Yesterday I never went outside. I did do some squats and lifting while watching my Packers beat the Cowboys. With some great game food of bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers, My Michael and a win, it was a pretty good day.
Today we took our 5K walk in 14 F degree temps. It was another good day. Late again and I’m going to bed.
It was after midnight last night, when I thought about blogging my Janathon Day 9, I went to bed instead. Yesterday I didn’t go out and walk, but did do 5 sets of 25 squats, four of them with a 30 lb. kettlebell. I also did push-ups and some lifting.
Today, Day 10, we got out there in a balmy 14 degrees F and it felt great. We walked our 5K route in the campground in an hour. Tonight I did some lifting and exercises but no squats. My legs don’t hurt but I thought I should take a break from them. I think one reason I squat so much lately, is to warm up. The cabin is drafty and when it gets below zero, it is damn cold in here.
I’ve wanted to get back to writing more on my blog but it’s hard. We bought my grandfather’s home, on the island I was born on, this summer. With all that was/is involved in that, my routine was disrupted. I have been through a number of changes in my life and came through okay, but this time I just feel so out of sorts. The saying about old dogs and new tricks may be correct in my case. I’ll keep trying.
It’s been 25 years since I’ve been to Norway.
The boys wanted to see their ancestor’s homeland.
We walk the countryside. I fall in love with it again.
If only I would’ve stayed all those years ago.
We walk to where I first saw the statue.
Sitting on a small bench, I tell my 24 year olds the story.
They listen, but I see their eyes, they think I’m crazy.
As they walk back to the hotel, I know I can’t go home.
I turn, there he is.
Torvald is waiting for me.
Our twins will have to return alone.
That’s it for now, although I have a part 4 in my head.
I wake up. It’s dark.
I’m alone, lying on the blanket.
Did that happen or was it jetlag?
I start to get up, then see him coming.
He approaches with what looks like a rose, hands it to me, helps me up and then kisses me passionately.
I feel something I’ve never felt as he holds me.
When I open my eyes, he’s gone.
Did I dream all that? Please say no!
I return the next night and every night until I leave.
He waits for me.
This is no dream. But what is it?
Torvald, what are you?
Continued from yesterdays Friday Fictioneers. With that in mind I kept this at 99 words.
Part 3 tomorrow
Dad wasn’t happy when I mentioned going to Norway.
Just for a week, I begged, before college starts.
He didn’t say no to me. It’s his ancestor’s homeland.
I arrive, it’s dusk. I just want to relax.
I walk to a park across from the hotel.
Spreading out a blanket I notice the statue. He was magnificent!
It’s dusk, hard to see. Did he wink?
I sit down, hear a noise, look up.
It’s him, my statue in flesh and blood.
“Torvald” he says.
“Ronnaug” I reply.
He speaks, I don’t understand.
He kisses me, I understand.
The universal language.
Part 2 tomorrow!
Thank you Rochelle for Friday Fictioneers!
It was July of 1967. I was 12 years old. We lived in a two story house on the north side of Sheboygan. My family consisted of Daddy, Mama and the six of us kids. I was the oldest. After me came Mary, who would be 11 in August. Tammy turned eight in the spring. The boys had their birthdays at the end of the month. Jerry would be seven, Michael, three and Patrick, the baby was almost 2.
The house was a pretty yellow and so much bigger than the last one we lived in. I didn’t care about any of that. Who needs a big house when all that really mattered was that we left our old neighborhood and all of our friends. I was mad for a short while.
My new school was a block away. I quickly made new friends, but I could also jump on my bike and ride back to the other side of town in 20 minutes.
My sister Mary and I shared a room upstairs. All the kids were up there except Patrick who had his crib in a room downstairs. My parent’s bedroom was also on the first floor, next to the living room, at the front of the house. It was the room Daddy died in.
Sunday, July 30 1967. It was a day I will never forget. My brother, Michaels’, third birthday. Daddy had one of his headaches and wanted to lie down before church. He died suddenly during that nap of a cerebral aneurysm. He was 33 years old. Mom had just turned 30.
We moved back to the south side shortly after that.
This was for Writing 101, Day 11. Where did you live when you were 12. The twist is to pay attention to the sentence length.
Crystal’s Story
The sky has been gray all day, with darker clouds moving in from the west. Looks like it could rain at any moment. But, she’ll be here, she always is. Rain or shine, the old lady comes to the park every evening at 7 p.m. She knits sweaters for an orphanage, she calls it her meditation time.
When Herbie told me about his Grandma’s daily ritual, I knew what my plan would be. I’ve run it through my head for months, it’s so simple. All I needed was for him to see what I saw. Granny had to die!
