Let’s Just Go

Posted on May 14, 2022 by hdh

Let’s Just Go

It was a beautiful day for a ride. We got in the car and went off heading east. Of course, heading east on Long Island means that there is an endpoint, that being either Montauk or Orient Point. We had until Riverhead to decide, for that is where the road forks. 

Going to Montauk meant that that was where we would stay, for there is nowhere else to go beyond that except the Atlantic Ocean. But going to Orient meant we could escape, for there were ferries there that would take you and your vehicle further east and north.

Since we had enough clothing and supplies to last more than a few days, and the places to stay in Montauk were on the pricey side, we decided to head on the North Fork to Orient and beyond. 

We had to wait for a couple of ferries to come and go since we hadn’t planned any reservations and had to go on standby.  We eventually made it across the Sound to New London and headed North. Our goal was Maine. We did have relatives living there, so we had a place to stay if we needed to. We continued, stopping only for a break to eat until we made it to a cabin in Acadia. It was beautiful there. 

There was a lake that we could see right outside our cabin. The weather, though summer, had a cool breeze that surrounded us, especially in the early mornings when we would hike down to the lake and sit. 

Acadia was wonderful. There were all sorts of hikes we took. The summer had been good for the flora and fauna displaying beautiful flowers and birds of all kinds. I took plenty of photographs. 

We made our way to beaches where we walked among the rocks and marveled at the little

pools and waterfalls. We saw someone flying a dragon kite at the beach which soared through the air. 

It was a picturesque place to be. No cares, other than hoping the seagull that was sitting atop our car would not choose to leave a present, no worries, the reality of our world left behind. We were at peace.

Of course, those moments do come to an end. The ride back was uneventful. We stopped to visit family for a couple of days and then it was back to Long Island as the real world beckoned. 

Though the trip had ended, and time has passed on, the memories continue. We can go back there anytime we want; if not through the pictures we took, through the internal photographs in our minds that are firmly in place. 

A perfect road trip.

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A Telling Fortune

Posted on May 12, 2022 by hdh

A Telling Fortune

I thought it was a joke. It had to be, who would believe something as far-fetched as that? Let me backtrack a bit.

I was bored with nothing to do, so I called up my friend Ronald to see if he had any ideas. He suggested that we go down to the carnival which was set up in our local park and check out the fortune teller. Sounded like a good idea to me. What could possibly go wrong?

When we got there Ronald suggested that I go first. So I went into the tent that the medium had set up. I paid my $5.00 and sat down in front of this big crystal ball. I was told to look into it. What I saw was a crystal ball. Nothing else, that was until the medium handed me some tea to drink. Ronald had forewarned me that this would happen and there was nothing wrong with the tea, so I drank it. It was then that I started seeing pictures in the crystal ball. These pictures weren’t of me, though, but they might have been. It was very shadowy and the person I was looking at was shown only from the back. He was wearing a baseball cap like mine, but I couldn’t really tell who he was.

I followed the actions where the person went. I did recognize the street. The person turned down an alleyway and, there behind a stack of boxes, picked up a large gym bag. He then walked with his head down back to the carnival and placed the bag in the garbage can next to the fortune teller’s booth. 

It was then that the images disappeared and I was looking at a blank crystal ball again. 

“What was that?” I asked. I was about to tell the fortune teller what I saw when she hushed me and said I should never reveal what to her, my future, for it would taint the image. 

So I left. I wasn’t sure if I should tell Ronald what I saw, but he convinced me it would be okay. 

Ronald was a bit surprised, for when he went to the same fortune-teller last week, he had had a similar vision, only it was a different alleyway. 

That’s when I decided it must be some joke, but Ronald told me that last week’s vision came true. So we decided to check it out. I should say Ronald suggested I check it out. He remembered something he forgot at home so didn’t come along. 

I went to the alley and sure enough behind the stack of boxes, there was a gym bag. It was sealed shut and I could not find a way to open it. I started walking back to the carnival when I got the feeling that I was being followed. 

My suspicions were confirmed when someone walked up to me and not too politely told me to follow him. He showed me a detective’s badge.  It was then that I saw a police car in front of the fortune teller’s tent. 

