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Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge – ‘Love’s Song’

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

I wanted to join in with the other Friday Fictioneer participants this week, but I have to admit that my contribution is ‘illegal’ — being closer to 180 words. However, since this is the little story that kept nagging at me from the very first moment I saw the picture below, I have written it anyway and edited it down as far as possible in the time I had available.

The challenge is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. If you’d like to take part, hop over to see her at this link:

http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/

The prompt is the following picture, which comes to us courtesy of Roger Cohen at http://betarules.blogspot.com.au/

TWO BASS VIOLINS - CELLOS

LOVE’S SONG

They’d met at a rehearsal in this very theater. He, with his polished coat of dark walnut, was instantly captivated by her honey-maple coloring – but even more so by the sweet voice she gave to every note assigned her in the performances. Bravely, he’d professed his love, and she’d responded. They had made exquisite music together for 74 years.

Now, with their respective masters in their graves, the two aging instruments rested against the wall of an old closet behind the stage. His coat was battered and marred significantly. But her luster still had the power to draw music from him every time he looked at her. They sighed quietly. They still had each other – and the music that lived within them. He kissed her gently. She kissed him back. They embraced.

Outside, people slowed their stride as they passed the old theater. “There it is again,” said one. Others nodded in agreement.

“Strange,” said a young woman. “Every night, I’m just sure I hear music coming from inside, but there is never anyone there ….”

 

 

Photo Challenge: Thursday’s Windows — Week 17

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Well, I thought I would close things out with a big finale, so I’m offering you four pictures this week.  The first three are the ‘Chicago Windows Trilogy.’ They are some shots my sister took (from her hotel window) while in Chicago this past year. I believe these enormous skyscrapers with their thousands of windows say something significant about our culture: Windows are no longer just an opening in the wall through which we can see out or see in. They have become a major and an influential part of our architecture, and as such, have a great deal to say about our society — for now and for the future when people look back on the kinds of buildings we created in which to live and work.

BRENDA'S HANCOCK BUILDING - tilted

BRENDA'S HANCOCK AND OTHER

BRENDA'S HANCOCK AND CITY BLOCK


This last little window is one that I’m sharing because I began this challenge with a small personal window that had a flower box sitting on its ledge. I thought it was appropriate to share another of those charming windows with you in closing.  They really are one of my favorite kinds of windows in the whole world.

WINDOW 2

This challenge has been so much fun for me. I never dreamed, when I whimsically posted that first picture that so many of you out there would also enjoy taking and sharing pictures of windows. You have been great, and I’ve enjoyed all of your photos very, very much. I’m also grateful to have had this opportunity to meet so many of you through this venture, and I will most definitely still visit your blogs and stay in communication. I’m not leaving the blogging community. I just need to step out of this challenge because I can’t be sure right now that I will be able to post something on a strict schedule, and I don’t want the rest of you having to wait on me to post your pictures.

But one of our participants has asked to take over the challenge and keep it going from her site. Her blog is called “The Day After — Musings of a Wannabe Photographer.”  Here’s the link to her site:

http://lingeringvisions.wordpress.com/

So if you are still enjoying this challenge, just hop over there and follow her blog so that you will see the notification of next week’s challenge from there. I’ll join in as often as I can. The Lord bless you all.  Keep having fun.

Warning: Watch What You Say!

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

GREEN WARNING SIGN 2
Words have power. They can inflict wounds that last a lifetime or heal a broken heart. They can soothe a troubled child or ignite a revolution. They can destroy a friendship or kindle the flame of love. In fact, God’s Word says that the very power of life and death is in the words that we speak. (Proverbs 18:21). He also says that we will be justified or condemned by our words. (Matthew 12:37). As we move forward into this new year, one of the wisest things we can do is be extremely — extremely — careful what words we speak out of our mouths.

Wag More; Bark Less

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

I’m not much of a believer in “New Year’s Resolutions,” but this year I have decided to make one — only one. It is based on a piece of advice that comes from the canine community, and I think it is a commitment that has value.

