Found a new prompt – A picture is worth 1000 words – The blogger posts a picture and you write about it. I found this earlier this month, started writing the piece below, but only just went back to it. May develop into a full on story at some point, but for now it is at a good stopping point.
—————————————————————-

Jeff coughed. He started when the echoes rang around him, but then settled back against the polished wood again. Dust motes sparkled in the flickering candlelight and a slight scent of incense tickled his nose.

Quiet – maybe too quiet, but that was what Jeff was seeking when he entered the church that night. He just needed a rest from the incessant voices inside his head. It seemed this building quieted them.

Or maybe the statues and marble columns swallowed up the noise like the cavernous sanctuary swallowed up Jeff.

He felt, more than saw, that he was no longer alone. The hairs on his legs stood at attention against his jeans. His arms tingled and the back of his neck just felt plain creepy. Someone was approaching and Jeff wasn’t quite ready for that.

“Evening, son. Is there anything I can do for you?”

The white-haired priest placed a meaty hand on Jeff’s shoulder. His senses already prepared for the appearance, it was still everything Jeff could do not to jump at the touch.

“No, Father. I’m just resting if that’s okay. I like being here in the candlelight – just me and the saints and that man up there on the cross.”

“I like it, too, son. Sorta peaceful, isn’t it? Well, I’m going up there to the sacristy behind the altar. If you need me just call out. You rest and if you want to talk, that Man up there? He listens to us all.”

The priest walked to the altar, genuflected, then entered the door to the right and Jeff was once again alone. Funny, the voices had quieted down when he entered the church, but now they were silent. “Wonder what secret he holds,” thought Jeff.

photo courtesy of PJOnori see it here.

Today’s A to Z Challenge letter is X.

What to write about – what to writer about???

Let’s go with X-Rays for now.

Each year I get the normal X-rays – on my teeth. I get a type of X-ray in my annual mammogram. That has been the norm for me for many years.

Until late 2007 when I was sent for my first cat scan – followed by my first MRI. The docs were looking at “something” on my kidney. That something turned out to be cancer and I underwent a partial nephrectomy. My remaining 1+ kidneys seem to be working well, for which I am thankful.

However, now on an annual basis I add these new tests to my litany of X-rays as the docs continue to watch “something” on my other kidney.

Ain’t technology grand?

Today’s A to Z Challenge letter is W

Yet one more reason I love Alaska – taken on the way home from men’s group last night.

This is in reply to Velvet Verbosity’s 100 Word Challenge. This week’s word is BATHED. And, since this is the last challenge during Poetry Month, I thought my entry should be a poem.

This is for the many mamas and their babies out there. We may not have all been Mamas, but we have all been babies with mamas.
—————————————-

Brushed and bathed
And ready for bed
Mama pulled them close
And the little one said

Mama? Tell me why
Do I have to go to sleep
Must I close my eyes
And count some sheep

Can’t I stay here and
Cuddle with you
Could you read a story
Or maybe even two

Hush, little ones
Mama replies
It’s time to rest now
Close your wee eyes

They hugged and then
Gave a kiss or maybe three
As mama rocked her
Toddlers on her knee

The moon shone through
The window brightly
As mother and children
Held each other tightly
——————————————

Today’s A-Z Challenge letter is V.

During this monthlong A-Z challenge I have shared pictures of the area in which I am blessed to live. Today, as the letter is V, I want to share a few more. Within a 5 mile distance is a great area to view a wide open expanse. Some folks call this area the Kenai River flats and it can afford a great view of two mountain ranges, Cook Inlet and the Kenai River.

At this time of the year – if we are blessed – we get to see the annual return of sandhill cranes, Canadian geese and snow geese. Today I went on a bit of a safari to see if I would be so blessed. Missed a great shot of the birds lifting up en masse to go across the road and down the river a bit . . . 🙁 . . . but was able to get one shot.

In the first shot below (click for larger views) you can see a view of the flats – in the second I cropped out a shot of the geese feeding. Yeah, those white blobs are geese. I needed to be nearer to get a good shot – maybe later tonight when I go to class.

The third picture is from a different location very near the first – showing the great rainclouds we are experiencing today. No complaints about the rain from me – it is holding down the dust and I am not sneezing nearly as much. Yay!

That last pic is from the bird viewing area near the boat docks. As I was getting into my car I noticed something with an orange ribbon on it – surveyor type tape.

Can hardly see it in the first shot – so look closer at the second – Hey! Whatshoelookinat? 🙂

Yup – one lonely shoe – don’t know if someone dropped it there – or if it came up on a high tide and was deposited. It’s not very muddy so probably that first, but you would have to wonder why they just left it there.

or not.

Happy “V” day, everyone.