I was brought inside the tent where one of the detectives opened up the bag and found it filled with lots of cash and jewels. I denied any knowledge of its contents and explained what happened. 

It appeared that this stash was part of a series of robberies that had happened over the past three weeks while the carnival was in town. 

I was taken down to the station where I was questioned further. I was released but told that I would have to testify under oath at a trial and that they didn’t think that any charges would be filed against me.

As I left the station, I saw Ronald standing outside waiting. 

“What the…?” I uttered.

Ronald looked at me and just shrugged his shoulders. We went home and didn’t mention it again.

I didn’t find out until much later that Ronald actually got paid as an informant in the robbery case and for setting me up as the dupe to catch the criminals. All I got was a day in court and thanks from our local police. 

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The Lion and The Unicorn

Posted on May 6, 2022 by hdh

The Lion and The Unicorn

It was to be an adventure. I gathered my friends, Jack, Jill, the Gruff brothers, the Teeny, Tiny Woman, and Pinocchio, and went over to the wise man’s house for the task.  

He was an old man, sitting in front of a grass hut, smoking his pipe, and seemed to be meditating, when we came and interrupted his thoughts. 

“We are looking for an adventure,” I said. “We want to go on a quest. Can you give us one?”

The wise man slowly opened his eyes wider and put his pipe down. He looked at the eight of us over and said, “Many have come to me for advice, but you come for adventure. Very interesting. Well, if it’s an adventure you want, you must seek a unicorn.”

“Unicorns are mythical beasts,” said Jack.

Jill followed up with, “How do you find a mythical beast?”

“Ahh!” said the wise man. “That is where the adventure comes in.”

The gruff brothers broke out of a huddle they were having and as three said, “If it is to find something with a horn, we can do it. We’ve had experience with our horns.”

“That’s true,” I replied, “But you were the ones with the horns, and you didn’t exactly find that Troll. He found you…on his bridge, I believe.”

“Nonetheless,” said the biggest billy goat gruff, “We will assist.”

The teeny, tiny woman who was perched on Pinocchio’s shoulder whispered into his wooden ear. “I believe the lion knows.”

Pinocchio repeated what was said and everyone looked at each other and nodded their heads in agreement. 

We thanked the wise man for his counsel and went off to seek the lion. 

It wasn’t very far. In fact, the lion was looking for us, or should I say he was looking for a meal and he happened upon us. 

He licked his jowls and prepared to pounce when Pinocchio stepped forward and called out,  “We are on a quest to find a Unicorn, We were told you would help us and not eat us.” 

The lion, noticing Pinnochio’s nose growing a bit longer, was well versed on quests but didn’t know Pinocchio’s background story yet asked, “Why should I believe you?”

Pinocchio was quick to respond, “Because fairies have endowed me with a magical talent. Whenever I tell the truth, my nose grows longer.” This made his nose grow even longer.

The lion also understood the power of fairy magic and agreed to help the adventurers. 

And so this adventure begins.

 

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2022 A to Z Blog Challenge – Reflection

Posted on May 2, 2022 by hdh

2022 A to Z Blog Challenge Reflection

My seventh year has come and gone. This year’s writing was truly a challenge. Instead of writing in my usual style of narrative, I chose to write each of my pieces in the form of first-person letters from one person to another. Some of the pieces were fictional letters from famous people to others, like “A” was a letter from Lewis Carroll to  Alice in Wonderland and “G” was a letter from George Washington to Martha. There were a series of letters written by me, to a fictional pen pal to relate things that happened in my life during blackouts, power failures, and blizzards (B, D, H, and I). There were a lot of rants about society and pet peeves of mine signed with made-up names (C, E, O, P, T, V, Y, and Z). And there were letters written by me to friends, my parents, my sister, and even to myself at different times in my timeline (F, L, M, N, R, and W). Then there were the letters involving the Folktale genre. Jack from the beanstalk tale gets summoned for a number of crimes including murder (J), and I combined a group of letters to create the story, “A Tale of Two Kingdoms” (K, Q, S, U, and X) –  (You can click on the link below for the whole story). That and Jack were probably my favorites.

