14 — A Man of Value

January 29, 2014April 19, 2014 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Friday Fictioneers is always such fun, and I’m so glad when I can manage to take part. This week’s prompt is a photo by Claire Fuller. You’ll find it below, followed by my 100-word story. (Actually my story is definitely over the limit on words, but it relates an example of true events that are taking place on a regular basis with prisoners from a maximum security prison close to my hometown. I learned about these projects a few years ago and the difference they are making in the rehabilitation of prisoners — as well as in the lives of the people served by the end results. This week’s photo brought the projects to mind, and it’s worth sharing the concept even though it takes a few more words than is technically “legal.”)

A MAN OF VALUE

Eddie couldn’t hold back the tears as he stood at the building site, his hand gripped by Tony, an ox of a guy with tears in his own eyes as he thanked Ed for his part in the project. Tony and his family had lost everything and had no place to live. But today they’d received the key to a brand new home.

Eddie, serving the 7^th of his 25-year sentence, had worked in the carpentry rehabilitation unit for three years now, making prefab elements for these low-income housing projects. Getting permission to be present at the site for the presentation was a dream come true.

He’d considered himself scum for most of his life, but today – wiping tears away with his shirt sleeve – he began to see himself as a valuable human being with something worth giving to life. Dang, if he wasn’t actually looking forward to the next 18 years of helping create a better life for a lot of people.

~~~

Visit our hostess, Rochelle, and get the scoop on how to participate:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/31-january-2014/

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100-Word Challenge for Grownups – Week 119 – Carried on a Song

January 29, 2014January 29, 2014 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

It’s nice to be able to participate again this week in Julia’s 100-word story challenge. It’s been a while since I got a chance to take part, so I’ve enjoyed this time around, and I hope the rest of you are enjoying coming up with your own stories as well. Here’s my offering:

CARRIED ON A SONG

I heard the song today. As I walked through Hilliard’s department store, a customer opened a jewelry box, and the melody tinkled across the room. My breath caught in my chest. Tears sprang to my eyes. But my heart smiled. Whenever I hear it, I think of you.

Roger loves me, and our boys are treasures I’d never part with, but my heart still aches for you. Fate may have decreed us bitter enemies in this horrible war between our nations, but as long as I live, my love will seek and find you in the strains of that song.

~~~

To get the scoop on how to participate, visit Julia here:
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week119/#comment-18155

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Friday Fictioneers – 1/10/14 — Free

January 9, 2014April 19, 2014 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Yay! I get to take part this week. Our photo comes from fellow writer Dawn Q. Landau. My story is below.

FREE

Nick jerked awake in the prison’s isolation cell when the earth began to shake violently. An eerie light suffused the night sky outside the high window, explaining the situation well enough: Mt. Hideki had erupted.

Suddenly the concrete prison complex began to shift and groan, and before he could think how to protect himself, the entire building began to slide down the ridge toward the sea. Momentum from the slide increased pressure, and as it reached the beach, the building broke apart completely. He felt his own cell block stop suddenly, but heard an ear-splitting roar as the remainder of the prison rushed into the angry sea.

He was free.

~~~

Visit our hostess, Rochelle, to find out how you can take part in the fun.
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/10-january-2013/

~~~

BlogFestivus 2013 – Day 5 — ‘Tiny Tim?’

December 20, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

We’ver reached the final day of BlogFestivus 2013. Our Hostess is Blogdromedy, and she is also the creator of the lovely artwork that accompanies this challenge.

Today we offer our stories about Tiny Tim. You’ll find my story below the picture — and a list of other fascinating story tellers below the story itself. It’s been great fun, and we all hope you have enjoyed our own personal detours from Mr. Dickens’ original tale. (I also hope he does not mind what we’ve done to it.)

Happy BlogFestivus 2013

TINY TIM?

“Excuse me, Mr. Alexander. You wanted to see me?”

“Oh, yes, Christmas Past. I’ve called for Present and Future as well. Oh … here they are. Come in, gentlemen.”

“Is there a problem, sir?”

(Heavy sigh.) “Indeed! Look here, through my Earthglass. Listen to this businessman dealing with a poor couple.”

“Don’t blabber to me about Christmas! I’m foreclosing on your home today! And I’ll have your neighbor’s home by tomorrow morning!”

“Please, Mr. Cratchit —”

“Silence! Enough begging. Go and pack!”

“On Christmas Eve?”

“Christmas! Bah! Humbug!”

“Mr. Alexander … is that ….?”

“Recognize him, Christmas Past?”

“Not Tim Cratchit?”

