Random posts from a writer who loves cats and coffee. An American Democratic woman with chronic illness (respiratory) who lives to read, write, and binge watch Netflix or Hulu. Married to a hot foodie who plays lots of video games. I'm not just a broken human, I'm also uniquely maladjusted but fun!
Re: Protect Reproductive Freedom, End Underage Marriage, and Improve and Mandate Reproductive Education
Please do all that you can to protect reproductive rights and freedoms, and the clinics that serve the poor and any person who shows up in need of whatever ob/gyn services they need. It's easy to forget that the same service provided to the financially stable are ignored by protesters from the ""pro-life"" group. An increase in unwanted or unhealthy newborns among those who cannot afford to take care of them, or are uninterested or unable to do so, serves no one. Our current child placement system for surrendered youth is not in such excellent shape so as to be able to handle a huge influx in need. CPS will require much more funding. Programs such as WIC and CHIP will require a massive increase in funds. Taxpayers will face a huge financial burden to raise the surrendered infants to adulthood.
But please do vote for mandatory protections and full and complete coverage for every pregnant person. No matter if the pregnancy is healthy or a complete attack on the individual, there should be no limit to the care that person receives to get back to healthy. This includes mental and emotional health as well. 100% coverage for all, no matter the outcome, from the moment the pregnancy test is positive.
And please create a national minimum marital age no lower than the adulthood age to be held accountable for signed contracts, purchase alcohol, get a tattoo without parental approval, and rent automobiles. Anyone not old enough, mature enough, or responsible enough to do THOSE things is certainly not prepared for marriage, civil unions, or other lifetime binding commitments between consenting adults. It's time to stop bad parents from selling off their "child brides" in this country. And to prevent them from having their children impregnated to get around current regulations.
It is time to put more effort into educating people about consent. Especially young men. It's time to create far better reproductive health classes with better biological research and facts, and for the Department of Education to take that seriously and require such knowledge be assessed and verified before a child is permitted to go on to high school, or be eligible for a GED, or a seat as an elected official! There is a serious gap in education and knowledge among many elected officials in America. They're being asked to pass laws regulating something which they might have had no or incorrect education about, and that must be stopped.
Please vote to give science a chance to help our country before many citizens are alienated by foolish laws with no root in provable or true reality.
I did not accomplish anything today. I was not "Empowered." (My word of the year, I guess.)
I could feel guilty about that. And I do, a bit.
Or
I could phrase it that I had an incredibly difficult health day yesterday. So I spent today recovering and not pushing myself too hard, thus not spiraling into another heath crisis.
I also read yesterday that potassium can lower blood pressure. It takes like 4700mg to do anything though. There is none in my daily vitamin. 🍌🥔🥦 So there are probably days where I get none or nearly any.
422mg in a banana. 897 in a potato. 468 in broccoli.
I don't eat those every day. I don't eat ANYTHING everyday. Yogurt comes close. I like a varied flavor experience.
Except when I'm ill, like yesterday, where my experience is just vomit, muscles locked up, and a migraine on a Clark Kent/ Superman level. (How does he deal with super heightened senses ALL THE TIME? It's hell. Maybe he doesn't notice because he's born with it. But, on Smallville, they developed like puberty. And let me tell you, having every sense revved up is NOT pleasant. I think it causes the headache part of the migraine because the brain cannot process the information.)
Anyway. Hope your New Year is starting better than mine. I just sold a ton of stocks to pay bills.
Tagline: What did they expect with a name like King?
I was a quadruplet. Actually a quint, but one sibling didn't make it through the first day. And now I'm a twin, just my sister Charlotte and I remain.
Our other sister and brother, Nina and Khan, were more popular. They got more milk. They got more attention from mom. Everyone liked them more.
People were saying that in a year or two, I'd probably be traded or loaned out. They named me King, and then planned to send me off? Ohhhh no, not me, I'm not going anywhere.
My favorite sister made friends with the girls next door. They paid attention to her. They had time. She figured maybe she would live with them one day. Or she might also be traded or loaned out.
