Spare Change 160

Sitting splay legged
with her back to the curb,
she examines the dollar
she was handed
as if it were counterfeit
or perhaps
she had not seen paper money before.
_______________________________
If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules.

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.
The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.
Visit at least one other Sunday 160.
_______________________________

Road Trip Revenge 55 Part II

The dreary backwater town
was big enough to not notice a stranger
yet too small to give complete anonymity.
All that was needed was
a few days to watch
the habits of his prey,
choose the best time to strike
and ponder how to make the kill.

He would show this evil bastard real predation.
_______________
This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55.
If you want to know what the hell that means visit g-man.
The challenge is on.
______________
Or if you want yet another challenge write a Sunday 160.
Like a text message, the Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces)
Keep on schedule - post Sunday
Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site
Visit at least one other Sunday 160

Show your best side challenge

Gillian from A Daft Scot Lass threw down the challenge gauntlet to display on my blog five photos I really like, then say five things I like about myself. BUT she also mentioned in her comments that she hope we get creative with it.

That being said and with creativity being so subjective coupled with the fact that I am wishy washy, I am posting two sets of five. Now I have never said I am trying to maintain any sort of pictorial anonymity because I have made appearances in an early blog called "The Gentleman Child" and in "The Monkey House". Although Monkey House was only a reflection of me.

Here is set of five number one -

Gettin' ready to go huntin' bar with Dan'l Boone -age four.

Reflecting.

Enjoying a bit of Northwest sunshine.

At my best in black and white.

Wondering how long it will be before the rain starts again.


Now for set number two - A day at the beach.

Now the hard part. Five things I like about myself: 1) I am loyal - to a fault; 2) I am not afraid to do something stupid in public - stupid being anything that embarrasses my kids which leave the door pretty wide open; 3) I am open minded; 4) I am willing to change and; 5) I have a great sense of humor.

Now five bloggers I push this curse off on like some unwanted plague of a chain letter.

Janna at the Jannaverse. The Bipolar Diva. Chris at Enchanted Oak. The Doctor at Dr. Heckle. And Evalinn at The World According to Evalinn.

Theme Thursday - Pets

Dropped off
Gotten rid of
Given away
Tossed aside
Disposed of

Sent to the pound
The shelter
Dumped in a field near a farm
At a park

Living creatures treated like so much refuse
Puppies
Kittens
Ducks
Bunnies
Even reptiles


Bought to make a child happy
To fix an ailing relationship
Because the are so cute
Because I have always wanted one


Then discarded because they are
Out of control
No longer cute
Too loud
Too big
Too expensive
Dangerous


Pets are a responsibility requiring
Care
Training
Love
Affection
Attention


And they give in return
Love
Affection
Attention
and, yes, given an opportunity, they train us


Adopt
Rescue
Save
Foster


Animals deserve a chance
and sometimes a second chance


Meet Ezmond



Rescued
Loved

Support your local shelter.

Why Monkey Man.

Early on in my blogging life I wrote a story on the origins of the name Monkey Man. It was posted when I had only a few followers, so I thought it was time to dig into the archives and re-post an edited version of that story initially titled -

Monkey Madness

My home is what some might call Monkey Central. It began a number of years ago with the acquisition of a single long armed, stuffed creature named Rabies and has grown exponentially since then.

Rabies was the official "protector" and office distraction my wife carried with her almost daily. She had an insufferable boss and Rabies was worn on her belt like a protective talisman...and it worked. She felt safe when Rabies was close at hand.

We all know what happens when word gets out that you like a certain something. People give you more or you collect more. For us the troop has grown substantially with each new individual being christened with a proper disease or otherwise slightly twisted name. Syphilis, Asthma, Cleft, Smock, Loops and Max to name a few. This is just how we are working to keep it light as a family.

This monkey fetish has become a wonderful source of fun and we are extending those distractions into other areas of our lives. One night featured Monkey Night Out. We had dinner at a neighborhood pizza restaurant and each of us took the monkey of our choice. Okay, so it was just a tad bit too out there for our teenage son, but at least he did agree to having an imaginary monkey with him.

