Well December is half over and where Have I Been?

I wasn't paying attention to where everyone went and lo and behold they were doing the nano nano thingie. Me? I finished my Novel and its all ready for the publisher, of course being I am lazy and have no wants of fame nore fortune I go the publish on demand way. Why? The waiting; send it off wait send it off wait some more. Nope I wanna be a paperback writer, sounds like the Beatles tune. The world has a story to tell and it is benefit all humanity. My goal to tell a story and make the world laugh, smile or maybe contemplate an alternate history. You guessed it. I wanted to put my stories here and the magazines keep telling me if its on a blog its already published. Say what? Then wheres my check.
Now I want to figure out how to put some photos here. I am bound to find some kind sould who says; Its easy, here do this.. so email me somebody. I'm finished like I said with the book so now I am on a Redneck Kick, I'm laughing my self silly writing these stories. Cletus has a bunch of adventures just waiting for the right magazine. So where does a ozark Lilly send some funny redneck humor anyway.

A subbing we will go!

Well, I figure if you don't submit you'll never get the words out there. Today and yesterday I submitted about four stories. A couple to glimmertrain, will let you know when the rejection letters arrive and a few others to some mags that were recommended. I'm not one to get disheartened easy, figure every now and then someone will have to like the story. When and if they do zI'll make sure they're not here. so now ya see them now ya don't. Have a wonderful day world. live long and well, you know the drill :o)
God bless!
peg

They said write a story that you were abducted by aliens

So heres mine, Just a little bit of fun

“I don’t care, take it back! This specimen it completely unacceptable! Get it away from me!”
I smiled at the gray I had no idea what it was going on and on about. “Hey, I let you experiment on me, so what’s the problem?”
I ran my fingers up its long slender arm. I could feel the static discharges as I touched it. It seemed to back away from me. Its eyes were so dark and large. I touched its cheek and my fingers circled it mouth. I guess it’s a mouth.
The gray handed a key to another and pointed at me, slowly backing away.
“If I come back here and It’s still here!! They’ll be hell to pay! Get that creature away from me!”
The smaller of the two gently took my arm and led me towards the door. With a push of a button and a flash of light, here I am.
“Even aliens don’t want me! I hollered as I stamped my foot.

Hobartpulp published my story!

You can go to their ezine and read it oo. www.hobartpulp.com/fiction
More than a little impressed
I hope you like it, it was a blast to write too.
Well I am off to work on my story. Have a fine Saturday world!
Peg

Well that should get me caught up for a while,

I have a few other things that have happened. I inquired to an agent and he requested I query him with my book..no respose yet.. I am not going to cry if its a no go..the whole object of writing is to be sure all the crazy stories I have are not lost. I think it would be neat if my grandkids had to do a book report and they chose one of grammas books. clean enough for kids, engrossing enough for adults. The world is a changin..but I'm not going to. I want the Good Lord to smile and say;
Well done daughter. well done.
Have a great night worl!
See you tomorrow.
Peg

A Shameless plug

since no one reads this I can go ahead and plug my books all I want.

Go to my website
www.rondyvoo.com and buy my books! They are fun clean make you laugh sort of books. Well maybe not the Henry; its a book about a ghost who doesn't know hes a ghost 3 lost skiers a trio of murderous brothers and the sheriff who gets caught in it all. a wonderful ghost story!

Rondyvoo a trip through time, literally! I'm sure many of you have attended festivals where folks dress up play the parts of pioneers and all that, well thats what I did for over ten years and this bit of fun has a twist. Real time travelers playing .. well lets not give it all away now shall we.
Go ahead order one on Amazon or ask your library to order it. Lets get some fun back into reading shall we?
Okay now, back to more stories.

What my cat thinks about me...

I watch her sleep, my human. So frail yet so wise. I know that if she stirs she will caress me softly. She will not know what I have done this night, she is content only that I am here. I have protected her sleeping form from evil. Evil Eight legged things that would harm her, not this night, not ever! I know that if she reaches for me, I will be there. For her this is comfort, I can do no more or less for her. I have seen her open the magical thing, the thing that hold such wonderous smells. Smells that send shivers from one end of my fur to the others. A delight to behold and feel.
Tonight she is restless, she moves back and forth, dreams plaguing her. I will softly knead my pads on her chest, softly sing to her. In those few moments before dawn when she is neither here no there, she will come and romp with me. Many times have we languished in tall grass together, played and hunted, in daylight it’s still unknown to her. A dream? Maybe, but a dream she cherishes. I will take her now to play with me, I can nap later through the day. Her comfort and love is what I was sent here for. The creator gave her to me, yes, just me. She sleeps now, a soft smile on her face. Her hand gently touching me again. I sing for her until finally we both sleep. I am hers. She belongs to me. No evil will befall her whilst I am on guard.Purrrrrr.

