Saturday, March 29, 2014

FWF--1682

My FWF prompt:
You find yourself in the lower level of an old ship. A calendar on the wall says  1682. There is a small window, and the view is nothing but open sea and a setting sun. There is a staircase and you can see daylight at the top…

Why am I so damn uncomfortable?
She thought as she woke from a fretful sleep--
As if she were being tossed side to side and back and forth while she dreamt.
Her eyes slowly adjusted to the unusual darkness in her room.
This isn't my room!! Where the hell am I???!
The smell of salt water and wet wood overwhelmed her.
She heard the loud creaking sound of boards under extreme pressure.
The sloshing of water against a large blunt object.
The shouts of men above her--
Orders, she didn't understand.
And suddenly the distinct shuffling of rats scurrying below her feet.
Panicked she flung herself around the room,
Flinging and breaking small bottles off a small table near her bed.
She stretched high enough to glimpse outside the small round window.
Nothing but water and bright sunlight.
She couldn't breathe.
She couldn't think straight.
And suddenly words started coursing through her mind.
A mantra. Almost a prayer. Like she'd done it a million times:
My name is Annie Hidalgo. I'm from Harvey, Louisiana. I was born on February 4th, 1985.
My name is Annie Hidalgo. I'm from Harvey, Louisiana. I was born on February 4th, 1985.
My name is Annie Hidalgo. I'm from Harvey, Louisiana. I was born on February 4th, 1985.
I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy.
She saw a staircase on the far end of the room.
She slowly made her way up and peaked ever so carefully at the scene before her.
Men pulling at ropes on sails, mopping the deck, keeping watch high on the ship's masts.
They noticed her at once-- even though her large, frightened eyes were level with the deck.
She overheard a man whispering. 
Der she be. Wee lass touched in the head, she is.
Affecting an air of confidence, she popped her head and shoulders out quickly.
Trying to control her breathing and straightening her shoulders, 
She called out to the man nearest her.
"Hey you! Is this real?"
He paused before answering with a simple "Aye."
"What day is it?"
"...not this again. It is the 21st of March."
"And the year?"
"1682."
Just then a young handsome man came over to her.
"Ah Lady Elaine, you've awaken."
Lady Elaine? Does he think I'm Lady Elaine?
She responded quickly, but the tremble in her voice betrayed her terror,
"I think you must be mistaken, whoever you are. My name is Annie Hidal..."
"Yes, Yes of course you are." the man interrupted. 
"Have you had your syrups yet, m'lady?
You'll feel much better once you've taken your syrups."


Monday, March 24, 2014

Poor Financial Decision

We bought a tv. 47" tv. with money that I'd saved up. We paid cash. No debt. No hassle. No wondering how I'm gunna pay it off.... so why do i feel like throwing up?

Is it because I was proud of our little 25" tv? "we're not TV people I would say."

Six Hundred Dollars. gone.

Money I could have used to open an IRA for myself.

Or for 5 months membership at the YMCA

Or to pay for Lia to take piano lessons.

Or to buy sports equipment

Or....

Toward a new car.

Firestone called me today after checking on a "rubbing sound" Lee was concerned about.

$2000 to repair.

Two Thousand Dollars to repair a 2002 Nissan Altima.

A 2002 Nissan Altima that I spent $1200 in car maintenance last year.

Actually I've spent over $500 in repairs on that car every year that I've had it, if you can imagine that.


The catalytic converter. Alternator. Spark plugs. Breaks. Calipers. Tie Rods. Computer chips. yadda yadda yadda

We decided not to do the repairs.

We will be  a 1 car family.

A one car family with a 47" tv.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Stuck by the Woods on a Snowy Afternoon

The woods are but a narrow shield.
Concrete and metal and mess concealed
I look about me through the snow
Because I have been forced to yield

There's chaos on the streets today
The snow and ice kept most at bay
But we, on the road, thought better
And now we've learned there's no clear way

Cars and snow are all around.
But despite the crowd, I hear no sounds.
I stare out my car windows and see
Lone trees stoically standing ground

I sit and stare upon the wood
Still and Peaceful it all stood
Against the noise and fervent crowds
It bore the storm as only a tree could

The Walk

By that ancient river
Side by side
Me hiding and you pining
While the water flowed by.

Cannolis by the dozen
I was so hot that they felt frozen
I ate them just for you
And you bought them without knowin'.

I'm not one for sweets.
And being that close made me freak
I was sweatin' up a storm
And you were as cool as could be.

Remember the walk by the river?
Years ago and yet never clearer
Ages and lives have come and gone
And yet that memory still lives on.