I tried to give multiple perspectives within some of the pieces by referring to correspondence supposedly received by the writer in subsequent correspondence. If you read them, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. In the case of the Tale of Two Kingdoms, each A to Z letter used was from a different person so when combined, I could tell the complete story. 

This year more people read and commented on my entries than in previous years. I’m not sure why that was the case. But I certainly got more feedback on my writing. I also found a lot more A to Zers writing to follow and will continue to follow, especially now that April is over. By the middle of April, I spent so much time focussing on writing my pieces, that I chose to save the writing of others that I followed, in the hopes that I would get to them later. I apologize to those writers for not giving immediate feedback.

I was even inspired based on Sheri J. Kennedy’s entries,  (https://realitywithatwistbooks.wordpress.com/) to write a piece using mainly alliteration. That piece, “Frank’s Fiasco”, (also clickable below) took about 2 hours, with the listing of F words from the dictionary, and then choosing from that list to make an understandable story. 

So it was a busy month. Busier than usual for my A to Z Challenge entries. 

What follows is a hyperlinked list of all the pieces that I wrote for the 2022 A to Z Blog Challenge. You are also welcome to go to my Blog (www.hdhstory.net/storyblog) and read any of my other pieces of writing that I do throughout the year or that I have written since I retired from teaching in 2006.

 

A: Alice; B: Blackout – 1965; C: Conflict and Cooperation; D: Deep Snow – 1969; E: Energy Efficient Clothing; F: Future Insights; G: George; H: Hurricane Gloria – 1985; I: Tropical Storm Isaias – 2020; J: Jack; K: King’s Choices; L: Looking Forward from the Future; M: Marion; N: You Named Me What?; O: Organize; P: Pledge of Allegiance; Q: Queen’s Quandry; R: Recognize, Recall, Repeat; S: Seeking Out; T: Time Lord; U: United; V: A Visit from Venus; W: William – Friend for Life; X: eXes; Y: Yardwork; Z: Zero

 

The Tale of Two Kingdoms (complete)

 

Frank’s Fiasco – an alliterative attempt

 

As to next year, I definitely plan on doing it again, though I may go for a more potpourri direction which will give me more flexibility in terms of genre and style. I couldn’t figure out a way to get any poetry in this year’s writing. Hopefully next year I can get more of that into my posts. I definitely want more of the “to be continued” type stories that are spread out over the course of the month. After all, I am a storyteller.

Till then, I’ll keep on writing…and hopefully you’ll keep on following. 

Harvey Heilbrun

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Frank’s Fiasco – An alliterative attempt

Posted on May 1, 2022 by hdh

Challenge – Alliteration

I was challenged by an A to Zer to post on her website a story using only alliterative words which is what she was doing for every letter of the alphabet. Here’s what I submitted: 

———————-

Frank’s Fiasco

Foolish Frank felt frustrated finding farfetched frontiers to fulfill, featuring fairminded formats which fervently focussed on finesse. Frank’s friend Felix, fortunately, faced few failures and found Frank a festival focussing on physiological feats of flamboyance. Frank formed a fresh physical philosophy with fixed formulas, flouting his fine physique favoring a fluorescent facial fashion. 

Frank’s father, Fred, feeling fury from Frank’s fanaticism and flouting of far-fetched fodder fumed fiercely, faced Frank’s fabrication and forbade his frivolous fantasy. Fred’s finicky feud fostered fuel for Frank to fortify his front. 

Frank phoned Felix and faked Fred’s formal forgiveness and followed on forward feeling fanciful.

Felix featured Frank first, facing a fresh field of famous fellows. But Frank’s façade faltered, floundered, and faded. Fertile fissure function’s flapped. Fragrant fumes following fruitful flatulence forcefully floated free. Fluke fires flared from fiery fabric friction to find Frank’s fatal fart. 

Far from funny, Frank’s flimsy faith froze. Forlorn and frightened, Frank’s foremost fear finally fell forth. Frank’s fortune failed. Fatigue filled and falling to a futile fate, fragile Frank forfeited and formally finished faking forever. 

—————

Note: I was awarded Fan Favorite 2022. Here’s the link: https://realitywithatwistbooks.wordpress.com/2022/04/30/and-the-winner-is-allitlitplopropo-challenge-awards/

FYI, the award for winning was just acknowledgment. But hey, a win is a win, not that I was competing or anything. It was just fun to write. 