Now they want a short story,

that says, wait till I get my hands on you; I don't do murd“Just wait till I get my hands on you” I still can hear it. It’s echoing in my mind, right this very minute. I just didn’t think she meant it. No I didn’t think it possible.Turning the corner from the parking lot, I see the car. Its still parked there, the black Limo. I wonder how long before the cops figure it out. He ain’t coming back. It might be a few days before, well they smell it. I won’t think of that right now.The sky is clouding up, looks like rain. Darker and darker the clouds swirling above me, ominous puffs of a storm still to come. Better than the storm I am leaving behind me. I fumble with the key, it seems to have a mind of its own. I feel it turning and finally hear the click of the tumblers. Inside it dark, a pile of smelly dirty clothes sitting in the middle of the floor. The odor is horrendous, but I add to the pile as I drop my bloody shirt atop it all. I guess in my mind I realize, it doesn’t matter, no one will ever see it. The shower stall is coated with lime deposits, long past cleaning, another one of my procrastinations. It doesn’t matter now, no not at all. I can feel the hot water slowly form a fog around me, brutishly scrubbing the awful stench from me. I know its of no avail, nothing can ever remove it, not the strongest soap. Nothing.I hurriedly put on fresh pants and a shirt, the night is still young. I gathered up what few valuables I had, wadded the paper bag closed and dumped the trash out over the dirty clothes pile. Then I slowly emptied the container of aftershave on top it all, raising pieces to be sure and saturate them all. I watched as the flame from the candle gentle licked at the fluid, no not yet, I thought to myself. It had to be slow, to gently burn and then consume it all. No evidence could remain, no none.I left the light on in the kitchen, it would hide the small fire as it grew to life. Avoiding suspicion until too late. That should be it now, within a few hours all the evidence will all be gone.The bar was fairly alive with people. I found a small corner seat and ordered a boilermaker. The waitress smiled at me as she sat it in front of me. I watched her. She might be a good person to play with tonight.
. Slowly the bar emptied, it was almost two now. I could hear sirens in the distance, I knew the plan was working, all the evidence would be burned by now. . I would win this one for sure. Nothing to link me to him. Nothing at all would remain.The waitress flicked the light switch, signaling closing time. I paid for my drinks and smiled at her. She waved after me, a smile crossing her tired face. I waited, the game was about to begin again. I watched her as she locked the door and slowly walked towards her locked vehicle. Her hands fumbled for the keys, I heard them hit the ground. It was time.“Mam, can I help? I can see your having a bit of problems tonight. Here I’ll get them for you.”I’ll never forget it, never if I live to see parole. It was the eyes, black like the pits of Hades. The smile, short and evil, no longer the pretty woman from just a moment ago. It was evil, no other words to describe it. Nothing. That was all I can remember. Two punctures in my neck, comatose here on the street until the squad car pulled up. All I know officer is if I confess, tell the truth, you’ll have to protect me from her. You’ll have to! The last thing I remember are those words! “Wait till I get my hands on you!”ers well but..

They asked me for a western, under 1000 words,

went over a tad and boy was there trouble..this is an excerpt from my book "Only brothers"
felt the softness of the buckskin against my shoulder, it was like velvet from back east. Like the blue dress I wore the night I met him. I tried not to think of what would happen next, all I can do now was wait."He promised he’d come for me. I have to keep faith, I have too."Suddenly the darkness abruptly ended as someonethrew open the flap of a door that was my prison.“You will come with me now. I have a surprise foryou and my brother when he comes Blonde one!”“But why, why must you kill him? He’s your brother! You chose to live with your mothers peopleand he chose his fathers. I just don’t understand!”Harley could see the smoke in the distance. Somehow he knew that this moment would come. Grey Elk had made it plain that this night would be the end of it. This night one of them would die. The smell of the cedar burning was like a gentle perfume in the cool night air. The big roan Harley rode snorted, smelling something on the wind. Silently slipping from the saddle Harley dropped behind the rocks lining the trail.He could see the outline of the camp from his hiding spot, he could see her silhouetted by the firelight. His brother was taunting him. Daring him to make a mistake, to show himself. Grey Elk was stupid. Harley whispered. There was no way he was going to make any early moves, no matter what. Kayla’s life depended on him keeping his wits, following the plan.Kayla jerked from Grey Elks grasp. “Your hurting me! What do you want from me anyway? He’s not going to just waltz in here to you. You know him better than that> “A evil look crossed the dark face of Grey Elk. A smile that sent shivers of fear through Kayla’s very soul. He pushed her forcefully towards the fire.“He’ll come. You have made him soft. He’s no longer Lakota. He’s of your clan now. A man with no home, no people. You have done this, you have killed him! So Blonde one, how does it feel to kill? Your heart feels this? What will he do when I kill you? You think he’s not out there? He watches. You‘ll see him die first.”The big roan snorted again and pushed Harley against the rocks.“Alright boy, I see him. I know. Shh, lets not give us away just yet. Easy boy.”He slipped the Winchester from its scabbard and checked the chamber. Harley knew not to lock and load yet. The silence of the night was against him. Slowly he moved around the edge of the stone wall and tried to get a better view. Maybe pick him off from here. Grey Elk turned and faced the darkness. “so brother, you come. Why hide? She is here, you can have her. Come now brother, this white mans way is against you. I can smell you brother.”Kayla tried to see beyond the fire. The darkness encompassed them. The eerie glow of the fire cast shadows like evil spirits dancing around her. “Harley! Run, don’t come in! Run!”Grey Elk smiled and slapped her across the face. Kaylas fell backwards landing next to the burning logs.“Very Good Blonde one. Scream again for me.”She rolled over to her knees and looked up at him.“That’s your plan? You can go to Hell! There’s nothing you can do to me, I’ll not say another word!”Grey Eagle reached down and grabbed her hair and jerked. “Get up!”Harley watched as Grey Eagle slapped Kayla’s and watched as she rolled near the fire. Quickly he ran towards the small outcrop of trees near the campsite. Grey Eagle jerked her hair and their voices echoed in the darkness hiding the sounds as he ran. He could see his eyes now, see the glint of eveil shining there. Lost was that brother from so long ago. Lost was the man he had trusted. He tried to remember what had happened. Not now! His mind reminded him. “Ready Blonde one? He is near now. He comes for you. Your Sheriff, your lover!”Kayla knew that if Grey Elk was right she couldn’t turn around she wouldn’t give Harley a reason to rush to her. To rush to certain death. Kayla took a deep breath and spit in Grey Eagle face.“Go to hell!”Grey Elk brought his fist up and smiled. “It won’t work, he’ll come. You will call for him!” His hand slid to the knife waiting in its sheath. The firelight reflecting from the blade as he brought it towards her face. Kayla backed up feeling the heat from the flames licking at her legs. The buckskin dress beginning to burn . Suddenly, without warning the big roan horse galloped towards the fire. The sounds of it’s hoofs pounding like thunder. Grey Eagle turned and raised his knife.The horse brushed aginst him and it sped away into the darkness. The sounds still echoing as it disappeared into the darkness.“”Grey Elk! Step away from her. Move! Kayla back away, get! Now!”Grey Elk grasped her arm even more tightly. His eyes straining to see beyond the light of the fire.“Come now brother. Let us finish this. Let us leave this woman out of it. YThis is between you and me brother.”Grey Elk shoved Kayla away from him. She rolled on the ground, then crawled towards the shadows.Stepping into the firelight Harley dusted off his hands. The blackness of his hair and eyes almost glowing from the dim light. The shiney silver star reflecting from his vest. The Winchester clutched in his hand beckoning for use.“Grey Elk, it’s over. You can’t win. We end this tonight. You have a choice. Get on your horse and disappear. Go back to our people. Forget this day.. I don’’t want to kill you, but I will!”Grey Elk slowly raised the knife. “Today is a good day for you to die my Brother! There is no other way!”Harley could swear he could hear the knife as it made it way towards him. A sound like death slowly calling your name. Then there was the sounds of a gun.. He quickly dropped to the ground and rolled away from the incoming blade. The gunshots echoing around him. He looked back at the fire and where Kayla had been. She stood there in the darkness, the flame of the black powder as it exploded it shell out to it’s mark. The pistol she had retrived from the saddle. Into the chest of Grey Elk. Again and again a bullet slammed into him. Harley walked toward her and slowly took the pistol from her hands."It's alright Kayla. Its over now.”Kayla retrieved the pistol from his hand and held it firmly.“Your damn right it is! Its finally over.”

