Session November 7, 2015

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53Vr7KYZvBbz8uyxIxYqbhb1DUGy45yYjSqxdAqVMvyB1UjlG_h-TNsqt-SJsQrGgHT3JxC27Wbh8TQjvvxWBnQ8tOfAVqf1ZDrHBAGt2Dy1OcHJpl9Ec4uEhR4NUM5ie4JE8kUHlydE/s640/Brooklyn+man.jpg

“It wasn’t their kind of restaurant, but it was cheap and close to home so they went anyway.”

By RC

Sylvester and Gladiola were in love; as much in love as a couple could be. Sylvester had always had every advantage, but Gladiola’s family was poor. Her father had named her that after his favorite flowers, which he tended as a gardener on the estate of Sylvester’s parents. The name was actually very fitting, for Gladiola made everyone glad just by being in her company, and she was also very lovely. However, that did nothing to cause Sylvester’s father to approve of his association with her.

“We do not become intimate with the hired help,” his father had said on one occasion, and Sylvester said nothing, because he was awaiting the day that he went away to college. Then, he would send for Gladiola. After all, he got a good stipend from his father for all the “little necessities”, as he had put it. It was more than enough to put her up in a room off campus, while he had his on-campus quarters. He would even see to it that Gladiola had a job—his family was that influential.

The day came and off Sylvester went. Sure enough, he rented the room and made the rounds to potential places for Gladiola to work. He painted a glowing picture of her abilities (which, in truth, he knew nothing about). When Gladiola came, Sylvester showed her the apartment, and she was very pleased. Then Sylvester wanted to take her out to eat. After everything, there wasn’t much money left, but he wasn’t worried. It wasn’t their kind of restaurant, but it was cheap and close to home so they went there anyway.

They had a great meal, with everything that Gladiola liked. In the middle of the meal, the owner of the restaurant approached.

“I hope that you liked the meal,” he said. “Now would you like to get to work in the kitchen? By the way, the meal will come out of your check.

http://www.mytrickpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Atlanterhavsveien-Norway.png

"People thought him dull, but he carried a secret burden."

by TNT

He had always lived at home with his mother. It was very nice and he was habituated to the home comforts, and his job was two blocks away. Life was the same every day. There was no excitement or stress in it. People thought him dull but he carried a secret burden. 

In his mind he wanted to have a bold adventure - to go where few others had succeeded in going or where it was so difficult that few people tried. That was his goal, although no-one knew.

There was a huge storm and it rained for a week. The river rose and flooded the valley. The bridge broke and there was no way out of his little town. He and his mother's house was flooded. They went from the first floor to the second floor and then sat on the roof, just waiting for the water to recede, with umbrellas.

They sat and he dreamed about being a hero and saving peoples' lives. But he just sat with his mother. 

There was an approaching raft made from little planks. It was occupied by a young girl holding a paddle. He smiled down at her. She looked up and said "Do you have any wounded, sick or casualties? I'm with the Red Cross."

He shook his head and became depressed. SHE was the hero - not him. His mother asked him to hand her a sandwich that he had brought up to the roof. He politely asked the girl from the Red Cross if she wanted a sandwich. She shook her head and rowed away with her dirty grey paddle and box of bandages and iodine.

https://dreemzology.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/d_russandreyn_c.jpg?w=900&h=714

(russ & reyn)

"Foxes came into their yard late at night."

By CC

Beth liked to tell people, when asked, that she was a professional scaredy cat. Her modeling career consisted of striking poses of terror by statues of dinosaurs or beneath looming shadows. She was very good at faking terror and sometimes would do it at home to startle her guinea pig, who was ordinarily rather nonresponsive.

She lived on the far edges of the suburb because her pay was not good. Someday she might strike it big, might be the face of abject horror on the next Jurassic Park movie poster, or the screaming voice in the Halloween commercial. But for now she had to economize, and it made for a long drive to town.

Herbert, her guinea pig, was her only family. Foxes came into their yard late at night, and he would alert her by scuffling around in his litter. She often got up to look out the window at the foxes, and marvel at their freedom. One night she saw a bear in the backyard. 

