Ripped

Weekend Wordsmith #89: Ripped

(Photo by Rick at Weekend Wordsmith)


RIPPED

"Honey, do you have to wear those ripped pants?" I looked at my youngest daughter, shaking my head.

"But I like these pants, Mom. They're comfortable." She proceeded to pack her backpack for school, ignorning my exasperated sighs and rolling eyes.

"The teachers are going to think you don't have any good pants." I tried turning on my pleading voice.

"But I do have good pants, Mom, they're just not as comfortable." She walked into the bathroom to pull her long hair up into a ponytai.

"What will your friends say? They are going to make fun of you because you have a big hole in your pants."

"But I don't care what my friends say. If they make fun of me, then they weren't friends to begin with." She turned on the water to start brushing her teeth.

"What about the dress code? I don't want to be called to school to bring you a decent pair of pants." I was running out of objections, but I didn't want her wearing those pants to school.

"But the dress code says you can't have holes on the butt of your pants. They don't want us showing our underwear. It doesn't say anything about holes in the knees." She rinsed her mouth and headed for the front door.

"But honey, I just don't want you wearing those pants!" I knew my voice had gotten forceful, but I couldn't help it.

"Why Mom? Are you worried about me, or are you embarrassed for yourself?"

I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at my daughter with different eyes.

"Mom, these pants are comfortable. I'm not wearing them to make a statement. I'm not wearing them to upset my teachers. I'm not wearing them because of my friends. I'm not wearing them to go against the dress code. And I'm certainly not wearing them to make you mad. You're a great mother! You shouldn't worry so much about what other people think of you." With her speech complete, she kissed me on the cheek, threw her backpack over one shoulder and headed out the door to the busstop.

I was dumbfounded. I suddenly realized I was more worried about what people thought of me. I was afraid her ripped pants would be a bad reflection on me.

Out of the mouths of babes.

.

Time

Weekend Wordsmith #88 - Time

(Photo is "Time Goes By" by echtzeit08)

TIME

Time is elusive
It never ceases
No matter how hard we try
Time keeps marching by

What time is it now
Where did time go
I don't have enough time
When will there be time

Time slows for no man
It ravages every day
Until our time is up and gone
From every dusk and dawn

.

Chronic Insomnia

Weekend Wordsmith #85 - Sleepless
(Photo is "sleepless" by highwaygirl67)

CHRONIC INSOMNIA

Every night is a sleepless night for me. Tossing and turning, flipping and flopping - never out for more than a few hours at a time. I'm 46 years old and I run on 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night. How do I keep going? When will things change? Am I doomed to roam the endless nights?

My chronic insomnia started when I went from working the midnight shift for 15 years to working the day shift. That was almost 8 years ago, and my sleep cycle is more screwy now than ever.

On the positive side, I'm able to do lots and lots of reading - this is the only reason I'm able to do as many book reviews a month as I do. I'm able to do lots and lots of writing - this is the only reason I'm able to participate in so many writing prompts and make so many blog posts. I'm able to get many hours of knitting time in - this is the only reason I'm able to give my family hand-knitted items.

On the negative side, I feel crappy much of the time. My back hurts, my joints hurt and I never feel rested. I will occasionally take a Benadryl to help me fall asleep, but I never stay asleep for more than 3 or 4 hours. I've tried taking sleeping pills in the past, but they make me feel worse than ever.

The problem is, my body has adapted to this sleeping pattern and nothing I do seems to change it. I look forward to the days when we all have hibernation chambers in our home and I can plug myself up for 8 straight hours of sleep.

Sensible Shoes

Weekend Wordsmith #84 - Sensible


(Photo is "Eleanor's Sensible Shoes", by Appaloosa)

Sensible Shoes

Sensible shoes are all that's needed
To finish your day on time
Not enough hours to keep the rows weeded
Or to enjoy a leisurely climb

Sensible shoes are a woman's prayer
With no open toes or a spiky high heel
They are sturdy and strong by compare
An excellent deal you can seal

Sensible shoes always win in the end
Helping erase all the pain
Leaving legs and feet well on the mend
And a mentality that is all the more sane

.

The Long and Winding Road

Weekend Wordsmith #83 - Road
(Image is "The Road to Ribblesdale", by Fatboyke)

The Long and Winding Road

The road out of town seemed neverending - a two-laned blacktopped maze of bends and curves with the occasional straight stretch. We were heading home, back to the knobs of Eastern Kentucky, after an extended vacation to the Bluegrass portion of the state. Although the trip had been pleasant, I was looking forward to a good night's sleep in my own bed.

The curves of the road would normally have been distraction enough for me, but this part of the state was breathtaking and my eyes tried to drink in every detail.

The miles and miles of rock fencing were fascinating. Built over 150 years ago, the asphalt road had been paved to preserve as much of the stacked stone walls as possible. It's hard to imagine these walls were built without the use of modern day equipment.

The bluegrass of the fields was also breathtaking - nothing like the fescue of the Knobs. And all along the way, white wildflowers dotted the crisp green bluegrass.

Miles and miles of road rolled on, carrying us closer to home. Dark storm clouds were building in the east, probably already bringing much needed rain. We would soon be home and this long and winding road would become part of our memories.

Pen and Paper

Weekend Wordsmith #82 - Pens

Although I know I should be using fountain pens because they are more environmentally friendly, I don't like the way most of these leave ink blots on my paper. I do own several very nice fountain pens and I do pull them out on occasion for handwritten letters or invitations.

Like most people, I still do all my rough drafts with pen and paper. Specifically, a 9 X 7 spiral notebook and a Pilot EasyTouch pen.The notebooks come in handy for jotting down conversations, quotes, descriptions or any other info I may have use for in the future. Many, many times I refer back to these notebooks to help expand, or "fluff" up a story or essay I'm working on.

It is only after I'm fairy satisfied with a piece of work that I'll approach the laptop to start on a final draft. Many times these stories remain locked inside of computer files. But many times they will end up in a blog post.

This is the first time I have participated in the Weekend Wordsmith. I was thrilled to find another writing prompt blog. It is these writing prompts that help keep my writing fresh and relevant.