Welcome to the afterlife, English lords!
Every day we shall have a hunt.
Won’t that be fun?
~*~
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Written for Three Line Tales 242.
Image credit to Sunyu via Unsplash.
What has been the strangest, weirdest dream that you can remember? What do you think triggered that dream?
When I was very young, I dreamt about getting attacked by a wolf, which I think was triggered by having a sore throat in the night. I mentioned this dream in a SYW post recently:
I was little, around 10 or under, and dreamt I got lost at the zoo. I ended up behind the exhibits and there was a wolf loose. He jumped on me and ripped my throat open. In the dream, I died, though I understand that isn’t supposed to happen in dreams. I woke up with strep throat.
This 2011 baby dream could symbolize creativity. Maybe I was writing a lot then, or thinking about new ideas for novels.
Here’s a scaryweird dream I had in 2011 about a pink and yellow lizard. This one could have been triggered by alcohol, or dating, neither of which agree with me.
When I was married, I had lots of dreams about drowning. Here’s one I had a few years later in 2013. Two others that stand out in my memory are as follows. Once when I was in a strange huge house with my whole family (including the ex’s), plus people from school, no one would listen to me that there was water coming up to the windows. Finally, we all had to go onto the roof. Another time I was in a carnival type ride with both my daughters and we ended up on the Coast Highway where everything was flooded. Supposedly these drowning dreams arise from feeling overwhelmed or suffocated by something. Or someone…
I had this dream about my mom in 2013. I think about Mom a lot and miss her so much. I’ve had plenty of other dreams with her in them, but they weren’t weird enough to remember. 💔
In 2016, I had a few dreams about driving (one with scary dogs). I’ve had many more dreams about driving, often where I’m not in the seat the right way and can’t reach the brake pedal. Driving scares me, so it makes sense I dream about it. One benefit of this bizarre year is that I’m in the car a lot less.
Lately, I don’t dream much (or my memory is immediately wiped). Maybe it’s because I don’t usually sleep that soundly, idk. I used to be such a great sleeper! Oh well… aging, whaddayagonna do?
It was fun to do the “research” for this post. Thanks, Fandango! 🙂 Sorry I couldn’t pick just one.
~*~
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Images from Fandango, Bitmoji, etc.
Tagged aging, animals, dating, death, family, FPQ, navel glazing, psychology
It was a night like this, when the mist rolled in so thick you couldn’t even see a fist right in front of your face. Everything was grey as the grave. All my plans fizzled as drizzle began and I saw the flash of silver in your hand. I knew you meant to say goodbye where no one could hear me cry and you could disappear without a trace. Though I accepted my fate, I didn’t mean to slip on the slick stones and push you into the river. It still gives me the shivers all these years later when I visit this place. Darling, I miss you every day, but it seems you got your wish after all, in a roundabout way.
~*~
Written for Fandango’s Flash Fiction 82.
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Image credited to Google Hub Photo Frame
Time slid by like reflections smeared by the rain. Each moment seemed compelling until it was replaced by the next one, like a picture inside a kaleidoscope. She felt as if she were a mere park bench in a painting, observing her own life but not participating in it, still having trouble transitioning to this new way of living, working, being. There were smiles, of course, such as last weekend when she saw her friends again. They watched a movie outdoors, and it was L.A. Story with Steve Martin, which she thought she should like, but it was vaguely disappointing. Her instincts protested against all the grabbiness by the various characters, even though it was done in the name of comedy. That’s supposed to excuse a lot of unacceptable behaviors, isn’t it?
Maybe it was her, her habit of craving stability and sameness in a world gone mad. Perhaps it was time to fling off her fears and dive into the chaos, as she had done when younger. But that was a road to nothing ultimately, and while she didn’t have an overwhelming sense of regret for her choices, they hadn’t led to anything great either. But maybe greatness wasn’t the point… maybe a better method would be to appreciate each moment fully before it was washed away in the rains of time bla bla bla. As her favorite quote went: life is short; eat dessert first.
That thought reminded her of one of her favorite books: The Unbearable Lightness of Being. She had read it several times, and it was such a great study in the intricate differences of perspectives. When they cast Daniel Day Lewis as the lead, she’d been pleased. He so perfectly matched the image in her mind of the philandering doctor in the book. The movie itself was good, but it couldn’t live up to the book’s greatness because there was no way to bring in all the crucial nuances of the narrative.
