Wake Up #alarmclock #fiction #reenaschallenge

Here are the prompts to Reena’s xploration challenge #232. Underscore Challenge!!!

1. I’m going to defeat you with the power of friendship! … And this knife I found.
2. I’m sick and tired of being called ‘mortal’ like, you don’t know that. Neither do I. I have never died even ONCE. Nothing has been proven yet. Stop making assumptions. It’s rude.
3. Some of you may die, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.
4. Not trying to brag or anything, but I can wake up without an alarm clock now simply due to my crippling and overwhelming anxiety, so…

It was not that long ago that I was like you. I woke when the rooster crowed or when the clock rang a long buzz. I can’t call it an alarm clock because that is so overstated in a mere buzz. But let me explain…

I was in an old historic town looking at cemeterys. Why did I think that was a nice way to spend my holiday? I guess because I like to take photographs of nothing important except symbols of life.

I was intrigued by this rather old clock in the window of a house where the window latches were hanging the wrong way and the door knob was at a very low level. It was as if the door and the windows were upside down.

I took a picture of the clock. I took another.

“That’s odd” I looked around to no one standing there. “The hands are moving backward.”

The pendulum was a very large spoon and it caught my reflection. When I moved away my reflection was still in the spoon. I was upside down. I looked around.

“This is rather odd. Isn’t it?” I called to a man across the street. “The hands are going backward.” I said much louder.

He shook his head and moved quickly the other way.

I went home not really sure what that had been about. Then I noticed the clock over my stove.

“Not working.” I flicked at the plastic.

Several minutes later I came back and the time had moved backward.

“That’s nonsense. Too much heat on my brain today.”

I set my alarm clock and fell asleep. A cat or something was screeching in the silent night fog. I turned on the light to see the time.

“What time is it Really?” I asked the alarm clock.

I called a service on my phone that would give the proper time. “The time is four twenty two…”

I called back ten minutes later. “The time is four twelve pm”

“How can time go backwards? Where does it end up? Is it going back for everyone?”

I lined up all the clocks in my house. I watched as each one worked backwards in time. I waited for the buzz that never came.

‘I wondered will I wake up from this? What will I happen when I wake up? What time is it really?????’

Image: “Antique Spoon Clock”© Moondust Designs 2014

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Where is Everyone? #Ukraine #Odessa #The Passage #timeportal

The clothes we had put in the closet were dated and we both chuckled. Ukraine had become quite modernized but in 1991 there was little fashion. My skirt was grey and my blouse was yellowed from many washings. I was glad I had packed an old blond wig. The blond with my blue eyes gave me a first glance pass as Ukrainian. I looked at Don. All I could think of was to use some hair dye I had earlier mixed in a bottle.

” It will at least take away the grey.” I said as I pulled a workers cap on his head.

“Now what?” I had a blank look.

“We need to find food and answers. Food should be easy.” He pointed toward the door.

I had forgotten that we weren’t in a war zone and there would be food. We sat down at a café in the Passage and had a luxurious coffee and pastry. We ordered several more for “later.” We also stopped at a fruit stand and filled a bag with apples. My mouth watered.

“Let’s get this food to our friends.” I said casually.

We were careful as we went up the stairs to watch for anything out of the ordinary. As I turned the hallway, I thought I saw a shadow. We stopped.

“F – S- B?” I signed the letters to my husband.

He shrugged his shoulders. We listened intently – nothing.

As silently as we could we went to our room.

“Do not eat these too quickly.” I instructed the children as I gave them the pastries, fruit and some juice.

“We will eat slowly. Won’t we children?” Marina said.

“We are sorry to keep you locked away, but we need to keep you safe.” I waved toward the closet.

Each of our friends stretched their arms, legs and backs and willingly climbed back into the hideaway.

“I think we need to look for the professor.” I said to Don. “I’m worried about him.”

“He may not be in this time period.” My husband looked like he was trying to solve a puzzle.

