Sunday, August 15, 2010

Saturday Centus - Grocery Store Blues


I love Saturday mornings. I get to sleep in a bit, and when I wake up I get to play with words for Saturday Centus. This is a fun writing exercise hosted every week by our gracious and lovely hostess, Jenny Matlock from Off On My Tangent. The concept is simple. We are given a prompt, and then write a short story of 100 words or less using the prompt in it's entirety and EXACTLY as written. Jenny leaves the link up for an entire week, so you've got plenty of time to join. And since the stories are so short, it's easy to visit every link. And you will definitely want to, there are some amazing writers who participate every week. Speaking of amazing writers, this week's prompt was provided by Cheryl at Deckside Thoughts. If you haven't met Cheryl, make sure to visit. You'll be very glad you did! This week's prompt:

I listened to them from my perch on the top step and didn't know whether to laugh or to cry...

Hope you enjoy my take on it! And this was written especially for Cheryl :)

The sun beat mercilessly from the cloudless sky. Leaving the air conditioned car, I walked into a blast furnace. Burnt grass crunching under my feet like broken glass, I wanted nothing more than to collapse with a tall glass of tea and a book.

I paused, watching the girls play. Whirling dervishes, kicking up dusty grass, having a grand time. I smiled, hearing their big plans for the night. Catching fireflies, roasting wienies. Then, words that struck terror in my heart. " ... we can have a big bowl of Blue Bell Peaches and Homemade Vanilla!"
I listened to them from my perch on the top step and didn't know whether to laugh or to cry... I knew I had forgotten something!





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25 comments:

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Oh, Kat! I wasn't expecting that! lol I know that feeling! My daughter just had litle A's 10th birthday party and had to make an emergency trip to the store...prizes for the games! lol You are quite the writer, my friend!
I loved yuor yellow post...school bus and big pencil...so appropriate for this time of year!
Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Loved the end! That could have been me - always forgetting something!

Anonymous said...

Opps! You're in trouble! Loved this!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Kat, you are completely amazing. I just can't get over your ability to tell a story so vividly that I feel like I am right there. Wow. Great story and an unexpected ending. Hugs, Marty

Viki said...

Uh oh, I guess you have to go out again and get the ice cream lol. Loved your descriptions because that's how I feel it is around here with all the hot weather blech. Good job on Centus this week.

Blondie's Journal said...

I love this. What a neat ending! You have a great gift for writing {I have always thought}. I'll be back next Sunday!

xoxo
Janie

jeff campbell said...

oops! which did you forget? Wonderful job on this week's prompt...Peace

Cheryl said...

You creep! Again with the damn Blue Bell ice cream I can't get in NE!

I loved this all to pieces.

You rock, Kat! (Still laughing out loud and shaking my head!)

Tgoette said...

Great story, Kat! Well written and wonderful take on the prompt!

Plus it made me a little hungry! :o)

Kathysue said...

Kat that was great, I read the prompt and thought hmmmm??? She missed the prompt, thinking it would be taken from the beginning and lo and behold a surprise it was at the end, very good, very intriguing I love the way your creative mind is working. Great writing my friend,Kathysue

lissa said...

Blue Bell Peaches? I never heard of it, great story

& thanks for your visit

Malisa said...

Oh, marvelous, Kat!

Loved this line: "Whirling dervishes, kicking up dusty grass, having a grand time" All I can say is...exactly!

I let out an audible groan at the end! I don't want to have to go back out in that heat either! Great job!

Malisa

RockiBottom said...

loved your description of the current weather situation, that is EXACTLY how it is here right now. Nice ending to your story, very true to life.

Bookie said...

Fun...lead us right down the road to lightness...

Jenners said...

Somebody bet jump in the car and get that ice cream stat!! : )

Wonderfully done.

mrs. c said...

Great post! I can see those girls whirling around in the dirt. It reminds me of my students on the plaground, of course we have not been outside yet because it is so dang hot in tennessee!

xinex said...

What a fun story. You are just so good at this, Kat! My mom really amazed me today. I have been sick all day, this is the first time I got out of bed. I have been so sore all over and feverish and yet my mom is fine....Christine

Kim Lehnhoff said...

You described the heat perfectly...guess the rest of the story can be of you and the girls on your trip to the grocery store!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Kat, another great one! I hope some time that you will continue the story.....you are such a good writer! Linda

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Lol ...that would be my problem! I'm alwasy forgetting things thta are on my shopping list. :)

I love the imargery of "whirling dervishes"

Arlee Bird said...

Ooh, somebody's not going to be happy. I could really feel the hot driness.

Lee
Tossing It Out

DesignTies said...

Uh-oh!! Somebody better run out to the grocery store STAT!! ;-)

Great short story :-)

Kelly

P.S. Thanks for keep my vacation location secret!! I'll be blogging about it soon :-)

Shellbelle said...

I don't know how you do this week after week and always come up with something so clever. Now when I talk about you (which I do), I'll have to say, "My friend Kat, you know the writer from Texas?"

Hugs

The Quintessential Magpie said...

You are a MASTER of the unsuspected twist, Kat. That was perfect! Just perfect!

I have been missing you, girlfriend, and I decided to check in from my blogger exile. Lots going on here that is demanding my undivided attention. I hope to be blogging again by September. That's the plan in any case.

Sending you big hugs. Enjoy what's left of the summer. We are fast approaching fall! I can hear the drumbeats closing in on us.

XO,

Sheila :-)

Jenny said...

Oh Kat! I love how you twisted this!

It feels like that here, too. I am ready for summer to be over.

And I would totally be happy to run back to the store for you if you give me a bowl!

Great, great use of the prompt!

Thank you for linking.