Sometimes it is difficult to get my Muse to show up. But a friend of mine, who is also a very creative person in her own right, and I have a little exercise that helps us both. We challenge each other to write a minimum of 100 words on a word we select for each other. We've been doing this off and on for awhile, sadly more "off" than "on" recently. I would like to start it up again. Which means I need to make that phone call. And I will later today. In the meantime, here is something I put together when Lou challenged me to write about a red flower pot.
It was a bright sunny spring day, a perfect day, thought Madeline, to pot the flat of flowers she purchased yesterday from the nursery on Sand Hill Road. She assembled her flower pots on the redwood deck. Three bags of Miracle-Gro potting soil were stacked near the east railing. She and her fiance Jerry had spent the last two hours putting potting soil and plants into two dozen flower pots. Now all the pots were filled. But one lone pansy remained in the flat.
"Oh no!" Madeline grabbed the red flower pot and looked at its clean, wet interior.
Today I am announcing that I will NOT be a candidate for President of the United States in 2020.
* A crowded field. There are far too many people in the running right now. I don't think the voters need another no-name-recognition individual to add to the confusion. Of course, I would stand out in the crowd (see avatar).
* Then there is all that hoopla about promises and policy. Trying to solve all our problems with sound-good, but not-always-practical (and way too expensive) ideas.
* Getting a team together. Notably, sorting through the darlings of the Party to pick a running mate who could garner votes but not outshine me.
* Money. All those boring fundraisers (please pass the hand sanitizer).
* Campaigning. Travel, travel and more travel in an era of smaller seats and less carry-on luggage. And the debates that annoy people who have their favorite television program interrupted.
Not to mention the extra hair appointments.
Not this time. No, thank you. But check back before 2024. I might change my mind.
Writer, and quite a character herself.
Don't let the voice of other people's opinion drown your inner voice.