“Hmmm. Wouldn’t they leave us a clue?”

“Only if they could.”

We carefully went down the hallway of the Passage that was set aside for guests from the past or the future. There was no evidence of anyone being there.

“Who can we ask?”

I had an idea. I grabbed my husband’s hand and ran down the old hallway. There was one more room with a hideaway.

We listened carefully at the door. No sound.

The door was unlocked. I gave him the thumbs up.

He walked around the room looking for any clues.

Just then we heard a load noise in the hallway. We froze and looked at each other…

This is a continuation of a story that I began writing in Odessa, Ukraine in 2007 at The Passage Hotel. The time period was moved to 2022 as a tribute to the heroism of the men and women who are living in Ukraine (especially Odessa) right now.

This link will take you to beginning of the story The Passage – authors

This links you to the beginning of part 2 – Passage to the Portal (During War)

The Russian #Ukraine #atozchallenge #fiction

“You must come with me now.” The large man said with a deep accent.

I saw my husband consider his options then he put his hands up with resignation.

“Wise choice for you.” He ushered us toward a dark street and a car that was waiting.

I was considering if this guy was mafia, military, … none was a good option.

When we got in the car, he got behind the wheel and locked the doors.

“We have someone who needs to see you…”

My husband remained quiet and I followed his lead and squeezed his hand.

I know we drove out of Odessa, but I couldn’t tell you which direction. Then the car stopped at an old barn.

“Get out quickly we do not know what eyes are in the sky.”

I looked up at the sky and wondered if this was the last sky I would see.

It was dark inside until a single candle was lit. A man motioned us closer.

“This is important, but we must hurry.”

I could not see the man’s face clearly as his hat was pulled down and his collar up high. He had military rank that we could tell.

“I will give you this information to pass on to whoever you know that is close to Zelensky. No one can know I was the one to give this for my family’s safety in Russia.”

The man went on to give my husband as much information about locations and equipment as one man could keep in his head.

“The only way to fight this war,” he said in a whisper, ” is in the shadows.”

He then blew out the candle and was gone.

My husband wanted to call Dmitre immediately, but he knew this conversation could be a trap to find Dmitre.

We were driven back to Odessa and dropped off in another part of town.

“Passage is that way.” He pointed the direction for us.

“Let’s get to the church,” my husband grabbed my hand and we moved quickly. “I wish I could talk to Vlad.”

The church was so busy that we didn’t have time to think for hours. One of Vlad’s men had dropped off our supplies earlier that day so my husband stocked shelves while I dressed wounds and gave babies formula.

“I have to get this information out.” My husband said the next morning.

“You could go into any of the shops across the street. Have Olga’s husband Artem be your lookout.” I looked toward the street.

“Dmitre was pleased.” My husband caught me by surprise. “This is not the first Russian officer who has given vital information.”

“I wonder why?”

“Dmitre said most of the military were lied to. They do not want to see people die.”

I gave my husband a large bowl of Borscht and wheat bread. “Now is the time to rest before tonight and more refugees.”

*

Thank you so much for visiting.

This on-going story was originally written in 2007 in Odessa, Ukraine. I’ve tweeked it to arrive in 2022 but the elements of a multiaccess portal and a war (the original story had multiple wars) are original. The Passage that is central to this story is a real hotel built in 1880s. She’s seen alot of history stomp through her doors and I could feel the past while I lived there. I hope you see the tenacity of the Ukrainian people through this attempt to honor their bravery. Though this is fiction, what you read is based on facts being relayed from Ukrainian friends.

A great month of blogging with the A to Z Challenge

Links to the story in Order:

Authors

The Basics

Clearly Crazy

Discovery

E- Eavesdropping

F- Friends and Family

G- Grumbling Titka

Hiding in 1991

I – Intensity

J- My Journal

K- Keep Moving

L- Cold Air Lunch

M- Medical needs

N- What Next

O-Out of Sight

P- Portal

Q – Questions

Questions ??? #Ukraine #atozchallenge

“We need to stay together!!!” My husband said in exasperation.

