My Short Short for the Day

Simone silently stared across the water to the buildings in the far distance.  Can I really do this?  It’s so far.  No, I’ve been training for this.  It’s my last big run before the race.  I know I can do this.  Simone walked forward until she was standing next to the tree.  When she finished her run she would be able to walk to the shore and look across at this tree.  She touched the bark with her hand and felt the strength flowing through it.  She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and released it slowly.  Ok, I’ve got this.

She stretched, taking care to loosen up all her muscles.  When she felt ready she turned away from the water and set her watch.  Ready, set, go.  She pushed off with her left foot into a jog.  She beeped her watch to start it at the same time.  Not too fast.  Steady, Simone, steady.  You’ve got a long way to go. 

Simone moved along at a strong, steady pace through the first half of the 18 mile run.  Not bad.  She told herself looking at the time.  Keep this up and it will be a good run.  She smiled and pushed a little faster.  She continued on until her calf suddenly cramped up.  She jerked to a stop and hobbled to a grassy area to sit down.  She massaged her leg willing herself to relax so the cramp would go away quicker.  After several excruciating minutes the muscle relaxed and she sighed in relief.  Then she stood up and slowly worked her way to a jog.  Her muscle was sore but seemed to be ok enough to continue the run.  Her form was wobbly at first but eventually evened out.  She wasn’t able to return to the previous pace but she managed a decent speed.

As she rounded the final corner, she tripped on the edge of the curb and crashed to the cement.  She put her hands down but the momentum was too strong and her head hit with a thud.  Dazed she rolled over onto her back, then slowly sat up.  She checked herself and found several bruises and scrapes but nothing felt broken.  Carefully she stood.  She felt a little weak but able to walk.  She walked to the shore and looked out at the tree across the way and closed her eyes.  I did it.  It wasn’t easy, but I did it.

My Short Short for the Day

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…but it doesn’t look like that will happen.  Each year I keep asking for a white Christmas but so far Santa hasn’t brought it.  I usually get a fun toy, which is good, but once, just once I’d love to have a white Christmas.  Mom said I had a white Christmas when I was 6 months old.  That was years ago, though, and I can’t remember one bit of it.  I wish I could just have one snow ball fight, one snow fort, one snowman, one sled ride, one day of snow filled fun.  That would be awesome!  But, when I look out the window, all I see is green trees and blue skies.  The air is warm, the birds are chirping, the people are walking around in t-shirts and no hint of snow anywhere.

Well, there’s still time, right?  Santa has left yet and maybe, just maybe there’ll be snow outside when I wake up tomorrow morning.  Just maybe.  J

My Short Short for the Day

The sled whizzed down the hill like it was ice.  The wind whipping in his face, his red cheeks burning from the cold, his eyes squinting from the sun glaring off the snow.  He felt like he was flying.  He rushed towards the bottom of the hill where the snowbank loomed.  Oh, no!  He was going too fast, no time to brake, his only choice was to wipe out.  The snowbank was too hard to slam into.  He knew he had to throw himself off the sled but every time it was so hard to force his body to cooperate.  His heart thundered in his chest.  He was running out of time.  It was now or never.  He clutched the sides of the sled and threw his weight to the right.  He wobbled but it wasn’t enough, he was still racing to his doom!  Panic started to rise up.  He threw himself as hard as he could and for a second thought it wouldn’t work.  Then SMOOSH!  He tipped over and tumbled across the snow before landing face first in the cold, white fluffiness.  The sled smacked into the snowbank and bounced back.  That was AWESOME!

“Now boarding Flight 889 to Maine.”

“Gary, come on.”  Sarah yelled to her little brother.  “We’re boarding now.”

“Yes!”  Gary grabbed his bag and ran to catch up.  “I’ll be sledding in no time.”

My Short Short for the Day

My daughter made up this song and I thought it was funny so I’m sharing it with all of you.  (Sing to the Jingle Bells tune)

I’m in Santa’s sleigh

Lo-ove fills my heart

I hope he slo-ows down

Or I will hurl and fart!

Ho ho ho

Ho ho ho

I’m riding in a sleigh

Ho ho ho

Ho ho ho

I think my mom is drunk *

Ho ho ho

Ho ho ho

Oh, no my dad might barf

Ho ho ho

Ho ho ho

I am feeling light

Ho ho ho

Ho ho ho

Cats are in our sleigh

Ho ho ho

Ho ho ho

I love you!

*Just for the record, I wasn’t drunk.

My Short Short for the Day

“You’re gonna do what?!”  Herb asked never taking his eyes off the towering waterfall.  “Are you kidding me?”

“No, man.  Not kidding.”  Scar said grinning.

“But that’s gotta be hundreds of feet.”  Herb shook his head.

“422 feet to be exact.”

“But that’s…that’s just crazy.” 

“It’s gonna be awesome!”  Scar turned and walked back to the car.  “You coming?”

“Yeah, yeah.”  Herb turned and shook his head.  “I’m coming.”

They drove in silence until they reached the path.  Then they hiked up the trail, sweating in the muggy heat.  As they reached the top, the sun was starting to begin its descent.

