me I was an old soul, and I looked that up on the internet, what it actually meant. I kind of understood the jest of it, what it means. And even though sometimes my friends go “What?” when I talk to them in long sentences, and sometimes take the side of the adults, I still feel like a little kid and I like to play.
I was getting bored, waiting for my friends to come. They were usually late, especially Lily, who it took forever to decide on what to wear after the school uniform got tossed waiting for the next day. Then I heard the sirens wailing. I wondered if there had been an accident and got up to catch a better glimpse of the nearing sound. It was two police cars coming to this street. They drove by me and parked in front of old lady Pauley’s house. I got scared thinking Mrs Pauley was hurt or even worse. So I ran closer, to find out what was going on. The landlord Mr Pruitt was also there. He and four policemen walked right to Mrs Pauley’s door and knocked on it.
I had inched myself closer to the house and was standing right behind two of the officers. I tapped on the other one’s back, to get their attention. He turned around and looked at me surprised.
“Hi little girl! What are you doing here?” He asked.
“I’m Emily. I live over there.” I was pointing at our house a block away.
“Nice to meet you Emily.” The officer told me. “Maybe you should go back to playing. We have some things we’d like to discuss with Mrs Pauley.”
“I’m OK. I am waiting for my friends.” I insisted.
By this time, my presence had caught the attention of the other ones too.
“Young lady, run along now. This is grown up business.” The lady officer told me.
“It’s OK. My grandma told me I am growing up really fast and know a lot of grown up stuff.” I tried.
The others were looking at each other, I think the landlord did not like me very much. All us neighbourhood kids knew he didn’t have any kids and therefore did not like them.
“Look, Emily was it?” The nicer lady officer said.
I nodded.
“You should run along now.”
I was going to answer her, but I saw my two friends arriving. They had headed straight to the house after they had seen the police cars in front.
“Hi Emily! What’s going on? Are there robbers here?” Bobby was making his usual assumptions.
The officers seemed to be getting a little annoyed and looking at us kids not sure on what to do.
“I dunno!” I shrugged my shoulders.
“No robbers young man.” The other officer responded.
“Too bad,” Bobby replied.
“Is old lady Pauley OK?” I asked
“She is fine.” The officer told me.
“So why are the police here then?” I was curious now.
“Oh, just some adult stuff, nothing for you to worry your pretty head about.” He started.
“It’s fine you can tell us.” I told him
“Yeah, tell us!” Lily joined the chorus.
By this time a few other kids had arrived to the house and more were on their way. It seemed all this action of police cars had drawn the attention of the kids around the hood. Finally I counted around twenty children who were checking out the yard, the police cars and asking the officers all kinds of questions.
“I think we’d better do this another day.” The lady officer told her partner, “It seems we have drawn too much attention and I don’t feel comfortable dragging an old lady out of the house in front of all these children.” She looked worried.
“What if we ask Mr Pruitt if he could come up with some sort of an arrangement.” The officer told the others.
“Sounds like a good plan.” The other ones agreed.
“Mr. Pruitt, can we have a word with you.” The lady officer waved for Mr Pruitt to step closer.
We tried to listen in on the conversation, but could not hear much. Apparently nothing much was going on in the end since they all left in a while. Us kids started our own separate ways. As I was leaving I looked back and saw Mrs Pauley in the window. She was smiling and waved at me. I waved back and ran after my friends thinking I was glad she was alright.
“It’s just like riding a bike! Guess it is, only this time it’s done in snow!” Gun Roswell
Bikes in Winter Times
The several bikes under the tree taking cover from the winter’s deep and tormenting lash of snow, but that is just what it looks like from far away, as these bikes are here to stay, and even totally slay the snows of the winter, never ever fearing the weather, as they have been permanently tethered to this land of cold by their very riders so bold.
So for now, riding along, no matter spring, summer, fall or winter, these bikes and their riders are fierce and do not mind a challenge, not even something bad or ominous foretold. As they take their two wheelers out there, in the open air, peddling gingerly away, as they are not the ones long in one place to stay. And so, no matter the heavy snow fall, the bikes and their bikers stand tall, against the weather gods.
