Five Minute Friday: Still

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Carrie Ann Alexis

It’s Friday again!! Linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. If you would like to join in or learn more about it, click on the icon to the left. Write for 5 minutes, here we go.

TODAY’S PROMPT: STILL

GO…

I have always been fascinated by abandoned buildings. That’s why I love coming across these photographers now on the Internet, that capture the mystery of these forgotten dwellings. My favorite photographer is Andre Govia. I like to look at these photos and see the different objects that still remain; especially pianos. My first thought is, who leaves a piano behind? I know they aren’t easy to move, but still…it’s a piano!! There are so many more questions that go through my head as I study the details of these photos and admire the beautiful architecture. I look past the sadness of what now is, and try to find the beauty in what once was.

I wonder what types of events took place in this room, how many different people actually passed through this room over the years? Was it used for parties and family gatherings, or was it only occupied by one person as they honed their skills?

How many times was this piano forced to play “Copacabana”, “Fur Elise” or simply “Happy Birthday?” Was it always alone or did it get the chance to enjoy the company of other instruments? Were there only classically trained musicians who sat down at the keys, or did small sticky fingers bang enthusiastically on them out of curiosity? Or, was there someone that found solace alone in this room as they poured their heart out through their fingers dancing across the ivory? Why is it still here?

Most people probably look at these photos and only see the deterioration of a forgotten place and the destruction of neglect. But those of us who can look past all that, will see the beauty of all the possible memories that are preserved within those four walls and still remain.

STOP…PENCILS DOWN

Five Minute Friday: Care

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Carrie Ann Alexis

It’s Friday again!! Linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. If you would like to join in or learn more about it, click on the icon to the left. Write for 5 minutes, here we go.

TODAY’S PROMPT: CARE

GO…

The other day, my daughter and I went to the store so she could buy her friend a birthday gift. But the first thing she had to show me were these super soft comfy blankets. She’s like, “Mom!! feel how soft these are…I have to get one!!” I had to admit, these are the softest blankets I have ever felt. She goes on to say, “Now that it’s getting colder, just think about wrapping up in one of these…as you sit in your chair…drinking coffee and reading a book, it would be so warm and comfy.” Yep, she got me. It was then that she declared, “we’re both getting one…pick which one you want.” At that point, I started frantically searching for the care instruction label. As she is getting lost in the silky softness trying to decide if one pattern is softer than another, my mind is filled with images of disappointment in my daughter’s eyes, as this once soft blanket returns from its first trip from the laundry as a melted, matted mess.

I always look for the care instruction labels on anything that I buy, because I have learned to try to stay away from certain fabrics like wool, or polyester. No such luck here…100% polyester…ugh, of course it is!! But the care instructions say to wash in cold, and tumble dry low, easy enough. As my daughter continues to caress her new blanket like a beloved pet, and helps me pick out mine, I clutch mine to my chest and silently vow to take extra special care of these blankets and will not allow them anywhere near the dryer!!

STOP…PENCILS DOWN

Five Minute Friday: Ready

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Carrie Ann Alexis

It’s Friday again!! Linking up with Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. If you would like to join in or learn more about it, click on the icon to the left. Write for 5 minutes, here we go.

TODAY’S PROMPT: READY

GO…

“Is everyone ready? It’s time to go.” This is a very optimistic inquiry for a family of six. Yet that is what I remember my dad saying so often when we were getting ready to go anywhere. He was always the first one ready, waiting for everyone to pile in the car. Yes…I did say car, and being the youngest, I always ended up squished in, in the most uncomfortable spot. As it usually went, it was the four of us kids and my dad waiting for my mom to get in the car. The standing joke was that she was cleaning the house, so in case it got broken into, the thief wouldn’t be distracted by clutter.

It wasn’t until I was a mom of 4 kids myself that I understood that last minute clean up ritual; who wants to come home to a messy house? Yes, my mom was ready to go, but she was also getting ready for when we returned home. Just like her I find myself picking up things, taking something out of the freezer to cook when we return, or turning lights on if we are going to be away well into the evening. I guess I sometimes miss the whole “living in the moment” thing, but I found as a mom…we always have to be ready.

STOP…PENCILS DOWN

Book Review: Crooked Lines by Holly Michael

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Carrie Ann Alexis

I am so excited about this book. I love a good book, especially when it is written by one of my friends!! You can read about how I met Holly Michael at the end, but first the book review!!

This book draws you in with the very first sentence. It tells the story of the spiritual journey taken by each of the two main characters, Rebecca and Sagai. But they are worlds apart; Rebecca is from Wisconsin and Sagai is from South India.

Rebecca has so many questions that need to be answered. As the story unfolds so many times I could feel her emotional pain, I felt her frustrations and sometimes her self doubt, which lead me to keep turning the page in hopes that she would find her answers. She is a strong woman with determination that continually shines through even in the face of obstacles. Something all of us can strive to achieve. She also had me smiling with some of her phrases and literally laughing out loud on one particular instance when she receives a book from her Mother-in-law.

