Tully was a carpenter, seemingly giving him a natural affinity to the faith. But he remained a union man first, which colored his negotiations on all theological topics, including work.
“Your ratios are off, Father. Right from Genesis. Six days on, one day off. What is this, an oil rig?”
Brenda lifted her feet on the footstool and settled back for a break before tackling the next chore. This system she'd devised was working well. Do a chore, rest, do a chore, rest. After a week, all chores are done and it's time to start the process all over again.
We didn't really want to do it, but we had no choice. After a five-month trip out, back aching, we came ‘home’ to Kevin’s house and started the long process of unloading what we needed from the bus. That job is done, we could rest.
Standing on a ridge overlooking an ancient riverbed, sweat dripping in his eyes, Captain Paleo called out to his teenage summer dig crew: “104 degrees. Time to hit the shade tent!”
“But we just found a raptor tooth!” Connor protested.
“It’ll be here afterwards. So will you. No fresh carcasses!”
A miracle is growing, deep within my belly...one minute, a part of my body, the next minute, a part of the world. She wails, wet, shivering. As they place her on my stomach, we cry. "She's all
girl!" She is healthy. I am in heaven. Our baby! We cry.
I like this a lot, Jill. It has such a distinct voice coupled with a haunting atmosphere…what a chilling piece! Also, let’s hope it doesn’t come to this.
I messed up with one word: The sky could BREAK ( not reek)--just shows you how lax I am with proofing! But this is close to true for us in Michigan that night!
I think this one speaks to all of us. You get through the tough times, you take a breath and you go on. The part where you say the critters are collecting food indicates that they are preparing for their future, planning and getting on with life. Marla pauses to take it all in, and then continues on. I read this one a few times and could feel the peace Marla has found as she gets lost in her book.
Aww, thanks, Andrea. I think that’s what I was trying to get at, the idea of how Marla has found peace. I always appreciate your insight and commentary!
By Candlelight, fiction
Marla Robinson is the richest woman in the world.
She lives in a small cabin near the edge of the forest. Living sometimes evolves into survival—endless toil—in the harsher months. Rest is her reward.
Like tonight: critters scurry, collecting food. Marla reads by candlelight, sometimes pausing to listen.
Ah, the critters...they do like to make themselves known, in the quiet of the night. Love this, Justin. She is rich, indeed!
Thank you so much for reading, Sharon!
Rich indeed, love that thrown in there, almost hidden
I appreciate you Scott, thank you! 🙏
"Living sometimes evolves into survival." I can attest to that. Lovely, Justin. Books are our solace.
Thank you so much, Sharron.
Never on Sunday/Fiction
Tully was a carpenter, seemingly giving him a natural affinity to the faith. But he remained a union man first, which colored his negotiations on all theological topics, including work.
“Your ratios are off, Father. Right from Genesis. Six days on, one day off. What is this, an oil rig?”
Ha! Brilliantly executed, Scott!
Thank you, with two prompt words it’s a real challenge to keep the speed limit!
Completely agree!
(Daylight Saving Time, poem)
Morning becomes Electra
Light blinks, birds sing songs.
Backyard meditation
Back rests in Adirondack chair.
Eyes closed under green umbrella
Yellow mushrooms rise tickle toes.
Rest their suitcase
Redbud tree triangular forms
One atop another
Pointing to sky
Paintbrush wet
Toiled in soil
Scattered blue forget-me-nots.
Scene serene.
Serene indeed! Lovely work, Richard.
I love the sensory experience and the gentle meditative flow. 🌞
Where beer gets its flavor/poem
Rest?
Rest from what?
A man can’t truly rest
Until he’s earned it.
A beer never tasted
So good as it does
After I’ve cleaned the garage,
Repaired the roof,
Or
Planted the garden.
Rest has no meaning
Until it is preceded
By the efforts that
Give beer its flavor.
Truth! Cheers to you. 🍻
Miller time....ahhhhhh
Hear! Hear!
