“How could you?”

So do his words.

“I-I had a weak moment.”

My son looks at the empty brownie pan, shakes his head, walks away.

I never planned to share.

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This is my response to the Trifecta weekend challenge, which was to write a thirty-three word confession.  I won’t say whether this is real or fictional.  What? Oh.  I have chocolate on my cheek?

Fine.  I did it.  And I’ll do it again.  Ghirardelli double chocolate brownies don’t stand a chance in our house.  I’m not prone to share their fudge-y goodness, even with the owners of the of the sweet hugs and kisses aimed to pry the brownie pan from my hands

If you want to read other responses, or try the challenge yourself, click on the tricycle picture to view Trifecta’s site.  Happy writing (and reading!)

Remember- this is a community-voted challenge, which means that readers have the opportunity to vote on their three favorites after the challenge closes on Sunday, at 8PM eastern time.  (Voting takes place on Trifecta’s site.)

Tree Stump Creature #1

Tree Stump Creature #2

What do you see in these pictures?  I saved my interpretations until the end so you could form your own unbiased opinion as to what image you see in each photo.  To find out what my warped creative mind came up with, read below.

No cheating….make your guesses first…

Okay, read on

When I look at the part of the wood in the foreground in the first picture, I see a large lizard – its head on the left and tail curling on the right.  That’s a stretch?  Okay, I’ll really freak you out.  When I look at the whole tree, I see a twisted body (with a really messed up leg) and two skeletal arms reaching up for help.  Uh oh.  Here come the folks in the white lab coats.  Quick, let’s see if the next one makes more sense…

Ah, the second picture.  Today, it looks kind of like a big chunk of wood, but when I took the picture, I saw a side view of a raccoon.  Most likely, the discoloration/shading on top reminded me of raccoon’s mask.

There you have it.  I may be just one tree stump away from being deemed crazy.  (At least, it’s what I gathered from eavesdropping on the White Coats.)  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that if you saw what I did, you’re just as crazy as I am

Thanks for stopping by for some mid-week silliness.  Have an insanely happy Wednesday!

We hike the rocky trail circling the lake.  Tall pines, gentle breeze, and birds soaring above set the perfect peaceful scene.  I’d like to sprawl out on a rock, in a warm patch of sun, and eavesdrop on the woods surrounding us.  I’d like to hear the chipmunk I spotted scurry across the crunchy pine needles.  There is no opportunity to rest in silence, though.  My companion has too much to say.

He tells me about his latest business idea.  Oh, there have been many.  This time, it’s a restaurant:  Little Bean’s is the name.  He can’t tell me where this restaurant will be but insists it will have “yummy” food.  He says there will be a bar area that serves bowls of beef jerky- for free.  Then he describes the dessert that will make his restaurant famous.

This dessert begins with two brownies, each three inches by two inches (I kid you not.)  Atop the brownies, sits a scoop of vanilla ice cream, smothered with chocolate and caramel sauce.  Oh, and several maraschino cherries.  He loves those.  He circles his hands to show me the plate size and declares that it will only cost $2.99.  “Is that a good price?” he asks.

I’m not business-minded, but I agree the price is reasonable.  “As long as you don’t spend more for the ingredients than what you charge,” I warn.  Sometimes these details escape him.  I imagine not many seven-year-olds contemplate profit when thinking of a business plan.  There’s time for that in second grade, I suppose.

To him, monkey bars and swings are pedantic.  So last year, he would say.  Pickles has his mind on bigger plans, his head immersed in dreams.  He tries to take his Mommy with him, but I am tangled in a lifetime of realism.  From his side of the dream, it looks like cynicism.

I hold his hand, but let him go.  I remind myself:  a dream can never be caught while standing still.

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This is my response to Trifecta’s writing prompt.  I’ve categorized this as fiction, however, it is based on a lengthy (and rather one-sided) conversation with my seven-year-old, who we affectionately call, “Pickles.”  This week, we were asked to write a 33 to 333 word response (mine is 329) using the following word/definition:

PEDANTIC (adjective): unimaginative, pedestrian

If you want to read other responses, or try the challenge yourself, click on the tricycle picture to view Trifecta’s site.  Happy writing (and reading!)