Another flash story, true..

They wanted a story about something that scared you, made you think of God.. this happened to me many years ago;
Just finished loading my groceries into the ole V dub when I noticed the oil light flashing. I pulled the tab and popped the hood. Looking around in the front truck there wasn’t one lousy bottle of half used motor oil anywhere. You can be sure if I didn’t need it there’d be three or four just rolling and bouncing about. “Well, it’s not that far home.” mumbling to myself. I just hoped that it wasn’t gonna be my fault if the old engine finally gave out.I decided to take a short cut, cuts about four blocks off the trip. Maybe not a lot, but enough for me. The road curved around to the left and the V dub just chugged along as if it was new. I could hardly believe that the oil light was still flickering. I stopped at the school crossing waiting for the busload of kids to get off, the light flicked again. This time when I finally put it into gear it stayed off. Maybe the stupid light was broken, maybe make a quick pit stop for some sodas.I remember that it was starting to rain, not a lot just misting. The oil light was still off when I parked at the quick stop. Wouldn’t you know it, four other people waiting in front of me and every single one had to get their stupid check okayed. What a bunch of crap. Why didn’t this old lady have everything ready. What a loser.Did you ever wonder why we gripe about what others do then turn around and do it ourselves?Yep, there I stood, out of checks and money too.Embarrassed I apologized and feeling three inches tall slipped in behind the wheel.I was fuming. Why if their stupid credit card machine was working. I think I was making a list by now. Everyone but me was at fault.The oil light flickered again.I was going to have me a heart to heart talk with the guy at the service station. Just why he hadn’t fixed this right? My old man was going to catch it too. What the hell was the matter with him, making me drive a piece of crap like this?It was still four blocks home, me and my short cut.I topped the crest of the hill, just below was the main thorough fare. The traffic was moving pretty fast. One last stop sign, make a right, go two blocks and wallah! Home.I slipped the thing down into second and put my foot on the brake. My foot hit the floor board. I pumped it, three maybe four times. Nothing. Instead of maybe shutting it off, turning the key, my brain quit working. The V dub seemed to speed up. The traffic roared ahead and I was going to head right into it. No way to stop. I little voice, a message? Something just told me, take the side of the road. Aim anywhere but down there!Quickly I spun the wheel to the right. The houses sat on hillsides themselves. The bug tried to climb the hill and began to roll. The voice, in my head whispered, it’s okay. Shhh.For some unknown reason, the drivers door opened. Just as it would have rolled right over. There I sat, in my car being held up by its door. I waited while the motion stopped. The rocking and creaking still echoing in my head. Hurriedly I slipped out and ran behind it and up to the house above. My heart raced, I tried to catch my breath to talk to the lady standing there. She too can’t believe that its parked precariously on the side of the hill.Finally my brain began to work again. The lady was so kind, she offered her telephone to me. She was the very same lady I had just complained about at the store.I called home and tried to explain. He just didn’t get it, I guess I wasn’t making a lot of sense. Maybe my explanation of where I parked the car is what had him so confused.Within fifteen minutes husband was there. He brought a buddy and they parked the big Dodge in front of the bug. Figured it might keep it from finishing it jaunt down the road.Finally they had it righted and running again. They checked the breaks, sure enough. They were fine. The engine oil light never did flicker. I rode home with the neighbor and let Tom drive the bug.All the way I home all I could think of was how I had complained. How I was so angry with what small little things people were doing around me.I was ashamed. Maybe we do have guardian angels. Maybe you have to have the fear of God to hear them. The fear of dying changes everything. At least for me.

