The Great Escape

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He smiled to himself while taking a seat beside his next victim.

“Did you bring the money?”

Silence.

“Just slide it over, noone will see.”

The newspaper shook some.

“Hurry up please, I have more stops to make and I have to get back to my cell before they notice me missing.”

The newspaper suddenly dropped on the ground and the person was gone in the blink of an eye.

Laughing out loud, Arthur bent down to pick up the newspaper and waited for someone else to come by.

It didn’t take long until he saw someone walking his way. Quickly he put the newspaper in front of his face.

“You are late! I said 11am sharp and its 11:01.”

The gentleman sitting beside Arthur got a confused look on his face.

“Hand it over.”

“Hand what over? Sir, I don’t know what you are talking about!”

“Oh No, you are one of them!” Arthur kept the newspaper in front of him hiding his wide smile as he spoke.

“One of who?” The gentleman was so confused now and half afraid. Standing up he shook his head and walked away.

Oh this was fun, thought Arthur. It sure beat sitting in his cell.

Thinking of what line he would use next the lady’s voice took him by surprise.

“Hand it over.”

Recognizing the voice his heart sank. He lowered the newspaper just enough to peer over it.

His eyes met Nurse Julie’s piercing eyes and raised eyebrows.

“What are we going to do with you? Mr. Appleton was throwing a fit this morning when he couldn’t find his golf cart!”

“The keys please.”

Reluctantly Arthur handed them over. It wasn’t all a loss, he had managed to stay out longer this time before he got caught.

Arthur did like Nurse Julie and he didn’t want her mad at him.

“I was only having some fun. How many times can one be expected to play Bingo. Plus that crazy Charlotte lady always sits beside me and talks my ear off! Not to mention that she must pour a gallon of perfume on herself!”

Laughing, Nurse Julia took Arthur’s arm while they walked to the golf cart. “She is sweet on you!”

Arthur groaned.

“Can we swing by the Dairy Queen, before you take me back to my cell?”

“Arthur! Stop calling it a cell! You aren’t at a jail. Its the Golden Oaks Home.”

“Whatever” he said, with a teasing glint in his eye. “Now about that icecream..”

Julie laughed, “You are impossible, you know! What flavor do you want this time?”

Friday’s Super Short Stories!

Sea turtles are amazing … When they are ready to make a nest, they will swim back to the beach where they were hatched at … it can be thousands of miles away sometimes, but they find their way back … With my sense of direction I was obviously not meant to be a sea turtle! 

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Another day of trying to nail jello to a tree! ( in other words trying to reason with your teen/young adult)

Discovering a new author is like finding a new type of candy … It whets your appetite for more … Read my first James Patterson book.

Second Chances

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Where would she go now? She may be wearing all white, but going to the “Chapel of Love” was not on her list of places to go.

Randy would be heart broken right now as he stood in a full church. All the guests would be there, except for one very important person,THE BRIDE!

Anastasia was glad for a little light. She had run without knowing where to run too. Panic hit her and she had bolted like lightning. Running away was something she was good at. Had done it a lot in her past. It looked like she was doomed to keep it up.

Randy was one of the most caring guys that she had ever met. He was amazing and the most amazing thing was that he loved her! He really did love her, no matter what her past had been like and all the things she was guilty of.

Why had she run? Now was the time to turn over a new leaf. She was being given another chance to make something good out of her life and so far she was failing.

While lying in the hospital in traction she had a lot of time to think and she knew she wanted to be a better person.

The Dr said she should have died, but she didn’t and that hit Anastasia hard. The fact that the Dr couldn’t explain how she had survived getting hit by the tractor trailer, gave her goosebumps.

In the hospital room one night she had vowed to make a difference. She was going to be kind and helpful to others. Most of all she was ready to stop running.

Shortly after that vow a whirlwind romance broke out between her and Randy, her physical therapist. Oh how she loved him! Without his encouragement she would not have made it through. Physical therapy was hard, but she pressed on. Learning to walk again was no easy feat. Randy’s arms had held her as she cried. He always knew how to make her smile again.

Feeling on the verge of tears she buried her face in her hands. Thoughts came back to her of Randy’s gentleness and the many ways that he had shown his love.

What was she doing hiding out in a dark barn? The guy, who was the love of her life wanted her. He accepted her faults and all. He still loved her, she was being an idiot! Stop running Anastasia, she told herself.

She knew what she had to do, she would go back! This was her time! Her day to shine and start anew. Anastasia squinted in the bright sunshine when coming out of the barn.

Standing there for a moment she took some deep breaths and then took off. The “Chapel of Love” was calling her name and Anastasia was ready to show the world that she could change. Everyone deserved a 2nd chance.

