The exercise:
Write about: the visitor.
How the hell have I not used that as a prompt before? I was quite convinced that I had, to the point where when a search of the blog didn't turn one up I had to go check the prompt list directly. Ah well, no time like the present to change that.
Our midwife appointment went well. With the one Kat thought it would be. So, she wins this time.
Max quite liked the office, with all its Mr. Potato Head toys in the waiting room and its Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder toys in the room. He was also very excited to hear baby's heartbeat for the first time. It ended up being a rather big pain to get him out of there when our appointment was finished.
And as if all that wasn't enough excitement for one day...
Mine:
We arrived back home just after one o'clock this afternoon. I was feeling pretty tired, despite Max letting me sleep in until 6:45. The drive to Penticton and back tires me out pretty good.
Anyway. I was tired. My brain was ready to get out from behind the wheel and do nothing for a little bit. We in a good frame of reference for what happens next? Good.
"Is that real?"
I'm not sure those words managed to get out of my head, but that was very definitely my first thought as I turned the corner onto our street. Turns out? Yeah, that bear on the telephone pole in front of our house was real.
It wasn't a particularly large bear, but I don't think it needed to be, really. As far as unexpected visitors in the middle of the day go, I'd say that was pretty close to the top of whatever kind of list that would be.
The bear climbed down when I came a bit closer and took off down the street. The neighbour's dog started barking at it, which sent it through the horse pasture across the street from us. I'm not sure the horses noticed it, and I suspect that's for the best.
Another neighbour came over on his quad as I was getting out of the car to have a look around to make sure there wasn't a bear family get together in our yard. He said he'd only seen the one and that he was going to drive over to see where this one was headed. I still decided to drive Max up to Kat's parents house instead of walking with him through the orchard as I'd originally planned.
Max, of course, was pretty pumped about seeing a bear for the first time. And wanted to know where it was going. And why we weren't walking through the orchard. And why he had to play inside at Kat's parents house for a little while.
I told him the bear had probably gone home to see his mommy and daddy, but just in case it was still lost and came back to visit the farm again it was best to stay out of its way for a bit. He seemed to more or less get it.
And he could still tell his Grandma all about it.
Tuesday September 29th, 2015
The exercise:
Write two haiku about: opposites.
I got the butternut and remaining ornamental squash out of the garden this morning. We're not quite at nightly frost danger now, but it's pretty close.
Got some errands done with Max this afternoon before hitting up our coffee shop for snack time. We ran into our friends from the bakery while we were there and it was nice to do a little catching up. Now that things are slowing down for both of our families hopefully we can find time to get together again soon.
We've got our second midwife appointment tomorrow morning in Penticton. Max will be joining us for the first time, which should be a neat experience. I think we're meeting with the midwife that delivered him (which would make it extra cool) but Kat's convinced it's with another midwife (who met him shortly after he was born and I think for our final post-birth appointment as well, so still pretty cool).
I guess we'll see who's right tomorrow.
Mine:
His ex-wife is out
on the town with her new man.
He stays home and drinks.
* * *
An attraction so
powerful, nothing can stop
it - so shut up, dude.
Write two haiku about: opposites.
I got the butternut and remaining ornamental squash out of the garden this morning. We're not quite at nightly frost danger now, but it's pretty close.
Got some errands done with Max this afternoon before hitting up our coffee shop for snack time. We ran into our friends from the bakery while we were there and it was nice to do a little catching up. Now that things are slowing down for both of our families hopefully we can find time to get together again soon.
We've got our second midwife appointment tomorrow morning in Penticton. Max will be joining us for the first time, which should be a neat experience. I think we're meeting with the midwife that delivered him (which would make it extra cool) but Kat's convinced it's with another midwife (who met him shortly after he was born and I think for our final post-birth appointment as well, so still pretty cool).
I guess we'll see who's right tomorrow.
Mine:
His ex-wife is out
on the town with her new man.
He stays home and drinks.
* * *
An attraction so
powerful, nothing can stop
it - so shut up, dude.
Monday September 28th, 2015
The exercise:
Write about: the crown.
This morning I gathered some apples, pumpkin, and squash before hitting the garden to pick some tomatoes and peppers in order to pay for last week's haircut. Bartering can be great fun, when it works for both parties.
Kat, Max, and I went for lunch at our coffee shop and then I dropped off the produce at the salon afterward. Following that we dropped Kat off at home to rest while Max and I went to Kat's parents house to play.
