Tuesday, September 27, 2011

My Mother's an Imago

Rachael Harrie is at it again with another crazy challange. Here are the rules.


Write a blog post in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should:
include the word "imago" in the title. (DID THAT)  

include the following 4 random words: "miasma," "lacuna," "oscitate," "synchronicity," (DID THAT)
If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional and included in the word count), make reference to a mirror in your post. (DID THAT)

For those who want an even greater challenge (optional), make your post 200 words EXACTLY! (AND DID THAT)
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Upon doing some research the random words above are actually words. Yes, Rachael did do that! This was quite the challange. Here are the terms  according to Wikepedia and about.com to help you understand my flash fistion story below.


* In biology, the imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from the pupa where the metamorphosis is complete. As this is the only stage during which the insect is sexually mature and, if it is a winged species, has functional wings, the imago is often referred to as the adult stage.
*The miasma theory (also called the miasmatic theory) held that diseases such as cholera, chlamydia or the Black Death were caused by a miasma (ancient Greek: "pollution"), a noxious form of "bad air".
*a lacuna is a gap (in text)

*oscitate To gape; to yawn.

*Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events, that are apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance, that are observed to occur together in a meaningful manner.

Let me know how I did and if you enjoy this please CLICK HERE to vote! I'm #136
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My Mother’s an Imago

My bed shook and I woke to oscitate at an angry mother shaking my mattress. Joy. She was in a lovely mood. At least I still had ten minutes before the bus came. With luck it would be late again due to Delany losing another contact.

My mom complained, “Get your lazy butt out of bed!”

I smiled thinking of ways to sick some miasma at her. Then she would go back to bed and forget all about me going to school today. What a synchronicity that would be.

I dressed with clothes that were on the edge of my bed. I checked the mirror to see if my frizzed hair was tamed. That was a BIG no, and then I shoved an orange in my backpack.

“Don’t forget your report. Although the lacuna’s are sure to get you an F.”

I took the papers and headed for the door, “Love you mom.”

“So, how’d we do?”

“Vocabulary-check, Science-check.”

My mom clapped, “and what am I today?”

“Imago, because I know how much you like ladybugs.” I smiled.

“And drama.”

“Double check!”

“Love you honey. I’m glad we had this study session.”

I left knowing I would ace my tests.”

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Passing on an Award.


This award has been passed on to me from Saba at Of Thoughts and Words! Thank you. Give her a visit, she has a great blog.

Here are the rules
Anyone who accepts this is asked by the person selecting them to do three things:
Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
Share 7 things about yourself.
Pass this award along to 15 discovered blogs and let them know about it.

7 things that you are dying to know about me *wink wink*
1. I LOVE fall in New England. Pumpkins, apple pie, festivals. YAY!
2. Cape Cod Salt and Vinegar Chips are the best.
3. Once my dog jumped on the latch and hit it just right and locked me out of the house in my pj's--true story.
4. Pathetic joke my daughter told me that makes me laugh every time. "Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?"
"Because he had no guts!" Ha ha ha!
5. OMG OMG OMG I can't wait until the Mortal Instruments comes to the big screen.
6. Never ever watched Sex in the City.
7. Ryan Seacrest every Sunday on America's Top 40 :)


Now to pass this on to 15 peeps(I'm doing my buddies in Campaign Group #32)! Sorry, if you already received this award. I guess that makes you 2x special.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Vote for a GREAT cause--Kitty Lovers!

I know us writers have a tendency to love our kitties! They inspire our stories (and boss us around to do their will). They keep us company when we are determined to finish a scene late into the night (how dare you interrupt their beauty sleep). You just have to love them!

Last December we had to make the painful decision to put our Cat, Lucky, to sleep due to ongoing medical issues. I want to tell you his story...

Thirteen years ago when I lived in Rhode Island, I noticed my neighbors cat looked skinny and hungry, so I left food out for her. The next month I was pretty darn proud of myself that she looked really fat! More time passed and I didn't see her. One day we were expecting a hurricane. I was worried for her until my sisters dog, Lexus, started barking at the truck tire. I thought she was going crazy. There inside the tire was one small, skinny, grey cat with green goop that sealed both his eyes shut. We never saw mama kitty again, but the rest is history!


                                                                
Fast forward to last week. We had already taken in 2 kittens from a neighbor, but I really wanted an older cat. To me, there is something special about adopting an older cat that needs a home. I feel like, Lucky, would approve. So, we went to our local shelter and found a special friend! We instantly loved Tara and knew she was coming home. The next time we went Miss Theodora aka Teddie pulled on our heartstrings and she to had to come home! They are GREAT cats!


TARA


                                                  THEODORA aka Teddie
  (Teddie's daughter is still at the shelter looking for a home. She looks just like her mom and is super sweet. I REALLY want her to find a special home because she is awesome. If you live in the area, please consider her. I really love her also!)

