Work In Process – Final Trifecta Challenge

Building facade, Jerome, AZ

Without development, I would be one-dimensional; a façade with no substance.

I’m a work in process, continually evolving, growing, becoming.

Each challenge, each word I write, builds depth-

reveals a window to myself.

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For Trifecta’s final challenge, we had 33 words to write about whatever we wanted.  I chose to write of my evolution over the last two years.  (I’m forever a work in process!)  Trifecta helped me to consider my words more carefully, to use them wisely.  Trifecta taught that although words are of endless supply, they should not be wasted.  I’ll miss the challenges and the community.  I wish the best to the editors who have spent numerous hours, reading, judging and encouraging along the way.

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Red Mountain

Hoodoos at Red Mountain, Arizona

Red Mountain: God’s creation, nature’s gem.  Hoodoos, hundreds of thousands of years old, inspire awe and our kids’ curiosity.

I sigh, content.

Nature never fails to satisfy my soul and restore my spirit.

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I was sad to find out that Trifecta is closing its doors at the end of March.  In tribute to that, I really wanted to do the last remaining challenges.

Even better than using the following word/definition in a 33-word response, I got to sneak in “hoodoos,” a new word I learned this week* 🙂 How could I pass that up? )

 SATISFY  (transitive verb) – 3a : to make happy : please ;  b : to gratify to the full : appease

*Hoodoo:  a natural column of rock in western North America often in fantastic form, left by erosion.  (When researching our next place to visit in Arizona, I knew we had to visit this place when I read the US Forest Service description, which included reference to hoodoos!)

Love “Stinks” (A Trifecta Challenge)

Cupid’s a terrible aim.

Some say the affliction stinks-

I agree.

The object of my unrequited

attention,

deflector of my

intentions,

rebuffs my

proclamations.

Mon amour-

a gorgeous kitty.

Me?

A lonely skunk.

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This is my silly response to the Trifecta weekly writing prompt.  I’ve been absent for a couple weeks for this challenge but figured I could handle 33 words.  But you can be the judge of that.  No, really, you’re the judge because it’s a community vote week 🙂

You have 48 hours from when the challenge closes on Thursday to vote for your favorite.  Click on the tricycle image to check out other entries- or even better- submit your own!

Here’s the challenge:  this week we’re asking for exactly 33 of your own words about love gone wrong.  But we’re asking that you not use any of the following words:  love; sad; tears; wept; heart; pain.

My poem is written from the POV of Pepé Le Pew- one of my favorite Looney Tunes characters!  Poor guy did everything he could to woo his lady love, not realizing that she was a kitty, not a skunk.   I’d post a photo, but don’t want to be busted by the copyright police 😛

Thanks for reading – have a great Monday!

The Inevitable

Here I am.

Again.

Surrounded by flat-roofed buildings of stucco, I stand in front of the architectural anomaly.  Dé·jà vu, yet this time is different.  I can feel it.

The familiar embraces me, though I try to resist.  I grab a deep breath; and then gather shaky strength-and my worries- to my chest.  I burst through the red door of the quaint 2-room shack.

Bells jingle, bravery wavers.

No turning back.

I shift my eyes upward, gaze traveling past the sloped chalet roof.  A prayer seeps from my soul, tears down my cheeks.  She pulls me aside.  Jumbled words are offered- matters of fact, of little comfort.

What to expect?

Unknown.

Weight bears down on me, indecision paralyzes.  There’s not much to analyze, no past to rationalize.

I bide my time, delay goodbye.

Never easy, these decisions of death and

Life.

Josie resting on my husband’s slipper.

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This piece isn’t at all uplifting, but I can’t muster uplifting today.  Sorry.  Maybe later in the week.  When we took in our Yorkie, Josie, two years ago this past Thanksgiving, we didn’t know if we’d have a week, a year, or more with her.  At ten years old, she was surrendered to the vet because of seizures.  When they asked, we ultimately couldn’t say no.  What if she had more life in her?  We cared for her and fell in love with her.  She became family.

Today, I woke up to her in the worst state I’ve seen her.  I rushed her to the vet and they are keeping her comfortable until this afternoon.  When my husband gets home from work, we’ll go see her.  We’ll have to decide if it is “time.”  We knew this day would come, but I’m still not ready for it.

UPDATE:  Josie showed no improvement by that afternoon.  We made the decision to say goodbye to her so she wouldn’t suffer.  She will be missed.

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This is my response to Trifecta’s weekly writing prompt, which is to write a piece between 33 and 333 words (mine is 142) using the following word/definition:

QUAINT (adjective): 3a : unusual or different in character or appearance :  ODD;   b : pleasingly or strikingly old-fashioned or unfamiliar <a quaint phrase> –

The challenge is open to anyone, so if you’re inspired, click on the tricycle image to view complete guidelines and submit a link to your own response!  Have a beautiful Monday 🙂

James and Betty

“I saw that.”

“Saw what?” James asked, confused.

She leaned forward and whispered, “you got an eyeful of the waitress’s bosom.”

“Come on, Betty.  The diner tables are that height.  It’s not like I tried to look.”

She pursed her lips.  “Swell.  So you did look… and then you ordered chicken breast.”

James laughed.  “I only have eyes for you.”

“Whatever you say,” she muttered as she turned her attention to the jukebox play list.

**********

“Who left the toilet seat up again?”

James peeked over his newspaper.  “If it wasn’t you, then I guess it was me.”

“All those years I blamed it on the kids…” Betty said, exasperated.

“Perhaps we have a ghost?”  He raised an eyebrow.

“It’s annoying and I’d appreciate it if you could put it down in the future.”

He chuckled.  “You get that straight from the therapist?”  His grin creased the wrinkles around his eyes.

“Whatever.”  She turned and left the room before he could see her smile.

**********

“The doctor said you had a good day.” Betty clasped his left hand.

“I s’pose so.  But I reckon I won’t be running a marathon.”

Her lip quivered.  “Stop.  You could get better.”

“Honey, emphysema doesn’t get better.”

“I’ll help you with your lunch.”  Betty swung the tray over his lap.  “What did you order?” she asked as she reached for the domed lid covering the plate.

James grinned, a mischievous look in his eye.  “Chicken breast.”  He winked.  “Can you stand right there?”

Tears threatened to fall when she remembered their first date sixty-one years ago.  “Whatever,” she whispered with mock annoyance.  “I only have eyes for you.”

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This is my response to Trifecta’s weekly challenge, which is to write a piece between 33 and 333 words using the following word/definition:

WHATEVER:  (adverb) to show that something is not important.

The challenge is open to everyone, so if you’re interested in joining in, click on the tricycle image above to view Trifecta’s site and link your post.

I hope you have a beautiful Monday!