365 Days of Writing

  One sentence My book room is my rest and reset place.

  One sentence Busy reading.

  Short Story -- Gwendolyn ‘And then POOF! There was a dragon there.’ Cedric was a big man. Tall. Broad shoulders. Arms and legs like trees from clearing a patch of forest to build his home, a small farm. ‘It could nae have been POOF! Dragons hatch from eggs. They may be magical creatures but POOF is biologically impossible, even for them.’ Egret was nine. She was fair with bright red hair and freckles. And she always had her nose in a book. She was clever behind her years. ‘I dinnae mean literally,’ Cedric said exasperatedly. ‘Then you should’ve said so,’ Egret replied, who was quite literal. All the time. At the moment she was also gazing down at a small dragon curled up on the hearth of their home near the fire. Its opalescent scales seemed to practically sparkle in the flickering fire light. It’s black eyes watching with keen interest the exchange between the two. ‘What are we gonna call it?’ she asked. ‘What about Gwendolyn?’ ‘Gwendolyn the dragon?’ asked Cedric. ‘Does nae sou...

  Short Story -- Inner Workings She felt frazzled and worn out. She was tired not just because she was doing but because mentally she was keeping track of so much. Some people might say she just needed to let go and not worry, but in her experience if everyone just let go and didn't worry, then nothing ever got done. What was even weirder for her was that she’d always mentally managed a lot… so sometimes she questioned what was it now that made her feel so explosive every now and again. Mostly she could keep it all under control. But sometimes she’d just blow. And it felt more frequent recently than she wanted. She was particularly disappointed with herself today, because she’d thought she’d been doing better. She thought maybe she was finally getting back to her old self. Maybe, just maybe, she was evening out… even with all she had to carry. But then… she lost it. Just for a few seconds. But that was enough to make her feel ashamed. And her brain was a bit of a dog with a bone. I...

 One sentence I love a sunny day, walks along the river with Hubby and Little One and lunch at a cafe.

  One sentence Another day,  another cake. 

  Reflection Nearly a month ago now, I saw a set of pink and purple ceramic mixing bowls in Aldi. Hubby got them for me for my birthday. And although they are a simple thing, I can’t tell you how much joy baking with them brings to me. My mom had sets of ceramic mixing bowls and that’s what we used growing up. Hers were from her grandmother (or great grandmother?) It’s a mix of nostalgia and carrying on the tradition. What’s a simple thing that brings you happiness?

  One sentence I love that I still get to read while Little One naps in my arms.

  Reflection One side effect of motherhood that is never considered before is how it affects my own eating habits. It’s not that I don’t eat things that Little One can’t; I absolutely do. Point in case, I had marble cake for breakfast. But since I don’t feel like making multiple meals each time I cook, I generally have to make sure that whatever I’m making for a meal is also something that’s good for Little One. Which has meant that I’ve been eating healthier, too. (Cake for breakfast aside). I eat more vegetables and have less meals of only tater tots. Who knew? One side effect of motherhood that is never considered before is how it affects my own eating habits. It’s not that I don’t eat things that Little One can’t; I absolutely do. Point in case, I had marble cake for breakfast. But since I don’t feel like making multiple meals each time I cook, I generally have to make sure that whatever I’m making for a meal is also something that’s good for Little One. Which has meant that I’...

  Short Story -- Dark was the Night The crow’s caw was the only sound. This time of year this deep in the forest it was suffocatingly dark early. And snow not only already blanketed the world but more was falling. But the girl did not care. She followed the voice of the crow. And even if he hadn’t been there, she’d walked these woods hundreds of times in all sorts of weather. She knew them like she knew her own soul. ‘I’m coming,’ she huffed under her breath. ‘I should turn you into soup or roast you on a stick you old bird,’ she thought. Up ahead she could just make out the shape of a small house. It was dark. But there was a faint glow from behind the shuttered windows. ‘The fire is still burning,’ she thought pleasantly. Home. The crow was waiting in a perch by the door when she arrived. He tilted his head inquisitively. And she turned the key and pushed open the door. He swooped in and she followed close behind. She stomped the snow off her feet by the door and took off her red...

  Poem -- The Baby Gate Today we bought and put up a baby gate. And I wonder:  Where has the time gone?  You held the instructions and you tried to chew on them as you watched inquisitive.  You came closer to survey my finished work  sticking your hands through the metal bars.  I imagine you wondered:  is it prison  or more freedom?  Perhaps it is both.  It gives you more freedom to to explore the room but keeps you from leaving and the stairs. Today we bought and put up a baby gate. And I wonder:  Where has the time gone? 

  One sentence A day spent with friends is a day well spent. 

  One sentence Some days the sky is simply beautiful.

  Poem -- These Moments Taking a moment to cherish you turning back throughout the day’s play to envelope me in a hug.

  Short Story -- When life hands you a carrot... Jake finished loading the dishwasher, closed the door and pushed the button to start it. He heard the click of the lock engaging and the hum of it as the wash cycle started. He trudged tiredly upstairs, took his slippers off and flopped onto the couch to watch some tv before bed. But he didn’t last long and was soon asleep. The next morning, in need of a coffee mug, he opened the dishwasher (and heard the click as the latch released) and pulled out the top shelf. Deciding he’d also grab a plate while there, he pushed the top shelf back in and pulled out the bottom shelf. His hand was reaching for a plate — the toast POPPING from the toaster — when it froze. He blinked a couple of times. He wasn’t really a morning person, you see. And then he reached past the plate, took where a whole, intact, carrot was sitting. Looking as clean as the dishes themselves. ‘What the…?’ he trailed off, holding the carrot and scratching his head. ‘I’ve n...

