A-Z: The Drought

April 4, 2018April 3, 2018 / McGuffy's Reader / 42 Comments

undeveloped - Copy

No one could remember when the last rain came. It doesn’t matter anymore.

First, the crops withered. The corn never developed. Then, the stalks shriveled and dried up, standing right there in the field.

Once the crops were gone, there was no feed, either. No one would buy the cattle. After they died, the horses did, too. The dogs all ran off, probably to find water, since the creeks all dried up.

That’s when the well went dry. Ma and Pa both passed away then. I think they just lost their will. I don’t know why I am still here.

~McGuffy Ann Morris

I wrote this 100-word story as an exercise. I drew on my personal experience of stories told to me by elders who farmed. I come from a strong lineage of farming. Consequently, I have tremendous respect for those who farm. They live their job. It affects their very existence. And, it does ours, too. This story is for them.

“My Writeful Heart”:
A= Acknowledgments
B= Believe
C= Camouflage

A-Z: Acknowledgments…

April 1, 2018April 1, 2018 / McGuffy's Reader / 49 Comments

… those who love me,
and those who don’t—
…those who support me,
and those who never did—
…those who reached out to me,
and those who pushed me away—
…those who accept me,
and those who judge me—
…those who know the inner me,
and those who never tried to.
You have all inspired me
in different ways,
at different times,
whether you knew it
or even cared…
and still, I am here.

~McGuffy Ann Morris

April is National Poetry Month. It is also the month of the annual Blogging from A-Z Challenge. My 2018 Theme Reveal explained my plans to share my own writing this year: “My Writeful Heart”. I will be sharing musings, poetry, and stories. Some have been shared here; others may have been shared in past literary magazines. Some of the pieces I will share this month have only been read by me and God.

Acknowledgments is the first poem in my book of poetry, Weeds. Many of my poems are based on observations, as well as experience. This one is more personal. I believe this is a good way to begin.

A to Z Theme Reveal: 2018

March 19, 2018March 19, 2018 / McGuffy's Reader / 30 Comments

atoz-theme-reveal-2018

This is my third year to participate in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Whether they have taken this challenge or not, most bloggers know what it is all about. Every day, with the exception of some Sundays, during the month of April, the challenge is to publish a blog post for the letter of the day. So, April 1^st, I will again be taking up that challenge, too.

Today, we officially begin our frenzied mission with our “Theme Reveal”. Many bloggers choose the have no set theme, preferring to just go with the flow. However, most seem to choose a theme to keep them channeled. That is part of the beauty of blogging, doing it your own way.

Two years ago, I chose poetry as my theme. April is National Poetry Month. I shared some of my favourite poems. Some poems were well known, while others were not. I chose poetry by well-known poets, as well as by poets who were not very well known. Some of the poems were written by myself.

Last year, I shared a Soundtrack of Lifeblood Songs. These were songs that had lyrics that are meaningful to me. Some of these songs went back to my childhood, while others were newer, yet still powerful to me. As a writer, words are important to me.

May 2017, Bill answered my list of songs with his own soundtrack. He chose songs that had special musical compositions. As a guitarist, he speaks through music. After he critiqued my list, I challenged him to create his own. He did. That may have been a first for the A-Z Challenge: Non-blogger blogs A-Z Challenge Rebuttal. He had fun!

I have contemplated my theme for the past year. I knew what it would be, having decided last April. But, each post has been an ongoing evolving plan. And, it may very well continue to evolve.

My 2018 A to Z Blogging Challenge Theme Reveal is… “My Writeful Heart”. This April, I will share things that I have written. I will share musings, poetry, and stories. Some pieces will be older, some will be new. Some of these have been shared before, some have never been seen. I hope whether you have read them or not, you will still enjoy what I share. I always share my heart and soul. After all, the message and motto of my blog is: Live. Laugh. Love. Share.

a2z-h-small

How I Am Spending My Summer Vacation

July 26, 2017January 20, 2018 / McGuffy's Reader / 23 Comments

Summer is always a busy time. As you know, I am editing, and hopefully improving, my collection of dog stories. Cat stories will follow. Thank you to those who read and commented on Velvet’s story. I appreciate your thoughts more than I can say. Each essay is a labour of love, and each one wrecks me in a different way to relive it. I never feel that I have done that special dog the recognition that they so well deserve. I miss each one deeply. Velvet was the first. She set the standard for me.

Along with my dog stories, I am also working on the usual things. There is endless yard work, health issues, my critters, and misc. rescue critters. And, there is poetry, stories, writing challenges, photos, and blog posts. I aim to keep things positive. A thankful heart and soul is a positive one. Those who know me know that I am sincere and mean no harm. No judging here; to each their own. I blog about what moves me, and that encompasses many things.

