Victim

/ wvfurandroot / 1 Comment

The man looked at her for a long time – beginning at her face and traveling down her body to her feet.  His grin was salacious, and she visibly shuddered.

“Whatsa matter, darling?  I’m just admiring you.  Don’t be cruel.”

Glenna did her best to ignore him, but his slurred words and unsteady gate indicated an excess of alcohol that wasn’t about to be deterred. 

Photo by Nicola Fioravanti on Unsplash

“Aw, c’mon.  Smile for me.  You’d be much prettier if you would smile.”

“I have no obligation to be pretty for you or for anyone else,” she erupted.  She knew better than to respond but she was tired of men who behaved as if she owed them something.  And coming from one she didn’t know at all just punched all of her buttons.

“Now sweetheart, I meant no offense.  You are just a fine example of womanhood and I’m just an admirer.”

“Go away.  Now.”

“I can tell when I’m not wanted.”  To her surprise and his credit, he did turn around and begin walking in the opposite direction. He raised his right hand, middle finger extended, without turning around.  Relief surged through her body.  Now that he was gone, she took out her phone and pulled up Maps.  She was well and truly lost.  Thank God for GPS.  Her phone would know where she was even if she didn’t.  She began walking a few steps in one direction and then another to get her bearings on the map.  It looked like she needed to turn left at the next corner to get to her car. 

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I’ve Always Wanted to…Skydive

/ wvfurandroot / 1 Comment

I always wanted to skydive. 

Really.

I had plans to do so with a friend, but dammit all, she had the temerity to get herself killed in a motorcycle accident before we could execute the plan. 

Photo by Mario Gogh on Unsplash

She was quite an inspiration in my life and I was just never able to bring myself to do the skydiving thing without her.  And then in my late 30s, my chiropractor asked me, “Do you ski?” I said No.  And he said, “Good.  Don’t take it up.”  And then I said, “I suppose that means skydiving is out too.” 

The look on his face.  Apparently, he was terrified of flying.  You would have thought I’d suggested he remove a testicle or something.  “Oh, God, no.  No.  No skydiving.”

And so, it’s a want that will forever be unfulfilled and I find myself mourning the loss.  How many other I always wanted tos am I not going to be able to do?

Getting old sucks.

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The Secret West Virginia Writers Spring Conference

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The West Virginia Writers annual conference, always in June, always at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, WV is one of the writing world’s best-kept secrets. Where else can you see a lineup like this (including me!) for $125 for members and $150 for nonmembers. Lodging, on-site, is reasonable as is the cafeteria food plan. You can give yourself a stellar writing retreat for not much moola! Info here.

West Virginia Writers, like the people of West Virginia, are very welcoming. You needn’t worry about coming alone, you will leave with friends. Find your writing tribe in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia.

The April Fool

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Today, I will be The April Fool and declare a new beginning.  The winter of my discontent is over.  Has to be over.  I am weary of trudging and want to skip. Tired of standing, want to dance.  Sick of worry, want to be fearless.

Today is that day. 

The Fool from the Robin Wood Tarot

I will let the high winds of today clean out the debris and clear my head of the toxic build-up of the past years.  The rains will clear the dust.  Spring cleaning of a sort – more like a pressure wash with the torrents of late.

I will let my little dog frolic as I skip along and ignore her yelps when she warns me of the cliff.  I need to fall off this cliff I’ve been perched on like some hermit sitting on a mountain.  I am the seeker; I am not the teacher.  The sage.  The prophet.

The waterlogged hillside may collapse spilling me onto a road I’ve never been on.  The change might do me good.  Another meaning for winning by a landslide.

I may have to skip through some mud.  My inner child will be delighted to splash in the puddles.  I’ll get dirty.  A hot bath will be a solace.  I will be weary and sleep the sleep of the innocent.  I will.

The future is bright, my outlook is rosy, and I’m determined to make it so.  As it is written, so let it be done.