dailyprompt – Page 3

The Field of Dreams

I’ve visited many places during my lifetime but the one that I still see in my mind is this place that mom and dad took us to as children. It was in Singapore and the air was scented with night blooming jasmine. Dad wouldn’t tell us where we were headed but it wasn’t too far from where we lived.

We arrived at this open field and it was getting dark. Dad said, “Wait for it.” Sure enough, tiny flickers of light began to form all over the field, dim at first and then as the night grew darker, the lights became brighter. It was mesmerizing and magical. I had never seen anything like it before so I asked, “What are they?”

Dad said, “Fireflies.”

I didn’t know what fireflies were but it didn’t matter. I was caught up in the magic of the moment. Soon, they were all around us and as the parents watched, the children ran around trying to catch them. Dad handed out small glass containers and I managed to catch a few of them. They twinkled within the confines of that container and I watched dazzled by their magic. I thought they were tiny little fairies at first but dad set me straight on that theory. He decided I had enough imagination going on in that little head of mine!

However, it is a place I’ve visited many times during my childhood and it never failed to keep me captivated. If you’ve never seen a field full of fireflies lighting up the night then you’ve missed out on a wonderful display of “magic.”

I’ve visited many places since then and seen gorgeous sunsets, beautiful beaches, fantastic landscapes that have taken my breath away but my first encounter with the fireflies still is at the top of the list.

Daily writing prompt

Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?

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Five Things I’m Good at…

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Let’s see….hmm…..nothing comes to mind!

After much thinking, some things did come to mind. My dad used to say that I had an overactive imagination, way back when I was a little girl. I don’t disagree. It still is overactive and that is what helps my writing! If you’re wondering where does she come up with some of the stuff she writes about, blame it on “imagination” that knows no bounds!

The next thing I’m good at is taking a small problem and blowing it up into something unsolvable. When a problem shows up, I look at it and instead of dealing with it like a normal human being in a calm and collected fashion, I pull my hair out! You must be thinking that she pulls her hair out a lot. Right you are. Still, the bald spots are not showing yet because I’ve got plenty of it, hair that is! Overthinking is my arch enemy and my nemesis but I’m working on it.

The next thing I am good at is painting pictures with words. People tell me that they can imagine themselves in the story and that is a good thing. Mom was good at cooking, younger sister was good at singing and I thought I didn’t have any talents until I discovered writing. I agree with the “people” that I can and do paint pictures with words.

I’m a good mom. I was a goal-oriented and career-driven person and never thought I would be a mom one day. Finding out I was pregnant did not set too well with me. It meant giving up my career and moving to another country altogether BUT the minute I felt the little guy kick, I knew that I would be the best mom possible. I’ve always been there for my son and I guess I always will be. He’s my priority. However, Chachi, the cat, thinks he’s the priority! I tell him he’s my baby from another mommy but he says, “No mom, I’m your baby!” I suppose he’s right. I’m good at being a mom.

I’ve written about friendship here more than once. I’m a good friend or at least I try to be. Sometimes I get taken advantage of because of the “niceness” factor but I’m learning not to take everything and to let go when the so called friendship is not working out. I’ve got a criteria for friendship. Be on time, show up when in trouble or at least show that you care, stand by your friend and not jump ship at the first sign of trouble but most of all, be a good friend and not a fair-weather one.

There you are. Five things I think I’m good at. Next question please……

Daily writing prompt

Share five things you’re good at.

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One Thing I Would Change About Myself?

Hmm….just one thing? There are many things I would want to change about myself but ok, I’ll go with one and since you asked.

It would be hands done, being too nice. I have a tendency to bite the bullet and even when I want to let it rip, I step back, take a deep breath and come out smiling hiding my real feelings. It could hurt, I could think it is not fair, but still I take it in stride and instead of letting my feelings show, I let it go inside and do its job of bringing me to my knees at times and at other times, hit rock bottom.

Why? Why do I do that? I don’t know, it is part of my personality. This being “too nice” makes people view me as a pushover. Nice people end last? I think that phrase has a lot of truth to it. So, on this journey of self-discovery, I am learning to be more assertive, to not accept everything that comes my way and to say it like it is even if it is not well-received. My mental health matters, although it is a hard thing to do for someone like me.

These days, I step back and I come back wearing a cape! Ready to do battle? Not really, just standing up for myself. I am learning to like this new me but the old me still shows up wearing sackcloth and ashes and wants to talk me into going back to who I was. Not going to happen. There is something very “rejuvenating” about changing yourself for the better. Like it or not, here I am! Take it or leave it, that’s up to you.

Daily writing prompt

What is one thing you would change about yourself?

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Night or Morning Person?

It all depends. I don’t think I’m a night person but sometimes circumstances make me that way. Sleepless nights come walking in when Chachi, the cat, is in his element and since he is active at night, I have no choice but to keep him company! Not every night but once in a while and then I think I’m a “night person.” Little brat loves terrorizing his stuffed birds and when he’s at it, I’m on the computer getting things done!

On the other hand, I don’t think I’m a morning person either. I need time to get moving from stretching in bed to breakfast takes time. However, as the day picks up speed, I find myself keeping up with it. It is not that hard to do as I don’t take naps during the day and I keep moving, only stopping when I take time out for meditation or to de-stress.

Coming back to your question, I think I can do both. I don’t see any problems with it although I prefer to get my eight hours in if “Little Buttercup” will let me!

Daily writing prompt

Are you more of a night or morning person?

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Meat or No Meat?

I eat meat in moderation. Cutting back on meat consumption is a personal choice. Once a week is my preference. Today, I have a pot of soup cooking on the stove with meat, lentils, and veggies. A perfect meal for a cold and rainy winter’s day.

Most days, I have fish and or just plain veggies. Sometimes, I do the Chachi diet of tuna. Unlike Chachi’s canned food variety, mine is turned into tuna patties, tuna salad or tuna this or that. Sardines are another favorite. They are high in protein, a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and calcium. so what’s not to like?

When it comes to meat, I do go for the lean variety, although, I do love fatty cuts as well and sometimes belly pork. These are turned into a Korean style soup with a red pepper paste. It is delicious. However, this is a treat so I keep it to a bare minimum.

I don’t think I can do completely without meat. It has a certain something that appeals to my tastebuds. Take the Iberico pork variety, they are black, red, or spotted pigs fed with acorns and the meat is scrumptious! However, you have to pay a pretty penny if you want to have it on your table.

My feelings about meat? It’s not a must but I do like it now and then.

Daily writing prompt

What are your feelings about eating meat?

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Sweats & PJ’s

I love them! Sweats are my go to when I do my nature walks because you can’t beat the comfort factor. A sweatshirt paired with a pair of baggy sweatpants just about goes with everything. I add a scarf, a thick jacket and a pair of boots and I’m ready to go traipsing in nature. I like things baggy so the pants do look two sizes too big and since I’m skinny, (no the cheesecake fetish didn’t do a thing to my physique) , I seem to float in them! It doesn’t matter because the “comfort factor” is top priority and who cares if I look like Grizzly Adam’s sidekick!

The next best thing is pyjamas or pajamas. I call them PJ’s. I love hanging around in them. Flannel ones are my favorites when the cold weather comes knocking. Add a pair of fluffy house shoes and it’s enough to scare Chachi, the cat! He always approaches with caution, takes a sniff or two of the shoes and decides that his worst nightmare has come to life! Weekends are all day, hang out in PJ’s time. The thing about being a recluse is that I don’t have to care about what anyone thinks. Those days of dressing to the nines are done with. These days I do whatever I feel like doing and PJ’s fit in that mode really well. They have to be comfy, loose fitting and made of cotton or flannel. In summer I opt for t-shirts, big roomy ones!

Those are my two favorite things to wear. Of course, I do dress up when I have a meeting in town but I keep that to a minimum. Yes folks, I’m a “recluse” and I’m liking it!

Daily writing prompt

What are your two favorite things to wear?

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New-Fangled Technology!

I have an aversion to anything that is new and requires brain power to figure it out! My life revolves around “no changes” but, unfortunately, the tech giants love sitting up in tech heaven and they want to outdo each other as to who’s the smartest in the land. In their rush to come up with new-fangled technology, they oversee those of us who want to cling to the old way of doing things.

Cell phones, smart tvs, computers, and cars with so much electronic know-how that they can practically drive themselves and leave you by the wayside watching them take off on their own! I enjoyed knowing how to start, stop, and a few other things that I deemed necessary. However, my current car beeps every time or flashes a message that this or that needs looking into. Not only that, backing up is a noisy affair. I understand that it is all done in the name of safety but do we need to “beep” like the world is coming to an end! I can do without that feature.

Computers are next on the radar. I have a love-hate relationship with them. I can and can’t do without them. I want it simple so that I can get in, do my thing, and get out without pulling my hair out. It has so many features that when a question pops up on the screen, I try to get rid of it! “I don’t want to hear it!” is my response. The co-pilot, whatever that is, wants to know if I need help. “I’m fine thank you!” is my answer. Do we need so many new-fangled features? We were doing just fine when all you had to do was turn it on, do your thing, and turn it off. Maybe, tone down the constant deluge of new features and new technology. Tech Gods, are you listening?

I’m a tech klutz as I’ve mentioned here many times before but I am learning to keep up with the changes. The problem. The minute I get something down pat, it goes and changes on me! A message to all Tech Gods, find something else to do! Take a vacation and let’s slow down the insane pace of working overtime to flood the market with “things” we don’t really need!

Daily writing prompt

What technology would you be better off without, why?

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The Separation

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The hardest decision I’ve ever had to make was the decision to go separate ways. I was looking at a 16 year marriage going under and a little boy who doted on mom and dad and I knew it would break his heart and it did.

However, there was no other way out of the predicament I was in. I could pretend to stay in a marriage where one person dictated how it was going to be run. Meaning “cheating” was alright and I had no say in the matter. He learned different. Still, it wasn’t an easy thing to do. I had to take everything into consideration. I was in a foreign country, didn’t speak the language well, and I had a young boy to take care of. I still remember the letter our son wrote asking if he was the problem and if he was, he would do better. It broke my heart.

Walking away and shutting the door behind me was not an easy decision for all the reasons mentioned above but there was one other thing that took a hit. It was my self-esteem. I hit rock bottom and it took a long time and much working on myself to bring it back up. I learned that “cheating” destroys, it is a selfish act and the person who commits it, well they will do it again. It is just a matter of time. It becomes easier the next time around.

I wanted no part of that. During my journey, I also learned to find my self-worth and self-respect. It didn’t come easy but I knew that I was worth so much more and being in a mediocre relationship is not what a relationship is about. I don’t regret the decision to walk away.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make? Why?

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Special Dishes for Christmas

This one might shock you as it did me when I first had it at my in-laws. It was roasted rabbit and my ex loved it. It came with all the trimmings, red cabbage with apples, dumplings and brown sauce to add to the calorie count! My first thought, “Yucks!”

It seems this is considered a very festive meal, the rabbit I mean. If you’re thinking of the cute bunnies, well, these are farm raised for the specific purpose of Christmas or New Year’s lunch or dinner. Since that first time, I’ve made rabbit many times. Only because the ex insisted on it and the in-laws loved it. I’m glad those days are over with. My son is not too much into eating bunnies!

Special dish? I made goose last year. It turned out great, stuffed with chestnuts, rice, and chopped dates. It was delicious. This year, Christmas will be on a smaller scale. My son is planning to show up here so it will be his favorites on the menu. Tuna melt and Lasagne. He doesn’t care if it’s Christmas, he just wants to have what he wants.

Looking back over the years, there were many special dishes that made the holidays festive but I can’t remember all of them. I remembered “the rabbit” because it stood out from the rest and it was something unusual.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Daily writing prompt

Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays?

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Sleepless Nights

I’m not sure what to do with this question. If I didn’t need sleep, I would probably want sleep! It is human nature to want something you can’t have. Okay, what would I do with all the extra time?

I really don’t know. Sleep usually rolls around one way or another. Coming back to the question, I would probably spend it writing. I have spent some nights writing when the world out there was asleep. It went well. Ideas kept rushing in and before I knew it, I had two articles written. Or I would spend my time watching senseless stuff on TV. Horror comes to mind. I love spooking myself so I watch all kinds of paranormal stuff and if I am brave enough, a horror movie or two. Sometimes I love watching comedies and at times love stories, the kind that make you want to cry your heart out. Crying is not a bad thing. Sometimes after a good cry, my world rights itself out!

I think I would want sleep vs. the extra time. I’m into beauty rituals and what better ritual than to get your 8 hours in? I prefer to look rested and the owl-eyed look does not suit me well.

Next question please……

Daily writing prompt

If you didn’t need sleep, what would you do with all the extra time?

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