TRIFEXTRA: WK 48

This weekend's Trifextra challenge: 

This weekend we're asking for 33 of your own words that exorcise a demon.  One of your own, or one from your imagination.  Let it bleed on the page.

I've recently begun having very vivid dreams about someone from my past.  I have yet to figure out why someone that I haven't seen since 1987 would all of a sudden haunt me.  

We met my junior year of high school and began dating that summer.  He had graduated that year and was working until he decided what he wanted to do with his life.  At least that is what I thought until he abruptly broke off our relationship after 5 months.  About 2 months later, I found out he was moving away with his family halfway across the country.  We spoke again and realized that he broke it off because he knew it was coming and wanted to make things easier on me.  We soon realized that nothing had changed.  We were in young love.  

We wrote letters for months but eventually the letters became fewer and farther between until they stopped altogether.  Years later, I wrote to him and learned that he had married and had children.  

Now here it is about 25 years later and I can't get him out of my subconscious.  I have such vivid dreams about him that it's as if he's here again.  It makes me angry because I'm very happily married and madly in love with my husband.  It's as if my dreams are taunting me with the traits that he had that my husband does not.  

I'm hoping that this will, as Trifecta has put it, exorcise this demon.

     You haunt my dreams.

     I can feel your touch,

     Your tongue gentle

     Teasing my lips.

     Your fingertips caress

     Places never touched before.

     I awake confused.

     We are no longer.

     Replaced with real life.

SHRIMP

You know that I love coffee and sweets.  Something you may not know about me is that I love shrimp.  

It's my favorite food.  I'm like Bubba from Forrest Gump.  I could eat shrimp any way, shape or form.  

"Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it." ~Bubba

When I was a little girl, my mom used to buy these little shrimp cocktail from our neighborhood Safeway* store.  They came in a small jelly-type jar and they tasted amazing.  

I'm sure they were probably one of those you-either-love-them-or-hate-them kind of food items but for us, it was a treat when Mom bought them.  

I've tried to find them and evidently, they are no longer made like this.  It's a shame.  From what I've discovered, the company that makes them, Sau Sea Foods Inc, doesn't make them in the jar anymore.  They now come in a plastic container.

I see 2 problems with this new version.  First, shrimp are not soaking in the cocktail sauce absorbing all those wonderful flavors.  Second, you won't have the cool little glass to keep.  

I remember getting these as a kid and they were always slightly frozen.  We didn't wait for them to thaw completely.  They were amazing with the slightly slushy consistency.  A shrimp-cicle, one might say.  

I would love to have one of the originals again, just once.  Ok, I admit I probably would love it even better to have it more than once.  

I tried finding a recipe online for anything similar but had no luck.  I will continue this journey.  

I did find this recipe but I haven't tried it.  Yet.  

Shrimp Cocktail

32 shell-on (21 to 25 count) tiger shrimp 
For the brine: 
1/4 cup kosher salt 
1/4 cup sugar 
1 cup water 
2 cups ice 
For the cocktail sauce: 
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained 
1/2 cup prepared chili sauce 
4 tablespoons prepared horseradish 
1 teaspoon sugar 
Few grinds fresh black pepper 
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
1 tablespoon olive oil 
Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning

Using a pair of scissors or a serrated knife, make an incision down the backside of the shrimp, following the intestinal track. Eviscerate shrimp and rinse under cool water leaving shells intact. 
Place cleaned shrimp into a bowl with brine and refrigerate mixture for 20 to 25 minutes. While shrimp are brining, place tomatoes, chili sauce, horseradish, sugar, pepper, and salt in food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate cocktail sauce until ready to serve. 
Place a baking sheet or broiler pan under oven broiler and preheat for 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine and drain thoroughly. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and dry on paper towels. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with Old Bay seasoning, if desired. 
Place shrimp onto a sizzling sheet pan and return to broiler immediately. After 2 minutes, turn the shrimp with a pair of tongs. Return the shrimp to broiler for 1 minute. Transfer to a cold cookie sheet. Refrigerate immediately. 
Once shrimp have chilled, arrange with cocktail sauce in a martini glass or as desired.


*Our Safeway store hasn't been a Safeway in years.  It grew up to become a Food Barn and now has graduated to a Thriftway.  They do not carry my beloved shrimp cocktail.  Darn them!

