Flash 55 Challenge - Freeway Frenzy #2

CHALLENGE: We are traveling 60 mph on the interstate going home from our Ashland stay. Suddenly we see brakelights four or five cars ahead of us and watch a minivan swerve off to the shoulder of the highway and slide to an immediate stop, gravel flying. A young woman flings open the drivers door, jumps out, runs around the front of the van, and yanks open the passanger door. We were past her before we could see what caused her to stop so suddenly. In 55 words what just happened?


He said he would call her by 5:00PM if she got the job. She had waited until 5:30PM before heading for home on the freeway. The sound of her phone ringing was muffled inside her purse. She grabbed for it, knocking the phone onto the floor of the passenger side, just out of her reach.....

Flash 55 Challenge - Freeway Fright

CHALLENGE:  We are traveling 60 mph on the interstate going home from our Ashland stay. Suddenly we see brakelights four or five cars ahead of us and watch a minivan swerve off to the shoulder of the highway and slide to an immediate stop, gravel flying. A young woman flings open the drivers door, jumps out, runs around the front of the van, and yanks open the passanger door. We were past her before we could see what caused her to stop so suddenly. In 55 words what just happened?

She saw him choking and slammed on the brakes, pulling the car to the side of the freeway.  Yanking open the passenger door, she pulled her ten year old from the front seat and circled her arms around his middle from behind. Thank God the Heimlich Maneuver did the trick.  He was breathing once again.

Flash 55 Friday CHALLENGE for this week!

Here's a challenge, if you so choose.  Write the ending to this incident we observed while driving home from Ashland on Interstate 5, just outside of Medford.  We were past the city limits and in "the country "  with no other freeway exits in site.

We are traveling 60 mph on the interstate going home from our Ashland stay.  Suddenly we see brakelights four or five cars ahead of us and watch a minivan swerve off to the shoulder of the highway and slide to an immediate stop, gravel flying.  A young woman flings open the drivers door, jumps out, runs around the front of the van, and yanks open the passanger door.  We were past her before we could see what caused her to stop so suddenly.  In 55 words what just happened?

Sonia's Regret (Porch Story, Part One)

This is part one of an Ashland "porch observation" story.  One late afternoon we were sitting outside on the porch of our Ashland rental having a glass of wine.  We watched a wedding party preparing for a celebration that evening at the Armory across the street. We could hear a Mexican band practicing in the background for the reception.  Each of the bridesmaid dresses was in a different bright jewel-tone color of  orange, blue, gold or green. Guests were arriving and it looked to be time for the wedding to begin.   Suddenly the bride came running out of the building, down the stairs, and down the street.  We never saw her reappear.  This caused us to come up with ideas for a story to explain what could have happened  to make her flee her own wedding.  She became Sonia because we were drinking a bottle of  "Villa Sonia" wine. 



The happiest day of her life was finally here. Sonia studied her reflection in the mirror as she slowly twirled, marveling at the beauty of the simple pale ivory wedding dress. It had taken six months of saving to buy the material and another three to complete the dress.

She clasped the pendant around her neck. Its sapphire stone glowed in the filtered light of the room. It was a family heirloom. Just not hers.

Her red lips pursed in concern. She had borrowed the necklace from her employer to wear at her wedding today. Sonia worked as Mrs. Mendez’ housekeeper and had meant to ask her permission, but she had not returned home before Sonia left yesterday.

Sonia would return the pendant to its special place in the locked jewelry box as soon as she and Marco got back from their honeymoon. It would only be for the weekend, she assured herself. Certainly Mrs. Mendez wouldn’t mind if she borrowed it for such a special day.

A flash of brilliant color flooded the room as her sister entered. She was stunning in her vibrant jeweled-tone green gown. Her sister was her best friend, and would stand proudly with her at the alter today.

As the music began they moved together to the chapel entrance. Inside, a small group had gathered to witness and celebrate their union.

Marco smiled at her from the altar as she slowly walked to meet him, his eyes never leaving her face. He clasped her hand, and as they turned to face the priest, his attention was caught by the blue sparkle at her throat. His eyes widened as he stared at it, then looked up at her. They had agreed she would return it immediately when she admitted to him that she had borrowed it without permission. Stolen it, he said.

As his smile faded, Sonia felt his censure and disapproval. She knew she had spoiled this special day by wearing the pendant and not honoring their agreement. Her voice trembled as she repeated her vows. When the priest asked Marco if he would take her as his wife, he hesitated, then withdrew his hand from hers and whispered “No.”

