Change(d Heart)

March 9th, 2016 / Categories: Moose Nuggets / 8 Comments »

The old man nodded as the youngster dropped pennies and dimes into his cup. Her raven curls bobbed as she ran back to her mother. Her laughter rang out as she turned back and proffered a quick wave in return.

Many people passed by the old man as he sat there on the sidewalk in the center of town. Several of those many people dropped the odd 20 or single into his hat.

But none on that day touched his heart like the little girl with bobbing curls. Her musical laughter filled his heart with joy for many a day afterward.

borrowed from the Dublin Music Buskers page

borrowed from the Dublin Music Buskers page

Written for Tara’s 100 Word Challenge. The word this week is CHANGE. I used it as a noun rather than a verb. Actually, it is inferred as a noun in the piece, while used as a verb in the title. See what I did there? Thanks, Tara!!

Duty to Warn

March 3rd, 2016 / Categories: words / 6 Comments »

It had been a rough night. The men who were part of the perpetrators’ class had been in rare form, argumentative and rowdy.

One man in particular had escalated when challenged on his beliefs. Nothing the facilitators could say seemed to calm him down. Even the other men in class had begun to withdraw from him.

“We have to call her. Her husband left class agitated and I’m afraid for her safety. I’ll ask the advocates to call and to check with her; do some safety planning with her.”

It’s not just our duty. It’s the human thing to do.

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Written for the 100 Word Challenge: Prompt is DUTY. My work includes classes with perpetrators. We have a strict Duty to Warn when something like the above happens. It does not happen often, thankfully.

The Discarded Habit

February 24th, 2016 / Categories: Family, makin' my own fun, Moose Nuggets, Moosin Around, words / 6 Comments »

I once fantasized about becoming a nun, taking the habit. I would be a Bride of Christ, with vows of poverty and, occasionally, silence.

I contacted Mother Superior for the order teaching in my small parochial school. Mother answered my letters with wisdom, humility and love. She encouraged me to pray, to seek if this was God’s will for me.

In high school my world was expanded. Still parochial school, but several schools combined. Options! I met my heART when we were only 15.

I shucked the habit and took on a ring to become the bride of Art. No regrets.

Valentine's dinner smooch 2016

Valentine’s dinner smooch 2016

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Written for Tara’s 100 Word Challenge, this is a second version of the prompt HABIT. True stories are sometimes better than fiction. 🙂

Habit

February 23rd, 2016 / Categories: Hear Me, makin' my own fun, Moose Nuggets / 5 Comments »

One day I awakened the slumbering beast inside me.

It yawned deliciously. It stretched its wings. It reached out of the flaccid years-long stasis and moved towards the fit beast it somehow knew it could be.

Nearly four years later the beast roars each time it walks into the gym, picks up a weighted bar, sets its shoulders and lifts. Or swings. Or pushes. Or squats.

I am a cross fitter. It’s my drug of choice.

My mother would be somewhat horrified. I’m not the lady she thought she raised. I think, however, she would support the fitter, happier me.

warming up with Rusty the gym dog

warming up with Rusty the gym dog

written for Tara’s 100 Word Challenge. This week’s word is HABIT.

I started out at 350# – could barely ride the stationary bike 10 minutes at a time. I’ve taken off 75# and find myself much fitter and happier. You can find me at CrossFit Certitude M-W-F at 5:30 a.m. Join me. It really is habit-forming.

Reams

February 18th, 2016 / Categories: words / 8 Comments »

Paper. Reams and reams of paper. Not your normal sized paper. We are talking 70 inches plus.

This was my life for well over 20 years. Our family owned a small print shop and spent a lot of time there working together. A lot of time.

We printed 500 business cards or thousands of full-color brochures. Our customers ranged from small business to the hospital and college. Everyone needed paper covered by ink, folded just so.

Until copiers came on scene making most printing presses obsolete. Our business closed. We went toward different careers.

The world needs paper. I still smell the ink.

heidelburg
(not ours, but very similar to our Heidelburg press. We printed thousands of brochures using that press – one color at a time – one side at a time. It was an art – run by Art.)

Written for the 100 Word Challenge as hosted by Tara. The word this week is PAPER. Now, you go find some paper and jot down your 100.

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