TRIFEXTRA: WK 44

I've been out of the Trifecta loop for a while but I had some spare time today so I thought I would participate.

For the weekend challenge, we're asking you to write exactly 33 words about rebellion and/or revolt. Interpret it as you will,just keep it to 33 words. 

I was in love. He lived many miles away. Everyone said long distance romances never work. I should have rebelled and not listened. Twenty-five years later, he’s a millionaire and I’m flat broke.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE

THE LEAP - TRIFEXTRA: WK 37

THE LEAP

The wind whipped through Jason’s jumpsuit as he adjusted his parachute for the hundredth time.  He and Noah had come out together.  They held hands and took their second leap as a couple.

This weekend we are challenging you to write 33 of your own words to build upon the following:

On the count of three...

COFFEE

This is so funny I had to share

MOMENT OF CHOICE - TRIFECTA: WK 45

MOMENT OF CHOICE

Ella stood at the counter of her favorite coffee shop adding sugar to her cup when someone bumped into her.  She had spent the morning arguing with her husband so having her coffee spilled on the counter and dripping onto her old sneakers was not making it any better. 

She turned to give a piece of her mind to the culprit but came face to face with the most beautiful blue eyes she’d ever seen.  For a moment she couldn't speak.

 

“I’m so sorry! Let me help clean up that mess,” he apologized.  “My name is Joe, by the way.”

Ella stood speechless staring at Joe.  He took a pile of napkins from the counter and wiped up the spilled coffee. 

Joe noticed Ella’s shoes and once again apologized.

 “I’ll pay to have them cleaned,” he offered.  “Unfortunately, I do this all the time so I’m on a first name basis with the dry cleaner.”  Joe smiled at Ella.

Ella fought to find her voice, “No, no, that’s fine.  Accidents happen.” She fumbled with the words.  Never in her life had she been so mesmerized, not even when she’d met her husband.   She couldn’t imagine someone so strikingly handsome being clumsy.

Joe ordered two coffees and two muffins while Ella dried her shoes and continued to stare at this well-dressed stranger. 

“Join me, please,” offered Joe as he placed the drinks and muffins on a nearby table.

Thoughts of her husband raced through Ella’s mind as she considered her uneasy feelings for this complete stranger.  She glanced down at the simple wedding band on her left hand and wondered how could she be feeling this way about someone whom she had barely met or spoken to?

She stood unmoving for several minutes contemplating her feelings, her past – everything about her life that led her to this particular moment. 

Ella sat down in the chair across from Joe and extended her right hand.

“I’m Ella.  It’s nice to meet you.”

Please take a moment to go check out the other entries.  

COFFEE

And I love coffee a lot!

EYELASHES

I know this isn't the most amazing photograph but I wanted to point out just how beautiful his eyelashes are.  What you're seeing is the shadow of them on his cheeks.

I might be biased, but he's adorable!

STRANGE INSPIRATION - TRIFECTA: WK 43

STRANGE INSPIRATION

“He stroked his hand along her heavy bosom feeling the rise of her chest.”

“Ugh!” he snorted.

Jake had been trying to write the same passage for his book for hours but kept getting stumped.  It just didn’t sound right when he read it out loud. 

He didn’t want his female character to appear overweight but he also didn’t want her paper thin as in most erotic genre stories.  He felt that he could reach an entirely new group of readers if he changed from his normal format.

 

He had tried many adjectives but lavish, substantial, broad, and vast just didn’t give his writing the tone he wanted. 

“He stroked his hand along her copious bosom feeling the rise of her chest.”

“No! Does anyone even know what copious means?” he growled. 

He rose from the desk thinking that perhaps a break is what he needs.

He decided to make a pot of coffee and reached for some sample packs of a new brand he wanted to try.  He stood at the counter with the small package in hand and stared at the label. 

“Free Sample,” he read.  “Sample,” he repeated

He raced back to his laptop and quickly wrote, “He stroked his hand along her ample bosom feeling the rise of her chest.”

“Yes!” he exclaimed.

He read it aloud. 

“Isn’t it amazing how inspiration comes from the strangest places?” he chuckled to himself.

I had fun with this Trifecta challenge. See more by clicking on the cute little tricycle above.  Do it.  Do it now!