Miss. Anastasia was back! In the pasture a certain cow let out a loud Moo, staring at Anastasia until she was out of sight.

The Feuding Birds

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“How long do you think they will stay mad at each other?”

“Who knows! You know how stubborn they both can be.”

Gilda the goldfinch sighed. Her husband was right. Tilly and Milly were indeed stubborn.

The sisters drove all the other birds crazy. Sammy and Susie flew away yesterday. They were headed South. Gilda had expressed surprise for it was still summertime.

Sammy looked at Tilly and Milly and Gilda had her answer. She saw the glare in Sammy’s eyes. They had been squawking so loudly during the night, no one could sleep!

Thankfully they were quiet now, giving each other the silent treatment. The other birds were relieved, thinking how silence really was golden.

“Hi Gilda! So what are Tilly and Milly are worked up about now?” Brie the bluebird flew down to sit next to Gilda.

“Didn’t you hear all their fussing last night? How could you not know?” Gilda’s eyes widened in surprise, she had assumed that everyone knew why they were feuding. They hadn’t been quiet about it.

“I wasn’t here last night. I flew over to Benny’s nest.” There was a gleam in Brie’s blue eye.

Gilda was happy for her friend, she figured it wouldn’t be long before their two nests became one.

Sadly Brie had lost her husband awhile back. He had flown away to find some special feathers for their nest. He had seen a proud peacock strutting around at a neighboring farm. She had the most elegant feathers and he was sure he could find some that had dropped or she may be even willing to give him some.

Noone knew for sure what had happened, but he never came back. Rita the robin said she had seen other female bluebirds at the farm. Some birds put two and two together but noone talked about it. They wanted to respect Brie’s feelings.

“Well, I will fill you in the best I can. I tried my best to make sense of their tweeting. Milly must be the fastest tweeter there is!”

Lily caught a big, juicy worm and she shared it with Charlie the Cardinal. He is the new guy and Lily just wanted to be friendly.

Milly saw them sharing the worm and got all flustered. She griped at Lily and Lily got mad and squawked back at her. Told her she needed to be on a diet anyway!”

Brie’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Oh I bet that made Milly mad!”

“It sure did! She pulled a feather from Lily. Lily pulled a feather from Milly and soon the feathers were flying. Poor Charlie didn’t know what to do.”

Some birds think he should have intervened and have called him a chicken. I don’t know if he will stay around now. He probably thinks we all are crazy.

So, Milly is insisting that Lily apologize for calling her fat and Lily said she never said she was fat. Now they stubbornly sit in silence on the branch.”

Brie rolled her eyes. “Those two are Dodo birds!”

Gilda laughed, “or Cuckoo! Both fit well.”

Gilda and Brie kept tweeting until Brie said she had to go. She had a nest to visit.

Night fell and still Tilly and Milly sat in silence and unmoving.

Just when the other birds thought their fight would never end, something happened.

In the blink of an eye, their argument ended, and nary a mean word was said again, by either one.

They lost their balance when strong winds blew and they fell off the branch.

That was the last anyone saw them. They just disappeared with no forwarding address but rumor has it that Rudy the neighbor’s cat gained some extra weight.

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

How is your Tuesday going? I enjoyed swinging on the porch swing this morning before it gets too hot and humid. Our porch swing is old and rusty, but it still swings, though it may squeak now. It was still relaxing as I was lying on it feeling glad that my work schedule is going back to normal once again. Not so many long night shifts anymore. I may be able to actually think a little clearer, now that I will be out of zombie mode. 

What is your favorite summer fruit? We bought a new type of melon this week. Picasso melon. It was speckled, like it had been splattered with paint. Its good, could be a little sweeter for me, but it beats out cantaloupe in my opinion. Watermelon, raspberries, and golden kiwis are what I have been enjoying the most this summer. 

 

One more month of summer left! It needs to slow down! Get a cold drink, slow down a little, and enjoy the following quotes.

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For all you “babies” of the family out there, we have to stick together! 🙂

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Caught Red Handed!

This is Part 2 to my Rising to the Challenge post. I wasn’t sure if I would continue this story and then a blogger friend gave me an idea. I have such creative readers! He suggested a twist as to why Raquel’s fashion drawings were not accepted. Thanks Jim! 🙂 Enjoy!

Mademoiselle Lavrigne was sitting in her studio poring over the drawings spread out all over her desk.

So amazing! She was thrilled with all the possibilities that could result from these designs.

Her phone buzzed. She pushed the speaker button. “What is it Holly, I am extremely busy.”

“There is a Mr.Rigalatto here to see you.”

Mademoiselle’s pulse quickened. Heat began to rise in her cheeks.

“Send him in please.”