Of course, the shovel is a necessary tool, when packing for the wintery cold, as digging out from the cover light sometimes, cannot be done by hand and well, that might be the only negative, or then it is the ice roads. Then again, spikes to the wheels and thinking of the snow pushing as a sport, the nothing can go wrong for these winter riders.
“There is something to be said about people living their very lives, taking on every adventure, seeking out new things, until their little hearts sing – I hate the lot of them, so sue me!!!“ Gun Roswell
Before there was a Dare Devil, but only the Devil remains
I used to be a Dare Devil, now, I am just a plain ole Devil
Cursing loudly, dooming all those daring venturers to the very pits of hell
Wherever they might just dwell, they know whom they area!
So, with that note, yeah, they will so go far, never minding what this ole Devil had to say.´
Just because they have all those dreams left in them, making them towards their destiny sway
Wanting to take a swing on the tallest branch and then dive into the great unknown without any qualm, doubt or whatever is needed to just do whatever their little rotten heart desires
Supposedly the fire within, and to inspire them to move along with their stunts and what nots.
Yeah, I might have been one of them, once, but not any more
What remains is the bitter punch, and that even is totally a chore to achieve
As once you have left that spicy spirit leave?
Well, there is nothing but bitterness, which will let the broken heart heave
Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
— Astronomer Carl Sagan
To boldly go, where no Woman, has gone before
…As the flight progresses
I feel less stressed
What ever awaits me
It only can be
Something wonderful
And most magical
To boldly go
Where no
Woman
Where no one
Has gone
Before
“Well, it’s worked so far, but we are not off yet” Dr McCoy, Star Trek
To boldly go, where no Woman, has gone before
Cosmos,
The final
Frontier
So far
And yet
So near
Entering the spaceship
Ready for a long trip
Going to Mars?
Or even farther beyond?
Following the stars
Over the magic pond
Through the window
Feelings of alone
One trail of thought
As the mental guide
Trying not to get caught
In a state of confined…
“What’s on TV today? Same old stuff or something more exiting, and I don’t want to see the news, they can be so depressing” Gun Roswell
Cozy fire on TV for the eve
Tried to watch, my favourite TV show, on the tube, alas, out of a fluke, there was nothing on, but a bunch of static accompanied by some white noise, as sung by a flaming voice. What to do? After all, I had prepared myself for an evening for a session of binge watching my favourite TV show, the same old one I had seen so many times before, and which I know almost by heart, still, nothing new or nothing too bold, just the way I like it. Alas, the TV still, did not agree with me, and did not get the signal needed from any of the techno boxes just around it, which were a plentiful to say the least, it seems, the gadgets and devises, in my home, grow and feed, like a beast! But, no matter what I tried, reboot, giving the ole’ boot, almost to the point of shoot, I did not have any luck, in starting that damned f..k of a thing, which would have made my heart sing. As all I wanted for this one silent moment, to enjoy, my shows, without torment.
So, the only thing left to do, part from the seller of this, wretched devise, to sue was to find some other clue, how to spend my well earned time of simple solace. Scratching my head, trying to figure out a better use of my time instead, and then, a thought occurred to me! Why not turn on the fireplace instead and watch the flames dance around! A tube is a tube to watch, even if it wasn’t my favourite sort. After all, this was a simple thing to do, just turn a knob and the fire, well, a mock fire, would ensure, a great past time, at least for a while, before maybe, I would get bored. Unless, I could incorporate, some other type of activity to it, say like reading a book, here in my comfy nook, which so much effort took, to set it up, for my special time to be spent, watching the shows on TV, for this eve. What to do next, now that, was the mystery, bordering a state of hysteria, but hey, using the old noggin, to figure it out, I knew I could, and for that, I am so proud!
Now then, I have finally, settled down for the evening, with a cozy fire, a book, something warm to drink and a few snacks, my teeth in to sink. Thus would start a new past time for me, as something comfy cozy did happen, alas not on TV. But, as long as there are stories to be seen or read, my hunger for different worlds, people and scenarios will be fed and watching that fire dance around, well, that is fun too! Who would have figured that would be the case? Well, now, I do! And totally, recommend it to you too. Oh, and the TV? Well, it is now finally fixed, as it turned out, a cable had been mixed, so as simple as that it was, well, I am still glad, that I had other stuff to watch, rather then the old shows, which I still love, but then again, can’t complain, about the time spent, watching the fire, every now and then, while reading my books, a new look, certainly, for me!