  One sentence Rain came down in sheets for maybe five minutes this afternoon. 

  Poem -- Nine Months No one gives hugs like you. I love you so much. No one’s laughter and giggles fill my heart Every day like yours. Making the day happier with your a-da-da’s One wave or clap from you is the best. No one gives cuddles like you, Trusts like you, Has a smile like you, So happy nine months, Little One!

  Short Story -- The Players ‘This is a terrible idea,’ she whispered to the backs of her companions’ heads.  ‘Not if you follow the plan I laid out,’ hissed Rune, the oldest and the leader of the trio.  Ajax stayed quiet. Personally he was of the same opinion as Cicily, but he didn’t want to be seen to agree with her or go against Rune.  They stopped at the giant reinforced steel vault door. It was twice as tall as Rune, who was around six foot and wide enough that at least five people their size could comfortably walk in side to side.  ‘Wow,’ Ajax whistled softly under his breath.  Rune nodded to the door and Cicily stepped forward. From an invisible pocket she pulled out a sleeve of safe cracking tools. She took a deep breath and stepped forward.  ‘You’re going to slow,’ Rune whispered angrily.  ‘You can’t rush cracking a safe!’ Cicily whispered back fiercely.  ‘What if there are hidden cameras or sensors that we’ve tripped?’ Ajax added so...

  One sentence Christ is risen!

  Short Story -- Part One: The Players Catjeet was curled up inside a large silver cup that was being housed in the most secure vault in the kingdom. He is grey with darker stripes and a lean body. He has a long thin tail. And the most intelligent green eyes. You might be wondering if the vault is so secure how a cat managed to get in? Or how long he’s been in there? Or perhaps you’ve decided that the vault isn’t as secure as it seems to think it is? But the fact of the matter is, there are very few places, if any, that are off limits to Catjeet. He felt content surrounded by treasures: paintings, gold, jewellery, some important documents. And this is why he found it so inconvenient when he heard three voices outside of the vault and they seemed to be talking about using explosives. ‘Catjeet’s peace is ruined,’ he grumbled to himself. He always spoke about himself in third person. No one knows why. BANG! A small explosion and the door swung open. ‘Well, I don’t hear any sirens,’ sa...

  Poem -- Pram No one prepared me for the day Little One would face out in the pram.

  Poem -- Growing It seems like only yesterday that I first held you in my arms. And now you can sit and play and entertain yourself. You have your own method of crawling and you’re very very quick! I have to find new ways of drawing you away from harm and mischief. You’re standing now with the aid of your playpen or a couch. You dance and reach on your legs preparing for first steps. You understand the word no now but don’t always want to acquiesce. Sometimes you hear it and still go to test if you can do it. You fill my day with smiles, with cuddles, laughter and love. I am so thankful for every day that we spend together.

  Short Story -- The Open Road ‘There is a house in New Orleans / They call the Rising Sun / And it’s been the ruin of many a poor boy / And God, I know. I’m one.’ The hard voices of The Animals drifted from the radio and out the window of the truck as Jack drove North. It was starting to get hot outside with summer just around the corner and the AC on the truck hadn’t worked as long as Jack had known it, thus the window was open. There were green fields as far as the eye could see on either side of the road. And although the day had started out with blue skies and sun, it was now cloudy and overcast. It was just Jack in the car. And there were no other cars in sight on the road. The thing about being alone on the open road is that it can give one an awful lot of time to think. And Jack doesn’t want to do that. He’d rather forget. He’d rather forget that his older brother died in a car crash. He’d rather forget what it’s done to his parents. Their grief eating them alive. He’d rath...

  One sentence Some how — but not surprisingly — I managed to come with four new books, plus one for Little One and for the Hubby.

  One sentence I’m like a kid in a candy shop with all the gluten free baked goods here!

  One sentence  Exploring the home of the Yorkshire Pud!

  One sentence It's just been a regular good day today.

  Short Story -- Tea It never stopped surprising her that the people with the fewest worldly possessions tended to be the most generous ones. She was sitting in a home, one the stiff wooden highback two seater that every home had here. It was a small room. Big enough for a large bed on one end and then the seating area furniture — some chairs, a large coffee table, and a two seater chair — on the other end. There was a shelf on the back wall with a small altar and photos of family members who had died. The room was chilly. Everyone sitting there had coats on. Some had gloves and hats and scarves. Although there wasn’t snow, the end of January near the mountains got cold. The wife (also a mother and a farmer) walked back in carrying a tray with hot tea on it and a stack of cups. She began to pour, offering the first cup to the young woman sitting on the two seater. The young woman graciously accepted it, savoring the warmth that holding the cup brought to her hands. This was the fou...

  Poem -- Hands As you held your own bottle today I looked at your hands and realised how much you’ve already grown! They are no longer the little, thin wrinkly hands that they were when you were born. They’re bigger, chubbier, and more capable now. They can pick up balls and food. They can point to books you want to read. They hold my hands tightly when you want to practice standing up. I looked at your hands today And thought to myself: This time is flying by! And also: How much you’ve already grown.