Misery is…

In perusing an old journal from the 1980s/early 1990s, I found some various things I’d written that must have come from some writing prompts somewhere. This one lists things that all happened for reals.

Misery is…

… getting up at night to use the bathroom and finding it occupied by a roach

…getting your hair cut and having your older brother call you “Shiny-Bald”

…having things go wrong and your older brother singing “Ninety- Nine Tears”

…having the class laugh when the teacher separates you from a boy for talking

…getting caught falling asleep in class by your chemistry teacher

…getting caught falling asleep in church

…as you walk out the door on your first date with a certain guy, your Dad says, “Have a good time, Puncie.”

…having a piece of a glass snake thrown down your blouse (again, the older brother)

…at age 10, opening the bathroom door to see what your older brother wants and then realizing you just took off the top piece of your swimsuit

 

THIS swimsuit

…having company arrive an hour early

…having your blow dryer go out

…running your hose as you step out the door

…gripping about the boss being late for a meeting, to find out it’s really a surprise shower for you.

Share your miseries in the comments below

Avetts in October #22: Brothers

 

1st Christmas in Jacksonville – 1965

 

Katherine Paterson is another one of my favorite children’s authors. Many of you may be familiar with her book, Bridge to Terabithia, which has been made into a movie. Twice. Two others that are also wonderful are The Great Gilly Hopkins (also a movie) and Jip, His Story.

 

“…among  children who grow up together in a family there run depths of feeling that will permeate their souls for both good and ill as long as they live.”  – The Invisible Child- On Reading and Writing Books for Children by Katherine Paterson

One of the first TAB songs I ever heard was Murder in the City. It’s still one of my favorites.

 

“I wonder which brother is better

Which one our parents loved the most

I sure did get in lots of trouble

They seemed to let the other go

A tear fell from my father’s eyes

I wondered what my dad would say

He said, “I love you and I’m proud of you both

In so many different ways”

 

 

 

I Hear the Train a Comin’ #2

Railroad Park – Birmingham, AL – 2015

 

It’s been proven that the sense of smell is closely linked to memory. I’ve found, personally, that sound can trigger the floodgates, also.

The train that runs behind my house is a comforting sound to me, though it’s so loud that if I’m outside I can’t carry on a conversation until it passes.  The clack and squeal of the wheels and the whistle echoing off the rock embankment and through the woods takes me back to the summers of my youth. I am once more eleven years old, riding the Dahlonega Mine Train at Six Flags Over Georgia. That’s was after standing in a line that snaked back and forth for what seemed like forever with my brothers, only to get almost to the front of the line and have my little brother start crying in fear, refusing to ride. So, we got out of line, delivered him to Mom and Dad, and started all over again. But it was worth it. I never tire of the thrill of a roller coaster, though I have to refrain from those that turn upside down because of my motion sickness tendency..

I have other train memories, real trains and not just pretend ones. But this is one of the happiest.

Favorites

The prompt for PAD Day 16 was to write a “favorite” poem. I wrote this using a Bop poem format…

Favorites

What’s your favorite is a hard question
Who’s your favorite is loaded
Say green instead of yellow
Anytime, and no one cares
But if it’s political or familial
Look out and step lightly

I love, I like, I’m a fan

My favorite today may change
But doesn’t just blow with the wind
It grows and evolves
I am allowed to prefer
Southern rock over classical
There’s room in my spirit for both
I can love pie best
Without giving up cake

I love, I like, I’m a fan

The better question might be
What’s your favorite today?
Don’t answer to tickle the ears
Be honest and sidestep
If you must
For who doesn’t prefer peace?

I love, I like, I’m a fan

This reminded me of a portions of the lyrics of Murder in the City by the Avett Brothers.

…I wonder which brother is better
Which one our parents love the most
I sure did get in lots of trouble
They seem to let the other go

A tear fell from my father’s eyes
I wondered what my dad would say
He said I love you and I’m proud of you both
in so many different ways…

 

“Always remember there was nothing worth sharing

like the love that let us share our name.”

 

 

Throwback Thursday – My First Alabama Experience

Here I am looking up to my big brother. This picture was taken in Montgomery, Alabama about 1963. We only lived in this house for a very short time and I have very few memories from that time. I remember walking up a hill to a neighborhood pool. I remember falling down. I also, for some unknown reason, associate the Praying Mantis, or walking stick bug, with the day I fell. And I remember my first kiss. I was playing hide-n-go-seek with my brother and a few of his friends. I came up behind one of them, I think his name was Greg, and kissed him on the elbow.

That’s about it. I sure wish I could remember more. I have stories from my mom, and I can picture them in my head, but they aren’t my memories.

I have so many photographs that bring back so many good memories. But, some bring back sad remembrances as well. Which is how it should be.

I guess I need to have a sit-down with the big brother and pick his brains for HIS memories of Montgomery.