Tears clouded her vision as she turned and ran down the isle to the outside. She pulled off the pendant and flung it away. It glittered in the sunlight as it tumbled in the air and suddenly disappeared into the opening of an old blue birdhouse perched in the lone tree in front of the chapel.

Filled with remorse and regret, she ran blindly into the street, not knowing what direction to go. Hearing a shout and the squeal of brakes, she looked up just as the bus knocked her to the ground, its momentum and weight crushing her beneath. Her last thoughts were of Marco. Her foolishness had cost her the love and trust of her soul mate and in turn, her life.

If only she could turn the clock hands backward a day. She would do the right thing. “I’ll love you forever through time,” she whispered with her last breath.

Ashland In Verse

The plays were awesome
The weather, just okay
Breakfasts to die for
In Ashland this stay

A travel day on Friday
With a lunch stop at Marche’s
Rhubarb sodas were a treat
Painted flasks made the day

Sunshine Saturday morning

Found us out on the porch
After Linda’s Quiche with berries
Accompanied by Gene’s Ashland Roast

Karen’s Mango Chutney Chicken

With yummy curried rice

For three dinners at home

Was heavenly with its spice

Hamlet on Sunday

Brought us to our feet at the end

Even though the “Hip Hop” Players

Made our minds have to bend

Bothered by two young drunks

On the porch of our abode

Charlene chased them away saying

If they didn’t go her head would explode

Anne arrived Monday morning

Ready to relax and rest

Yeah! The sun’s still out

Showing the flowers at their best

Tuesday brought showers

And a Pride and Prejudice Matinee

Swirling dancers and clever dialogue

Made this a most enjoyable play

Dinner at Amuse

All wearing Terri’s flashing glam rings

Each meal was delicious

The waiter was “Amuse”d with our bling

Several trips to the Spa

Each of us gladly paid

For painted nails or massages

A connection to Simplicio was made

Karen invited Simplicio

To our vacation abode

His gentle manner and skill

On Christiane he bestowed

The musical “She Loves Me”

On Wednesday we adored

Based on “Little Shop Around the Corner”

Left us laughing, asking for more

For Wednesday’s evening meal

To Peerless Restaurant we went

Waiter Bill’s treat of Honey Mead

Was heaven sent.

Christiane had a breakfast idea

For us when we awakened

And slaved over the stove top

Frying up a treat of bacon

Throughout the week

We relaxed, shopped, and read

Sometimes walking around town

Or through the park instead

Anne brought a book

She absolutely had to read

Book club was at her house

She had to be up to speed

A few used the beading supplies

For a rainy day they were brought

To make a bookmark or two

After they were taught

From a wedding across the street

We watched the bride flee looking riled

Just another “porch experience”

That caused our imagination to run wild

Already to Thursday

Where did the week go?

We were just getting started

To be in rhythm with the flow

Not enough entertainment?

To the movies several went

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

And Letters To Juliet

Jan’s French Toast with berries

Char’s Pancakes with syrup from Quebec

Too many calories you say?

It’s vacation, what the heck!

Mimosas or smoothies
Each morning we enjoyed

Wine tasting each evening

Kept the wine shop employed

Potato nests with scrambled eggs

Coffee Cake to bake too

Good thing it was done

Before the old range blew

Too much activity for the stove top

Caused it to spark and blow

To the neighbors to finish cooking
Linda and Terri had to go

Thursday’s plays were awesome

“Well” provoked much thought

And “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”

Much discussion later they brought

Hail to the Cork Queen

Jan wins it again

Her wine label took first place

And another year she will reign.

A new addition to the Queen’s attire

A sparkly bracelet she will wear

Along with the crown and scepter

Very regal and quite fare

It’s Friday already

And time to go

To a few more shops on the way out

Our money will flow

‘Till we meet again for lunch
We’ll bid each other adieu

"All’s well that ends well” and

“To thine own self be true”

The Rosemary Caper

Hat bill pulled low, knife tucked in the sleeve of her fleece pullover, she walks with her accomplice casually down the sidewalk, endpoint in sight.

Approaching it, she looks sideways at the group of bicycle riders across the street to gauge their interest in her. None.

As her accomplice stands watch, she bends, knife sliding from her sleeve and severs the young stalk.

She quickly stands and they hurry back to the others waiting.

She holds up her conquest as they enter the room.

“Great, you found some rosemary for the baked pears.”

Flash 55 - Simplicio's Gift

Using feather-like fingertips

With head tilted sideways

He listens with his hands

And feels with his eyes.

Latching into special places

Waiting for muscles to relax

He sees her chin float upward

And her head release back.

She is floating underwater

Swimming circle eights in her mind

In symmetry with her body

Feeling relaxed and sublime.