Blog Archives - Conny Manero

Day 121: Cat toys

6/29/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 121: Cat toys

When we adopted Halley in January of this year, her foster mother gave us an array of her toys. Out of all of them, colorful plastic springs were her favorites.

Today, five months later all those springs have disappeared. Not one, not two, but all of them. If you recommend looking under the lounge chairs, that’s the first place where we looked. We also looked under cabinets, behind cabinets, under the beds … those springs have vanished.

To make up for these lost items I’ve ordered a packet of 10 springs from Amazon, a spinning ball, and some fish.

The springs

The springs I ordered haven’t arrived yet, but Jackie (Halley’s foster mom) send over some to keep Halley entertained. They weren’t even out of the packet yet when they had Halley’s full attention. As far as she was concerned, we couldn’t get them out of the packet quick enough, and once one was out and given to her, she took it in her mouth and immediately took off with it.

She batted it around, slap it from here to there, rolled it and chased it and had a great time. Of course, eventually the spring rolled under the sofa and Halley crouched down low to see where it was. She tried to reach the spring with her paw, but it was no use. So, Dieter to the rescue. He shone a light under the sofa while I tried the retrieve the spring with a long wooden spoon. When the spring was rescued, Halley once again took off with it. Until the next time and then ‘operation rescue’ starts all over again.

The ball

The ball is a hit, with Halley that is. Gabriel, Charlotte, and Holly haven’t played with it yet. To be fair, they haven’t had a chance to play with the ball. As soon as it gets switched on, Halley monopolizes the toy. Gabriel observes the game while perched on the cat tree while Charlotte seems afraid of it. Then again, Charlotte is afraid of just about everything, including her own shadow. As for Holly, when the ball is still she bats it around, but as soon as it’s switched on, she keeps her distance. Halley, on the other hand, is all over the ball. She’s still a big kitten and kittens are generally afraid of nothing.

The fish

When I pulled the fish out of the Amazon envelope, I got the fright of my life. I didn’t know what was in the envelope, so when confronted with these three huge, lifelike fish staring up at me, my heart skipped a beat. Gabriel, Charlotte, Holly, and Halley love them of course. The only problem is, there are four cats and only three fish.

Fortunately, Halley is more interested in her colorful springs, so she’s not really that interested in the fish.

Day 120: How is your writing going?

6/27/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 120: How is your writing going?

Someone posted the question the other day “How is your writing going?” Some people said it was going great, that they wrote like the wind, others admitted that it wasn’t going well or not at all. I find myself in the latter category. Which is strange, because, up until now, I never really experienced writer’s block.

Take ‘Waiting for Silverbird’ for instance ...

I worked for a military company at the time, typing up a maintenance manual for a tank, when the sentence ‘The audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation’ drifted into my head. I didn’t pay much attention to it, but a few minutes later that same sentence came back to me, so I wrote it down. After that, another sentence came, and another one and by the end of the day I had the first chapter.

Unfortunately, about a year later my muse took a leave of absence and the manuscript was gathering dust. When someone asked me what Waiting for Silverbird was about I told her the story line. She said “This is good. You have to finish this.” So, I did. I worked evenings and weekends and eventually brought the story to an end.

Two more novels and two children’s books followed. All written within a reasonable time frame. After two years of writing nothing (except articles and emails), I started a new story and this time my inspiration is like a faucet … that drips. I don’t know what the problem is but it’s just not working.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve seen too much bad writing and started doubting myself. Perhaps it’s because this time I’m writing a fantasy story, which is a first for me. Actually, it’s a ghost story (based on true events) mixed with fantasy.

So maybe that’s what the problem is. Some of the things in the story really happened, but for the sake of entertainment, I’m going to stretch the truth a little (or a lot).

It also doesn’t help that a number of things get in the way of writing the story. As a freelance writer, being part of a team, I have to write two 500-word articles per day. Since that work is paid and writing the manuscript isn’t, freelance work takes precedence.

When I do get to work on the manuscript, I sit there … staring at a blank page, my fingers resting on the keyboard, or a pen hovering over the paper.

