tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23503457521836301082024-03-14T04:16:06.733-07:00Cattitude and GratitudeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.comBlogger391125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-20682056857466096592018-06-13T14:21:00.003-07:002018-06-13T14:21:55.764-07:00CircleI haven't blogged in so long that I had to reactivate my account. That simply will not do!<br />
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This month I'm doing Photo a Day prompts and making the photo that I take a bit more artsy with the addition of a quote, graphic edit, or one of my original poems. Along with another lady in the group, we are doing what we call Artsy June. I started at the beginning of June and here it is the 13th already. Oh well. No time like the present.<br />
<br />
Here is my first one for Circle with thanks to Joni Mitchell's song The Circle Game for inspiration.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd15BlV9-J-KuOBLeeYbgDPXZoX1zvYNW291FLkhev63TD1824GLqnsfCC8Xbow79hbeRB8eIArzOVZhPXDEQMcECaxWl_wTFNZWNVD9IqmQMhNHnQfWMAmHw7TMtLO53VCGDLK_Rh5E/s1600/dandelionfluff1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1600" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd15BlV9-J-KuOBLeeYbgDPXZoX1zvYNW291FLkhev63TD1824GLqnsfCC8Xbow79hbeRB8eIArzOVZhPXDEQMcECaxWl_wTFNZWNVD9IqmQMhNHnQfWMAmHw7TMtLO53VCGDLK_Rh5E/s640/dandelionfluff1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-76766645287632978092017-07-01T07:56:00.000-07:002017-07-01T12:12:55.577-07:00The Call of the Wind - Day Seven #BlogAThon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the BarAThon with the blogging group, Blog a Rhythm for the weeks of June 14 to 30th. Today is the final prompt. We made it! Congratulations to my fellow bloggers and thanks for reading and supporting me. Always appreciated!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Today's prompt is "The Call of the Wind." I got my inspiration thinking about walking along Point Michaud on the Atlantic, located on the East coast of Canada in Cape Breton, a place I love very much.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s1600/barathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="397" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s320/barathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Call of the Wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The call of the wind is beckoning me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It reaches out from the angry sea,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With a darkening sky and clouds so low<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The wind is calling and I must go,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I stand so still and let the wind blow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I should go back but my feet won’t go,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Wind rips at my hair and stings my eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The wind squeals and shrieks, with
pitiful cries,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I stand on the beach and look at the ocean<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Watching the waves with their steady
motion,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Wave after wave crashes on the shore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I watch them recede on the sandy floor,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Salt spray crusts my face and hair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m totally drenched, but I don’t care,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The call of the wind is persuasive and strong<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Drawing me in like a lover's song.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-87240553203039014012017-06-29T06:53:00.002-07:002017-06-29T10:10:05.735-07:00Suns and Lovers - Day 6 #BarAThon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the BarAThon with the blogging group, Blog a Rhythm for the weeks of June 14 to 30th.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Today's prompt is "Suns and Lovers." </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s1600/barathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="397" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s320/barathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is that a
new Chica he’s with today?” I asked, squinting against the intense Cuban
sun. I reached for my glasses to see more clearly. Both of us hid our pudgy pasty
white Canadian bodies under the blue sun umbrellas. Back home we never got
exposed to intense sun like this, especially not while working our office jobs
for the federal government in Ottawa during winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Yes, it is. I hope he’s paying her well for
her escort services. She looks young enough to be his daughter. It’s sickening!”
Gabby said, frowning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We watched a
balding middle aged man in a skimpy bikini bathing suit that left nothing to
the imagination, his big pale white beer belly so white and prominent. He walked hand in hand with a tanned young
Cuban woman along the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It was a
cheap vacation. What can I say?” I said with a pained shrug.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know you
like a good deal, Sandra, but honestly, a two star hotel. You knew it would be
bad. Didn’t you read the reviews?” Gabby looked at me with disgust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We couldn’t
afford anything else on our clerk salaries. It’s only for a week. It won’t kill
you,” I said, lying back and closing my eyes, trying to ignore her complaints.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And the
food is so terrible, too,” Gabby continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just think
of all the weight we’ll lose,” I said, trying to be positive.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’ll never
find any male companionship here with those Cuban girls running the show,”
Gabby moaned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Will you stop whining so much and try to
enjoy the good stuff? We’re away from winter for a week. Isn’t it worth it just
for that? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come on. Let’s
go get another drink. At least all the booze is free,” Gabby said, jumping to
her feet. For a divorced, middle-aged, slightly overweight woman, she was
surprisingly agile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Aww, can’t
we just stay here?” I said. “I just got comfortable.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re so
boring,” Gabby said, pulling me to my feet. We carefully crossed the broken
bridge with all the planks missing. Why was everything so rundown and broken in
Cuba? It was depressing! My foot slipped and I cried out as I felt myself falling.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I help you,
Senora. No worry!” a male voice cried and he grabbed onto me to keep me from
falling. I turned and met the dark eyes of the most beautiful black Cuban man who looked to be in his twenties but it was hard to tell exactly.
His skin was so dark and shiny like polished wood and his hair hung in long
black dreadlocks, Bob Marley style. I stared, unable to believe he was real.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You okay?”