 

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The Message

Posted on May 1, 2022 by hdh

The Message

The fog was heavy as I walked through on the path leading to my destination. Where was that destination, you might ask? That is hard to explain since I don’t really know myself. I received this message that just said to follow the path of least resistance starting at the entrance to the park. There was nothing else on the message. Being the curious kind of person that I am, I decided to do what it said. 

I made my way to the park, it was a very sunny and clear day when I started out. As soon as I got to the park and stepped across the entrance threshold the fog appeared blanketing out everything but a single path in front of me. This made me even more curious and a bit apprehensive. But I did what the message said. I followed the path. As I continued walking the path made some twists and turns; I continued as instructed. 

After a while, I thought to myself, I clearly must not be in the park anymore. Considering how far I’d walked, I knew the park wasn’t that big. But at this point, I couldn’t stop. Looking behind me the fog had covered up where I had been. I had no choice but to go forward.

I finally came to a clearing. The fog dissipated and the path and park disappeared. Before me lay a vast garden of flowers. Each one had a different color, shape, and size. The aroma was intoxicating. The sky was clear but not blue as expected, but a sort of pale green and included two suns, both shining down on me. One sun was bright yellow as our sun is, and the other was bright blue. The thing is, as bright as they were I could look straight at them, unlike our sun which would cause irreparable damage to your eyes. 

I was at a loss as to where I was or what I was supposed to do when I saw her coming toward me. 

“I should have known,” she said. “Only you would be stupid enough to not only follow an unsigned message but continue walking once you stepped past the entrance to the park and fog showed up.”

“What?” I asked. “Was this some sort of a test? Who are you?”

It was then the suns began to merge. The flowers began to wilt and the fog appeared again obliterating everything. It took only a few minutes before the fog dissipated and I found myself standing at the entrance of the park again with the message in my hand.

As I looked down at the message, the writing had changed.  Written in bold letters was “BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME!” It was signed, Christina. But that’s my wife’s name?

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A Tale of Two Kingdoms (complete)

Posted on April 30, 2022 by hdh

A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Complete

K: King’s Choices

April 13, a long time ago

Dear Father,

I don’t get it. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and research on princesses and marriages and such. Why is it always the youngest daughter who is the prettiest and the kindest and the one that gets the best pick at who they marry? It’s not fair. And why is it that most kings only have three daughters? What’s wrong with sticking to one daughter or having more than three. And let me also mention having no brothers. Very few stories have kings with multi-gendered offspring. 

Almost everything I’ve read says that the oldest child is always the mean, selfish, and bossy one. Okay, that makes some sense, since they have younger siblings to boss around and pretty much got what they wanted until other kids entered the picture. 

And then there’s the youngest child. In stories, they are the ones that are always doted on and loved the most. Based on my research of real families, the youngest children are always very demanding of things they want and manipulative. Their parents are either too tired after having raised two others and will let them get away with anything or give in to their darling babies’ requests, believing them the latest and greatest. In the real world, they are not the sweet innocents of folklore.

And the middle child, which is what I am, are the ones that are always neglected in real life once the third child arrives. Caught in the middle so to speak. That’s reality. Middle children should not be lumped in with the oldest child as being mean and ugly. The stories have it all wrong. We are the most deserving of all the best choices and privileges. But instead, the oldest and youngest get all the perks.

Let me remind you that looks aren’t everything. It’s always – “I will give away my beautiful daughter in marriage and my kingdom to the prince or whoever completes this nearly impossible task.” Is there a manual for rulers that contains lists of impossible tasks to give out and stupid rewards like giving away your child or your kingdom? I may not be the prettiest of the three of us, but I’m a hell of a lot smarter than my sisters. I’m also quite adept at coming up with solutions to problems that you might have, like getting rid of giants or how to deal with evil sorcerers. 

Whatever happened to free will and the right to one’s own sovereignty? Shouldn’t we get to choose our destiny? After all, maybe I want to marry a peasant,  another princess, or not get married at all. Why don’t I get the kingdom? What’s with giving it to the men all of the time? I am related by blood.