“We can use your help here.” I looked at him with gentle eyes. We didn’t need to fight when so much unknown fluttered through the room.

“Yes, friend you can. I must bring my men here. It is the only way we can help our people.” Vlad was very strong in his statement.

“Can we return to 1991 to get anything we might need?” He pleaded with his eyes.

“Yes, that makes sense. I need so many medical supplies and a change of worn out but warm clothing.” I grabbed his arm.

“We need to communicate with a friend.” Vlad motioned.

“Yes, let’s do that and then we will return here to get you before the hour on the clock.” He pointed to the 3 on his watch.

“I will wait.” I wavede goodbye and was overcome with emotion.

This was not coming out how I thought it would. But there is no one here who has an answer to the questions – Why, What, When and How.

They are getting by and I am here to help.

There was another siren and I covered my ears and then went back to work.

*

“Who will tell us what is happening?” Luda was not happy with our news.

“You will hear when someone comes back from 2022.” I said as kindly as I could. “Be grateful you are safe. So many from Mariople have been hurt and if they did not get out they are besieged.”

“Those are my friends.” She shouted.

Anatoliy came in to our room just then.

“Young woman. This is an effort to save lives and save Ukraine; you must stop thinking of yourself. The Portal saw fit to allow you here be grateful. And those children…”

“Please be careful once you go over the Portal. I can sense a danger that would bring trouble here. Do not move back and forth. Use the Portal for an emergency.”

“What about supplies?” Vlad asked.

“Take what you can and trust for the rest. The Portal must remain protected. She could refuse to let any of you re-enter here.”

We all looked at him with concern.

“My only other choice would be to close the Portal.”

“Is that possible?”

“Yes, but there is the possibility that it would never re-open.” Anatoliy looked sternly at us.

“Then we will stay in 2022, Professor.” Vlad looked at is then back at Anatoliy.

“One thing,” my husband whispred, “you need to tell the ladies and Valeria after we are gone.”

*

We had to cross to 2022 in twos and threes. We were all sober as we walked different directions from The Passage hotel.

“We cannot go back to out room.” My husband had told me. There is someone watching for you Im certain.

“What about the cars?” I mouthed.

“Vlad has the keys.”

“And money since the banks do not work?”

“I got some out our day before the bombing. It will have to do.” He patted his wallet.

We had said our goodbyes to Vlad and the men. We knew they could find us when they needed news from Dmitre.

The sirens came on which gave us the opportunity to run down the street. We went first to a coffee shop we had liked and then ducked in doorways as we worked our way to the church.

We could see the church when a large man stepped into our path…

**

Thanks for visiting Penned in Moondust by Moondustwriter. This month for the A to Z challenge I pulled out an archived story from 2007, dusted it off and reworked the year of entry 2022. This was originally written in Odessa, Ukraine. I hope you see the bravery and courage that I hope to convey in each episode.

Links to Story in Order

Authors

The Basics

Clearly Crazy

Discovery

E- Eavesdropping

F- Friends and Family

G- Grumbling Titka

Hiding in 1991

I – Intensity

J- My Journal

K- Keep Moving

L- Cold Air Lunch

M- Medical needs

N- What Next

O-Out of Sight

P-Portal

Portal #atozchallenge #ukraine

My friend this is an interesting thing to have on a mirror. Vlad pointed to the lipstick heart.

My husband went in the bathroom and knew it was mine.

“You are alive.” He exhaled as if he had been holding his breath.

“Where?” Vlad looked in all directions. went to our secret cabinet and the note tumbled out.

“I know…” He looked at the envelop with the money. It was empty. “Good.” He patted his pocket grateful he had more just in case. “Let’s go find her.”

“Yes, now one suggestion. Those same people looking for her know about you. We need you to look more Ukrainian.”

