Sep 13, 2011
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Another Writer’s Digest Community short-short story from last year.
Time to Say Goodbye . . . A New Beginning.
She closed the door, closed her eyes. She heard only the clicking of the lock falling into place as the only thought was her repetitive mantra, “Never again…”; racing, disorganized, scrambling any other sense of composure she may have had earlier.
Keeping her eyes as closed as possible, she stumbled down the hall toward the Living Room, and laughed a cynical laugh as the traces of death still surrounded her. Photos of an old love, letters from once-known strangers. Boxes and piles of chaos, the remnants of a past life.
She reached for her wine and after two thoughtful sips and a primal scream, tossed the remainder out onto the debris, leaving a poetic stain of red, dripping as though her lifeblood itself was pouring out of her.
She turned to the balcony door and stood just inside, her long shadow tracing awkwardly over the mess. The City roared beneath her, away from her; giving a false animation and electronic life to everything outside. There was no distinct sound she could clarify. Just… noise.
She returned then to the interior, listening only to the pounding inside her as it grew louder, stronger. Chilled by a life of unfeeling, she reached for the matches over the fireplace and watched as she struck them, one by one, over and over. Finally, one took flame and she gazed at its beauty, ever-changing yet always present, and knew what she had to do.
She watched in eternal slow motion as the small flame fell to the floor, opening a roar of wonders as it grew and ate and devoured all she had left. And she stood there. Watching with great intent until it pushed her back to the window, back to indistinction. There would be nothing left to save, even if she’d wanted to.
The heat pressed against her, and she relished its warmth. It had been too long since she felt… warm. She stood as her body purged itself of impurities. And longed to save herself.
In a flash, overtaken by bright, hot, licking tongues of flames, she opened the window into a collision of fire and air as both roared for her affections. Scrambling over the edge, she closed her eyes once again and allowed herself to slip into a familiar sense of the unknown. She knew only she could always start again.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Sep 12, 2011
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
I don’t understand people who say they can’t write. Everyone has a story to tell. We tell stories every day. We explain things, we give direction. We hold great conversations with those around us. We recount our days for our spouses, our children, our significant others.
I write because if I don’t, it explodes inside me. I write to vent. I write to cry. I write to jump for joy. I write for the pleasure it gives in seeing someone smile. I write for the satisfaction of seeing someone nod in understanding. I write for the person who thinks they can’t.
It is not brave, what I do. It is survival.
For me, There is no other way to live.
“I write for the same reason I breathe. Because if I didn’t, I would die.” ~Isaac Asimov
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Sep 8, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
I love the creamy, cheesy soups at restaurants. But I can’t afford to go out each time I want one bowlful. For the price of less than three restaurant servings, this recipe serves up 12 or more portions. It’s simple to make, freezes well, and goes great with breads.
It can be made on the stove top or in the slow cooker. Directions for both follow the recipe.
INGREDIENTS:
1 chopped onion
2 TBSP butter [if stove top, not needed for slow cooker]
6 small red potatoes, chopped
1 large [26 oz.] condensed Cream of Chicken soup
1 soup can of water
16 oz. frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped
1/2 can milk
1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
4 – 6 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
Salt and pepper to taste
Chives for garnish [if desired]
STOVE TOP DIRECTIONS:
Saute’ onion in butter.
In 5-quart stockpot add onion, potatoes, soup, water. Mix well, bring to light boil for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are cooked. Add broccoli, milk, carrot, celery. Stir regularly. Bring to light boil for 5 minutes. Add bacon, mix well. Reduce heat to medium high. Add cheese. Stir until melted.
SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS:
In 5-quart crock pot combine all ingredients (butter not needed for slow cooker).
Cook on high for three hours, stirring every hour to blend cheese and ingredients.
*You may want to soften the potatoes before adding to the slow cooker. You can do this by either boiling for 10 minutes, or microwaving for 6 minutes (be sure to puncture first, so they don’t explode!). Handle carefully, as they will be hot, and cut into pieces before adding to slow cooker.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