Dragons Dance

Well as you know I play on Zoetrope, we get these cool picture prompts and then write stories. I swear, I can see the stories right there in front of me. Of course very few ever like them, but I do! So here is my most recent one. Dragons Dance..its a fantasy; Sorry the formatting just disappears, but you get the idea.. enjoy it, I did..

Dragon Dance
“Careful my sister. I feel them close by. I see the ships, the spheres they travel in to your right.” The guardian roared in defiance as the bubbles passed close by them. The ships maintained their pace, luckily they were still unseen.
“I see them, she answered, but they will not escape. It is up to you and I now to rescue the egg.” Again the guardian roared, they could tell she felt the presence of her offspring. Telepathically she called to it. The distant humming they felt was its answer. They were close now. The three moved silently through the clouds, their guardian gliding effortlessly closer to the city. Below them almost hidden in the clouds lay the city of Abhor, city of the dead. Without a guardian of their own, they had become totally evil. Horrid looking creatures now totally controlled by forces deep below the ground, the Abhor. A hundred feet down, deep inside the earth, below the rocks and dwellings lay the egg. Carefully guarded by creatures of this dark void. The egg thrummed and rocked side to side then settled back in silence. The tall figure of a man approached it, thumping it’s shell. “Be sure to call me when it cracks, for it is I that it shall see first. No one is to touch this. No one! For if any eyes meet its sight before mine, they will die! I did not steal this creature to loose now. I have killed to retrieve this and will not hesitate to do so again!”The hunchbacked looking guard covered its face bowing to the robed figure. “As you wish sire, as you wish. No one will touch it..” And backed away from the huge egg. The hooded man turned from the egg and moved down the hallway. Now all that remained in the dimly lit room was the creature and the egg. The egg began to hum and rock slowly again. Hurriedly the creature ran from the room. Screaming for assistance. For a moment, a split second, the huge egg glowed ever so bright, then slowly took on a soft gentle hue. The rocking ceased.The huge beast gently folded its wings and glided to the outcropping of rock below. Sarafhina quickly dismounted and slipped her blade deftly into her palm. Valmara nodded, “I feel ittoo. It is almost time, we must hurry! Time is against us my sister.”The dragon’s hide began to glow softly, its great golden eyes swirling with delight. She could feel her tiny one. It’s mind called to her. She cooed softly, gently soothing the egg with her will. She could feel it respond. Her huge form began to glow even brighter.“Easy dear friend, don’t let them see us yet. We will find her but you must help. She is below us, find a way for us to get there quickly and above all with no sound. No one must see us as we approach.” Her hide gentled back to its green blue hue.Valmara rubbed the huge eyelid and touched her bony crown of spikes. “Yes guardian, take us there. Take us to your child. We will save her and have revenge for our sisters whose lives were given to protect her. We must give them back their honor. We have sworn this to you and to our people.” She unsheathed her own blade and nodded to her sister, Sarafhina.The dragon began to circle the two women, the gentle thrumming becoming deafening. The two forms becoming a blurr as the dragon moved faster and faster until all that could be seen was a empty ledge. A sudden burst of light and they were gone. Sarafina knew what was happening as did Valmara but it still took their breath away. Within a heartbeat it was over, there before them, lay the egg.Sarafhina looked quickly to her left and right using the guardians form for cover. The egg lay just beyond the corridor. The glowing light of its form casting shadows on the cave wall. Valmara quickly moved to the entrance, her flowing head piece giving the illusion of a giant bird in the shadows. The guardian followed, her huge tail swaying right and left in anticipation of its child.Suddenly the room exploded with fire. The hooded figure stood there hands raised, between them and the egg.“I think not foolish ones! This guardian is mine! A thousand years I have waited, no one shall have her but me! I thought you all dead, weak women of old, you can not stop me now. I give you your lives, just leave here now!”Valmara raised her hand as if to salute the figure, her knife hidden behind her wrist. Then as quick as a breath she threw it towards him. A laugh, a hideous laugh echoed in the room. His smile was that of evil. “You can do me no harm! None of your kind can. Leave now, take your pitiful dragon thing with you! You are no match for me. This is your final warning!”Behind him the egg began to rock and sway. He turned to see it, to catch a glimpse of the creature as it took it first breath of life. For a heartbeat he looked away.A crack began to form along the top. Like an earthquake tremor, the rippling of its shell began to open. He dropped his hands, he had to see it, had to make contact withit’s eyes to see it first.Sarafhina put her fingers to her temples and closed her eyes. Her thoughts penetrating the entire room. Valmara joined her in the transmissions. The egg began to open, shell fragments exploding around them. The guardian began to scream as her thoughts called for the egg, her child.At first it was just an eye, a swirling ocean of colors beyond imagination. Then the head still wet with fluid, blinked and looked up at the huge beast beyond the man. She screamed a small reply to her mother, reached down and hit the hooded man with her muzzle.His scream was hideous, like the last cries of a Namor beast. The guardian snatched him midair as her child flung him towards the ceiling. With one quick swallow, he disappeared. His screams silenced with one great snap of her jaws. No longer a threat to her forest folk or her child.Valmara touched the small green head, its eyes still swirling with delight. The guardian reached her snout to the small creature, gently stoking it.“We have won my friend! Our sisters have been revenged, you and your child are again one. Let us take your child home now. Take us back to our ledge sweet friend. The night is young and many await our return.”Again the blur, motion beyond motion, the dance of the dragon and home.