“Yes. Tiny Tim – 300 pounds past tiny now. Eats only fats and sugars. Too stingy to buy decent food.”

“Is he why you’ve called us, sir?”

“Yes, Future. Scrooge changed his ways; left the business to Cratchit, who left it to Tim. But human nature being what it is, greed always manages to seep back in. Now Tim’s become another Scrooge.”

“You want us to visit him, Sir?”

“Yes. It will take all three of you again. But greed has become so much worse in the world this century that I doubt you will succeed this time. We can only hope.”

~~~

Check Out These Stories As Well:

Theodore from This Blog Needs A Title
Linda penning at linda vernon humor
Tom over at Shouts from the Abyss
Steve from Stevil
Maria-Christina blogging at MCWhispers
Dylan of Treatment of Visions
Sarah from Parent Your Business
Dawn blogging at Lingering Visions
K8edid from k8edid
Dave bringing it at 1pointperspective
Eileen from Not The Sword But The Pen
Lindsey at RewindRevise
Kandy of Kandy Talk
Natalie from So I Went Undercover
Jen at Blog It or Lose It
Amelie from In the Barberry
Cee Cee blogging at Cee Cee’s Blog
Ashley from LittleWonder2
BD writing Blogdramedy

~~~

BlogFestivus – Day 4 – ‘Christmas Planet’

December 19, 2013December 19, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Day 4 is upon us, and our challenge is to write a 200-word story about the Spirit of Christmas Future. Our Hostess is Blogdromedy, and you can hop over to her blog to check out the rules if you’d like to participate. I’d like to give special thanks to my great friend photographer/graphic artist Terry Valley for his artwork that inspired my take on today’s prompt. And, once again, you’ll find a list below my story that will link you to the other talented writers who are taking part in BlogFestivus this year.

CHRISTMAS PLANET

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. KTZY-TV is here at the 2025 Christmas Market Preview to interview The Spirit of Christmas Future and learn what’s in store this coming holiday season. Future is currently standing atop one of the newest creations this year — the Self-Lighting Christmas Tree. Christmas Future, can you hear me all right?”

“I can hear you fine, Tom. And as you explained, I am atop one of the smartest Christmas decorating ideas to come out in centuries. These purple and red trees come with self-infused lighting that glows gently from within.”

“I see. And is that Santa who’s being hoisted up to the top where you are?”

“Yes, we wanted him on hand when we present the video feed of Christmas Planet. Here’s the video now.”

“That’s spectacular!”

“Yes, NASA recently discovered this planet and developed it specifically for the celebration of Christmas. Those amazing red light displays are part of the planet’s atmosphere.”

“And any family from earth can travel by spaceship to Christmas Planet to celebrate the holidays?”

“Yes. About the same price as Disney World — which has now been demoted to Christmas Past, of course.”

“We’re out of time, but thank you, Christmas Future, for this thrilling report. Well, folks, there you have it. Contact NASA at the number on your screen for more information.”

~~~

Check Out These Stories As Well:

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BlogFrestivus – 2013 – Day 3 — ‘Here and Now’

December 18, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Day 3 of our challenge is devoted to a story about the Spirit of Christmas Present. Our Hostess is Blogdromedy, and you can hop over to her blog to check out the rules if you’d like to participate. I must confess that my story today is, not only very late in the day, but is also about 50 words over on the count. However, my time for writing has been so limited that I just didn’t have any time at all to edit it down more. I hated not to submit one at all, so I’m posting it anyway, hoping I can find mercy from the other participants — who are listed below my story, by the way.

LIVING IN THE HERE AND NOW

Reggie sat slumped in his chair, gloom written all over him.

“Well, what a pretty picture you make tonight, Reginald, old boy!” The voice jolted him upright; he looked around.

“Who’s there?”

The voice took shape: on the sofa to his right, a well-tailored man lounged with his feet propped on the coffee table. “I’m generally called Spirit of Christmas Present. That’s what your Uncle Ebeneezer called me.”

“Oh, so you’re the one who supposedly helped him straighten out his life, huh?”

The figure shrugged. “Among others.”

“Well, you can go back where you came from. I don’t need anything you have to say!”

“You need a hammer to your head!”

“For what?”

“For constantly living in the past — sucking on your memories the way a baby does his thumb — or living in the future — always focusing on next week or next year. Your memories make you miserable, and your future makes you anxious and edgy because it holds problems you don’t have answers for yet.”

“And you’re going to fix me?”

“No … I’m going to tell you how YOU can fix yourself. You have to learn to really BE where you are, Reggie — to live in the hour — every hour of your life. Live NOW. You can’t re-do yesterdays, and the future is nothing but a long series of ‘now’s’ that you’ll experience one at a time. So really live each one of them, Reggie, and you’ll be surprised at the outcome.”

“But —” Reggie blinked. The sofa was empty.

