Wed Me In Verona

The house of Juliet in Verona, Italy, celebrated on June 1st in 2009 the first of weddings the city had organized to take place there, inspired by the house of eternal love, with the initiative called 'Wed me in Verona'. The first couple to get married there was the Italian footballer, Luca Cecarelli and Irene Lanforti.

Although Juliet is a fictional character under the pen of Shakespeare, more than 2.5 million visitors, natives as well as foreigners from all over the world, flock to Casa de Giulietta to take photos of the famous balcony and, of course, to rub the right breast of Juliet's statue for luck.

According to Verona's mayor, the city is the fourth in Italy for tourism (the top three are Rome, Florence, and Venice) To be in this house for the official seal of your love will cost €600 for the locals, €800 for all other residents of Europe, and €1,000 for the rest.

A modest sum to pay if love could be so assured to last an eternity. Looking from my cynic point of view, it would be much more cynical should the marriage didn't last. I can't help wondering, even though that was just 4 years ago, would all the marriages formed then be intact still?

Perhaps one could then blame the house not keeping it's promise, breach of agreement, fees collected under false pretences, etc. and ask for a refund?

Tags:Juliet,Verona

Current Mood: Amused

Does Anyone Know What GG...ing Means?

A Chinese acquaintance, a local shop keeper, came to the cafe this morning and handed me a label from a consignment of handbags he had imported from China, and asked me to try to find out for him whether this was a genuine designer label or a fake or what. It's a square of opaque plastic with very classy black and white design, simple but elegant, with just the word GG .... ing below a few different sized alphabet letter G. He doesn't know anything about using computers. Not that I know much but I said I would look it up, googling or wiki-ing.

I was shown a couple of pages but nothing to do with this GG...ing being a name, a trade mark, a shop name or any kind of label, definitely nothing to do with a handbag. The nearest with any connection with the GG .... ing is a girl's Blog page where she, Isabel, says something about her gg ... ing (blg...gging).

I thought one is supposed to be able to find out anything with Google or Wikipedia! Recently a new friend played me a compliment saying that I wrote some nice Blogs. I asked how did he know as I hardly know him myself, and have definitely not given him my web site page or Multiply link. He said he had googled me by just putting in my name. Now I didn't even know that, that putting in just Moimoii in Google search gets him directly to all my Blogs, photos, etc.

So how come I couldn't find the name and details of a designer (supposedly) label?

Tags:Google,wiki

Current Mood: Confused

The Man With The Trilby Hat

The French police must be rather worried now with the robbery occurred last Saturday, in broad daylight, in the Famous jewellery store Chopard, in the Square Vendeme, Paris. They are not the only ones. Also those who earn their living writing film scripts. A robbery with this sort of characteristics would not even fill the kind of the shortest of short films. A middle aged man of about 40, very elegantly dressed, entered the establishment, a brief nod to everyone, took out a gun wit a silencer from his well-tailored jacket pocket, and asked to be given all the jewellery exhibited in the show-windows and counters. The employees obeyed. The gentleman took the lot (several dozen pieces of jewellery and luxurious watches, valued at some 6 and a half million Euro) or just over 8 million US$. Chucked everything into an ordinary bag, thanked the staff politely, and left through the front door walking normally without hurrying ... all in less than 2 minutes. There were no haste, no threats, no screaming or shouting, nor gunshots, nor furtive connection with alarms, at most, with the only detail that the gentleman wore a hat, the kind that everybody but everybody wore in the 30's - 40's. (Was that called a trilby hat?) But that would have exhausted the plot and the description of the man in the first 3 minutes. Then what? The man was elegant? Or that he put all that on as camouflage or disguise (very discreetly). Needs a lot of talent basing on so little to write a script. Except in the hands of a few of those scriptwriters that take on made-to-order commission, able to 'curling the curls' as the Spanish would say, to describe 'making a mountain out of a molehill' as the English would say, adding a whole lot of unnecessary and purposely misleading details. This gentleman robber must have taken note of the other jewellery store robbery in December last year, in the Harry Winston, another prestigious store also in Paris. That time 4 armed robbers, 3 of them disguised as women (with blond wigs, sunglasses, scarves), each carrying a gun and the 4th a hand grenade. They took away about 85 million Euro's worth of diamonds amongst other jewellery. That band has a name, the Pink Panthers. When one of them was caught last May, things were not so sure any more whether the culprits were the Pink Panthers. There was material there for a film. But this other, there's not enough even to fill a newspaper column. Perhaps it's better to keep quiet about it, in case appear shortly imitators of the gentleman robber with the trilby hat. Tags:trilbyhat,robbery