It was bigger than she thought a bear should be. But, oddly, she felt no fear at all. In fact, she slipped out the door while the bear was rooting around in the garbage. She walked up to it and batted it on the nose to shoo it away. The bear reared back and swatted her on the nose, which hurt pretty bad. Beth backed up, hands on her face, suddenly furious. She was a model! Her face was her livelihood! She picked up a two by four lying by the garbage and swung it at the bear, which backed off with an expression of terror. 

It was a very good expression of terror! Beth dropped the 2x4 and adopted the bear's position and expression, even if it hurt her nose. Yes, this would be one of her best poses! The bear turned and ran, making a little whimpering sound as it disappeared into the woods behind the house. Beth patted her nose with the sleeve of her blouse. Yuck. Well, perhaps she could get plastic surgery and actually improve her looks. Yes, that nose was too big anyway.

http://aestheticsofjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/98853fe03c8d11e2815722000a1fa518_7.jpg

"Lest any wonder needlessly, he tattooed the whole truth on his forearm."

by MD

         Jack’s favorite canine pal, Sparky, made it plain by his wigglings and snarlings that he was not happy about the horns and red nose Jack had strapped onto him.

         “Sit still, boy.”  Jack himself was not sure of the details of the bet he’d made which resulted in this struggle. His hangover prevented him from recalling the situation. What was clear in his mind was the sultry perfume which his co-worker was wearing when she’d approached him at the company Christmas party.

         “I’ll bet you can’t teach your dog to count” the lovely Sabrina challenged.

         “Of course I can.  I watch the dog whisperer on tv.  You can teach a dog to do anything.  And Sparky is really smart.”

         “Ok.  Bring Sparky back here to the office in one week and demonstrate that he can count to ten.”

         “What do I get if I win?”

         “Well, what do you think?, Sabrina replied.  “A night with me. And I’ll treat.”

         “And if I lose?”

         “Sparky will be our Christmas mascot. And he’ll wear decorations for every

other holiday too.”

         The training did not go well.  Sparky was not cooperative.  So when Jack brought Sparky back to the office in one week’s time, Sabrina was ready with the costume. But it was plain Sparky was not.

         It was the beginning of Jack’s dislike for the Christmas season.  And lest any wonder needlessly, he tattooed the whole truth on his forearm.

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J0YcJEPrzV2G2uQ8eHOxhgOjRVCFqkUJRRDS6RMeUXYJlKlsCMeble0IsYMW_ItB03-HKUE6anXgijE3BuNFPDIqkjL3sPEMVsjL5pn1Y_GAmRR_zDcVycdzkqh5GAVebUGDn5aQgmih/s1600/rare_wwii_photos_33.jp    

"He always felt sure that something would go wrong when the Santa Anas blew." 

by BG

Private Smith was a new recruit from California. He was able to adapt very well to his battalion, his platoon and all the guys assigned to his tank. He had complete faith in the decisions of his tank commander. All of the missions they went on were successful. He enjoyed working with a crew that hailed from all over the country. A couple from New York, a guy from Alaska and his CO from Colorado. They'd just come off a few days of R&R , caught up on news from home and were ready to give 'em a good fight on this new mission, but somehow, after hearing the weather from back home, he knew it wouldn't go easy. He always felt sure that something would go wrong when the Santa Anas blew.

http://41.media.tumblr.com/0347dbd173dd81667ad5a7678b7466ad/tumblr_njw0nnwX2n1qlq9poo9_500.jpg

"She didn't tell him she played the cello until their third date."

by GS

Years of working with birds had not really prepared Susan for an intimate relationship with a barn owl. The thought was preposterous, of course, yet after she had rescued Wesley as an injured youngster they bonded completely. The first few years she had been his mother, but when he matured he decided she was his mate. Susan resisted at first. She didn't tell him she played the cello until their third date, since she knew he would freak out at the strange sounds just like he did when exposed to any strange loud sounds. Their relationship survived after she promised to play only when he was not around, and they had almost 20 years together. Her cello playing suffered.