So there you have it, father. It’s time for you to get real. Think of this letter as a warning sign from one of your fervent advisors. It’s time for you to recognize ME. Because if you don’t, this clever lady just might have an impossible task for some other queen, princess, or peasant to solve, with you as the reward. I’ll still keep the kingdom. I don’t think mother would be too pleased with that.

 

Your loving daughter,

Princess Number 2.

 

This story continues Q: Queen’s Quandry

 

—————–

Q: Queen’s Quandry (Quandary)

April 20, a long time ago

Dear Mother,

I’ve heard all of the stories about my older brother’s birth. How grandfather lied to father, how father demanded you to spin straw into gold, how some strange little man, whose name I can’t remember, something like Uncle Pimpleskin, did the spinning for you then demanded that you give my oldest brother to him on my brother’s birth unless you guessed the little man’s name, which you did. Not that I believe any of it. It’s just a story grandfather must have made up. If it’s true, whatever happened to all this golden straw, that greedy father made you spin? Years from now no one will even remember the story. 

My problem is how you dote on my brother using that story. He was saved from evil. He was blessed by a messenger of God giving you the name of the little man. It was my brother’s birth that saved your marriage. And your doting has not changed. He gets to marry the pick of the princesses. You’ll just throw a Ball in his honor and let him choose. I hope he gets stuck with a poor, ragged, house cleaner. 

Of course, then I came along; your second son. Did you have any stories about my birth? No. Do you even remember my name? No, you don’t, because you never named me. I believe my name might be, “younger brother”, after all, that is what you always refer to me to your precious firstborn. “Go get your younger brother.” or “Tell your brother it’s time for supper.” “I wish your younger brother would be more like you.”

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and research on princes. I’ve noticed that a lot of stories about them only refer to them by title, not name. Is that where you got the idea? Add to that they are always handsome and win the hand of some beautiful princess that they either rescue, uncover hiding under their noses, or complete some impossible task and get them as a prize.

Let me remind you that looks aren’t everything. And that princesses are not prizes to give away. Nor are princes, who you can just throw into a Ball full of single women, who only want to marry them for the fame and power, and tell them to pick one. See how that works out with my brother. We may not be the prettiest bachelors in the bunch, but some of us have brains. Has my brother ever read a book? 

Women should have the right to choose who they would like to marry, based on the person’s qualities as a human, not because someone says, “You’re mine.” Game over.

And princes are humans too. It’s okay to have galas to meet other people, but don’t set up any expectations ahead of time. In my case, not that you ever thought of throwing a Ball for me, maybe I want to marry a peasant, or another prince, or not get married at all. Maybe I don’t want to grow up to be a king, though I’m sure you’ve already slated my brother for that. Maybe I want to just settle down on a nice farm and raise and rescue stray animals. I’d like to hear you make up a story about that!

So there you have it, mother. It’s time for you to get real. Think of this letter as a warning sign from one of your fervent advisors. It’s time for you to recognize ME. Either you allow me to go out on my own and seek out my future, or this clever lad will start up a story about you, just like grandfather did. Only in this story you and my brother may not come out as well. I don’t think father will be too pleased with that.

Your other son,

Younger Brother

 

This story will continue in S: Seeking Out.

S: Seeking Out

May, a long time ago

Dear Number 2,

I read with interest the proclamation by your Queen, of your interest in meeting other people. She described you as average height, pleasant to look at, and clever, with many ideas about what one should look for in a friend. That intrigued me. 

That seems quite atypical of Queens in general. My research shows that they only look out for the best women for a specific Prince of theirs. That is if they have any more than one son. I was taken to understand that you were not the favored son. 

I find myself in a somewhat similar situation as the second of three.

I would like to meet you, for you sound like an interesting person. I would like to discuss some of your ideas.

With interest,

You can call me Middle one. 

 

——————

 

A little later in May, a long time ago

Dear Number 2,

I so enjoyed meeting you. The tour you gave me of your royal garden was fascinating. I can’t believe your royal gardener has planted so many non-native plants in the royal garden. Your point of view on what should be grown there matches my own. 

