#SoCS – Point – From My Own Book

This Saturday’s Stream of Consciousness prompt from Linda G. Hill is “Point”.  The instructions for this are to close your eyes, open a book, and put your finger on a page. Whatever word, phrase, or sentence, your finger lands on is what you are to write about.

So here it goes. But first I should say that the closest book to me is one of my own (Playing in the Rain) as I didn’t want to have to run upstairs and search for another. 

Eyes closed, thumbing through the book and…. “The first symptoms appear quickly,” he continued.

It’s fall and with fall comes the higher chance of contracting some cold or flu virus, and I don’t have time for that.

Last weekend I attended my first book conference. I prepared for it for about two weeks before hand. Picking up things I need, making bookmarks (the first time I’d ever had something like that and they turned out well.) Every time I got back into my car I used my hand sanitizer. I did not want to get sick before this big event. I even kept my excitement at bay. In the past, whenever I got excited about doing something or going somewhere I ultimately ended up coming down with something. 

The event came and went, and I managed to escape illness. I have another possible four events between now and Christmas. So, I will continue with the hand sanitizer and maybe throw in some exercise. A few years ago I got into the habit of a regular excercise routine and while everyone around me suffered from colds, I didn’t get so much as a sniffle. 

Anyway, I hope all of you are healthy and if a virus has darkened your door may you get well soon.

À votre santé!

Image from Pixabay

#SoCS – Notice

This post is part of SoCS

After I posted my author intervew blog this morning I decided that I wanted to participate in #SoCS. It has been awhile since my last stream of consciousness post so I actively looked for the prompt. When I saw that it was “notice” the first thing that came to mind was that I noticed I had nothing to say.

I couldn’t think of anything that I had recently noticed or didn’t notice. Though I did notice that I woke up with a headache again this morning. It’s not bad, just enough to notice. I think it has to do with my pillow or sleeping wrong. I do have neck issues which I see a chiropractor for once a month. It hasn’t bothered me in a while but the last few mornings I have had a barely noticeable headache that goes away after a bit. If I rub my neck a little, I notice the headache goes away.

I also noticed, before I even read it, that the picture for Stream of Consciousness is new. I quite like it.

I notice its a beautiful day here today so hopefully I can go out and enjoy some of it soon, though I still have editing to work on so maybe later.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

 

#SoCS – Door to Change

The prompt for this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday is – door.

It has been weeks since I posted an SoCS so I thought I’d take a look and see what was going on. I like this week’s prompt and I quickly thought of what door I walked through that wasn’t mine.

On Wednesday last week, I walked through a door I had never walked through before. This was the door to an optometrist’s office, one I hoped would take me as a new patient. As I live in a rural area, I have to travel about 45 minutes for work. My current optometrist is in the opposite direction of my home. I went to that optometrist when I worked in that city. Now that I have another job in another direction, I wanted to find an optometrist I could go to on my lunch break.

It was a nice office on the other side of the door, and they were taking on new patients. I booked in for the following Wednesday. I can’t wait to go. It has been about two years since my last optometrist appointment and I really need a new pair of glasses.

#SoCS – Time Anyone Had

The Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt.

It has been some time since I posted a Stream of Consciousness prompt. When I checked it out I thought this could be fun. Anyway, this week’s Stream of Consciousness is to take the 6th, 7th and 8th word from the closest written piece. It just so happens that my WIP is sitting beside me on the couch and Time Anyone Had are the 6th, 7th & 8th word from the top of the page.

Time really is one of those things that sometimes seems elusive but is it really? We all say there aren’t enough hours in the day or we’re running out of time, or a dozen other things. But I think Time Anyone Had is something we can find if we really want to.

#SoCS – Shortcut/Cut Short – Take Heed

Harley stopped and stared down the alley. Her mother’s warning whispered in her ear. She shook her head. She had no choice, she would be late if she didn’t.

Harley looked up at the darkening sky. The wind picked up as black clouds swirled overhead, it was going to rain any second.

She stepped into the alley and froze in place. Something inside her told her to turn around but she fought the urge and continued. Her heart kept pace with her echoed steps. Harley swallowed down the fear that slowly rose from the pit of her stomach. Her mother’s voice whispered a little louder.

