05/01
The #ragpicker made his usual rounds in the alleys of the city, but is frustrated. The pickings are slim, but he knows not why. He does not know of the disease that has stopped the flow of refuse.
Everyone is part of this system; when one part breaks, all is broken.
#vss365
05/02
“I only drink #rainwater and pure distilled spirits. I must preserve my essence.”
Whatever you say, Jack…
#vss365
05/03
School is out, no jobs to be had. I could be training for some future contest, either by exercising or reading. I could be cleaning the house.
But no.
Prone on the couch, #baked again.
#vss365
05/04
It will be difficult to feel the pathos of the #bathos that is expected.
You reap what you sow.
#vss365
05/05
My father became increasingly frustrated while watching the news.
“I just can’t stand this #argle-bargle!” he yelled at the wall.
I hid in the couch. I didn’t know what he was saying, but I was sure it was bad.
#vss365
05/06
One of the most difficult trophies to win in sports is the Triple Crown. Three races that are unique in character. It is appropriately rare that a single animal has all three talents to fend off the specialists and triumph. There are always #horses for courses.
#vss365
05/07
Why do #shoelaces come untied, just by walking around?
I wish I had Marty McFly’s shoes.
#vss365
05/08
The students enjoyed their trip to the Natural History Museum. When they came upon a giant terra cotta #chimera, they all stopped.
“What is THAT?!?”
The teacher explained the mythology.
A little girl replied, “That was in my dream last night!”
#vss365
05/09
Strange days indeed. The middle of May and not a single single that counts has been hit.
The hometown #nine is still in the dugout.
#vss365
05/10
Fitness addict. Corporate maven. A #mother to the world.
How it is done is a mystery. The world is a better place because it is done.
#vss365
05/11
I tried it once. Once.
The lure of the airport massage stations wa too strong. A slight but powerful man performed a full #petrissage on me.
He laughed as I departed. For the next four hours, my muscles froze in place.
Never again.
#vss365
05/12
“What the hell is a #quisling?!?”
“It means ‘to be a traitor,’ specifically in aiding a foreign invasion force,” he explained. “Named after a Norwegian Army officer in World War II.”
“Thanks. File that under ‘Words I Will Never Use in Conversation’.”
#vss365
05/13
A quiet morning in the #village. Farmers tend their fields as they have for years.
The helicopters skim the jungle, emptying their payload. When they are through, nothing is left.
The morning calm is shattered forever.
#vss365
05/14
I happened upon an Iroquois brave kneeling beside a stream. He was deep in meditation.
“May I ask, what are you doing?”
“Connecting with the #orenda. You likely do not understand.”
“But I do,” I replied. “My beliefs call it ‘chi’. It is a worthy pursuit.”
#vss365
05/14 (Bonus)
The sage spoke the most important line in the movie…
“The #orenda will be with you, always.”
“Cut, cut cut!!” screamed the director. “That just doesn’t sound right! Can we come up with a different word?!?”
#vss365
05/15
Settled into a seat at the back of the morning bus. All is normal until I realize that no one is getting off.
I made my way up to the driver and asked him about it. He smiled a black-toothed grin.
“This is the Express. Straight to Hell. No #transfer required.”
#vss365
05/16
The situation continues. The industrious create. The selfish protest. The discouraged succumb to #ennui.
The pandemic is a microcosm of the situation of life.
#vss365
05/17
They approached the steps of the #church with trepidation. Neither family wanted this union. Sonya knew that the priest performed secret ceremonies at night.
Johnny rapped at the door. It opened slowly to reveal the priest in all black.
“I’ve been waiting for you…”
#vss365
05/18
“You need to help us open up the country!!” screamed the protestor.
“You need to study #ubuntu,” replied the nurse.
“I use a PC!”
#vss365
05/19
“Can you lend me a copper or two until Friday, for I am #skint,” my buddy Larry said.
“English please,” I replied snarkily.
“That IS English!”
#vss365
05/20
Little Timmy into the house, covered in #bee stings.
“Oh my God,” screamed his mother. “What did you do?!?”
“I wanted to do something nice for you, Mom,” he explained, sniffing. “I was getting honey for your tea.”
“You know I drink coffee every morning, right?”
#vss365
05/21
Topic for today: What should disappear from our culture because it devalues effort and excellence?
The shame of the #silver medal.
#vss365
05/22
The band of hooligans moved away without violence or thievery. They were lucky this time.
“I’ve never understood the word ‘#queer.’ We’re just living our lives.”
“It’s a word used by those who require conformity. Like at recess.”
“I’m glad we’re the grown-ups.”
#vss365
05/23
Some see the COVID-19 pandemic response as an intrusion on their privilege. Others see it as a necessary #detour to show what is truly important in life.
Put another way, short-term satisfaction vs. long-term adaptation.
You decide.
#vss365
05/24
The shutter clicks incessantly. She shines for the camera. Each hair in place, her eyes two brilliant #sapphires, lighting up the room.
A radiant, momentary illusion.
#vss365
05/25 – 05/26
She cried silently at the window, praying for help. A hole suddenly appeared in her ceiling, a #dreamcatcher #dropping down. Just as suddenly, the hole repaired itself.
She gazed on the object as an answer to her prayer.
#vss365
05/27
The #mandolin is an instrument that is not often used in rock music. This makes it more effective when it is used well.
That’s me in the corner…
#vss365
05/28
The dancers cross the stage with #verve and vigor. The audience is enthralled. The performance concludes triumphantly.
No one in the audience realize that the dancers are hearing-impaired. It gives “dancing with feeling” an entirely new meaning.
#vss365
05/29
“I wish I could live on a #farm,” Jenkins told me. “That’s the life – nice and slow, growing everything we would need.”
I scoffed. “Working 14 hours a day in season, up at 5:00 AM to milk the cows? You’re in bed until noon!”
“I’d hire people to do that.”
#vss365
05/30
The tune had a catchy hook, a great message. They played it for the A&R guy, and he had one reaction:
“You may want to work on the title.”
The song: “The #Longueur Is the Hardest Part”
#vss365
05/31
The softball game was hotly contested, tied after twelve innings. The light of day was dying, features becoming hazy in the #gloaming.
All hail technology.
#vss365