“A cat writing and sipping coffee? Yes, well, like cat keeper, like feline, it’s all good and fine” Gun Roswell
Photo credit Cats of Instagram
The cat who wrote books
With her specs on, and coffee beside there, quite strong, the tabby cat, in her comfortable pullover and hat, neatly sat. The page in front, still empty, but it would not take too long, especially after the dark liquid kicked in, for something really good to come forth. After all, this was not her first round with the ink and blank paper, as several stories already written stood on the bookshelf alone. But this one would be very special, as it was going to about role reversals. A biography of sorts, she made a slight snort, a laughing sound in a kitty cat way, as she turned to look, on the sleepy face, purring contently right beside her. The once keeper, now a content pet, the Hooman of a female, who had this cat let, out of her box and now, the lot, would have the privilege, of reading all them booklets, written by the very cat, who on the bedside sat, sipping coffee and typing with a flow the next number one best seller which would everyones minds blow.
“Not today Satan, not today!” Bianca del Rio
Oh, the world today! (as seen on the news)
The news are pouring, as the world is loudly roaring, that which is all around an individual happening, nothing or no one it dampening. Someone in utmost urgency shouting “Oh the humanity of it all!” While others, are just shaking their collective heads, simply stating, “Luckily, not in my neighbourhood that kind of ball.” Well, maybe not at this very moment, but don’t hold your breath, it may just be all coming, to a place near you, only, in instalments. Because if you contently wait long enough, all that stuff, visible on the big screen TV, well, that just might happen quite close to home. This warning may chill you to the bone, but head the warnings and all that is bad in the world, and maybe, you’ll be safe and not into the chaos of it all be hurled.
Meanwhile: Somewhere in the corner of the Galaxy, Madam Satan is shivering in fear of the analogy, of the happenings on, the small and remote planet called Earth, on the large view screen of a boob tube. Without much of mirth, stating, quite simply, “I will need to get my refund of that soul I just bought, from that big white coloured house, oh what a louse!” shaking her head, “He is the one, a human one, who is pure with evil and would certainly be too much, even for me to handle!”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” Charles Dickens
A Christmas Tale of sorts or Can I have some Figgy Puddin’, please?
The year was 1845. I was about ten years of age and working as a stable girl. Our family lived and worked in Lord Hamilton’s manor house. It was Christmas time and as a gift for the servants, the Lord arranged a feast for the staff and their families.
Mommy had the children dressed in their Sunday best. My two brothers were complaining about the stiffness of the shirts. Starch was itchy and could cause rash, especially if one scratched the itch.
I had my favourite dress on and my younger sister was a bit jealous of the red and green colouring. She was wearing a plain blue coloured hand me down.
After all the fuzz and hassle with the wardrobe, the whole family was finally set to go to the main house and start with the Christmas dinner. Us servants would be dining in the large kitchen. Several long tables were brought in with extra seats as well. This wasn’t a large household. With around fifteen servants and their families, well not all had children and spouses, all in all around sixty people in total crammed around the tables. The two cooks had had their hands full with the preparations and naturally every one that could had chipped in.
But now it was time for celebration. Everyone was finally sitting down and getting quiet. After grace the noise level rose again. Food containers were passed around and everyone was filling their respective plates. After all, it wasn’t often we got to eat in this manner and variety.
After a while, everyone had cleared their plates and it was time for dessert. My favourite was the Figgy Pudding. If possible I opted for seconds. As I got my plate of the delicious substance before me, I licked my lips and dug into it with gusto. It did not take too long for the food to disappear from my plate.
My mom looked at me with a smirk. I looked back at her and passing my bowl I asked: “Is there any Figgy Puddin’ left?”
I was smiling widely, feeling exhilarated, when the bowl was passed back to me with an other helping.
When the final bits were eaten, it was time for the traditional sing along. The farmhand brought out his accordion and after the first few tunes, we all joined in. The evening was spent singing, chatting and finally picking up the tables. We all went back to our dwellings, thanking the Lord for the special meal.
Merry Pudding and God bless us everyone!