I watched as dad moved to his new home. He's too dangerous to be allowed near us, ever. He'll eventually try to get with the girls next door. In a year or two, I'll be interested in them. Dad and I would fight over them if we weren't kept apart.
Khan and I would have fought over them one day. Now that he's gone, it won't be an issue.
"Go play on the log," I told him. No one else was around. It was so early. "It'll be so fun."
The water under the log had frozen. Not thick enough to walk on, just enough to look pretty. Deceptive. And the dew on the log was just slick enough.
My brother hadn't been sharpening his claws regularly. Too busy playing and being popular. I knew what would happen.
Khan climbed onto the log. "I'm king of the enclosure!"
No.
I'm King.
One little swipe of my paw, and the log rolled. Khan couldn't hold on. Didn't have the claws for it.
The frozen pond broke easily. Sure, he could swim. We can all swim. But ice isn't for swimming.
"Whatcha doing?" I heard the question and a yawn from behind me. Nina. She must have noticed Khan wasn't asleep beside her.
"Khan fell in!"
Nina ran to the pond and jumped in after him.
I guess Charlotte won't have to live with the girls next door. I called out that I'd go for help, then trotted back inside.
Nice and warm in here. Much more spacious, too.
"Where did you last see your brother?" Mom asked as I went for some milk.
"Playing on a log." I'm not totally lying.
"It's too cold out. And he hasn't had breakfast. Nina did, but Khan didn't. Haven't I always said breakfast first then play? That way we can be out of the sleeping area when they come to clean." Mom and her milk leave.
That'll be the last time I'm not favored.
Charlotte nipped my tail. "Why is everyone up so early?"
I heard mom roar in the distance.
"You and I are taken care of, that's all you need to know. Your King promised everything will be okay, and now it will be."
Do I have the face of a killer? We all do, normally. That's survival.
If you haven't been following these cubs, then this is
THE FIRST TIME EVER (I/ you) SAW (YOUR/ his) FACE. 😉
🐯 Note: There's no evidence that King had anything to do with Khan and Nina dying. No actual fratricide. The video above was posted with his sweet face, and my dark and twisted mind thought to make a horror story for the prompt.
The little baby tigers are actually very sweet and lovable. There was talk that King might be loaned to other proper tiger sanctuaries one day for "stud services." But none are actually being shipped off forever. There's plenty of room. I was just going for a good story.
And while tigers in the wild do kill to survive, these tigers get food deliveries. A lot of it comes from donations. There doesn't seem to be any actual killing at the sanctuary.
Sugar and Spice are the tiger girls next door, a year older than the cubs.
There is a memorial for Khan and Nina. The offending pond has since been blocked off. The odds that they would have died like that were infinitely minuscule, but it happened. No one is at fault. Nature has a cruel streak.
I stare out the window as the school bus nears our stop for the last time this year. Over my shoulder, I wish Chuck a lovely summer. He doesn't reply. As the last two students on the bus, sometimes we talk, but other times we ignore each other. Since he's a senior, this is his last ride. Guess he's sticking with silence.
The bus glides to a stop. I grab my barren backpack and turn toward the aisle. Something flies at my face. My arms protect my head as I kick with self-defense instinct. Chuck flees off the bus. I take a moment to catch my breath.
Did Chuck try to kiss me?
The scene mentally replays as I leave. His messenger bag hit my shoulder. My wrist is wet from colliding with his lips. He was what flew at me.
The bus driver and I exchange goodbyes as I step off the bus. Chuck is already down the road, rounding the bend toward his home. I could go after him, or up the hill to my house, possibly never seeing him again.
"Chuck? Wait up," I call out. Do I want to kiss him? The thought never occurred to me before.
He trips over a fallen branch. I sprint over and crouch beside him.
"Leave me alone!" Chuck shoves my hand when I touch his arm. Tears stream under his glasses.
"No. Please don't make me chase you. I want to know why you lunged at me."
"Screw you," he moves to get away, so I pin him down. I'm a powerhouse athlete, he's a brittle anime groupie.