I AM AN INSTAGRAM ADDICT

My name is Jeanna and I'm an Instagram addict.  I Instagram at least 3 times a week.  I've been an addict for more than a year.

I discovered that there's much more to do with Instagram that I could ever dream.  I particularly like the Timehop and Instabam.  

Instagrid :: A web gallery of your Instagram photos.

Webstagram and Followgram :: View and manage your Instagram profiles online.

Instabam :: Find Instagram photos taken close to your physical location.

Timehop :: Get a daily email with Instagram photos you took one year ago.

Instafriends :: Find out who isn't following you back.

Hashgram :: Search Instagram by hashtag, keyword or user.

Cartagram :: It shows popular public photos from Instagram arranged on a map.

Instagreat :: Browse popular photos or even your own timeline.

Postagram :: Send Postagram postcards from your iPhone or Android.

Gramjunction :: Link your Instagram photos to Flickr accounts.

Imagesnap :: Turns your Instagram photos into 2″x2″ tiles. 

Printstagram :: Create prints or posters from your Instagram photos.

Calendagram :: Create wall calendars from your Instagram photos.

Instamaker :: Your Instagram photos on t-shirts, cards and more.

Stickygram :: Turn your Instagrams into magnets.

Casetagram :: Create an iPhone case from your Instagram photos.

Artflakes :: Create removable vinyl stickers from your Instagram photos.

Followgram :: Create an Instagram follow button to embed on websites and blogs.

Snapwidget :: Easily embed an Instagram photo gallery on your website or blog.

BEING A MOM - TRIFEXTRA: WK 33

Someone asked me

what being a mom

was like

and all I could 

think of was

middle 

of the night 

cuddles, 

drooling,

sloppy kisses,

and the way

that 

toothless grin

lights my

days.

Another entry into the wonderful world of Trifecta.  It's the usual weekend challenge to be done in exactly 33 words.  I love to write and these people challenge me every week to do better than the week before.  Come visit because, in the words of Martha Stewart, its' a good thing.

FLU SEASON - TRIFECTA: WK 42

I awoke to feelings of nausea.  I fumbled my way to the bathroom and paid my respects to the porcelain princess.  

My body felt as if a freight train had run over it. Then it backed up and did it again.  I don't know which hurt worse, my body or my aching head.  

I spent the day on the couch only leaving for frequent trips to the bathroom.  I occasionally detoured to the kitchen for more Sprite.  

Boring daytime television seeped into my consciousness between naps.  

The mother in me nursed my flu-ridden body with bed rest and fluids while deep down I begged for a radical form of anything to heal myself faster.  

Day one turned into day three when the fever finally broke and I was able to sit up without my head throbbing harder than the drums of a marching band.  

Late into day three and I was able to shower myself and begin the difficult climb back to my normal self.

I wasn't going to participate this week but I'm actually feeling better this afternoon and thought what better way to participate than to share how I've spent the past few days.  I did my best to not be too descriptive.

THE OLD SOUTH - TRIFEXTRA: WK 32

The last strains of sunlight lingered in the corners, grasping every available point of refraction.  She slid her fingertips along the glass wondering if this was all there ever was. Or could be. 

She turned from the window, her gown rustling as she turned. She had agreed to marry on her father's advice but now that the vows were said, the feelings of regret overwhelmed her.

The portion in bold is my part towards this weekend's Trifextra challenge.  You can read all about it by choosing to click on the link above. 

In reference to my last Trifectra entry, I apologize to the editors of Trifecta if they were offended.  I didn't intend to accuse anyone of anything.  I thought it would be a funny way of addressing how close the entries were.  I, myself, read every other entry prior to writing mine so that I don't reuse someone else's ideas, especially when only 4 words are involved. 

When I first wrote my entry, I wrote it exactly as the winning post but I changed it because after serious thought, I decided that I didn't consider sex as being an "it" so I changed my wording to omit the word.

Thank you to those who used the comments to critique the entry rather than bash me for it. I really did intend for it to be a creative way to voice my feelings.

REPEATING A GOOD THING

I'm a true believer in the old saying "there can never be too much of a good thing"

With summer coming to an end, most people would say good-bye to their favorite summer dishes.

I think those people are silly.

I love summer foods in the winter and winter foods in the summer.

I wanted to share this recipe again for those that only eat summer foods when it's warm.