This was it, she was counting on him loving these new designs. He was one of her biggest distributors. His women’s clothing store was among the very top ones in Paris.

“Welcome Pierre!” Shs walked over to him giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“I think you will be most pleased when you see these new designs.”

Pierre was a man of few words. He only nodded his head, then sat down at her desk to study the designs.

Mademoiselle felt as nervous as a runner at the starting line for a race. These designs had the potential to propel her far ahead to even more greatness.

He cleared his throat and acted like he was going to speak but he didn’t. Oh, the tension of waiting was making her head begin to ache.

Pierre rose up from the chair. “These are superior! Call me when the outfits are completed and I will give you my order. Wonderful work, darling. Natural talent at its best.” And leaving her with a kiss on the cheek he walked out the door.

Joy pulsated through her veins. She couldn’t wait to get started. Oh she dreamed about what all she could do with the money these new designs would bring her.

She had struck gold. A twinge of guilt struck her, but it didn’t stay. Mademoiselle was a lady of little conscience.

She pushed the speaker button, “Holly have my maid fix me some tea please.”

“This is her day off Ma’am. “

She rolled her eyes. Why did her staff think they needed time off? You just can’t get good help these days!

“Get the pool boy please. He can make me some tea.:

Most likely he wasn’t doing anything but floating around with the pool noodles. Such a doolally he was, though he did have luxurious looking hair, that she couldn’t deny.

Twenty minutes later he came into her studio with her cup of Chai Spice tea. She was busy looking at the designs and making notes. Barely looking up as he came in, she mumbled her thanks.

Setting down the hot tea he noticed the designs spread out everywhere.

“What do you think of my latest work?”

“They are brilliant!”

Madame eyes shined with pleasure.

“But they aren’t yours.” He muttered under his breath, while walking out the door. Oh, time couldn’t move fast enough!

Raquel’s drawings had always been so good! She had a natural talent and he had seen to it that www no one was going to steal from his sister’s best friend!.

When he had been home for a visit he saw the designs Raquel was working on. He was impressed!

Imagine his surprise when he heard and saw Mademoiselle showing off Raquel’s drawings, claiming them as her very own. It took all his self control to refrain from saying anything to her, but now the time was here!

Mademoiselle may think she is clever but she thinks too highly of herself. Everything was going as planned. Raquel was due to arrive in a few hours, escorted by Mr. Pierre Rigaletto. Pierre was good friends with Allister, and Alliister had told him the whole story.

Raquel was jubilant! Celebration was in the air! When confronted Mademoiselle backed down and started apologizing profusely.

“Thank you so much Allister! Raquel threw her arms around him. What would I have done without you.”

Allister blushed. “I am so glad it all worked out. You are a talented designer and you deserve your chance to shine!”

“And now thanks to you I will get it! But now is your time to shine Birthday boy!”

Now it was Allister’s turn to be surprised.

“Come follow me to the pool.”

When they got outside Allister was surprised to see his family and friends gathered around it.

“Surprise!”

They celebrated into the night, turning the pool lights on and singing Happy Birthday at the stroke of midnight.

“Can I be the first one to kiss the birthday boy?”

His eyes told her all she needed to know and happiness flooded through her. This may be their first kiss but not their last. The perfect ending to a perfect day.

Don’t Cheat a Raven!

Happy Sunday! How have you spent your Sunday? Hopefully its been enjoyable. Are you ready to learn some facts about unicorns, wolves, ravens and more? Read on and smile about feeling a little smarter now.

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But….unicorns are real … my Jackalope told me!

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Not sure that I would want cuddled by one of them.

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Who knew that ravens were so honest!

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Just because you are different from each other doesn’t mean you can’t be friends. 🙂

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I believe that dolphins have a better memory than I do!

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Another reason to like Johnny Depp.

Life in Oklahoma

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“Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day. I got a wonderful feeling, everything’s going my way!”

Allegra stepped out of the shower, almost slipping on her new, tiled floor.

She had been in Oklahoma for a month. Moving from bustling NYC to Oklahoma was quite a change but she was enjoying it.

Going for a walk and seeing a cute prarie dog, like she frequently did now, was not something that had ever happened in NYC.

Accepting this promotion to executive director of the Flibbertigibbet advertising company was a lot more responsibility but Allegra was ready for the challenge.

Rachel, her secretary knocked on Allegra’s office door.

“Come in!”

“Another delivery of flowers for you.” Setting them on Allegra’s desk she left without a word.

Allegra sensed some jealousy but she didn’t care. She smiled, shaking her head. Every day now for the past 2 weeks  she had received a special delivery of flowers.

The sender of them remained a mystery. Perhaps today a name would be on the card.