~~~

The Other BlogFestivus Writers

Linda penning at linda vernon humor
Tom over at Shouts from the Abyss
Steve from Stevil
Maria-Christina blogging at MCWhispers
Dylan of Treatment of Visions
Sarah from Parent Your Business
Dawn blogging at Lingering Visions
K8edid from k8edid
Dave bringing it at 1pointperspective
Eileen from Not The Sword But The Pen
Lindsey at RewindRevise
Kandy of Kandy Talk
Natalie from So I Went Undercover
Jen at Blog It or Lose It
Amelie from In the Barberry
Cee Cee blogging at Cee Cee’s Blog
Ashley from LittleWonder2
BD writing Blogdramedy

BlogFrestivus 2013 – Day 2 — ‘Request for Transfer’

December 17, 2013December 17, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Day 2’s instructions are to write a 200-word story about the Spirit of Christmas Past. Our Hostess is Blogdromedy, and you can hop over to her blog to check out the rules if you’d like to participate. My story and a list of the other participating writers are below the logo (artwork created by our hostess, by the way).

REQUEST FOR TRANSFER

“Mr. Alexander, Ghost of Christmas Past is here for his 2:00 appointment.”

“Send him in.”

As the door opened, his boss could see that Past was unhappy.

“Good to see you, Past. We haven’t had a talk in – what – three or four years?”

“Four years, Sir,” Past said, taking a seat.

“I get a lot of good reports about your work. But you look unhappy. Is something wrong?”

“Yes, Sir. Something’s very wrong!”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Can I help?”

“Well, Sir, I was wondering if I couldn’t trade places with Christmas Present for a while.”

“But you’re an expert at what you do, Past. Why would you want to have to learn a whole new job?”

“Because I never get a chance to use any of the new stuff. I never get to play video games, or use cell phones, or those gadgets they call iPods. Why, do you realize I’ve never even had a chance to use a computer? And these brand new thing-a-ma-jigs that they call Google Glass — wow! — they look like a blast!

“It just isn’t fair, Sir! So I’m here to request a transfer.”

~~~

The Other BlogFestivus Writers

Blog-Festivus 2013 – Day 1 – Ebenezer the Suitor

December 16, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

The creator and host of this challenge is Blogdramedy. Here’s what she has to say about taking part in the challenge:

“Here is it, the start of the Christmas holiday season. This means it must be time forBlogFestivus.

For 2013, we’re going with a Christmas classic. Just to see how far from traditional you bloggers can roam without totally losing the thread of this year’s theme.

Are we ready? Then here are the details.

1. It’s a short challenge. Just 5 stories over 5 days. From December 16 to December 20.

2. You don’t need to come up with a lot of words. Only 200 for each story.

3. This year, we’ll be writing to “A Christmas Carol“ and you can make it a serial story or each piece can stand alone.

Day One: Ebenezer Scrooge
Day Two: Ghost of Christmas Past
Day Three: Ghost of Christmas Present
Day Four: Ghost of Christmas Future
Day Five: Tiny Tim

To mix it up a little, we’ll set the scene in 2013. Your stories can be naughty or nice. Based in reality or totally out there. You decide. It’s your blog. Video and audio posts count.”

So for Day # 1, Here is my Ebeneezer Scrooge story:

EBENEZER THE SUITOR

Ebenezer had never felt his heart stop beating before. Was that what was happening, or was he just forgetting to breathe? He wasn’t sure, but He did know he was looking at the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen, and he was glad he’d worn the new suit.

“Ebenezer, meet my cousin, Marilee Cratchit,” said Bob.

Marilee extended her hand, and Scrooge took it, becoming submerged in the magical cloud of her cologne. He’d been nervous about attending this party, but since his regeneration on Christmas day last year, he was welcomed everywhere. Right now he felt ten feet off the ground. It seemed being a kind, generous man really was the most important thing in life.

“Ebeneezer, I’ve been dying to meet you,” Marilee cooed. “Come sit with me and talk.”

His heart danced. He was actually going to get another chance at real love.

“What shall we talk about?” he asked her, contemplating ways to express his renewed heart to her.

“Why, your money, of course!” she said. “They say you’re the richest man in this town!”

Disappointed at her words, he answered: “Uh … I don’t know. Is it important?”

“Well it is to me! I’m looking for a rich husband.”

“Marilee,” he said, “let me read you a story by Charles Dickens.”