Mommeee's Family Pasta Salad

Try it!  The kids will love it.

FEELINGS - TRIFECTA: WK 41

FEELINGS

I couldn’t believe my eyes.  The winning submission was only a few words off from mine.  How can changing a few words make it a winner over mine?  I sat there reading and rereading the submissions with a complete absence of thought due to disgust.  Or should anger be the appropriate emotion?  How could the judges not notice that it was a copy? 

My inner child wants to act on the anger and file a complaint.  The adult in me says to let it go.  Chalk it up to a life lesson that not everyone plays fair. 

I wanted to go with my adult side.  It’s not as if it really matters.  It’s a silly competition for fun. 

But then again, being passive-aggressive can be just as fun.

For more Trifecta submissions, click on the link above. There are some great writers over there so read a few and leave your comments.  Writers just love feedback.

PS. I only titled this so that the song would get stuck in your head :)

PSS.  Woah, woah, woah, feelings!

GLASSES

Yes, I wear glasses but those aren't the glasses I'm referring to today.

I'm talking drinking glasses.

Specifically, souvenir drinking glasses.

When I open up my cabinet door to grab a glass, I prefer to grab any one of my favorite souvenir glasses I've collected throughout the years.

I don't know why for sure but I think it's because I like the idea of remembering the good times.

I have a souvenir glass from one of our favorite Mexican food places that I accidentally walked out with one day.  It's a silly plastic glass that has the name of the restaurant on it but it's a favorite of mine.

I have a souvenir glass from Giordano's Pizza from my trip to Chicago with The Teenager and his orchestra group last spring.  Everyone looked at me like I was nuts when I asked if I could buy my glass but I have a simple remembrance of that trip (and that wonderful pizza place that has now ruined pizza for me from any other restaurant).  

I don't have a picture of the glass so I'm sharing a picture of the pizza with you instead.  Yum!

I have all of the Shrek glasses from McDonalds.  I know there was a recall but I loved the glasses too much to let them go.

I also have a Twilight glass.  Yes, I'm a nerd that way.  I'm Team Edward, by the way.

I have a souvenir glass from KC Improv too.  It's a smaller glass but I love it just as much as I love my other souvenir glasses.

I do have a good set of glasses in my cabinet but I just prefer to drink from one of these.

I love them!

It's my fetish.    

BREAKFAST MUFFINS

NOT YOUR EVERY DAY ORDINARY BREAKFAST MUFFINS

I love breakfast food.  I prefer to have it for dinner but on rare occasions, I'll get up on a weekend day and make breakfast for my family.

I found a recipe online for some easy breakfast muffins that aren't your ordinary breakfast muffins.  

I was trying to come up with an easy breakfast that would feed lots of people (we had overnight guests) and decided to give this recipe a try.  

Ingredients

• O'brian hash browns (or plain if you don't like peppers and onions)
• 1/2 slice of bacon her muffin
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 egg per muffin
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray
3. Place 1/2 slice of bacon along the inside side of the muffin tin.  
4. Place about 2-3 tablespoonfuls of hash browns into the muffin tin
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bacon and hash browns are to a doneness that you prefer (I like crispy for both)
6. Top with the mozzarella.
7. Crack an egg into each ramekin.  Season with salt and pepper.
8. Bake in the oven on the middle rack for 5 minutes.
9. Broil on high for 5-6 minutes or until the eggs are set.  
10. Serve with sliced tomatoes for an amazing breakfast combination.

These were a huge hit and have been every time I've made them.  

PS.  Yes, I realize the picture doesn't show the bacon.  I didn't have any bacon the day I made these and took the picture but believe me, bacon makes them so much better!

SEX - TRIFEXTRA: WK 31

Here's the challenge:

Robert Frost once said, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."  We want you to do the same.  Sum up anything you want, but do it in three words.  Your response should mirror Frost's quote by beginning, "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about--."  And the last four words are yours to choose. 

My answer to the challenge:

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about sex:  feels so good.

ROMANCE - TRIFECTRA WK 40

ROMANCE

Whatever happened to the days
When our true love took the time.
Today it’s a quick text
Can’t wait for the phone to chime.

Once upon a time it was quill
And lovely paper that was used.
Now it's waves sent in a hurry
And quick to be perused.

