#BlogBattle: Orchid – Week 28 – New Beginnings

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

🙂 Tuesday is upon us once again!! Let the #Blogbattle begin!!

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration. Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey. Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.

This week’s word: Orchid

Genre: Romance ❤

New Beginnings

Finn steps into the house that is so familiar. It’s just as his Aunt Lainey had always kept it. It had been a couple months since her passing, a friend of hers took care of the house until he could move in. As he walks into the dining room, he stops, and looks around. The orchids. Aunt Lainey loved her orchids, and she has not just a few of them, they are everywhere. He smiles as he hears her voice echo through his brain “Please Finn…don’t kill my beloved Orchids. When the time comes, you’ll know exactly what to do with them.”

Before he can start any work, he needs to eat. With no food in the house, he needs to go out. When he steps out of the house and heads towards his car, he notices someone next door, he hadn’t realized that the house had been sold. It was empty for many years after old man Stone died. When she glances his way, they both stop, staring at each other as recognition dawns. “Claire?” Finn asks.

“Finn?” she mimics.

They walk towards each other, their elation palpable. When they are close enough he pulls her in a friendly hug and says, “Claire, you look great!!”

After hugging him back she says, “You do too Finn, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” He points over to the house then says, “My Aunt Lainey left me the house, I just got here today to start cleaning it out.” Suddenly his memory darkens, he says quietly, “Hey…I heard about Danny…I am so sorry Claire.” He rubs his hands up and down her arms.

She softly replies, “Thanks Finn, I knew when I married him there was always that possibility” she shrugs, “He died doing what he loved, defending our country…not that it makes it any easier.” Smiling and needing to change the subject she spreads her arms out towards the house and says, “But look…I bought a house!! It needs a lot of work…but it’s mine!!”

“Congratulations!! Hey, I was just going to get something to eat, would you like to join me?”

“You know, I think I will.” She says with a nod.

They continue talking on the drive to the restaurant, as comfortable as the two old friends that they are. Being back in the town they both grew up in stirred up a lot of old memories.

As they wait for their food to arrive, they compare to-do lists for their houses. Finn hates the thought of Claire doing all that work by herself, but knows deep down she needs to do it herself, and probably will enjoy it, but still. He can’t help but offer, “Claire, please do not hesitate to call me if you need any help, I’d be happy to help.”

“Thanks Finn, but I know you have a lot of things you need to get done as well, I’d hate to bother you, I’ll get everything done…eventually. Hey, the way I look at it I have 30 years to get it just right.” She says with a smile full of pride and accomplishment.

As they eat, talk and laugh, Finn sees Claire with new eyes. In high school she was always Danny’s girl, so he never thought of her as anything but a friend. But now, after knowing what she’s been through losing her husband too soon, yet ready to tackle a new life, alone, he is in awe at how strong and beautiful she is.

As they linger over dessert and coffee, Claire excuses herself to use the ladies room. She has enjoyed Finn’s company more than she expected to. Sure they were old friends, but in high school, she never looked at anyone else, for her it was always just Danny. As she washes her hands and looks at herself in the mirror, this is the first time in five years that she doesn’t see the young widow of Staff Sergeant Parsons. Who she sees is the woman she truly is. Oh, she will always love Danny, but with the new house, it’s time for new beginnings.

She steps out of the ladies room, and catches a glimpse of Finn sitting there waiting for her. Yeah…Finn is definitely easy on the eyes, she grins at the thought of having him as her neighbor.

When they pull up to the house, Finn jumps out and quickly jogs around the front of the car to open her door. It’s been a long time since a man did that for her, the sweet gesture warms her heart. He takes her hand in his to help her out of the car. She says, “Thanks for dinner Finn, it was nice catching up.”

With a slight bow he says, “You are very welcome Claire, I enjoyed it too. Claire…don’t forget…you call me if you need anything.” He says pointing a finger at her.

“Yeah, OK…Thanks again Finn…Good night.” Claire turns and walks away.

