My coffee loves me

Not dead

Not dying

Just in hibernation

Waiting

Ever watching

For inspired heat

To raise the muse

From its frigid slumber

Watching

Waiting

For the heat

For the sign

For the muse

In its innocent coincidental form

55 - Cosmic Voyage(r)

Scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

stood transfixed

at a bank of monitors

as Voyager pressed against

the foamy walls of the heliospheric bubble.

The little probe was on the verge

of piercing the outer shell of our solar system.

“I wonder what the hole in the bubble will do to us?”, one asked aloud.

_________________________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.

55 - Dead Wrong

Lumbering along

as if there were no connection

between muscles and brain

he stared with unfocused eyes.

Teeth gleaming blood red

and dripping with the pink of gray matter. 

His pallor betrayed him

as he trudged forward

in a jerky motion

toward his prey

who exclaimed,

"Dude. Really?

The costume is great,

but it's Easter."

_________________________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
_____________________________________________________

55 - Close Encounters

A gentle touch caressed her ear, 

stroked her hair 

and gently brushed her neck. 

Cheeks flushed. 

Spine tingling. 

She turned to face the source of this encounter 

and gasped at what confronted her. 

Nothing. 

Nothing but air

 and the rush she felt 

pulsing through her body. 

There was one certainty. 

This was no evil spirit.

_________________________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
_____________________________________________________

55 - That Sinking Feeling

Sinking further and further into the abyss, 

he began to flail in panic. 

His life was coming down 

to these last few second 

then a calm came over him. 

He spread his arms, 

lifted his head 

and waited 

to be completely 

enveloped. 

This was one sofa 

he would never be able to get up from.

_________________________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
_____________________________________________________

What The Hell Wednesday - Honor Among Thieves?

What can I say, I had a moment of boredom and decided to check some of my old sources for inspiration and that is exactly what I found. So now I get an opportunity to go off on an old tangent and rant about some idiot - or in this case - group of idiots that are sharp as marbles.


Mugging Foiled When One Shoots Another

NEW YORK -- Police in New York said an attempted mugging was foiled when one of the alleged attackers shot an alleged accomplice in the leg.

Investigators said the victims, 17 and 20-year-old males, were confronted by a group of eight muggers around 4 a.m. Sunday at Hunts Point Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx and they fled to a nearby subway station, the New York Post reported Monday.

The men refused to give the muggers any money and a member of the gang attempted to strike one of the men with a gun, but the weapon discharged and struck one of his fellow suspects in the leg.

Police said most of the muggers fled, but Randall Harvey, 20, was arrested and treated for his leg wound. Steve Boria, 16, who stayed behind to tend to his wounded friend, was also arrested.

Both men were charged with robbery.

______________

Okay, I am sure you are wonder why I titled this "Honor Among Thieves?" as much as I am wondering what two barely over adolescent boys are doing out at 4:00 AM. Well it's as obvious as the hole in Randall Harvey's leg. One of the muggers stayed behind to help his buddy. What an honorable thing to do while you're mugging someone.

So....Cheers!....Steve. What a great self sacrificing guy you are. Stand by your man and all that stuff. But that still doesn't change the fact that you are a loser and a thug and probably deserved that bullet about as much as your friend did.

Harsh? Maybe. But I have no space in my heart for the heartless. They get what they deserve and in this case it was being shot by one of your genius gang friends. What a douche. I can just hear it now. 

"You doan gimme no money an I gonna stawt by plunkin' you in da hed witt da butt uh dis gun." BANG!

"SHIT!! Randy bin shot. Let's get outta here."

Scared by his own gun. What a man. I am sure his mamma is proud. I am also sure Randy looked down after he heard the shot and felt the pain and simply said, "What the Hell?"

55 - Primal Fears

A scream retched forth 

from the darkest depths of his soul. 

Brought forth 

by a fear so deep seated 

that he shook in terror 

even as the vibration of the sound 

pierced ears 

and rattled the foundation 

of his very essence. 