BASSET PUPPY CLOSEUP

So for the year 2013, I, Sandra Conner, do solemnly resolve to WAG MORE AND BARK LESS!  I have a feeling my life will be happier as a result.  Happy New Year, Everyone!

 

Photo Challenge: Thursday’s Windows — Week 16

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

I’m late with “Thursday’s Windows” again this week — due to the fact that I was sick this past week and had my work schedule flopped around, so that I was a little out of sync. Since I’m evidently having a problem keeping up with the program, I think it’s probably time to bring this particular photo challenge to a close. So next week, beginning Thursday, January 10, will be the final “Thursday’s Windows” photo challenge.  Please post this week, and then look for one of your favorites to post next week to close out the fun. And it has been GREAT FUN!  Thank you all for taking part.

My photo this week is one more Christmas window.  Since my family and I celebrate Christmas until Epiphany, which is January 6, that let’s me share Christmas windows one more time. This window is the top half of my dad’s front door.

Exif JPEGIf you shared a new link for this week on last week’s post, you may want to re-post that link here so that everyone will see it.

Photo Challenge: Thursday’s Windows — Week 15

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Ministerial duties on behalf of a grieving family came ahead of my blog work this week, so I am late posting the ‘Thursday’s Windows’ article, but here it is. The first photo is of the front window at the City Hall Building in a neighboring town — part of their Christmas celebration.

Exif JPEGThe camel, of course, was part of the wise men’s entourage and on its way to this next scene — in the other front window of City Hall.

Exif JPEGBe sure to leave your links in the comment section below!

Snowchild

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

(a poem by Sandra Conner)

I originally wrote this poem about a year ago, when snow was predicted for our area. Today, we are under a BLIZZARD warning, with snow falling fast and furiously second by second, and I am re-posting this poem in an effort to remind myself that “it isn’t really so bad after all” —– Yeah, right!!!

The truth is that my family and I have been praying fervently for a reprieve from what forecasters are expecting, because what has been predicted cannot be good for anyone. Moreover, we have 17 family members trying to get home for the holidays, traveling to this area from the Northeast, the Southeast, and the West — some of them on the road even as I write this. We are looking to the Lord for His mercy to take control of the situation, for the sake of our family and the hundreds of others facing the same problem right now.

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Exif JPEGI’ve added a couple photos taken through the cheerful perspective of my Christmas lights. The first shot was about 6:00 this morning, and the second one about 50 minutes later. So far things don’t look too terribly bad. We would appreciate the prayer agreement of all our friends out there in cyberspace. In the meantime … enjoy this poem and see if it brings back some memories for you as well.



Snowchild

When I was a child, I thought as a child,
And snow was a thing so delightful.
From school we were free; we got wet to the knees,
And our mom’s day was thrown all off schedule.

But now that I’m grown, I must do on my own
All the chores Mom and Dad used to dread:
Stock up food by the loads, drive on slippery roads,
Shovel snow, and repair that old sled.

Now I look with dismay at the skies leaden gray
As I trudge to the store for supplies.
De-icer and salt sell out fast with no halt.
I need new boots to tread on the ice.

The wind from the north is bitter and harsh,
But my temperature, still it is rising;
I am in a foul mood, for I see nothing good
That can come from a snowstorm arriving.

But then the flakes start, and I feel in my heart –
Watching white, fluffy, wonderful, wild
Filling all of my world with such beauty unfurled –
That in truth I am still just a child!

Photo Challenge: Thursday’s Windows — Week 14

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

TWO CHRISTMAS WINDOWS FROM MY HOMETOWN THIS WEEK:

This first set is both sides of the headquarters of the Brewster Philanthropic Foundation. Each year they light their second-story windows like this especially for Christmas.

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This next picture is one of the same buildings I featured in a day-time picture a few weeks ago. I really like these windows, and I especially thought the lighted effect was so pretty.

Exif JPEGHope everyone out there is having a wonderful time of celebration this Christmas season. Be sure to leave the links to your pictures in the comment section below.

And, no, they do not have to be Christmas windows.

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Merry Christmas, World!'s avatarMerry Christmas, World!

Is your tinsel all in a tangle this Christmas season? Does gift-buying, decorating, party-planning, and people-pleasing have you in a whirlpool of stress?

