55 - Virtuoso

Hands flew with grace and fluidity across the keyboard. 

Notes appeared as if out of thin air. 

A virtuoso. 

A prodigy. 

If he could imagine it, 

sound would burst from his fingertips. 

He closed his eyes 

and continued to play 

until a voice interrupted to say, 

“Stop playing air piano while you’re driving the car.”

Snap

Tap 

Tap 

Tap 

Snap 

Broken words

What The Hell Wednesday - Iowa Insanity

Resurrected for today - another What the Well Wednesday. This time I simply ask, "Is it just Iowa that is insane? Or is it all of America?", after reading the headline in my morning paper that said "Romney, Santorum in surprise tie".

These are choices? A man who blames liberalism for abuse in the Catholic Church versus a man who believes that life begins at the moment of conception? In whose reality?

It appears that conservatism truly believes the only way to garner attention is to pander to extremist groups. In this case the far right. My only hope is that it is then the far right whose votes have been tallied in Iowa and this isn't a true consensus of the Grand Old Party.

It appears those smart enough and talented enough to run for America's highest office are also smart enough to run away from it. The position is now the crowning achievement of ambition for career politicians and not a home for true leadership.

It is a sad state America when we pick up our morning papers and see those headlines, shake our heads and mutter "What the Hell?"

Merry Christmas to all

Christmas preparation was slow and precise

Trying to assure all turned out real nice

As he counted out gifts for all round the world

In his beard and his mustache his fingers they twirled

Then boarding his sleigh on one thing he did dwell

 Did he remember to spray on that new present smell

Merry Christmas to all.

Intermission

When I first started this blog I included a playlist. This song was first on my list. Please enjoy my all time favorite band while I ponder the future.

Sunday 160 - The End

It had been a coaster ride of emotions – 

happy, 

sad, 

angry, 

funny, 

depressed, 

inspired – 

but the time had come 

for the ride to end. 

Stay inspired 

and 

good bye.

________________________

 This is the last Sunday 160 I will host. I began writing Sunday 160's as a way to commit myself to a weekly blog post. Now the time has come to take a break. Thank each and every one of you for participating at some time over the past couple of years.

-30-

55 - Charmed

His life seemed charmed. 

The right job was there when he needed it. 

People came into his life at just the right moment. 

Even when finances looked desperate, 

money would arrive. 

He felt like he had it all 

and it all led to this very moment in time. 

Now, all he could do was smile.

_________________________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
_____________________________________________________

If you think Micro Fictions are fun. 

Come join me for a Sunday 160.

A challenge using exactly 160 characters

in a story, poem or writing of your choice.
_____

What The Hell Wednesday - Little Old Lady My Ass

A number of What The Hell Wednesdays have featured heroes who have thwarted crimes. I love those and wish I could find more, but they just don't show up as frequently as just plain old activities by the criminally stupid which is a redundancy. 

59 Year Old Woman Chases Down Purse Snatcher

LONGVIEW, Wash.  - A 59-year-old woman chased down a purse snatcher who was fleeing on a bicycle in Longview pulled him to the ground and grabbed back her purse.

Two witnesses detained the man until officers arrived.

According to court documents filed this week, the theft took place in a Safeway parking lot last Friday. The woman chased the bicyclist about 15 feet.

The purse contained $62 and five credit cards.

A Cowlitz County Superior Court judge found probable cause to charge 29-year-old Mark Grendahl Jr. of Longview with five counts of second-degree theft. He was held Wednesday evening in the Cowlitz County Jail on $25,000 bail.

__________________________

I am thinking the purse snatcher should have learned how to ride a bike before he decided to use it as a getaway vehicle. What was this guy....12....I know...I know, I read it....he was 29.....going on 12. But caught after going only 15 feet??? That's hardly the length of an SUV. 

I don't like that the article makes 59 sound old. I know some 59-year-olds who are in better shape than 29-year-olds, not to mention a ton smarter. Smart enough to know they can outrun a klutz trying to hop on a bike and try to speed away. 

Hey, Mark! How did it feel when that 59-year-old knocked you off your bike? You like road rash? Bet you weren't wearing a helmet either. Leave some scalp on the parking lot? I hope the police used the old kind of Bactine that really stung when you put it on as they cleaned up his scrapes and scratches.

So, cheers to you - 59-year-old woman - for kicking ass and taking names. You are my new hero until the next one comes up on line.

I can just see Mark's surprised face as he looked up from under his bike and saw he just got taken down by a woman old enough to be his mom. I will also bet you he said, "What the Hell?"

Sunday 160 - Pie to the Tenth Power

None could bake pumpkin pie 

the way she could. 

Rich, yet light. 

His mouth watered 

at the thought of it 

sliding down his throat 

like God dressed in silk pajamas.

______________________________

If you want to play along with the Sunday 160. Here are the rules.

1. The Sunday 160 only uses EXACTLY 160 characters (including spaces).

2. Keep on schedule - post after 8:00 PM Pacific Time on Saturday.

3. Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.

(Be sure to mention you have posted a 160. Provide a link if you can)

4. Visit at least one other Sunday 160 writer.

____________________

55 - Burdened

Struggling to get a full grip with his situation, 

he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

Gasping for air under the extreme crush, 

he was panicked over the constraint. 

How would he extract himself from this situation? 

Then he heard, 

“Get off your father’s back, you two. 

You know he gets claustrophobic.”

_________________________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
_____________________________________________________

If you think Micro Fictions are fun. 

Come join me for a Sunday 160.

A challenge using exactly 160 characters

in a story, poem or writing of your choice.
_____

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.