Current Mood: Blah

Dream - Sculpture In The Clouds

A colossal sculpture of 20 metres in height by the Spanish Artist Jaume Plensa of Barcelona, dominates, since the day when it was inaugurated, in the horizon of St. Helens, a locality closely bounded to the coal mines up to the 90's, midway between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester, England. Nominated as 'Dream', the design was inspired by the conversation the artist had with the old miners and people of the neighbourhood. Whatever your opinion might be, it's certainly very imposing as art and unmistakable landmark, when you see how it seems to be reaching up to the sky, with the minuteness of the multitude of visitors and revellers during the inauguration. Tag:Dream-Sculpture

Current Mood: Artistic

Wedding Butterflies

A high court judge in Spain refused to officiate marriages of couples of the same sex, reasoning that it was against his religious faith.

The Tribunal Supreme Court has for the first time denied such petition firmly and officially, that a judge can not evade his duty, based on the principal of it being under the legal constitutional law, nor can he delegate this to other civil officials. Spain is one of the many European countries where gay wedding is legal and either party of the couple enjoy all the rights exactly equal to those of heterosexual marriages.

The first photo below shows a happy couple after their church ceremony, beautiful and very dignified, with the couple coming out to meet the cheering family members, friends, and a host of reporters, under an arch of gleaming swords and, instead of the traditional rice, hundreds of fluttering butterflies. What ingenious and romantic idea, Butterflies!! So much prettier than rice don't you think?

The second photo shows the first officially legal wedding in Spain. One of them is evidently an old man, who must have been waiting all his life for this day. I don't think I have seen a happier groom in any wedding. Who has the right to deny him that?

I only have one wee problem: I don know how to say correctly who is the groom or bride. The same when referring to lesbian newly weds. Are there new terms now for gay couples? I have read in some press and magazines where Elton John always refers to David his husband. I can't quite get used to that yet.

Can anyone enlighten me? I really wish to know.

Tags:gayweddings

Current Mood: Cheerful

Q's & A's On Good Health - Part 2

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: You're not listening!! ... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? Hello! Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A:If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A:Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember: Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand, chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'Woo Hoo! What a ride!!!"

And ... For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

Conclusion:~

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you!

I like this Doctor just as much too!!

Tags:goodhealth-2

Current Mood: Amused

Q's & A's On Good Health

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain ...
Good!

I like this Doctor!!!

Current Mood: Amused

Texting

An elderly couple had just learned how

to send text messages on their cell phones.
The wife was a romantic type and the husband
was more of a no-nonsense guy.

 

One afternoon the wife went out

to meet a friend for coffee.
She decided to send her husband

a romantic text message

and she wrote:

 

"If you are sleeping, send me your dreams.
If you are laughing, send me your smile.
If you are eating, send me a bite.
If you are drinking, send me a sip.
If you are crying, send me your tears.
I love you."

The husband text back to her:

"I'm on the toilet.
Please advise."

Current Mood: Amused

America's 1st War Dog Hero

'The most difficult part of getting to the top of ladder is getting through the crowd at the bottom.' I thought this bit of history is truly heart-warming.

SGT. STUBBY - The War Dog Hero

Meet America's first war dog, a stray Pit Bull/Terrier mix, named Stubby. He became Sgt. Stubby, was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat.

