But I Smile Anyway...

#SoCS Mar 10/18 – So Far

10 Mar 2018 28 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS, Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #StreamofConsciousnessSaturday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, So Far, Socs

Linda’s prompt for SoCS this week…

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “so far.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

This year so far
What has it brought
Days filled with laughter
Others just fraught

Honestly, we’ve only seen just over 2 months of 2018 and I feel like I have experienced more ups and downs than ever before.

Professionally and personally things have been interesting, to say the least, and though not everything is on an even keel, we are getting there!

I am still tired at work, stressed from trying to deal with two classes worth of information/teaching/kids, but blessed with the right kind of management, who listen, and though they can’t change things at the moment, understand and are realistic with expectations.

At home, we have had a week with my in-laws not here, and so far we have coped. Honestly, I knew things would be okay, but my mum in law was, as she always is, worried about the kids, and how they would cope after school, seeing as usually they go to them so I can put in a couple of extra hours, as a teacher does, at the end of the school day. The beauty of after-school club kicks in here and the understanding Head thing too, as she has allowed Lil Man to hang out with me at school, and in the after-school club, despite not being a student there anymore!

So far, I have read a few chapters from my WIP with the intention of finishing it, but I just haven’t got the head for it right now. I have spent so long on it that I don’t want to rush it now, in order to say it’s finished. It needs to be finished when I am in the right mindset. I am an edit as you go kinda writer, I can’t just steam off loadsa words, then cull after… It’s just not me!

There is still so much good stuff to come as well, the Blogger’s Bash, the birth of my new nephew/niece, the possibility that I will finish my manuscript… and a few uncertainties, what will happen next academic year? Along with some imminent nail biters – I am being observed next week… eek!

But who said life was boring, eh? So far, I can definitely say mine hasn’t!

Catch ya later Peeps!

Happy Saturday Peeps!

March 8 – Flash Fiction – Balloon

09 Mar 2018 95 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch, Fiction, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #CarrotRanch, Balloons, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Charli Mills, Flash Fiction, Missing

Charli’s prompt this week:

March 8, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that features a balloon. It can be a party balloon or a hot air balloon. How does it add to your story? Go where the prompt leads.

Jenny tied the last of the balloons up. There. The room looked amazing.
Decorations adorned the walls and banners saying Happy 16^th Birthday were hung up around the room.
“There you are, Amelia. A party you’d have been proud to host.”
Pop!
A lone balloon burst.
And with that, Jenny burst into tears.
Was that another sign? That she wasn’t coming back?
It had been 9 years since Amelia went missing, disappeared from the local park whilst playing with her friends.
Yet Jenny had never been able to accept she wasn’t coming back.
Was it time to accept reality?

https://carrotranch.com/2018/03/09/march-8-flash-fiction-challenge/

VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD #1 – Positive Cornea

09 Mar 2018 18 Comments

by Ritu in Awards Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, grateful, Versatile Blogger Award

Another morning finds me in receipt of another award.

Thank you to Tanika of Positive Cornea for thinking of me!

As I have received this award previously, I am guiding you all towards visiting Tanika’s blog via the link below where you will learn a bit more about her!

via VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD #1 – Positive Cornea

#WritePhoto – Arch #IWD

08 Mar 2018 36 Comments

by Ritu in #WritePhoto, Fiction, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #InternationalWomensDay, #WritePhoto, Arch, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Flash Fiction

Sue’s #WritePhoto Prompt this week:

The pathway was empty.
A strange hush surrounded the area.
Usually the place was teeming with folk, women hurrying about their daily duties, fetching supplies from the grocery shop and market, sloshing the dirty laundry water out, dropping off, or collecting children from school. The men appeared in the mornings and then at around 6 pm, either on their way to work, or returning.
You wouldn’t see a woman out then. They’d be busy getting dinner ready at the table, a feast for their menfolk.
But today, just ahead, if you stepped forward, and looked beyond the arch, you could see them.
All the women surrounded a podium on the green.
A commanding figure stood on the stage, addressing the women.
“I have had a vision. It may not happen in our lifetime, but one day, we WILL be appreciated for all the hard work we put in. It won’t be just the menfolk who are applauded for bringing the money in, but us too.”
A snigger from the crowd.
She looked over to where the noise came from.
“I kid you not. There will be a time where we will step out and work alongside them, and sometimes, even do a better job! Yet we will still be that wife, mother, home-maker… It shall be for one day each year, and one day only, but on that day, we shall celebrate being female. A day devoted to women!”
“In her dreams,” whispered Deirdre to Agnes, “now I’m late getting the tea on… spouting poppycock and nonsense like that. She’ll spoil the young’uns, putting ideas into their heads… Really! I’m off!”

#writephoto