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FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE #8

karenringalls13 Comments

Award-winning author, Suzanne Burke offers another opportunity for fun and creativity. Everyone is welcome to enter this challenge. For details go to her website https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/.

I love all cats no matter their size or breed. The majestic lion is certainly at the top of my list. When 13-year-old, Cecil, was killed in 2015 on a hunting expedition, I was deeply saddened. Most lions in the wild live to an average of 15-years and those in captivity to as much as 30-years.

This photo prompt inspired me to write the following Haiku poem.

Please let your creative juices flow, have fun, and enter this week’s challenge. Go to https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/ and support Suzanne Burke at Twitter @pursoot.

Thank you for visiting my website today. I look forward to your comments.

REFLECTIONS: ART, HISTORY, & LIFE.

karenringalls18 Comments

Welcome to this edition of my blog. I usually do not write about anything socially or politically sensitive. Today, my stance is not a political one, but a plea for us all to be more understanding, accepting, and loving. There are many things to be changed in this world for the betterment of all. With that said, I am passionate about art in all its forms, I love all people, and I dream for the day when we can all live together in peace.

Art reflects events and people. History is the story of those events and people. Each person has his or her own life history.

All forms of art are interpretative. Not everyone will like, agree, or understand certain art pieces. It is important to understand the message that the artist is conveying. Personally, I often have difficulty understanding some pieces of modern art, but I accept and respect the artist’s work.

I may not agree or support certain actions, social behaviors, or laws, but I will not harm another person, destroy monuments, nor burn buildings. I will follow the examples of such people as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, the Dalai Lama, Leo Tolstoy, Susan B. Anthony, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Teresa. These are just a few of the people in history who brought positive changes to the world in peaceful ways.

History is not always pretty. It is too-often filled with killings, torture, invasions, subjugation, and domination of the few over the masses. Yet, with all its faults, history has produced some of the world’s greatest artists which arose out of the Middle Ages (Michaelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, to name just a few). Inventions and medical advancements historically have come from various countries answering the needs of people.

In 3500 BC, the wheel was invented
In 1600 BC, modern alphabet invented
In 20 AD, printing was invented
In 105 AD, the first use of paper.
In 1088 AD, the first university was founded.
In 1215 AD, the sealing of the Magna Carta
In 1509 AD the watch was invented.
In 1825 AD rocket steam locomotive built, the start of railroads.
In 1905 AD, Einstein’s theory of relativity was published.

I believe that we are to treat everyone with respect, dignity, and kindness. All religions teach the basic concept of the Golden Rule:

Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that for you would find hurtful.
Christianity: Do to others as you would have them do to you; \
Confucianism: Do not do to others what you do not want to be done to yourself.
Hinduism: Do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Islam: Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others
what you wish for yourself.
Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
Native Spirituality: We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.
Zoroastrianism: Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.

It is important for me to ask myself, “what am I doing to help others? am I respectful of those with different opinions? do I not harm others?” In the song, Imagine by John Lennon the lyrics are my mantra:
Imagine all the people living for today…Imagine all the people living life in peace…Imagine all the people sharing all the world…You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one, I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.

I welcome your comments. Thank you, Karen Ingalls the dreamer.






“FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE” WEEK #6

karenringalls15 Comments

Join in, have fun, and let the creative muse loose @pursoot. My thanks to Suzanne Burke for this week’s photo prompt challenge.

A FATHER AND SON

        I HOLD YOU WITH LOVE
MY HEART REJOICES
YOU ARE A MIRACLE.

WE SLEEP TOGETHER
IN A SILENT RHYTHM OF BREATHES
  YOU ARE A BLESSING

   GOD’S LOVE EMBRACES US
ALWAYS WITH US
   YOU ARE A GIFT

    YOUR SWEET SPIRIT
CALMS MY BEATING HEART
   YOU ARE SPECIAL

THIS TREASURED MOMENT
  IS ONE OF MANY TO COME
     YOU ARE MY SON

I welcome your feedback and comments about my poem and what this photo means to you. I encourage you to go to Suzanne Burke’s website https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/, follow her, and take the challenge with any future “Fiction in a Flash”.

