Daily Prompt; 21st Century Citizen


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Do you belong in this day and age? Do you feel comfortable being a citizen of the 21st-century? If you do, explain why — and if you don’t, when in human history would you rather be?

Photographers, artists, poets: show us MODERN.

I don’t belong in the modern world. I never have. When I was young and then a little older I really didn’t give it much thought. Discovering boys and then raising my own little family, who cares about modern or historical.

As I got older though I realized I fought the system. I liked the memories I had of being a kid. Today, you can go to an upbeat, modern store and find this.modern-minimalist-furniture-bathroom I admit it is beautiful, but come on friends, don’t you think you would have to spend an incredible amount of time cleaning all that glass? Making it shine and look like it has never been used? No where to hide or ditch anything. Everything is out for the eyes to see.

vintage bathroomNow this bathroom I remember. Sinking into big bubbles, playing with my dolls washing their hair. This is a simple, but nice bathroom. I love antiques, so if I could have a tub of my choice, I would have this but with the original claw feet.

modern-and-luxury-bedroom-lightingI would imagine many of you would love to have this. This represents style, class and money. But again, it is not me. I just don’t fit into this modern era. I would much rather remember the bed that I slept in when I was at my Grandma’s spending the night. Waking up to the smell of bacon frying, scrambled eggs, toast with home-made apple butter and a big tall glass of fresh milk straight from the cow.

metal bedThis bed I slept in had a comfy feather mattress with a thick comforter. It was upstairs and in the winter there was one register that heat could seep through. It was pretty chilly up there. But, once you were under that big comforter, you stayed toasty warm all night long. I also think I was healthier because I didn’t get too warm and germs love warmth so they can grow and spread.

I guess my wonderful memories are surrounded by warm fireplacesfireplace, old-fashioned houses, wrap-a-round porches,wrap a round porch and lots of love and good food.beating heartIMG_0245

I wish I could turn back the clock and bring the family together again. Live the simple life, go to Grandma’s for Sunday dinner, and just laugh and giggle like I used to. But we can’t turn back time, but we can savor our delicious memories and smile real big.

Daily Prompt; Bittersweet Memories


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You receive a gift that is bittersweet and makes you nostalgic. What is it?

Photographers, show us GIFT.

Birthday gifts, Anniversary gifts, Christmas gifts. Even Easter gifts, Wedding gifts, Marriage gifts. All of these take money.

But I received two gifts that cost nothing. One gift I had to wait for the finale for four days. Together the two gifts brought nothing but  joy to my life. Something besides pain to look at. A longing was fulfilled. Smiles replaced tears.

Here are the two gifts I received this week.

The three stage photos are of my bush as I watched it begin to bloom until completed.

The last photo is my new companion. He doesn’t yell at me or abuse me. He loves attention. He is a mature cat. Very heavy, 22-25 pounds. I received him as a gift today, and already my day has become brighter. His name is Rhino.

Rhino

start of flowerssecond stage flowersthird stage flowers

Daily Prompt: Unknown Caller


English: Tomahawk Truck Stop at Interstate 76 ...

English: Tomahawk Truck Stop at Interstate 76 exit 16 in Adams County, Colorado. Facility includes Shell gasoline, Blimpie Subs and Biscuits family restaurant. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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You receive a call from an unexpected person. Who is it, and what is the conversation about? Go!

Shelly  was weary.She tries really hard to stay uplifted but some days it just doesn’t work too well. She worked two part-time jobs and in between volunteered at a local community center for Senior Citizens.

She enjoyed working there even if she didn’t make a penny. Her grandmother went there often and she was able to help others as well as visit her family. One of the jobs she worked at was a very nice family style restaurant.

She loved it there because she had so many regulars and they made her feel like a part of their families when she waited on them. The tips were great also. They helped to put the food on her table after she paid the bills.

Her other job was hell though. It was the only job she could find at the time that fit in with her schedule. It was night at the truck stop out on the main  highway. From talking to her I don’t think she realized what type of customers she was going to be dealing with.

Of course there were many kind ones. They would come in and eat and drink cups of coffee. They would tell her about their wives and kids back home and how he couldn’t wait to get back home to them.

But the others, they made her stomach churn. They came in and smelled like open highways. They didn’t bother to shower first. Just to stand next to them to take their orders was too much some days.

They were rude and they took advantage of times where they could pinch her behind or make raw remarks that were too sexual for her liking. But she needed the job. It was this or maybe be thrown out of her apartment for lack of payment.

Shelly kept this routine up for months and then one day she went to her volunteer job and her grandma wasn’t there. She asked around to some of the other volunteers, have you seen Mrs. Miller? Do you know if she is coming today? Have you heard anything about why she isn’t here?

No one seemed to have any answers for her. The day proceeded and she was eventually home doing some work around the house and thinking about supper when the terrible phone call came in.

“Is this Shelly?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“I’m the minister at your grandma’s church. Would you happen to be at home for a while? I would like to stop over and speak to you.”

Shelly said yes but her mind was racing. She hurried and tidied up her place and as she was finishing throwing clothes on her bed the doorbell rang.

The news hit her like a cold brick. Grandma, my grandma, oh my God, she is dead? No, she can’t be. I just saw her yesterday.

Shelly called off work that night. She should have gone in but she just couldn’t force herself to deal with those truckers in her state of mind. The truck stop was nice surprisingly and told her she could have a few days off, and of course with no pay.

The days moved forward although Shelly remained frozen in time. Her family restaurant employees sent her flowers. The funeral home viewings and funeral moved past Shelly while she seemed stuck in reverse.

After it was all over life had to go back to normal. She returned to the family restaurant  job she loved welcomed her back with open arms and lots of hugs and shared tears. She was given an easy section for one night. Her regulars had already heard of the news and brought her much comfort.

One of her customers told her that her tip was laying on the table and there was a napkin with a telephone number on it. She thanked him and walked over and picked both up. The note said I will be calling you tonight at 7:30, please be available.

She had no idea but tucked it into her apron. She finished her job and as she was going past the Senior Center she thought of her grandma and how she did not want to go back to that nasty job tonight.

At home she was anxiously awaiting the phone call. At the precise time the phone rang. It was the customer from the restaurant. The conversation went like this.

“I don’t know if you are aware of this but I am an attorney that speaks up for senior citizens. I have heard you speak so highly of your grandma I was curious to know if you would like to come in tomorrow morning and speak to me about a job. I can guarantee you full-time, good pay and health benefits”

“Yes, I will be there, what time would you like me to stop in.”………………