I miss the days of romance
Candy, written poetry, a flower.
A text is so inadequate
Provides nothing to devour.

Romance is a dinosaur
that needs to be revived
so that future generations
will not be deprived.

I went way outside my comfort zone this week and wrote poetry for this week's Trifectra Writing Challenge.  I'm not into fancy sonnets or not talented enough to write an acrostic poem.  I'm more into the limerick-y types of poetry so go easy on me.  

TRIFEXTRA: WK 30

She fished the telephone from her pocket but missed the call.  She cussed and fumbled with the buttons as she attempted to dial the number back but once again got his voice mail.  

My entry into this weekend's Trifextra challenge to use an animal as a verb.  Click on the link above and read some more entries.  Better yet, write your own and link up.  

CHILE RELLENOS CASSEROLE

One of my favorite foods are chile rellonos. When I found this recipe, I just had to try it. It's simple. It's delicious.

Ingredients

2 (7 ounce) cans whole green chile peppers, drained
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
8 ounces Longhorn or Cheddar cheese, shredded
2 eggs, beaten
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

 DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Lay half of the chilies evenly in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and cover with remaining chilies. In a bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, and flour, and pour over the top of the chilies. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, pour tomato sauce evenly over the top, and continue baking another 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and serve.

Suggested accompaniments:  avocado, sour cream, green onions

TRIFECTA: WK 39

Each time I look into his eyes, I see nothing but pure, unrequited love.  Oh how I adore those copper-colored eyes.

Ranger came into my life 8 years ago on a fluke.  We wanted a new family pet but couldn’t agree on what type of dog to get.  Tim wanted a furry dog but I wanted a Jack Russell Terrier. 

I was searching the paper for the hundredth time when I ran across an unexpected advertisement. 

“For Sale:  American Eskimo/Jack Russell Terrier mix puppies $50 call 555-5555”

I jumped on the telephone and made arrangements to pick up a puppy before calling my husband and clearing it with him. 

We arrived at the address and were overwhelmed at how cute all of the puppies were. 

It was kismet.  These puppies were exactly what we were looking for!  One puppy stood out to all of us so we chose him to become our Ranger.

Ranger was the easiest puppy to train.  His potty training only lasted a week or so before we had no issues with leaving him out on his own.  He got the best of both breeds – smart as a Jack Russell and as loving and loyal as an American Eskimo, not to mention the fur!

When I’m home, he’s always at my side.   He walks with me with no leash needed and stays at my feet when I’m sitting.  For relaxation, he rests his head on my thigh as I sit on the couch. 

I love when I say “who’s my wubber dog” and he nuzzles his head under my chin.   He has a funny way of tilting his head and only perking up one ear when I call his name – the one ear with the white tip.   He responds to my petting with such a warm-heart that he gets any treat he wants.   I’ve never experienced the love for a pet that I have for Ranger.  

Over the years, Ranger has come to be my companion – in this case, woman’s best friend.

Another entry in Trifecta.  Come read.  Join in!

TODAY'S ME IN A SONG

I love it when characters in tv shows have a theme song.  You know the one I'm talking about.  The song that plays when that character is walking down the street.  Or the one that plays when they walk into the room.  Yeah, that one.

I don't have one theme song.  I have a mood of the day type theme song.  Sometimes that theme song will last a few days, months, or sometimes even months.

I don't need to be anything other than a prison guards sonI don't need to be anything other than a specialist's sonI don't have to be anyone other than a birth of two souls in onePart of where I'm going is knowing where I'm coming from
I don't wanna be anything other than what I've been trying to be latelyAll I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mindI'm tired of looking around rooms wondering what I gotta doOr who I'm supposed to beI don't wanna be anything other than me
I'm surrounded by liars, everywhere I turnI'm surrounded by impostors, everywhere I turnI'm surrounded by identity crisis, everywhere I turnAm I the only one who noticed? I can't be the only one who's learned
I don't wanna be anything other than what I've been trying to be latelyAll I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mindI'm tired of looking around rooms wondering what I gotta doOr who I'm supposed to beI don't wanna be anything other than me
Can I have everyone's attention please?If you're not like this and that, you're gonna have to leaveI came from the mountain, the crust of creationMy whole situation made from clay to stone and now I'm telling everybody
The highlighted or chorus part of the song sums it up.  
What's your theme song?  If I see you walking down the street, what song should I be hearing?