Okay, so I had an urge to write about a lady standing in a lake..maybe its just halloween!

The cool mist of the sea gently encompassed me. I could see what seemed like forever. I knew that he would come. All around me small sea creatures scurried and swam keeping me company. I could feel his presence.Are you here?”The only sound was of the gentle lapping of the sea against my skin.“Terran?”I smiled, he had came. “It is I love. I have been waiting for you.”The morning mist seemed to envelope me. Suddenly the small sea creatures darted away. Apprehension was my only companion.“Fear not my love. It is only the sea water that makes the mist and the fear. Are you sure this is what you want? I can not return again if we leave this place.”I smiled softly. “I am sure, for this worlds hold nothing if it is without you. We should leave before we are discovered.”I felt the warmth of his breath upon my neck and reached to feel his soft gentle hand. Our fingers touched and all fear dissipated.“Come now sweet Terran, a new life awaits us among the stars.”He gently turned me towards him and his soft gentle eyes spoke once again of our love. Forbidden by all except the creator. I held his grey hand in mine and pulled him closer.“I am ready sweet Grey, take the leap now. I am ready.”Suddenly we were both enveloped by a bubble, an invisible force field totally surrounding us.“I can see above and below me, stars like jewels all around us. We are safe and secure is this ship of his. Soon we will begin anew. On a world unknown but waiting for us. My life will finally begin...

Well, I kinda got behind a tad.

And the last thing anybody needs is some sad, forlorn story why. so let me just get on with life and put some of the stories up I been writing. Oh yeah, before I go too far let me let you know I have been submitting stories! There is one up right now you can peak at on www.hobartpulp.com/fiction
Its a fun story, enjoy! Well, going to go get a few of them up now. I do hope that eventually somebody stops by and takes a peek. Just for fun. A little bit of words to make you smile today.
God bless ya for looking and here we go.

I just spent the last hour killing. I walked six foot out into the thicket. The sun can't make it though the trees just beyond. I'm not sure what difference this will make, but I had to try. I slashed and gouged and watched as they fell around me. Dead, dieing. I wielded the knife with force and finally I had to stop. Maybe in a few days I'll go back, no ones knows what I did. Maybe in a few days someone will miss it. I doubt it.The Kudzu has taken over my forest.. they must die!!!

so much for me hiking, I swear when I learn how to post pics, you'll belive me!

This is another bit of the adventures of;
“More of the 76th street Pedal Patrol”

