The Photograph

This piece was written for Sunday Scribblings. The topic is "photograph."

The tasteful black and white photograph rested on the fireplace mantel. Carefully preserved in a vintage frame, the photo was a focal point of the living room where she often gazed at it with a melancholy feeling.

The smiling couple in the photo was beaming, and the love in their hearts was evident in the natural way they delved into each other’s eyes. The woman, in her simple white cocktail dress, gloves, and tiara veil, and the man in his classic black suit, were the essence of happiness. The woman, a little plump, was beautiful, with thick, silky dark hair, dark eyes, and cheeks that appeared rosy though this was not a color photo. The handsome, brown-haired man was tall and thin, perhaps feeling a little awkward, but with an air of innocence about him.

They were natural, not posed, and so photogenic. She looked longingly at the wedding photo of the man and woman, missing them both. Her parents.

I wish I had the photo to post here, but I can't find where it's saved on the computer. This is a photo of the couple some 38 years later.

To visit more writers from Sunday Scribblings, click here.

Scrolling Saturdays

Welcome to Scrolling Saturdays. Thank you to Manners and Moxie and Such Simple Pleasures for hosting this meme. Did you pick out your archived post yet? Is it cleaned up and ready for some lovin'? So post it...what are you waiting for? I hope you'll play along!

This was originally posted on Sunday, August 5, 2007.

"Decisions." On first instinct, I'd say that I don't like to make decisions. But that is ironic because I like to be in charge. I guess it really depends on the situation.

For example, a big decision such as whether or not I am going to buy a new car is usually pretty simple, likely because big decisions such as that do not happen every day. It's the little decisions that are sometimes difficult for me. What am I going to wear today? What movie do I want to see? At what restaurant shall we dine tonight?

Shopping! Clothes shopping, in particular, is difficult. Do I really want to pay $50 for this item? Do I really want this shirt, or am I just buying it because it's a really great sale? Do these pants make me look fatter? (On an aside, of course they do! If you have to ask, put them back!)

I make decisions for others much more easily than I make them for myself. I decide what I will allow my children to eat, what they can watch on TV, whether or not they can have friends over at a certain time, and so on. I guess it is easier to dictate to others than it is to decide for myself. I make decisions in my job every day, most of them quite simple choices.

Why is it so hard to decide things for myself? Is it laziness? Is it fear of rejection of some sort? Is it worry that I will do something wrong or make a bad decision? I can't decide!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Invent a new flower; give it a name and describe it.

It is called "cheerful." It's dark pink with a light yellow and brown center. It's similarly shaped to a cala lily, but it smells like stargazers.

Soup
Name someone whom you think has a wonderful voice.

Colbie Caillat (Click her name to go to a link to watch her video. Embedding is disabled, so you'll have to click over for this one.)

Salad
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how clean do you keep your car?

7. I try. I can't stand when people leave trash, books, or food in the car. I don't get the outside cleaned as often as I should.

Main Course
How do you feel about poetry?

pretty good! tee hee

Dessert
What was the last person/place/thing you took a picture of?

My 11 year old son playing at his first baseball game (which I haven't uploaded to the computer yet).

Thursday Thirteen #23

13 signs you’re in need of counseling

1. If there is a major change in your life, good or bad.
2. If you self-medicate (alcohol, drugs, food, etc.)
3. If you have unexplained physical problems that may be arising from stress.
4. If you are depressed or anxious, and it doesn’t go away.
5. If you doubt yourself.
6. If you have low self-esteem.
7. If a child is experiencing stress due to your attitudes and behaviors.
8. If there is too much distance in your marriage or partnership.
9. If you just need to talk.
10. If you’re curious about the counseling process.
11. If you and your mate or partner have never had an argument.
12. If you’re uneasy, but you’re not quite sure what’s bothering you.
13. If you have any thoughts about hurting yourself or others, even emotionally.

Follow this link for some common sense information.

Click here to view other Thursday Thirteeners.

Wordless Wednesday

I love this photo - taken March 18, 2008