SWIRLED RED, GREEN - EXTRA

Well, forget about it and get your mind on Jesus:

J: Jesus

E: Eliminates

S: Seasonal

U: Unrest.

S: Seriously!

Because it isn’t really about “the season” at all.

It’s all about HIM!

Have a Peaceful, Unencumbered, Extraordinarily Happy JESUSCHRISTmas!

 

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Photo Challenge: Thursday’s Windows — Week 13

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

A local shop window decorated for Christmas. This picture didn’t come out quite as clear as I had hoped, but I was fascinated by all the work that had to go into creating this fantasy scene, and I wanted to share it.

Exif JPEG

Please be sure and leave the link to your own windows pictures.

100-Word Challenge For Grown-Ups, Week 67 — What’s It Worth?

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Maybe I’m just in the mood to get into new challenges, but I really think it’s the chocolate that did it.  Anyway, I couldn’t seem to resist trying out Julia’s challenge this week.  Here’s the link to her site:

http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week69/ 

And the picture for the challenge is below — along with my “story.”

CHOCOLATE CHALLENGE PICWHAT’S IT WORTH?

One half-piece left — and crumbs. He’d lick those off first, then take time savoring the piece itself. Since enforcement of the President’s War On Obesity, the total ban on chocolate had driven him mad.

“You have chocolate!” his sister shouted, entering behind him. He moved the plate out of reach. She was already dialing her cell.

“What are you doing?”

“Reporting you to the police, of course!”

The iron skillet was handy.

He managed to strike her before she’d finished dialing.

Okay . . . He was safe.

He settled his breathing before lifting the plate and inhaling the intoxicating fragrance. “Some things,” he whispered, “are just too valuable to lose.”

Tall Guy

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

a poem (and a true story) by Sandra Conner

I know a guy who’s very tall,TAPE MEASURE - LONG
Stands six feet, seven inches.
He finds his height a great delight,
An asset in the clinches.

He’s very smart, and that’s a help.
It compensates the strain
Of all the time it takes for blood
To move from heart to brain.

In public he stands proud and straight;
He literally has a ball
When people lean waaaay back and say,
“My goodness, you are tall!”

Height has its setbacks, though. Take clothes:
They must be special bought.
And going in and out of doors,
He must take special thought.

And then there’s dating; it’s a trial:
He’s anxious, Heaven knows,
To hold his partner cheek to cheek,
Not middle chest to nose.

But, still, he sees his height as Heaven’s
Gift — a special gene.
Believes all men wish to be tall,
And with envy they are green.

So happily he struts about,
Looking for that perfect mate.
His only foe the hometown priest,
Who stands at six foot, eight.

A Mouse Is A Mouse — Or Is It?

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

MOUSE 3a poem by Sandra Conner

 

~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is it mouses, or is it mice?
I’ve asked this question more than twice.
As I sit before my monitor,
I’m quite sure I am just not sure.

When two computers I must use,COMPUTER MOUSE WITH COLOR 3
All the appendages come in two’s.
I shuffle keyboards, arrange them nice,COMPUTER MOUSE WITH COLOR 2
But then I must hook up the … mice?

My only other choice is “mouses.”
My sensitive nature that arouses.
For an English teacher I’ll always be,
And “mouses” chafes and nettles me.

Surely “mice” should be allowed,
But then I start to laugh out loud.
Confound that name! How did it start?
Bill English and Doug Engelbart!

It’s all their fault; they must admit.
And foolish names are such a hit.
And dictionaries help not at all;
They make it an individual’s call.

So back again to where I was,
More frustrated now because
As I struggled to name the counterfeit,
Its namesake from my sandwich bit.

~~~

~

 

Photo Challenge: Thursday’s Windows — Week 12

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Okay, you all know how much I love Christmas, so, naturally, I have to bring the celebration to my windows.  This is three views of the window of my front door and the Christmas wreath which pretty much covers it. So, yeah, really it’s pictures of my Christmas wreath, but I figure there’s enough window showing to make it legal for the challenge.

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Please be sure to leave the links to your windows in the Comments section below.