Saturday June 30th, 2012

The exercise:

Write a four line poem about: the anniversary.

There was a surprise 40th anniversary party for Kat's parents here this evening that went off pretty smoothly, despite the near constant rain. I think the grand total was twenty-one people, all relatives from both sides of the family.

This morning's market started off with a pretty impressive downpour and very few customers. Thankfully the rain eventually stopped, then the sun and the crowds arrived. Overall another successful market for us.

I was there with Kat's brother Adam, as Kat stayed here to rest and prepare for the evening's festivities. He seemed to enjoy himself, even with the weather, so I might be able to convince him to come again some time.

Mine:

For one day each year

We gather to celebrate

You, your triumphs, and

Your bond with your special mate.

Friday June 29th, 2012

The exercise:

Write four lines of prose about: the party.

More cherries and berries are set for the long weekend market (Sunday is Canada Day). Hoping for good weather, but refusing to look at the forecast since they've been more incompetent at the weather office than usual lately.

Sorry about neglecting the comments the last couple of days, just haven't had the time or energy. Hoping to get back on track either tomorrow evening or Sunday.

Mine:

He stood leaning against the wall in the living room, empty beer bottle in hand. At regular intervals he would bring it to his lips and pretend to sip. Then he would return to nodding his head in time with the too-loud music as he eyed the other attendees.

And all the while he silently counted down the seconds until he could leave without being viewed as the old man he knew himself to be at the tender age of nineteen.

Thursday June 28th, 2012

The exercise:

Write about: the body.

Took the car in this afternoon to get the brakes checked out. Turns out they need to be replaced, so I should probably spend all of tomorrow picking strawberries to sell at the market to pay for that.

Restaurant harvest went fairly well this morning, though I was once again too rushed to make the delivery to get a picture of our haul. Perhaps things will calm down once I set fire to the strawberries are finished for the season.

Mine:

Detective Anderson approached the crime scene on weary feet, one eye on the approaching storm clouds. The team would have to work quickly if they hoped to find any useful evidence, but they were all running on fumes by that point.

Five dumped bodies in less than two days. Had to be a record of some sort, though no one seemed interested in confirming it.

Anderson stopped a few feet away from the man and woman huddled over the nude corpse, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets to protect them from the chill in the air while he waited for them to complete their photography session. His nostrils caught a hint of cherry bubblegum in the air and he wondered which junior officer was about to get dressed down for that lapse in judgement.

"All yours, Detective," the woman told him as she rose from her crouch and began to pack up her camera equipment. "Hope you haven't had dinner yet."

"No time to eat these days," Anderson said with a ghost of a smile. "Thanks guys."

He waited for them to clear the area before stepping closer. In the distance a crow squabbled with its mate as the detective got his first clear view of the most recent victim's face. A brief flex of his jaw muscles was the only indication of his inner thoughts.

At the rate the bodies were piling up, Anderson thought, it was only a matter of time before I had to deal with one I had cared for.

Wednesday June 27th, 2012

The exercise:

Today we write about: the sale.

We received the results from last week's ultrasound this morning and everything is looking as it should. We had no real reason to think otherwise - but plenty of first time parent imaginings and fears - so it was nice to have it confirmed.

Harvesting for the restaurant tomorrow morning, since we were in Penticton today during the time we usually pick for them. I shall have strawberry scented nightmares tonight.

Mine:

"Are you sure you don't want any? They're doing a two for one sale!"

"Why would I care about that? I don't even want one of them."

"But it's a really great deal. Just think of how much you'd be saving if you picked up two or four or ev-"

"I'd rather think about how much I'm saving by not spending money on something I don't want. Come on, put those down. We're going home."

Tuesday June 26th, 2012

The exercise:

Write two haiku that are, or are about something: positive.

In celebration of me finally finding out my blood type, which turned out to be A positive. Unfortunately that means that Kat gets to take a couple of shots - one at 28 weeks and another within three days after delivery - in order to avoid potential future complications should we choose to have a second child.

So, um, sorry about that, dear. I tried to think negative thoughts when they were taking my blood!

Mine:

Things are looking up,

I can feel it in my bones -

Summer is coming.

*     *     *

Another A Plus

on my report; even my

blood's smarter than you.

Monday June 25th, 2012

The exercise:

Write about something that is: endless.

Spent most of the morning picking strawberries in the pouring rain. Good times. This is June, right? In Osoyoos? Yes?

Well then, could someone please inform the weather?

Mine:

The road appears to end, just a few, lumbering steps ahead. There is nothing beyond that point except for a complete, total darkness. No sounds escape from it, no scents, no life.

Upon reaching this seeming end point, everything goes black, as expected. There is a time of waiting, its length unmeasurable. Eternity beckons, but movement is impossible. There is no going forward or back, there is only this one place and nothing more.

At length a voice is heard, giving instructions and encouragement. Then a pinprick of light slices through the murk and begins to grow larger. It draws nearer, with increasing warmth and the rumbling of an oncoming storm.

It passes through and around, leaving a new road in its wake. With no alternative presenting itself, the endless journey continues once more.

Sunday June 24th, 2012

The exercise:

Today we write about: the puzzle.

Enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing day off. Expecting to use all that energy up during tomorrow's harvest.

Mine:

"There's got to be a way out of this. I just have to figure it out, that's all."

"You've said that ten times in the last hour," Sarah observed, not moving from where she was slumped against the wall, "and we are no closer to this fabled solution now than we were when we first got here."

"Perhaps we would have made some progress if you stopped moaning and groaning about our imminent doom and started helping me escape from it instead."

"No, I don't reckon that would've changed a single thing."

"Obviously not. So I can assume that should I find an exit I shouldn't bother informing you?"

"Oh for... there's no way out! How many times do you need to hear that before you accept it?"

"Very well then. It's been... not quite a pleasure. Good day."

"Whatever, Nate." Sarah scratched at the back of her left hand, gritting her teeth against the pain. Looking up, she intended to fire a few more choice words in her companion's direction, but instead found herself alone. "Nate? Nathan!"