She let out a squeal of joy. There was a name and it was him!! The suave guy with eyes as blue as the sky. She had been secretly hoping it would be Fernando and it turned out she was right.

He wanted to take her out tonight to the new Italian restaurant. His day was full of meetings but he would pick her up at 7.

Allegra’s heart sang! With the bouquet of daisies in her hand she ran outside for a breath of fresh air.

Raising the flowers up to the azure blue sky she sang, “Oh what a beautiful morning…!”

Fernando was such a gentleman and she had felt the spark the first time they had met at work. He had to be the most handsome employee. A dark tan and bulging muscles. Her stomach was doing flips.

Obviously he was a romantic, sending her flowers every day with sweet little poems. She skipped up the steps taking them 2 by 2. Her heart was light and filled with song. Yes, everything was going her way!

At exactly 7pm the doorbell rang. Allegra’s heart skipped a beat. She opened the door in her little red dress and gold necklace.

“Hi Allegra! You look stunning.”

Allegra’s words died on her lips while staring at Fernando. Her face must be as red as a cherry. This wasn’t who she thought Fernando was! It was Tanner.

She felt the urge to cancel on Tanner, how could she have confused them. They didn’t look anything alike.

Then she looked at the flowers around her apartmenr and her heart grew warm remembering the poems he had penned for her. She would be a complete fool to cancel.

Taking his arm, she walked out the door and saw a sapphire blue Lamborghini. He walked her towards the car and opened the door for her.

“Oh what a beautiful motning….” ran through her mind once more.

Life in Oklahoma was turning out quite fine. Quite fine indeed.

Friday’s Super Short Stories!

 

Sharing sunny moments with special sisters! 

 

Two Turtles Tanning …. One about to take the plunge.

Mexican food … Peach daiquries … Sister’s lunch … Fresh, warm pastries … Banana split popcorn….Conversations from the heart … Perfect Sister‘s Day!

Rising to the Challenge

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Raquel slowly walked back to her condo. The glass of wine was still sitting there, waiting … This weekend was supposed to have been a celebration. A grand fanfare for all those involved, but there was no jumping in the waves, and clinking of glasses, raised in a toast. No happy chatter amidst the musical sound of laughter.

The only sound were the waves crashing on the shore. A sound that had brought peace many times to Raquel’s heart, but that now seemed to only intensify the echo of silence. Once she had yearned for times of solitude but now wasn’t that time.

Stepping through the door the silence of the condo was deafening. Tears slipped from her eyes, what had she been thinking when she had decided to go ahead and come here. Why had she told her friends that she wanted to be alone. She thought she could handle it, but she was doubting herself now, as she flopped on the couch and aimlessly flipped through channels . She had to stay away from QVC! Watching QVC is not what one should do when feeling down. Her credit card bill was not going to be a pretty sight.

Groaning she hit the power button turning off the TV. A Hallmark movie was definitely not something she wanted to watch right now! How she wished that her problem could be solved and wrapped up in a pretty bow in only 2 hours.

This weekend was to have been a celebration. She had thought she would soon be leaving to travel abroad. Her family and friends had been so happy for her and eager to see what her future would bring. Now all her dreams laid shattered at her feet.

She had a chance to study under the prestigious Mademoiselle Lavrigne. One of the top fashion designers in Paris. Raquel loved fashion and she had an eye for it! She wanted to shoot for the stars and this opportunity was her doing exactly that! All year she had painstakingly worked on her 10 original designs that Mademoiselle wanted to see. That would make the decision about whether she would be accepted into the program.

Raquel and her friends felt so confident when they planned this celebration at the beach. It was a celebration of her hard work being finished and counting on being awarded a place in the program. Right now Raquel hated the saying, “Don’t count your eggs before they hatch!” They had been so sure. Her friends and family still didn’t know exactly what happened, Raquel had been too upset to explain. She just told them the plans had fallen through, party was cancelled and she would explain more when she came back from the beach.

What was she going to do? It had been an awful shock receiving that email from Mademoiselle Lavrigne. Imagine her surprise when she was told in bold letters that she had been disqualified from participating in the fashion design program. Her heart had plummeted in deep disappointment and then she read on and confusion overtook her! The email said that her original designs had been copied! That they were not original. Someone else had submitted the same designs!

Raquel’s brain screamed at the injustice! She had burned the midnight oil in coming up with those designs! Getting up from the couch, Raquel felt her blood pressure start to rise again, but that was a good thing. Enough crying and feeling sorry for herself! Someone had stolen her designs and Raquel was going to get to the bottom of it. She had the dream to be a fashion designer when she was only 8 years old. How dare anyone try to steal her dream from her. Opening her door, she walked towards the beach and started to think about her course of action. The ocean roared, and confidence stirred in Raquel’s soul.