February 7, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes a sign. It can be a posted sign, a universal sign, a wonder. Go where the prompt leads.
Here goes.
Why Did I Get Up?
Why Did I Get Up? Nina dragged herself to sitting position. Why did the alarm have to go off? She swung her feet out of bed and one landed on a squidgy mess. Great. The cat had been eating silly things, and deposited his sick at her bedside. The shower was no better. Her flatmate had used up all the hot water. Even her morning coffee was blighted with the fact there was no milk left. After three hours of sitting on a bus, trying to reach her workplace, Nina gave up. All signs that she should just have stayed in bed this morning.
A month away from Sue’s #writephoto prompt. I don’t know how I managed to stop myself from participating!
But, service is more or less back to normal, and here is my take!
A little silly humour…
“I’m going to do it.” “What?” “I’m taking the plunge… or the cut, so to speak.” “Speak sense, you silly man!” “I’m getting rid of it. Every single strand. Chop. That’s it. Frizz, be gone!” “So you’re finally cutting that mop off?” “Yup. Ten years I’ve been cultivating this – this mess. And for what? So the students could laugh at me, and make fun of my style? Honestly, I thought I looked rather becoming…” “Er, no dear. It was never becoming. Definitely a defining feature of yours though. I’ll be glad of the clear plughole after you’ve showered though. You never quite got the hang of cleaning the plug, did you?” “Whatever.” “But, erm, why do you have that old sword of yours in your hands? You weren’t thinking of using that for your chop, were you?” “Well, yeah… It feels appropriate. It was a sacrificial sword, you know. And I feel like I’m sacrificing my hair for some respect from the pupils.” “Yeah, well, as long as you remember that’s a plastic replica you’ve got there…”
Okay, so this isn’t going to be a simple one-liner… is it ever with me?
You read the above.
I’m currently considering the overused line above, that I definitely uttered today, at least three times, in the same situation!
What is it with kids not listening?
And why do I utter these empty threats?
I should really learn.
Saying anything to children of a certain age will gain you nothing.
(Unless you’re promising lots of sweet/TV time [the little uns] or V-Bucks for Fortnite and unlimited access to mobiles [older kids], then they listent o anything you want.)
Yet I still have these battles of wills with my kids, and sometimes my pupils at school.
Am I expecting too much?
Should a child jump as soon as we tell them to do something?
Or is it fine for them to drag their heels, dawdle for as long as they want, then stomp around in a huff when they are late for school?
I mean this morning, I used that quote/phrase to the demon teen Lil Man at least six thousand times, to get him out of bed…
And tonight, I had to repeat myself about the same to tween trouble, Lil Princess just to get her to put her shoes on so we could go home from my in-laws’ place…
And they didn’t rush/hurry/listen.
Yet I am still here, back home, in one piece. Nothing major happened to anyone because we were a few moments later than usual.
But, the point is, shouldn’t they be listening to me/us the first time?
I mentioned empty threats before, because they are.
I admit I tell them I will take phones/internet access away. Or that I will cancel a meet up with their friends.
Yet I don’t actually see it through… the fall out after something like that is just too big for me to deal with after a day at work!
And when they meet their friends, it’s a chance for me to catch up with the mums too, which I don’t get to do often enough!
It’s just easier to nag at them a little longer, endure the stomping and keep on going because the mood they’re in means they will disappear into their bedrooms for an hour after we get home, and I get peace before my sweet(er) children resurface!
As I said yesterday, the challenges are back on after a month off!
Today it is Colleen’s turn, with her Tanka Tuesday which is not just about Tankas, but rather a chance to use different syllabic poetic forms.
Usually, she gives us two words which we need to use synonyms of within our verses… but on the first Tuesday of the month, we get free rein, and this month, the suggestion was to think of love related poems, as Valentine’s is so close…
Colleen recently introduced us to a new form, called a Haiga, where the words, usually a haiku or senryu, are echoed by an image, traditionally painted, but nowadays, can be a photo too.
I thought I’d try the traditional way, and even painted my own quick watercolour to go with it! It’s simplistic but effective, I hope!
A senryu for you all.
My words are Together and Heart
Two Hearts By Ritu
Two hearts beating fast Ten fingers firmly entwined One life together
But I Smile Anyway... 