I seize his chin to force him to look at me. "You lunged at me. That scared me half to death. What was your intention?"
He struggles to hide his face. I release his chin.
"We've made small talk on the bus a few times. You've never moved closer. Never asked for my contact information. Then, out of the blue, you threw yourself at me when I wasn't paying attention."
"Let me up."
I growl in frustration. "Fine. You owe me an apology."
As I move off of him, I take his shoe.
"Give it back," he cries as he sits up and pulls his knees to his chest.
"Explanation or apology first. Preferably both." I sit on his stolen shoe.
"You wouldn't understand."
I huff at him. "Were you trying to kiss me? Yes or no."
He glances at me, nods, and then looks away.
I pull out my phone and flick on Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. He watches me. "Piano music helps me calm down. Was it me you were hoping to kiss? Or was I a random target?"
Chuck examines a blade of grass.
"Kissing someone just to say you did? Last day of high school for you. Probably never see me again. Decided to just plant one on me and run off. Was that your thought process?"
He drops the grass.
"Wow. Well, why stop there?" I yank down the zipper of my yellow blouse, revealing a tight, low-cut tank top underneath. "Here's your chance. Biggest pair in the tenth-grade class."
He ogles my chest for a moment, flushes, and turns away.
"Not good enough? What if you take off your jeans and we bang in the bushes on Kellerman's yard? Brag about that for the rest of your life."
"You're such a— "
"What? Come on. Pick your insult. Think you have words worse than your actions? I'm a person, Chuck." I zip my blouse back up. "Not a thing for stealing kisses."
"Like you'd have ever agreed to kiss me." He stands up. I flick his shoeless foot.
"Maybe I would have."
"Yeah, right. After you dated Jace, I'm so sure you'd kiss me."
"Oh, that's it, is it? Just wanted to be where Jace once was? I'm not just a thing; I'm a thing he once wanted?" Tears burn as they pour down my face. I get up and throw his shoe at him. "How dare you. I have never been mean to you. Never called you Upchuck or Chucky-No-Lucky. I stood up for you. But, to you, I'm nothing but Jace's ex."
"No." He touches my arm. I pull away. I tap my phone, moving the music just past the eight-minute mark. He raises an eyebrow. I turn to storm off. He grabs my hand.
"How did he get you?"
I pull free. "Not by grabbing or lunging at me!"
Cementing my eyes closed, I press the phone against my chest. I want to feel the music and nothing else.
"The first time we kissed, Jace stood near me. Close enough to feel each other's breath. He was so still, and his smile was so bright. His lips were an invitation. I wasn't taken, commanded, or conquered. He's not at all what everyone thinks he's like."
"Are you back together with him?"
I swing my backpack to smack Chuck's arm. "No! That's another apology you owe me."
"You're still in love with him. I don't stand a chance."
I ram my finger against his feeble chest. "You don't want a chance. All you want is some experience. To proclaim you kissed before you graduated high school. You don't care who, as long as it happens."
"Giulietta," he moves my finger away.
"Julie," I correct him.
"Giulietta," he touches my chin. "I do want the chance to know you better. And to kiss you. Not someone else. I wanted to seize the moment, just once, because I know I'm no Jace. One kiss before you had the chance to say no."
I take a step back. "You'll find that I'm big on consent. And hate being called by my given name."
955 Words Full Critique Acceptable Tagline: An unanticipated kiss fails, revealing a crush.
"Beethoven took Countess Giulietta Guicciardi on as a pupil in around 1801 and soon fell in love with her. His Sonata Op. 27 no. 2, 'Moonlight Sonata' is dedicated to her." - Giulietta Guicciardi (1784-1856), Beethoven and Moonlight Sonata I named my main character for the woman the song is dedicated to. Also, the song is played in the story. The opening of this piece is true. However, I'm not an athlete (though I was stronger than Chuck, but not faster), and I took the other path. I went home and never saw him again. I have absolutely no idea why the song made me think of him. Honestly, hadn't recalled that moment in 22 years. I don't regret my choice (he was a racist with a mean streak). Just thought it'd be fun to fictionalize the moment and play with the road not taken. I played with yellow 🌞, like the sun, the "opposite celestial" to the moon🌛, as the true story had the opposite path of this flash fiction.