      

 

“Fiction in A Flash Challenge!”

karenringalls11 Comments

Welcome to today’s blog which is about a flash-fiction challenge. Author Suzanne Burke’s “Week #5. Image Prompt” is now available. Join in, have fun, and let loose your creative muse. #FictionInAFlash @pursoot Here is this week’s photo prompt.

According to Wikipedia, marionettes were first used in 2000 BC in Egypt, perhaps before using actors. In French, marionette means “little Mary” and during the Middle Ages, Biblical stories were often reenacted. Most of the time the Virgin Mary was in these performances. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marionette

I received a Howdy-Doody marionette from my grandparents one Christmas when I was seven-years-old. I tried to manipulate the strings, which turned out to be very challenging. However, I did not lose my enthusiasm for marionette and puppet shows.

For this challenge, I have written my first Haiku poem, which is a short form of Japanese poetry. It consists of three lines, with seventeen syllables divided into 5/7/5 syllables. I hope you enjoy it.

Please contact Suzanne Burke at https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/ with your entry. And, I would love to read your comments.

FATHER, DAD, PAPA, POPS, DADDY, ETC.

karenringalls13 Comments

It makes no difference what name he goes by, a father’s role is the same. In his book, Iron John, Robert Bly uses a Grimm Brothers fairy tale to describe what it means to be a man and a father.

The more involved a father is in his child’s life, the more likely his child will be a responsible member of society. In my opinion, three important roles of a father are to be a protector, leader, and teacher all with love in their hearts.

Studies on father involvement and child well-being found “significant associations between positive father involvement and offspring well-being…” (Paul R. Amato and Fernando Rivera, “Paternal Involvement and Children’s Behavior Problems,” Journal of Marriage and the Family 61 (1999): 375-384.) There are many cases where the biological father is absent due to divorce, death, or single parenting by choice. Yet, daughters and sons need a mother and a father or male role-model to provide important psychological and emotional development.

“A loving and nurturing father is as important for a child’s happiness, well-being, and social and academic success as having a loving and nurturing mother.” (The Importance of Father Love: History and Contemporary Evidence,” Review of General Psychology 5.4 (2001): 382-405.) In the television series, This is Us, the father is portrayed as a sensitive, strong, loving man who teaches and listens to his children. Despite his untimely death, his influence continued in their lives.

Fathers spending regular time alone with their children translated into children who became compassionate adults. (Richard Koestner, et al., “The Family Origins of Empathic Concern: A Twenty-Six Year Longitudinal Study,” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 58 (1990): 709-717). A common activity between fathers and sons is throwing a baseball to each other. In the movie, The Natural this is an activity when life and personal growth were taught. I know fathers who took their daughters out for a meal, on a short get-away, or a few hours spent together at a sporting, cultural, or music event.

On this Father’s Day, let us focus on the traits of a kind and loving father, who protects, leads, and teaches his children. Let’s bring these traits to our own family issues, our community’s problems, and our country’s challenges. Martin Luther King, Jr., Charles Darwin, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas More, Nicholas II, George Bush, Sr, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama are just a few of many who were and are fathers that exemplify how a man needs to fill the role of fatherhood.

It is important to celebrate those in our lives who have been our fathers or positive role-models every day. Let us honor their roles not by just buying them neckties, shirts, books, etc., but by living our lives with dignity, compassion, peacefulness, and love.

Thank you for spending time reading this tribute to fathers. I welcome and appreciate your comments.

“FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE” WEEK #4

karenringalls7 Comments

Welcome to my blog where today I am sharing a short story I wrote based on the photograph below. Author Suzanne Burke (@pursoot) has provided this challenge which is open to everyone. For full details, visit her website at https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

My name is Willie Nelson Johnson. Obviously, I was named for the famous country-western singer and actor. He was my mother’s favorite singer and his music played all day, every day. I know by heart every song he ever recorded.

I cannot sing or play an instrument, my hair is short, there is no beard, I am not an activist, nor have I ever smoked marijuana. The only thing I have in common with Willie, besides my name, is the love of the open road. The day I got my first car was the first day of being on the road. Over the years I have driven to as many places as my wallet and time would allow.

I grew up and now live in Wilmington, Illinois along with about 6,000 other folks. It is called “The Island City” because it is bisected by the Kankakee River. As you can see, Route 66 goes right through Wilmington. 