We had a big moment late this afternoon when Kat and I cooked dinner together. That's the first time she's been feeling well enough (and not averse to all things cooking related) to do that in about two months. It was nice to see it, and nice to have the help.
Mine:
Its weight pushes my head down. They say it takes a strong man to be king. What they fail to tell you, what no one thinks to warn you of, is the specifics of that strength.
They do not explain the weight of all these jewels. The gravity of this gold.
This burden of responsibility.
A man needs a strong back to be king. Strong shoulders to carry his people. A strong neck to hold his head high, to stand tall and proud in the face of any challenge or danger.
The added weight of this crown serves as a constant reminder of these things. There is not a night that has passed since my coronation that I do not fall into bed with aching muscles, dreading the oncoming dawn and the return of this weight upon my brow.
I begin to wonder if it can be replaced with a lighter version. Something equally ornate and prestigious in appearance, obviously. But perhaps just a little less... dense.
Is that really too much to ask?
Write about: the crown.
This morning I gathered some apples, pumpkin, and squash before hitting the garden to pick some tomatoes and peppers in order to pay for last week's haircut. Bartering can be great fun, when it works for both parties.
Kat, Max, and I went for lunch at our coffee shop and then I dropped off the produce at the salon afterward. Following that we dropped Kat off at home to rest while Max and I went to Kat's parents house to play.
We had a big moment late this afternoon when Kat and I cooked dinner together. That's the first time she's been feeling well enough (and not averse to all things cooking related) to do that in about two months. It was nice to see it, and nice to have the help.
Mine:
Its weight pushes my head down. They say it takes a strong man to be king. What they fail to tell you, what no one thinks to warn you of, is the specifics of that strength.
They do not explain the weight of all these jewels. The gravity of this gold.
This burden of responsibility.
A man needs a strong back to be king. Strong shoulders to carry his people. A strong neck to hold his head high, to stand tall and proud in the face of any challenge or danger.
The added weight of this crown serves as a constant reminder of these things. There is not a night that has passed since my coronation that I do not fall into bed with aching muscles, dreading the oncoming dawn and the return of this weight upon my brow.
I begin to wonder if it can be replaced with a lighter version. Something equally ornate and prestigious in appearance, obviously. But perhaps just a little less... dense.
Is that really too much to ask?
Sunday September 27th, 2015
The exercise:
With a thank you to Greg for reminding me of this prompt, today we return to the Blocks. Today our writing must include these three words: zebra, leaf, iron.
I'm pretty sure, anyway. Max has, at some point, taken crayons to most of his blocks and it makes the words a little hard to read.
Enjoyed a quiet day off today, despite another 5:30 wake up. Max spent part of the morning with Kat's parents and most of the afternoon with Natalie and Becky's mom, and I very much appreciated having some space as well as some time with Kat.
The nights are starting to get awful chilly around these parts...
Mine:
It's been four days since the safari's tour bus broke down in the middle of this nearly empty plain. Two mornings ago we woke to find that our guards had abandoned us in the middle of the night. Not so much as a note left in their wake. At least they didn't take all the food and water with them.
Not that what remains will last us much longer. But it's the thought that counts, right?
The only shade to be found is a tree with a single leaf remaining on its branches. It's about a hundred meters from the bus and a few desperate souls took cover there on the first day. They haven't been back since, not with the family of lions chewing their way through what's left of a zebra hogging all the shade now.
It's just me and seven other fools out here with the wild animals. None of us were paying enough attention at the start of the tour to be able to find our way back to camp. I doubt any of us would survive the attempt anyway.
Well, maybe Kevin. His personality is probably even off-putting to the predators who call this place home.
The couple from Germany - I can't remember their names for the life of me - are convinced that the guards have gone for help and will return any moment. I just smile and nod whenever they say this (about twice an hour during the day, more often at night) because it's a lie we need to believe until the truth begins killing us off.
I'm not sure yet what I will do. Time is running out, I know that much. And I'm aware that should some creature with teeth bigger than my head come calling, this tire iron won't do me much good.
But it just might keep me safe from my fellow tourists.
With a thank you to Greg for reminding me of this prompt, today we return to the Blocks. Today our writing must include these three words: zebra, leaf, iron.
I'm pretty sure, anyway. Max has, at some point, taken crayons to most of his blocks and it makes the words a little hard to read.