He said to me, grinning with a set of perfect white teeth. All I could do was
nod and gawk at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come along,
Sandra. Let’s get that drink,” Gabby urged, rousing me to my senses. I blinked
and noticed her glaring at me. The black man laughed as if it was the funniest
thing he’d ever heard. I was mesmerized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You want
drink. I go, too?” he said, still holding onto my arm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gabby gave
me a signal that it wasn’t a good idea, but I ignored her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure. I’m
Sandra,” I heard my voice come out squeaky and silly, like a giggly teenager’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I am Miguel,
Senora Sandra. At your service,” He said bowing and offering his arm like a
gentleman. “You must come and listen to our band on beach. I sing and play guitar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That sounds
wonderful, Miguel,” I said smiling in a stupid way. I’m surprised my tongue
wasn’t hanging out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “And I have friend for you, too. He play
trumpet,” Miguel said to Gabby who reddened and it wasn’t from the sun. She
forced a smile and tried to make eye contact with me. She mouthed the words “Chico”
for a male escort but I didn’t care. I shrugged at her and made a face. If the
men could do it, why couldn’t we? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This
vacation was shaping up better and better every minute. Cuba was great!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-47843252028853413582017-06-27T07:17:00.000-07:002017-06-27T07:17:57.650-07:00Lord of the Files - Day Five #BarAThon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the BarAThon with the blogging group, Blog a Rhythm for the weeks of June 14 to 30th.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Today's prompt is "Lord of the Files." I was inspired thinking of all the computer nerds I've worked with over the years in my job as a desktop publisher. Often they lacked in social skills, but on the computer they were boss and we relied on them a lot to solve our computer woes. They were definitely "Lord of the Files."</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s1600/barathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="397" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s320/barathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Have you seen that Martin Stiles?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Also known as Lord of the Files,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Total misfit, what a geek!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Pale and pimply, thin and weak,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He spends every moment in front of the
screen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">His skin all pasty, with a tinge of
green,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Most folks dismiss him without a glance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They don’t even give the guy a chance,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">On the computer, it’s a different story<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That is when he’s in his glory,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He works in the room with the massive server<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Backing up our files with amazing
fervour,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We can call on him for computer grief<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">He comes right over to provide relief,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What a great guy is that Martin Stiles!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Also known as Lord of the Files. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-24053946209847621092017-06-23T06:39:00.003-07:002017-06-23T06:39:33.967-07:00War and Pieces - Day 4 - #BarAThon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the BarAThon with the blogging group, Blog a Rhythm for the weeks of June 14 to 30th.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Today's prompt is "War and Pieces." I did a poem for today's challenge.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s1600/barathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="397" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s320/barathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">War and Pieces</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pieces of shrapnel, pieces of bone<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pieces of metal, pieces of stone,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fly-covered corpses, their blood
brownish-red<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Survivors wish that they, too, were
dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">War hungry maniacs with evil goals<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Destroying lives and shattering souls,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Power hungry men, they always want
more<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Making life harder for the sick and
the poor,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everywhere, despair increases<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Such is the life, with war and pieces</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-56885328242168496952017-06-22T05:57:00.002-07:002017-06-22T06:39:00.988-07:00Of Ice and Men - Day 3 #BarAThon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the Barathon with the blogging group, Blog a Rhythm for the weeks of June 14 to 30th.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Today's prompt is "Of Ice and Men." I got my inspiration for this fictional piece from my experience living in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut way up on King William Island in 1997-98. My husband, Brian got a teaching job teaching adults for eight very long months. I thought I would go crazy at times, but managed to get through it and even enjoy some moments along the way.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s1600/barathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="397" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s320/barathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I squinted
through the dim greyish light onto the vast body of water, now an endless white
frozen landscape of snow and ice. The sky and sea blended together like an
empty white canvas, so bleak and desolate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The wind
tore at my scarf threatening to pull it right off and I had to pull it tighter
around my face. Even my Snowgoose parka was no match against the frigid Arctic
winter wind. My glasses iced up with each breath I took and I couldn’t see
anything so I had to take them off. Now I really couldn’t see anything, not
that there was that much to see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d never
felt cold like this before and I considered myself a hardy Canadian, able to
endure long co</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">ld winters. Winters down South in Ontario were nothing in
comparison to this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d arrived
in September and there was already snow then. Now it was January. I wasn’t sure
I would be able to endure it until July when I would get my trip back home for
a few weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What had
possessed me to come to this desolate island so far from civilization? The
darkness, the isolation and the cold were enough to push a person over the edge. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Already some of my work colleagues had packed it in and returned home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Why do you want to go to the Arctic, Tom?” my
sister Heather had asked me, looking at me as if I was crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the time
it had seemed like a great adventure to take a plane and fly up to the Arctic to
work as a cook at the small hotel. The reality was all together different.
Dark, isolated and freezing cold. And the Inuit were so different, too. It was
like being in a foreign country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What are
you doing here, Kabloona?” a voice called out. I turned to see Peter, my Inuk neighbour
coming towards me. He liked calling me Kabloona, the Inuktitut name for a white
person from the South. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Morning,
Peter,” I said, trying to sound enthused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It won’t be
long now,” Peter said with one of his infectious grins that spread across his
face. The cold didn’t seem to bother him
at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It won’t be
long for what?” I asked, curious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wait and
see,” he said, with a laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We stood
there for a while waiting. Nothing happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think I’ll
go now,” I said, not wanting to admit I was cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wait. It’s
almost time,” Peter urged, pointing to where the sea and sky met.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I looked out
at the horizon, unsure of what he was talking about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We watched as a small sliver of sunlight peeked above the
horizon, a tiny glint of light that grew stronger with each passing moment. After
a few minutes, the sun burst from the horizon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The sun has
returned,” Peter said with satisfaction, the rays lighting up his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I closed my
eyes and basked in the weak rays as if I
was on a tropical vacation in the Carribbean. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I blinked at
the bright light, a small glimmer of hope stirring deep inside me. The sun cast
a warm orange glow over the frozen land and the Arctic didn’t seem so bleak
after all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-57987613471572907282017-06-20T05:34:00.000-07:002017-06-20T07:09:15.018-07:00The Song of Seth - Day 2 prompt "Life of Pie" #Barathon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I am particpating in the Barathon with the blogging group, Blog a Rhythm for the week of June 14 to 30th.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Today's prompt is "Life of Pie." I got my inspiration from that old nursery rhyme "Sing a Song of Sixpence" and wrote a story based on the idea.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s1600/barathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="397" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5xsFZmUYAY2TaB6tRqkD6YN3NmHa_nhHGrGtnw8KA1Cj9jpaJNWU_1AMRgw_nMcLQtURRk4a0oB8Ue8mtDvPstwUj8OFM8_2rrCaClpK5i6nNH2e8bQltH0fM7o_NzyWkh3VznIcxt0/s320/barathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Hurry up! We must finish these pies for the
king and queen’s dinner tonight,” the cook said and boxed Seth on the ears for
staring out the window at the birds again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Seth rubbed