Sagai is so dedicated. He knows he is called to be a priest from a very early age, and he goes through anything and everything to fulfill his destiny. He has a big heart and so wants to be a priest that he tends to look past things that he should be questioning. Eventually his frustrations and doubts are revealed, which is very realistic even for someone who knows their purpose in live. But it’s his faith in God that helps him continually move towards his destiny.

Holly writes about India and Sagai’s life in such detail. I liked the way she used various greetings and phrases in different languages, to capture the heart of the culture. Most of which I could not pronounce, but it did not take away from the story, it only enhanced it. I also found myself Googling words for various things in the Indian culture to get a clearer picture of what she was talking about. The story flows seamlessly between the two characters and cultures, and you get a clear understanding of the culture that Sagai comes from, (even without Googling).

This is such a good story, with great characters; something I really enjoy in a book. One other thing I would like to mention is the cover; such a beautiful cover design!! The main thing I liked about this story is that it isn’t about them finding religion, but finding their purpose and/or calling for their lives. It is a true spiritual journey for both characters, not only in finding God, but also in finding their true selves. Anyone can read this book regardless of your spiritual beliefs. I especially like the one common thread throughout the book that actually binds the two characters together. As I mentioned, the very first sentence draws you in, but it’s the last couple of sentences that makes you say “hmmm” with a smile on your face. I actually like to read books that are part of a series…just sayin’. =]

A little background:

I met Holly Michael about 25 years ago, when she was my supervisor at my first office job. She taught me how to operate a PC with no hard drive by using those 5 ¼ floppy disks. She was the one that introduced me to “modern technology” and I continued through the years advancing along with it. We worked together for several years, until she left to start her family. I always knew she would be a great mom, her 3 grown children are shining examples of that. Both her sons play football, one for the NFL and one for the Rajin’ Cajuns, and her beautiful daughter just started teaching at a University. She talked about being a writer, and I always knew she would be a great writer, this book is a shining example of that.

I am a total book lover, I love the feel of a book in my hands…the clear black type on crisp new paper…turning each page…the new book smell. But again, Holly has nudged me towards modern technology. I never thought I would ever use a Kindle, since I am such a book lover. But the anticipation of wanting to read this book got the better of me. I do not own a Kindle (yet) so I downloaded a free Kindle app to my laptop just so I could download the book and finally read it!! (Yeah…not exactly the convenience a Kindle portrays in their commercials, but it served its purpose for me).

I am ordering it from Amazon, and you can too, just click on the book cover at the top. I’m sure I will read it again when I get the book in my hands, just so I can get the whole new book experience.

You can find more from Holly Michael at:

www.writingstraight.com and www.indiascrown.com

Five Minute Friday: Reach

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Carrie Ann Alexis

Five Minute Friday has moved to http://katemotaung.com. I haven’t joined in for quite awhile. I have been checking the prompts, but just couldn’t get any ideas or words together to form a coherent thought. I know…Five Minute Friday’s are really not about being all proper and eloquent, we are to just supposed to write for five minutes on the prompt provided…still can be intimidating, yet always rewarding. If you would like to learn more about it, click on the icon to the left. So here goes, I’ve shook my head, cleared out the cobwebs and this is what I came up with:

TODAY’S PROMPT: REACH

GO…

The other day, I had an appointment. My name was called and I followed a woman back to her office, so she could get all my information. She did not say hello, she did not smile, she was doing her job. As she was doing her job gathering my information, I noticed that I was giving her short answers myself. But soon after, I realized I didn’t need to act the same way. I continued giving her my information trying to be more pleasant. She was an attractive lady, maybe around my age or younger, dressed nicely. She had on a blue blouse with white pants and white sandals. Her hair was nicely done as well (something I always notice since I was once a hairstylist). When we were done, she walked me up to the second floor to the office I needed to be in. As we walked up the stairs, I just said to her, “you know I really like your outfit, I’ve always liked the blue and white combination.” She thanked me and then proceeded to tell me that someone told her she wouldn’t be able to where the white shoes after Labor Day. I had to laugh, I didn’t think anyone followed that rule anymore, and that is what I told her. I sat down in the waiting room and she took my information to the person who needed it. As she walked past me to go back to her office, she said “(the person’s name) will be with you shortly, Carrie.” This time she was actually smiling a little.

Sometimes we just need to reach out to people, even if it is just a hello with a smile, or a compliment. Everyone is dealing with something, and we tend to just focus on ourselves. I could have walked in silence with this stranger, lost in my own thoughts, but instead for that brief moment we shared a smile and a laugh, and I know myself I felt better, hopefully she did too.

STOP…PENCILS DOWN