The kids were all asleep, thank goodness. "It's been one of those days." I muttered out loud.
Of course there wasn't much to watch on television, so I thought, just take me a quick dip in the pool. Husband was due home soon, I did so hate this midnight shift.
The poolroom lights were dim, illumininating the water, making it look like the flowed from a deep dark lagoon. I had to remember to maybe talk him into some under water lights sometime.
It was almost eleven, maybe a few more laps, I thought to myself.. The water seemed to curve gently around me, relaxing and soothing.
Suddenly I heard the noise, glass breaking. Hurriedly I swam towards the edge , knowing my boys were alone inside the house. My heart was racing, fear for my children. Like any female animal, motherhood, instinct takes over. There is no way to avoid it. You can feel your heart race, the adrenalin is kicking in. Without the male as the protector, you can not possibly imagine what the female of the species can do. And somehow I knew, I was about to find out. Also I knew that if I barged through the kitchen door, I might just scare whoever was inside my home. But would they in turn hurt my kids. The thoughts are racing in my head, the instinct we are born with takes over. Quietly but quickly I slipped out the side pool room door, working my way towards their room from the outside. I tripped over a shovel that had been carelessly left by the back door, I thanked God it was there. Again I heard the sound of breaking glass and the banging of something. The night became deathly quiet, except for an occasional leaf beneath my foot.
The front of the house was dark except for a dim light coming from the kitchen window. It was now deathly quiet. I don't really know what happens to the human body in times like this, but I can tell you one thing. Your almost running on automatic. Its like a quest, a job you know you must do and somehow nothing else matters. I listened intently for any other movement, sound or voices from my home. Nothing.
I raised the shovel, like a baseball player waiting for that perfect pitch.
The boy's bedroom window was within view. bending down to hide my form from view I made my way closer to look inside. The room was dark, nothing.
I listened intently, waiting again for some kind of sound. My hand touched the front door knob and I slowly turned it. "Locked! I demanded an answer from myself. This time I ran, I had to get inside, I had to get to the boys. I knew I had left the pool room open, I would go in, I would find a way to save them. I tripped again, this time on a big wheeled tricycle, cursing under my breath.
Gripping the door handle I slowly turned it, The sounds from the tumblers seeming to echo in the night air. Some how I knew, I had been heard.
Without saying a word I slowly opened the door, my shovel waiting to make contact with my enemy. The enemy of my children.
The heavy door creaked as slowly it opened completely. There I stood, half naked, brandishing a shovel, prepared to do battle, with whatever threatened the lives of my children. My feet, covered in mud slowly moved up the stairs into the hallway, the kitchen lay just ahead of me and beyond it my children's room.
Now I could hear voices, faint but inside just the same. My heart was racing my breathing was irregular and deliberate. I had to be sure, no one heard me.
The shovel felt like part of my body, poised and ready for action. I used my foot to open the kitchen door slightly and maybe catch a glimpse of whoever waited inside.
I could hear a motor now, sowing down and pulling into the driveway, I knew it was Tom, it had to be him coming home from work. I was not in this alone.
I waited for a moment or tow and backed out of the door and hurriedly moved to exit. I had to let him know, to warn him.
The headlights brightly lit up the driveway and I made my way to him as quickly as I could.
“Tom!” I whispered as loudly as I thought safe..
“There’s someone in the house!”
Without a second thought or a missed motion, the shovel now lay in his hand. No words were spoked. He gently slipped his key into the lock, turning it slowly. Then without warning, he kicked! Too many years of Tae kwan doe. The door fell flat. A bang a thud and two screams in harmony.
“Mom! Dad! Hurry, someone’s gonna get us!” Tom ran to their bedroom door and with another swift movement another door gave way.
“There huddled in a corner were the boys. A broken window and a baseball bat lying there on the floor in front of them.
“Dad, I saw then, they was outside, they had a shovel! They was trying to get us dad!”
I looked at Husband and a horrible grin spread across my face.
“Okay guys, what happened with the baseball, who broke the window?”
Neither of them spoke at first then the oldest smiled.
“The bad guy with the shovel did it. We saw him! You saved us Dad! You saved us!”
I looked at my dear darling husband, left the room and the boys to him. Baseballs, broken windows and shattered nerves.
“My God!” I thought out loud, “What will happen when they both get to be ten!”
I sat at the kitchen counter, poured myself a beer and waited for Tom. Let him have these few moments with them.
I know if I go in there tonight, someone’s gonna die.”

And a Grand Sunday to you!

Been having abll over on the Zoe site, doing a bunch of quickie little stories from picture promts, I just can't be serious, all I can write is stuff that makes people grin and laugh. The comments have been great, So maybe I will just continue to have fun making folks smile. Too many writers just have to have an important must tell you..story, I just want to make ya smile. Maybe Monday, I'll post a few of them here, even if no one stops by to read them, they'll be safe here. Have a wonderful safe day world.
God Bless
Peg

Screenwriting

Well, lets make a long story short and tell you what I learned today. Screenwriting is for screenwriters! A big Duh!!
I downloaded a free sample of a marvelous software for SP and then figured it out, if you have no idea what to do first, it might as well be in a foriegn language. So I'll just stick to my books, short stories and stuff. Who knows, maybe someone will take a book of mine and make a screenplay, weirder things have happend now haven't they.
About my story on Zoe,, 6 reviews 30+ reads and still 19 days away. Still getting great comments from most whop read. They'll always be... ya know..tupid people! Yep I spelled it wrong on purpose. Well, have a great day today and thanks for stopping by.
God bless
Peg

okay, I goofed

Well I got a bit carried away. spent way too many minutes on Zoetrope and goofing off. Then some stupid bright idea that maybe aI should turn my book "The Henry" Into a screenplay. GREAT idea, I am a dummy. Downloaded a free trial software, suppose to be one of the best. Guess what, your still suppose to have some idea just what to do. Well now, maybe I should just stick to writing the books and let some wonderful person, who has some idea what they're doing do the screenplays. Lord help me, it made me so very tupid! Yes I meant to spell it that way. The Homeless on Vacation story is doing pretty good. already have my 5 reviews. I use to post stories alot on that great place until I realized I was never going to get an agent..why, guess it's because I really don't want one. I sure can't imagine going off to some book signing and leaving husband alone for the week end. no way.
So my next work should be done, if I can stay off Zoe for a few days. Then it's off to Virtual Bookworm. They did a great job with my last one. I am a bit dissapointed with Iuniverse. I haven't seen a royalty staement in a year. Yes I checked. My books have sold. My goodness I can buy one on Ebay. Goodness.
Well, live long and be Phosporus..yes I meant to say that
God Bless
Me

And a Grand Thursday it is!

