Day: October 17, 2022

What Were You Thinking?

Fandango10 Comments

“What were you thinking when you chose that wallpaper for your bedroom accent wall?” Alan asked his little sister.

“What do you mean?” Carolyn asked. “I had it custom made and it was expensive wallpaper.”

“Then you got ripped off,” Alan said. “It ugly as sin.”

“That’s a rude thing to say,” Carolyn said, “and I’m just going to ignore your rudeness.”

“Your pigeon wallpaper that you used to have on that wall was horrendous,” Alan said, “but not as bad as this wallpaper with a photo of a huge yellowjacket. Who’s the culprit that convinced you to put up this wallpaper?”

“There’s no culprit. It was my choice. I like yellowjackets,” Carolyn said. “They’re colorful and pretty.”

Alan shook his head. “I think there’s something wrong with your appendage, Carolyn. I bet a yellowjacket stung you there.”

“My appendage? What appendage? What are you talking about?”

Alan got a mean smile on his face. “I’m talking about that big, round, ugly appendage that sits right on top of your neck.”

“Your such an ass, Alan,” Carolyn said. “Get out of my bedroom and don’t let the door slam you on your butt on the way out.”

Written for these daily prompts: Ragtag Daily Prompt (wallpaper), My Vivid Blog (expensive), Fandango’s One Word Challenge (ignore), The Daily Spur (pigeon), E.M.’s Random Word Prompt (yellowjacket), Your Daily Word Prompt (culprit), and Word of the Day Challenge (appendage).

Share Your World — 10/17/2022

Fandango15 Comments
Share Your World

Just an hour ago, I groused in a post that Melanie had yet to publish her traditional Monday Share Your World prompt. But then I went to my Reader and saw that Di, of Pensitivity101, pointed out that Melanie has been having computer problems, so Di jumped in with her own Share Your World challenge. Thanks, Di.

1. When you go food shopping, do you go with a list or amble down the aisles putting things in your basket or cart that you fancy or think you need?

I always start with a list, but I often add a few impulse items to my shopping cart.

2. When the temperatures drop for the colder months, is there a specific date you put the heating on or do you flick the switch when you start to feel cold?

There’s no specific date that we have to turn on the heat, so it’s more when we start to feel cold. That said, my wife still suffers from hot flashes, so she likes to keep the house cold. And if I complain, she tells me to shut up and put on a sweater.

3. Keeping with the cold theme, do you prefer a hot water bottle or an electric blanket at night?

Neither. I prefer a down comforter.

4. How do you feel about log burners? Do you think they are messy or cosy?

We have a gas fireplace in our family room, and it’s on and adjustable at the flick of a switch. Easy peasy and no mess.

Gratitude: When was the last time you laughed out loud?

Just a few minutes ago when I beat my wife at a hard-fought game of Yahtzee!

TMP — Blue Monday

Fandango18 Comments

First, Dr. Tanya announced that there will be no Blogging Insights prompt today. And as of 1:30 pm Pacific time, Melanie has yet to post her Share Your World challenge. Those are my Monday staples. What ever will I post about today?

Well, at least Paula has the The Monday Peeve prompt, where she gives us an opportunity to vent or rant about something that pisses us off.

What pisses me off today? I’m glad you asked. I am a retiree and a senior citizen, a septuagenarian, in fact. I am, thankfully, in relatively good health for an old fart, and I live with my wife in our nice, comfortable home.

So it annoys me when, nearly every day, I receive brochures in the mail for senior living facilities. They have names like Pleasant Valley, Serenity Village, Rolling Acres, Tranquility Heights, Sunrise Manor, The Glen, Forest Park, The Golden Oaks, Fox Gables, to name a few. They are advertised as retirement communities, 55+ communities, independent living complexes, assisted living facilities, etc.

They advertise that they offer security, senior-focused amenities, and a sense of community, all in an idyllic environment. They all tell you that you’re never far from great shopping, fine arts, live music, theaters, restaurants, bistros, and boutiques. Many offer on-site gyms and fitness centers, on-site dining, cleaning and laundry services, transportation services, golf course or swimming pool access, and community recreational events. Most have hiking trails and biking trails, and, of course, all have “excellent medical care” available nearby.

Sounds great, right? But you know what? I love my home and I’m not in need of all of those amenities. At least not yet. Maybe when I reach my 80s. But for now, stop wasting time and money sending all of these lovely senior living brochures to me. Don’t call me, I’ll call you — when and if I’m ready. In the meantime, your brochures are joining all of the Christmas catalogs that I receive in the mail by being tossed directly into the recycling bin.

Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge #189

Fandango13 Comments

Welcome to Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge. Each week I will be posting a photo I grab off the internet and challenging bloggers to write a flash fiction piece or a poem inspired by the photo. There are no style or word limits.

The image below is from shutterstock.com.

For the visually challenged writer, the photo shows a wood table with various objects on it, including an orange knit scarf, a cup of coffee, a leather camera case, a pen, some paper, and a dried flower.

If this week’s image inspires you and you wish to participate, please write your post, use the tag #FFFC, and link back to this post. I hope it will generate some great posts.

Please create a pingback to this post or manually add your link in the comments.

FOWC with Fandango — Ignore

Fandango33 Comments
FOWC

It’s October 17, 2022. Welcome to Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (aka, FOWC). I will be posting each day’s word just after midnight Pacific Time (U.S.).

Today’s word is “ignore.”

Write a post using that word. It can be prose, poetry, fiction, non-fiction. It can be any length. It can be just a picture or a drawing if you want. No holds barred, so to speak.

Once you are done, tag your post with #FOWC and create a pingback to this post if you are on WordPress. Please check to confirm that your pingback is there. If not, please manually add your link in the comments.

And be sure to read the posts of other bloggers who respond to this prompt. Show them some love.