So, to cut a long story short, how is my writing going … it’s going nowhere.

Day 119: A Little Privacy Please

6/24/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 119: A Little Privacy Please

Have you ever watched a DIY video and thought … I can do that. Was the outcome not up to scratch or even what you hoped for? I can relate.

A while back I watched a video of a woman turning an ordinary box into a chic bathroom for her cats. She cladded the box inside and out with a white marble wrap, cut a door in the front panel, a window in the side panel, and even added some extra touches such as curtains, a towel rack and a shelf with miniature flower pots. All this to hide an unseemly litterbox.

That’s a nice idea, I thought, our cats could do with something like this.

The first problem, however, was finding a big enough box. All the boxes I came across were too small to allow for a litter box, let alone room for a cat. That changed some two weeks ago when we had a new washing machine delivered. The box it came in was not alone big enough, it was too big. Not a problem though, this box could be made smaller.

Once the box was the right size, Dieter proceeded with the cladding. A job that proved to be more difficult than anticipated. See for yourself …

Meanwhile, Halley was having fun with the cladding paper.

The end result wasn’t as nice as the box in the video, but I doubt the cats noticed this. After all, what cat cares about curtains, toilet paper, a mirror, a carpet, and wall decorations? So, the box was put in position, the litter box was placed inside and now we waited if they would actually use it.

When Gabriel, Charlotte, Holly, and Halley approached there was a lot of looking, careful approaching, sniffing and cat talk. You know, when cats make these cute little noises among themselves. It was like they were having a conversation.

Halley: “What is that?”
Holly: “No idea.”
Halley: “Our litter box is gone.”
Holly: “You’re right. Where can it be?”
Halley: “I don’t know. Take a look around, I really need to pee.”

Holly ever the inquisitive one took a closer look at the box.

Holly: “Our litter box is in there.”
Halley: “In that box?”
Holly: “Yes.”
Halley: “It’s rather dark in there.”
Holly: “Don’t be such a wuss.”
Halley: “I’m not going in there. You go.”
Holly: “I don’t have to go.”
Halley: “I’m not gonna be the first.”
Holly: “I thought you had to pee?”
Halley: “It went away.”

Charlotte comes sauntering along.

“What is that?”
Holly: “Our litter box is in there.”
Charlotte: “In there?”
Halley: “A little scary, right?”
Charlotte: “I’ll say.”

Gabriel wakes up from a nap and joins the trio.

“Can you three keep it down. What’s going on anyway?”
Holly: “Our litter box is in there.”
Gabriel: “Ah, well, it’s about time. Can you let me pass?”
Halley: “You’re going in there!”

Gabriel gives Halley a look as if she just spoke Japanese and enters the box. Charlotte, Holly, and Halley watch him carefully. Moments later he let out a complaining meow. If you ask that meow could only mean one thing … “Ladies please, a little privacy!”

Day 118: In Halley’s Own Words

6/22/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 118: In Halley’s Own Words

Hello, my name is Halley and I’m in a whole lot of trouble. Let me tell you my story …

One day I was sitting on the ledge of the balcony, minding my own business, when I suddenly sensed movement in the bird’s nest.

Yes, would you believe it, in a household that has four cats, a pair of finches decided to raise a family. If you ask me that’s just asking for trouble. They could have picked any balcony, any balcony at all and enjoyed peace and quiet, but no, they choose to build their nest here.

Once the nest was built, mama bird dropped six eggs and then with amazing patience sat on those eggs until six chicks hatched. The parents flew back and forth with food for the little ones, judging by their peeping they were growing, and I knew it was only a matter of time before those chicks turned into proper birds.

Me, I was biding my time. While the chicks were babies they weren’t worth bothering with, toothpicks if you ask me, but I knew that in due time there would be some meat on those bones. So, I sat and I waited.

I didn’t have to wait long. Two days ago the baby birds were ready to fly. I watched them leave the nest and to my utter amazement, mama and papa bird were there to show them where there was a hole in the netting (in the upper left-hand corner). Those birds were smarter than I thought because four of them of them figured it out in no time.