Well, its been an interesting morning, folks doing reviews on the homeless on vacation think it should be much longer and drop the narrative. Not sure I want to go very far with it, It was a just a quickie piece. I enjoyed writing it for sure.
My website is doing nicely and lots of people are still buying my Rondy Voobook, bet it would do better if I had an agent.
Speaking of agents, received 2 rejection letters today, very nice form letters, at least they used my name.
Well, I am still trying to fine tune my book and just had to stop by and let the world know what was going on here in my little bit of heaven.
I've got kittens to feed and a word processor waiting for me.
Have a great afternoon. Thanks for the emails too.
Peg

Email filters gone awry

Good morning all, I just wanted to let you know that I am getting a few nice emails, many thanks. I'm getting caught in email filters, so if you don't hear from me. Check your filters, my mail is being returned. My novel is coming right along, over half way finished with editing, and then you know how it goes. More editing and then a bit of revising. Heavens, I may be at this book till Christmas. When I do start sending out Queries, you can be sure I'll keep you informed. Well, I'm off to do my ebay shipping. It's a job you know.
Have a great Wed.
God bless.
I may stop back by and let you know if anything great happens out here in these Ozark mountains I call home.
peg

It's Tuesday and I'm gone fishing.!

Not alot to talk about today, The Homeless story is still on Zoetrope, 1 review comments are great. I'm going to just fish and be thankful for this day . Well, I do have to go do a bit of ebay shipping too. I went over to the writers boards, too many complaints, they should go fishing too. Whatever your doing, enjoy yourself, I am.
peg

Getting pretty neat comments.

I know there aren't many folks who have found this so it's great I can add and subtract at will. Eventually we can get to work on revising and ideas from others. For today, spent the morning fishing, nope didn't catch a thing. Spent a bit revising the Homeless story. A Zoe member was very helpful with my work and I tried to listen and revise a bit. One thing I hate is if I get going and by the time I'm finished the story is no where as neat as it was, so I don't do a whole lot to them. In case you wondered. Now they suggest I submit it, question is where. So with that thought, hope you enjoy the story and maybe I will get a suggestion or two where to send it. Hope your having an awesome Monday. Email sometime. all comments will be appreciated.
Peg

