The umpire’s ruling rang in my ears as it triggers an endless overlapping loop in my mind: I am in control, this is why I practice, treasure this moment, unless you blow it, I won’t, you might, I can’t, gratitude, I need to channel gratitude, this is my chance, someday I’ll tell stories about this moment, I’ve got to shoot my shot, I won’t blow it, I will not blow it.
The whistle blows time and I swallow my last chug of Gatorade.
It tastes slightly medicinal or maybe that’s just the bitter edge of my nerves as I step onto the court and take my shot.
Boy oh boy, that serve had some extra spice on it folks, but was it in or out?
Thanks to FOWC (RANG), Sunday’ Six Sentence Story (SPICE), and the Sunday Whirl (SEE BELOW) for some great words that inspired me to show off my lack of tennis (or pickle ball?) knowledge.
This Fandango Friday Flashback post was originally part of a FOWC from on October 17, 2018! I failed to say what that original prompt was and Fandago’s domain has changed, so who knows? My bad.
Whatever it was, I worked it into my blog for an upcoming trip. I cannot believe that it’s been seven years since we embarked on this crazy driving epic! It turned out to be a an eventful and fun trip. I blogged the whole adventure, so for anyone who may be interested in some random road pics, history lessons, art museums, music memories, middle of the night fire alarms, rants about the orange one, and BOOTS, you can find them all here:
You can also find some other travel adventures via my TRAVEL tab. Although, sadly the realities of life have reduced our travel life considerably. Oh well. I’m happy to say we are no longer stuck in Florida, so I don’t need to drive to the Fall. It finds me!
So please enjoy my happy (and some not so happy-I’m looking at you MAGA) memories and if you can please support your local NO KINGS events.
Today’s prompt from FOWC inspired me (one could say it prompted me) to say a few words about the road trip that begins when my husband and I rise Thursday morning at the beautifully dark hour of 4:30AM and hit the road by 5:30.
“Where ya headed?”
Glad you asked. We are going north to escape the endless summer that has wrapped Florida in its deadly grip. We seek the Fall! Memories of cute boots and scarves and blue jeans and sweaters beckon.
“Come to me!!” They call.
“Wear me.” They tease.
“Wrap me.” They whisper.
I am tingling with excitement.
Oh and I get to see friends and family too. So it’s a win-win.
Of course this road trip includes a giant triangle of driving—South Florida to middle Illinois to Washington DC to south Florida—so it’s possible I’ll change my mind about the win-win. But for now I’ve got the pod casts downloaded and the play lists set.
Here we come autumn!
Updates to follow 🎃 but here’s a haiku to keep you warm till then. It’s not great but … BOOTS!!
The joy of childhood splotches! Thanks for the inspiration to Friday Fictioners’ photo, RDP’s word (SPLOTCH, and Esther’s Weekly Writing Prompt (MONEY). Twas fun!
As someone who lived in the Midwest United States, I am obsessed with the weather. It’s hard not to be. It can shift rapidly, not just daily but hourly.
I also know that when I talk about the weather, I often say “when I was a kid ….” And although it may be annoying to the youths, it is the truth. When I was a kid, September meant the end of summer (not just the start of school), Halloween costumes were almost always hidden by our winter coats, it often snowed at Thanksgiving, and we always had snow at Christmas. What this September taught me AGAIN was that the weather has shifted. It was as hot as hell. It was nearly 90 degrees (Fahrenheit) last week. Every day I would shake my fist at the sky and yell I need summer to STOP!
Thank goodness, the second week of October has finally brought some cooler temperatures. October means sporty jackets and cute boots and hot chocolate and afternoon walks and fall foliage and … Oh NO! October is already halfway over. November looms with its dark days and cold nights and … actually, November last year was beautiful. Did I mention that the weather has shifted. Climate change is undoubtably real and really bad for the planet, but it is nice that it rarely snows before January now. (We need a sarcasm font.)
And now quick verse to summarize the above rant.
when September ends
Summer’s green days fade away
A fable once told
now October’s sun burns red
an admonitory tale
Thanks to FOWC (NEED) and the writer’s workshop and dVerse for their challenges to reflect on September and October.
“The opportunity of a lifetime passed before him as he tried to decide between a cone or a cup.” The thought should probably terrify him.
The woman waiting to scoop his mint chocolate chip (or possibly pistachio) ice cream had actually said “it’s not the opportunity of a lifetime. Pick one.”
She had laughed as she said it, but he could feel life passing him by as he dithered, yet again.
If he was keeping score (which he was) this was the 17th time today he had agonized over an arguably simple decision. Eventually he decided by not deciding. Instead, he walked away empty handed.
He knew why he was spinning in circles: he needed to make what was probably the biggest decision of his life.
As he slid the key into the lock, he made a promise to himself: “I will decide today. Or maybe tomorrow. Tomorrow might be better. But definitely this week. Probably.”
Tina Stewart Brakebill 