One day he appeared at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut; while a group of soldiers were training, stopping to make friends with soldiers as they drilled. One soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the dog. He named him Stubby because of his short legs. When it became time for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on board the troop ship. to keep the dog, the private taught him to salute his commanding officers warming their hearts to him.

Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and some18 battles. The loud noise of the bombs and gun fire did not bother him. He was never content to just stay in the trenches but eagerly went out, searched and found wounded soldiers.

Stubby entered combat on February 5, 1918 at Chemin Des Dames, north of Soissons, and was under constant fire, day and night for over a month. In April 1918, during a raid to take Schieprey, Stubby was wounded in the foreleg by the retreating Germans throwing hand grenades. He was sent to the rear for convalescence, and as he had done on the front was able to improve morale. When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches.

After being gassed and nearly dying himself, Stubby learned to warn his unit of poison gas attacks, continued to locate wounded soldiers in no man's land, and since he could hear the whine of incoming artillery shells before humans could, he became very adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover.

He was solely responsible for capturing a German spy in the Argonne. The spy made the mistake of speaking German to him when they were alone. Stubby knew he was no ally and attacked him biting and holding on to him by the seat of his pants until his comrades could secure him.

Following the retaking of Chateau-Thierry by the US, the thankful women of the town made Stubby a chamois coat on which were pinned his many medals. There is also a legend that while in Paris with Corporal Conroy, Stubby saved a young girl from being hit by a car. At the end of the war, Conroy smuggled Stubby home.

After returning home, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in and normally led, many parades across the country. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. Starting in 1921, he attended Georgetown University Law Center with Conroy, and became the Georgetown Hoyas' team mascot. He would be given the football at half-time and would nudge the ball around the field to the amusement of the fans.

Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross and the YMCA. In 1921, the Humane Education Society awarded him a special gold metal for his service to his country. The medal was presented by General John Pershing.

In 1926, Stubby died in Conroy's arms. His remains are featured in "The Price of Freedom: Americans at War" exhibit at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. Stubby was honored with a brick in the Walk of Honor at the United States World War I monument, Liberty Memorial, in Kansas City at a ceremony held on Armistice Day, November 11, 2006.

The New Car - My Fiction Story

I bought a new car. The one before was 15 years old, although it was still going just fine (I take greater care of cars than people). Cars today have incorporated functions that didn't exist in the old ones. I tell you this in case you wish to take advantage of the €1,500 to €2,000 that, according to the promise of Pinocho, (minister of traffic) would be granted to me if I buy a new car. I bypassed this offer. Whoever wants it, it's his. Just go to a car concessionary and say "Apart from what is promised me, add that of Pedro's too."

I renounced the promised grant because life is short and promises from politicians take too long to complete, if at all. Some years ago when the Government announced social help to old folks who couldn't look after themselves, an inspector visited my mother to check her up. After a period not exactly short, dictated that yes she was physically not capable of caring for herself. Some time passed, some more time passed ... then one day my mother died, not needing help any more.

But let's leave the departed to rest in peace, and back to the car I was telling you about. There's this new thing I really like. It loves to talk. A lady's voice with an Argentinean accent tells me that when I get to the round about, I should take the 2nd exit. Minutes later another woman's voice, South American I think, warned me that there are radars on my chosen route: "Attention. Fixed radar. 120 kilometres per hour speed." Her voice was so very languid and sensual, which sent me dreaming and immediately forgot what I was supposed to remember. I also said nice things to her, and so we passed the time telling each other things, the 3 of us. Until I parked and turned off the engine.

I haven't dominated all the new functions yet. All machines talk now. My computer says "You got mail",Trains and buses announce the names of each place of the stop, and even how many minutes before you get to the next one as if you have any choice except to wait till you get to it. It didn't take too long when I discovered yet another feminine voice warning me that I am now running on the reserved tank of gasoline. With me alone behind the wheel, there are 4 of us for company.

