October 13, 20014 No more cable TV 0 (0)

Posted on October 13, 2014 by riwa

Cable TV gone – journal entries from several months ago

Tuesday Feb 25th: Go to Cable office and drop cable TV. I want to see if I can save money. I figure I can get the public channels. Arrangements are made to have my Cable channels disconnected.

Friday Feb 28th: Keep expecting to lose my signal but no one comes. Guess I still get to watch cable over the weekend.

Enjoy cable TV over Saturday and Sunday. Still not much on TV but at least I have the opportunity to see shows that still don’t interest me. Surf around trying to find something good. Notice that the same cable channels are showing the same movies over and over again, only now the channels seem to be sharing those same shows.

Cable stays on through the day Monday. Are they coming? How long do I get to keep watching before they come and disconnect the signal?

Monday evening March 3rd: Signal goes out after 5 pm. Discover neither TV in the apartment will function without some sort of antenna. Hadn’t counted on that. This could be interesting. Watch video Hard Rain. Internet friend asks if I am already going through withdrawal. Miss a program I would have liked to watch.

Surf the Internet for antenna solutions. Find one listed on youtube but haven’t decided if I will try it or not. Might just see how long I can go without TV. But I’ll watch VHS and DVD movies… maybe one per day.

Day 1 (Tuesday): First full day of no TV. At least I don’t go and turn it on by force of habit. But I’m used to listening to the radio all day as I like music. I like to take a nap now and then in the living room with the TV on as I can either find a digital radio station with no commercials or find a TV program I can fall asleep to. But this is going to change, especially since I don’t even have a radio in the living room. Wonder if I’ll go in and take quiet naps now.

Looked for a program on the Internet I wanted to watch Monday night when I lost my signal. Watched it today on the Internet on my computer. No advertisements throughout program – nice! At 7pm I watched You’ve Got Mail on VHS. Video machine making an odd knocking noise. Wonder if it is the player or the video. The player is old, but so are all my videos. This could be an inopportune time for the machine to go out as I don’t want to spend money on an antenna or new player.

Day 2: Watched the Black Hole during the afternoon. Took a nap wishing there could have been TV or music in the background. Not bad though.

Day 3: Looked for an episode of a reality program I am following. It is embarrassing to admit I am following it but I am. I watched it on my computer. The commercials were annoying but I found ways to ignore them until the program came back on. Didn’t watch any movies, nor did I feel the urge to.

Day 4: Wanted to get away from the computer desk and relax but have no TV stations. Went into the living room early evening and watched Volcano. It made me think of checking out some ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a pain rewinding VHS tapes but at least I have them to watch.

Day 5: Saturday and I can’t even watch any NCAA basketball games. I want to relax for awhile in the living room but I like to have the TV turned on. I pop in an episode of Columbo and watch it in its entirety. I check my email, go back into the living room for a nap and then watch a second episode. Then it’s back to the computer room. But at least I did catch up on another reality show I’ve been following; watched it on the Internet.

Day 6: Daylight savings time wakes me up Sunday morning. After checking email I go into the living room. No TV so I might as well take a nap and catch up on the sleep I missed. It is Columbo night on TV but since I watched a couple episodes yesterday I decide to skip it. I decide not to watch any movies on TV today.

Day 7: One week without cable TV and I have not gone screaming out into the parking lot. Watched another reality program that was posted to the Internet. Also watched a movie on computer that was hailed by critics but was totally unsatisfying. 2nd day of not watching a movie on TV.

Day 8: Was so focused on not liking the movie Gravity that I watched Apollo 13 on my VHS. It was way better. And I liked resting in the living room watching the movie.

Day 9: I went for a drive and took lots of pictures. Came home tired and sore. It would be nice to be able to watch TV in the living room and rest on the sofa, especially with that reality program I’m following coming on later tonight. But I will catch it on the PC tomorrow.

Day 10: Watched another reality program on the PC. I think I’m starting to adjust to not having TV to just turn on any time I want. Besides, I’ve complained to myself many times how there isn’t much on TV worth watching. Laundry has me distracted. Was tempted to go in and watch a movie but I chose not to.

Day 11 (Friday): The NCAA tournament is gearing up. I might miss having TV just to watch some games in progress. But I can keep track on websites on the computer. Watched part of a movie, took a nap, watched the rest when I woke up.

Day 12: Saturday is a good day to veg out on the sofa watching TV. But with no TV I settled for a DVD. I napped, started the DVD all over and ended up napping again. Oh well, at least I got some ideas to include in a story.

Day 13: It would have been nice to have TV for “selection Sunday” for the NCAA tournament. But I ended up spending all my time in front of the computer sending emails. I did check on the bracket after it was made official. So I guess I lived without TV today after all!

Day 14: Napped with that same DVD in the background. I guess those musical scenes are soothing. Watched Gravity again, this time with English. It was even worse than listening to the Italian version. Spent much of the day on my computer.

Day 15: Watched a reality show on the computer. I moved my little box TV out of the computer room a few days ago and am getting used to being without it although my desk looks funny with it gone. I used to have it on in the background now and then. But mostly it is the radio now, either that or my CD’s.

Day 16: Watched a couple of Columbo DVD episodes. Thought I might fall asleep but I didn’t. I don’t know whether I miss sports more because of NCAA basketball or not.

Day 17: NCAA games are on TV but I cannot watch. Maybe I should get an antenna. Missing them is not that big a deal. Able to follow the scores on the sports website. Watched another episode of a reality show on the Internet.

Day 18: Too busy following scores on the computer to care about missing TV.

Day 19: Watched the commentary to a DVD (Into the Blue). Wanted to relax on the sofa with the TV on. Neighbors on the floor below just a bit too active for me to be able to take a nap.

Day 20: Listened to NCAA basketball games all day on the radio. Would have been nice to have them on TV, but I sit at the computer and listen more than I watch anyway so it was not that much of a loss.

Day 21: Bought some WWII documentary DVDs and watched a couple episodes.

Day 22: Went for a drive and watched more WWII episodes. I think I’m getting used to no TV.

Day 24: Been watching the WWII DVD’s over the past couple days. But basketball is back and I am forced to listen to the radio. I’m doing ok though… or at least I think I am.

Day 25: Bought 100 movies in two collections – Horror classics and Sci-fi classics. I’ve been watching the Horror classics ever since, sometimes 3-4 per day. I seem to be missing TV less and less each day.

Day 28: It is Monday, four weeks after losing TV. I watched Horror classics over the weekend. Now I’m getting back to writing and will have less time for watching TV. But I relaxed by watching two movies this afternoon. I have plenty of material to put in the DVD player or VHS player that I doubt I will miss TV much aside from the occasional live sports program which I can pick up on radio or a sports website.

Week 30+: Got bored filling out my journal so I quit. Over the past several months I moved into a smaller apartment. But I chose not to get cable TV in my new location as I don’t miss it other than a few sports of which I can catch scores on the Internet.

Talked to my insurance agent who said he and his family haven’t had cable for 3 months. Besides, they watch Netflix and the kids never knew the cable had been disconnected. It appears I’m not the only one foregoing cable TV these days. No more journal entries; this is boring…

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Burning the Christians 4 (1)

Posted on September 25, 2014 by riwa

It was a terrible fire, the worst I have ever seen. It seemed like God the Father had poured open the very gates of hell upon the city. And it did not matter which deity one followed for protection as the fire claimed persons of all beliefs or no belief whatsoever. All suffered equally in the conflagration, and there was no mercy to be found in any quarter.

There were no structures of stone anywhere that could stop the flames or hinder their progress; all was made of wood. Fanned by the wind the fire spread rapidly, consuming everything it came upon. It moved from shop to shop and home to home, devouring everything in its path.

People ran for their lives, only to discover there was no place to go. The fire chased them like an avenging angel and then acted as though deliberately cutting off their path to safety just for sport. It took the lives of the heroic and cowardly alike – those who tried to help the old, crippled and infirm as well as those who trampled anyone underfoot simply to escape.

Aelius, our leader of the sect of those who followed the Christus whom Pontius Pilate had crucified as a criminal, said it was a judgment from God because of the corruption and licentiousness of Rome. Mother was not so sure she agreed, thinking the Holy Father was a more merciful God and not willing that any should perish. I did not know what to think, only that as a nineteen year old daughter of my father Petronius my home was no more – nothing but smoke and ashes – and that our lives hung precariously in the balance.

On the sixth day it seemed as if the fire had finally burned itself out, only to return to life. Flames broke out in the open areas not yet affected, especially those of the temples and pleasure arcades. Aelius said it was another sign from God. If it was, then surely the results of the raging inferno turned out to be far different than what our leader had anticipated.

When the fires finally extinguished themselves we were forced to camp just outside the city, finding little for nourishment until soldiers came with food and grain. We were told that Nero was attempting to feed the people, and that he would eventually return Rome to a status far greater than what she had previously achieved. But soon ominous rumors began to spread among the populace, rumors indicating he had not acted nobly to save the city as some had indicated, but rather had played the lyre without compassion while allowing the flames to destroy the great city in order to rebuild Rome for his own glory.

The first signs of the coming persecution were portended when Aelius was arrested along with several others. A terrifying rumor quickly began to spread that we as followers of Christus were being rounded up. We were being accused of contributing to the conflagration in order to burn the city to the ground and then claim it as judgment from God. Soon there were more arrests, and many more of our faith began to disappear from our midst.

One night a family friend came to us with an ominous report. All of us as Christians were now being blamed for the burning of Rome; no one was excluded. Much of the populace had originally suspected it to be the work of Nero himself as there were unconfirmed reports of people witnessing citizens throwing torches and contributing to the fire, citizens whom it was believed he had hired to do his bidding. But Nero sought to deflect the rumors by finding a scapegoat to placate the masses.

At first he wished to place blame upon the Jews as they could easily be accused of just about everything from famine to a sudden illness in one’s household. But Nero’s wife Poppaea liked the Jews who served in court. It was believed by some that she persuaded her husband to place the blame instead upon the followers of Christus.

As news began to spread of further arrests, Father decided it was time for us to flee the city before we too were rounded up in Nero’s great net along with all the others. Besides, it had been learned that Aelius and several other leaders who had been detained were now seeking to spare their lives by informing the Romans as to who else were considered followers of the Christus. I had to conclude based on these stories that Aelius and the others had only become Christians until such time as events turned against them, thus making it more favorable to change allegiances.

The lives of my family were now in grave danger and we should have acted in due haste. But the moment to leave passed us by before we were ready to depart. Soldiers came later that night, and we were caught up along with so many others, including some of whom we knew did not profess Christus in the slightest.

We were gathered up into those dungeons that had survived the fire, and we were no small group. There were hundreds of us, with more arriving daily from further arrests. We were barely fed enough sustenance to make it through each day.

What began to unnerve me was when I noticed people were being taken away almost as fast as new ones were arriving! It seemed as though our ranks neither swelled nor diminished. Guards came daily – and sometimes several times a day – sometimes bringing new prisoners and sometimes just to take some of us away. Those that were taken we never saw again.

The guards and soldiers were a cruel lot, and we often learned from them what had happened – what WAS happening – to many of our numbers. Scores of us had been or were being taken away for sport or public execution. We had been accused of setting fire to the city, and for that our sentence was death. And the guards often told us plainly what was being done to certain individuals, deriving no small amount of satisfaction in seeing our reactions of horror and despair.

This terrified me greatly whenever I saw the guards come to take people away. I was horrified when they took my young friends in the faith – Paula, Ovidius and Lucilia. I never saw them again and I wondered what become of them. I was to later learn they had been fed to the lions while the citizens of Rome were entertained by their deaths.

It was not long before those being arrested were not enough to replace those being taken away. Day by day our ranks became thinned despite the new arrivals. And day by day mother tried to comfort me with the very words of Christus himself when he had spoken to the thief on the cross beside him that this day he would be with Him in paradise. It was small comfort indeed knowing that death was so real and so near. But my biggest fear now was that I would crumble as I was tortured and that I would betray my Lord at the moment of truth.

One day they came for father and I wept bitterly as I prayed in vain. He told me to be strong and that soon we would all be together again. He had no illusions as to his fate and he went quietly and bravely. Word returned by the mouth of some cruel guard that father had been wrapped in hides so the dogs of the arena could tear him apart to the cheers of the spectators. They all thought it was great sport but I thought it was a terrible fate, and I soon became numb with grief.

Our ranks had been further decimated when the day came that mother was taken away from me as well. When the guards arrived and came toward us she was afraid I was going to be chosen. So she stepped forward into their path as though offering herself for their purposes.

I started to cry out but she turned and looked sternly at me as though forbidding me from speaking out to save her. Tears filled my eyes as I saw the love that was displayed in her features. Then the guards took her away along with several others, surrounding them all and prodding them along with spears as if they were nothing more than common criminals.

My beliefs were shattered; my hopes were in vain. I had placed my trust in Christus and look where it had gotten me… the loss of my parents and many dear friends. From that moment on I no longer cared anymore.

Our ranks continued to be depleted all that afternoon and into the next day. Soon there were less than a hundred of us remaining. They came for us at a rapid rate and I suffered more loss – Gaius, Hadriana and Sabina… all dear ones of mine. Even two family acquaintances who proclaimed throughout that they were not followers of the Christus were taken away to the arena.

This time we were not told what would become of any of them. I only knew with a certainty that I would not live to reach my twentieth birthday… would not be betrothed or blessed to bear children. But I was too numb to care anymore, resigned to the fate that God had cruelly bestowed upon us.

The next day more were taken with alarming frequency, and there were fewer and fewer of us left in the dungeons. That afternoon they came and took Regula, Quintus and others. By now there were so few of us remaining that I pondered if I would even live through the night. It was as if they were cleaning out the dungeons once and for all! My thoughts would prove prophetic.

As the sun was going down they came for the rest of us and herded us all out together. It was almost a relief to know the end was finally upon us. I had no idea how it would come and I did not care. My prayers went unanswered so I no longer offered them up anymore.

We were lead out along what was left of a major street. I knew not which one for the landmarks were all burned away. But I could tell we were being led toward one of Nero’s large gardens.

A murmur of hope spread among us as it was said there were those without homes living there. Perhaps we would be set free to take up residence as well; maybe the bloodlust of the population had been satiated. There were murmurs that maybe our prayers had at long last been answered. But I did not believe them.

Along the way my suspicions were confirmed when we encountered those of our beliefs both male and female who had been crucified naked on either side of the street a mere couple of days ago. Many were still alive and in mortal agony, struggling time and time again just to lift themselves up for a simple breath of air. They were too exhausted to cry out when they saw us passing by.

Surely it was humiliating for them to be seen thus. It was equally horrible for us to be forced to walk past. If any in our band harbored any small hope at all, those hopes were permanently dashed by the cruelty the Romans had put on display along that road of crucifixes. I knew then that there would be no mercy for any of us. Death was now coming to claim those of us who remained.

It was horrible and I deliberately avoided looking upon them as we passed by – their naked, emaciated bodies with the agony on their faces. Besides, the guards were always there to move us forward with the pointed end of a spear should we tarry. Then I heard a weak voice from one of those crucified… a familiar voice…

“Daughter?”

I looked up and saw to my horror that it was mother! She had been nailed there naked ever since she had been taken away from me, fully two days ago! Her skin was all leathery and burnt from exposure to the sun, and she appeared to be no more than a shell of her former self.

I watched in horror as she appeared to struggle to lift herself up for every single breath, putting weight on her nailed feet and wrists and then wincing in agony!! I rushed toward her, stricken with grief. But the guard kept me away with the end of his spear. I stared in abject horror and utter misery, feeling so helpless that I was unable to lend any kind of comfort or assistance to the one who had bore me those 19 years ago!!

I saw something in her face… saw that she had recognized me. She almost smiled with joy, though how anyone could experience joy on the cross was beyond me. It was a miracle we had been permitted the ability to see each other again! And that thought – that it was indeed a miracle – was not lost on me.

“Have… faith…. daughter!” were the last words I ever heard from her parched, cracked lips. There was great love and gratitude in her eyes, perhaps from being allowed to see me this one last time? Then she gave up the ghost and slumped forward in death as though now she could finally be at peace.

I could not stop the tears that flowed, and I sobbed openly… although I was not alone in weeping at such cruelty. The guards thought it great sport to see us broken thus, and they continued prodding us forward with their spears. But I could not get that thought out of my mind at being granted the gift of seeing mother one last time…

It was a miracle… it was a miracle… it was a miracle…

I suddenly felt a new resolve swell within me as we drew nearer to the gardens. That is when I saw what I thought were large, glowing torches. Then I heard those awful screams. It was the screams of the burning… the dying.

I did not see Quintus anywhere, perhaps he was already aflame. But I was just in time to see them put the torch to poor Regula’s naked, tar-covered body. Our eyes met briefly before she started screaming as the flames totally engulfed her with a horrific whoosh.

I choked back another sob as we walked on past, only to watch another soldier put a male to the torch. But with each step I was beginning to feel a peace not of this world. Two more were set ablaze but I only acknowledged them with a sad nod before their agonizing screams filled the air.

When we got to the gardens I saw there were many left homeless from the fires that had ravaged the city. But I soon confirmed we were not here to be joining them. Instead there were stakes set up all throughout the garden to which each one of us was led away by a guard or soldier.

I was taken to a stake where a soldier came up to me and ripped off my dear Stola, a very special outer garment mother had made for me last year. “Criminals are not allowed to wear such worthy attire!” he declared as he spat in my face! Then he removed my undergarment until I was fully displayed before him.

He eyed my nudity and I felt shamed as his eyes lingered upon my quivering flesh. Then he retrieved a nearby bucket. To my great distress he began smearing a foul tar all over my body. I knew in an instant the kind of death that was to befall me.

He forced the tar into my breasts, enjoying himself the whole time. He also made sure there was no part of my womanhood that remained undefiled with his filthy hands. My bound arms, my legs, up and down my quivering flesh… soon the tar covered every part of my being save my head.

Around me I heard cries for mercy; one woman was pleading to no avail that she was not of our sect. Tears of fear and despair filled my eyes as I became greatly afraid of the burning to come. Then I began to tremble from a shameful excitement that I simply could not understand.

Why was I feeling thus? Was it that my worries and burdens would soon be at an end? Or was it the anticipation of the flames hungrily consuming me?? Soon I was panting heavily as I found it difficult to catch my breath!

All around me I could hear the sobs of the terrified, the voices of those begging for their lives as the inhabitants of the garden looked upon us without pity. I was sorely tempted to raise my voice along with theirs even though I knew it would grant me no mercy. Then I remembered my mother’s last words on the cross.

At that moment I was brought to remembrance of the shame the Christus must have faced when he too was nailed to the cross. Despite the terror that threatened to consume me I was suddenly filled with a strange peace. Then I heard the horrified screams of the first fires being lit one by one. The entire garden was to be illuminated for the sake of the homeless by our flaming bodies!

I could not catch my breath and I trembled as I choked back a sob seeing the soldiers with their torches drawing ever nearer. More fires were lit and I heard the whoosh of the flames and the screams of the burning, the dreadful sounds coming closer and closer. I could feel the heat of the insatiable flames… could actually feel my own death fast approaching. That’s when I started to panic, afraid that my sins had not been forgiven and that I was about to experience the very fires of hell while I was still alive!

For a moment I caught sight of one of those in the garden being sheltered, a woman of middle age. Strangely she did not look at me as the others were doing with scorn and disdain. Rather she looked upon me with pity as though knowing I was no criminal such as Rome had made me out to be… made us ALL out to be. She spoke not a word but I saw in her eyes that she knew the unspoken truth and I was grateful to her. Then a guard approached with a burning torch in his hand and a cruel smile on his lips.

I steeled myself; this was the moment! I wanted to scream but I bit my lip as I panted heavily! Then he leaned the torch in my direction, and with the words, “Die, criminal of Rome!” he touched my naked body.

Flames instantly became attracted to my tar-covered flesh like flies to honey. They spread everywhere in an instant, following the coating of tar that had been mercilessly smeared all over my body. That’s when a scream was torn out of my lungs, a horrific shriek to blend in with all the others.

I have never suffered such agony before; the flames were all encompassing. No part of my body was spared save the soles of my feet. I even felt my hair whoosh, to be consumed along with the rest of my flesh! I screamed and screamed as the flames hungrily licked at my face.

I had found my voice to cry out, but the flames seemed to crawl right down my throat. It was as if I was being consumed by the flames of hell, burning on the outside and also from within! Truly I was paying for my sins now, and I screamed and screamed as long as I had voice of any kind! I believe I would have said anything to make it stop!

I suddenly saw a male face through the flames, and I was astonished, more so because the agony of my burning flesh suddenly seemed to ease somewhat. I did not recognize him at first… did not know who he was although he was most certainly not of Roman heritage. But there was something in his visage… a love and compassion in his eyes.

That peace returned, and somehow I gained the ability to see him clearly even with the flames dancing all around me consuming my flesh. His lips moved, and despite my screaming I heard the words as though they were spoken inside my head… “This day you shall be with me in paradise.” That is when an indescribably joy flooded my soul!

The agony abruptly ceased as did my screams, and I felt a refreshing coolness. Then somehow he took my hand as though I had become unbound! Then he pulled on me as though pulling me right out of my flames!! Strangely I was no longer burning.

I only had eyes for him as he lovingly took my hand and led me down the road. Off in the distance I saw my parents waiting for me hand in hand with much joy. That’s when I knew that my sins had truly been forgiven and that mother and father would be with me and so many others along with the Christus in paradise…

© 2014

(written Aug 31 by riwa)

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September 8, 2014 Update 0 (0)

Posted on September 8, 2014 by riwa

 

I recently returned from a trip up to see my mother and sister. It was a trip I had been wanting to take for weeks but had kept putting off. It was a much needed vacation even though I was only gone three days and two nights.

Mother and I always like to go sightseeing and this trip was no different. We drove to Cody, Wyoming where we headed out to look at Buffalo Bill dam. We both thought there was a surprising amount of water this late in the irrigation year. But they had yet to remove the floating debris up against the dam, something they do with a crane when the visitors are not around. Now you KNEW no trip of mine would be complete without a large body of water involved, right?

Full and lots of driftwood

9-5 015That sure is a LONG way down!

9-5 028A pictorial description of debris removal posted in the visitor center

9-5 033Mom and I went and saw my sister and we took her to town so she could do some window shopping. Afterwards I treated mom and sis to lunch. We had a nice visit, and Alice was in good spirits and doing well. It was good to see my sister in good health and enjoying herself.

That may have been my last trip for awhile so it looks like I am settling in here for the fall. I still reserve the right to get away for short day trips around the valley. Sometimes you just have to get out and about to refresh and recharge. But for the moment it looks like my traveling will be limited to trips around town.

I have some writing projects I want to get back to. And Craig who helped set up my library has suggested I try my hand at writing a few stories to sell at his underwater store. That might be an idea to make a few bucks to help defray some expenses and to generate a little extra income. Besides, I just got back from the repair shop because my check engine light was on. Hopefully it was just the sensor and I will have no major repairs in the near future.

I hope your summer went well and that you are looking forward to fall, cooler temperatures, football season and the baseball playoffs. I hope you and your family enjoyed a vacation together or at least enjoyed some fun times together. This year sure has gone by fast, hasn’t it?

Thanks for stopping by…

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August 4, 2014 I think I need a break again 0 (0)

Posted on August 4, 2014 by riwa

 

Over the past few days I’ve been looking at my projects in my “stories in progress” folder. And I must admit to a lack of inspiration lately. I have several projects in there but I seem to stall out whenever I pull one up and try to work on it. I think I need a break again.

I’ve had a couple of Internet friends suggest I step away from stories for a few days, and I think they have a valid point. I haven’t taken a break in awhile other than that trip I took a couple months ago to go up to see my mother and sister. So I think I’m going to take their advice. That’s why I posted a story on Sunday as I originally had it ready to go for Monday. But I’m posting this for Monday instead.

As an example of needing to take a break, Sunday I took a drive to see a couple of nearby lakes to see how much water they still contain. One was near to capacity while the one upstream was significantly less so. But there were a number of people in the water and in boats having a great time despite the hot weather. Naturally I took pictures to send to mom.

Since taking the time to go for that drive did me some good, I suspect I should follow up that success with a few more days off of enjoying the area I live in. Many of the places around here I have seen before. But I always enjoy the drive and the scenery. Sometimes a person just has to stop for awhile and take the time off to enjoy what is around them.

My plan (as before) is to MAKE myself not do any writing or editing during the week, although I will still try to keep track of any ideas that hit me while I’m enjoying the time off. If I can MAKE myself stop writing then it usually isn’t too long until I’m chomping at the bit to get back to writing again. So if I’m smart about this (and I’m not always smart about things) then I will take advantage of this time off to refresh and recharge so as to come back with inspiration to pick up where I have left off.

I hope your summer has been a good one thus far. Remember to take the time to enjoy what’s around you. And as always, thanks for stopping by…

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July 4, 2014 Update 0 (0)

Posted on July 4, 2014 by riwa

 

I just got back from visiting my ex. She is in isolation again with an infection. It seems she gets them rather frequently and is susceptible to them. But otherwise she seems to be doing ok.

The move was very exhausting, especially since I did it all by myself (I was too stubborn to ask for help; it’s a family trait). I think my knee is still angry with me for going down and up two sets of stairs so many times. Every now and then I get a twinge as if it’s trying to tell me, “Don’t you DARE do that to me again!!”

The new apartment is much smaller and I had to give some things up because of a lack of space. It has its pluses and minuses. At least I get cooler air on me now as I have my computer desk in the dining room. And I get the morning sun as well – good in winter, but hot in summer.

Mom was here recently for a visit and she said she liked my new place. Her trip was exhausting and I was concerned one day that she might have gotten a little too much sun. But she slept it off and seemed to be ok after awhile. She got to visit Mary and we were able to spend some time at the lake together watching the boats launch and be retrieved. We both like the water so it was enjoyable going there to sit and look around.

I’m probably going to plan another visit up to see mom and sis later this month. I try to schedule 2 or 3 visits each year if weather permits. And I’d like to get up there if I can to attend the memorial of my grandmother as well as my uncle who just passed away back in May. I’ll just have to see what my schedule permits.

I hope this 4th of July finds you and your family healthy and happy. Enjoy the holiday weekend, but please stay safe. It means a lot to me that you take time out from your busy schedule to peek in on the library from time to time. I’d like you all to be around for a long time to come, not just for my sake but for the sake of your family and friends.

Thanks for stopping by…

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May 30, 2014 1,000 Posts and other news 0 (0)

Posted on May 30, 2014 by riwa

Blog May 1I was uploading the 2nd chapter to Emma’s story yesterday when I noticed I had reached my 1,000th post. It was a little jarring to say the least, realizing I have now made 1,000 posts. Granted, some of them are blog entries and six of the stories posted are written by others that I helped with editing or that I collaborated on. But still, 1,000 is quite a number… one that comes at a busy point in my life here at the apartment complex.

Next week I will be preparing to move across the courtyard to a one bedroom apartment. I have gotten rid of some clothes, books, and DVD/VHS movies that I no longer watch. But I’ve been practicing my procrastination lately when it comes to getting ready to move, putting off until the last minute what I’ve known has needed to be done for a month now. (sigh)

The good news is that this move will help save some money. The bad news is that I will lose my view of the pool which has given me inspiration for some stories. It always brings a smile to my face to hear people out in the pool splashing around and having a good time. And occasionally I get to see some nice looking swimsuits as well. But it is still a little cool outside and I have to shake my head in amazement how some folks, especially the kids, seem to have no problem frolicking around in colder water. I think I would turn into a giant goose pimple!!

I’m pleased to say that I finally got to take my trip up to see mother and sister. I’ve wanted to get up there for weeks now and was getting frustrated at the delay, especially with all the unsettled weather. But a window finally opened up the weekend prior to the Memorial Day weekend.

The visit with sis was good. Mother and I got to take her to town to buy some yarn for her crafts. Afterwards we had a nice lunch together before I headed back. Sis is doing much better and is not having the low blood pressure issues like she used to have.

Mother and I went into Yellowstone National Park for a few hours and had a very nice time. The weather was mostly good with a few sprinkles and we got to see some nice geothermal features. It is always interesting to see what areas are drying up and what areas are becoming active again.

Blog May 2

Blog May 3We were even fortunate enough to see an elk on the premises. I particularly liked how this one stood out with the geothermal features in the background. I believe it was trying to join the others and we made sure to stay out of its way. You never know what a wild animal might do. Mother and I are both exceedingly cautious whenever we seen one close-up and personal.

Blog May 4During our drive in the Park we came across this guy walking along the side of the road. He was quite close to the road and mother drove slowly but kept right on going. I rolled down the window and managed to snap a quick photo.

Blog May 5

However it is my sad duty to inform you that his brother did not make it. Actually his brother was quite delicious. That is the first time I have ever had a buffalo burger and it was rather enjoyable. The meal was quite filling and mother and I both enjoyed ourselves. I guess some folks raise buffalo for the meat as we saw a herd penned in along our route.

Summer is upon us. I hope your Memorial Day weekend was a pleasant one and that your summer promises to be an enjoyable one! Thanks so much for stopping by…

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May 6, 2014 Busy May 0 (0)

Posted on May 6, 2014 by riwa

 

I was recently checking my blog and I realize I have not made a post since March. April went by amazingly fast. I guess I’m getting forgetful in my middle age.

Now what was I going to write about again??

Oh yeah…

This month promises to be a busy one. I am hoping to take a trip up to see mom and sis when the weather gets nicer. Sis wants to do some shopping in another town and it would be nice if the weather was warm and accommodating. I also want to get up to see mom and her new shower she’s recently had installed. But a trip up North might be a tricky proposition because…

I’m moving the end of this month. My lease expires the end of May and rent is going up. So I’ve found a one bedroom apartment across the courtyard that I can move into and save a little dough. That will be helpful as I recently put new tires on my vehicle in preparation to drive up to see mom and sis this May. See how circular all of this is?

Now what was I writing about again??

Oh yeah; I’m moving…

Today I hauled a box of clothes to be donated to the thrift store. It is amazing the things you accumulate but never wear. You keep telling yourself that you might wear it someday but you never do. It’s the same with books you have that you’ll never read or videos and DVD’s you have only watched once and will never watch again. I guess it’s time to make some hard decisions and get rid of some stuff.

In the meantime I have been posting a couple of series lately. It should take until the end of May to finish uploading what I have written on both stories. I do have other tales I have written that I can sprinkle in to upload as well for a nice variety. And one never knows when inspiration will strike, as evidenced by the April story I just worked on and posted. Anyway, it’s my desire that you will find something here in my library to suit your tastes.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Thank you for the comments you post. And thank you for taking the time to rate a particular story or give it a thumbs up or thumbs down. I know not all the stories here will cater to everyone’s varied interests. But it is encouraging to note how well some of my stories are being received. And I do use the rating system to give me an idea what types of stories some readers might enjoy in the future.

I hope this finds everyone in good health. Visiting my ex and seeing her in the condition she is in day after day is a constant reminder of how blessed I am right now with my health. She appreciates my visits but it is hard to see her bedridden with a feeding tube and the ventilator in her throat tube making it impossible for her to speak. Your thoughts and prayers for her are greatly appreciated.

Anyway, I hope you and yours are doing very well and are looking forward to an enjoyable summer. And again… thanks for stopping by…

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So Tender the Sea 3.7 (3)

Posted on April 24, 2014 by riwa

Note: This story was written for me by a writer on another website I visit. I like her style and imagery. I enjoyed it so much that I have decided to share it with you.

 

So Tender the Sea

(1)

In the midst of hollow beats of the snake-skin drums we walked in single file and lined up in front of the jungle- temple. There were twelve of us chosen from the nearby villages, or kampongs as in our tongue: young, pure and beautiful.

We knew what awaited us.  It was a night of life or death. Which among us would be the chosen ones?

Our people had dressed up in new sarongs, not that they were eager for us to be outstanding. To prepare us in any way other than the best possible was considered a sacrilege; the witch-doctor would see to that.  And no one dared invite his wrath.

I had a green sarong that matched my paler skin. Mira, who came from the same kampong and now stood on my right, was wearing a light blue one. Our shoulders and the upper part of our breasts were visible to all.

I stole a glance at Mira, at the fall and swell of her proud breasts. She would have made such a good bride. I knew many young men in the village who eyed her as a potential wife if she would return home safely after this night… IF she could return home!

I checked myself at such a terrible thought.  It was bad luck to harbor such ominous thinking.  Why did I have to think about the unpalatable alternative? Was it because I secretly hoped that if Mira was one of the chosen ones, there would be less possibility for me to be chosen?

They needed two girls tonight.  It was rare that two of the same kampong would be chosen at the same time.  Perhaps I was reasoning that if Mira was chosen then I would be safe.  “Rare, but not impossible,” I reminded myself.

I felt a surge of heat rise up my face.  Mira had been my best friend since childhood.  How could I wish evil for her? I offered a prayer in silence… “Please, please let us both go home safe!”

The chant of the witch-doctor jolted my reverie back to reality.  The moment was near.  I felt my whole body wet with perspiration.

“Two maidens will be chosen as sacrifice to the gods!” the witch-doctor announced. “…one to the Sea-god and the other to the Mountain-god! Now the gods will choose!”

One of the witch-doctor’s helpers came forward and collected the stones which had our names carved on them. Then he put these into a jute-bag. The witch-doctor tied the bag tight.

Murmuring another round of chants, he shook it with great force. Despite the heat I could feel a shiver down my spine. Then he reached inside and the first stone was picked…

“Tara!”

My lower jaw dropped in shock!  It could not be! Before I could protest, two strong hands gripped my lower arms and I was led away to one side!

“She has been chosen to be the bride of the Sea-god!” he declared. “And now the one for the Mountain-god shall be…”

I was still stunned at my fate when the next name was called out loud… “Farah!” It was a girl from the next kampong.

So, not Mira!

I looked towards her and found her to be looking at me too. There was sadness in her eyes, but also relief. So, at least one of us would return home safely.

A sudden commotion brought our attention back. The chosen girl, Farah, started to scream as strong hands tried to lead her away. She struggled and kicked. Under normal circumstances her efforts would prove futile. But something unexpected happened.

One of the witch-doctor’s helpers slipped and Farah took the chance and wiggled free. Then she started to run. “Stop her!” the witch-doctor barked. A young warrior eager to obey aimed a spear at the fugitive girl’s back and cast…

“Arghhhhh…”

The spear caught Farah in the back and went through her slim body.  She turned and stared in horror at the shaft protruding out of her breast. Then she crumpled and fell. Another warrior jumped forward, and with one stroke he decapitated her and held the head high for all to see.

“Sacrilege!” the witch-doctor roared. “The gods will be angry! Take her body and dump it into the snake pit!”

Farah’s red sarong was stripped from her headless body.  Her naked torso was carried by four men over their heads towards the dreaded place where serpents were kept. Satisfied, the witch-doctor again spoke.

“We will choose a replacement.” Those who had breathed relief a while ago became anxious again.

“Mira!”

“No!”

Her eyes showed terror. But she did not dare attempt to run away. Mira was brought to my side.

Two buffalo carts were pulled forward, each with a diagonal cross of strong bamboo on it. We were taken up the carts meekly, like goats led to the slaughter. Once mounted our sarongs were stripped away and in stark nakedness we had our limbs tied to the beams. In such position our breasts were pushed forward and our sex exposed.

We knew from past experience what would happen next. The witch-doctor came up to Mira first. He was now the human incarnate of the gods who would claim their brides.

I witnessed him fondle her breasts with his hands dipped in thick coconut oil. Mira gave out a moan of despair. She must have harbored dreams to offer these to the one she loved instead of being abused by this hideous man. But what she thought was of no importance to him.

He continued his manipulation and soon Mira’s body was completely covered with shiny oil.  He then fingered her maidenhood, ensuring it was damp enough. Then he roughly shoveled his manhood inside.

Mira screamed as he broke her hymen and blood trickled down her thighs. He laughed. All the people in the opening laughed, as though the ill-fortune of Mira was none of their concern. Her sacrifice was simply one which could buy them freedom from fear for another year.

When he finished Mira had become a complete wreck. Her long black hair was totally disheveled, her eyes staring blankly. Her body shook violently when the helpers led her cart to the site of the sacrifice.  As she was the chosen bride of the Mountain-god, it was at the top of the volcano that this marriage was to be finally consummated.  There her breasts would be cut open, her heart torn out, and she would be left there to be fed to the eagles and crows.

Now the witch-doctor turned to me. I braced myself for his exploitation. As he had done to Mira, he began to fondle my tits first.

I had made up my mind not to show my fear. So I stared back at him. This made him so angry that he threatened with his hands to strangle me.  But then he remembered his role as the Sea-god’s incarnate. To kill off the bride would be detrimental to his position and power.

He hissed and hastily applied the coconut oil onto my whole body. He made a half-hearted attempt to penetrate me, which still took my virginity and drew blood down my thighs. Then I was given to his followers to be dispatched.

(2)

They drove the buffalo cart down the winding jungle path to my place of doom.  Tied to the bamboo crucifix, I could only move my head.

It was to be the last time that I had the chance to look at the jungle, to listen to all the strange noises from the undergrowth which had long filled our minds with scary imaginations. Now they no longer seemed hostile. What worse thing could happen to me than the prospect of being planted in the shallow waters of the bay to await the agony of drowning when the tide came in?

Strange birds hooted among the trees. Were they saying their farewell to me?

Now I heard the sound of waves breaking on the rocks. It should not be too far away. My heart leapt so fast; I was not ready to die, not yet!

I thought about my parents, my brothers and sisters, especially the sisters. Would they be subjected to the same cruel fate as I several years from now? I sobbed, but the men just turned away their eyes and pretended not to notice.

We reached the place. The vastness of the ocean took me by surprise. It stretched all the way out into the horizon, an expanse of water that would become my grave.

They pulled the crucifix down, having been fixed on a solid base of bamboo beams and mats. Then they began pushing the whole thing into the water with me facing outward as proper for a bride to greet her groom. I felt the cool water washing my feet, then my legs, and finally everything from the waist down.  The men anchored the cross by tying a large stone to it.  Then they sat down on the big rock and waited.

The water kept on rising…

With each breaker the level rose, and soon it had reached level with my nipples. I felt my breasts rise up and down with the force of the breakers. Soon I would be completely submerged and the drowning would begin!

How long would I remain conscious before my lungs burst for the lack of air? Would there be sharks around? I used to have great fright of them. But now I prayed some would be nearby and my virgin blood would attract them to finish me off quickly. It would be a fearful death, but little suffering…

The water reached my chin and then my lips. It was so salty that I had to continuously spit it out. Now I understood what fear was. It was not death itself, but the certainty of death, of the torture before he finally claimed you.

My nose was under water now.  I had to struggle and lift my body up a tiny fraction of an inch to gasp for air.  I cried and my tears joined the vast volume of water that was to put an end to my life.

What had happened to Mira now? I was sure she was already dead! Had the birds preyed on her flesh, reducing her to a skeleton?  The absurdity of comparing my demise with hers made me want to laugh but for the fear of letting in more water into my close-sealed mouth.

The water finally rose above my eyes.  I was fighting for breath now, trying my best to use the last pocket of air that I had sucked in before it was no longer possible to take in another draw. My lungs seemed to be exploding!

How long? How long?  I knew I could make it easier if I only let go, just open up my mouth and let the onrushing water do the rest.  But something inside me kept me fighting, for one more minute, one more second. Life, oh life! How sweet and fleeting.

And then finally, oblivion…

(3)

When I opened my eyes I was lying on the beach naked. Strange voices could be heard not far away from me.  I made an effort to turn my head.

The men on the rocks were gone. For a brief moment I thought that I must have died and this was paradise!  But then I began to cough and water spilled out from the corner of my mouth. I was still alive!

How could this be?

I heard men approach me. Strange faces stared down, faces with skin so white, like the ripe flesh of the mangosteen. They gestured in a wild way and laughed.

I should have been frightened. But I thought what was so frightening now that I had experienced death, or near-death any way?  I tried to get up but my body was too weak and I collapsed back onto the sand. A man gave me fresh water and I drank. Then I fell back into sleep.

I probably spent days sleeping. I felt so weak.  During this time I could feel someone touching my body.

I had no strength to resist, nor did I want to.  He even mounted me a few times, spreading my legs and entering me. I was sure it was the man who gave me water. Maybe it was a way to show my gratitude for saving my life.

After many sunrises and sunsets I was finally able to get to my feet.  I found out that all this while I was sleeping in some kind of swinging net. I was no longer naked but was dressed by these men: a white linen sheet cut down in sizes that served as wrapping cloth around my tits, a sarong worn by the males of our people around my waist.

I did not ask where they got the sarong from.  If my memory was correct, one of the witch-doctor’s followers had worn a similar thing before he and the others planted me in the water.

I was totally surprised when I discovered that some of these men spoke our language. These included the man who had given me water and who had used my body. When I finally mustered enough courage, I asked him if he had saved me from drowning.

He and his men laughed aloud but did not reply. I felt I was regarded as some kind of fool and I became angry. But the man held me tight and began to shower me with kisses.

He took me to a quiet part of the jungle and took off the white wrapping cloth and the sarong and entered me again. I did not complain. Actually I came to like him a little and did not mind him doing this to me.

Once I teased with him. He laughed and cradled me in his arms and spoke of love. It was good to be loved, to feel I was being loved. Or so it seemed.

(4)

It was quite some time later that we had visitors. It was the witch-doctor who came with several warriors. My skin crawled at the sight of him.

I did not know what was conversed between him and the men who saved me. But what began as negotiation turned to an angry exchange of words. Before long, a fight broke out.

Several of the witch-doctor’s men were shot dead by strange weapons which made a loud noise. I knew they were dead when I saw so much blood flowing out from the bodies. One of the men on our side was wounded by a dart and later died of poison. The witch-doctor escaped.

There were more fights in the following days. The men who rescued me always got the upper hand, but there were casualties on our side too. I was grateful for these men who defended me from the witch-doctor as it was now quite clear to me that the witch-doctor had come to demand me back but was refused. I remembered the man had spoken to me of love and I was so happy that he was willing to fight for me because he loved me.

One evening the witch-doctor came again. But this time there was no fight. The men talked and parted with nods of heads. I felt uneasy.

The man whom I slept with every night came back and said nothing.  By now I knew he was the leader of the rest, and what he said the others obeyed. When I tried to ask in his tongue with broken words he hushed me and calmed me down with kisses. Later, we made love.

(5)

When I woke up, they were gone. The witch-doctor and his men were waiting. I looked round in fear and searched for familiar faces, his face! But they were not to be found!

The witch-doctor told me that the men had agreed to the terms. In exchange for information on the site of an earlier sunken galley I would be returned to my people. “They say there is much gold in the sunken ship,” the witch-doctor added.

I stood there as if turned into stone. So much for love. Not much in the face of gold.

I was no longer suitable to be a bride as I had been soiled. But that did not mean I could expect clemency.

The witch-doctor had insisted on getting me back, to inflict punishment. This was the only way to appease the Sea-god.

I did not protest, or fight, or try to flee. My heart was dead. How could I care for this body?

I asked one of the men what happened to Mira. “Bones,” he said.  I sighed.

I spent one more evening in captivity.  The witch-doctor sent four men to watch over me. But there was really no need to do so. I had accepted my fate.

When the sun set the following day, they prepared me for the execution.  They removed my white wrapping cloth and exposed my breasts, the breasts that man had cupped and fondled so many times while speaking of love. My sarong was cast away and I was taken to the bamboo cross.

“Can I make a final request?” I asked. The witch-doctor nodded.

“Tie me upside down,” I said. He remained silent, then nodded.

It was a more painful way to die, but the end would come quicker.

Two men took my waist and turned me head down. I volunteered my limbs to be fastened. When they finished with the tying up, the whole structure was taken out to the water.

It felt so strange looking at the world upside down. The sea seemed to surge and was about to drown out the sky.  My long black hair swept along the sand as if caressing the place where he and I had left footprints only to be washed clean by another tide.

They planted the cross in shallow water. My temple and forehead was immediately below the surface. The tide sang, its music beautiful and true.

It did not say it loved me. It only promised a quick death. So tender the waves as they kissed my eyelids.

This time I did not have to pray for sharks….

(End)

 

(Written for riwa Apr 14 ’14 by Hitomi)

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March 24, 2014 Spring Break 0 (0)

Posted on March 24, 2014 by riwa

 

It is spring break for the schools around here… and it appears that I need one as well. Recently I’ve pulled up a couple of stories to work on, only to find myself staring at them with no drive or inspiration to edit them. Maybe I’ve burned out a little from working on so many projects lately without taking a little time off.

Maybe I’m simply getting that urge to go out and about again and refresh my batteries. I have taken a couple of trips around the valley lately and I have enjoyed driving around. Maybe I need to take a step back from the library and my Stories folder for awhile and get outside… go do some walking and hiking and sightseeing. So I’ve decided to try taking the next week off.

Today was a good start as I just got back from another drive. I saw some nice scenery and it was good getting behind the wheel. Maybe it’s my body’s way of telling me to prepare for a trip to go see mom sometime in the near future.

Meanwhile I can drive around and take pictures of the countryside around here and send them to her to enjoy. She likes seeing my pictures even though she has seen some of these sites several times before. Maybe she likes them because it brings back nice memories of her previous visits.

Speaking of pictures, I believe I will go have some developed to take over to the ex. Sadly, I fear she will never get to travel anymore and see the things I get to see, much less get outside of the rehab center. It is sad to see her like that. Perhaps showing her some pictures of the places I have been lately will remind her of the times we went there together. Hopefully it will lift her spirits and bring a smile to her face.

I hope you are all having an enjoyable spring. But don’t forget to take care of yourself. Make sure you go do something relaxing or restful or enjoyable with family and friends to keep yourself refreshed. After all, we all need a little time to stop, recharge, refresh and contemplate the many blessings we have received…

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February 22, 2014 Update 0 (0)

Posted on February 22, 2014 by riwa

 

I’ve been to the hospital several times this month because my ex-wife has been in ICU for some health issues. She is back at the rehab center, but things are not the same as before. They are watching her closely for breathing issues and a staph infection (which means I have to gown up and glove up so as not to catch her infection nor pass it on to others).

It looks like we will be unable to share meals together like we used to. And her inability to sit in a wheelchair for any length of time means that I will not be able to wheel her around the facility as in times past for the foreseeable future. It is hard to see her this way and I have to be careful not to allow myself to get into a deep funk over her sad situation. As it turns out, my writing can be very therapeutic at times, especially when I can pour myself into a story as a welcome distraction.

Mom is doing well, although she is keeping an eye on a health situation of her own. She hopes it will not worsen and perhaps it won’t. But with all the cold and snow she is getting up there, I suspect these are the times she wishes she lived closer to me where it seems a bit warmer down here and perhaps a little dryer with a little less snow.

One of my goals this year is to get back to several unfinished stories, bringing them to a satisfactory conclusion and then posting them. I’ve recently looked at a project I started way back in ’05 and have made some edits to the material. But I guess that’s how it goes in dealing with inspiration when working on a story. Sometimes it is there and sometimes it is not. Even now I’m struggling with the next chapter to several different projects I have in the works.

I recently did some work on the Categories page. I updated a couple of items and added some additional links. I hope it makes moving around the library a little bit easier using the tags and category updates. But if you see something or get an idea that might make surfing my library a little easier, feel free to leave a comment or use the link to contact me. It might be something I had not thought of before that will make the library even smoother to navigate.

Spring is just around the corner and I’m starting to get cabin fever. Soon it will be time to charge the camera batteries, load the vehicle and take a day trip somewhere. It will be nice to get away for a drive that takes me farther away than the grocery store, a restaurant or the place where I walk in the mornings when it is cold outside.

I am well and I hope you are all the same. I’m looking forward to warmer weather and I suspect you are too. Thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes here…

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