Sunday 17 July 2011

Books are heavy - Mrs. Jenny Matlock's Saturday Centus - Week 63

Jenny Matlock

Welcome to Saturday Centus, Week 63, Mrs. Jenny Matlock's weekly writing meme, where participants are requested to write a PG-rated text - fact or fiction, any genre, without illustrations, using a prompt and only (just for this week) 25 words. This week's prompt is "...I'm not getting any younger..."

Here is my text:
------
Sweating profusely, John put down the book-box.
"Daphne du Maurier?"
"Yes!" squealed Sanna, "Now I'm reading 'I'll Never Be Young Again'.
Aching, he thought: "I'm not getting any younger either..."

------

Wordcount according to WordCalc: 25

Best wishes,
Anna




First Commenter:

Lynn
of
Happier Than A Pig In Mud




P.S.
When I write texts using characters, such as Sanna Rumsten and John Tell, I am writing purely fictional texts. The real-life background to this text is the fact that I am in the middle of moving to a new apartment; but there is no John Tell to help me carry cartons of books, china, clothes and everything else I imagine that we will be needing. The children are on the farm while I shuffle brown boxes in a rented truck from one place to another. (I'm only moving a three or four blocks.)

I wish I had a John Tell, who is willing to help out. I am doing a lot, all by myself. But truth be told, I have actually gotten good help from several kind individuals who have volunteered their time, energy and strength to help me at different intervals; many of these wonderful volunteers have been divorced semi-unhappily married women. They know what it's like. Yes, I have also paid some very strong burly men to move the really heavy stuff, like my enormous wooden cabinets. A very charming and very slender young (early twenties) man who rents the downstairs apartment from my ex, helped me carry all of my drawings and my drawing-cabinets down three flights of stairs. Yes, I paid him, but he did not expect to get paid. Bless his heart.

Unfortunately, I am not quite finished. But I felt I needed a break from packing and lifting or using my invention to lower stuff over the balcony* with sailing-rope to avoid having to walk up and down all of those stairs in the beautiful house that I am leaving, built in 1916. Thankfully, there is an elevator in the new place.

Thanks to all of my helpers with the move. And thank you fellow-bloggers for all the moral support that I have received through comments. You're helping me keep my sanity!

And yes, I am not quite alone. I have Sara Cat with me; my little comfort-cat. I have moved her into the new apartment. She looked and sniffed around and decided that it was alright. (We'll see what she thinks when the other five cats move in, as well as the children!)

And yes, it's true! I've discovered Daphne du Maurier's (1907-89) novels and non-fiction works. What a wonderful writer. I have a lot to learn from her writing. She was very popular and still "satisfied [-] the exacting requirements of 'real literature', something very few novelists ever do." (Margaret Forster wrote this about her; found this quote in the introduction
by Sally Beauman, of My Cousin Rachel, which I really am reading now - in spurts.)

Remember the little dog in Alfred Hitchcock's film, Rear Window? Yep! That's how I am moving anything under 5 kilos!

------

To read other texts for week 63, please visit this site or click on the image below:

Jenny Matlock

13 Comments:

Lynn said...

Brings back moving day memories:@)

Ann said...

As always I enjoyed your text.
It sounds like you really have your hands full with all the moving. The best part of it all is that once you are all settled, even though things may not have gone the way you had intended in life, you'll find you are stronger than you ever realized.

Judie said...

The opthamologist told me I can't lift anything over 10 pounds after my cataract surgery. Rod asked for how long, and I told him "forever!!" I don't think he believes me!

Dazee Dreamer said...

aahhh moving books. such a joy. NOT. great job.

Ames said...

Perfect segue!~Ames

jeff campbell said...

Sounds like John did not really need a reminder ;-) Peace and blessings

cj Schlottman said...

This is perfect! I could see the beads of sweat on John's head. Well done.

Namaste..........cj

Daydreamer said...

Glad you have a lot of help. Starnge how we mostly always get just what we need, when we need.
Great centus and glad you added much more.
And, glad you visited my blog, too.
Good luck with the move. It's such an upheaval but, a new beginning of a new chapter of your life.

Susan Anderson said...

Good job, Anna.

And I'm glad your move is well on the way to being accomplished.

=)

Unknown said...

Books can be heavy in oh so many ways:-) Great write for the prompt!

Rek Sesh said...

new home, newer happier memories.
enjoyed this one...books can be heavy one never realises until one is packing them in a box:D

Tina said...

its sad to think we wont get any younger isnt it. you captured the moment well

My Centus

Jenny said...

Oh Anna. I feel a bit of sunshine in your words. I'm glad things are sorting themselves out on a personal level for you.

It sounds like you are giving the best gift to many...letting them help you!!!!

This was a clever use of the prompt, too. I liked your double entendre in this little gem.

Thanks for sharing it.

Im Translator

Translation widget