P.S. This prompt didn’t work with where I’m going with Darlene’s Story.  I hope to have another segment next time

Oh, and this is a community-voted challenge, which means that readers have the opportunity to vote on their three favorites.  Voting starts on Trifecta’s site after the challenge closes on Thursday, at 8PM eastern time.

Sunrise:  sheds light on the promise of change

The thing I like best about mornings is that each day is a chance to try out a new frame of mind, or do things a bit differently, based on wisdom gained from mistakes.

My last blog post ended up more “ranty” than I like- it was definitely influenced by my state of mind (which was greatly affected by the kiddos’ screaming fight waking me up early!)  By Friday night, I had debated about deleting that post, but I read a comment from someone that something I had written in another comment response helped.

That post will remain.  It’s part of my imperfect (mostly happy, but flawed) life. Perhaps others can find comfort in that.  I avoid rants because I like to keep things positive- that hasn’t changed.

I’m writing this on Saturday night, while I can still move.  You’ll understand that statement shortly.

Saturday morning, I decided it was time to get some much needed yard work done.  I also thought it would be a good time for the kids to practice teamwork.  For a couple hours, I worked solo, but then I got the boys helping.

It wasn’t all harmony though.  They began to fight (as they do 95% of the time.)  I told them that if they couldn’t work with me to get it done, the two of them would have to finish up on their own.  They stopped bickering- and fast!

To keep them distracted, I started singing:  “I love raking leaves, so put another bag in the pile now, baby” to the tune of Joan Jett’s I Love Rock and Roll.  They actually laughed (not sure if they laughed at the singing or the words, but does it matter? )  Then they started making up their own raking leaves songs to the music they listen to.

My older son and I were able to put the hard feelings from the day before behind us, and in the process, we raked up fourteen bags of leaves.  My muscles already ache (yes, all of them) and my back and knees are stiff.

This is the reason I feel my age x 2

Now you know why I may not be able to move tomorrow.  But I will still find joy in the opportunity to grow in a new day, adding to the wisdom gained from my days before.

Like these pine cones, I’m still growing

For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. (Proverbs 24:16)

“Honey, I’ve told you, no candy.  Put it down.”

Child wails; parent hands him candy.

This strikes a nerve.

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This is my response to the Trifecta weekend prompt:  This weekend we are asking for exactly 33 words, 30 of your own and three of the following:  topple     paradigm     underneath     nerve     honey     loop

I think we’ve all seen the grocery store check out battle.  It breaks my heart a little when the kiddos win

I probably shouldn’t have tackled this topic, given that the last couple of days have been a nightmare with the children.  Back in my day, certain behaviors were just not tolerated and were backed up with the threat of a spanking- or worse, “wait til your dad gets home.”  They weren’t idle threats- they were carried out.  I had a few (well-deserved) spankings in my childhood, but I don’t consider myself abused at all.

Don’t even get me started on how society has tied parents’ hands.  I don’t think spanking is a first choice, and my kids know this…which is why they often push the limits in public.  The “no TV for a week” punishment does nothing to stop the behavior in the moment.  I’ve received judgmental stares and glares whether I discipline or not.  I can’t win.  I have actually had my kids tell me that I can’t spank them because it’s child abuse.  That frosts me.  So they think they can be disrespectful and rude without consequences?  I don’t think so.  If I would have said some of the things to my parents that my older son yelled at us last night, I doubt I’d be able to sit here right now typing this blog post.  Just sayin’.

To society:  cut me some slack.  I’m struggling here.  I’m trying to raise children who are not brats or future members of the U.S. prison system.  I don’t have the answers and it seems my parents’ ways are no longer accepted.  If you have all the answers, please send me your address.  My children get out of school next week and would love to spend the summer with you.

Sorry.  Got side-tracked on my little rant   If you want to check out other responses, or try the prompt yourself, click on the tricycle picture to go to Trifecta’s site.  I hope you have a beautiful weekend!