Vlad always wore two pair of pants he pulled one pair off. “Put these on. Change sweaters.with me. Your beard looks good mess your hair. Take off your glasses. He pulled a wool beanie over my husband’s ears. Better.” He put my husband’s hat on.

“First, we go downstairs. Get some coffee. Watch some people then go…”

*

Olga was so glad to see me. When I told her that I would like to stay there was no argument. She needed extra hands and a nurse was a double bonus. I was glad I had left my duffle bag with supplies at the church. It would have been too obvious to have walked out of the hotel with it.

There were so many people that came through. Each night we laid out hundreds of mattresses and blankets for sleeping. Each morning we made borscht (cabbage soup) and bread. As the refugees made their way to the border, we wanted them to have strength.

I was broken hearted when one very pregnant woman made it all the way to us by walking. After she delivered her baby, she just had no more energy to live. Another family she had travelled with, took the baby willingly.

Every day there were people sick, some wounded with bullets, more with worn out shoes.

I looked up one day and there he was. I wanted to laugh and cry as I saw that silly wool cap pulled over his ears.

We just held each other no words were needed.

Ivan had a good talk with Olga and heard many things. Her sister was in Dnipro and their church was taking food into Mariople and bringing car loads of people out.

She chuckled as she told him about a car full of people with their stuff crammed to the roof. The car had been completely shot up as well as all the belongings but there was not a scratch on the driver or his 7 passengers.

“Sounds like we need to get help to Mariople, before too late.” Vlad slapped my husband on the back.

We talked quietly in a corner.

“Yes, good idea. What about the portal will it let us through?”

“Don’t know.” Vlad looked to the ceiling.

“What about the portal?” I asked

“It knew about the bomb and stopped letting people through/”

“So, you are going back today?” I looked at both men.

“We will try.” Vlad said.

My husband nodded. “Get you to safety and re-group.”

“I need to stay here and help.” I whispered really loud.

I saw the WHAT look on my husband’s face.

“We are in living in this war now.” I held his hand then let it drop.

Thanks for visiting Penned in Moondust by Moondustwriter. This month for the A to Z challenge I pulled out an archived story from 2007, dusted it off and reworked the year of entry 2022. This was originally written in Odessa, Ukraine. I hope you see the bravery and courage that I hope to convey in each episode.

Links to story in Order:

Authors

The Basics

Clearly Crazy

Discovery

E- Eavesdropping

F- Friends and Family

G- Grumbling Titka

Hiding in 1991

I – Intensity

J- My Journal

K- Keep Moving

L- Cold Air Lunch

M- Medical needs

N- What Next

O-Out of Sight

Clearly Crazy #ukraine #fiction #atozchallenge

It was a quiet and cold drive back to Odessa and neither of us wanted to say what we were feeling.

“We would be smart to get some food for a reserve supply and candles.” My husband got very chatty as we got to the edge of Odessa.

“We have one blanket but I think several more would be a good idea if the power goes off.”

Neither of us said, “Let’s just go home.”

It’s as if something was holding us in Odessa even though the signs were clear that war was coming.

“I’d really like to find the blue room.” I told my husband.

“They said there is no such room.”

“There is and it is a good size if the children have to come stay. There are no windows.”

“Then we will ask again tomorrow.” My husband collapsed from our long drive.

Before I fell asleep, I thought I’d heard someone at our door. When I opened the door, there was no one there. I should have told my husband, but I didn’t want to sound like an alarmist. I had forgotten where we were…

The next day we bought what we knew we would need.

“Crackers, sardines… even though I can’t stand them.”

“Cheese, bread, water…” My husband added “and matches.”

Though we did not have a log fireplace, I trusted his judgement about the matches.

The next day we bought more cheese, deli sausage, bread, and fruit preserve.

“You know this is crazy, right?” He knew all my moods.

“It’s going to make a great story.” He chuckled.

“Yes, it will.” I bit the inside of my lip. “If we are alive.”