The only reason I went on that first date with him was because of his name, Herbert Farnsworth Jr. His family had money and I wanted it. It wasn’t until the second week that I found out, the skinny nerd lived on an allowance, and not much of one. Only when the old lady died did Herbie get the Farnsworth fortune.
So, for six months now, I’ve paid my dues. I laugh at his stupid jokes, I smile at all the right moments and I let him crawl on top of me whenever he wants, and he wants all the time.
Last night he popped the question and I said, “Yes, I would love to marry you and have your children.” But, only if he went along with my plan. He fought me, but I can be very persuasive. In the end, I won.
No guns I told him, too loud. A knife would be perfect and the police would see it as a robbery gone bad. There shouldn’t be much of a struggle, as I met her once and she is not a big woman.
There she is sitting on the bench, same bench as always. All alone, most people had either left the park or were in the lit up area near the fountain.
She looked up from her knitting as she heard us approach. Smiles for her grandson and then as she looked at me, the smile disappeared. Herbie says she doesn’t like me. Bitch!
I look over at him. Shit, he’s crying. At this point I know that I’ll have to take over.
I reach into his jacket pocket, pull out the knife and step toward her.
What the Hell!!!
Herbert’s Story
“This is crazy! This is Crazy!!”
What am I thinking? What is she thinking?
When Crystal told me her idea last night and all the reasons we should do it, it almost sounded okay. Not rational, but okay. I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that we were on our third bottle of wine. Or, the fact that she had brought up the idea of getting married while she sat on top of me and rode me like I was a wild stallion.
I know she wants my future fortune and it’s the only reason she is with me. I’m not her type. She dates the muscular, good looking jocks, hoping they will make enough money to someday give her the big house she never had. To take her to the places she dreams of.
I’m a computer geek, a gamer. I run every morning, looking forward to the next marathon. But, you will never find me in the gym.
I want Grandmother’s money, but at 75 years old, I just thought I would wait her out. Although, in the back of my mind, I remember what Father said before he died. “Herbert, make sure you finish college and are prepared to make a living for yourself. Your Grandmother is a bit on the strange side and some of her ideas are not what the rest of the family would want.”
That was 10 years ago while I was still in high school. The money continues to show up in my account like clockwork, so I’m not too concerned.
It’s a little after 7 p.m. and I see her sitting on the bench. Crystal grabs my hand and squeezes really hard. Grandmother sees us and smiles. I can’t do this! Tears well up in my eyes and I can’t stop them.
I hear Crystal swear as she grabs the knife from my pocket. I reach out to grab her but she’s too quick. Next thing I know, she’s walking toward Grandmother with the blade over her head.
Oh my God!
No!!
Tell me that didn’t just happen.
Now what do I do?
Grandmothers Story
Today has been a busy day. Up at 5 a.m. to get ready for Jason to be at the house at 6 a.m. We re-evaluated the workout he has me doing. I told him I thought the weights were too light and I needed more cardio.
After that, I had my kick boxing class at 10 a.m. I taught the older children at the orphanage in an advanced class and basics to the younger ones.
A meeting with my lawyer at 3 p.m. regarding this year’s contributions left me a bit stressed and looking forward to my quiet knitting time tonight. He argued with me about the new orphanage I wanted to build and the increase in scholarships. He told me I might outlive my fortune. I won, I always do!
There was a sweet, little 5 year old girl who was brought in last week. She loves red so this sweater will be for her. I am just working on the finishing stitches and will drop it off in the morning.
I looked up as I heard someone walking up the trail. It is Junior and the sleazy blonde he’s been dating. Crystal Bleu, what kind of name is that? I had a private investigator check her out a few months ago. His report showed me nothing good about her. She changed men like she changed her shoes. She was after money and my grandson was her latest target.
I smile at him and then look at her. She’s smiling at me and I can’t help but feel something is wrong. Junior’s crying. What’s going on?
All of a sudden, the little blonde gold-digger has a knife over her head and is walking toward me. The look on her face was evil.
Sorry, little girl, I don’t play that game. I pull out the loaded .45 from my knitting bag and shoot her. You never know when someone will decide to rob you in the park.
Junior screams like a girl. I grab his face, look him in the eyes and say, “Herbert, go home. You were never here. Grandmother will take care of it.”