In fact, a special project has evolved from a very old blog post. Currently, I am doing research for this very special upcoming post. The project is time-consuming, but it means a great deal to me and certain others, too. I hope to have all of the information soon, so I can finish it and post it here.

Please know that I may be slow to comment or respond, but that I am reading and enjoying your posts. My desktop keyboard died, so I am using my laptop. I am thankful for that! I plan to replace the main keyboard this weekend. I keep everything on the desktop, so I need to be able to get back in there. Oy.

So, there you have it…how I am spending my Summer Vacation. I am busy, in mostly good ways. I hope that you are, too. As we move into August, enjoy the end of Summer. Stay safe and cool. Be good to You.

Vacation

June 28, 2017January 20, 2018 / McGuffy's Reader / 48 Comments

With much planning, I was finally spending my vacation in Roswell, New Mexico. I had been fascinated with Roswell and its connection to UFOs for as long as I could remember.

I took guided tours to really get to know the area. I wanted to take in the sights and history of Roswell, in all its glory. I watched others and I listened to their colourful stories. I wanted to hear what others may have experienced and felt. I wanted to know what drew them here.

It was exciting to think of the possibility that extraterrestrials could be here in our midst. However, I was amused to see the statues of “alien life forms”. I wondered how this small statured, big-eyed, green creature idea got started.

I chuckled, thinking if they only knew that most extraterrestrials looked and acted just like them. I ought to know: I am one.

Story by McGuffy Ann Morris

My Word Count=150

Image: @any1mark66

Shared with:

Flash Fiction Photo Challenge

100-150 Words

Healed

June 17, 2017January 20, 2018 / McGuffy's Reader / 24 Comments

It had started here, at the medical complex. People came here from all over the world to be healed. As a child, Paul had been one of them. That was how he knew what he was meant to do in life.

He worked hard to become a doctor. Graduating with honours, he taught by example. When that was not enough, he went to places that had no doctors. Paul traveled to the most destitute, deprived regions. He gave, wanting only to make a difference. It mattered. They mattered.

Now, Paul was back where it all had begun. As he opened the heavy wooden door, these words flashed through his mind, “Physician, heal thyself.” His life had come full circle and was now almost complete. Upon the event of his death, his body would be given to medical science. He would keep paying it forward, because he knew it mattered.

Story by McGuffy Ann Morris

My Word Count= 150 words

Image: majesticgoldenrose

Flash Fiction Photo Prompt,

100-150 words

Friendly Fill-ins: Week 57

June 8, 2017January 20, 2018 / McGuffy's Reader / 37 Comments

We are happy you are here for another week of friendly sharing! As always, you can find the fill-ins here and at 15andmeowing.com each Thursday. On Fridays, we post the linky for sharing. The first two fill-ins are always provided by Ellen. The final two statements are offered by myself. You are welcome to answer in the comments, but if you link up, even more people can share!

I want to take a moment to thank you all for the birthday and anniversary wishes. Thank you for the comments you leave on my posts, including my poetry and stories. It means a lot to me, and I want you to know that. I appreciate each one of you and your comments.

It seems that my Internet connectivity is still a problem. For weeks, it has been flickering on and off, or sometimes just freezing. You know you have a problem when they call you and tell you that you need to schedule an appointment. They said they saw errors on our line. Well, gee, I have been telling them for two months that I am having glitches of some kind. A technician finally came out last week. Remember when they were called repairmen? They used to actually fix things, too. But, there are still problems. Hail Mary, pray for us.

I hope you are enjoying nice weather and Summer fun with loved ones. Please remember to hydrate your furkids and fur-friends, as well as yourself. Keep cool and safe, everyone!

The fill-ins took some contemplation this week. Don’t you agree? Here are my completed fill-ins:

1. A prop from a tv show or film I would like to own is anything from the career of Bette Davis. She truly was the Grande Dame of Hollywood’s Golden Era. She relied solely on her talent and training, never needed fluff like many celebrities do today. She was always intelligent, classy, and still outspoken. Yet, she had a sharp wit, lots of spunk, and a strong will. I respect these qualities in a woman.

2. My oldest friendship is with my best friend, Bill. The journey of life has many twists and turns. There are people who ride along with us for only a short while. Sometimes, they are there to help us through a period in our lives, or perhaps we serve a purpose for them. We learn from some people in our lives, yet we teach others. And, then there are those truly special people who remain. Through it all, Bill has remained.

3. Whenever I think of a storyline or poetic thought, I always stop what I am doing and write it down. If I don’t, it is gone forever. I have had that happen too many times. Of course, I have dozens of bits and pieces of poems and stories that need to be finished. I know, I am working on that.

“You learn to write by writing.”

4. The best reprisal to someone who has hurt you or judged you unfairly is to rise above them, their words, and their actions. Show them who you are and what you are really made of. Prove them wrong. In the end, only good can come from that. Be the change.