“Ok, here we are.”  Herb stated as he dropped his backpack on the ground.

“Yup.” Mischief sparkled in Scar’s eyes.

“So you’re really gonna do it?”  Herb asked looking over the edge.

“Yup.”  Scar took off his clothing, leaving only his shorts.  “Ready?”

“I should be asking you that.”  Herb tried to laugh.

“Dude, you’d better get going.  I want this all captured on camera and I ain’t gonna wait forever.”  Scar handed his clothing to Herb.

“Yeah, I know.”  Herb stuffed the clothes into his bag and hoisted it onto his back.  “Ok, Dude.  See you down below.”

“3 sharp, I’m jumping.”  Scar said.

“I know, I know.  I’ll be there.”  Herb clapped him on the back then headed back down the trail.  He had to move fast because he know Scar wouldn’t wait and if Scar did this jump, it would make an awesome video.

It only took Herb 45 minutes to get back down which left him 15 minutes to set up the camera.  He was done with 5 minutes to spare.  He looked through the camera at the top of the falls and saw Scar waving, then giving a thumbs up.

“Here we go.”  Herb muttered to himself as Scar launched himself off the edge of the cliff.

My Short Short for the Day

The memory hit her with a flash.  She stumbled backwards landing hard on the cement floor of the parking garage.  Her purse crashed to the floor scattering its contents in all directions.  She grabbed her head as the pounding increased and the pain stabbed through her.  Panic raced up through her body choking her.  She gasped for breath.  Sweat trickled down her neck leaving an icy trail of fear.

“Excuse me.  Are you alright Miss?”  The man bent down and gently touched her arm.

“Ahhh!”  The scream came out more as a whisper.  She scrunched her eyes shut as tight as she could, holding on to her mind.  Refusing to let go.

“Miss?  Should I call someone?”  The urgency in the man’s voice started to seep through.

She could only grunt quietly as the pain finally began to subside.  The pounding dulled and her throat opened up.  She gulped in air and released her head.

“Miss?”  The man was gently shaking her.

“Huh..uh.  Yes.  I…I’m ok.”  She opened her eyes to the most brilliant blue eyes she’d ever seen.  Her face flushed as she smiled.  “Migraine.”

“Well, uh, you should get that checked out.”  The man helped her collect her belongings.  “I’ve heard there is a shot you can get now to help.”

“Yes, yes, I should do that.”  She quickly shoved her items back into her purse and took his hand.

“There you go.”  The man smiled at her with perfect warmth.  “Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yes.  Thank you.”  She smiled again, feeling almost normal now.

“Ok, well.  You take care now.”  The man walked toward the elevator and stopped at the door.  He looked back and smiled, giving her a quick wave.

She waved, then turned to her car.  Now where did I put those keys she mumbled digging in her purse.

My Short Short for the Day

In a world that had once thrived with human life, now there is no one.  No sign of people and their ravages upon the land.  There is only nature.  Peaceful, serene, pleasant nature.  Animals free to roam the wild in safety.  Plants and trees free from trampling and chopping.  Oceans free from pollution and trash.  The world is at peace.  Calm tranquility blankets the Earth as nature reclaims what was rightfully hers.

“Edgar, what are you talking about?”  Alice furrowed her brow at her little brother.

“I’m making a documentary about what it’d be like without humans.”  Edgar stated.

“You know, if there were no humans, then you wouldn’t be here either.”  Alice huffed putting her hands on her hips and shaking her head.

“Yeah, well, maybe I’d revert to animal form or something.”  Edgar replied.

Alice stared at him with a look of disgust.  “You’re so weird.”

“Yup.”  Edgar smiled then turned back to his camera.  “The deer nibbled the sweet green grass that had been forbidden them for so many years.”

Alice rolled her eyes and stomped off.

My Short Short for the Day

The long, dirt driveway leads up to the old barn.  The barn doors are always left open and the scent of fresh hay and horse manure waft out.  Off to the left is an old, red tractor for hauling hay and beyond that is the field.  The horses wander lazily around the grassy field which is surrounded by a fence.  The fence is made of three rows of barbed wire between wooden posts.  The woods line the length of one side, while our home and yard are at the bottom end of the field and the road lines the other side.  There is a tiny stream that runs through the bottom part of the field and a small frog pond over by the woods side.

The farm house is off to the right of the barn.  It is painted white with a large front porch facing the roadway.  Inside are narrow little staircases leading up from several different points in the house to the second floor.  The front room is a cozy family room with windows making up the wall that looks out onto the porch.  The kitchen is big and bright, roomy enough for the cook to walk around with a whole table full of folks waiting at the dinner table to be fed.  There are numerous small bedrooms to accommodate the large family and several little bathrooms to prevent long waits. 

That was then. 

Now there are no horses, no smell of fresh hay, no fences.  The farm house remains but it’s no longer a working farm.  The field has been divided into lots for single family homes.  The tiny river has dried up and the pond has been filled in.  Even the memory of those days has become dusty with time.