MICROFICTION MONDAY

We've arrived at another MICROFICTION MONDAY where Susan of Stony River Farm gives us a picture and we paint a story in 140 characters or less. To see a great range of imagination running wild, run on over to visit Susan HERE. My story follows below:

"I think it's a trap!" But Professor, the Skipper said to bring back everything we find...even if it is just a great big bar of soap!" (139)

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Back in November, I had the privilege of being asked to read to my granddaughter's second grade class. It was so cute the way the teacher does this! She asks the children to try to guess who the "mystery guest reader" is by having them shut their eyes and asking the "mystery" person questions. Some of the questions had to do with whether I lived in VA or somewhere else, whether I was a man or a woman (I had disguised my voice), whether I was a Grandma, etc. Finally, after all the questioning, my granddaughter raised her hand and said, "Are you MY Gramma?" I said yes and she ran over and hugged me! Then, I read the class a book about a family's troubles with their Thanksgiving turkey! I had the Simple Pleasure of being a part of my granddaughter's class that day.

If you would like to see more Simple Pleasures please drop by our hostess, Dayle, at A Collection of This and That

Pete Hein Poetry for Second Chance Tuesday

Today I'm linking up with Jillian of Bella Rosa Antiques for Second Chance Tuesday.

Here is a post I really liked from my early days of the blog:

I discovered Piet (pronounced Pete) Hein a few years ago and really enjoyed the wit and wisdom of his "Grooks" which is what his short, pithy poems are called. This Danish poet, author, scientist, mathematician and architect (1905-1996) wrote about a thousand "Grooks." I googled Piet Hein and found some of his poems online and thought I'd share a few of my favorites:

What Love is Like


Love is like a pineapple,
sweet and
undefinable.


Thoughts on a Station Platform

It ought to be plain
how little you gain
by getting excited
and vexed.

You'll always be late
for the previous train
and always in time
for the next.


Wisdom is --


Wisdom is
the booby prize
given when you've been
unwise.

Virtue

A bit
of virtue
will never
hurt you.

Making Sense

Life makes sense
and who could doubt it,
if we have
no doubt about it.

Problems

Problems worthy
of attack
prove their worth
by hitting back.

T.T.T.

Put up in a place
where it's easy to see
the cryptic admonishment
T.T.T.

When you feel how depressingly
slowly you climb,
it's well to remember that
Things Take Time

Grook on Long-winded Authors

Long winded writers I abhor,
and glib, prolific chatters;
give me the ones who tear and gnaw
their hair and pens to tatters;
who find their writing such a chore
they only write what matters.


I hope you enjoy these wise and funny sayings as much as I do.


The Illustration and all text is owned by Piet Hein's estate.

SPINNING AGAIN

Photo courtesy of Google
When we lived in Florida in the 70's and my girls were growing up, we would bike as a family along the nature trail near our home in St. Petersburg. I have always loved riding bikes. As a matter of fact, when I was a teenager and lived on a farm in the country, it was the only way my friends and I got to see one another! Our parents did not see why they should jump in the car on just any whim and drive us to see our friends when they only lived a few miles away...no, their advice was, if you want to visit friends use your bike. Of course, in those far away and long ago days, it was a lot safer (we thought) than it is today.
This afternoon was again time for my Spin Class. I got there a few minutes early to get my bike set up. Put the seat at hip level: check. Make sure the space between the end of the seat and the handlebar is the length of my elbow to my fingertips: check. Make sure the handle bars are not too low: check. Adjust feet into toe cages and tighten strap: check. Adjust tension knob at first level: check. Start to pedal: check! We "rode" for 45 minutes without stopping. Our instructor lets us set our own pace because as she stated: "I don't know what your limitations are but whatever you do, just keep pedaling." I could not believe how quickly the time went by and soon we were into our "cool down." I know I should be doing some other kind of exercise along with the spin class but it is a little too cold right now to be outside walking. Maybe I'll vacuum tomorrow!

SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL

I've taken up spinning ... no, not the kind where you spin wool into yarn and then weave something wonderful (and I so admire those of you who do!) No, this spinning is on a stationary bike and it is a great workout for strength and endurance and keeping your legs strong so you can get up out of a chair at age 80 or so without calling for help or using an electric lift chair (not that there's anything wrong with them!)

Picture courtesy of Google

Friends who know me and that I just turned 70 in December, sometimes look at me as if I've lost my mind when I tell them what I've signed up for at the local gym.

My first class was last Monday and I LOVED it! I wasn't sore the next day at all and I am looking forward to this Monday's class. I am going to pace myself and follow all instructions about how to set up my bike when I get to class so that I won't "blow out my knees" as our young instructor told us at the beginning of the class...allrighty then, let's follow directions here!

I will be posting of my Spinning adventures over the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

One of the things I delight in is my collection of nativities. Here is a Fontanini Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, the shepherd and his sheep are from my original set that is almost 50 years old! Behind the shepherd is a Jim Shore shepherd, donkey and lamb. Below is a glass set I got at a yard sale a few years ago and, because I decorate my tree in all glass or crystal objects, I like to put this one on the table below the tree too. In the background is a tree decoration that was given to me this year.

...and here is the original nativity set that I got when I was married all those long years ago.

My Simple Pleasure is putting some of my collection around the bottom of my tree. If you would like to join Dayle's Simple Pleasure party just go HERE. A Collection of This and That

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Is there anything more fun than digging into your Christmas stocking? This year was a double treat as both of my daughters gave me a stocking! Little items that add up to lots of love...they are keeping alive a tradition that was part of their growing up years and it is something that gives (and receives so much pleasure) yes Simple Pleasures to be sure! If you would like to see more Simple Pleasures you can visit our hostess Dayle at A Collection of This and That. I hope your Christmas was a joyous one!

MICROFICTION MONDAY

Susan at Stony River Farm host Microfiction Monday. She posts a picture and you compose a story in 140 characters or less. To see more fun Micros go HERE. My story starts below:





"I'm the sheriff here, see, and what I say goes, see..." Uh, Mr. Cagney sir, this is a TEXACO COMMERCIAL, sir. "Oh, ha ha, sorry!"