TRIFEXTRA: WK 29

My small hands trembled as I laid the gun down at his feet. I finally exhaled knowing that he could never touch me again. His ending was the start of my new beginning.

This is my entry into Trifecta's Trifextra.  Want to read more entries?  Yes?  Then click on the picture above which is linked to the challenge.  Go ahead.  I triple dog dare you to.

PEARS

We stayed at our friend's house for the weekend and one of the things we did to occupy the kids was pick pears.  We don't know what kind of pears these are but they taste like apples.

Uncle Jason took The Kid up in the bucket truck to pick some from the top of the tree.  At first, he was too scared to even get in but cool Uncle Jason prevailed.  He strapped him into a harness and up they went.

They went up really high.  On a side note, the sky was absolutely beautiful today.  

Then they got down to business and picked some pears.  Lots of pears.  Too many pears that any two families could eat in the time before they'd go bad.

This is just a small sampling of the pears we picked today.  A grocery bag full got peeled and put into the crock pot along with sugar and cinnamon and water.  Boy were my hands sore after peeling about 25 pears. I'm not a big fan of pears eaten plain so I'd never realized what a cruciferous fruit it is.

Several hours later, a few bouts of stirring, and we had some canned Pear Butter!  Daddeee says it tastes just like apple butter.  I agree.

Aren't the jars just adorable?  I like canning in the half pint jars because a) they fit well in my pan for sanitizing and b) I get more jars full so I can give them away.

I was able to fill 9 jars.  That's some to keep and some to give away.  Bonus!  I love sharing home made goodies with family and friends.


Pear Butter 

20-25 small pears (peeled and cored)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 T cinnamon
2/3 cup water

Place all of the ingredients into the crock pot and cook on high for about 4-5 hours.  Check and stir them often.  As soon as the pears are soft enough to smash with your spoon, they're ready.  I used my boat motor, otherwise known as an immersion blender.  You can do this until it's smooth or you can leave some chunks.  It's up to you.

Sanitize your jars in a pot of boiling water.  Place the Pear Butter into the jars leaving about a 1/2 inch from the top.  Clean off the edges of the jars and place the lids on.  Now wait and listen to them pop.  Once they've popped, they're sealed and good for several months.  A note of caution:  the Pear Butter and the jars are extremely hot.  Please be careful.

TRIFEXTRA - WK 28

THE HEART

My young son draws a heart on a piece of paper for me to be his Valentine.

The heart beats inside his chest as he grows.

The heart hurts from his first break-up.

Another Trifextra 33-word challenge.  For more, click on the link above and read some amazing works.

A note to other Trifecta participants:

I'm new to this and want to thank you all for accepting me into your group.  I'm forever amazed at the talent within this group.  Thank you for amazing me more each week.

TRIFECTA: WK 37

Jillian sat in the waiting area just as she had many times in the past.  This would be her final flight.  The check in was much easier than it had ever been.  Getting things ready for this flight had, however, been more difficult.

She found out she would be taking this trip months before.  Even though she had plenty of time to prepare, deciding what to bring and what to leave behind was difficult.

The forty-two year old mother of 2 spent the previous few months preparing.  The children would be well cared for and she had left plenty of instructions for her husband of 20 years.

Jillian had even managed to spend some time with her extended family thanks to a cleverly planned family reunion.  She had hugged her mom and her sisters.  She even joked with Uncle Steve about him making the same trip and meeting up with her.

While Jillian waited to board, she reflected on the other places she had been.  

Disneyland with the kids, cruises with friends, and anniversary trips with her husband were a few that were more memorable.  

Jillian stiffened slightly when the attendant announced that her flight was ready to depart.  She knew the tears would flow freely as she hugged her children good bye and took one last look at her handsome husband and kissed him gently on the cheek.  

"I'll see you," she told them, "when it's time for you to take the same journey.  Remember, I'll love you always."

She laid her head down onto her pillow and closed her eyes for the last time.  Jillian left with a sweet smile on her face and a peacefulness within her as she departed on her flight to meet her God.

This is my entry into this week's Trifecta.  You can view more about it by clicking on the above image. There are some very amazing writers who participate so take some time, surf their writings and enjoy.