Going beyond - 55

As his hand gripped the door,

emotions flooded his mind

and ghostly presences

drifted coldly through his body.

He knew he had to ignore

all these feelings

and face those demons

that had haunted his past

and at one time defined him.

New job anxiety

was soon replaced

by friendly smiles

and warm hand shakes.

______________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.

________________________

Fact is I love to read and prefer books to the cold flat digital screen.
I always have at least one book in progress and several on deck.
What's your latest love on the book scene?

___________________________

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

___________________

I promise I will read your 160 and post a comment.

I will admit I'm lazy Sunday mornings lazy, so please be patient

What The Hell Wednesday - Live Forever

This week's edition of WTHW will be very short. You see, someone is actually paying the Monkey Man money to show up on a daily basis and perform a task for which he is suited. Okay, wise guys, I know you are going to comment on that and that alone, but please at least take the time to consider this little excerpt I took from my daily local paper - The Oregonian.

The article, "Sit-up, take notice and live longer", written by Joe Rojas-Burke, says : "Researchers tested muscular fitness in more than 8,000 Canadian men and women and tracked their survival for 13 years. Those with the lowest sit-up scores were twice as likely to die as those able to do the most sit-up."

First, I had no idea Canadians could do sit-ups without spilling their Molsons. But the BIG deal here is that you can now live forever if you do sit-ups. I mean, it says it right there - if you don't do sit-ups you are "twice as likely to die" meaning no sit-ups = death while sit-ups = eternal life. WOW! I am guessing Jack LaLane must have stopped doing sit ups.

So that's all my friends. As I am sure you are all saying to yourselves "Someone hired Monkey Man?? What the Hell?"

What day is it?

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's a rainy day

Great for puddle stomping

hand in hand

Sunday 160 - Cold Turkey

Restlessness replaced sleep.

Nausea and cold sweats enveloped him.

The craving was intense

but he knew he could no longer get his fix.

Football season was over.

_____________________

If you wish to take the Sunday 160 challenge, here are the rules:

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

2. Keep on schedule - post Sunday.

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.

____________________

The Touch - 55

The writing was prolific.

Every time I turned around

there was something else to read.

I thought, “When was the last time I read a book?

All I ever do is read from this screen.

I miss holding pulp, feeling the tooth of paper,

turning the pages and

setting a book mark for next time."

____________________________

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.

________________________

Fact is I love to read and prefer books to the cold flat digital screen.
I always have at least one book in progress and several on deck.
What's your latest love on the book scene?

___________________________

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

___________________

I promise I will read your 160 and post a comment.

I will admit I'm lazy Sunday mornings lazy, so please be patient

What The Hell Wednesday - That Steak Packs Quite a Punch

Now from the land that was the setting for the fictional comic book Swamp Thing and home to famed firearms designer, Melvin Johnson, thank you Wikipedia for obscure references we bring you a slice of life in Houma, Louisiana.

 Woman hits man with frozen steak

HOUMA, La. - Police in the southern Louisiana city of Houma say a woman upset over her lack of freezer space hit her boyfriend in the face with a frozen beefsteak.


Police told the local newspaper that 47-year-old Edith Tassin - also known as Edith Verdin - was booked with aggravated battery against 51-year-old Jerry Voisin.
Voisin called police on Sunday evening and told them Tassin was trying to cool a mixed drink, became upset when it woudn't fit in the freezer and hit him in the head with the frozen meat.


Police say Voisin was bleeding from the right side of his face when officers arrived.

Well now, I can surely understand getting pissed when you can't get to the ice in your freezer because it is full of meat. I think that old Jerry Boy should consider himself lucky he wasn't hit in the head with frozen gator or opossum or some other type of road pizza.

I guess what really gets to me here is that Edith has an alias. Any time you read a story that includes identification with an "also known as", you know you are dealing with some of Houma's high society. At least she maintained the same first name....then again, how creative is that?? Oh, I forgot for a moment - this is Houma, LA.