This month's prompt is based on Please Read the Letter by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - a break up song and a moving plea for understanding at the termination of a relationship. Neither of these musicians need an introduction of course, both have umpteen awards to their names individually. The album Raising Sand where the track is included is a platinum with more than a million sold.
The song was first composed and recorded by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page and appeared on their album Walking into Clarksdale in 1998. It was rerecorded later again by Plant and Krauss in 2007 and was well received by critics. It went on to win the Grammy for the Record of the Year in 2009.
I never heard this song before, or of Plant or Krauss. Guess I live under a rock.
Anywho, I am using a scene from my WIP. (Another scene was in Write Club. Round 10) It's political fiction. Bess is the main character and narrator. Her name doesn't come up in this scene. Here's a glimpse at part of her character sketch.
The scene opens with Bess lounging on the upper deck of her house. https://www.pinterest.com/JamieWriter7/double-deck-porch/ I don't know how common double decks are around the world. Better setting descriptions are in the main story. So there's a link to one of my Pinterest boards, in case you've never seen a multi-story deck and are having a difficult time picturing this. It isn't very different from a balcony, except there are stairs outside that link it to a deck, porch, or patio below.
Konnor is exactly two years older than Bess. (He was born Jan 30, 2001. She was born Jan 30, 2003.) Riq has been his friend since childhood. There's some conflict as Riq (and his family) are part of a Christian terrorist group that claims it's a church; whereas Konnor has been exploring Wicca.
The actual story opens in May 2020. This scene takes place somewhere between June to July 2021. 😷 Bess is vaccinated and wears a mask. Konnor and Riq are opposed to Covid protections and are anti-vaxxers. However, Konnor has agreed to keep six feet apart from his sister because her doctors made a big stink about how vulnerable her craniopharyngioma makes her to Covid-19. This scene is NOT ABOUT Covid, but when you see how the siblings move around each other, well, that's why.
Trigger warning: There is a pro-life/ pro-choice abortion mention. The place mentioned is based on a real location in my area where real protestors were really charged after assaulting a real person.
Tagline: Hate jumps to conclusions. Scene Title: No Longer Yours Author: Jamie Words: 984 FCA
When we were little, I nicknamed Riq "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," after the story of the mongoose. I stopped calling him that when he was about fourteen and I was thirteen. He got weird around me, which is difficult to describe. I felt uncomfortable around him and avoided being alone together. I attempted to talk to mom about it, but she didn't process what I was saying. She went on about what a nice boy he is. Told me that he mowed his grandfather's lawn.
If today, Riq doesn't want his conversation with my brother overheard, they can go elsewhere. Or tell me to buzz off, as usual. I'm not intentionally eavesdropping. I'm lounging on the upper deck, clearly visible to anyone below who happens to look up.
Riq hands a red envelope to Konnor. "I need you to deliver this tomorrow after I'm gone."
Konnor turns it over. "What is it?"
"I was going to leave it nailed to Valentina's door. But I don't know if I want her parents or siblings to find it. Part of me does. I want to go to her father and tell him why I've broken up with her. Let him deal with that mess."
"What? You're breaking up with your girl?" Konnor puts the letter on the lid of the grill.
"I was going to propose before I leave for Montana. That's when I ran into Mike Bog at the pawn shop."
"The pawn shop?" My brother asks the dumbest questions. Ask why he's breaking up with her!
"Yeah. Figured I could afford a ring there. Anyway, you know how Mike is always protesting and preaching, trying to get people to follow The Word?"
Konnor nods as he scratches his black nail polish.
"He told me things. In fact, he pulled out his phone and showed me proof. Bro, she's been cheating on me. Giving it up to some guy. And then…" Riq hangs his head. "I can't say it. I'm ashamed for her, and of her, and of myself for having dated her. There's no way I can break up with her face to face. I'm too angry, too disgusted. I've been chewing on it for a week."
"Explains why you blew us off on the weekend. Man, that sucks. I thought you two were rock solid. She hook up with someone we know? Anyone I need to keep from sniffing around here?" Konnor tilts his head, motioning to my room, toward the deck I'm sitting on.
Riq looks up to where Konnor indicated. He spots me and scowls. "How long you been spying on us?"
My spine snaps straight and the hair on my arms rises to attention. "What?" I tug at my ears, pulling out earbuds that aren't really there. "Couldn't hear you?"
"I asked what you're listening to."
"Expectations by Three Days Grace." Yes, I just went with one of my favorite songs. Riq's eyes narrow, then he turns his attention back to my brother.
"I don't know. Talk to Mike if you want. I know you two don't run in the same circles much. Or ask the traitor when you drop that off tomorrow."
Konnor nods. "Keep in touch, yeah?"
They do that guy handshake and half-hug move before Riq leaves. Konnor carries the envelope inside.
____
I head downstairs to grab dinner. The red envelope is on the steps. "Please Read This" is written on the front. I know it isn't for me, but how can I resist such an invitation?
Valentina,
Mike Bog saw you at the Women's Clinic on South Commerce. You've been cheating on me. Worse yet, you killed a baby to hide evidence that you cheated and that you aren't a virgin. I could maybe forgive the cheating. I could even maybe forgive you for breaking our vow to wait for each other until we got married. But abortion? I don't know who you are anymore. We don't share the same values. I suspected as much when you went out and got that godless vaccine. Prayer alleviates all and prevents diseases. If your faith was strong enough, you wouldn't need a vaccine, and wouldn't be having relations outside of marriage.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
You reap what you sow. I need more in a woman than you can give me. Faith, trust, and fidelity; all qualities I no longer believe you have or value. Our relationship is over. Please do not contact me.
No longer yours,
Riq
"Put it down!" Konnor hisses when he finds me.
"Sorry. I saw an envelope that said to read— "
"I know what it says! It isn't for you. Put it down." He takes a step closer. I double-check my mask before setting the letter and envelope on the steps. "He's wrong, you know."
"Riq can break up in a letter if he wants. Not your business."
I come down the steps. Konnor and I keep six feet apart as we switch spots, him heading upstairs. "Valentina goes there for laser hair removal."
"What?" Konnor folds the letter and eases it back into the envelope. "You don't know anything about this."
"Okay. If you say so. But I'm right. It takes a couple of months to do a spot." I place my finger above my lip. "Guess Riq isn't much of a kisser if he didn't notice the change."
"Who would go to an abortion clinic for hair removal?"
I shrug. "Who would call a hair removal place an abortion clinic? The Women's Clinic on South Commerce has lots of other health services. That's like calling a grocery store a magazine stand. Technically you can buy magazines there, but that's not their primary revenue."
Family Guy was a full script with CURRENT EVENT humor that a commentator felt matched the show's humor.
Grey's Anatomy is my favorite show. I wrote an ending episode that would fit perfectly if this show ended this season. I may have predicted some things that have/will happened on the show. That's going to be my Road Trip link.
West Wing, I did have a little rant because of current US events, but still, thought it would have been more popular.
🤷♀️
I also did an Iron Chef 🇺🇸 episode. And today it was announced that show is BACK and going to be on Netflix. https://www.facebook.com/100044181828660/posts/542069623942427/
I definitely had more guests and comments than usual. That's why the challenge is awesome.
My theme came to me while scrolling for a binge-watch.
I did the #azchat on Instagram. I am still banned from Twitter for threatening the negative voices of self-doubt, but maybe that will change with Musk?
Will America's future look more like Eureka and Star Trek, or have we plateaued into a permanent cycle of Roe v Wade and the Scopes Monkey Trial? I'll probably blog about that eventually. My state of Pennsylvania has a big election coming up. My blog doesn't usually feature tv shows, but rather fiction and rants.
The team is great. The story on J's blog was cool. Easy to use Google spreadsheets and forms. The graphics match the usual, so that's cool. Looking forward to next year.