I want to thank TARPS (The Animal Rescue & Protection Society) in Vermont for taking care of our special friends until they could come to their forever home! Mary, Brandon, and all the volunteers are amazing.

CAN YOU PLEASE VOTE FOR TARPS in VT! YOU CAN CLICK ONCE PER DAY. TEDDY AND TARA THANK YOU!  CLICK HERE

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Tag! Your It!



I've been tagged by Claire Hennessy at her blog Crazy California Claire and now I must tell you Bloggerville 10 random facts about myself. Well, your in luck because I'm totally random.

#1 I just adopted 2 kitties from the TARPS animal shelter, Tara and Teddy! A writer needs someone to talk to while typing away.

#2 I'm rather annoyed when my child pointed out I had a darn hole in my jeans on my butt and told me the color of my undies. I wonder who else got a good laugh because I went out like that ALL DAY.

#3 I love my Silkie chickens like they were little puppies!

#4 I have a tendency to be an obsessive cleaner.

#5 I almost fainted in the middle of Sears the other day while looking at power tools (More info to come on that).

#6 I hate cooking and could survive on Kraft mac-a-cheese.

#7 I like cemeteries and went on a historical walk and learned all about stone art, who knew death heads were cool.

#8 Have an obsession with True Blood on HBO

#9 I need to get ink for my printer, make an eyeglasses appointment and get pine shavings...sorry don't want to forget what I need to do.

#10 I think blogger friends are the bestest!

And now to tag 5 other peeps. YA group 6 rocks, I'm tagging you! Here goes.

Mel Fowler @ Adveture Writes tag your it!
Stephanie @ Word By Word tag your it!
Alison Miller @ Left Brained by Day; Write Brain-All The Time tag your it!
Margo Kelly tag your it!
J.A. Bennett @ A Book, A Girl, A Journey tag your it! (Click now and listen to my favorite song on her post)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

First Campaigner Challange

The first Campaigner Challenge is this week and I'm super excited. Here are the rules.

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: "the door swung shut." (also included in the word count)

My story is exactly 200 words and I managed to use "The door swung open" and "The door swung shut."

This story is dedicated to all the students starting school this week. Good luck!
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Good Grub

The door swung open. A meatball whizzed by my head landing with a splat on a locker before sliding to the ground.
The cafeteria was wild with protest. I wanted out, but someone pushed me in and used me as a shield. Spaghetti stuck to my neck.

“Down with school lunch,” they screamed.

I held my brown bag, picked off the wet noodles and ducked trying to make my way to the courtyard.
At the food counter angry lunch ladies waved spatulas and the principle’s bald head was now covered with sauce and overcooked carrots.

Crumbs of a dried brownie rained down into my hair. I clutched my brown lunch bag and made a dash to the door while avoiding the milk cartons and puddles.
I was one step away from food fight freedom when someone pointed and said. “You. Class President. Do something!”

I wanted to get food out of my hair, I wanted quiet; I wanted to forget that I, Jessie K. Burgenstein, was class President.
I climbed and stood on the table. “Principle Taylor I demand we have McDonald's on the menu!”

It went quiet. They cheered. The lunch ladies stormed out and the door swung shut.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Meet your Choose Your Own Adventurers!

I was away for the Labor day holiday babysitting and totally doing the Auntie thing. I may have fed the babe a Boston Cream donut and pretended they were organic *evil grins.* I also may have snuck in cookies and other highly processed goodies. Super Auntie!

But, I'm glad to be home in the comfort of my pajamas and back in Bloggerland. I would like to welcome and say hello to all the new followers *221!!! Faints and dies* #IheartCampaigners

A small intro--Besides being the crazy cat lady I write YA fiction--the weirder the better--Urban fantasy and Paranormal Romances. I'm an avid reader and enjoy helping other authors promote their masterpieces. Give me a shout if you would like to be interviewed or would like a review (hairballs optional).

The first Campaign challenge has been posted by, the one and only, Rachael Harrie. Go check out her blog to see what the Campaign is.  I'll be skipping doing tons of laundry from the mini vacation to get working on the challange. Yay!

Also, my list has closed and we have--get this--19!!! Yes, 19 writers who will write part of the Choose Your Own Adventure that will have you traveling through Bloggerville.  It's going to be crazier than the last one. I'm shooting for the end of October, so stay tuned for details.

Without further adieu, I introduce to you, our Adventurers. (click on their names to visit them. I will also be adding them to my sidebar so you can easily find these fantastic writers.)

Crystal Collier
Jessica Aspen
Cheryl Reifsnyder
Randy Lindsay
Susanna Hill
Deana Barnhart
Kelda Crich
Claire Hennessy
Cheree Smith
Mildred Holmes
Kate Lineberger
Saba
Cathy Von Hassal-Davies
Angela Perry
Mel Corbett
C. Janelle Tuma
Katharina Gerlach
Madeline Bartos