As I See It

MOUNTAIN HERITAGE

by Danna Shirley
The following short story was submitted in the Creative Writing Class at Bartlett Senior Center, Bartlett, TN. The assignment was to use the random words below (or any form thereof) and write something interesting.

clock ~ mistress ~ Glock ~ society ~ transmission ~ heritage ~ mountain ~ passion ~ surprise

My people come from the Ozark mountains and I’ve had a zeal to explore my heritage since I learned, to my surprise, that I was a descendant of Laura Ingalls Wilder. It has been exciting to discover my ancestors over the last century. They have ranged from this famous author, to a clock maker, to a high society mistress, to a gun manufacturer who developed the Glock pistol, which is now used by thousands of law enforcement agencies in the United States. I have thoroughly enjoyed this genealogy process and hope that this passion will be transmitted to my children and grandchildren to many generations.

LAZY DAYS

Prayer ~ Lazy ~ Snowfall ~ School ~ Robin ~ Appreciate

Lazy days of summer quickly pass as the first day of school is ushered in. I know my children will balk as I try to awaken them to get ready and catch the bus. It’s nothing they, nor I, look forward to each morning.

Football season comes and we snuggle up in our warm duds to watch Billy play. A few touchdowns would be nice to strengthen his self-esteem.

Seasons come and seasons go and the robins fly south for the winter as the first snowfall cascades down upon our sleepy little community.

Before you know it, out comes the short-sleeved shirts and light pants as spring arrives and Jimmy plays baseball. My prayer is for lots of base hits and maybe a homerun or two.

I so appreciate the little dot on the world map that I call home. Thank You, Lord, for keeping us safe and healthy as we pass through this life day by day. May we have many more seasons before us?

THE ROOSTER CROWS AT MIDNIGHT

by Danna Shirley

The following short story was submitted in the Creative Writing Class at Bartlett Senior Center, Bartlett, TN. The assignment was to use the random words below (or any form thereof) and write something interesting.

Roosters should be relatively silent in the hours between dusk and dawn.

Horse ~ Midnight ~ Castle ~ Scream ~ Thief ~ Wind

The wind whipped around like a gale blowing from all directions making the rooster weather vane scream like a banshee.
Midnight revealed no one moving throughout the castle except a thief as he made his way through the halls and in and out of rooms.
He skillfully found his treasure and then sped away on his trusty horse into the dark of night.

HOME SWEET HOME

Home ~ Gambler ~ Further ~ Naturally ~ Fireplace ~ Checkbook

He had traveled to Vegas for a weekend of cards and slots but he hadn’t come home a winner. Jim was a professional gambler but it seemed he had lost his feel for the game. The cards were cold and unkind. He had thought many times before about giving it all up but the next hand, the next winning pot, sent that idea further from his mind . . . that is, until tonight.

He should have known better than to take the checkbook with him. Money was too easily accessed and now his account was empty. He threw it into the fireplace and struck a match. He watched his life rise in smoke as it swirled upward through the chimney.

He had seen others come to this end but never thought it would touch him. His wife had warned him that she would leave if he lost everything and now he was alone in this dark, empty house. Now he had his regrets; naturally, now that all was lost.

RAINDROPS ON CRYSTAL

Senile ~ Impossible ~ Raindrops ~ Sunflowers ~ Luxury ~ Crystal

Mom’s senility had made it impossible to communicate with her anymore. She sat at the round wicker table on the porch, day after day, season after season. She gazed at the sunflowers blooming in summer and the raindrops falling in winter. It was a luxury to still have her with us.

I liked to pamper her whenever possible, so it was with great flair and flamboyance that I set a beautiful crystal goblet before her filled with iced tea. She smiled at me and raised it in a toast, then sipped it slowly. I hoped she would reminisce of the time she and dad sat on the porch toasting their last anniversary together—when the raindrops fell on their crystal goblets and they danced a waltz in the garden.

Mental Attitude

Mental ~ Change ~ Truth ~ Charisma ~ Enjoyment ~ Attitude

Day by day our mental attitude can change from sorrow to enjoyment, from anger to apathy. It all depends on our approach to life; whether we have a laid back or uptight personality, whether we become stressed or remain calm as we face every situation and circumstance.

The truth of the matter is that we can choose the outcome—either to remain in the dark recesses of fear or to move into the light of faith. We can also bring people with us by the charisma we display.

Make your choices count . . .
keep company in the light of day;

Image result for clip art field of flowers

dismiss the dark of night!

CANDY TIME

Handicap ~ Attitude ~ Candy ~ Stress ~ Instant ~ Time ~ Appreciation

I love chocolate.
I love its taste and smell.
I experience instant appreciation as it touches my lips.
Time stands still while I enjoy the satisfaction
of a chocolate covered strawberry,
a Hershey’s candy bar,
or a brownie.
Stress no longer handicaps my day;
my attitude changes to pleasure.