While riding my bike, I saw an envelope in the ditch . I stopped, picked it up. It was addressed to Naomi on Brooks Rd. Because of the dampness it was no longer sealed. I pulled the letter out and read it. OMG! Suicide note written to her from Sam. Dated today. Somehow, dropped after pick up and before delivery to post office. Maybe there is time. No return address. I had to get it to Naomi. I know the road, half mile from here. Knock at the door. “Are you Naomi?” She reads the letter, screams and gets into her car. I get on my knees and pray she gets there in time.
Writing 101 Day 5
I looked forward to going home every summer. This year we were doing something different. This year we would be more active while still having fun, a little quirky, to include all ages. I couldn’t wait to get on that plane and back to Wisconsin.
The ex was from So Cal and after getting out of the Army in 1978, he decided it was where we would live. We were there long enough to have a baby, get jobs, move to 3 different homes, spend most of our money and move in with Ex’s divorced father and 3 siblings. All that in 2 years, until we moved to Wisconsin, my home state.
We settled in a wonderful medium sized town, got good jobs and later put our son into a great public school. We had it made, on the outside, anyway. Ex started his construction company. Good money and a lot of stress. We built a home in an upscale neighborhood. One of the jobs he took was remodeling a restaurant and lodge. It was a big project and took many months. He did this on a handshake. After it was finished, they didn’t have the money to pay it all. Bankruptcy, moving out of our custom home, and then too much drinking.
Time to move back to California. That was at the end of 1989. Ex went back first and found a house and a job. Our son and I came out shortly after that. I had to leave a job I loved for 8 years and my family.
Oops, back to the story and fast forward to 2001. I go back to Wisconsin for a week every summer. I go by myself. Ex is never happy about me going and won’t come with me. After a few years, I don’t care, I just need to go.
I always end up at my parent’s home on the Island and my 7 siblings come, at least for the weekend. We had done Christmas in July the years prior. This year (2001), my brother-in-law suggested we do a family “Survivor”. There were plenty of emails and phone calls to plan the weekend. We figured we had between 20 and 30 people with sibs, in-laws, nieces, nephews, my grandma, my parents and a couple friends. The teams ended up with 12 people each, ages 7 to 81. We had spouses on opposing teams. Each team had four siblings, mine with 2 sisters, a brother, Dad and assorted others. The other had 2 brothers, 2 sisters, Mom, Nanny plus 6 more.
Events included food challenges, basketball shooting, how far can you jump, hit a golf ball and sunflower seed spitting. We picked teams on Friday night and saw the area my bro-in-law chose for the tribal counsel. Games to begin on Sat morn…
Writing 101 Day 4
Crazy
Until he died, my Papa was my favorite person. He was more fun, loving, and inspirational than teachers, aunts & uncles, even my parents. I loved him best! He whistled, sang, yodeled and danced. He would grab my grandma and dance her around the kitchen. She’d swat at him and he would laugh. My grandparents frequently threw parties out on the lawn for all their friends. Papa danced with the ladies and when we were visiting, my Mom was his favorite partner. As I got older, he would dance with me. I consider our song to be, “Crazy” by Patsy Cline. Now, when I hear it, I have to dance. If nobody will dance with me, I dance alone.
American Pie
I’m not sure when it started, but it had to be after most of the siblings were of drinking age. Being the oldest, that’s a long, long time ago. At family get togethers, after a few drinks and before the end of the night, we sang. All siblings, and later, the in-laws, would link arms and belt out all verses of Don McLean’s, “American Pie”. Sometimes we would have an entire tavern full of people singing. It’s now family tradition to have the D.J. play that song at all weddings. People who don’t know us well, start out thinking we are a strange family, but halfway through the song, you see them singing the chorus with us. For this family, the music will never die.
Who Am I?
As a born again Christian in 1996, I found a love for contemporary Christian music. I would sing Chris Tomlin’s songs as I cleaned the house or did gardening. My sister told me about the group, Casting Crowns sometime around 2008. Loved, loved, loved their music, still do. I sang their stuff all day long. I was singing “Who Am I” one day and stopped what I was doing, sat down and really listened to the words. “You told me who I am, I am yours.” I cried. I listened to it again and cried. I had been singing the song for months. Why did it affect me at that time? I’m sure He had a reason.
Writing 101, Day 3.
Finding ancestors and keeping them close to the heart
Let them learn
BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
a cursed world and a sovereign god || one family's journey with cancer
Genealogy and history of Native Americans of Granville County and Northeastern North Carolina
So many things to say, so little time!
Wisconsin Youth In Government
Photography, Life and More
He Says, She Says, Say What???
Humor for the Meme Streets
Short reads, good laughs
tiny histories
The Art and Craft of Blogging
Not enough room in my head for all these thoughts
poetry & photography
Etudes in Writing
getoutamyhead 