My Short Short for the Day

I ran out of pictures and I ran out of ideas.  Ugh!  Writer's Block!!!!  HELP!  I thought if I kept writing every other day it would keep the creative juices flowing but I've run dry.  Now I'm just blabbering to anyone who might be reading this and having a little pity party at my desk.  :(    Ok, I won't waste your time anymore with my fussing.  I need to get off my lazy butt and go take some pictures...or better yet, get my daughter to take some pictures.  Maybe that'll be inspiration enough to get me writing again.  Well, not just writing again but writing something interesting again.  Yeah!  :)

My Short Short for the Day

Elga stared intently at the water as it rushed down over the rocks, disappearing behind the trees.  She listened for the sound of it crashing into the lake below.  Yesterday Master Seldin had stopped the flow of water so effortlessly.  Her test was tomorrow, leaving her only the day to practice.  It seemed so impossible, though.  Belief.  Master Seldin said that was the only thing holding her back.  Believing in herself.  How could she believe in herself when he was asking her to do something so impossible?  Yes, Master Seldin did it, but how could he possibly expect her, an amateur, to imitate him with something so…so beyond her.

No, enough doubt Elga.  She stamped her foot and huffed.  Focus.  Concentrate.  You can do this.  You have to do this.  If you don’t, who knows what Master Seldin will do if she fails.  Would he refuse to teach her anymore?  That would bring such shame on her family.  Humiliation on herself.  And disappointment from Master Seldin.  That would be the worst thing of all. 

Elga took a deep breath and held it for a moment then slowly whooshed it out.  Ok, Elga.  You can do it.  You can do it!  Elga stared intently at the water as it rushed over the rocks.  She heard the crashing as it hit the water down below.  She tensed.  She focused.  She stared, willing the water to stop.  It didn’t.  She asked it to stop.  It didn’t.  Frustration bubbled up into doubt then turned to annoyance.  Stop it!  She yelled at herself.  The water stopped.  Her eyes widened, holding the water suspended for a moment before dropping it. 

I did it.  I did it!  She smiled.  She danced around.  She cheered.  I did it!

My Short Short for the Day

Standing below

I look up

Reaching

Stretching

Willing the water

To cascade down on me

To cleanse me

Refresh me

Bring me life

Drops of coolness spray my face

I close my eyes

I sigh

I can continue on.

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.