One of the newest members of our troop was a fun little monkey puppet named Smock. He is quite interactive and expressive. Smock drove us to our destination and entertained a sweet yet shy toddler at the table next to us - much to the dismay of her mother who really didn't appear to appreciate the fun and kindness we were extending as a family. To each his own. It is where your heart is that is important.

We had brief puppet shows. Magnetic monkey feet stealing silverware. Pictures, texting and lots of smiles and giggling. My daughter loves the playfulness and I think my son was entertained, but in true teenage boy fashion, was above it all. Heaven forbid we bring attention to ourselves.

We had many stares or glances from the tables around us. Mainly from the solemn ones where conversation was sparse and expressions were stern. Lighten up people. Life it too short to be so glum.

But that night really wasn't really about monkeys. It was about family time and developing the strongest cheek muscles we possibly could.

# # #

So with the proliferation of monkeys at our residence (as is evidenced by the monkey diorama shown above that the kids and I created in our home for Mrs. MM), I felt it only fitting to name my blog Monkey Man. That and I am probably genetically closer to ape than man.

Fresh 160???

“There are no new ideas,” he said matter-of-factly.
“What about…?”
“Been done.”
“Or…?”
“Done.”
“Then what am I doing wasting my time on this stupid Sunday 160?”
_______________________________
If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules.

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.
The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.
Visit at least one other Sunday 160.
_______________________________

Road Trip Revenge 55

Hate inspired adrenaline
kept him alert
during the six hour drive
across the rolling
wheat covered hills.
Revenge was his prime motivation.
The excitement of the hunt
made him feel more alive
than he had felt in months.
Finally, he would remove
the monkey from his back
and rid the world
of this horrible predator.
_______________
This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55.
If you want to know what the hell that means visit g-man.
The challenge is on.
______________
Or if you want yet another challenge write a Sunday 160.
Like a text message, the Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces)
Keep on schedule - post Sunday
Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site
Visit at least one other Sunday 160

Wordless Wednesday

Mag Pie Tales - Inner Eye

Prismatic worm-like segments floated at the periphery of his vision. Closing his eyes, he hoped it would be different this time around but deep inside he knew nothing would change. Instinctively, he grabbed the fatty tissue between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand with the thumb and forefinger of his right and squeezed. He knew his pressure points and hoped this might at least be the preemptive strike he needed. A temporary reprieve.

He slowed his heart rate as best he could, but while the rhythmic pounding slowed it seemed louder and more exaggerated with every pulse and the floating segments burst into brighter colors with the cadence of the beat.

He pressed his hand tighter moving it slightly to find the most tense part of the muscle in his hand. "Please stop," he pleaded silently to no God in particular.

Pound-Flash. Pound-Flash. Pound-Flash. It continued in simultaneous bursts. He tried to imagine it was his own personal fireworks show. Spinning the most positive thought he could to make light of the coming storm.

He wanted to bury his head. Flee to total darkness but it was impossible in cube town where heads popped up in random succession, voices drifted overhead like low lying thunder clouds and fluorescent lights buzzed like bees stirred from their hive. Instead he squeezed open his eyes to peer out the tunnel his vision had become only to see his supervisor hovering over him with "that look" on his face again.

"Nap time, Emery?" came the voice with a sound like the whine of metal gears grinding in a worn out transmission.

"Just computer eye strain," was the weakened reply. He knew only one thing that would cure his malady. His inner eye had been telling me for weeks. "Get a new job. One you love and makes you feel fulfilled," it would say.

One day he would listen.

A Sunday 160 To My Wife

Her rhythmic breathing
was quiet and peaceful.
I reached out
to caress
her warm soft skin.
She rustled slightly
as I whispered

“Happy Mother’s Day. I love you.”
_______________________________
If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules.

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.
The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.
Visit at least one other Sunday 160.
_______________________________