 We have Route 66 Antiques, Rte. 66 Bar & Grill, and the famous (or infamous) Launching Pad Drive-In where you will see one of the many giant statues based on the Muffler Man along the famous highway. These statues of fiberglass were constructed for advertising or pure decoration. Here you will find “Gemini Giant”, a 28-foot spaceman commemorating the Gemini space missions.

On July 4, 1998, I took a three-week vacation and drove the entire 2,448 miles of Route 66, also known as Mother Road. I first drove north to Chicago where it begins (or ends depending on your starting point), and then headed south and west all the way to its final stop, the Santa Monica Pier in California.

Goin’ places that I’ve never been
             Seein’ things that I may never see again

In St. Louis, I saw Eads Bridge, the oldest steel bridge, the McKinley Bridge, New Chain of Rocks Bridge, and McArthur Bridge. They are all part of Route 66. Of course, I stopped at The Arch and took the ride to the top marveling at the vista below.

One of my fondest memories is spending two days in Lebanon, Missouri. I stayed at the Munger Moss Motel and visited the amazing Route 66 Museum.

Like a band of Gypsies, we go down the highway
        We’re the best of friends.

I met many people from all over the U.S. and the world. They were of all ages, races, and religions, and some of us became friends and we have stayed in touch. Sometimes we caravanned looking like a band of Gypsies.  

I stopped in Catoosa, Oklahoma for only one reason: to see the “Blue Whale”, which is one of the statues along Route 66. I drove the additional 120 miles to have a delicious meal at “Ann’s Chicken Fry House Restaurant” in Oklahoma City.

Playing my Willie Nelson tapes, I sang my heart out while I drove across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona making a few stops to see more of the Muffler Men statues including the two Paul Bunyan’s in Flagstaff, Arizona and in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I stopped at The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo for a massive meal and visited the shooting range.

I finally crossed the California border into the very small town of Amboy. When I was there in 1998, the population was 5. It was up for sale on Ebay, but it never sold for the asking price of $1.9 million. A group of motorcyclists invited me to join them on their way to Santa Monica. They were a rough-and-tough looking group but as kind as the day is long.

The most famous place in Amboy is Roy’s Motel and Café. They refused to have their picture taken, so I snapped a photo of their motorcycles lined up.

We traveled from Amboy to the Santa Monica Pier, traveling the two-hundred miles in one day. The eight of us parked our seven motorcycles and one car. We walked to the very end of the 1909 pier. We cheered and broke out into the chorus singing On the Road Again.

**********************************************************************

Thank you for taking the time to read this short story. I welcome your comments, and please know I appreciate your support.

“FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE” WEEK #3

karenringalls17 Comments
Author, Suzanne Burke has provided another challenge to write a short story or poem based on the photo below. For information to enter go to https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/.

A VACATION FROM HELL

I was excited to go to the Caribbean island of Barbados with my three closest friends from college. It was a five-day trip to celebrate our graduation and my upcoming marriage to my college sweetheart. What was to be a relaxing, fun, and wild trip turned out to be a nightmarish, insane, and stressful trip.

Day 1: my seat assignment was changed to the middle seat in the last row between a young mother with a baby and a 300-pound woman. The baby was asleep until the plane took off, then it cried until the plane touched down. On my other side, the obese lady snored and kept nestling her head on my shoulder.

Day 2: I awoke with a hangover after partying most of the previous night. I spent most of the early morning on the bathroom floor hanging over the toilet bowl. I felt as if I had two heads banging against each other. Some aspirin, tomato juice, and an icepack soon brought me back to normalcy.  

By late afternoon, I felt well enough to go snorkeling. The beautiful fish and coral were breathtaking. I thought I was in heaven until a jellyfish stung my left leg. I came up for air, screaming in pain. As I stepped onto the boat my left foot slipped, twisting my ankle. The rest of the day was spent at the local clinic, treating the jellyfish’s sting, and wrapping my swollen ankle. That evening I sat in my room alone, left leg elevated, an ice pack on my ankle, and enjoyed the euphoria the pain pills provided.

Day 3: The four of us stayed by the pool, playing cards, and drinking rum island drinks. This was not a good idea since I was still taking pain pills. Before I knew what happened, my face fell into my lunch plate of fish cakes with fresh fruit. I do not remember anything more about the third day of the vacation.

