Monthly Archives:January 2012

It’s my image – the one I see in the mirror – the one in the photographs. I recognize it from the hint of a smile followed by hearty laughter. I know it from the twinkle of eyes and gaps in teeth. I know it from snarky comments and knowing winks.

I see me multiplied in the camera’s lens as each daughter and grandchild can attest: all apple cheeks and blue-eyed blond images of me – my descendents – my blessings.


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Trifecta’s challenge this week is IMAGE. I think every parent’s dream is that their children mimic them (in only the best ways, of course). The above picture is of my oldest daughter, my mini-me, and her three children, her mini-mes.

We hated at 15; married at 19. Our friends set us up – really, SET us up – for failure. We dated toward success. 43 years come May I will still say I love you.

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The first TRIFEXTRA challenge: write a love story in 33 words – no more no less. The above is a true story.
51069prty
May 10, 1969

Sally you can do this. You know you can. You’ve worked hard to temper the beast – this is just a test. You always – ALWAYS! – ace tests so why not this one, too?

Sally’s shoulders sagged. The inner encourager was right and she knew it. But it’s hard! So hard she wanted to shout. Why can’t I be like the others? Why must I keep falling down when they just skip merrily along?

Her eyes slid back over her shoulder for another look into the bakery case. Sally could feel the saliva begin as she eyed tray after tray of brightly iced cakes, cupcakes and meringues.

“Steven if you don’t get me out of here this minute I cannot answer for what will happen. Dieting is a bit. . . , erm, beast and your daily stops for “just one cupcake and a mocha” are about to do me in. I almost cursed just then. That’s how upset I am. You say you love me? Then show it and get me out of here right now.

Steven paid for his snack, placed it into Sally’s lap and pushed her chair out into the sunlight. “Fine, Sally, we’re going. Look in the bag; I bought you a cookie, too. It’s your favorite kind.”

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Author’s note: Every nine seconds a woman in the U.S. is abused in some fashion. Abuse is insidious and can be verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, and a myriad of other ways. Caregiver abuse is often more under-reported than abuse of the “able bodied.” Even tempting someone with forbidden sweets, taking them places over which they have no control can be an abusive action.

If you are – or if you know someone who is – abused, the national hotline number is 1-800-799-SAFE.
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Trifecta’s Week 11 Challenge is BEAST, using the third definition.

beast noun \ˈbēst\

1 a: a four-footed mammal as distinguished from a human being
b: a lower animal as distinguished from a human being
c: an animal as distinguished from a plant
d : an animal under human control

2: a contemptible person

3: something formidably difficult to control or deal with

for the Lensday challenge – Peaceful

For some reason I seem not to be able to post the link. Nonetheless, the picture will stay. 🙂

The editors at Trifecta have asked us to introduce ourselves by answering a few questions. Here are my answers. (I did try to hold my snark at bay)

What is your name (real or otherwise)?
Today it is Barbara, aka PurpleMoose. I have been called Barbie, sweetie, Mommy/Mom/MOTHER, Gramma and Nana. I am loved by many names

Describe your writing style in three words. Gramma-style, Quick-witted, Old-fashioned

How long have you been writing online? Hmmm – since the internet was invented 🙂

Which, if any, other writing challenges do you participate in? 100 Words by Velvet Verbosity (whom I miss). I also participate in the local Writers Present each year.

Describe one way in which you could improve your writing. I think I am sometimes way too literal, but am trying to get over myself.

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever been given? Keep writing – don’t give up

Who is your favorite author? Whichever one I am reading at the present. I love books – period.

How do you make time to write? I don’t do housework. Ha ha

Give us one word we should consider using as a prompt. ungulate

Direct us to one blog post of yours that we shouldn’t miss reading. Hmmmmm – I sometimes write ‘em and then forget ‘em. I love to tell people about Alaska living, maybe you will get a bit of sense of who I am by reading this one: Starvation

Tough to write about myself, but thanks for asking.