The Glass Castle, on the other hand, had disappointed her with the lead. This was one of her favorite books and yet Brie Larson as Jeannette didn’t feel right at all. There was something off about her voice, tone, and looks. She’d never envisioned J as an adult Manhattan snob the way she was portrayed by Brie. There was a strong undercurrent of angst and loss in the book’s Jeannette, not this smoothly perfect adult. However, Woody Harrelson as the raging alcoholic father was a perfect fit. She decided that casting was an onerous task and she would certainly find it tough. There were so many factors to consider.
In any case, she had a family beach day to look forward to tomorrow, which would probably end up as next week’s smile. But how was it possible that over half a year had passed in this strange limbo? She didn’t want to spout cliches, but she had the eerie sense that the ending was rushing toward her like an out of control semi-truck on a slippery downhill slope. Or perhaps it would be a warm gentle fog of nothingness as the colors all blended into one…
~*~
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Written for Trent’s Weekly Smile.
Written for Fandango’s Provocative Question 84.
Written for Fandango’s Dog Days of August 26.
Written for Eugi’s Weekly Prompt ~ Transition.
Image credit ~ lovethispic
Posted in Books, Movies, Relationships
Tagged 3TC, colors, death, family, FDDA, FOWC, FPQ, jibberjabber, navel glazing, RDP, reviews
Melanie has two sets of questions for us again today. Other bloggers who are also unfamiliar with Harry Potter are taking a crack at the HP Q’s, so I will too. Baaaa!
1. Harry Potter can speak to snakes. If you were able to have conversations with any one animal, what animal would you like to speak to? What would be the topic of your first conversation?
– Like Fandango, I would want to have a convo with my cat. I would ask Gatsby why he’s so damn loud! What is he howling, mrrowing, and harumphing at all the time?! 🤯
2. The portraits in Hogwart’s dormitories can talk. If your graduation portrait could speak to people passing it by, what would it tell them?
– I didn’t live up to my potential, waaah! 😭
3. If you could transform into another being, who would you chose to be? What would you hope to learn?
– See above, regarding my kitty. 🐱
4. There was a flooding in the girl’s bathroom where Moaning Myrtle resides. What has been the most dangerous (or comical) ‘flooding’ where you reside?
Mundane or “Muggle” Questions:
– When I lived in my Huntington Beach house, the street flooded and water crept a few feet up the driveway. That was scary.
5. (Serious one which is rather creepy): How do you think you’ll die? IF you do think about it?
– I go with the odds, so I say heart disease, which is still the number one killer of Americans.
6. What’s the best on-line screen name you’ve seen? Best might mean the oddest.
– I don’t know, but I’ve seen loads of clever names over the past 20+ years. I’m in favor of twists on people’s real names.
7. What’s invisible that you wish people could see?
– Love! 💖
8. If over time you replace parts on a car, at what point does it stop being the same car you bought? How many parts do you need to replace to make it a new car?
– When you install a new engine, which is where the autosoul resides. So, one part. Or if you paint it a different color obviously!
Speaking of cars/names, this is the kind of name I like. It’s ironic and clever. Credit where due, even to a Beemer owner.
~*~
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
On the night of the phantom moon,
They say vengeful spirits roam the beach,
Searching for souls to consume.
But how can I resist the dark mist
When I see your silhouette by our tree?
I will only venture out for one kiss…
~*~
Written for Reena’s Exploration Challenge.
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Melanie has two sets of Share Your World questions for us today, but I’m skipping the first set as they have to with Harry Potter and I’ve neither read nor seen any HP.
1. Would You Rather Live 120 Years That Are Comfortable But Boring, Or Live Half As Long, But Have An Exciting Adventure Packed Life?
The comfy, boring road is for me regardless of length. I’m not a fan of the exciting life where you slide naked, screaming, and covered with chocolate into your grave, or however that saying goes. Stability, order, routine, and comfort make me happy.