Thanks for stopping by Penned In Moondust by Moondustwriter for the A to Z Challenge. This (continuing) story was birthed at The Passage hotel in 2007 in Odessa Ukraine. I changed the time period to the present. I hope you feel the courage and tenacity of the Ukrainian people as this fiction unfolds.

Join the A to Zers in a month of blogging.

Please visit these great bloggers:

Rae Squiggles	https://thequietwriter.com/
Lene D. Kottal	https://www.genealogistkottal.com/blog/
Monica	http://backtosimplicity.home.blog/
Anonymous	https://outsideperception.net
Radhika	https://radhikasreflection.wordpress.com/
Deniz Bevan	https://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/
Pradeep Nair	https://bpradeepnair.blogspot.com/
Barbie	https://crackerberries.wordpress.com/
Bernie Rose Violet	Www.dublinhousewife.com
Beth Lapin	https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com/
Swati Gupta	https://deeptechwriter.wordpress.com/
Cassmob	https://cassmobfamilyhistory.com/
Ravi Sivaram	Http://slogansmith.blogspot.com
Afshan	http://afshan-shaik.blogspot.com/
Harvey Heilbrun	www.hdhstory.net/storyblog
Rosie	https://averyrosielife.com/blog/

The Basics #Ukraine #fiction #atozchallenge

We had met Dmitri a year earlier when we were at the same guest house on Lake Victoria, Uganda. He built wells in several northern villages and we taught there. We knew his work kept people healthy.

“If you visit Ukraine, you must come to our out of the way house.” He said with his deep accent.

We had kept in touch over the past year talking about friends in common and our families.

“This is no military practice.” He had emailed us.

Dmitri and his wife Nikita were excellent hosts. We had a rousing snowball fight with the entire family after dinner.

“Tomorrow, you must see what is just over the ridge.” We bundled up early and got in his truck.

“No that is not merely exercises,” My ex-army husband noted. “They look serious.”

Our mood was sober as we drove back to their home.

“This land has belonged to my family for a long time. I can’t imagine those tanks turning all our land into mud.”

“Maybe it won’t come to that,” Nikita wrung her hands.

“No matter I have decided. You will take our children to Mariople where my mama is with her sister.”

“Dema and Sasha are welcome to come all the way to Odessa if you would prefer.” I said thoughtfully.

“No, Mariople will be very safe.”

“Then we will take them. What about you?” My husband was concerned.

“We will stay until we feel it necessary to go.” The couple said in unison.

That night the car was packed with the basics: clothes and bedding for the children.

“Please remind my mother to shop for some basic needs like bread and cheese.” Dmitre said soberly.

The next morning, we were on our way. We said goodbye to the town of Horlivka wondering what her fate would be.

The children were in good spirits and chatted the whole way about their holiday with their babushka and titka. We failed to notice the vehicle that had followed us from Dmitri’s.

The roads were surprisingly empty and we made good travel time to Mariople. The last time I had been in Ukraine I had stayed not far from Mariople on the Azov Sea. The Azov Sea was cold and inhospitable this visit.

It was wonderful to stop and enjoy an evening with Malika and Luda. Malika’s borscht and brown bread was world class.

“Thank you for a lovely stay,” my husband said as we stood at the door the next morning. Dema and Sasha threw their arms around my hairy faced husband.

“A moment please,” Malika motioned to me.

“Yes certainly.” I smiled.

“We hope it is not necessary but if…”

“If you are not safe, you must come directly to Odessa.” I said.

“That is all I needed to say.”

“Yes, I know.” We embraced in a goodbye.

This photo is taken in The Passageway of the 1890s hotel named The Passage in Odessa, Ukraine. photo attribution here

Thanks for stopping by Penned In Moondust by Moondustwriter for the A to Z Challenge. This (continuing) story was birthed at The Passage hotel in 2007 in Odessa Ukraine. I changed the time period to the present. I hope you feel the courage and tenacity of the Ukrainian people as this fiction unfolds.