Rest and Toil
Brenda lifted her feet on the footstool and settled back for a break before tackling the next chore. This system she'd devised was working well. Do a chore, rest, do a chore, rest. After a week, all chores are done and it's time to start the process all over again.
Sounds about right! The chores don’t ever seem to go away, do they? Thanks so much for sharing, Sue.
Perfect system, Sue!! I use it...only I rest a little more than I work.
🤣 That's the general plan anyway. Eventually I'll work it so that it's all rest and no toil.
SUNDAY MORNING, MAINE, free verse
The clock is stopped today!
Time's set free from care and toil.
I am blessed with honey-sweet repose.
On a drowsy sea I doze, as content
as a sun-swooned cat who dreams
of flightless birds and rodents fat.
Sea-clouds scrape across the sky.
Above the pine-ragged shore —
a heron’s cry!
Sounds like a wonderful place to be, Sharron. Beautifully written!
Thanks for bringing back the 50s. I love to take part. I love reading everyone’s work.
Beautiful imagery, Sharron. Your words set a soft scene, and rock me like a sleepy baby...lovely!
Thank you.
Home Sweet Home, creative non-fiction
We didn't really want to do it, but we had no choice. After a five-month trip out, back aching, we came ‘home’ to Kevin’s house and started the long process of unloading what we needed from the bus. That job is done, we could rest.
It’s always a relief to complete anything of that magnitude!
You have no idea. Especially when I live in pain. But God was good and I was feeling decent those couple of days we did it.
Bone Bed, fiction.
Standing on a ridge overlooking an ancient riverbed, sweat dripping in his eyes, Captain Paleo called out to his teenage summer dig crew: “104 degrees. Time to hit the shade tent!”
“But we just found a raptor tooth!” Connor protested.
“It’ll be here afterwards. So will you. No fresh carcasses!”
What a great title and story, Chele. Digging in that heat is serious toil. It’s nice to see you by the fire! 😀
Miracle, CNF
A miracle is growing, deep within my belly...one minute, a part of my body, the next minute, a part of the world. She wails, wet, shivering. As they place her on my stomach, we cry. "She's all
girl!" She is healthy. I am in heaven. Our baby! We cry.
This is so sweet, Sharon. You’ve captured the best moment of any parent’s life. Lovely work!
Thank you, Justin! I was fortunate enough to give birth to both a healthy girl, and boy. The highlights of our lives, indeed! 💕
AIN'T MUCH LEFT, fiction
Now's the time to count your blessiings. Before the thunderin' and lightnin' burn up the night sky.
Never did know sky could be burnt like that.
Never did know a'swirlin' and a'churnin' sky could reek so much mess.
Specially jest past midnight.
Not me. Not my home.
Ain't much left.
I like this a lot, Jill. It has such a distinct voice coupled with a haunting atmosphere…what a chilling piece! Also, let’s hope it doesn’t come to this.
Thank you for sharing with us!
I messed up with one word: The sky could BREAK ( not reek)--just shows you how lax I am with proofing! But this is close to true for us in Michigan that night!
And thank you for the great comment.
Whirling wind and chill...fire in the sky. Wow, Jill! What a picture!! And I can hear the words, and see the shaking of her head. Nicely written.
Thanks so much Sharon.
50 words are fun to put together. When it’s almost not fiction especially!
It’s a fun exercise, Jill! Thank you for reading my piece. I’m going to rename it memoir, as it was definitely a true life experience. 💕
I think this one speaks to all of us. You get through the tough times, you take a breath and you go on. The part where you say the critters are collecting food indicates that they are preparing for their future, planning and getting on with life. Marla pauses to take it all in, and then continues on. I read this one a few times and could feel the peace Marla has found as she gets lost in her book.
Aww, thanks, Andrea. I think that’s what I was trying to get at, the idea of how Marla has found peace. I always appreciate your insight and commentary!