I’m sorry to hear that you have no given name. Though I do have a given name, Luna, no one in my family uses it. Maybe the next time we meet, we can compare some of our Prince and Princess research, and come up with a name for you. What do you think of the name Samson?

Till we meet again.

Your friend,

Luna

—————

This will be continued in U: United

U: United

 

May, a long time ago

 

Dear Middle One,

Your letter has intrigued me. If you say that you are in a similar situation as myself, then yes, we must meet. I would suggest a meeting outside my mother’s palace. You may have heard the stories about her and my father and a roguish imp called something like, Pumple Inkskin. A total fabrication as far as I’m concerned. Why don’t we meet in the Royal Garden, where we can discuss our points of view. 

Let’s say, next week at noon.

Looking forward to our meeting,

Prince Number 2

————-

Late July, a long time ago

My Dearest Luna,

These past few weeks have passed too quickly. Our discussions of life and happiness and the future together fill my heart with joy. I am so glad that you have agreed that we should wed. There is a plot of land between our two kingdoms, where we can settle and build that garden of native plants and flowers, and that animal sanctuary we both dream of. Together we can leave these castles of royalty and privilege and create a home as we see fit unencumbered by archaic rules and expectations. Where we coexist as equals, with respect, kindness, and love as we work together to make a better world for ourselves and others.

Let the Kings and Queens do as they wish with their lands and people. I feel sad for the people that stay, for it is they that will suffer the most, ruled by our parents and my older brother and his wife, Cinderhella, and your youngest sister and her husband, Prince Arming (I think you called him),  who will be next in line for their respective thrones. 

Let us leave that behind. To our unity, I pledge all of my love.

 

Forever yours,

Samson

 

This will be concluded in X: Exes

———-

X: eXes

April, a long time ago (10 years later)

Dear People of the Two Kingdoms,

This war is finally over. There have been many losses, but you have won your freedom. Our parents who had ruled for so long had passed on quite mysteriously, leaving each kingdom with our siblings and their spouses as rulers. It is they that share the blame for the conditions that you were put in which caused this war. Their greed for wealth and power at the cost of your lives was unacceptable. Having left the kingdoms, Luna and I could do nothing to stop it. Our goal was to work with what we had and make our lives better than how we were brought up, which we did on our sanctuary farm. We watched from afar with much sadness. Our hearts were with you and whatever needs we could supply to you we did. 

Queen Cinderhella and King Arming, having failed here, have left their spouses and even now wander to seek other kingdoms to conquer. My brother and Samson’s sister have also departed to parts unknown, in disgrace, for what they let happen, leaving both kingdoms without a leader. 

You have reached out to us to take the mantle of control of both kingdoms and rule over them as one. We appreciate that you trust us and our views to want us to be your king and queen. But we must refuse. The time for Kings and Queens and rulers for life, based on bloodlines must end. It is time for you to stand up for yourselves. Select leaders that reflect your wants and needs. Note that over time wants and needs will change, so make sure that the leaders you choose follow that change. No leader should have a permanent position for life, no matter how good they are. 

Educate your youth in the ways of the world. Let them learn how to think for themselves and learn from their experiences. Teach them how to listen to others and separate fact from fiction. They will be the ones that follow in your footsteps. They will be the ones that have to live in the world you create or destroy. So make sure they know how to think. 

Though we refuse to be your King and Queen, we will not abandon you. We will be there to advise you as you take that next step. We will remain here at our Sanctuary should you need us. 

Be well in your endeavors. 

Your loyal friend,

Samson

April, a long time ago (5 years later)

Dear Citizens of Selat,

You have done well. The ex-Kingdoms and rulers that led you astray exist no more. Your new Republic of Selat is prospering.  We are proud of the system of leadership you have devised. Electing your leaders by the people, in which all people can vote is a unique and wonderful idea. Demanding liberty, justice, and equality for all regardless of differences will be what keeps you strong. Your model will be trusted by not only your people but people from other kingdoms around the world. 

The system of education for your young and the opportunities that allow them to reach their fullest potential, that you have begun, is a credit to all your hard work and thoughtfulness.

We are proud to be part of your republic. We are glad that you share our concern for this world we live in and all its living inhabitants.