his sore ears and nodded without a word. He rolled the pie crust out on the kitchen counter but it broke all apart in lumpy pieces.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Can’t you
do anything right? Just my luck to be stuck with a simpleton like you for an
apprentice,” the cook grumbled as he fixed the crust and made it smooth. “I
promised my brother I’d train you but sometimes you try my patience.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once again,
Seth said nothing but that was nothing unusual. Seth never spoke. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before he had become the cook’s apprentice, he had enjoyed long walks in the
forest and meadows. He never tired of watching and listening to the birds. When he
turned 13, his father, the king’s footman, told Seth that he was to become the
cook’s apprentice and Seth’s bird watching days were only a memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m going
out for a few minutes to get more ingredients. Try not to get into trouble
while I’m gone,” the cook warned and Seth nodded, his eyes wide and innocent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Later when
they brought the pies to the dining room, the king wasn’t there. He was in the
counting house counting out his money as usual even though his wife had told
him he should exercise like the doctor advised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The queen
was in her chambers eating milk and honey
as she did every afternoon. She’d heard
it was good for her fertility though so far it hadn’t helped much. The past seven
years of their marriage had been barren, despite their longing for a child. She needed to get her husband out of that counting house for a start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The cook and
Seth laid the pies out on the table and rang the dinner bell. Finally the king and queen arrived and sat
down for dinner. Servants scurried about pouring wine and setting down the rest
of the food on the long table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The cook
started to slice the pie that Seth had made. Suddenly the air was filled with
fluttering and chirping as a flock of blackbirds flew out of the pie. Twenty four of them circled around the ceiling making a huge squawking noise as everyone watched in
shock from below. The birds found an open window and flew outside to freedom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What is the
meaning of this?” the king roared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry,
Your Majesty. I don’t know what happened,” the cook apologized giving Seth a
dirty look. Seth didn’t even notice. He was too busy enjoying the excitement of
all the birds. He noticed the two lovebirds in a cage hanging in the corner of
the room and went over to see them. Seth opened the cage and the doves flew out, cooing with joy to be
free. They flew through the open window where the blackbirds had just escaped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who said
you could do that?” the king cried in anger. “Those are my love birds. They don’t
belong to you!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry,
Your Majesty,” The cook apologized again. “He’s my brother’s son. I promised I’d
teach him to cook but all he cares about is birds. I will get another
apprentice immediately.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The queen
who was the calm and sensible one of the family, pondered the predicament. She
smiled at Seth in a motherly way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I have an
idea. Why not have him work with the gardener and create a bird sanctuary?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What? But
he’s just a simpleton without a brain in his head,” the cook protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s very
harsh,” the queen replied. “Let’s give the lad a chance, shall we?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank you,
Your Majesty. I will do my best,” Seth said, bowing before her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can
speak?” the cook said in disbelief. “I thought you were mute.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Only with
you, Sir,” Seth said, grinning from ear to ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From that
day on, Seth and the gardener created a bird sanctuary full of a variety of
birds. Even the king would take daily walks in Seth’s sanctuary with the queen
instead of spending so much time in the counting house. The therapeutic
benefits of the garden worked their magic and soon they were expecting a child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the
gardener died, Seth became head gardener. Word spread throughout the kingdom about
the magical sanctuary and the queen allowed commoners to come visit the garden to
experience its healing properties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-55970193425383741032017-06-17T05:56:00.001-07:002017-06-17T06:24:30.784-07:00The Fault in Our Stares - Day 1 #BarAThon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I am particpating in the Barathon with the blogging group, Blog a Rhythm for the week of June 14 to 30th, a fortnight of blogging as they say in India. I almost forgot that a fortnight means two weeks. Such a fun British term.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Today's prompt is "The Fault in our Stares." The theme for the week is "Seven" which I have no idea how to incorporate into today's post, other than this memory took place in the 19 SEVENties. There, I did it! PHEW!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl3CD-pBhMnFKExkAh_Ocz7rNgj8kb1CHXT4Xobmn6CL-XyfaFc5N8idlU2jKO4kgy5Le0sNCRd3M5zr-9muFDJHcHN6g5JwwEU5I5q0NudHkELPzBQs4DFn_Ys5Sczvr0ZD9jF-qRPg/s1600/barathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="397" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl3CD-pBhMnFKExkAh_Ocz7rNgj8kb1CHXT4Xobmn6CL-XyfaFc5N8idlU2jKO4kgy5Le0sNCRd3M5zr-9muFDJHcHN6g5JwwEU5I5q0NudHkELPzBQs4DFn_Ys5Sczvr0ZD9jF-qRPg/s320/barathon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">This is a memory I have of volunteering as a candy striper in a hospital when I was about thirteen. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A loud garbled
cry comes from the small shrunken man in the hospital bed. He drools from the
side of his sagging mouth, his red tinged eyes pleading, as he tries to get my
attention. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have just
started working as a candy striper and Monsieur Couvrette scares me with his
pitiful cries and pathetic look. Most of the time, I try to avoid him as he
seems so angry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He lies in
the bed, sad, helpless, shriveled and shrunken, his skin pale and greyish. One side
of his face droops giving him a lopsided look. They tell me he’s had had a
stroke and can’t talk. Growing old sure looks terrible from a naive thirteen year
old’s perspective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I try to
ignore his yelling as I pour ice water to give to the patients. I leave his
water in the covered cup with a straw on his bedside table while trying to
ignore his pitiful cries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He struggles
to speak again, his voice like a wounded animal caught in a trap, garbled and
pained with frustration. He gestures with his good arm, pointing to the bedside
table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I stand
there frozen, unsure of what to do. He points at the drawer wanting me to open
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I open the
drawer and see a chocolate bar. He must be hungry so I take it out to give to
him which gets him yelling again. He points at me in despair and his twisted mouth
opens as he tries to say something but can’t. Finally I realize that he wants
me to have the chocolate bar Embarrassed
and blushing, I take it and thank him. His small body relaxes and he slumps
back in the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">How often do
we look at someone, judge and dismiss them by their appearance and behaviours, making quick assumptions
that are totally wrong? I certainly did with that poor sick man who had suffered a stroke. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Years later, I
am reminded that we should never judge someone by how they look and we should
never make assumptions about what they’re thinking as it’s usually wrong. A
difficult lesson for us all to learn, but definitely a good reminder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-7237808925474481052017-04-30T12:56:00.002-07:002017-04-30T13:09:26.880-07:00Z is for the writing Zone #AtoZChallenge<span style="font-size: large;">It's the last day of April and the final day of the April A to Z Blogging Challenge. Yay! I made it all the way through. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I like winging it and writing my post on the day it's due, I never know for sure if I'll complete it but I'm happy to say I did all 26 posts.</span><br />
<div>
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<div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Turn off Facebook and turn off the phone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s time to get into the writing zone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I long to feel myself drift away<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And forget my troubles of the day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Getting in the zone is not that easy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I even get a wee bit queasy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if it’s garbage and sounds really bad?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wasting time always makes me mad,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And then it happens, I’m in the zone</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My world takes on a different tone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time stands still and I cease to hear</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All the sounds, both far and near,</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the zone, I feel the bliss<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Like a lover’s magical kiss,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The words start to flow, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I get them
down fast</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who knows how long the zone will last?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s like nothing else I’ve ever
known</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I lose myself in the writing
zone!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Do you believe in the writing zone? If so, how do you get yourself into that zone?</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcwMxomtUs7gyaItgJUEI_rMwCKAgDNFPRyoPN3F9JgN3M2XNkLzad_sPmdnDlNW_DlMcBYy6ahi885_390dCiaBOlu6zIUTFddyEDLO-5r_zof0wvZ_Gprhll37RjiEvlg-2LsRZRbc/s1600/Z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcwMxomtUs7gyaItgJUEI_rMwCKAgDNFPRyoPN3F9JgN3M2XNkLzad_sPmdnDlNW_DlMcBYy6ahi885_390dCiaBOlu6zIUTFddyEDLO-5r_zof0wvZ_Gprhll37RjiEvlg-2LsRZRbc/s320/Z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">S is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/s-is-for-squirrel-atozchallenge.html">Squirrel</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">T is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/t-is-for-thoughts-atozchallenge.html">Thoughts</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">U is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/u-is-for-unplugged.html">Unplugged</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">V is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/v-is-for-verse-atozchallenge.html">Verse</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">W is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/w-is-for-weightwait-atozchallenge.html">Weight/Wait</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">X is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/x-is-for-xenophobic-atozchallenge.html">Xenophobia</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Y is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/y-is-for-yolanda-cant-stop-yawning.html">Yolanda Can't Stop Yawning</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-88018911970569921052017-04-29T08:43:00.001-07:002017-04-29T08:45:07.928-07:00Y is for Yolanda can't stop Yawning #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This poem was inspired by my own delightful experiences with menopause and nightly hot flashes and sleeplessness. So much fun! YAWN!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Yolanda can’t stop yawning, no matter
what she tries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes she’s so tired, she breaks
down and cries,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She yawns reading a book and yawns when
she talks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She yawns on the computer, she yawns on
her walks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Yesterday she was yawning and today she
is, too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What’s a poor exhausted gal need to do? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her coffee habit has become an addiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">But it still doesn’t cure her yawning affliction,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Yolanda is fed up with yawning but can’t
seem to quit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Some days she’s so tired, she feels like
s***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She screws up and forgets things, it can
really get bad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Annoying and embarrassing, it makes her
so mad,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She also gets nightmares that give her a
fright<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She’s forgotten what it’s like to sleep at
night,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The day she feels rested, she’ll break out
in song<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Until then, she’ll keep yawning all the day
long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"></span></span><br />
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">S is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/s-is-for-squirrel-atozchallenge.html">Squirrel</a> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">T is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/t-is-for-thoughts-atozchallenge.html">Thoughts</a> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">U is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/u-is-for-unplugged.html">Unplugged</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">V is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/v-is-for-verse-atozchallenge.html">Verse</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">W is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/w-is-for-weightwait-atozchallenge.html">Weight/Wait</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">X is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/x-is-for-xenophobic-atozchallenge.html">Xenophobia</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-38903181262005219772017-04-28T06:50:00.001-07:002017-04-28T06:54:30.411-07:00X is for Xenophobic #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Get away
from the window. They’ll see you,” my mother hissed as I stared at the moving
van across the street.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Look! There’s
a girl about my age,” I cried with excitement. Since I turned 12, my younger
brother was even less appealing to hang out with and I longed for a girlfriend.
“I’m going to invite her over.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, Anne!
We don’t want you associating with them!” my father said, anger clouding his
face.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why?” I
asked, confused.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“They’re
Muslims,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So, what
difference does that make?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“They’re
different from us. They don’t live the same way we do. I bet they don’t even
speak English.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That doesn’t
bother me. I want to know more about them,” I insisted and opened the door. My father
stepped into the doorway, blocking my path.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No. I don’t
want you going over there and that’s final.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our eyes met
and he gave me one of his tough father looks. Finally I backed down and went to
my room to do my homework. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My parents
were so fearful and narrowminded. Somethings it was like living in a prison. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few hours
later, I heard the doorbell ring.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll get
it!” I yelled and ran to the door. The new girl was standing there holding a
plastic container.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hello, I’m
Shira,” she said shyly. I liked the look of her huge dark eyes and her brightly
coloured headress or hijab as they were called.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m Anne,”
I said, unsure of what to say. I gave her a big smile to cover my nervousness. “Welcome
to the neighbourhood.”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank you,”
she replied politely. “Here. This is for you. My mother sent it. It’s Shish
Taouk, chicken kebabs.“ She handed me a container. I could smell the fragrant
spices and it made my mouth water.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank you
so much,” I said, taking it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My parents
appeared from the kitchen, wide-eyed, curious and apprehensive.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Shira gave
them a nod in respect. They just stared at her, unsure of what to say.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is
Shira. These are my parents. Look at what her mother sent over,” I said handing
them the container. “Wasn’t that kind of her?” I gave them a pleading look.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My parents
looked at each other and then back at Shira. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Honestly,
sometimes I felt like I was the parent and they were the kids.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank you.
Tell your mother thank you,” my mother finally said, giving Shira a weak smile.
My father forced a smile, too and nodded in agreement. Both of them relaxed and
their faces softened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It wasn’t
much but it was a start. I had my work cut out for me but I was determined.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3G52mWY2slcuOxbejaz1IbflYWOCatMvYCX_JmznQligELhjNyW2LzKbQoffnDfgDJUeTokXuq_EaQEaiZiUFPnQoVX19tsmEWWGBFodX5xgvOivoOFScm8MVe3rI-Wb7GDPvdWCWRTg/s1600/X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3G52mWY2slcuOxbejaz1IbflYWOCatMvYCX_JmznQligELhjNyW2LzKbQoffnDfgDJUeTokXuq_EaQEaiZiUFPnQoVX19tsmEWWGBFodX5xgvOivoOFScm8MVe3rI-Wb7GDPvdWCWRTg/s320/X.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">S is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/s-is-for-squirrel-atozchallenge.html">Squirrel</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">T is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/t-is-for-thoughts-atozchallenge.html">Thoughts</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">U is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/u-is-for-unplugged.html">Unplugged</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">V is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/v-is-for-verse-atozchallenge.html">Verse</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">W is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/w-is-for-weightwait-atozchallenge.html">Weight/Wait</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-37772904779726656592017-04-27T05:21:00.001-07:002017-04-27T05:23:36.289-07:00W is for Weight/Wait #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sara stepped out of the shower and onto the
scale. She frowned at the numbers that screamed out at her as if taunting her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Winter had not been kind to her weight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She pinched the extra rolls that jiggled
around her stomach. It felt like an extra heavy sweater that she couldn’t
remove. How Santa could be jolly with his little round belly was a mystery. Her
stomach was just plain gross. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Looking at her full length reflection in
the mirror, she felt nauseous. Who was that middle-aged fat lady staring back
at her?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She peered into her closet wondering
what to wear. All her summer clothes seemed to have shrunk while they’d been in
there for the past six months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">That was it. She would join the gym and
start a diet right away this very minute. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She peered into the fridge looking for
some healthy fruit and vegetables to snack on. There wasn’t much to pick from,
a few bruised apples and some limp celery. She would have to go grocery
shopping. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Then she spied some chocolate cake left
over from Brad’s birthday. She’d better finish that cake off first so she
wouldn’t have all that temptation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Standing over the sink, she managed to gobble up the cake in five minutes flat while the family was still asleep. After wiping the tell tale chocolate off her mouth with her sleeve, she took a broom and quickly swept the cake crumbs off the floor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She’d wait and start her regime
tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W5ogj6-9lAvWExKQib4-dDRMssk8ye9NdxS0Z4HQOmS57WbhxULRueV0s2WvFEmI6jEhcq126TqRZZGXf-nzNWTOOabqKCLPU34jnwfUB9rZo8XJH57uji6KxUGsadAgUzBOHmCCn6A/s1600/W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4W5ogj6-9lAvWExKQib4-dDRMssk8ye9NdxS0Z4HQOmS57WbhxULRueV0s2WvFEmI6jEhcq126TqRZZGXf-nzNWTOOabqKCLPU34jnwfUB9rZo8XJH57uji6KxUGsadAgUzBOHmCCn6A/s320/W.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">S is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/s-is-for-squirrel-atozchallenge.html">Squirrel</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">T is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/t-is-for-thoughts-atozchallenge.html">Thoughts</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">U is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/u-is-for-unplugged.html">Unplugged</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">V is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/v-is-for-verse-atozchallenge.html">Verse</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-64812318427796910552017-04-26T06:46:00.000-07:002017-04-26T06:49:43.920-07:00V is for Verse #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Even
after this month of writing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Creating
verse is still exciting,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
think in rhyme all the time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lying
in bed or scrubbing grime,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Putting
out laundry or feeding the cat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rhymes
appear, what’s up with that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">But
finding the right words to fit my verse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Can
sometimes be an annoying curse,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Some
words don’t work and need to go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">They
mess up the verse and ruin the flow,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Whether
I’m at home or out on the town<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I keep
my notebook to write verse down,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes
I’m wordy and sometimes I’m terse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s
hard to find balance for my verse,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m
well versed in verse and love to write<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Whether
early in the morning or late at night!</span><br />
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="line-height: 21.4667px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">S is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/s-is-for-squirrel-atozchallenge.html">Squirrel</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">T is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/t-is-for-thoughts-atozchallenge.html">Thoughts</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">U is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/u-is-for-unplugged.html">Unplugged</a></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-86055117766297543972017-04-25T06:50:00.000-07:002017-04-26T04:45:17.740-07:00U is for Unplugged<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">With many thanks to my Facebook friend, Megan Slattery who inspired this story this morning with her Facebook post about her wonderment at seeing a young couple walking along enjoying the spring day without being buried in their phones or having ear buds hanging out of their ears.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Shauna hurried along, phone in hand,
texting with her friend, Casey. She was late for French class once again. Her
eyes never once left her phone as she rushed
across the pedestrian bridge. Suddenly she collided with someone and her phone
flew out of her hand. She shrieked as she saw it go hurtling over the bridge
and heard a splash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Noooooooo!” she cried.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She turned and focused on the dazed girl
sprawled on the ground next to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Are you okay?” Shauna asked, helping
the girl to her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I lost my phone!” the girl wailed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Me, too,” Shauna said, trembling in
panic. Both of them looked over the edge of the bridge to the murky depths of
the river below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“This sucks,” the girl said and started
to cry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Oh, come on now,” Shauna said to
reassure her. “It’s not the end of the world. A phone can be replaced.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“My life was in that phone,” the girl
said between loud sobs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Oh, me, too,” Shauna agreed. “Sad that
we’re so dependent on them.” The girl nodded and picked up her knapsack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Let’s take a walk and calm down. I missed French class again. Madame Laplante will be angry, but what else is
new?” Shauna said trying to sound more positive than she felt. “What’s your
name? I’m Shauna.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Candace,” the girl said, wiping away
her tears. “Hey, I have Madame Laplante, too. You must be in my class. I never
noticed you before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I didn’t notice you either. Guess we
were buried in our phones,” Shauna said and the two girls laughed. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They walked along the forest path
watching the ducks and swans floating in the water nearby. Snowdrops and daffodils
peeked out of the new grass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I never knew the river had swans and
ducks,” Candace said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Neither did I,” Shauna admitted. “And listen
to the birds chirping in the trees. What a racket!” They watched the antics of
the squirrels tearing through the trees chasing each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They spied a cantine when they came out
of the forest and bought some soft ice cream. Sitting on a park bench, they ate
their cones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“That guy in the cantine is pretty cute,
eh?” Shauna observed. “I never noticed him before.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“He is a hunk, for sure,” Candace said. “He
said his name is Brock.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“What a great day!” Shauna said, stretching
out her bare legs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“I agree,” said Candace. “So what should
we do about our phones?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Our phones can wait. Let’s enjoy being
unplugged for a change,” Shauna said and both girls leaned back and closed
their eyes, enjoying the warm sunshine and the sounds of spring all around them. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">S is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/s-is-for-squirrel-atozchallenge.html">Squirrel</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">T is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/t-is-for-thoughts-atozchallenge.html">Thoughts</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-60633917789586005922017-04-24T09:50:00.001-07:002017-04-24T09:50:46.667-07:00T is for Thoughts #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">By Cat Graham<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thoughts bombard us all day long<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Like an annoying ear worm song,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What do your thoughts have to say about
you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Are they happy, angry, false or true?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thoughts affect how we act and feel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">How many of those thoughts are actually real?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thoughts are like a filter always
sorting and sifting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Changing, adjusting and constantly
shifting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I can’t, I’m a failure, I’m dumb and
lazy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Such negative thoughts can drive us
crazy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thoughts like these stop us in our
tracks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Give us headaches and panic attacks,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Negative thoughts limit our ways of
being<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Thinking positive can be so freeing,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Why not try a little at a time?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To make it less of an uphill climb,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Take off that stupid negative thoughts
sweater<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And sure enough, you’ll start to feel
better!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniXt1BEjHPk1yBMrHOlV4py00W7g0IsahJVAxdMgKok51ouPVNMEAzohRxIA8-WJ8DN_npsAmGAtRTw_uP6RqnCmyHMrbJpLAW21Oaj4-trVZXOHc7WwK4LbiWFDg8KRqhtlhTU_v9Pg/s1600/T.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniXt1BEjHPk1yBMrHOlV4py00W7g0IsahJVAxdMgKok51ouPVNMEAzohRxIA8-WJ8DN_npsAmGAtRTw_uP6RqnCmyHMrbJpLAW21Oaj4-trVZXOHc7WwK4LbiWFDg8KRqhtlhTU_v9Pg/s320/T.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;">S is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/s-is-for-squirrel-atozchallenge.html">Squirrel</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-79381205512524965942017-04-22T07:03:00.001-07:002017-04-22T07:08:15.532-07:00S is for Squirrel #AtoZChallenge<span style="font-size: large;">For today's letter S challenge, I wrote a poem and made a collage with squirrel photos. No poem about squirrels would be complete without some photos of the little bast..er cuties.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlx1xeuLyL0H0YKHa6eRw76pChRSCdZ4C7QsgeR6z7wOqCYHDnQrR6FHM-rhSXI9qCnMhtuO4VwPlmz6n1DUhBuaXwWz2DvgUwD-vuLCM-LPSfcN6FhVH3hSif87-H95R_5hxxGtb8Sk/s1600/rodent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlx1xeuLyL0H0YKHa6eRw76pChRSCdZ4C7QsgeR6z7wOqCYHDnQrR6FHM-rhSXI9qCnMhtuO4VwPlmz6n1DUhBuaXwWz2DvgUwD-vuLCM-LPSfcN6FhVH3hSif87-H95R_5hxxGtb8Sk/s640/rodent1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO-sT9Y0PvCG5CSPZI72U0e0sGii0aNJ75q4U3dWC8EF6F2xqesfL-6NiFhsdWvGm7Xj5y2-1BEF-S4JAf4CMoYkYJT8jumTvLC6-0clXbeFfRW6oAhAOXfsMYmchajkWnG3g27gB8qo/s1600/S.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO-sT9Y0PvCG5CSPZI72U0e0sGii0aNJ75q4U3dWC8EF6F2xqesfL-6NiFhsdWvGm7Xj5y2-1BEF-S4JAf4CMoYkYJT8jumTvLC6-0clXbeFfRW6oAhAOXfsMYmchajkWnG3g27gB8qo/s320/S.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">R is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/r-is-for-romance-atozchallenge.html">Romance</a></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-25251129918209576162017-04-21T13:01:00.003-07:002017-04-21T13:06:26.672-07:00R is for Romance #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Cassandra tossed
back her head and her thick mane of red hair cascaded down her back like a
waterfall. Mitch pulled her into his strong muscular arms and kissed her, his
lips strong and tender touching hers, his tongue teasing and tantalizing,
driving her wild with desire. He brushed his bare chest against her bosom and
she swooned with passion, her breath coming out in gasps.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh to heck
with it. What a bunch of crap,” grumbled Susan and she threw the notebook across
the coffee shop where it landed with a thud at the feet of one of the baristas.