Please join us each day for the A to Z challenge for the month of April

please visit these a to z blogs:

http://iwantbacksies.blogspot.com

https://dpfinnie.com

https://how-would-you-know.com/

https://suestrifles.wordpress.com/

https://vidyasury.com

anecdotesofmomlife.com

https://theroadweveshared.com/blog

https://lessbeatenpaths.com

https://anneyoungau.wordpress.com/

https://tashasthinkings.blogspot.com/

Authors #Ukraine #fiction #atozchallenge

I looked for the room I had stayed in years ago on the photo gallery of the oldest hotel in Odessa that was still standing.

“It hasn’t been destroyed yet,” I called out to my co-writer/ husband.

“What if we did a crazy thing and booked a room?” His eyes danced.

“Are you kidding?” I’m not sure if my face registered terror or interest probably a combination of both.

“You realize we are not reporters, right?”

“Yeah, I know but this is the story of a lifetime and what better way to test your theory.”

“We are writing about several old hotels that are less likely to be wiped off the map.”

I noticed he had already opened Travelocity. I wish I had never voiced my theory that there was a portal that may be located at a hotel in Ukraine. It was a romantic notion that people passed through a passageway at a hotel curiously named The Passage.

“We are Crazy!!!” I shouted.

“Come on get out your Ukrainian dictionary and some serviceable shoes and let’s go.” His finger was paused over the order button.

“I guess were going to a potential war zone.” I started writing down what I would need including a long list of medical supplies.

We told very few people about our plans. We told his brothers thinking they always had our backs. We told our sons because we thought …

“That’s a real dumb idea mom.” Our youngest contended. “Dad what are you thinking?

“There could be some serious stuff before too long.” Our oldest pounded his fist.

“Keep watch over things here. Call your grandmother every few weeks and your sisters. Everything will be fine…”

***

Odessa was cold in December so we took what we had in winter clothing.

“Your clothes are not warm enough for Dmitri’s.” My husband pointed to a winter coat in the window of a boutique beneath our hotel.

As I was stirring my tea, I let myself go for a moment of reflection. The Passage was unique and beautiful. Built in the 1890s, it had dozens of frieze type sculptures that had survived wars and uprisings. The name reflected an actual passage that was built into the structure. Lovely shops and cafes were on a cobbled passageway that had a peaked roof made of glass.

“I wonder who has looked over this balconies before us?”

“You know the Russians have turned off the heat before in Ukraine. I just don’t want you to freeze.” My husband pulled me off the balcony and out of my reverie.

“I really need some lined boots with a good sole.” I scrunched my forehead when I saw the price of the coat. “Okay, I’ll get the coat and those boots if they have my size.” Fortunately, they had boots in my size and the sales girl added a hat that would ward off serious cold.

“Gloves are also a necessary part of your wardrobe.” She waved a pair of fur lined gloves my direction. “They are soft and lovely.” I had wool gloves but realized she could use the commission.

“How are you preparing for the possibility???”

“My husband and I are sure that we are safe as we can be. What can an old city like Odessa offer to Russia?”

“I hope you are right. Please stay safe.” I said as she carefully wrapped my purchases in brown paper tied with twine.

“Brown paper burns well on a cold night.” She smiled.

Her comment caused me to buy a wool blanket as we walked back to our room.

Photo is entrance to the shops at the ground floor of the Passage Hotel Odessa Ukraine.

Thanks for stopping by Penned In Moondust by Moondustwriter for the A to Z Challenge. This (continuing) story was birthed at The Passage hotel in 2007 in Odessa Ukraine. I changed the time period to the present. I hope you feel the courage and tenacity of the Ukrainian people as this fiction unfolds.