We have helped you along the way, but must now let you stand on your own two feet as you go on. Note that we will always be here if needed. We respect you for all that you have accomplished and trust that you will do well as the years go on. Continue on the path that you follow. May it bring you much joy and happiness. 

With much affection,

Citizens Luna and Samson

 

Thus ends the Tale of Two Kingdoms…or is it just the beginning?

 

Posted in A to Z Blog Challenge 2022, Original Stories, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Z: Zero

Posted on April 30, 2022 by hdh

Z: Zero 

April 30, 2022

Dear Commission in Charge of Math Rules and Standards,

I feel it is time to look at our number system and make some revisions. There is a number that has been around since the Summerian culture in Mesopotamia, some 5,000 years ago. Whereas the digit has some value, the ambiguity of the number makes it impossible to interpret consistently. I am referring to the number Zero (0). 

What exactly does zero mean? It is neither positive nor negative. But can be both. If I’m taking a test and I get a zero on the test, I fail. Clearly Zero is a negative number. However, If I get Zero wrong on the test, I’ve got a perfect score. Clearly Zero is a positive number. What? 

As part of your rules of arithmetic, multiplication and division are inverse operations. Therefore 3X4=12 has an equivalent inverse of 12/4= 3 and 12/3=4. We learned that in elementary school. If that is so, shouldn’t the inverse of 9X0=0 be 0/9=0 and 9/0=0? Well. it’s not. You can’t divide anything by 0. Who made that rule up?

I understand the rationale for the digit 0 to push other numbers more than 9, like 10, 200, 3000, etc. In each of these cases, it is a useful digit to clarify a multi-digit number. But zero on its own, just doesn’t cut it. 

It does work as an identity number in addition and subtraction. But couldn’t you just come up with a new number, whose only purpose is to do that?

And then there is of course the written symbol for 0. Have you ever purchased an item and were asked to give the company your model or serial number for warranty purposes. Can you tell the difference between an O or a 0? Sure when typing them both out you sometimes can, but not always. You could screw up your whole warranty by giving the company the wrong number. And don’t get me started on B’s and 8’s in small serial number print. We need a new written number system. 

My point is that the number zero has a lot of issues that need to be addressed. It is my hope that you will look into this issue and make some serious recommendations and revisions to our number system. 

If you want more thoughts you can contact me at (80B) o08-B8o0. Other than that I have nothing more to say.

 

With little thought,

oB0 o0B0o8

Posted in A to Z Blog Challenge 2022, Original Stories, Writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Y: Yardwork

Posted on April 29, 2022 by hdh

Y: Yardwork

April 29, 2022

Dear CEO of the Toro Lawn Machines Company

It is amazing how much time and effort is spent on keeping our un-native lawns in pristine condition. Thanks to you and other companies like yours, there is a plethora of gas-powered machines available to us to maintain these lawns. 

While you work hard at building up these machines with more and more power, you have put little consideration into the fact that your machines create an incredible amount of noise.

In my research, I have discovered that gas-powered lawn mowers were first produced by you in the late 1920s. Leaf blowers came into existence in the 1950s. Weed whackers or String Trimmers began being produced in the 1970s. And Snowblowers, though not a lawn maintenance machine, were developed and sold by you in the early 1950s.

All of these machines, most of which require gas, which is another issue that I will not be discussing today, create enough noise to damage one’s hearing. 

Did the designers for all these machines on their resumés need to have expertise in motorcycle design? Have they not heard of mufflers and other materials that can be used to soften or eliminate the noise being made? Or is your excuse the that more noise a machine makes (again motorcycles) the more manly one can feel. 

Why is it that when an electric car starts up, you don’t even know that it has started? Something in its design quiets the engine noise. 

I will grant you that your battery-operated machines tend to be quieter than your gas-driven ones. But they are still loud. 

I live for the day when people decide that they are not getting enough exercise and choose to do their own lawn maintenance rather than hire all these costly lawn services that come to your house and run all of your machines at once with multiple people working. Yes, it may be more efficient, but when you compound 2 lawnmowers, with 2 leaf blowers, and a string trimmer per house, with multiple companies doing different neighbors’ lawns at the same time, it becomes an ear sore. 