It was the cute one named Liam who had just started working there this week,
the one with the amazing blue eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He picked up
the book and read what she had just written. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Susan’s face
flushed hot with embarrassment. He came towards her holding out the notebook. “You
dropped this.” She could feel his blue eyes on her, intense and scrutinizing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thanks,”
she muttered without meeting his gaze. She snatched the notebook out of his
hand and hid it in her bag. Getting up, she raced to the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Susan. Wait,”
he called out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She turned
around </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“How did you
know my name?” She was surprised to see him standing next to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It was
written on your notebook,” Liam replied. He stood so close to her, she felt a
bit weak in the knees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did I
forget something?” Susan asked, confused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, not at
all. I wanted to know what happens to Cassandra and Mitch,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t
know. It’s awful anyhow. I’m going to tear it up,” she said, looking down at
the tiles. Her messy red hair fell down into her face like a curtain and she
pushed her glasses up on her nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t give
up,” he urged. “I’ll make you a latte if you come back and keep writing. I like
watching you write. You look like a real writer. I’m envious. I just dabble at writing
but you work at it.” He gave her such a charming grin that made Mitch seem like
a cardboard cutout, which he was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Susan
hesitated but then came back and sat down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’d be
happy to read some of your writing,” Susan offered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sounds
great. Thanks,” Liam said with another bewitching grin as he handed her a large
latte, complete with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pulling out her
notebook, she tore up the Cassandra and Mitch story and started a new chapter.
This new story about Susan and Liam seemed much more promising.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYIpsMPH44edc1CkU4Y1RO4vL59Bb1uR7OXIM1F1sxXH2EYs2cqbs1p7VqwZFfOyB8_FLvkUYK-9ldNij4rp_kFvftRWIUr_boefZ1eKXt-nPdcbGGbZzVRQJONBcX5hE1exdjV2U4dY/s1600/R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYIpsMPH44edc1CkU4Y1RO4vL59Bb1uR7OXIM1F1sxXH2EYs2cqbs1p7VqwZFfOyB8_FLvkUYK-9ldNij4rp_kFvftRWIUr_boefZ1eKXt-nPdcbGGbZzVRQJONBcX5hE1exdjV2U4dY/s320/R.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;">P is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Picture Perfect</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/q-is-quirky-letter-atozchallenge.html">Q is a Quirky Letter</a></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-59967527572206879792017-04-20T08:23:00.004-07:002017-04-20T08:26:04.969-07:00Q is a Quirky Letter #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Writing about <i>Q</i> is making me queasy<br />
I must say that letter is not very easy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Time is limited, I need something <i>quick</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I must find something before I get sick,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I need a <i>quantity</i> of <i>quiet</i> time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">So that I can create some <i>quality </i>rhyme,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Quirky</span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"> and <i>queer</i>
is my writing mind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes my muse is not very kind,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">My muse thinks that she’s a <i>queen</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">When I ask for help, she’s not very keen,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She does stupid <i>quizzes</i> while I’m writing this verse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The <i>questions</i>
are ridiculous, the answers are worse, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Why can’t she <i>quit</i> that and help me instead?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She <i>quivers</i>
and shrugs and shakes her head,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m on my own for better or worse<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Struggling to write my Letter <i>Q </i>verse!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Q is a fun letter. I like the words <i>quack, quill, quiet, quiver, quality</i>,
and of course I like being a <i>Queen</i> of
my own life if you’ve ever seen my Facebook posts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">What are your favourite Q words?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z8_0vgQAMRz9usaa5OIpFOxa8cAsSRX_bXeQW8IA2OLUiet-lJZULHeIXDcOmwxDiCZv4s-9Jjv0z98JtnFPEqd0LIE4KK7FMxPfEuxMExrss2-oUaV1JMwHtaKJIcEUJ0RDJ0keKh0/s1600/Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1z8_0vgQAMRz9usaa5OIpFOxa8cAsSRX_bXeQW8IA2OLUiet-lJZULHeIXDcOmwxDiCZv4s-9Jjv0z98JtnFPEqd0LIE4KK7FMxPfEuxMExrss2-oUaV1JMwHtaKJIcEUJ0RDJ0keKh0/s320/Q.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">O is for </span><a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Object</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/p-is-for-picture-perfect-atozchallenge.html">Picture Perfect</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-60470947214047842292017-04-19T05:41:00.002-07:002017-04-19T05:44:30.652-07:00P is for Picture Perfect #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Some Facebook friends seem too good to
be true<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You know the type, you’ve seen them, too,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Their families are perfect and never
fight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Their breasts are perky and their butts
are tight,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Their homes are spotless, a designer’s
dream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Their kid is the captain of the soccer
team,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They never eat junk food on a whim<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They always eat healthy and go to the
gym,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They like to lounge beside their pool<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They share their photos to make us drool,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Dainty toes are on display<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Freshly pedicured that day, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They’re never grouchy and never late<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Even in the wind, their hair looks great,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">For we only see their highlight reel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Picture Perfect has such appeal!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Life gets messy and people yell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bad stuff happens, but they’ll never
tell,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Because Picture Perfect is all for show<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">What really goes on, we’ll never know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10SCdwdF596CjcQnyZFGOrFv6WIUq3Uk5jD_AYPbfKOs7sCgIb8aQcQgK5F_SA7q7UotKJXTEK6r4p69m537PGloTEhUKdICPhhMN8Jwnn6cOGlg-Z28V6rK99Tu-frx2PIvhFUxHu38/s1600/P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10SCdwdF596CjcQnyZFGOrFv6WIUq3Uk5jD_AYPbfKOs7sCgIb8aQcQgK5F_SA7q7UotKJXTEK6r4p69m537PGloTEhUKdICPhhMN8Jwnn6cOGlg-Z28V6rK99Tu-frx2PIvhFUxHu38/s320/P.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">O is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/o-is-for-object-atozchallenge.html">Object</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-85284520595183523052017-04-18T04:34:00.000-07:002017-04-18T04:41:11.584-07:00O is for Object #AtoZChallenge<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm a person who loves to play with words in the English language. I am grateful to be an English speaker. Must be so challenging for others to learn English with all the inconsistencies and strangeness of words such as tough and through for example.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I find the word Object an interesting word with two definitions that are completely different depending on if you use it as a noun or as a verb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="vk_ans" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: lighter; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span data-dobid="hdw" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ob·ject</span></div>
<div class="vmod" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<div class="vmod">
<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="padding-top: 10px;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">noun</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b><b></b></span></div>
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<span class="lr_dct_ph" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ˈäbjekt/</span></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;">
<li style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="vmod">
<div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-weight: lighter !important; padding-top: 10px;">
<div style="float: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1</strong>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a material thing that can be seen and touched.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="vmod"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
<span class="vmod" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"he was dragging a large object"</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: -13px;">