2. What’s Something That Overwhelms You?
Driving overwhelms me. I loved to drive as a teenager, but now I find it terrifying. The idea of all those crazy angry people on the road who dgaf about other people’s lives (and/or their own) creates massive anxiety for me. Plus, I’m not a great driver myself ~ I mean, I’m very cautious, but I have no sense of direction, and it’s hard for me to visualize the size of my car when parking. Not that I hit things ~ it’s the opposite. I imagine my car to be much larger than it is. But… I live in Southern California, so I have to drive!
3. What Do or DID You Take For Granted?
I imagined that my mom would live to a very old age, since longevity runs in her family. I was prepared for my dad, with all his heart problems, to pass on at any time after Y2K. But my mom? No! I thought we had so many more years left together. It was a complete shock when she was dx’d with pancreatic cancer at the end of 2007 at age 76 and passed on 5 months later. My dad almost made it to 83.
4. Gratitude: Please feel free to share some gratitude moments or thoughts you’ve had recently. This section is entirely optional.
I’m grateful that even though my back, etc. hurts every day, I can still take a walk in a lovely park, as I did this morning.
~*~
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Photo credits ~ Melanie and me
Thanks to Sandmanjazz for nominating me as an Outstanding Blogger! Yay awards! Oh wait, I don’t do blog awards these days, but I will answer SMJ’s interesting questions.
1. What is your position on School Uniform?
– I’m pro uniform. I know, I know, that doesn’t seem to jive with my usual ideas about creativity and free expression. But sometimes one must be practical. Kids are too distracted imo by each other’s clothing (or lack of) and other embellishments to focus on academics. A dress code will help refocus them. Plus, it will also help to erase some of the stratification among haves and have-nots.
2. Do you prefer paper books or a kindle, and why?
– I actually prefer my Kindle now. It took me a long time to adapt, but now I have, and I appreciate the reduction in waste and clutter. I enjoy the bookmark feature to easily return to pages to ponder. And I like the fact that I can go to bed, turn off the light, and read until sleepy via the light from the Kindle.
3. If you were if charge of your Country, what would be your first act in office? (Resignation is not an option)
– Appoint a bunch of smart, competent people to advise me in every area.
4. Who would you get to play you in a film of your life and why?
– Dulla McBoring. Speaks for itself! 🤣
5. Do think it is a good or bad idea for a writer to use a pen name for different genres/styles of book?
– Supposedly it’s a good idea because of our obsession with labeling people and putting them in categories. If a romance writer decides to write a war history, she won’t be taken seriously unless she nyms up. I wish things were different and we didn’t have to worry about labels. But they aren’t and we do.
6. Do you enjoy spicy food?
– I do not. I’m very sensitive to spice and only enjoy mild flavorings in most cases. I used to put wasabi on sushi/sashimi (gave up eating raw fish since), which didn’t bother me like other spices do. But as far as chilies and other mouth blasters, ack no thanks! I even have to be careful with normal black pepper or else I get a tummy ache.
7. What would you want your Epitaph to say?
– “I’ll be back!” 👻
~*~
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Image credits ~ Bitmoji
Posted in Books, Whatever, Writing
Tagged death, misc noms, navel glazing, politics, publishing
They walked hand-in-hand among the fragrant lilac fields, declaring their love forevermore.
Entwined together in a sated embrace, they slept beneath the moon’s adoring gaze.
But when the sun awakened, so did the helicopters.
~*~
Written for Three Line Tales Week 235.
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Image credit ~ Léonard Cotte
This place was unfamiliar, though pretty in an odd way, and he struggled to remember how he got here. His mind was completely blank. He took a few tentative steps along the cliff path, trying to process the smooth boulders and brassy water below him, all gleaming under the afternoon sun. Evening would fall soon, and he still had no idea where he was.
He tripped and looked down at his shoes. They were untied and covered in splotches of mud. No wait… it was blood! Suddenly, his memories came rushing back in an unstoppable flood. His heart shattered and he sank to the ground, moaning in despair.
A man a few hundred yards away lowered his binoculars. “Shoot him now,” he said to his female companion. “He’s no longer any benefit to us.”
“Will do,” she said. She pointed her weapon at the man with the binoculars.
~*~
Written for Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge 74.
©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.
Posted in Writing
Tagged death, FFFC, fiction, flash, FOWC, jibberjabber, lightm0tifs, RDP
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