d’Verse Quadrille #168- Dark Ice

That brings me to our quadrille word. Ice, ice, baby!
Remember your quadrille must be exactly 44 words, not counting the title and must include ice or a form of the word.




DARK ICE

Most treacherous slopes brandish dark ice
When naivete opens a door
There’s peril in just being nice
Most treacherous slopes brandish dark ice
Heed this scarred warrior’s advice
Learn from my tragic ‘before’
Most treacherous slopes brandish dark ice
When naivete opens a door



44-words
Form of a Triolet


https://dversepoets.com/2023/01/23/quadrille-168/

Monday Peeve – TV Doctors

I try not to be a ‘complainer’. But I don’t believe complaining is bad as long as it’s not overdone. Paula’s Monday Peeve is always interesting. As my blog’s primary purpose is to serve as a future reference for my granddaughters, I think they ought to get a glimpse of things that ‘get under my skin’. What bothers us is a window into our views and values.

As I was reading Paula’s post, I was listening to TV. There was a popular doctor on talking about the pros and cons of the Covid shot. Fine advice when/if it can be ‘backed up’ with data. BUT there’s no doubt in my mind that much data is being collected with ANY efficiency.

The statements that really irk me are: “You won’t get as sick (as you would have) with Covid-19 if you’ve been vaccinated.” and “You’re less likely to be placed on a ventilator too.” [In medicine, every person’s case has many other variables!]

<WHAT A CROCK>

I have firsthand knowledge about the ‘helter skelter’ data collection on this virus. I personally know people who were ill and never actually ‘tested’ for Covid-19. Nobody to this day knows which variant they had because they weren’t tested, and also, no one used a “How sick are you?” meter, either. Who knows how or if those persons’ situations were reported? I hope you know that nobody is really interested in counting or compiling that kind of data.

So, any claim of “knowledge” by TV doctors, especially when it comes to guessing about what may happen or which variants are raging, is a fairy tale. They don’t even have a clear count on what has happened.

The claim that “you won’t get as sick if…” is pure fiction.

They should stick to warnings that they can back up like: “You won’t be a victim of shark attacks if you don’t swim in the ocean.” or “You’re far less likely to die from fentanyl poisoning if you don’t use medication that hasn’t been prescribed to you.”

The TV fortune telling, in the name of experts and science, ought to stop.


Sunday Poser #115- Nope

I wouldn’t give my younger self advice.

First, I understand how many of you might think, “Here she goes again. Taking a simple question and turning it inside out.”

But this question troubles me. I fully understand the spirit of the question.
Would I warn myself about a harmful decision or a bad habit?

My answer is still “No.”

To modify your past would change your “now “and future. [FULL STOP]

We can’t be sure if the change would be ‘for the better’ or not, but things would definitely be changed. Every mistake you’ve made to get where you are today was impactful in getting you here. (Even what we think is “little” can’t be counted on to be ‘little’ in a long-term effect on your life journey. – Look up The Butterfly Effect for more information. – )

I also wouldn’t consider messing with the natural order of things ‘as they are’ especially because I’m quite happy with my life.
The whole bundle of what has happened before brought me here. I wouldn’t be the “today’s me” if I hadn’t had boatloads of trials, mistakes, and troubles, that (I hope) I learned from. I also suspect that having had a crystal ball helping me to avoid all those ‘happenings’ would have opened me up to worse pain. I have noticed that many kids who have been protected from early consequences of their bad actions, and decisions, frequently pay far bigger prices later on.
I think life works just about the same way.

IMHO…Woulda, shoulda, coulda isn’t a healthy place to dwell, either.




https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2023/01/15/sunday-poser-115/

November 28th: Story Challenge- Guard Yourself

November 28, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the saying, “not my monkeys, not my circus”. What is the situation that would spawn that aphorism? Have fun with setting and characters! Go where the prompt leads!



“Son, there are two dynamics going on. Individual behaviors vs behaviors of those who make the ‘rules’. Media presents the former 24/7 in order to distract us.
The only individual whose action you control is you. “Not my monkeys, not my circus” applies to the rest.
But, in order to ensure a bright future, you must discriminate “anecdotes” from policies. Never dismiss governmental actions even if they don’t seem to apply directly to you. When sensational items are dwelled upon, look beyond them. It’s not your job to save the world from itself. Guard yourself against the world.”


https://carrotranch.com/2022/11/28/november-28-story-challenge-in-99-words/

Sammi’s Weekender #281- Her Biggest and Wisest Fan


Cally uncontrollably fidgeted in her seat next to Great-Grandmama while waiting her turn at the Annual Public Speaking Contest for Middle Schoolers. Great-Grandmama-her biggest fan-had helped her practice and prepare for weeks.
Out-of-nowhere an ancient arm tenderly settled around her shoulders and the matriarch whispered into her ear, ” You’re letting those collywobbles take you over. Turn those little devils in your tummy into “Callywobbles” and own those suckers!”

68-words
https://pluviolover.com/2022/10/15/sammis-weekender-281-collywobbles/

Simply 6 Minutes- Fathers Know Best

Today’s photo prompt:

“To him that will, ways are not wanting.”
Ajit’s father’s oft repeated words were etched into his brain. His name, after all, was from Sanskrit meaning “unbeatable” serving as further proof of his father’s lifelong devotion to that mantra.
So, when Ajit’s wagon wheel came off while he lugged the foundation for his “wedding shed” toward home, he borrowed the closest vehicle he found to complete his cumbersome task. Putting his Engineering degree to good use, he was able to stack every brick on a commandeered bicycle and unsteadily crept homeward.
With his view mostly blocked, he didn’t notice his father gaining on him from behind.
“Well! What do we have here?”
His father’s commanding voice startled him and the delicate balance he’d been artfully managing, fell apart. Bricks littered the worn path as he fell face-first into the dirt!
The elder could not contain his laughter!
“Son, I’m certain you could have found a better way. Attempting to outsmart the basic rules of Physics leaves engineers with dirt on their faces every time. Remember that! “

177-words
[with edits, this took closer to 15 minutes]


https://christinebialczak.com/2022/08/02/simply-6-minutes-welcome-to-the-challenge-08-02-2022-2/