Homeless on vacation, a work in progress

The Homeless on Vacation
Peggy L. Johnson
8/7/2005
I use to sit and watch TV with my family and see the reports about homeless people. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I hate to admit it, I thought;
“Boy are they lazy. Anyone can get a job and no one has to live like that unless they choose to.”
Boy have I learned a lesson. My husband worked very hard at his job, he had 15 years seniority, pretty good for our age. One day, it happened to us. Low and behold a merger began to be in the works for his company.
Now we all remember the 1980’s, a strange decade for sure. Every big company out there found ways to cut the bottom line and merge with another. I don’t believe they took into view the lives that they would be affecting. So, we talked it over as a family, like our kids had any idea what we were talking about, and decided to take the buyout.
Most people see the money they are offered and think it will last forever, take my word for it, don’t do it unless absolutely necessary. Then again, after the adventures we’ve had if you’re a strong person, DO IT!
We used our brains, the telephone and found a wonderful piece of property to invest in. It was far away and the boys would be moving to a whole new environment. We assumed all would be well. A few months down field and we were off. What a grand thing. Our dreams were finally coming true.
Our new home was situated below a marvelous mountain range in the Rockies. A view that made you lose your breath when you seen it each morning. Life was wonderful. It was like a fairytale.
A few weeks went by and the place was finally coming together. The property sat on a major highway that lead to many little tourist traps and we opened a little store of our own. It took weeks and a lot of the money from our savings to pull it off. It was a sight to behold, beautiful. Tour buses and cars stopped day and night. We worked hard to keep it all under control.
I remember sitting there at the counter the day the man from the county showed up.
“Mam, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you’ll have to close. I checked the zoning and your store is not on the list. You’ll have to go to the county seat and file for a zoning change in order to stay in business. Oh, the other thing, you’ll need to close the restrooms, unless you retile and” I remember it sounded like
“Blah…blah…blah…”
Okay so we went to the county seat, did the paperwork paid the $500.00 bucks and within 3 months we were allowed to open again.
Do you have any idea what happens when no money comes in for 3 whole months?
Not only were we taking care of all the bills, we were still making payments on the property that we had moved from, while waiting for it to sell.
The money dwindled, the fears grew, the arguments began in earnest. How we managed to keep our marriage together, only God knows for sure.
We then decided that I would make a trip to the old house, check what was going on with the realtor and just get away for the week end. Husband was all for it. I loaded the boys in the van with me and away we went.
10 hours later, I remember this exactly, I pulled into our old driveway. The driveway that I had parked in for all those years. The home where my children had spent most of their lives at. The front door was open. I had the boys wait in the car and carefully opened the screen door and peered inside.
The light fixtures where gone from the front room. I headed towards the kitchen where countless meals had been made. Countless plates washed and stored. The room where our whole family had taken pleasure in the private moments shared over supper.
The kitchen sink, water heater, all gone. It was almost unbearable to walk through each room and see every fixture stripped.
I also remember the look on my boys face when they walked into the house. It was like they had seen a monster, a ghost.
I try to often erase that moment.
Over time I think its been replaced with better things. Thank the Lord.
I called the realtor, that was a waste of time. I called the police and the insurance company. My loss, too bad.
I was such an idiot at the time.
I drove back to our new house in the mountains. It was the quietest trip I ever remember having with both my boys in the car. Its pretty hard on teenagers to experience this sort of thing.
Well, the weeks rolled by and before long the savings account was about gone, we had spread ourselves way to thin.
The bank was closing in. We had a huge yard sale, made a little bit of money and decided to just cut our losses and leave. Quit claim deeds and all. It was a mess. All this time I forgot or was too involved with the mess to see what was happening to the kids.
You know I discovered a horrible thing about folks. Now don’t get me wrong, I know its not all people in general. But some are different, they flock around people having problems just like vultures, waiting to take, take, take. And they did.
We woke up early that Friday morning, loaded the van with kids, cats and what little would fit into his little truck and left. We left it all, to the vultures.
Somewhere in the midst of all this confusion we met a few God sends, A old man at a lake lot, sold us an old Winnebago for pennies on the dollar, another one who offered encouragement. God sure has some wonderful, strange angels out there. Sometime that winter my oldest turned 18 and decided he had to go. That was tough for sure, he reassured me his old best friend had a place for him to come to. What did we have to offer, I let him go. Within a week he was in trouble with the law, somehow I felt it was all my fault. He survived, so did I.. He is now a medical research designer and writer, imagine that.
We drove a thousand miles that week end, bank account empty, no job one kid 6 cats to New Mexico. We camped high on a mountain and for the first time, we were completely alone. Okay, I left out a bunch of other weird things, just as well.
I found a job at a jewelry supply house and husband became a substitute teacher on the reservation, now here’s a picture for you. Three white folk, living under the water tower on the Navajo reservation, fresh from the city. When the UPS man delivered to us, that was our actual address “Winnebago under water tower.
Our neighbor was a medicine man on the Jesus Road, I swear I have never met anyone nor do I think I ever will meet a man as strong and as wonderful as he was. His lady, (It’s impolite to use their names I was informed by her) told us that we need to concentrate on what the creator has in mind for us and quit trying so hard.
Within a year or two I finally understood what she meant, we found that by saving everything we made that winter we could go to living history re enactments and people would pay us good money for the things we brought with us. The technical term was, traders. Just like Lewis and Clark, Jim Bridger and more. Names I grew to know and their personals too.
So here we were, living in an old motor home, traveling and sometimes just hoping we made enough to get to the next show. If we needed a place to park we could look for the National Forests and usually they had a campground for free.
At one of these events we ran into another Trader who told us about a show all the way down in Florida, with a few bucks and a prayer we went. It was wonderful. Scary but wonderful just the same. At least it felt wonderful at the time.
We found that at the National forest there were lots of other people in the same situation as we were. We ate a lot of those noodle dishes and to this day I still can’t bring myself to eat Tuna.
So all this time I was beginning to get it, to understand a bit more of the big picture. You are only as happy as you choose to be. Money didn’t buy happiness, but it sure bought gasoline to get you to the next one.
One Christmas Eve in this same little camping area, we found a couple, she was black and he was white. To us it made no difference at all. They were there in a small tent, she was eight months pregnant and they were very happy. We watched him everyday set out with an old 22 rifle and what he shot, they ate. Usually we saw him carrying a small squirrel or two, that was about it. When they would visit our camp site I never once heard them complain. Imagine that, happy with a dead squirrel or two. All this time I thought we were destitute homeless broke.
The two young people had both left high paying jobs in the automobile industry to be together and by the grace of God were here at the campground. By now the joke around these little campgrounds were, “We’re not homeless, we’re on vacation.”
Now this type of campground is not the type with electric, water, sewers, no this was primitive camping. Roughing it, make a fire, cook the food, haul your water for quarter mile. Camping.
Christmas eve will be one I will remember forever, we packed paper bags with all the extra food we could, others donated too. Our son, thinking he was still a ninja at times, crept though the palmettos that night and placed the bags carefully near their tent.
If they knew it was us that did it, they never mentioned. A gift is a gift.
We never saw them again and somehow I know they are fine. I know in my heart than when they finally did call their parents they were welcomed with open arms. Grandparents do that.
So now, where am I, oh yeah.
We wintered there that year and that year only. That was ninety-three, Storm of the Century, hurricanes, snow, just plan yucky! Our boy bought his first car and left. I was devastated.
We must’ve done good parenting, he beat us to the next event a thousand miles away. Thank you God for being the passenger in that van of his. He now is a satellite tech, three wonderful kids and a wife that loves camping. They met at one of the events we did so long ago, or was it yesterday.
I still say that prayer.
We finally made enough money to buy a little place in Texas, I hated it. Spent ten years there, grew a business from nothing and I do mean nothing to one I sold and headed back to the woods again. I know we can‘t go back, who would want to. But if I ever hear anyone make horrid remarks about a homeless person, you can be sure I will speak up. I will tell them to remember.
Walk a mile in their shoes, then judge.
Just a thought, a blast from my past.
so what do you think, shorter or longer or let it go.
.

A great Sunday morning to you

A fine Sunday this is for sure. Spent a lot of time last evening discussing how to turn my book into a screenplay. Might be fun, I decided to let one of the people from the Zoe board do it. See how it looks and maybe Query it some. Having never done a script, It should be a whole new experince. Will the story still be true, will it be just as good. I can hardly wait to see the results. So far a couple people have inquired but they want 50% of whatever I sell it for, if it sells. Hmmm, wonder what they are worth anyway.
I'm in the process of revising again.. my 3rd book, just when I think I'm finished, a whole new twist and a few pages later I'm still revising. I love it so far. Its one of the stories I put away after writing a few years back and it's been on my mind so much lately that I just had to get it back out. I am so glad I did. I look at the original manuscript and boy am I glad I didn't query it out there. Well, enough for today. I hope all your writing today is wonderful. May the Good Lord keep you safe.
Let's see what tomorrow brings.
peggie