~~~

Here are the other bloggers who are participating in the “Christmas Carol” challenge this year. Check them out:

Amy penning at Fix it or Deal
Tom over at Shouts from the Abyss
Steve from Stevil
Maria-Christina blogging at MCWhispers
Dylan of Treatment of Visions
Sarah from Parent Your Business
Dawn blogging at Lingering Visions
K8edid from k8edid
Dave bringing it at 1pointperspective
Eileen from Not The Sword But The Pen
Lindsey at RewindRevise
Kandy of Kandy Talk
Natalie from So I Went Undercover
Jen at Blog It or Lose It
Amelie from In the Barberry
Cee Cee blogging at Cee Cee’s Blog
Ashley from LittleWonder2
BD writing Blogdramedy

~~~

Friday Fictioneers – 12/13/13 – ‘Anthropology 101’

December 13, 2013December 13, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

I feel as if I’ve been darting in and out of Friday Fictioneers lately, but it’s such fun that I don’t want to miss unless I have to. This week I managed to cook up a little something, so you’ll find my story below Adam Ickes’ interesting picture.

Jump over to Rochelle’s blog to check out the details if you’d like to offer your own 100-word story.

ANTHROPOLOGY 101

My marriage to an anthropologist was educational – and short. Herman insisted we honeymoon on an island he’d studied for years – certain he could convince the cannibalistic natives to help him with his research. I acquiesced.

The ship captain called us fools as he left us on the shore, but Herman insisted he had everything under control.

When the tribe captured us, they bound Herman and carried me to a huge throne. Seems my blond hair was their sign that their goddess had arrived. I’m to be worshiped and given every heart’s desire forever.

Of course, they feasted in celebration of my arrival.

I’ll miss Herman.

~~~

Friday Fictioneers — 11/1/13 – Eating Fish Will Increase Your IQ

November 1, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Friday Fictioneers has swum around again, and if you’d like to participate, just plop over to Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields’ blog to learn how.

The picture this week comes from Doug MacIlroy.

Now, I have to warn readers before they drop below the picture to read my submission that I have been working way too hard lately, and as a result, whimsy just overpowered me when I started thinking about a story for this prompt. I couldn’t seem to help myself. So for better – or for worse – the end result is below the photo.

Doug's Koi

EATING FISH WILL INCREASE YOUR IQ

The most intelligent animal is a fish.
And I’m so proud to say that I am one.
To merit such acclaim all others wish,
But fish win out when all is said and done.

How do I know my claims are proven fact,
Especially since there are no written rules?
Why, others live in herds and flocks and packs,
But fish have brains enough to live in schools.*

*Before a fish is allowed to graduate from college, he must memorize the entire text of Moby Dick. It’s part of the curriculum that teaches the fish species’ superiority to man.

~~~

Friday Fictioneers – 10/25/13 — ‘Requiem’

October 25, 2013October 25, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

This week’s Friday Fictioneers challenge just cried out for a poem rather than prose, so I’ve told my story in verse this time. The photo is compliments of our hostess, Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields. My story is below the picture.

REQUIEM

What? You ask how did it happen?
Torn asunder piece by piece?
I admit it was my doing:
Thought perhaps my pain ‘twould ease.

For I cannot find my music;
Cannot hear the melody.
Cannot feel the beat, the rhythm;
And, of course, no harmony.

Still, my soul keeps searching, reaching;
Won’t believe the gift is gone.
It once coursed throughout my being;
Every breath exhaled a song.

Every heartbeat set a tempo;
Notes cascaded from my mind;
Even in sleep, my dreams invaded —
Nocturnes delicate, sublime.

Now, I’ve only fleeting memories
Of creating symphonies.
Tragedy beyond my bearing:
There’s no music left in me!

~~~

(Author’s note: For the sake of my wonderful friends who might worry about whether I’m going through such a tragedy personally, the answer, gratefully, is “No.” But I can imagine how devastating such an experience would be for any musician/composer.)

Join in the fun:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/25-october-2013/

Friday Fictioneers – 10/11/13 — ‘Curtain Call’

October 9, 2013October 9, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

This Week’s photo prompt is from Sandra Crook:
My story is below:

CURTAIN CALL

Since the earthquake, the amphitheater’s rubble. Few seats intact – and the stage – where ….

Worming my way around boulders, over loose rock, I descend to the stage.

Today, the wind mourns through here, but that night it was deadly still – as was the audience – awaiting the climax of the murder scene. I was afraid – but I had to do it.