Does sexy voice figure in the qualification these days of getting a the job I wonder? Ugliness accepted.

Tags:newcar,sexyvoice

Current Mood: Amused

Times Square - A Green Zone!

Can't quite believe what I am seeing - Times Square of New York, full of people all over the street, but unlike what I remember it with them permanently hurrying to get somewhere, day or night, are now all lounging about, apparently with nothing to do at all except enjoying their leisure. In the middle of the street!! They are there reading, listening to music or people watching. This photo below was taken right after the authorities closed up this, the busiest area in the world, to all traffic to the Broadway Avenue, between the streets 42nd and 47th. This measure has raised huge polemics between the supporter of the area open to traffic, and the ones who enjoy this new Green Zone right in the middle of the city. But I have not followed up quite unusual & interesting news and now wonder whether it's still being so. What I want to know is: where did all those lounging chairs come from? Green Zones there are, but providing loungers as well? Free? Or hired out by the hour/day? Who put them out for the day and who clears them away at night? Is this measure for short term only, or is it to be like that always as from now? On English beaches, such chairs are hired out, or people have to bring their own. Nothing is free. Whereas in Roses, Spain, whenever there is a procession or a parade when the public would be all out to watch the spectacles, there would be deck chairs put out by the Town Hall, neatly lining both sides of the street, and these are all free for whoever wishes to use them. When the festivities is over, they would disappear as if by magic within practically minutes. Tag:Timessquare

Current Mood: Amused

The Mysterious Gentleman Thieves

To realize that one is the target of a gang of robbers or thieves is rather disturbing to say the least. Anguish and fear fill one's mind relentlessly, conjuring up the most unpleasant images of your home ransacked and violated. Several inhabitants of Santa Maria of Palautordera received a letter left by their doors, a neatly hand written letter, with a fresh red rose on top, announcing that their home would be broken into this coming weekend, and suggesting that they, the residents, best leave the home to avoid unpleasant encounters. And that they are not to alert the police or they would have to face what they (the thieves) would be obliged to to. It's not a joke, don't try anything .... and signed by 'The Boseras.' There are several unusual points ... 1: The letter was written by hand. Long before the computers took over, machines/typewriters were used, especially when identical copies were needed. These were not simply handwritten, but with very meticulous care, in good and educated calligraphy, no spelling mistakes and grammatically correct phrasing. Who has time and patience these days to write so many of these letters? 2: The red rose that accompanied each letter. What did that mean or suggest? That they were apologizing for causing the 'inconvenience' and the loss of property? Saying "Forgive me, we have no choice?" 3: In Spanish writing, the use of words also denotes the gender of the writer. Here in the letter, some sentences indicated the writer's use of the word 'We' was in feminine form in some but masculine in another sentence. The writer, representing the band (we) of robbers, man or woman? Or both? In the latter case, then it's the norm to use masculine to include the feminine partner. 4: The letters were not sent by post but all delivered to the front door by somebody. And the receivers were all in apartment blocks, not houses with the front doors on the street. Easier to leave the missive unnoticed? Are there any significance that they all live in flats in multi-family blocks? 5: The signature 'Bosceras.' I couldn't find it in the dictionary. Presumably it's just a name and no other significance? Why the warning? And the threat, polite but threat nevertheless? Exactly as it says, to avoid confrontation? Or divert the police force out of their normal locations to concentrate around these targeted spots? Why? I watch a lot of, too many, police and detective stories, but obviously haven't learned how such things are dealt with in real life. My own impression is that somebody was having fun creating chaos either just for a laugh or against some neighbours, who had in some way been nuisance in their minds or imagination. I am willing to bet, nobody in that neighbourhood would leave their home this weekend, and that no robbery would actually take place. Not in those homes that have received the letters anyway, and that the rose in all those homes is each in a little vast on the sideboard or the dining table. Tags:rose,robbers,letter

