Saturday Centus is Jenny Matlock's writing meme, and I am a BIG fan. The task? To add 100 words to her thought-inducing prompt and come up with one small gem of a story. Here is my attempt for this week. (The prompt, as usual, is in red.)
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Out, Damned Spot?
This is never going to come out, she thought as she scrubbed at the spot on the worn carpet.
Suddenly her mind filled with images: happy kids, aglow with wonder, racing to the old oak tree to see what magic friendly elves might do; dripping bodies poised pool-side, ready to do battle for that neon-yellow toothpick down below; small, chip-dipping fingers, diving into luscious salsa, bound to leave its scarlet stain on Grandma’s ground.
Grandma’s ground. Indoor-outdoor carpet resists stains, but her heart couldn’t resist the memory of those fun and feisty stain-makers. Maybe that’s why the stain wouldn’t come out. It belonged there.
Slowly, her fingers moved away. Preserve your memories, she thought, then lightly touched the dark red memory spot.
35 comments:
Sweet one Sue.
This was lovely, Sue!
A tender memory spot...beautiful.
Just lovely!
Spoken like a true Grandma! I'm afraid those aren't the kinds of thoughts I'll be thinking when I'm one. My Mom used to say that she would leave the little fingerprints up on the windows after we would come and stay so that she could look at her grand babies fingerprints everyday.
And I just can't fathom that.
I need to relax more.
And salsa is probably better then cherry red koolaid right? :)
Very sweet.
What an un7usaul take on the prompt! I really liked this!!
I love this. Hugs
oh i love how you used the stain as a memory to keep there.
I've felt exactly the same way. Stains, fingerprints - they're all little memories. I try to keep it within reason, but some of them I have a hard time making myself erase. Nicely done.
This was exquisitely wonderful. Such a heartwarming story from a grandma's point of view. Loved it a lot.
That is really beautiful, Sue. Very poignant.
The strings of my heart have been officially tugged. Very very sweet Sue!
This was really well written, and so heartwarming. I've been cleaning out Cait's room and for some reason the Dr. Pepper stains aren't bothering me nearly as much as they should! I really enjoyed your take on the prompt.
This is wonderful! I'm not just referring to this piece, but your entire blog - music included. I'm about to become a new follower.
Cheers,
xoRobyn
I liked that: "Maybe that's why the stain wouldn't come out. It belonged there."
A happy thought to the stain dilemma! You just described being a Grandma to a tee...so sweet! Thanks also for the book suggestion in the earlier post!
oh that was so sweet. I saw it all. Felt it too. Nice job Sue. Our memories are precious even when the spark comes from something unpleasant.
I have some of those "memory spots" on my furniture and carpet, too!
I don't fret if traces of a spot remain - accidents happen, and I don't want the grandkids to think that I'm going to be fussy about the occasional spill.
Oh, that is lovely! Wonderful use of the prompt. :-)
mine is here - http://panopticulated.blogspot.com/2010/09/bolognese-saturday-centus-week-20.html
Aww, that was beautiful :) Memory spots...gotta remember that the next time my parents come over and complain about how my rug has too many stains :)
What an adorable concept - memory spots! Now if I could only convince my wife that the spots the dogs leave on the rug are really memories! LOL!
I loved this one, Sue! Great job as usual!
Sue I just love stopping by here. Your stories are the best.
Thanks honey for the sweet comments about Gary. I can not tell you how much I appreicate you.
Keep writing...love ya
Maggie
I can relate to it so well. My two daughters left home 2 months ago....its too quiet...sniff, sniff! Very well written by the way...merveilleux!
Anne-Marie
I feel way better about messing up your rug now.
Respectfully Submitted,
Matthew D. Anderson
Oh my. That was wonderful.
My mom called the scratches on the dining room table. "patina." Thanks for bringing that memory to mind.
Aw, I love that! Kids do make messes, but I would rather have a mess and lots of kids than an immaculate home void of finger prints and little voices. So sweet.
This is wonderful Sue...lovely writing style...interesting story...Peace and blessings
Very nice! I went sort of the same direction, but I think you did it better.
This was so so sweet! And now I don't feel so bad about my own 'memory spots' on the carpet!
So sweet, I hope that's what Emma's grandparents think when she leaves.
She must not know the iron trick!
I like the heartfelt direction you took this. Clever idea making the stain a good thing, and its told wonderfully.
So sweet. An unexpected turn. I like it. Full of feeling. Love.
Best wishes,
Anna
Sara Cat sends purrs.
Anna's SC-Week-20
Sara Cat's SC-Week-20
Preserve your memories. They're all that's left to you.
What a lovely post.
It made me almost weepy, though.
I feel that way about fingerprints and smudges on the walls. It's hard for me to wipe them away.
Thank you for this lovely, thoughful link.
How lovely, Sue. What a nice change to have the stain become an icon, a monument to sweet memories.
Thanks for a great post..........cj
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