I can feel now the weight of the dagger I used to replace the fake one. I plunged it deep – just as the world around us came apart. Falling on top of me, his body took the boulder that would have killed me.

~~~

Hurry on over to Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields’ site and get into the act.
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/11-october-2013/

100-Word Challenge for Grow Ups – Week 108 — ‘Tangerine Tango’

October 8, 2013October 30, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Julia’s prompt this week was one little word:
“… fall ….”
When I saw it, I was just suddenly attacked by this overwhelming sense of whimsy. I could attribute the result to the fact that I did actually try a new snack food a couple weeks ago that was part of a contest. But it’s more likely the fact that ‘fall’ is in the air, and it’s my most, most, most favorite time of the year. Whimsy is just bubbling out of me!

800px-Potato-Chips — By Evan-Amos (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

TANGERINE TANGO

“Now, Doris, don’t fall apart when I tell you this.”

“Tell me what? What’s happened!”

“Now don’t start. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“About what !”

“See, I knew you’d over-react.”

“For crying out loud, Melody, what’s going on!”

“Well … you didn’t win ….”

“Huh? Didn’t win … what?”

“The ‘Name the New Potato Chip’ contest.”

“I didn’t enter any contest! What’s with you?”

“Well … I entered for you. You suggested the new chip be called ‘Tangerine Tango.’”

“Well, thank God I didn’t win!”

“Why?”

“You know I hate tangerines, and they’d send me a whole box of those chips.”

“Yeah, and you give me everything you don’t like. I love tangerines!”

Hop over to Julia’s Place and get involved. You don’t have to write something as ridiculous as I have. We like sensible writers too.
http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week108/

Friday Fictioneers — 10/4/13 — Three For One

October 5, 2013November 3, 2013 | Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well it does feel good to get back in the saddle with Friday Fictioneers. I have been a little swamped with other work the past couple months and have missed out on the fun. But this week I am going to have even more fun than usual because not only have I written a story in response to the challenge, but I have also invited the students in my current creative writing class to participate along with me.

Unfortunately, most of those students have not had the time to submit something for this week’s prompt (I keep them too busy writing for the class), but two students have joined me. The first submission is a 100-word story from Jo Boester, who is a new blogger here on WordPress. (You will find her blog at this link: http://jboester.wordpress.com/).

The second submission is a 100-word poem from Erin Campbell. Now, Erin actually submitted this poem for another challenge we took part in, but when I looked at the picture for this week and saw the connection with the ocean, I took it upon myself to encourage her to let her poem apply to FF’s as well. She writes of tide and time from a unique perspective, and I think it’s a fitting response to the challenge.

I’m very proud of both of these writers and look forward to seeing them pursue their writing goals and publish more of their work in the near future.

Last of all, you will find my story. I was just in the mood for romance this week, and although seagulls seem to be the main focus of the photo, my mind and heart were captured by the beach itself and the romantic interlude it inspired. Hope you enjoy what we have to offer.

Here’s the photo prompt, which comes to us from E. A. Wicklund at http://momusnews.wordpress.com/

THE LONELY SEAGULL
by Jo Boester

As I walked on the beach early one morning, I spied a seagull ahead of me, sluggishly wading in the water. The closer I came to him the more I could sense his loneliness. When I drew closer, I saw another seagull circling overhead.

The seagull in flight was slowly closing the gap between them, and as he swooped down, they both spread their wings wide in greeting. Some observers might have thought this was an act of aggression, but I believe it was a way of avoiding being alone for another long day. I wondered: “Do the birds, as well as man, desire companionship?”

***

OPREA
by Erin Campbell

A rock is my island.
The rock is my throne,
where I sat and watched
as the world turned to dust.
A thousand years of progress
swirls around me like
a cloak around my shoulders.
It caresses my cheek and settles in
my eyes and hair like a crown
as the wind bellows at its loss.
Tides rise and wash the ages onto
sallow shores, leaving broken shell
memories behind in their wake.
I am the only one to keep them close.
The island grows as I grow.
Loved and feared by nothing.
A ruler of ashes, I command ghosts.

***

THE KISS
by Sandra Conner

They sauntered along the isolated beach, shoes in hand, just as the sun slipped into the ocean.

Stopping at an outcropping of rocks, Jonah leaned against the rockface, pulling Valentina against him. Her eyes sought his, instantly identifying the fire that turned them to wine. “I thought I’d never get you to myself,” he growled softly as her arms encircled his back.

He tightened his hold, burrowing his right hand in her hair, pulling her closer. Nibbling and teasing her lips, he finally possessed them with a hunger she’d come to crave. She felt the melting begin and eagerly surrendered.

Join the fun. Get the details over at Rochelle’s place:
http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2013/10/02/4-october2013/