Links in order:

 

Author

The Basics

Clearly Crazy

Discovery

E- Eavesdropping

F- Friends and Family

G- Grumbling Titka

Hiding in 1991

I – Intensity

J- My Journal

K- Keep Moving

L- Cold Air Lunch

M- Medical needs

N- What Next

O-Out of Sight

P-Portal

Q – Questions

R- The Russian

S- Shots and Sirens

T- Turned Back

U – Uri

X- Xanthic

Y- Yevhen

Z- Zelensky

Enjoy excellent writing and creativity for April with the A to Z Challenge

Also visit:

https://montysblahg.com

https://uniquelymaladjustedbutfun.blogspot.com

www.fictionpies.com

http://day-to-daystories.blogspot.com

http://prernanayak.blogspot.com/

https://operationawesome6.blogspot.com

https://writerzengarden.com/

https://brizzymaysbooksandbruschettasite.wordpress.com/

https://miadogadventures.wordpress.com/

http://pagesfromjayashree.blogspot.com

Puppies and Dragons #raising a dragon in the 21st century — Dragon Tails and Scales

“Mommy, mommy I saw the cutest puppy when I was visiting Cheria today.” “I love puppies. Did Cheria get a new puppy?” “No. They got an adult dog at the rescue place. The people there were excited when I signed up to take a puppy home. Did I mention he really needs a home?” “Emily, […]

Puppies and Dragons #raising a dragon in the 21st century — Dragon Tails and Scales

I Smell A Rat #newcago #horticulture #pandemic #flashfiction #reading

 

New Cago was not a very cultured metropolis before the epi & pan demic. Kids were shoving things up their noses or in their veins. It made sense that there was no room for something for the mind to synthesize.

Then the libraries were closed. So most people read their cereal box for entertainment. But Lily kept a lovely assortment of classical and tasteful books.

Her favorite subject was horticulture.

I could read it and be out like a light at the end of a shift.

But after she died, I started noticing her hand writing and circles in the margins.

Hard not to notice what she had been researching before the wild fire epidemic.

Lil, this is bizarre- the night after you died circles started to appear in red.

One of her notes, ” good if given early but a little too much and they won’t wake up – ever.”

Another had lines through it and question marks. “I know this should work but I’m not seeing the results…” and another comment “why is this only working on a few people????”

And another one that rose the hairs on my back it read more like a sci-fi. “Subject should have demonstrated signs of immunity. I inoculated myself at the same time. If my research is correct, he will start to exhibit…”

“Oh Lil.   OH LIL!!!” I took my head and my hands wondering again if her research was the cause of her death.

“Death” some days it sounded so peaceful.

“Sam. Sam.” I heard a pounding on the steel grate of the door.

“Yeah coming. Hey Peely.” Here was the one good kid in the neighborhood.

“This is for you.”The errand boy that we were both so fond of handed me a box. Our eyes looked at each other then at the brown square.

I opened the box. It was that hat with rounded corners. “I’ve been looking at this for months.” The card underneath was in her handwriting.

“Peel, ya know what I hate most about this town?”

“Yeah Sam, I know. It’s so damned lonely.”

“and unpredictable.” My head felt like a pinball machine with the silver ball hitting every bumper and bell possible.

I looked in the envelope flap and saw the four names with the same prefix: R-A-T.

‘And that’s where we will start at cleaning up this mess Lil.’

 

Okay you caught me chasing a pandemic. I’m blogging about elderly issues, but sometimes I get sidetracked.

Reading is important for the elderly. One 90 year old (with Alzheimers) is reading one of his many favorites: a biography about Einstein. The only thing I can understand is the title and the pictures.

Keeping the mind engaged through reading and even the visuals in books is important. We can create new pathways even in an old brain.

 

How do you keep your mind active???

 

 

I’m revamping a Noir crime series I wrote in 2013. The story centered around crime in a metropolis called New Cago but the main antagonist was a deadly disease ( pandemic) lurking in dark corners. If you like Noir and you have time to read come back for more in the days to come. The stories do stand alone so they can be read in any order.

An Old Dilemma part 1

An Old Dilemma part 2

Whats the worst that can happen

Someone Needs to Survive