Enjoyed a quiet day off today, despite another 5:30 wake up. Max spent part of the morning with Kat's parents and most of the afternoon with Natalie and Becky's mom, and I very much appreciated having some space as well as some time with Kat.
The nights are starting to get awful chilly around these parts...
Mine:
It's been four days since the safari's tour bus broke down in the middle of this nearly empty plain. Two mornings ago we woke to find that our guards had abandoned us in the middle of the night. Not so much as a note left in their wake. At least they didn't take all the food and water with them.
Not that what remains will last us much longer. But it's the thought that counts, right?
The only shade to be found is a tree with a single leaf remaining on its branches. It's about a hundred meters from the bus and a few desperate souls took cover there on the first day. They haven't been back since, not with the family of lions chewing their way through what's left of a zebra hogging all the shade now.
It's just me and seven other fools out here with the wild animals. None of us were paying enough attention at the start of the tour to be able to find our way back to camp. I doubt any of us would survive the attempt anyway.
Well, maybe Kevin. His personality is probably even off-putting to the predators who call this place home.
The couple from Germany - I can't remember their names for the life of me - are convinced that the guards have gone for help and will return any moment. I just smile and nod whenever they say this (about twice an hour during the day, more often at night) because it's a lie we need to believe until the truth begins killing us off.
I'm not sure yet what I will do. Time is running out, I know that much. And I'm aware that should some creature with teeth bigger than my head come calling, this tire iron won't do me much good.
But it just might keep me safe from my fellow tourists.
Saturday September 26th, 2015
The exercise:
Write a four line poem about: clinching.
Because, for the first time in 22 years, the Toronto Blue Jays have clinched a spot in the playoffs. This is a baseball team I grew up cheering for. If I'd had any idea in 1993 that, after winning back to back championships, it would be 22 years until they even reached the playoffs again... I reckon I would have appreciated their accomplishments even more.
There's still plenty of work for this year's version of the team to do, but tonight I am content.
Pretty good market in Penticton today. The weather was beautiful, business was steady. It was a nice way to close out September's markets.
Oh, since Greg asked: it took until about twenty minutes after opening before the strawberries sold. A woman spotted them from across the street and made a beeline for them. She had her cash in hand before coming to a complete stop in front of me.
Definitely took longer than I was expecting, but it was worth the wait.
Mine:
It's been a long time coming;
We've had little reason to cheer.
But at long last, at long last,
Playoff baseball will soon be here!
Write a four line poem about: clinching.
Because, for the first time in 22 years, the Toronto Blue Jays have clinched a spot in the playoffs. This is a baseball team I grew up cheering for. If I'd had any idea in 1993 that, after winning back to back championships, it would be 22 years until they even reached the playoffs again... I reckon I would have appreciated their accomplishments even more.
There's still plenty of work for this year's version of the team to do, but tonight I am content.
Pretty good market in Penticton today. The weather was beautiful, business was steady. It was a nice way to close out September's markets.
Oh, since Greg asked: it took until about twenty minutes after opening before the strawberries sold. A woman spotted them from across the street and made a beeline for them. She had her cash in hand before coming to a complete stop in front of me.
Definitely took longer than I was expecting, but it was worth the wait.
Mine:
It's been a long time coming;
We've had little reason to cheer.
But at long last, at long last,
Playoff baseball will soon be here!
Friday September 25th, 2015
The exercise:
Following up on yesterday's prompt, today we write four lines of prose about: the deal breaker.
Max slept all the way in until 6 this morning. You may be surprised at how big a difference half an hour can make to a person's day. Mine, anyway.
Harvested cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, onions, leeks, ornamental pumpkins, cherry tomatoes, and heirloom tomatoes for the market. Will also be bringing some of the acorn squash I picked last week, three varieties of apples, and my usual assortment of garlic.
Oh! And a pint of strawberries. There was enough out there to make about a pint and a half, so I brought the half home for Max to enjoy (I may have had some too).
Forecast is calling for cool temperatures with sunshine and no threat of rain, so hopefully the final market of September is a good one.
Mine:
"... and while you do that I want you to wear my old football jersey and nothing else." Bruce couldn't believe his wife was still nodding along in agreement - this was going to be the best birthday ever! "And then your friend Chloe will c-:"
"Nope."
Following up on yesterday's prompt, today we write four lines of prose about: the deal breaker.
Max slept all the way in until 6 this morning. You may be surprised at how big a difference half an hour can make to a person's day. Mine, anyway.
