Tuesday 22 January 2013

100 words week 74




This week’s prompt was... “the extreme weather meant” Read the details here at http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week74/

I tried to include it in a travel bulletin but that didn’t work so I have used it as the prompt rather than included in the text. ( That’s allowed isn’t it?!)

As I sit here this afternoon the snow has started again and it makes a very pretty sight. Snowflakes really are exquisite. I took some photos in the snow at the weekend but wished I had remembered my tripod to capture the true beauty of the snow. I don’t think any jewel can compete with a snowflake. I’ve never seen one to do so. Their beauty is partly in their transient nature I feel. 

I have recently changed my car to a little sporty number and as the snow is now falling rather more heavily am feeling a little anxious about driiving to collect my lad from after school sports. I think it will be a rather slow journey (and definitely no roof down!)

Anyway, here is this week's effort.

I am so so pleased to have finished my Grandad's memoirs with him. I have been reading them and listening to his recordings . How lucky to always have those memories .

I'll have a read of the others later; find them at http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=181279&type=basic

Here's mine

..the extreme weather meant...

Shifting into gear Mike cursed loudly as he caught sight of the time. An hour of his life wasted in a meeting that hadn’t gone anywhere and, to top it all off, the relentless rain had turned to a swirling blizzard.
The BMW’s rear wheels span uselessly and he switched off the engine. He pressed his forehead against the wheel and tried to clear his mind. He knew exactly what Veronica would say, how she would look at him.
And how guilty he would feel.
Again.
The phone buzzed angrily and Veronica’s face lit up the screen ,her cold eyes staring. He gently traced the curve of her face before pressing, “END.”







Sunday 20 January 2013

Grandad

I'm writing this as the sad  news of my Grandfather's passing hasn't yet fully sunk in.

I'm sad of course, but like to think that he is with his beloved wife again and it gladdens my heart to imagine them together.

The project we began to write his memoirs was completed shortly before Christmas and for that I can take some comfort. We will always have the record of his life to remember him by. He did so many things that he had not really spoken of.

Here are a few extracts:



"I don’t know anyone on active service who wasn’t scared stiff when they had to go into battle or face the foe, no matter what anyone said.  We are not all heroes, no one is really. You do what you have to do and that is that."   
 This was written about his service in WW2. To imagine what it must have been like for those young men.. To me, they were all heroes to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude and without whom I probably wouldn't be writing this! 


"We had physical training by a warrant officer called Matt Busby. All PT instructors were given the rank of warrant officer and most of them were former footballers. Matt Busby became manager of Manchester United and was eventually knighted. He was a delight to know and a good PT instructor."
Grandad was an incredibly modest man. He never bragged about things he had done, places he had been or people he had met over the years. This is just one example of what a fascinating life he led.

"People meet up in all sorts of circumstances and it was quite fortuitous really; we had both been invited to the same function and perchance we met. When we met I found she was a very intelligent girl, up for a bit of fun... I knew then that I had met somebody special"
This was about his beloved wife, my Gran. 

"She has been much missed by all the family and she was well loved by them and loved them all. There is not a day goes by that I do not think of her as I was so fortunate to have such a loving wife and mother of my children."

RIP dearest Grandad.
Much loved and will never be forgotten
xxx

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Happy new year and return to 100WCGU


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It's been a while since I last blogged. 
I have completed my Grandad's memoirs- hurrah. He was delighted with them so I am very pleased to have achieved what I set out to do. It has been wonderful finding out so much about him and his time in the war and his working life. I hope the rest of the family enjoy it.
Term starts for me tomorrow and I have just about got the planning finished. I never plan too far ahead as it changes on  a daily basis depending on the needs of the children; but it still takes what seems like an age.
I am now going to edit my nanowrimo in earnest and see if I can manage to get a few more of these 100wcgu completed now. 
I also must get the decorating done. My lovely hubby and son worked out that if I keep on the present rate it will take me nine years to finish so I need to hurry up a bit!! Will do some after lunch...

Anyway, enough prevarication.
This week's prompt from Julia is
 ... you said you’d do WHAT?….
 Read all about it at http://jfb57.wordpress.com/2013/01/07/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week72/ 


Here is my effort. One of my aims this year is to tell less to the reader! I will try. 
Feedback is always welcomed- (comments are moderated to avoid spam) If you don't like it please tell me why!!
Read the rest over at http://www.linkytools.com/wordpress_list.aspx?id=179012&type=basic

WEEK 72


Clouds of smoke swirled as Big Jake exhaled. He stared penetratingly at Mickey.
“You said you’d do what?”
“Well, uh, I sorta thought it would help the guys.”
“You did, did ya?”
“Jonny said he’d help. ”
 “Hell no, it’s the first I’ve heard of it Boss. We gotta cut him loose, know what I mean?”
“Now c’mon guys, it’ll be cool. We’ll be outta there before you know it. All I need is...”
Big Jake leant forward and blew a cloud of cigar smoke in Mickey’s face. “All you need kid is to go back and tell them you’re not gonna do it.