What is even more dangerous to the people doing their lawns whether homeowners or lawn service, is that a lot of the users do not wear any ear protection. It’s no wonder so many people when they get older lose a lot of their hearing. 

So saying, I implore you to think carefully about the next generation of lawn and snow care products you develop. Think about the global impact of your devices both to the environment and people’s health. Move away from gas-driven products. Though the machines you design may end up looking different and weigh more, and maybe even cost more, make them as close to silent running and energy-efficient as you can. As time moves on, work on making them cheaper, safer, and easier to use. 

Until then I will continue to hand trim the edges of my lawn, hand rake the leaves when come Fall, and use my mower and blowers selectively and not as often unless absolutely needed. I encourage others to do so also.

I would write you more, but it’s way too noisy outside right now, and I can’t hear myself think. You can guess why.

 

SINCERELY,

                       I. M. FINISHED

 

(SORRY FOR SHOUTING. I WASN’T SURE IF YOU COULD HEAR ME!)

 

Posted in A to Z Blog Challenge 2022, Original Stories, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

X: eXes

Posted on April 28, 2022 by hdh

This is the continuation and conclusion of Tale of Two Kingdoms the writing from K: King’s Choices, Q: Queen’s Quandry, S: Seeking Out, U: United.  You may want to read them first if you haven’t already.

X: eXes

April, a long time ago (10 years later)

Dear People of the Two Kingdoms,

This war is finally over. There have been many losses, but you have won your freedom. Our parents who had ruled for so long had passed on quite mysteriously, leaving each kingdom with our siblings and their spouses as rulers. It is they that share the blame for the conditions that you were put in which caused this war. Their greed for wealth and power at the cost of your lives was unacceptable. Having left the kingdoms, Luna and I could do nothing to stop it. Our goal was to work with what we had and make our lives better than how we were brought up, which we did on our sanctuary farm. We watched from afar with much sadness. Our hearts were with you and whatever needs we could supply to you we did. 

Queen Cinderhella and King Arming, having failed here, have left their spouses and even now wander to seek other kingdoms to conquer. My brother and Samson’s sister have also departed to parts unknown, in disgrace, for what they let happen, leaving both kingdoms without a leader. 

You have reached out to us to take the mantle of control of both kingdoms and rule over them as one. We appreciate that you trust us and our views to want us to be your king and queen. But we must refuse. The time for Kings and Queens and rulers for life, based on bloodlines must end. It is time for you to stand up for yourselves. Select leaders that reflect your wants and needs. Note that over time wants and needs will change, so make sure that the leaders you choose follow that change. No leader should have a permanent position for life, no matter how good they are. 

Educate your youth in the ways of the world. Let them learn how to think for themselves and learn from their experiences. Teach them how to listen to others and separate fact from fiction. They will be the ones that follow in your footsteps. They will be the ones that have to live in the world you create or destroy. So make sure they know how to think. 

Though we refuse to be your King and Queen, we will not abandon you. We will be there to advise you as you take that next step. We will remain here at our Sanctuary should you need us. 

Be well in your endeavors. 

Your loyal friend,

Samson

 

————-

April, a long time ago (5 years later)

Dear Citizens of Selat,

You have done well. The ex-Kingdoms and rulers that led you astray exist no more. Your new Republic of Selat is prospering.  We are proud of the system of leadership you have devised. Electing your leaders by the people, in which all people can vote is a unique and wonderful idea. Demanding liberty, justice, and equality for all regardless of differences will be what keeps you strong. Your model will be trusted by not only your people but people from other kingdoms around the world. 

The system of education for your young and the opportunities that allow them to reach their fullest potential, that you have begun, is a credit to all your hard work and thoughtfulness.

We are proud to be part of your republic. We are glad that you share our concern for this world we live in and all its living inhabitants.

We have helped you along the way, but must now let you stand on your own two feet as you go on. Note that we will always be here if needed. We respect you for all that you have accomplished and trust that you will do well as the years go on. Continue on the path that you follow. May it bring you much joy and happiness. 

With much affection,

Citizens Luna and Samson

Thus ends the Tale of Two Kingdoms… or is it just the beginning?

Posted in A to Z Blog Challenge 2022, Original Stories, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment