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9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)
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9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)
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Forums » Entertainment » Books » 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

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Forums  »  Entertainment  »  Books  »  9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

posted at March 17, 2012 7:49 PM EDT
Posts: 70
First: February 6, 2012
Last: March 29, 2012
We have so much in common.  Such were the final days of my mother as well.  We lived in different states, and being retired made me the only sibling "without a life" (as my siblings decided), I was to return to the family home so Mom could leave the hospice.  She'd been there three mos. before I was voted in.  Unfortunately, no one told me until the final stages nor did they make it easy for me to make the transition.  With the help of my kids, I finally got my affairs arranged for me to move in 1/1/09; she died 12/26/08.  The dark memories are rising, so I'll stop here.

Anyway, I was right; I know up close and personal reflections when I "feel" them. Wink

Re: Two Kinds of Heroes In The Worlds; 9WAD list, 2/28

posted at March 19, 2012 5:20 PM EDT
Posts: 70
First: February 6, 2012
Last: March 29, 2012
9WAD List, 2/28

hero
sound
color
precious
unkind
solemn
heartfelt
depth
clarity

Bonus:  shallow

Two Kinds of Heroes In the World

Here are two kinds of heroes in the world,  volunteers and accidental.  There are many thoughts and opinions in the Naked City; and, mine is only one

Volunteer Hero


These heroes are well-known to everybody, everywhere.  Whether we need defense of armed forces, protection by (or under) law enforcement, or rescue by firefighters and/or paramedics, we know they'll be there.  With the annoying sound of blaring sirens and lights flashing, we can count on the calvary is coming to save the day!  They are heroes who took solemn oaths and dedicated themselves to serve humanity of every gender, race, creed, belief and color.  That means you, you, especially you, and yours truly, me.  

To the shallow ones amongst us, scoffing " big deal; that's what we, the public, pay them for", I say: you got another think coming.  And, here's some clarity and depth to prove it.  Your answer to this one, single question says it all:  what monetary value or worth is "enough" for you to dedicate risking life, your most precious possession, for that of another, known or unknown to you?  "And, that's all I've got to say about that . . .".  (Forrest Gump)

Accidental Hero

Ask the average Joe/Jane what or how he/she feels about their heroic deed, quite often their answer is "I did nothing special".  Why?  Because they happened to be in the right place, to do the right thing, at the right time.  Simply put:  theirs was heroism by accident.  And this, my friends, I know firsthand, up close and personal!

Upon being in the wee hours by the sound of an accented female-voice In distress, I sprang into action.  My busy day would start in three hours, and this was unacceptable!  Perturbed, I dialed 911 about the disturbance outside my bedroom window.  To my dismay, not only were they aware of it, I was told (1) she was in labor, (2) help was delayed due to another emergency, and (3) if I could help or comfort her in any way until they arrived.  Told her I had four kids, had a good idea of what happens and how, and said I would.  In nightgown and slippers, I was downstairs and out the door in a flash.  Five minutes later, I delivered a silent 6-lb. baby girl.  Two gentle taps on the bottom of her feet brought strong infant squeals from healthy lungs.  The sweetest noise I'd ever heard; 90 seconds later, with mom still on the pavement in birthing squat and cord attached, I put her into the hands of EMS.  Numb from the shock of it all, I don't recall replying and, without a word, walked back inside.  I showered, crawled back in bed and overslept; but, after hearing "why", my employer excused my tardiness.

Later that week, a little girl came to my door with a picture of her newborn baby sister.  "My mom told me to give this to you and thank you".  But, she didn't need to tell me, I knew her heartfelt appreciation that moment our lives collided.  Many years have passed now, and today, she should be 16yrs. or so.

Many called me hero, but when asked about it then and now, I take no credit for heroism.  I did what was moral and humane; what I'd want done for loved ones and myself.  Only an unkind and cold-hearted evil person could have ignored or done nothing for another soul in need.  By doing the right thing, I can always live with myself and sleep better at night.

There are a multitude of others with stories like mine and greater.  To them and all the rest of those two kinds of true heroes in the world, thanks for making this world (our home), a safer, better and place to live!



Lady D
AWIG Ent. 2012
©

Re: Bookmarks and Fingerprints on the Window, 9WAD list 3/7/12

posted at March 19, 2012 11:52 PM EDT
Posts: 70
First: February 6, 2012
Last: March 29, 2012
Word List, 3/7/12

Fingerprints
window
cloudless
ego
emptiness
edge
children
pavement
wonder
Bonus: bookmark

Bookmarks and Fingerprints On The Window

From my rocking chair seated at the window,
I recall a childhood memory of cloudless day,
a twinge of jealous emptiness now and then, 
daydreaming and watching little egos at play.

Age is fantasy -- doesn’t exist for children;
not as it’s known in our adult way, that is;
only yesterday’s tomorrows really matters,
it’s a joyous majesty that gives and gives.

Bookmarks of fingerprints, lips, and noses
of faces pressed on Gram's window; mine.
Nostalgic flood spills over memory's edge
by a pavement-chalked hopscotch outline.


Lady D
AWIG Ent. 2012©

Re: 9WAD list, 3/15/12

posted at March 20, 2012 12:00 AM EDT
Posts: 70
First: February 6, 2012
Last: March 29, 2012
9WAD List, 3/15

dynamic
decade
revelation
wisdom
benefit
atone
surpass
optimism
regret

Bonus:  direction

Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

posted at March 21, 2012 11:09 AM EDT
Posts: 601
First: December 16, 2009
Last: May 17, 2013
Nostalgic flood spills over memory's edge
by a pavement-chalked hopscotch outline.