Pedestrians strolled passed the other side, close enough for her to see but far enough for them not to notice her.

Harley’s pace quickened, the feeling of being watched made the skin bump up on her arms. Almost there, she told herself loud enough to drown out her mother’s voice.

The sound of clanging behind her made her heart jump. Harley whipped around just in time to catch the glint of the blade plunging toward her. Why didn’t I listen, Harley’s mind cried out it’s final thought.

Harley’s body lay crumpled in a crimson pool. She would not make it home in time for dinner. Her life cut-short.

 

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Nov. 4/17

#SoCS – Motive

 

The prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “motive.” Use the word “motive,” in any form. 

I sit and wait

For something to motivate

But today I’m feeling lazy.

 

There’s so much to do,

So much to plan

My brain is full and hazy.

 

But suddenly

An idea flickers

Like the lit wick on a votive.

 

And now I work

And see results

I finally have my motive.

 

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Sept. 9/17

Here are the rules:

1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.

2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.

3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.

4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours.  Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.

6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!

7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.

8. Have fun!

 

#SoCS – Every Garden May Have Some Weeds

This week’s Stream of Consciousness Prompt is to write about whatever comes to mind using the title of a book you are currently reading.

The book I’m reading at the moment is The Forgotten Garden.

My gardens aren’t exactly forgotten. In fact, I think about them at least once or twice a week. I think about how they need to be watered (especially my window box flowers and hanging baskets), how I should weed them, thin out some of the plants etc. The problem is in the doing.

Every spring I am eager to see my perennials pop up. I planted perennials because they are so much easier to maintain than annuals (I think so anyway). I usually buy a few more and plant them here and there. I pull the weeds and yank out perennials that have gotten out of hand. I water my hanging baskets and window box flowers (usually the only annuals I have). After a couple of weeks, I start to neglect them a bit. Not completely, they don’t die, but they do wilt a little until I water again. Some of my hanging baskets don’t get as full and lush as they should be, and weeds sometimes get a little out of control until I weed again.

A green thumb – maybe. I certainly enjoy my gardens but life and other things get in the way. Perhaps I’ll pay more attention when I’m retired. Then again, I can’t really see me spending every day in my garden. I like plants and flowers but weeding and watering – not so much.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS July 15/17

#SoCS – The “Ick” Factor

When you are Sick

There’s a whole lot of “ick“.

A runny nose, a rolling tummy

A rolling tummy,

A phlegmy cough,

Take your pick.

****

When I was younger I was a picky eater. I feared trying new foods because if I didn’t like it, the food would make me gag.

An “uncle” once made me eat a piece of fat. With everyone around the table, I put it in my mouth. I knew I wouldn’t like it, but I was pressured into it. I gagged as usual and spit it out into a napkin. That was very icky. To this day, I cut off every bit of fat from my meat.

I’m glad the expression chewing the fat” has nothing to do with eating the icky substance.

 

Thank you, Linda, for this week’s Stream of Consciousness prompt.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS July 8/17

#SoCS – Sign of the Times

This week’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness is “sign”. When I first saw it I immediately thought of the expression “sign of the times”. A number of different things rolled around in my head then finally settled on one particular “sign”.

I took the above picture a couple of years ago. I laughed when I saw it; it was so unbelievable to me that instructions for making a peanut butter and jam sandwich would be found on a loaf of bread. Other loaves from this same brand contain instructions for different types of sandwiches such as ham and cheese. To me, this may be a sign of the times that people are either getting lazier or dumber or maybe a little bit of both. It’s a scary thought.

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS June 17/17

Stream of Consciousness Saturday #SoCS – Practice

Practice makes perfect! I heard this expression a lot growing up, (that and many others).  It used to drive me crazy even though there is truth to this concept. It takes time to become really good at something, even if you’re a natural at it – you start at really good and end up great.

The only problem I have with “practice makes perfect” is that procrastination and pretext prevents me from persevering. But eventually I get back to my project and begin to make progress.

Yes, practice does make perfect (or at least better than before), you just can’t give up.

This post is part of SoCS: https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/13/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-and-jusjojan-jan-1417/