Harvested cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, onions, leeks, ornamental pumpkins, cherry tomatoes, and heirloom tomatoes for the market. Will also be bringing some of the acorn squash I picked last week, three varieties of apples, and my usual assortment of garlic.
Oh! And a pint of strawberries. There was enough out there to make about a pint and a half, so I brought the half home for Max to enjoy (I may have had some too).
Forecast is calling for cool temperatures with sunshine and no threat of rain, so hopefully the final market of September is a good one.
Mine:
"... and while you do that I want you to wear my old football jersey and nothing else." Bruce couldn't believe his wife was still nodding along in agreement - this was going to be the best birthday ever! "And then your friend Chloe will c-:"
"Nope."
Thursday September 24th, 2015
The exercise:
Write about: the deal maker.
Another 5:30 wake up courtesy of Max. Spent a good chunk of my morning trying to recover from that and as a result pretty much the only thing I managed to get done was to shave.
This afternoon I brought Max with me to get my haircut (so now I'm all shiny and new again). Hailey, our hairstylist, spent some time trying to convince Max to get his haircut as well. She pulled out some pretty impressive offers but I have to admit to being impressed that Max stuck to his guns in refusing to get his locks trimmed.
Not that he needs one particularly badly, but that last cut could still use some cleaning up. Oh well, I'll have to insist on one before his birthday. Or when it starts getting in his eyes again.
Mine:
"Harvey? Harvey dear?" Rosetta frowned as her words echoed around the house without receiving a response. "Harvey!"
Leaving the kitchen with a quiet huff of frustration, she continued to call out for her husband as she went from room to room. It was apparent that he wasn't home long before she stopped looking for him.
"Where's that old fool gone off to now?" she muttered, pulling back the living room curtain to survey the unassuming street they called home. There was no vehicle in their driveway, but that was as expected - they'd had to sell their truck when Harvey was laid off the previous year.
Not having anywhere else to go, or even anyone to call to ask after his whereabouts (the phone company had cancelled their account two months prior), she remained where she was. There was no activity in the street lit scene outside for a long time. Not even so much as a neighbor taking their dog for an evening stroll. Rosetta's feet began to ache.
"What utter nonsense," she said. "He should know better than to lea-"
Her monologue was interrupted by the appearance of headlights approaching from the south. As the vehicle passed beneath a streetlight Rosetta saw that it was a red convertible being driven by someone who looked suspiciously like her husband.
When it pulled into their driveway and Harvey emerged with a wide grin on his lips, Rosetta's suspicions and fears were confirmed: her husband had obviously made a deal with the devil.
Write about: the deal maker.
Another 5:30 wake up courtesy of Max. Spent a good chunk of my morning trying to recover from that and as a result pretty much the only thing I managed to get done was to shave.
This afternoon I brought Max with me to get my haircut (so now I'm all shiny and new again). Hailey, our hairstylist, spent some time trying to convince Max to get his haircut as well. She pulled out some pretty impressive offers but I have to admit to being impressed that Max stuck to his guns in refusing to get his locks trimmed.
Not that he needs one particularly badly, but that last cut could still use some cleaning up. Oh well, I'll have to insist on one before his birthday. Or when it starts getting in his eyes again.
Mine:
"Harvey? Harvey dear?" Rosetta frowned as her words echoed around the house without receiving a response. "Harvey!"
Leaving the kitchen with a quiet huff of frustration, she continued to call out for her husband as she went from room to room. It was apparent that he wasn't home long before she stopped looking for him.
"Where's that old fool gone off to now?" she muttered, pulling back the living room curtain to survey the unassuming street they called home. There was no vehicle in their driveway, but that was as expected - they'd had to sell their truck when Harvey was laid off the previous year.
Not having anywhere else to go, or even anyone to call to ask after his whereabouts (the phone company had cancelled their account two months prior), she remained where she was. There was no activity in the street lit scene outside for a long time. Not even so much as a neighbor taking their dog for an evening stroll. Rosetta's feet began to ache.
"What utter nonsense," she said. "He should know better than to lea-"
Her monologue was interrupted by the appearance of headlights approaching from the south. As the vehicle passed beneath a streetlight Rosetta saw that it was a red convertible being driven by someone who looked suspiciously like her husband.
When it pulled into their driveway and Harvey emerged with a wide grin on his lips, Rosetta's suspicions and fears were confirmed: her husband had obviously made a deal with the devil.
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