Two Fat Kitties

The two boys were so excited when they saw the two fat cats wandering through the yard.  The boys decided to take them home so they could have their very own pets.  Unfortunately, it turns out the two cats were not very tame.  For some reason, they just wanted to growl, hiss, and run away.

This is for G-man!  Hoping you don’t get bit by a rabid possum!  This is for Friday’s Flash 55–a story in 55 words, no more and no less.  If you or anyone has written a 55, let G-man know and he will visit.

Mag 34

I looked at the lantern sitting in the window.  It always made me a little sad.  The well worn lamp had been passed down to me from my grandfather.  It brought back memories of the nights we would walk to the creek.  He would have fishing poles in one hand and the lantern in the other.  He had a reputation for being the best at catching catfish.  Everyone wondered how he could always come away with his fill of fish every time, but he wouldn’t tell.  But when we would walk to the creek, he would talk with his slow deep drawl, and he would share his secrets with me.  ”Two things,” he would say, “blood bait and wait until after dark.”  I would carry the small canning jar with the chicken liver for our bait.  ”You see, it will fool the fish into thinking the sun is coming up and the fish will come to say good morning.”  I always felt a bit sad at losing my grandpa and fishing partner whenever I saw that lantern.  At the same time, I was happy to bring it down from its place in the window to pass these secrets on to my own son.

Thanks to Willow for the wonderful picture as a prompt.  Visit Magpie Tales to read more posts.

Togetherness!

This week’s You Capture challenge presented by Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry is togetherness.  I immediately thought of my son and his best friend.  Whenever the two of them are around and I have my camera, they are posing.

Caleb just loves Tricksy!

Butterflies

This poem is linked to Jenny Matlock’s Alphabe-Thursday.  Today’s letter is B.  B is for Butterfly.

gently fluttering

flower to flower; drinking

nectar of the gods

One Shot Wednesday

Write a poem.  Head over to One Shop Poetry to link up and share it.

The ringing in  my ears signals

the start of the insanity.

Little bodies swarming in a sea.

Arms and legs flailing against

each other and everything in their path.

Screaming and shouting;

seething mass of humanity.

Adolescent angst abounds

causing drama above and beyond belief.

A frantic race from bell to bell,

my days fly by.

I wonder how I ended up

in a role that leaves me so abused.

Yelling, swearing, insulting;

tipping desks and throwing books.

How does this belong in a civilized society?

I have to share this photo even if it isn’t for the poem.  My dog loves apples.  As I was taking the picture above, I had to keep telling Mushu the apple wasn’t for him.  I got two pictures taken before I lost my prop!  That wouldn’t be a big deal, but I had already given him one.

Hobby

This weeks photo challenge for Perceptive Perspectives was hobby.

I think I could do a dozen posts on my hobbies.  Here’s a few highlights.  One hobby that we began last year was making wine.   It started with my nephews wanting to make one or two batches.  Well, about nineteen batches later, I think we have firmly established ourselves as hobby viticulturists.

My nephews are trying to figure out the vinometer.  It is not as easy as it sounds.

I love all the variety to the wines and bottles.  I also like adding some of my other hobbies–homemade bread.  There’s nothing like bread and wine.

Another hobby is farming.  This year, I planted crops!  Does that mean it is no longer a hobby?  I hope not, because I love taking pictures of the corn and hay fields.

I also love my animals.  I confess the goats are my favorites.  Or maybe the cats or the dogs.  I just love them all!

I have an entire blog dedicated to my hobbies.  If you have some of the same interest as me, you can click on the link in my side bar.  For more fascinating hobby pictures, visit Hollie at new2babycakes.

When I Leave my Body

When I leave my body

And it turns moldy,

I will not care.

I will have no earthly concerns;

Bills and jobs and worries

Will all mean nothing to me.

Jealousy and regret will be replaced

In my heart with joy and forgiveness.

As my corporeal being

Rots in the grave,

I will be flying freely

Through the otherworld.

I’ll reunite with family

Who passed before me.

My parents and grandparents;

My first love, lost too early.

My long departed, loyal animal friends

Will be there to greet me.

Barking and meowing; mooing and quacking

Will resonate through the skies.

We will celebrate a fabulous reunion

As my physical form composts,

Enriching the soil.

I’ll come back to visit

Those who are still in the earthly realm:

My son; my best friend; my lover.

I’ll drop a penny in front of each

To let them know

I am still thinking of them.

Hopefully, they will not spend

Too much time missing me

Because it will seem like an instant

Compared to the infinity

We will share when

We have all returned home

And a dainty flower grows upon my grave.

This poem is a part of the Monday Potluck.  Be sure to visit for many more poems, or write your own to link up.

Haiku Heights # 10: Sacred

Sacred

hallowed ground below

where we remember loved ones

sacred family

This was taken at Pine Hill Cemetery in Somerset Co., Pennsylvania.  The headstone belongs to my great-great-great-great grandfather, Philip Walker (1766 – 1833).

Be sure to visit Leo at Haiku Heights for more sacred haikus.

My Name is Mud

I handed the math tests back to my students, saving Joey for last.  I had been so surprised when I didn’t place a single check on the paper.  I set his paper down, and the amazed look on Joey’s face was still there when he said, “My last name’s Crawford.  Crawfords don’t get good grades.”

I confess this one is not fiction; however the name has been changed to avoid stereotyping.  This is a Friday Flash 55–a story told in exactly 55 words.  If you write one, head over to tell G-Man.

Flowers

This week’s topic for You Capture is flowers.  I found quite a few blooming flowers around my yard and pasture.

I just love the little yellow butterfly on these flowers.

I have to admit, there are fewer of these flowers because the goats think they are tasty.

I just love that these flowers bloom for such a long time.

There are just a few sweet peas hanging on.

The mallow will bloom until the frost kill them off.

I confess, I found the morning glory at my mother’s house.  I just loved its pink!

Head over to Beth’s blog I Should Be Folding Laundry to see a lot more flower posts.