Current Mood: Amused

Mad Dogs & Englishman

The United Kingdom of Britain is, without doubt, a celebrated island for the extravagance of it's subjects, hence the well versed saying 'The mad dog and the Englishman'. Some of them have definitely made their rarity or eccentricity an art, a profession or leitmotif. Some cynics insinuated that British eccentricity came from their environment socially more strict and rigid than others. I have never read any of Edith Sitwell's books before, an English authoress and poetess (1887-1964), and she herself an eccentric aristocratic. Her book in documentary form had been translated into Spanish by Jordi Fibla called 'Excentricos ingleses' (The eccentric English) in which she had compiled in 1933 the most eccentric Englishmen, her most famous work. The following are some of the interesting characters: - Lord Rokeby, a charming little old man who became very well known for his strange amphibious habits, and for being the owner of the longest beard. The old codger got into the habit of taking 'eternal baths' after a trip to Aquisgran, and lived ever since semi-sub-aquatic in the swimming pool of his house in Kent. Before that he did it in the sea where he tried to stay submerged with the longest persistence possible, until he lost consciousness and had to be forcefully pulled out! Yes, the little gentleman spent the most part of his life in the water, and leaving his beard grow till it reached his knees. Robert Coates was famous for his most unconventional, even outrageous clothing. Deliriously Funkadelic, but also for being a condemnably bad actor - all his acting ended in topsy-turvy riots. At the end the authorities had to prohibit him stepping onto the stage. In a gesture of wisdom the Spanish imported him over and install him in the dramatic and musical circles. Confirming the belief that being mediocre would get you nowhere, but being the very worst (in anything) you could become famous, simply for being impossibly or incredibly bad or useless. Charles Waterton, the renowned explorer and naturalist, epitome of the wise and eccentric Englishman, did all the things that mad scientists do, beyond the limit of the law. He tried to fly on the base of mechanical contrivance, mixed dissected animal parts, had a vampire in his bedroom (who refused to bite him, to his great irritation), slept with a boa constrictor, and rode on the back of a crocodile. When he was already a doddering old man, he would climb trees at the slightest provocation. But the writer/poetess said that "Waterton was eccentric only in the sense that great gentlemen are, not made to adapt to conventions or cowardice of the multitude." Then there was Mad Jack Mytton, perhaps the most renowned and Epicurean (and dangerous) of the English eccentrics. The lady included him in the section of Sportsmen because she didn't really know what to do with him. "That half mad creature, hunter and hunted", dedicated all his life to dilapidate his inheritance, self-mutilate and self-destructive, subjecting himself to all manners of the most creative ways; always in the name of fun and foolery. He drank 8 full bottles of Port a day, went hunting in below zero temperature in his pajama robe, chased ducks running on the iced up lake, jumping over solid fence with his horse cart, shared his house and drinks with his horses. One day he gave a whole bottle of Port with sugar to his favourite horse, and the animal ended up a total wreck. He once enter the dinning room on the back of a brown bear, which bit his calf brutally. He tried to ward off an attack of a hippo setting his own pajama shirt on fire, etc. etc. Mytton did not live to 80 (no kidding?) but died in a dungeon penniless at the age of 38, destroyed by his own madness and delirium. But he had lived, and how!! Tags:crazy,eccentric,cynic

Current Mood: Amused

The Golden Age Of Posters

Off the beaten track in the historic town centre of Llagostera, about hour and a half's drive from my home in Roses, is this singular museum housing works of art that were much appreciated by select Parisian circles in the 1920's. This small treasure is tucked away in the house of artist Emili Vila (1880-1967), once one of the most sought-after poster designers and portrait artists in Paris.

On entering the museum you see at once how the building still reflects the splendour of times gone by. The small rooms containing the artist's works - about 300 on display and an equal number on storage - are organised by period and styles. The most representative collection of paintings is exhibited on the ground floor. The Paris of the golden age of poster advertising (1906-1936) is evoked by Vila's refined hands of fashionable and elegant women turn soap, tobacco, oil, shirts and watches into objects of desire.