The fifth one, however, wasn’t as clued up and landed a short distance from where I was sitting. I didn’t think twice … I made my move and grabbed the bird with my teeth.

If I thought mom would be pleased that I caught a bird I was sadly mistaken. When she saw that I had something in my mouth she said: “What you got there Halley?” When she saw it was one of the baby bird she looked shocked and said “Bad kitty cat! That’s bad Halley.”

I ran to her bedroom with my meal, but she followed me. When I ran to the bathroom, she followed me there too and closed the door. Now I had nowhere to go. “Drop it,” she commanded. “I said drop it!” So I did.
And would you believe it, when I dropped the bird she picked it up and when she saw it was dead she wrapped it in tissue paper and placed it somewhere where I couldn’t get to it. “Don’t ever do that again!” she said, wagging a finger in my face.

Don’t ever do that again? What on earth was she talking about? I’m a cat, the baby was a bird, what did she expect me to do?
Anyway, I went back outside on the balcony and sat there, sulking.

A few minutes after I got there, the sixth bird left the nest and landed on the left-hand side of the floor.

A few seconds later it flew toward the ceiling.

Then it moved and came and sat right across from me.

Oh, and it looked so tasty. My mouth was positively watering.

So I called "Maaaaaa!!! Can I have this bird?"

When she noticed that there was still one bird on the balcony, she scooped me up, brought me inside and closed the screen door to the balcony. Well, I never! Now I couldn’t even go outside anymore! How was I gonna catch this bird if I couldn’t go out? So I sat there and I thought … oh this blows.

Eventually the baby bird settled in one of the flower pots and remained there for the rest of the day. I could have gone out, grabbed him and ate him, but it was not to be. The door remained closed.

It got better though, or shall I saw it got worse. Much worse. When Dieter came home, mom asked him to catch the bird. YES I thought, dad is gonna catch the bird for me. I won’t have to do a thing. I’m gonna get that bird after all. Oh thank you, thank you, thank you.

Do Dieter went outside, talked to the bird, and within minutes he had him. No cat food for me tonight, I thought, I’m getting a bird. Dealing with the feathers wasn’t very appealing, but okay, I would deal with that when the time came.

And then to my astonishment, to my utter amazement, mom went outside, took a picture of the bird, and then dad raised the bird to the hole in the netting and set it free. “Nooooooooo!” I cried, ‘There goes my meal, or rather my afternoon snack.”

As I watched the baby fly toward the trees I thought with tears in my eyes … bye bye birdie.

So that’s my sad story. My only comfort being … finches have been making their nest on our balcony for the past three years. With any luck, some birds will do the same next year and when they do, I’ll be ready. But oh dear, a whole year is such a long wait ...

Day 117: My new best friend

6/21/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 117: My new best friend

I have a new best friend and now that we’ve met, I can’t believe it took me this long to make his acquaintance. I’ve been reading for decades, the bookstore being my home away from home, and yet I never paid him the slightest of attention. His name, James Patterson.

Those who are familiar with his work will probably gasp “You never read a James Patterson novel!” and to my shame, I must admit that I never did. I thought his books were not my cup of tea. I saw the movie “Along Came a Spider” of course, with Morgan Freeman portraying Alex Cross, but I had no interest in his other stories.

That all changed last Friday. I found myself in downtown Toronto with nothing to read. The nearest bookstore would have taken me a good 20-minute walk and I just didn’t have the time or the energy to go that far. So I popped into the nearest Drug Market and browsed book section.

There wasn’t much choice: the usual romance novels, fantasy and science-fiction, children’s books and some murder mystery stories. One of them was ‘The Store’ by James Patterson. I picked it up, flipped it over to read the synopsis and … hm, this sounded interesting. So I paid for it and walked out with it.

And OMG the story was so gripping that I couldn’t put the book down. If it had been possible I would have read the story cover to cover in one sitting. The further I got the more enthralled I became and near the end the building could have collapsed around me, the steak could have burned on the pan, I had to know how this ended.

