Thursday, October 29, 2020

The Other Side of the Tracks, Wisdom of the Ages, & a Change of Heart

Taking a walk today, I chose a different route and parked near a downtown railroad crossing. Heading south on the bike path confirmed that old lamentable stereotype ‘the other side of the tracks’. Each rundown residence rather depressing, I noticed the nearby senior center’s HVAC units surrounded by a heavily chained and padlocked fence topped with razor wire (!), no doubt to thwart scrap metal thievery. I’ll stick with the familiar northern path in future.

If I do return, it will be to help the wary cats teaming near one pitiful intersection. That area needs someone like dear Strayer intervening.

Our pampered Jezebel won life's lottery.
And she's blissfully clueless


In a striking moment of foolishness earlier, I struggled to open a powdered drink mix before realizing I still held a fork. The tines were pointed toward my eye. I had to chuckle and wonder if my wisdom stems from growing cynicism and a dark sense of humor rather than aging.

Either way, I’m happy to say both my eyes and eyeglass lenses remain intact.

Meanwhile October is coming to a close and, as Pam of The Whimsical Way kindly noted, for many years I’ve engaged in a month long writing challenge each November. The current state of our world decided me to skip this year. Then it dawned on me, a focus on writing prose is just what I need. I even started a new short story three times before stalling. Now these new characters will have a chance to tell their tale, which has a title but no actual plot.

Do you have any special November plans? Are you, unlike me, the type to organize before undertaking a new project?

-

16 comments:

  1. HAHA Organize? ME? ....haha. I have always had a totally hard problem having organization. I almost fainted when I read that you were not going to write. Glad that you decided to do it anyway. Be sure and jump over and leave a blog every so often. As for your sweet babe, she loves life and I know you love her. As for the feral its a hard life and I am finding that even when you make life better for them they still don't trust. Mama cat is that way. A couple of the other ferals will let you pet them every so often.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But you always seem to finish your projects, which is amazing. And thanks for the support. As for cats, getting them fixed is a huge improvement in their lives. :)

      Delete
  2. Watch out for those forks. I do that same kind of thing.

    I'm an organizer for sure. Sometimes loosely, but organize I do.

    November has two small cruises planned one to Rio Vista with friends and another to Village West harbor. Just getting out before it gets to cold to boat.

    Have a fabulous day, Darla. Big hug. ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you have a fabulous and safe time! Cruising with you sounds like so much fun. ~hugs~

      Delete
  3. Oh yes, I definitely need to organize before I begin anything. In fact, I spent today doing some room organizing. I got further than I expected.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Goals for November:
    1) live to see the day after the election
    2) get my holiday cards mailed by the end of the month
    3) be the first to receive the audiobook of "Moonflower Murders" due out on 11/20.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Definitely need to organize before I start anything. Jezebel is a cutie.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am always worried when I or someone else is using a pair of scissors or fork or knife. One absentminded move, and it can be disastrous.

    I like to be organised. Because that will leave me enough room to tackle anything unexpected.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Forks are dangerous weapons. Be careful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. :) Stabbing myself is the last thing I need. Heh...

      Delete
  8. Dad likes to think he can be organized, but he typically does things on a whim vs. well-planned. He, too has shelved his writing, but now that we're finally getting settled and he swears this'll be the last move I'm hoping to see him breaking out some of his starts and fits, polishing them off, and at least submitting them to some lit mags to start. As for the fork incident- yeah, he's a good one for that kind of thing, too. Usually, though, it's a utility knife he's holding...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I hope he gets published! I look forward to reading the good news, and some stories. :) Tell him to be safe, sweet Cleo.

      Delete

Hope you enjoyed stopping by and please drop a line. I love comments.

Any and all will be published upon approval. Thanks!