Emili Vila's exceptional treatment of light and shade, colours and expressions also brought him to work for the great cinema studios of Pathe, Paramount and Fox. He painted actresses from the hey day of Hollywood, grand Dames of French society and politicians of the era, whose gazes seem to follow you as you stroll around the portrait gallery on the top floor of the museum.

But the most surprising room in the museum is one that displays small-format works by such exceptional artists as Modigliani, Toulouse-Lautrec, Corot Degas, Castelucho, Goya and Picasso, many of them were connected to Emili Vila. The painter and his friends apparently used to sit conversing around the table in the corner where one of them would amuse himself by drawing on the wooden surface. An oval-shaped face in the style of Modigliani can
still be seen on the tabletop.

Tags:posters, museum

 
Current Mood: Artistic

Pas de Duex - Sensational Dance Video

The Guangdong Acrobatic Troupe performs Pas de deux on the French T.V. show “The Worlds Greatest Cabaret” hosted by Patrick Sébastien. I found this beautiful and skilful dance performance entertaining to watch as the dancers make it look so effortlessly easy.

To Be Covered With Love - A True Life Story

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.'
 

Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends not to leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would go missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the loot would be, amid all of Lucky's other favourite toys he always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his treasure stays in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease ... in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.

She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her ... what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, she was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.

Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favourite things in life.
He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember ... the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most Credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God

Tags:lucky,love

Current Mood: Cheerful

Zasha's Story - My 100 Word Fiction Of 94 Words

Zasha lives in the street, sleeps in any space she can find, eats leftovers found in street bins, and washes her hair in the fountain of the square. (28 words)

She came to this country to avoid starvation in her own, with no legal papers. She hadn't realized work was impossible to find. Today she is even too sick to eat the scrape given. (34 words)

I am Zasha. Found a torn page of newspaper inviting 100 word stories. I write mine on one corner. I have nobody to tell my story to. (27 words)

Do you know any Zasha? (5 words)

Tags:zasha,94wordstory

Current Mood: Accomplished

Let's Celebrate Life ... & Death

I was caught sitting in my cafe reading the page of necrologies or obituaries (never quite sure what exactly is the difference between the 2 words), by an acquaintance, who asked bluntly why was I interested in such morbid reading. Did I know the dead? No, I said to both: I didn't know the dead, nor do I consider reading obituary morbid. In fact I quite like it.

As much as we hate or shun the subject of dying, death is undeniably consubstantial to life. I prefer the kind of necrology that recount the lives of those who had done or achieved outstanding goals, be they of great service to the society of mankind, or contribution to advancement of science or other specific fields, or purely personal challenge. Like a condensed biography. Not like the floral 'literary' composed by family or friends as a final bouquet for the departed.

I have more problem with the other kind of obituaries, I confess, the kind dedicated to intellectuals and artists, that hide even the slightest imperfections (which exists in all of us but apparently not once we are dead, or if we had been celebrities and had lots of friends or fans), employing tons of ink and embellishing adjectives to praise their virtues, true or invented.

So to my dear friend who left this world last week, to all departed, and especially to all of us mortals, let's celebrate life for as long as we are able ...

Tags:necrology,obituary

Current Mood: Awake

Beam Me Up! - My 100 Word Fiction Story Of 89 Words

I entered the office wondering what hell my bad-tampered bossy Boss would give me today, like he usually does, to find him lying motionless on the floor. I thought he was dead! (33 words)

Until the maintenance guy came in, opened up his chest, put in 4 new batteries & left. I was dumbfounded. He stood up cursing, growling & asked: (27 words)

"What are you gawking at? Didn't you know? Never suspected?"

"Never Sir" I said." Anyone else knows?" (17 words)

He shot me a sly smile, came over & switched me off. (12 words)

Tag:beammeup,89words

Current Mood: Accomplished