The second story in the book was called ‘The End’ with Owen Taylor as the main character. At first, I didn’t like this story. It was a war story and not only do I have zero interest in war stories, it’s set in the middle east, which interests me even less. But I had paid for the book so I might as well read it.

It didn’t take long for me to get absorbed in the story and once again I found myself reaching for the book every chance I got. Near the end, I literally couldn’t put the book aside and so I stayed up until 2:45 a.m. to know how Owen Taylor fixed his problem. And I was not disappointed. The ending was superb, and so much so that I found myself cheering for this man.

All too often I buy a book and like the story, but near the end, it seems the author got fed up with writing and rushes the conclusion or the ending is completely unsatisfactory. That was not the case with ‘The Store’ or ‘The End’. Patterson wrapped both of them up nicely leaving the reader hungry for more.

And hungry for more I was. As soon as the book was finished I wanted to read another one of James Patterson's works. Having arrived at the bookstore (a proper bookstore this time) I was in for a surprise though … there were no less than five shelves of James Patterson books. Oh dear oh dear oh dear, now what was I gonna do? How would I make a choice? So I did the only thing I could do … eeny meeny miny moe and I picked the book where my finger came to a rest. The book turned out to be ‘Guilty Wives’. I’m only a few chapters in the book but I can already tell, this is another excellent story.

I guess it’s safe to say that James Patterson and I will have a long and happy relationship.

Day 116: Soccer Fever – Belgium vs. Panama

6/19/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 116: Soccer Fever – Belgium vs. Panama

There are two things that bring people together … a disaster and an international sporting event. If you’re feeling a little feverish, not to worry, you’re not the only one, millions of others share your fever, soccer fever that is.

People who usually don’t follow soccer, now sit glued to their television, computer monitor or handheld device to see 22 men run around after a ball. I know, it doesn’t sound very exciting, but for some reason it is.

Those who can’t watch the match, life or televised, still keep track of the score via life updates on FIFA’s website. I’m one of those people. I prefer not to watch a live match because whoever I support loses. And not just in soccer, in all kinds of competitions. Whether it’s an Olympic event, American Idol, a beauty pageant, or an award ceremony, my favorites never ever win.

Take Belgium vs. Panama for instance. Being from Belgium I took a special interest in the Red Devils, but in the first half of the game, Belgium did nothing. There was a lot of running around and kicking the ball back and forth, but nothing qualified as exciting.

The second half I couldn’t watch because I had things to do. And that’s when it happened … the players were barely back on the field when Mertens scored a goal. Having finally woken up, Laluka decided to follow suit and planted a ball in Panama’s net too. So happy was the crowd that he decided he gave them an encore. Final score 3 – 0.

Safe to say, I won’t be watching Belgium’s next match. I’ll keep an eye on the score, but watching the match itself … no way, the men do far better when I’m not around.

Anything you can do, I can do better

Give that man a handkerchief

Stand back, I got this

Brother, this is not the time to dance

I believe I can fly

That's my leg man, not a chair

Does it look any better from down there?

Day 115: Battle with the Bottle

6/17/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 115: Battle with the Bottle

Everyone will agree that children need to be protected from harm, but where it comes to medicine bottles, they are not only designed to be childproof, in many cases, they are also adult proof.

You should have seen me wrestle with a bottle of cough mixture this morning. If this battle had been captured on video, it might have received thousands of views with people laughing their head off.

The instructions on the bottle were quite clear … push down and twist. So, I pushed and twisted, pushed and twisted some more but other than a clicking noise, the cap didn’t budge.

With a ‘fine, have it your way’ I pushed the bottle in the corner of the kitchen counter and went to sit down to rest. That battle with the bottle cap had left me exhausted.

Never one to give up easily, some fifteen minutes later it was time for round two. I grabbed the bottle by its neck and was gonna show it who was boss. I pushed and twisted, pushed and twisted and after a few failed attempts I had to admit that the bottle was boss. We each retreated to our corners.

As I sat in my chair, making coughing noises that would have scared a bulldog, I eyed the bottle on the kitchen counter. Why did the manufacturers make it so difficult for people to open the darn thing? Surely, they realized that those who needed cough mixture were not feeling too great to begin with, so why make things extra difficult for them?

I was not gonna be defeated though, I would persevere and that bottle better watch out because I was coming and this time I wasn’t leaving until I had its top severed from its body. “Come here you,” I said. “I’m gonna push and twist and you’re gonna open or I’m gonna throw you off the balcony.” The prospect of taking a flying leap 11 floors down must have filled the bottle with panic as he released his cap on the second try.

Now that the bottle was open I faced a second challenge … was this stuff safe to drink? According to the label, the syrup could cause serious kidney and liver damage, was not recommended for patients with heart problems or asthma, while in bold letters the label stated that pregnant women should not drink this. Holy smokes … cure a cough, run the risk of developing more serious problems.

In the end, I decided to risk it. It wasn’t as if I was going to drink copious amounts of this stuff. But still, why does it have to be this way? Why can’t the scientists come up with safe medication?

Some might say that there are natural ways of healing a cough and believe me, I’ve already researched and found that honey has healing properties. So, I’ve been sipping honey water, but I’m sorry to say it doesn’t work. I still cough and cough, or shall I say, I bark and bark.

Still, if you have any suggestions for how to calm a cough, I’m all ears. Thanks in advance.

Day 114: A 60 Million Dollar Winner

6/10/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 114: A 60 Million Dollar Winner

For the past few weeks, the jackpot of Max Millions stood at $60 million dollars. Week after week, nobody won this jackpot, until yesterday which means that someone or a group of someones are celebrating this weekend as he, she or they are $60 million dollars richer.

During these past few weeks, people who otherwise never bought a ticket now did and they didn’t just buy a ticket, they went all out and bought $20, $50 or even $100 worth of tickets. Which makes me wonder … does the jackpot have to amount to $60 million before people get interested? Is $5 million, $10 million or $20 million not enough?

I also hope it’s not an undeserving person who won. You know the one who says … “Oh I never play, this was the first time I bought a ticket.” I find this terribly unfair. There are people, like me, who play every week without fail. Most of us have a firm set of numbers we use every week like birthdays, anniversaries, and other dates with a special meaning. So you can imagine, when some jackass wins millions who otherwise never plays that we feel betrayed.

As for me, I had high hopes of winning and plans of helping friends who could do with some financial assistance. Unfortunately, my hopes and plans turned to dust. Other than two free tickets I won nothing.

Not that this came as a surprise, I never win anything (other than free tickets and the occasional $10). Although, I must admit, many years ago – about a month after we arrived in Canada - I did win something.

Back then Max Millions was known as the Super 7. As the name implies, gamblers would pick seven numbers and then hope for the best. That particular Friday night I watched the draw of the numbers on TV and wrote them down on a notepad. Once the draw was finished, I retrieved my ticket and moved to the dining room table.

When I checked my ticket I had not 1, 2, 3 or 4 numbers right, I had 5 numbers right! Dieter and I were besides ourselves, thinking that we had won thousands of dollars. How much were five right numbers worth … $30,000, $50,000, $75,000 or even more?

Since results were not posted online back then, Dieter put on his coat and shoes and went to the nearest convenience store to pick up a ticket with the winning numbers and the money breakdown.

When he came back I immediately could tell that he didn’t have good news.
“Not $30,000, $50,000 or $75,000?” I asked him.
He shook his head.
“How much then … $10,000?”
Another headshake.
“$5,000 … $3,000?”
More head shaking.
“Well, how much then?”
Dieter put the ticket on the table so I could see for myself. The payout for five correct numbers was … $131,57.

From what I can tell, everyone agrees. The difference between 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th prize is too big. See for yourself …

Prize
Matches
Amount
Winners

1st
7
$60,000,000.00
1

2nd
6 + Bonus
$202,003.60
5

3rd
6
$5,536.80
194

4th
5
$107.50
12,678

5th
4
$20.00
288,496

6th
3 + Bonus
$20.00
276,488

7th
3
Free Ticket
2,537,042

Still, come Friday, I'll play again because as every gambler knows ... you have to be in it to win it and perseverance pays off. And if nothing else, I am persistent. I live by the slogan NEVER GIVE UP!

Day 113: In the Spotlight: Margot Finke

6/9/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompt

Day 113: In the Spotlight: Margot Finke

How did your journey as a writer begin?
In middle school, when a teacher praised my writing style. Later, life got in the way of serious writing—husbands and kids can do that. Yet I always fed my imagination with the plays and stories I wrote in my spare time.

What is your favorite and least favorite aspect of writing?

I love all aspects of writing, especially when the ideas come thick and fast. Book promotion however can be a real drag — it takes time from writing, dammit!
Do you recall the book that made you aspire to become a writer?

Alice in Wonderland. I devoured that book.

What authors do you admire and why?

The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
A Thousand Splendid Suns    “
The Sword of Demelza - Jeanne E. Rogers

Where is your favorite place to write?

When the kids went off to college, and I finally had the peace and time to write, we converted the family room into my writing den—a cosy space with sofa, chairs, a fireplace, windows onto the back gardens, and a humongous L shaped desk my husband set up for me. In winter, my tender outdoor plants luxuriate there under gro-luxe lighting. Mmmmm. . . indeed, a writing den where my inspiration can run riot!

Are you a pen and paper writer or a straight to the keyboard writer?

Keyboard all the way. Even I cannot read my own handwriting. I LOVE my computer!

As a reader, what catches your attention?

First it’s the voice of the writer—a first page that hooks my interest. Then the plot and the characters creep up on me, and I dive into the tale—an eager observer right in the middle of the angst and the action.

I also like to help others write tight and terrific MS. Clients send me their MS so I can guide them into writing books their readers will love. Very satisfying!!

When you write, what comes first, the plot or the characters?

This depends. Sometimes one and sometimes the other. Ideally, both the plot and the main character are equally important.

What is your main goal when creating a story?

For me, books have always been a Magic Carpet Ride to fun, adventure, and a lifetime of learning. When an idea begs to be developed and written, I want it to take kids who read it on that same Magic Carpet Ride. My goal is to Hook Kids on Reading.

Does life ever imitate art or vice versa?

My “Down Under Calling,” the saga of a modern family divided by an ocean, features Grandma Rose, a feisty lady who is loveable as well as sneaky. The family stories she writes to her grandson in Oregon (that amaze him), come straight from the mouth of my dear departed Mom. She was a wonderful storyteller, and every one of them is true. Mom would be so tickled to have them featured in a book of mine. Does this count?

The same happened with The Revenge of Thelma Hill--a ghost mystery set in Oregon. As I wrote, the ghost’s character simply wrote itself. I wondered what was happening. Then I GOT IT! I was channeling my mom again. And she was perfect for the scary, yet eventually friendly ghost who needed Frannie’s help to make her killer pay. So I thought, “I’ll go whole hog, and use Mom’s real name for the title. Thelma Hill was her maiden name. I also knew Mom would be thrilled to be a major character in a book I wrote –an ideal ghost.”

What inspired you to write Dreamtime Man?

I grew up Down Under, and Dreamtime Man is a rhyming picture book, inspired by the horrible things that happened to the Australian aboriginals after the white man colonized the country. Even though I have lived in the US for many years, my Aussie roots are deep. I was brought up to judge people by how they treated you, and not by the color of their skin, their religion, or their politics.

How do characters take shape and evolve in your mind?

Dreamtime Man is told in rhyme for older children and adults. It is based on history. I guess you could say that the main characters are the Spirits of Dreamtime and the Aboriginal Tribesmen. Both are inexplicably linked. Both were battered and almost demolished by the invading hordes of white settlers, and later by terrible Government policies. Each side feared the other, and when fear rules violence reigns.

Is there an underlying message in your stories?

Absolutely. The message is universal, yet today it is sadly not often realized:
*Earth is small, and we all need to get along together.
*Empathy and compassion are underused these days.
*Create tolerance and understanding instead of violence.
*Do not fear what is different. Different is often good.
*Let people prove their worth before you attack them.
*Use only what you need, and help your neighbors when they need it
*Don’t allow fear to create violence.

What pulled you to write your particular genre of writing?

It wasn’t a conscious choice. I was a teacher’s aide, and I often told tales about Aussie animals to classes. It just happened, and I loved writing for children. Many of my books have Aussie Themes or about animals. They range from grade school picture books and stories, to mid-grade reading.

My latest books are:

**Daisy and Bartholomew Q   a MG – a fun fantasy adventure that promotes the use of powerful words and the Thesaurus.

** Oscar is Different a PB – looking or feeling different is not always a bad thing.

**Kobi Borrows a Pouch PB – a small koala discovers the Aussie bush can be a dangerous place.

Aside from writing, what are you passionate about?

My family—3 great grown kids, 4 wonderful grandkids and a husband who is a real treasure. Plus, the state of the US today, and how we should vote to fix it.

How has your background shaped you?

Growing up in Queensland, Australia, has imbued me with much of the Aussie independent spirit. I also love writing about its unique animals and way of life.

What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for?

“Here lies Margot Finke, off on her last Magic Carpet Ride to an uncharted land. Her wish is to hook kids on reading and have children of all ages read and reread all of her books.

If it were possible, what 3 things, other then your loved ones, would you take with you into the next life?

My computer, my thesaurus, and a copy of Alice in Wonderland

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Determined. Organized. Imaginative.

What would your general day to day routine be?

Promote my books, write a little more, and work on critique client manuscripts. Read in my spare moments. Some garden time! A possible Skype Classroom Visit.

Thank you so much Conny, for this opportunity to strut my stuff.

* Website:
http://www.margotfinke.com
** BOOK CATALOGUE:  Email for your copy:
mfinke@frontier.com
For Discounts--Autographs + Cheaper Postage.
* ORDER DIRECT from Catalogue.

* Skype Classroom Visit Details:
http://virtualschoolvisits.blogspot.com/

* Amazon + Kindle :
http://tinyurl.com/j26s6wu
My Pinterest Boards:  Help and Guidance Boards for Teachers.
http://www.pinterest.com/margotfinke/

Day 112: How is this fair?

6/8/2018

My Project: 365 Creative Writing Prompts

Day 112: How is this fair?

I’m sick, or rather, I was sick, I got better and now I’m sick again. It’s only a cold, but I feel terrible. A head filled with cotton wool, watery eyes, a stuffed nose, a raspy throat, and limbs that seem to made of flannel.

How did this happen? My guess is my dear son came home with germs. He started sniffing and sneezing and I knew it was only a matter of time before his germs paid me a visit. Sure enough, 24 hours later I was sniffing and sneezing too.

While he got over his cold fairly quickly, it took me days to feel like my old self again. Yesterday I finally felt better and went out to have my health card renewed.

I had checked the list of what I needed to have this card renewed and I gathered the following:

Existing health card
3 original identification documents from the Ontario health coverage document list
1 to prove citizenship/immigration status
1 to prove residency in Ontario

I had all that and thought I had it covered, but I was wrong. For proof of residency, I had taken with me a Visa bill with my address on it. At the office, though I was told that a Visa bill is not acceptable. Well, that was a problem because I have no other paperwork.

We are constantly told to save the environment and to switch from paper to electronic forms. But now that I did, and don’t receive anything in paper form anymore, that counts against me. How is this fair? To have my health card renewed, I had to request a statement of my account on paper.

I came home thoroughly dispirited. The first time I went to Service Ontario their computer system was down. The second time, yesterday it was the lack of a paper document that stood in my way. Third time lucky?

As if that wasn’t enough, the effort of walking to Service Ontario and standing in line caused a relapse of my cold. Now I feel worse than before.