Timing

 

Timing

                                Red grouse (Lagapus lagapus scoticus)

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons 

My parents’ wedding anniversary was 16^th April. One year, when I was about seven years old, they were having a small party to celebrate and I piped up with, ‘They were married on 16^th April, and I was born two days later.’  This caused some mirth, which I didn’t understand at the time.

It was my second youngest grandson’s birthday on Sunday. Charlie is now nine years old. Our wedding anniversary is the day after his birthday. I don’t think he’s likely to make a similar observation.

August 12^th is the beginning of the grouse shooting season, but, as Barry is not a shooting man, the date completely passes him by. It’s only been fifty-seven years, though, so there’s still time for the date to lodge in his brain. 

Before we were married, we did once eat a grouse, or maybe it was a pheasant, that he had shot. That was the only time, and I remember little of it other than the lead shot still inside the bird.

I watched some of the Olympic shooting. That’s all about timing, too. I noticed that many of the competitors were left-handed, but I don’t recall the archers being other than right-handed. Some say it’s an advantage, while others dismiss it. I am just simply impressed by all the Olympian athletes and everything they’ve had to do to achieve Olympic standing.

I’ve just seen a lovely sight. The Chinese weight-lifting gold medallist, Li Wenwen, pulled her coach onto the stage and picked him up. That was such a delightful thing to see, and they were both so, so happy.             

Book Blurb Friday #13

This meme is hosted by Lisa Ricard Claro at ‘Writing in the Buff’ J

 Each week she posts a photo that could be the cover of a book. The aim is to:

‘Write a book jacket blurb (150 words or less) so enticing that potential readers would feel compelled to buy the book.’ 

Below is this week's picture and my offering.

Photo copyright Kathy Matthews

Snowstorms

When snow falls on the night of their 50^th anniversary party Tony and Barbara Brownlow have no inkling that it will have such a profound effect. They have invited all the family – their two daughters and their husbands and children, Tony’s brother and sister-in-law and a few old friends. As the weather worsens it is soon obvious that guests will have to be accommodated overnight.

After three days of being snowed in, with little prospect of escape, the veneer of good manners wears thin and people begin to say what they really think and to reveal secrets that have been hidden for many years.

Bruising revelations threaten the happiness of almost all the guests. What will the future hold for each of them? Will they ever be able to resume their previous way of life?

(136words including the title) 

Saturday Centus #52 First Anniversary

Jenny Matlock hosts this weekly meme. Thank you! J

Her challenge to participants is to use the prompt and up to 100 more words to produce a piece of writing in any style. Click here to read more and perhaps be inspired to join in! The prompt is in red italics.

He knew he had been neglecting her and decided to make amends. He bought flowers on his way home and told her he would take her somewhere special for their first anniversary. She smiled coolly and presented him with his credit card statement. Highlighted in red were several transactions – restaurants, theatre, florists – she had not been the recipient of such attentions. He flushed and started to stammer an explanation but she held up her hand to silence him.

‘Although the traditional gift for a first anniversary is paper . . . ‘ she began, ‘It is not normally in this form’ and she handed him a divorce petition form.

(98 words excluding the prompt)