“’Night Claire…dream sweet.”

~ ♥ ❤ ♥ ~

Finn wakes up early the next morning ready to start his day. As he walks through the dining room, the sun shining through the window catches his eye. There standing proudly among the purple flowers is one lone yellow orchid, illuminated by the sun’s rays. He wasn’t by any means an expert on orchids, but in all these years, he has never seen a yellow one before.

He enters the kitchen to get some coffee, as he looks out the window, he sees Claire up on a ladder. “What the…oh no. That’s not happening.” He murmurs to himself.

He walks out the back door allowing the screen door to slam behind him. He marches right up to the ladder and says, “What do you think you are doing? Claire, I told you to call me.”

“It’s so early I didn’t want to wake you.” She argues.

“Come down from there…carefully, please.” He coaxes her.

He holds on the ladder as she descends it slowly. She makes it all the way down safely, but slips on the last rung causing her to almost fall, but Finn grabs hold of her. As she tries to stand on her own, he notices that her loose fitting shirt fell from her shoulder revealing a beautiful tattoo on her back. First he asks, “Are you OK?” Then, “Is that a tattoo?”

She nods her head, and shyly says, “Yes.” Trying to cover it back up. He stops her and says, “May I?” as he moves the shirt back to reveal the whole design.

She explains, “It’s an orchid, my favorite flower.”

“Yes, I know it’s an orchid, it’s beautiful…but why a yellow one?” Admiring it, he inquires.

“A yellow orchid symbolizes new beginnings…how do you know it’s an orchid?” she questions.

He says with a smile and a shrug…”I’ve seen a few. New beginnings huh?” Just then he takes her by the hand and says, “Come on…you have to see this!!”

Happy Homemaker Monday 09/21

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Had a good weekend. Did some much needed cleaning, and attended the Murder Mystery program at the library, see below on that. Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

MOVIE REVIEW:
My daughter and I watched this over the weekend, it was a good movie. A little sad, but very interesting.

NEW RECIPE I TRIED THIS WEEK/RECIPE TO SHARE:
I need to find some new ones to try. I am looking forward to bringing back Beef Stew and Chili as the weather starts to get cooler. I did come across a recipe for Chili, in one of the books that I recently read, it had cocoa in it. That sounded interesting to me, has anyone tried anything like that?

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

This is how I used to see math word problems…until I had to start teaching it 😐 Now I actually enjoy the challenge of it.

FUN EVENT I RECENTLY ATTENDED:
Saturday at the Library that had the Get Away with Murder program. It was fun, and interesting. They have several stories you can choose from. This one was a murder of the star football player, taken place in 1957. The suspects are presented, and then everyone gets a chance to talk to each one of them, to get information out of them, to solve the crime. The lead character was the School’s Librarian, named Carrie Doubt 🙂 She explained how the event worked, and told us once the suspects were introduced it was up to us to interrogate them, and being that this was 1957, there are no Miranda rights, so if we needed to we could get physical with our interrogations, lol. The suspects stayed in character throughout the whole event. It was fun to have that “back-in-time” feel to it, and the suspects were your typical 50’s characters.

The last time our library did this, people worked in groups to solve the murder, but this time everyone was on their own. I think working in groups would have been even more fun.

Here is their web site, they are available for all kinds of events. Get Away with Murder.

THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Season 8 of Castle!! That starts tonight, there are only a few shows that I like to watch, and this is one of them, I love the crime stories and the cast.

On a creative note…I ordered my calligraphy pens, and a book #onlineshopper. They should be here by the end of the week!!

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA:

QUOTES:

Monday’s Muse: Writing Prompt for 09/14

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Monday’s Muse: Writing Prompt for September 14

I am joining in with the super-creative Candice Coates for her Monday’s Muse. She provides a photo and an opening line on Monday, then posts her results on her blog on Thursday. Guidelines on how to join in are at the bottom. (The opening line provided is in bold).