<ul style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; transition: max-height 0.3s;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen" style="display: list-item; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div class="_Jig" style="font-size: small;">
<div>
<span class="lr_dct_lbl_blk lr_dct_lbl_box" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #777777; display: inline-block; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-right: 6px; margin-top: -1px; padding: 4px 6px; text-transform: uppercase;"></span></div>
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<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
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<li style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="vmod">
<div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt" style="font-weight: lighter !important; padding-top: 10px;">
<div style="float: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>2</strong>.</span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a person or thing to which a specified action or feeling is directed.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="vmod"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
<span class="vmod" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"disease became <b>the object of</b> investigation"</span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<li aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd" data-mh="-1" style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; transition: max-height 0.3s;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen" style="display: list-item; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div class="_Jig" style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="vmod"></span><br /></span>
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<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
<span class="vmod" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></div>
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</span>
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<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;"></td><td style="padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQDAA" href="https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA689CA689&q=define+objective&forcedict=objective&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQDAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQTAA" href="https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA689CA689&q=define+aim&forcedict=aim&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQTAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQjAA" href="https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA689CA689&q=define+goal&forcedict=goal&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQjAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQzAA" href="https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA689CA689&q=define+target&forcedict=target&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIQzAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIRDAA" href="https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA689CA689&q=define+purpose&forcedict=purpose&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIRDAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIRTAA" href="https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA689CA689&q=define+end&forcedict=end&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIRTAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a data-ved="0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIRjAA" href="https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA689CA689&q=define+plan&forcedict=plan&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJtZO3863TAhVK34MKHYhRDgcQ_SoIRjAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"><span class="lr_dct_more_btn" style="color: #1a0dab; cursor: pointer; padding-left: 4px;"></span></span><br /></span>
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<div style="display: inline;">
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">verb</span></i></div>
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<span class="lr_dct_ph" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">əbˈjekt/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>1</strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">say something to express one's disapproval of or disagreement with something.</span></div>
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<span class="vmod" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"residents <b>object to</b> the volume of traffic"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I decided to play with the word "Object" for today's challenge and came up with this poem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
tell me I’m an object of your desire<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
tell me I’m an object of your affection,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
tell me that I set your heart on fire<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
tell me you’ve lost direction,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
tell me I’m the object of your love<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
tell me I’m the object of your dreams,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You
tell me I’m like an angel from heaven above<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With
eyes that shine like moonbeams,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m
not an object, you know that’s true</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m
a woman who has a keen mind and a voice,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
crave freedom that doesn’t include you<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Accept
that I have made my choice,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All
this flattery is a complete surprise<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What
game are you trying to play?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I
object to being an object in your eyes<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now
I wish you would go away!</span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></span></i><br />
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnNtqM0SYAlI1w0P-l9Gc6ty8tKz9tLEyhikgs73u6rqwSewqi8HtypEucmNAw_RaMpb_PaKWh2rYLYvF5VBVq17fPYtEMTR267ZsVSbDWkgkKsljlEkMMYlKrpIGQlTSwb-X3wbfGSA/s1600/O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnNtqM0SYAlI1w0P-l9Gc6ty8tKz9tLEyhikgs73u6rqwSewqi8HtypEucmNAw_RaMpb_PaKWh2rYLYvF5VBVq17fPYtEMTR267ZsVSbDWkgkKsljlEkMMYlKrpIGQlTSwb-X3wbfGSA/s1600/O.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a><br />M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a><br />N is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/n-is-for-never-again-atozchallenge.html">Never Again</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-47315325856046890562017-04-17T08:43:00.000-07:002017-04-17T08:44:41.580-07:00Don't let others inhibit you from creating<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a great article by Bryan Hutchinson at Positive Writer about worrying too much about what people think when you do your writing. You could also apply it to many other things besides writing. I am guilty of this but have worked through it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://positivewriter.com/stop-worrying-about-what-people-think-and-create-anyway/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stop-worrying-about-what-people-think-and-create-anyway</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7qUvwnGyiiJZ29ulY2fHg9j31d63mLld6qCmJxR0H6yQ_IjGJQUWEDbkwvYAACHGnV6eWBeSCSrsbhpoeLfYNHTMmicJ5YI4GD07Z98w4aeVAG0oeHzO0MD91dbp36A_DufyBw-ub2Q/s1600/IMG_1998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7qUvwnGyiiJZ29ulY2fHg9j31d63mLld6qCmJxR0H6yQ_IjGJQUWEDbkwvYAACHGnV6eWBeSCSrsbhpoeLfYNHTMmicJ5YI4GD07Z98w4aeVAG0oeHzO0MD91dbp36A_DufyBw-ub2Q/s400/IMG_1998.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I write for me because I need to express myself creatively as that's part of who I am. If others like it, great but it's not the main reason. If it was, I would have given up years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Often people are too busy with their own agendas to notice what I'm doing. I get that. I can't always focus on everything they're doing either.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do enjoy sharing with other like minded creatives because we understand each other and appreciate each others' efforts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you created something or done something without worrying about what others think? It's very freeing when you do! Try it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-60738162689478411232017-04-17T04:25:00.003-07:002017-04-18T04:37:33.763-07:00N is for Never Again #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re a
stupid bitch,” Dave had said when she didn’t get dinner on the table at
precisely 6 pm. Her cheek still ached where he had struck her. Then he
complained that the chicken was raw and threw the plate on the floor like a
spoiled child. She had got down on all fours to clean up the mess and he kicked
her in the ribs. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She rubbed
her side, every breath causing her pain.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re so
fat and ugly. No other man would want you,” he had said after they had sex. It
wasn’t making love. Love had nothing to do with it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her insides
felt raw and scraped. Dave didn’t care about satisfying her. She was just an
object to pound out his sexual frustration.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ll
never amount to anything. Why are you even bothering?” he had said when he
found out Michelle was taking an online writing course. He took her textbooks
and threw them on a bonfire in the yard.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the time,
she had believed that she was stupid, fat, ugly and worthless.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Never again.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lies, every