Is anyone surprised that alcohol was involved? I often fling a bit of frozen meat after I have downed a few. Wait, that's right, I don't drink any more because I found myself throwing frozen steaks and couldn't keep a relationship. Remember, boys, if you want to keep your woman happy - maintain ready access to the ice tray and hide anything that can be thrown way in the back.

Do you suppose the Houma police took the "weapon" to their barbecue evidence locker? Or did they just burst out laughing as they looked at Jerry "Meathead" Voisin's wound and utter that now famous line - "What the Hell?

Sunday 160 - War?

The explosions started slowly

then came in rapid fire succession,

bursts echoing in our ears.

When all was quiet,

we savored our buttery popped kernels of corn.

_____________________

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.

If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules:

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

2. Keep on schedule - post Sunday.

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

(Be sure to mention you have posted a 160)

4. Visit at least one other Sunday 160 writer.

____________________

Fateful Technology - 55

Technology was her friend,

always there when she needed it,

 helping her to keep in contact with clients and friends:

 Facebook; eBuddy; Blogger; the entire world wide web at her finger tips.

Her life was complete

until technology turned on her.

Crushed by a cell phone tower when a single faulty bolt sealed her fate.

__________________________

 

This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.

________________________

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

___________________

I promise I will read your 160 and post a comment.

I will admit I'm lazy Sunday mornings lazy, so please be patient

What The Hell Wednesday - When Social Security Isn't Enough

With the economy still walking a tight rope, it appears our elders are sometimes the hardest hit. Some resort to extreme down sizing while others really take the bull by the horns. Here is how one man copes with his economic issues in the San Diego area.

Geezer Bandit Strikes Again

The Geezer Bandit, given his nickname due to his appearance of advanced age, has apparently struck again in Santa Barbara County for his 13th bank robbery in California. The FBI announced Saturday the robber hit a Bank of America branch in Goleta on Friday afternoon, threatening tellers with a revolver.

His appearance -- 60 to 70 years old, about 6 feet tall, dressed in a blazer, dark pants and a baseball cap -- and demeanor matched the description of a suspect in ten other area robberies.

In recent robberies, authorities have suggested that the robber may be wearing an "old-man" theatrical mask.

The FBI and several banks are offering a reward of $20,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

"Old Man mask"....suuurrre. As far as I'm concerned he looks like the real thing in this photo taken by a surveillance camera. Looks pissed, too.

I just love how you can just barely see through the teller window that he is holding something in his jacket pocket. No, Cialis isn't on his prescription list. Geezer seems to know what he is doing. We can only hope it isn't a real gun, although "authorities" seem to think it is the real deal.

Well, in this day and age, prescriptions are one of the biggest expenses in the budget of the elderly. I am sure "Geezer" is just trying to keep up with his drug habit - Lipitor, insulin, blood pressure meds, coumadin - you know the drill. All that crap that physicians put you on in order to extend your life and keep you in poverty long after your nest egg has disappeared.

Then again, maybe Geezer isn't being a modern day Clyde to support his "drug" habit. Rather he may have a young bride who needs to be kept in botox, hairdo's and nails....this is SoCal after all. Also, given that this is SoCal, how hard can it be to find an old man? He is probably the only one down there. This isn't Miami, ya know.

One way or another, as Geezer shuffles out of the bank with his Depends stuffed with money I bet you thought I was going to say something else the bank staff must have looked around and said to one another, "What the Hell?"

Sunday 160 - Penny for your thoughts

Dark eyes stared blankly into the ether

and what of the silly smile that crossed his lips?

What did he know that kept him so serene?

Do you think he will share?

_____________________

For the original Sunday 160 post click here.

If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules:

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

2. Keep on schedule - post Sunday.

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

(Be sure to mention you have posted a 160)

4. Visit at least one other Sunday 160 writer.

____________________