The pictures were old, foreign and yet somehow familiar even though he couldn’t quite place them. Somewhere hidden within his spirit he knew he had taken them.

It wasn’t just deja vu, it felt much stronger than that, but yet the mental image was foggy. My grandfather left me a huge box full of stuff, and the pictures were right on the top. How could I not look in the box, when scribbled on its lid in his chicken scratch it read, ‘the truth lies within.’

My grandfather always told stories, he had such an imagination, we always thought his stories were just to entertain us, never knowing if they were true or not, or if it was the mutterings of too much vodka and longing for home. But now as I looked as these photographs bits and pieces of those stories warred with hazy images, and I’m not so sure what is actually real.

I remember Him and his brother would spend hours playing cards, with a bottle of vodka perched in the middle of the table to be shared between them. They basically grew up on the stuff, so I doubt it did anything to their senses, as it would to a person not accustomed to such hard drink. Once the bottle was empty they would sit and quietly talk between them, speaking only in Polish so no one would understand them. I rarely heard the foreign language, it was just how it was, once your feet grazed the shores of American soil, you left your old life behind, and painstakingly learned the English language, never indulging in your foreign tongue…unless your soul held secrets.

As I sifted through the box, the last thing I found was some sort of journal, in my grandfather’s handwriting. When I opened it, a newspaper article fell from within the pages. It was in Polish, so I could not understand what it was about. But the journal read:

My dear grandson, you must have many questions. I do not know if the photographs are familiar to you, but they are the reason we are in America. As a young man, you had no fear, and you took these photographs in secret. You did not think anyone would ever find out about them, but certain people did.

I did not have to read any further, because the images and the memories all came flooding back. The two men that came and found me, and demanded I give them the photographs, I refused. That’s when I could feel the pain from each blow that I took from these men, and the final jolt of pain in my head when it struck the concrete once I fell to the ground. At that point I was fading in and out of consciousness. I saw another large figure come upon one of the men, I’m not sure what happened, but he dropped to the ground lifeless, the other man ran away as fast as he could. I could hear voices, but couldn’t understand what they were saying.

I continued reading in the journal. Your head injuries were severe, the doctor said that you would not remember anything. My father told me to take you to America, where my brother already was. When we entered at Ellis Island, it was as if we were given a new identity. When we gave them our names, the person recording our names in the manifest spelled it the way they thought it would sound in English, they were known to sometimes even add a few extra letters for good measure. The Polish language has it’s own alphabet, so the American translation did not resemble the way it was spelled in Poland. It was the perfect opportunity for you and I to start a new life, and never be found.

I stopped reading, even though there was more. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know more at this moment. My head hurt, and this was a lot of information to process. Because of me, my grandfather killed a man. The only thing running through my head at the moment was why hadn’t the truth died along with him?

______________

Join Monday’s Muse:

• Using the opening line and the picture provided, (Or one of your own choosing) create a story (or even a poem) within 15 to 20 minutes.

• Once you have finished your super awesome masterpiece, add your story’s link in the comments section here, for others to read.

• Also include a link on your page back to this original post for others to follow along and write with as well. In your “tags” section, add the tag “Monday’s Muse.”

#BlogBattle: Distance – Week 27 – Close the Distance

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Tuesday = #Blogbattle

This week’s word: Distance

Genre: Romance

Close the Distance

Evelyn boards the plane hoping she won’t end up sitting next to some older woman who wants to chat incessantly about her grand kids. She finds her seat with out any trouble, and is relieved when she notices the person in the next seat, Oh good a sleeping man. Just then the flight attendant appears behind her and asks if she needs any assistance. Evelyn puts her finger to her lips and says in a whisper, “I’m fine thank you, I don’t want to wake him…I don’t want to have to talk to him during the flight.”

“That wouldn’t be so terrible,” The man says with a mischievous grin, without opening his eyes.

Evelyn chokes back an expletive as she stores her carry on bag.

The flight attendant smiles and says, “Have a nice flight.”

“Oh…she will,” He is now fully awake and looking right at her. She has a difficult time not getting lost in his blue eyes.

Evelyn takes her seat. With a hand to her chest she pleads her case for forgiveness, “I am sorry, I hate to fly…I’m just a little anxious.”

He holds up a hand, with a sincere smile, he says, “It’s fine, we don’t have to talk.”

“Well that would be just awkward now. Let’s start over…Hello, my name is Evelyn Rhodes,” she extends her hand.

“Hello Evelyn, I’m Jack McAllister, nice to meet you.” He gives her hand a somewhat firm shake.

“So Evelyn, are you traveling for business or pleasure?” he inquires.

Trying to ignore the effect the smoothness of his voice has on her, she stammers, “Uh….both. Whenever my company sends me somewhere, I like to tack on a few extra days to take in the sights, and get a break. What about you?”

“Friends wedding…at the Grand Hotel.” He says with little emotion.

She didn’t want to mention to this stranger, albeit a very handsome stranger, that she was also staying at the Grand Hotel.

As the plane prepares to take off, he notices that she is visibly uptight. Her hand is gripping the armrest so tightly, her knuckles have turned white. She leans her head back against the seat and closes her eyes. Her lips are frantically moving, and he thought she was praying until he heard the whispered affirmation repeated over and over, “I am a calm airplane passenger” which totally belies her posture.

Trying not to laugh, Jack gently takes her hand in his, and calmly says, “Evelyn, look at me…relax, and just breathe. Tell me about your job, but no matter what, don’t take your eyes off me.” His uses his other hand to rub a tiny rhythmic circle on the top of her hand, which pleasantly calms her down.

As the flight continues, they talk about where they currently live, and are both surprised to find that they only live blocks away from each other. Jack keeps the conversation going and asks if that is where she is originally from. When she explains that she is from a small town he probably never even heard of, but yet he has, he let’s go of her hand, and says, “Just stop,” He turns in his seat to angle his body so that he is almost facing her.

Evelyn looked nonplussed, “What? Stop What?”

With an eyebrow raised he suspiciously asks, “What street did you live on?”

She cautiously responds. “I lived on Willow Street…Why?”

“Seriously Evelyn? I lived on Birch.” Jack continues to look at her until his words sink in.

As understanding dawns on her face she says incredulously, “Jack, no way…that’s well within walking distance from each other…like where we live now.”

“We have probably been passing each other on the streets our whole lives, what are the chances that we end up meeting on a plane taking us to another state?” asking the rhetorical question.

“Jack, this actually wasn’t my original destination. I only found out yesterday of the change in plans, which rarely happens. My boss knows how I am about sticking to a plan, but it couldn’t be helped.”

He quietly laughs, and takes her hand in his again, and says “Evelyn, be my plus-one for my friend’s wedding.”

“Gee…so charming, how can I resist an invitation like that? Where is your original plus-one?”

“I found out yesterday that all her late nights at work had nothing to do with her job.” He replied flatly.

“Oh…I’m sorry Jack.”

“Eh…it happens. I’m serious Evelyn, this has to be fate, destiny….kismet, serendipity….or whatever word they use in romantic movies to get the girl to say yes.” He says while waving his hand back and forth to punctuate each word.

“Since you put it that way” she smiles and then murmurs, “and I happen to be staying at the Grand Hotel.”

He let’s out a triumphant “Yes,” with a single fist pump, and says, “You see Evelyn, I’m telling you…it’s fate.” He wiggles his eyebrows up and down.

“Is it too late to get a refund from the Charm School you attended?” She teases, shaking her head this is definitely not what I had planned.

~ ❤ ~

Later that evening, Evelyn exits the elevator and begins to walk through the lobby. When Jack turns around wearing a gorgeous black suit, the sight of him stops her in her tracks. He sees her and quickly closes the distance between them. When he is right in front of her, he takes her hand and steps back so he can admire her.

She looks back at him and declares, “Oh my, Jack McAllister, don’t you clean up nicely?”