one of them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All the
booze Dave had consumed last night would ensure he wouldn’t wake until she was
safe. She’d slipped a sleeping pill in his drink to make sure of it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her friend
Alice volunteered at a shelter for abused women. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Get away
from that monster before it’s too late,” Alice urged, offering to take her to
the shelter. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Michelle
stood on the step holding her suitcase in the cool dampness of the dark night. Finally
the headlights of Alice’s car shone like the beams from a lighthouse, guiding
her to safety.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Never again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f1BcmLWecjKgq56GM6k7wJgi9eOJknIBaLQM_K7f12W6bNDOz5aQDCVrwTJTg6qOZQ8OCamEob2j-2v-CkMGgFe0CG-hoQxxpllIWvFarWelg093FwG4IYKy5ig6zALkHGLQ66VfwSc/s1600/N.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f1BcmLWecjKgq56GM6k7wJgi9eOJknIBaLQM_K7f12W6bNDOz5aQDCVrwTJTg6qOZQ8OCamEob2j-2v-CkMGgFe0CG-hoQxxpllIWvFarWelg093FwG4IYKy5ig6zALkHGLQ66VfwSc/s320/N.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></span><br />
<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">M is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/m-is-for-magical-moments-captured-in.html">Magical Moments</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-24109670311892840212017-04-15T07:06:00.000-07:002017-04-15T07:07:10.071-07:00M is for Magical Moments captured in photos #AtoZChallenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gmANCa_3CLkNmlc63tAHhcwMZE6ypQApCa9_D2JbeDkSKJYMcbrYcp67ydBpA3RqEoG1hXykwjyioOQz_yWPcQDSgU3N3WrBWC6PyfCUnVl_LC-UZRrEtFUeRLy836_pC9x2EP9ak9U/s1600/momentphotos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gmANCa_3CLkNmlc63tAHhcwMZE6ypQApCa9_D2JbeDkSKJYMcbrYcp67ydBpA3RqEoG1hXykwjyioOQz_yWPcQDSgU3N3WrBWC6PyfCUnVl_LC-UZRrEtFUeRLy836_pC9x2EP9ak9U/s640/momentphotos1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Moments pass, from January to December <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Precious moments, we want to remember,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Magical moments, so wondrous and pure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">We must be ready when they occur,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The seasons change, the days go fast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Photos help make moments last,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I try to take photos every day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">To capture moments in a special way,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I take photos of the squirrels and birds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Face it, I’m one of those camera nerds,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">My cameras are waiting, handy and near<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Always ready should that moment appear,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cats and dogs, cute kids and trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Clouds in the sky, spring flowers and
bees,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cities and villages, around and about<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I capture the moments, inside or out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I click away and the camera complies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Capturing moments, I see with my eyes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Sometimes it’s a dud and sometimes it’s
gold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">I’ll look back on these moments when I
am old,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Magical moments are here and then gone</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Capture the moments and make them live
on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbQrDWkdj49JKgFYXYCjQ2zHsUs8UPAnbtzf3h1MlQs0_k3bJp9jX94miOocj-CDGyE_TJ6nfeSoehPFAPZMlj7Y_kagCbOeyFGKjOAsET4CG_MfhGjddYrYjANxEZ6M7Ng3FOdIA4iQ/s1600/M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbQrDWkdj49JKgFYXYCjQ2zHsUs8UPAnbtzf3h1MlQs0_k3bJp9jX94miOocj-CDGyE_TJ6nfeSoehPFAPZMlj7Y_kagCbOeyFGKjOAsET4CG_MfhGjddYrYjANxEZ6M7Ng3FOdIA4iQ/s1600/M.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">L is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/l-is-for-lollygagging.html">Lollygagging</a></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-2635353542459932262017-04-14T07:19:00.001-07:002017-04-14T08:29:35.049-07:00L is for Lollygagging #AtoZChallenge<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I belong to the Lollygaggers Club<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A group of lazy souls,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We like to lie around a lot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">No wonder our stomachs have rolls,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Do you want to join our group?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We have a list to subscribe,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We’d love to keep you in the loup<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Come and join our tribe!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 106.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Each day we lollygag,
on a beach or by a pool<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 106.8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We don’t bother swimming.
Why do that? We’re just so frigging cool!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lollygaggers
never suffer anxiety, we rarely ever feel sorrow<br />
Why worry about it and ruin our day? It’ll be there tomorrow,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We don’t do anything exciting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We don’t do much at all,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If this sounds at all inviting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Make sure to give us a call!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">K is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/k-is-for-katie-klutz.html">Katie the Klutz</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350345752183630108.post-21750365222130320502017-04-13T05:41:00.001-07:002017-04-13T06:01:52.559-07:00K is for Katie the Klutz<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Katie burns every meal she makes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You should see her awful cakes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Totally charred and hard as stone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Too much chatting on her phone,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And don’t get me started about her mess<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s enough to cause me great distress,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Papers, dishes, clothes galore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Adorning the apartment floor,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She’s late for work almost every day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She’s had more jobs than I can say,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She’s scatterbrained and totally wild<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her attention span is worse than a child,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Katie will pretend and she will lie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In her quest to find the perfect guy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She tells them she’s a famous star<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Don’t you think that’s going too far?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">You should see the high heels she wears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">They make her stumble on the stairs,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The way she dresses is quite a sight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She looks like a woman of the night,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Face it, Katie is a total klutz<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">And I’m her roomie, I must be nuts!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;">I am participating in the A to Z Challenge writing a blog post for every day in April, except Sundays. <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/">http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here are my previous posts for the challenge:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">A is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/andante-or-allegro-which-one-are-you.html">Andante or Allegro, which one are you?</a></span><br />
B is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/b-is-for-beauty-of-birds-atozchallenge_3.html">Beauty of Birds</a><br />
C is for<a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/my-favourite-words-begin-with-c.html">My Favourite Words begin with C</a><br />
D is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/d-is-for-its-still-delightful-day.html">It's Still a Delightful Day!</a><br />
E is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/e-is-for-elusive-eloise-atozchallenge.html">Elusive Eloise</a><br />
F is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/f-is-for-forgive-and-forget.html">Forgive and Forget</a><br />
G is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/g-is-for-guilt-atozchallenge.html">Guilt</a><br />
H is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/h-is-for-holiday-in-your-head.html">Holiday in your Head</a><br />
I is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/i-if-for-introverts-can-have-influence.html">Introverts can have Impact and Influence</a><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span>J is for <a href="http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2017/04/j-is-for-jack-and-jill.html">Jack and Jill</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14795043512080007108noreply@blogger.com6