Day 4: The next morning, I awakened in a hammock attached to a palm tree swaying above the Caribbean water. I looked around and saw my buddies laughing and pointing at me. At first, I was angry, then I decided to enjoy the moment. The warm sun, gentle breeze, and gentle rocking of the hammock relaxed my weary body.

My leg and foot were much improved and my brain was clear of the pain pills’ effects. We rented a car and drove around the island, stopping at Harrison’s Cave where we saw stalagmites and stalactites on a tram, explored Bridgetown, and visited the Morgan Lewis sugar mill.

The day ended with dinner and drinks at a restaurant near our hotel. That was when I realized that my wallet was missing. Fortunately, I had left my passport in my room.

Day 5: My friends each pitched in and bought a first-class ticket for me.  “This has been a rough few days and we want you to be rested for your wedding tomorrow.”

I had a window seat in the last row of first-class. I had just settled down when the same obese lady sat in the aisle seat next to me. I slumped down, covered my eyes, and asked myself, “How can this be? What are the odds? What have I done to deserve this?”

No one answered my questions, but once again the lady immediately started snoring and used my shoulder as her pillow. Two rows behind me a baby cried during the entire flight.

The wedding gift from my college buddies was a 20 x 30-inch photo of the hammock hanging from the palm tree. I have it displayed in my office at work. Clients marvel at how beautiful and peaceful it looks.  I just smile and nod.

The End

Thank you for stopping by. I welcome your comments. Have you ever had a vacation that was from hell? Or what thoughts come to mind when you look at the photo?

NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVOR’S DAY

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“Life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality.” <http://www.ncsdf.org/

The first Sunday of June is the designated date to celebrate survivors and acknowledge that a cancer diagnosis is not always a death sentence. It is a day to encourage those who are currently living with cancer.

According to the NCI, there are approximately 17 million cancer survivors in the United States, and it is predicted that by 2029, it will increase by 29%.

On June 10, I will celebrate my 12th year of ovarian cancer survivorship. Despite having two recurrences, it has been a journey of faith, strength, and growth. I have learned from other survivors how to not let cancer rule my life.

What Cancer Cannot Do: It cannot invade the soul, suppress memories, kill friendships, destroy peace, conquer the spirit, shatter hope, cripple love, corrode faith, steal eternal life, nor silence courage. (Anonymous)

In honor of this day, I am giving away signed copies of my award-winning book, Outshine: An Ovarian Cancer Memoir. To receive a free copy for yourself or a loved one, contact me through my website.

Let’s celebrate together. Let’s choose to not live in fear. Let’s educate ourselves about the realities of cancer. Let’s treat our bodies with a healthy lifestyle.

Thank you for stopping by today. I welcome your comments.

THE PARK BENCH–FLASH FICTION

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Here is my short story in response to the Flash-Fiction photo prompt provided by award-winning author, Suzanne Burke this week.

The Park Bench

The wooden slats creaked when Jim sat down on the park bench. He held a bouquet of red chrysanthemums. The cool air, warm sun, and the smell of autumn leaves brought peace to his tired body.

It was October 18, 2019, which marked the 30th year of meeting Julie Henderson every Friday afternoon at 1:00 pm.

“Hello, darling.”

In 1989, they were strangers sitting next to one another on this same bench. Julie was reading a book and Jim was eating a sandwich. They glanced at one another and soon struck up a conversation discovering similar interests and histories. They were both divorced, each had three children and careers. Julie was a nurse and Jim was caught up in the corporate world but had dreams to open up his own restaurant.

Jim looked up to see Julie standing there as beautiful as the first time they met. He gave her the bouquet saying, “Happy anniversary, my love.”

After an hour, Julie stood up. “Oh, my goodness. I must leave and get to the hospital for the evening shift. It was nice to meet you.”

“Wait. Do you come here often? I am being presumptuous, but I would like to see you again,” Jim stammered.

Trusting her instincts, she smiled and said, “I am here every Friday at one in the afternoon. I like to come here and enjoy nature, the quiet, and to gaze at the beautiful oak tree across from this bench.”