Sadly, it was a story repeated 

every time he drove to the dentist’s office.

_________________________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
_____________________________________________________

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.

What The Hell Wednesday - An Axe to Grind

Here is a post-Halloween tidbit I just couldn't resist. Yes, I know it's the week before Thanksgiving, but I can't post these stories before they are printed....if you know what I mean.

Man Arrested Over Costume Axe

AKRON, Ohio  - An Ohio man who carried a rubber prop ax into a bar before Halloween is trying to get prosecutors to dismiss an inducing panic charge.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that 42-year-old Bill Morrison is a Halloween enthusiast who has long worked on seasonal haunted house attractions. He told Akron police he went to Corky's Thomastown bar on Oct. 16 to sell a friend the costume ax, which had red paint to make it appear bloody.

A woman who saw Morrison with the ax under his coat called 911 and said he looked suspicious.

Morrison was jailed overnight before being released on bond.

His attorney, Ed Sawan, says the charges appear to be unfounded. Akron City Prosecutor Doug Powley indicates his office is still studying the case.

_____________________

I know, this dates waaaaay back to October 16, but really, the story didn't appear on my favorite web source until today, November 22. For you readers outside the good old USofA that's my favourite web source. But enough about the somewhat tardy appearance of this article, let's talk about it.

First, I think that is an awesome Halloween axe and I wish I had one. Second, what is Bill Morrison doing hiding it under his coat? If this were his regular bar, you'd think he would come in all angry like brandishing the axe over his head screaming like a wild man asking where his buddy was. But not knowing anything about this bar, maybe Bill thought if he did that he would get shot. Ya never know.

So, he slides into the bar all coy-like with a fake axe hidden under his coat and freaks some half drunk idiot out of her bloomers. She calls 9-1-1 and poor Bill is arrested for nearly in-sighting a riot, er, I mean....inducing panic. Inducing panic? Shee-it. I think the woman who called 9-1-1 would be induced to panic if someone walked up behind her and said "Hi!"

Okay, Bill is arrested. His buddy doesn't get the axe he wanted as a Halloween prop and the police get to pose for pictures. Isn't that a cool axe? Did I say I want one? Meanwhile nosy 9-1-1 lady drives off in a drunken stupor to buzz kill someone else's fun. We will probably read about her in a later post after she blows the whistle on someone who isn't as nice as Bill and meets an untimely end with an axe that isn't fake.

For sure, as Bill was belly up to the bar, axe in hand, slugging back a few, he was caught by surprise by the Akron police and, as they cuffed him and shove him and his cool axe into the squad car, said "What the Hell?"

Sunday 160 - Little Girl Lost

Alarms kept her in a state of constant alert. 

Uncertainty crushed thoughts 

of potential adventures. 

What ifs ruled the day. 

It was sad how anxiety ran her life.

______________________________

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 - It's History

His hand nervously hovered over the button. 

He had been waiting 

for someone else to make the final call, 

not wanting to be responsible 

for what would be an historic event 

that would affect millions of lives. 

As the clocked ticked down, 

the button was pushed. 

History forever linked him to - 

The Heidi Game.

________________________________

On this date in history, Dick Cline, an NBC programmer hit the button that switched from the November 17, 1968 okay this is Thursday’s date and this is a Flash Fiction Friday but I’m going with it Oakland Raiders versus New York Jets football game to the movie Heidi. With only 65 seconds left in the game, the Jets kicked a field goal to give them a 32-29 lead. After commercial break, the network went to their originally scheduled 7:00 PM airing of the movie Heidi. What fans across America missed after that was two touchdowns by the Oakland Raiders in a span of nine seconds. So many irate fans called NBC after game results were flashed on the screen 20 minutes later, that their switchboard yes, switchboard…this was 1968, remember! literally blew a fuse. Even emergency lines were clogged for hours and you thought Katrina was a disaster. Final score Raiders - 43 Jets - 29 NBC - 0.

_________________________________________

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.