..................
Well stated. I'm on a trip with gardening friends and my WYFY access has been very limited. I like your hero writings. I think that I would call you a true hero as so many people ignore others in dire need or pretend they do not see to avoid interrupting their lives. Congratulations on doing the right thing. Your lines above bring back memories of playing hopscotch as a chid. Do children still play hopscotch? I will write more tomorrow.

Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

posted at March 21, 2012 3:54 PM EDT
Posts: 70
First: February 6, 2012
Last: March 29, 2012
Thanks for your nice comments; it still feels like I was only being the Mom.  Raising three boys, alone, brushfires were always spontaneously combusting somewhere; "MAAAAAAAAAA . . . !"  Necessity IS the mother of invention. lol

I worked in the executive legal offices of Coke for 20 yrs, and, 15 in law firms before that,  Married a legal assistant whose brother was a lawyer and sister, asst. prosecutor for county DA's office (still)!  Needless to say, there were way too many lawyers in my life.  I mention because they were so stunned and amazed by my heroism because "that's the easiest way to be held liable.  Most people wouldn't touch her, body fluids and all . . .  for fear of being sued!".  Unforgettable AND un-F ing-believable!

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen kids playing hopscotch, tag or marbles in eons.  Do they still play what we played:  Anybody out there with answers?

Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

posted at March 21, 2012 4:28 PM EDT
Posts: 70
First: February 6, 2012
Last: March 29, 2012
In Response to Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!):
Thanks for your nice comments; it still feels like I was only being the Mom.  Raising three boys, alone, brushfires were always spontaneously combusting somewhere; "MAAAAAAAAAA . . . !"  Necessity IS the mother of invention. lol

I have 35yrs. of legal exp, specialized expertise:  litigation.  I retired after 20yrs from the executive corporate legal offices of Coca-Cola; my job at the time.  Prior to that, 15 yrs. in "silk-stocking" defense firms.  Also, 17yrs. of marriage to a legal assistant, his brother, a criminal/personal injury atty; and sister, Asst. DA (prosecutor) in the county DA's office Long-short, there were way too many lawyers in my life.

With that said, you can better appreciate the following. My co-workers were stunned and amazed by my heroism because such implusive boldness can cause serious liability.  "I would've been afraid to touch her like most people; body fluids and all . . .  for fear of being sued.  She's lucky you where there; you're our hero!".  Those moments are the most unforgettable AND un-F ing-believable part of the ordeal!  As one human being to another, there was only one alternative, and it was unthinkable!

Now that you mention it, I haven't seen kids playing hopscotch, tag, marbles, etc  in eons.  Do they still play what we played:  Anybody out there with answers? D 
Posted by ladyddarcel

Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

posted at March 22, 2012 7:33 AM EDT
Posts: 601
First: December 16, 2009
Last: May 17, 2013
9WAD List, 2/28

hero
sound
color
precious
unkind
solemn
heartfelt
depth
clarity

Bonus:  shallow


Upon Awakening I Listen For My Garden

My garden is my obsession. Upon awakening I listen for its sounds. The rustle of the wind in the yew trees outside my bedroom window, the mockingbird with his repetitive morning song and the drip of water from the gutter into my rain barrel. The first rays of the dawn sun fill me with an unexplained depth of excitement. The clarity of the day slowly focuses my mind, pulling me from my shallow early morning sleep. What have my plants been up to during the night. Will the buds from yesterday have opened? What new colors will I see in their foliage or flowers. Each plant evokes memories. They speak to me in different ways from different times. My friend, Anne, gave me this Day Lily. I remember digging it from her garden before she sold her house and moved to Tennessee. This last visit to her garden was both a precious memory and an unkind thorn in my heart for I realized I would never go to this particular garden again.

My great grandmother, for whom I am named, brought pomegranate trees with her when she moved from her home in Georgia to Louisiana. My pomegranate came from a cutting taken from one of these trees. I never knew my great grandmother for she died before I was born, but this tree connects me to her. I have a solemn respect for this tree for its genes have survived along side the genes in my family.

One of the heroes of my garden is the old Banana shrub (Michelia figo) it was planted by a previous owner and must be over fifty years old. It had been showing signs of decline before I had the large water oak cut two years ago. For years it had been dropping leaves and blooming less. Once the oak was removed sun flooded the area and the Banana Shrub has renewed life, new growth, and overall a heartfelt sense of tree happiness. I value the "old heroes" in my garden. The plants other gardeners left for me. I often ponder what will happen to my garden when I leave it. Will its new owner treasure it or rip it all apart to have a low maintenance garden. Time will tell.

Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

posted at March 26, 2012 9:28 PM EDT
Posts: 601
First: December 16, 2009
Last: May 17, 2013
9WAD List, 3/15

dynamic
decade
revelation
wisdom
benefit
atone
surpass
optimism
regret

Bonus:  direction

...........................................................................
Changing Direction

Hateful uncensored
Spoken words overshadow
Decades of wisdom

Changing directions
Changing our misperceptions
Admitting regret

Revelations flow
Surpassing our angry mood
Setting right our mind

Atoning for sins
Beneficial forgiveness
Awakens our heart

Dynamic changes
Optimism rushes like
Sunshine to my soul

Re: 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)

posted at March 29, 2012 2:57 PM EDT
Posts: 601
First: December 16, 2009
Last: May 17, 2013
Word List: 3/29/12

Kiss
innocence
memory
rain
summer
warning
remain
ghosts
passing

Bonus: giggle

Using these words write an essay, poem or very short story. Its a challenge...have fun.
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Forums » Entertainment » Books » 9WAD Daily - A Writers' Exercise for Fun and Inspiration, 2/15/12 (WARNING: PARTICIPATION IS INSTANTLY ADDICTIVE!)