“Perhaps we could meet here next Friday. By the way, my name is Jim Agen.” He extended his hand.

Julie took his hand and replied, “I am Julie Henderson. I’ll be here.”

They both felt a special energy sweep through them when their hands touched.

For several months, they met each Friday, same time and place. The park bench knew when they held hands for the first time, each embrace and kiss, and heard their words of affection.

When the weather changed to winter, they just swept the snow off the bench and enjoyed the wintry beauty. In the spring, they breathed in the fragrant smells from the cherry blossoms. On a hot summer day, Jim proposed to Julie. They got married on October 19, 1990, standing in front of their favorite bench decorated with red chrysanthemums and red leaves from the oak tree. It had been a part of their lives from that first meeting and was proud to be at the center of the ceremony.

Over the first months of marriage, Julie encouraged her husband. “Follow your dream of having your own restaurant. Don’t let naysayers stop you.”

With his wife’s help, Jim opened his restaurant Autumn, serving soups, sandwiches, and homemade desserts. It was a successful business and soon he opened two more restaurants naming them Autumn Leaves and Autumn Waltz. The couple filled one wall of each restaurant with books available for the customers to enjoy. Soothing music playing Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, an orchestral rendition of Autumn Waltz, or Nat King Cole singing Autumn Leaves completed the ambiance. Julie quit her job at the hospital and became the manager of all the restaurants.

Despite their busy schedules and were married, they continued to spend every Friday afternoon together on the park bench. They talked about their week, hopes and dreams, growing family, and love for each other. Julie loved to say, “I think the angels were tripping over each other to find a way for us to meet. I am grateful that you decided to have lunch in the park that Friday.”

The years passed by, and one Friday only Julie came to the park. Once again, the board creaked as she sat down, letting out a sorrowful sigh. She spent her time talking out loud as if Jim were there. A tear fell on one wooden slat and Julie thought she heard a moaning sound.

Six months later, the October sky was cloudy and the last of the oak’s leaves had fallen. It was Friday, but the park bench was empty. It missed Jim and Julie who never sat on the park bench again.

The End

I hope you enjoyed my short story and I welcome your comments. Writing in a flash-fiction format is fun and challenging at the same time. If you would like to participate in this or any future Flash-Fiction opportunity, please click on this link https://sooozburkeauthor.com

Suzanne Burke is an outstanding and creative author.

DECISIONS

karenringalls21 Comments

 

SOME DECISIONS COME QUICKLY AND EASILY. OTHER DECISIONS REQUIRE MORE THOUGHT, PRAYER, AND ADVICE.

“ENDINGS MUST COME BEFORE NEW BEGINNINGS”

HEALTH:

The important lesson from the Coronavirus pandemic is: those who are healthy (no matter the age) are more likely to recover from the virus. Taking care of our bodies throughout our lives helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, high blood pressure, and lung issues.

Obesity is related to all the health concerns mentioned above. Lack of exercise is related to most of them. Smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco and excessive alcoholic intake harms every organ of the body. Emotionally and mentally we are healthier when we exercise, eat right, be positive, and meditate or pray on a regular basis.

DECISION: Make a commitment to become a healthier individual.

SOCIAL:

Our world is now in a time of new beginnings. The Coronavirus has impacted each person’s life, the world economy has changed, and there is a new sense of fear of the unknown, some anger, and also a new one-ness. More kindness and love is shared, and a philosophy of we will get through this together prevails. I am optimistic that our future will be better.

There is more awareness of needs in our world and how we can respond to them. Food banks, blood donations, fixing meals for others, providing transportation, giving unused telephones, computers or tablets to those without, and check on your neighbors.

DECISION: Choose at least one way you can help another person and act upon it with love in your heart.

BOOKS:

Author, Michael J. Giusti wrote a book titled, What to do When the Wheels Come Off. His cleverly written short proverbs bring humor and insight into the live of a disabled person and there are lessons for all of us in this short and easy-to-read book.

https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Wheels-Come-Off/dp/0692684220

DECISION: Learn from others how to overcome challenges.

When we make a decision we make the choice to take a chance and thereby create a change. When we learn and become better people from our decisions, then life is richer. Our health issues, the present pandemic, and how we respond to life’s challenges are all based on the decisions we make.