He kisses her hand and says, “I’d say the same to you, but my charm must accommodate my attire. Besides, mere words cannot express how stunningly beautiful you are. Thank you for being here with me. Shall we?” He places her hand in the crook of his arm and leads her into the ballroom.

With a nod and an alluring smile, Evelyn says, “I guess charm school paid off after all.”

“You don’t even know,” his words are flirtatious but filled with promise.

Later when he leads her to the dance floor, she places one hand on his shoulder, and the other in his hand, leaving enough space in between them so their bodies do not touch. When he places his hand on the small of her back, and draws her close, he whispers in her ear, “I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anymore distance between us.”

Happy Homemaker Monday 09/14

Posted on September 14, 2015 by Carrie Ann Alexis

The weather has been rather chilly, but it looks like it will warm up this week a bit. Had a nice weekend, it was the twin’s birthday on Sunday, they turned 20!! Even though they still live at home, it is difficult to get everyone together at one time. I cherish these times with them, as I know all to soon they will be few and far between…basically I blinked and they are now two wonderful young adults. *sigh*. Hope everyone has a great week ahead!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

CURRENTLY READING/HAVE READ:
I really only got the opportunity to read the other Blogbattle entries. Blogbattle is a weekly “contest” where anyone can join in and write a short story (1000 words max) using the word that is given for that week. There are some very good stories that come out of these battles each week. Anyone can join in to write, and anyone can also vote for their favorite story. All you have to do is read all the stories, and then cast your vote for your top 3. The poll goes on the page on Wednesday.

This was started by Rachael Ritchey 6 months ago. I cannot believe it has been that long. I joined in on week 6, and only missed a couple weeks along the way. It is a wonderful community of very talented, passionate writers, encouraging each other, and having fun with something we enjoy doing. I know we are getting more and more writers involved, but I don’t know how many just readers there are. Rachael has asked the blogbattlers to:

Invite all your friends and followers on social media to read our free stories every week and vote…so we can share the experience with people who just enjoy reading a good story and like to have a say in the winner of a little friendly competition. The more people reading and voting, the better!

I would love to see it grow to a community of writers and readers. Anyone who loves to read would enjoy reading the stories, and being able to pick their favorite, which then encourages the writer if their story is chosen for the week. If you, or know anyone who loves to read, share the link with them please 🙂

#BlogBattle

NEW RECIPE I TRIED THIS WEEK/RECIPE TO SHARE:
My daughter and I did make the Cinnamon Roll Bread Twists. They have a good flavor, but I’m not used to working with bread dough. I did use frozen bread dough. I like things nice and simple, and I thought they were more work than they were worth.

This is one of my sons favorite desserts, so I made this for him for his birthday. The twins aren’t big cake people. This is a recipe that my grandma used to make, simple and delicious.

Butterscotch Rice Krispies

1 c. Peanut Butter (I think Skippy works the best for taste)
1 bag Butterscotch Chips
5 c. Rice Krispies Cereal

Melt the peanut butter and butterscotch chips in a double broiler, (or on low heat) until they are creamy. Stir in Rice Krispies so they are coated. Spread flat in a 9 x 13 pan. Refrigerate until set. (about an hour). Keep in the fridge.

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

THINGS I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Football!! Sunday was the official start of the NFL football season, we are Chicago Bear fans!! I don’t always get to sit and watch the whole game, I’m usually in the next room doing my lesson plans, but from time to time I’ll get to watch part of the game, especially after the living room erupts into cheers, high fives, and chest bumps. #boys

But if the game is in the winter and it’s snowing…then I’ll sit and watch it, snuggled up with some hot chocolate, and my Bears Snuggie (yes…I said snuggie…don’t judge 😉 )

FAVORITE VIDEO/BLOG POST:
“Calligraphy is Music for the eyes!!” I’ll be getting my pens soon, and found the books I want to get…it’s only a matter of time. This guy makes it look so easy!!

FAVORITE PHOTO(S) FROM THE CAMERA: