Sorry, Andrew, I'm not good at crosswords unless they are really, really uncomplicated.

But could you also specify the word count for the answer, cus in a crossword, you usually know that much, and it might be helpful.

If the next contest is something along the lines of, 'Threadjack of the Year' this sucker will win hands down, imo. ;)

<img src="/images/emoticons/glasses10.gif" alt="glasses8">

God, the threadjacks I've seen (on other sites, not this one). This is minor, Rump.


Or maybe not so minor, if one takes into account the inversely proportional size of this site in comparison to those others.

All in all, I'd say it's a hack-saw gradiently frivolous appropriation of what is a perfectly valid opening and then summarising statement.

Reviews, recommendations from friends, books podcasts, looking at the books on my book shelf and deciding to reread one of them...

Browsing a bookstore and seeing new titles, reading the blurbs on the back, reading the first few pages, flipping forward to read random pages...

Looking at the featured section at the library, browsing the stacks at the librarry, checking out what is new...

There are so many ways to chose a book, sometimes the choice falls into place, sometimes, not.

On February 6th, I will be celebrating 48 years of marriage with the same woman. My wife will be going through her annual WTF was I thinking mode and calling old boyfriends to see if there's still a chance.

Happy 48th anniversary to you both, Larry and Mrs Dream.

Lucky you, to catch and hold onto your Dream. Best wishes to you both for the coming years. <img src="/images/emoticons/angel7.gif" alt="angel7">

February 2nd, 1990:

https://images.storiesspace.com/4e95f5e19637310f40b64ed2/57d92419c32f4e9da596b0248dddca2e.jpeg

I can't post a link but it's up and the video is on my profile.

8-

Here's the link to your story, Steffanie.

Challenge: Linda Ronstadt - Steffanie

It's strange your number of posts is listed as -2

<img src="/images/emoticons/eusa_doh.gif" alt="d&#39;oh!">

“The day Somebody McSomebody put a gun to my breast and called me a cat and threatened to shoot me was the same day the milkman died.”

'Milkman,' by Anna Burns

Yes, that opening line is great! As is the book, which I had to force myself to read slowly, so that it would last longer.

I take my own cloth bags to the grocery store and the nice thing if I forget and I'm at dollar General they have reusable bags (they are cute) for sale for $1 for small ones and $2 for the bigger ones . I use vinegar A lot to clean with (windows, sink after dishes& I mop with it).



The stores that have reusable bags for next to nothing are great, and it makes it so much easier when one has forgotten to take the bags.

To save on wasting paper or plastic at the store you can bring your own bags. I've been doing that for decades. Just wash the cloth bags occasionally to keep them clean.

On a related note, we use mainly reusable, washable containers for taking lunches to work.

Yup, we do that as well. To my amazement, one litre, plastic ice-cream containers are incredibly sturdy, for putting left-overs in, whether it is for lunch or for freezing food. My husband microwaves them with his lunch in, at work and those things are resilient in an amazing way

What about keeping your own utensiles on hand, in case you buy something for lunch, and prefer not to use the plastic ones that are usually offered?

I don't like to replace things that can be repaired.
In the unfortunate scenario that something cannot be repaired then I scavenge as much as possible to make alternative use of, such as repairs to other things.
The remainder is recycled whenever possible.

I totally agree, and prefer to repair before replacing, and when getting rid of things that cannot be repaired, have them go to the recycling center.

Do you take into consideration the potential long-term viability of items that need to be replaced?

"Start random playlist," he said, waiting expectantly, unseeing eyes turned straight ahead. Two guitar chords, loud and clear, shook loose a memory. He knew what was coming. Singing, she entered the spotlight, her clear, powerful voice pealing out: cheated and mistreated, when would she be loved. In his mind's eye he saw her, young, beautiful, sure of herself and of them. The music...

Added 27 Jan 2019 | Category Micro Fiction | Votes 12 | Avg Score 5 | Views 397 | 12 Comments

  Dear Alan, It's been a while since I wrote to you. Did you know there's a story competition in your name? I had an idea for it, started to write something. It was clever, funny, titled Jankowski's Lost'n'Found . The story got lost, but it goes something like this: Jankowski and Al were old friends, co-owners of a cab they took turns driving. They had a flat rate, 4.20, due to the...

Added 28 Sep 2018 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 19 | Avg Score 4.95 | Views 318 | 18 Comments

Come with me, come here, We'll fly away soon, Give me your hand, And a hug Then settle on my rug Hang on tight, tuck arms and legs in, Are you ready to take off? Let's go for a spin! The altitude's no problem, We've plenty of air, As you will soon know by the wind in your hair. We'll swoop and soar Above earth and its cares - - Tedious, boring, Gloomy and drear! - Before landing quite...

Added 05 Sep 2016 | Category Songs | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 731 | 8 Comments

Random rhymes: punchy, munchy scrunchy, bouncy, jiggly, hunchy, Loosely, widely, funky, Stinking, rotten, clunky * Save it. Saved. Is it any good? Unlikely, so... Don't get your hopes up - The answer is no * Not much is likely to be salvational - side note, is that even a word? - side reply, It is now, get used to it. * So... Continue as before With doggerel words ...

Added 29 Sep 2018 | Category Poetry | Votes 5 | Avg Score 5 | Views 249 | 5 Comments

“You don’t have to do this, you know. In fact, you shouldn’t be doing it.” “Yes, I know, but it’s all right, I’m going to do it.” “I really don’t think you should, and would prefer you didn’t.” “I’m still going to do it, it’s the least I can do for you. You shouldered me as a burden often enough, in the past.” “That was different, you weren’t old enough or big enough, and needed to...

Added 22 Jul 2016 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 5 | Avg Score 5 | Views 562 | 4 Comments

Chances, Taken without regret, Embraced, Without hesitation or doubt Like that time When you dove Into an ice cold lake Not on a dare But because it was there And to do so affirmed that you existed Those chances, No regrets, As you sank Stunned with shock by the bone chilling reality of the water - So cold So clear So intransigent yet so welcoming, Heart pounding, Adrenalin coursing,...

Added 30 Jun 2016 | Category Poetry | Votes 6 | Avg Score 5 | Views 637 | 4 Comments

I make my point by tossing him out a window, He'd been warned when he entered the room, "You found your way in, you can find it back out, And if it isn't done quickly, From me you'll get a good clout." I repeated my warning twice over, Was he hard of hearing or just buzzing about? At any rate my threat was put into action, With a fly swatter I rubbed his life out. * Author's note: I have...

Added 23 Jun 2016 | Category Poetry | Votes 6 | Avg Score 5 | Views 486 | 6 Comments

So here I am waiting, And biding my time, For a shipment that was Ordered From a store that's on-line. Their products are alluring, Like snacks to consume, The virtual basket's expanding There is always more room For specialty items, Things new to the store, Best deals of the day, And more, so much more! I wasn't enticed - Well, maybe some of the time - But the items I needed Remained...

Added 15 Jun 2016 | Category Poetry | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 470 | 7 Comments

Look by the door, A row of hooks Hung with keys - Basement, attic, car All are useful If you please But one sits alone No door does it claim That door is long gone And all that remains Is the key That unlocked its dreams....

Added 09 May 2016 | Category Poetry | Votes 7 | Avg Score 5 | Views 707 | 5 Comments

International Women's Day A day that means a great deal to me. It leaves me serious, reflective, thinking about the women who have influenced and formed me, those I know, those I have never met. Among those I know, my mother, grandmothers, and their lives - It is not for me to speak in their names, I can only be witness to who they were, Honour them, Acknowledge them, Carry...

Added 08 Mar 2016 | Category Poetry | Votes 10 | Avg Score 5 | Views 540 | 6 Comments

  MARTIN HANDED A MUG of fresh coffee to Jane and slid into the seat opposite her at the breakfast table, pausing a moment before he spoke. “Jane, I need to ask you something.” Caught off guard by the statement, she slopped a little of the steaming liquid. “You always do that when I’m holding a drink,” she chided gently, dabbing the spill with a napkin. Her lighthearted tone belied...

Added 13 Sep 2018 | Category General | Votes 11 | Avg Score 5 | Views 218 | 6 Comments

  THE CALENDAR TAUNTED JANE, its little yellow-highlighted square outlined in a bold red stroke mocking her lack of progress. ‘You’re going to miss the deadline, you know. I’m just six weeks away now,’ it scoffed. ‘Whatever made you apply for that fellowship anyhow, and what could the panel have been thinking when they gave it to you? You’re no writer; you’ve proven that over the past...

Added 12 Sep 2018 | Category General | Votes 11 | Avg Score 5 | Views 306 | 6 Comments