Ross Mannell

Saturday Centus – Wk#140 – Prompt: you want a resolution – 104 words – “The Promise”

31 Dec

Sophie looked puzzled, “Daddy, what’s a New Year Revolution?”

Smiling, “Resolution… It’s a promise people make to themselves each New Year but don’t always keep.”

“They lie to themselves?”

“No, not really, Sophie. They often mean what they say but it doesn’t always work out.”

“You want a resolution, daddy?”

“I’ve made one every year for the last four years and will make one again this year.”

“Did you keep your resolutions?”

“Always.”

Sophie was curious, “What promises did you make?”

“It’s the same promise each year. I promise to love you more than anything in the world.”

Sophie smiled, “That’s my resolution too.”

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

2 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 31, 2012 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk70 – Prompt: Twas the night before Christmas – 105 words – “The Choir”

31 Dec

Now Robert! Now John and Suzie and Jill!

Stop fighting and twitching, it’s time to be still.

This practise, the last, before evening time come,

There’s no more chances given to some.

Twas the night before Christmas and all round the town,

The children had gathered, not one with a frown.

Their voices rose high as they carolled their song,

This was their night, they’d waited so long.

The songs they were sung with voices so clear,

With parents all thinking this ends one more year.

Now pick up your children and take them to bed,

It’s my time to go and soothe aching head.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

4 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 31, 2012 in 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

Saturday Centus – Wk#139 – Prompt: White snow. Bright Snow – 104 words – “Summer Christmas”

24 Dec

What a wonderful world. Its tilted axis to the planetary plane gives us the seasons, opposite for north and south, as we orbit our sun.

How strangely we cling to traditions.

It’s Christmas in Australia, summer, hot and time for the beach yet many Christmas cards show snow-covered scenes. There are also the decorated homes with coloured lights, Santa, reindeer and a sleigh atop snow, artificial in our summer’s heat. White snow. Bright snow.

I pause and think of an Aussie Christmas, Santa decked in board shorts, wearing sandals and sunglasses, cool for the summer.

It’s white heat, bright heat, an Australian summer Christmas.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

9 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 24, 2012 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk69 – Prompt: Bah Humbug! – 100 words – “Maybe, Perhaps”

21 Dec

“Bah Humbug!” I called, sick of the joy and goodwill.

I know, you’ve heard the story of Scrooge. Yes, I stole his words but my story wasn’t one of ghosts walking the halls. It’s a cry of someone with sore feet, laden with gifts, a toddler too tired and little Miss Four.

I know, many have had the same experience.

Many have made the promise, “Never again.”

The day comes, the toys unwrapped, smiles, greetings, overindulgence… all part of the day.

Toddler asleep in arms, little Miss Four dozing against my shoulder…

Maybe, just perhaps, one more time next year.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

2 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 21, 2012 in 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

Saturday Centus – Wk#138 – Prompt: On the 13th Day of Christmas… – 106 words – “Dreams”

21 Dec

I’ve seen many Christmas Days in my long life and celebrated the twelve days of Christmas following. Yet another busy time comes all too soon. The “Ho, ho, ho” will resound through the decked out halls. Gifts will be left. Songs will be sung.

I’m Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, Tomte… I’ve many names but have one aim. I bring joy to children of the world.

What awaits when Christmas Day and the following twelve are done?

On the 13th Day of Christmas I’ll sit and dream of all that has been and all that will be.

Merry Christmas to all. To all a good night.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

2 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 21, 2012 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk68 – Prompt: They worked when I put them away – 107 words – “Sand”

15 Dec

They worked when I put them away. It was again time to take them out and see if all was well.

When in position, power was applied. I noticed one was barely glowing. Checking the records, I was on my way to the location.

Restless, a little person was moving uncomfortably in bed. I could see his dreams. They had turned to nightmares. This would not do. A sprinkle from the sack and nightmare turned to pleasant dream. He now slept comfortably.

This was my regional routine each night. The sandmen and sandwomen (there are many) only bring pleasant dreams. Our mission is to protect the young.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

The story itself was influenced by the recent release of the animated movie, “Rise of the Guardians”.

2 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 15, 2012 in 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

Saturday Centus – Wk#137 – Prompt: Photo – 100 words in first person – “N.U.T.S.”

15 Dec

“HQ, Agent N.U.T.S. 15807 on location,” I reported.

Nothing Unusual To See (N.U.T.S.) is a secret worldwide organization with the sole aim of reporting to the boss and keeping our records up to date. This is just one more mission, my disguise a squirrel.

Scampering up a branch, I peer through a window then contact HQ, “Add subject to the NI list. Moving to next subject.”

A moment later the rarer, “NA list.”

I suddenly realized I was still wearing my official N.U.T.S. hat. It’s quickly hidden. Elves in disguise helping with Santa’s NAughty and NIce list can’t be discovered.

This graphic was the prompt photo on the Saturday Centus site.

4 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 15, 2012 in 2. Saturday Centus

Saturday Centus – Wk#136 – Prompt: Was it just last week… – 105 words – “Her Smile”

08 Dec

Was it just last week she was begging me for a bedtime story?

“Ready, Dad?”

“You look beautiful, sweetheart. I’m so proud.”

I gave a nod to an usher at the door. The music changed. We could hear Pachelbel’s Canon in D commence. My daughter knew it had always been a favourite of mine.

One last time I walked with my little girl. A tear, a mixture of sadness and joy, came to an eye. Ahead, his face beamed at the sight of her. Soon they would be wed.

I whispered, “I love you more than life.”

Her smile will stay in my memory forever.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

6 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 8, 2012 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk69 – Prompt: photo – 100 words – “Mature?”

04 Dec

Have you had one of those moments when the prefect chocolate treat, loved by all, is down to one small piece? No one in the group is willing to take the last piece and appear greedy. If we were children, we might all make a dive for it but, no, we’re mature adults.

Someone suggests Sandy takes it, “You think I’m too skinny?”

Sandy suggests Mandy LOVES chocolate, “Now you’re saying I’m too fat!”

The to and fro continues until, “It’s gone! Who took it?”

With my most innocent expression, “I wasn’t watching,” and to myself, “…but it was delicious.”

This photo is from the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups site.

9 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on December 4, 2012 in 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

#100WCGU – Wk68 – Prompt: …grey… – 100 words – “Rainbows”

01 Dec

Grey… not fifty shades, not five, just the funkiness seeming to envelope my daily routine. I wake to the alarm, get up, shower, dress, breakfast and head to work.

My alarm sounded. Expecting the usual grey in my depressed mind, I opened my eyes to see a little face smiling at me.

A kiss on the forehead from the little face and an, “I love you daddy.”

I sat up and hugged little face, “Thank you for bringing rainbows to my day.”

Some kind words and a loving smile can chase any grey from the world. Colour filled my day.

Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.

Author Archives: Ross Mannell

About Ross Mannell

Sophie looked puzzled, “Daddy, what’s a New Year Revolution?”

Smiling, “Resolution… It’s a promise people make to themselves each New Year but don’t always keep.”

“They lie to themselves?”

“No, not really, Sophie. They often mean what they say but it doesn’t always work out.”

“You want a resolution, daddy?”

“I’ve made one every year for the last four years and will make one again this year.”

“Did you keep your resolutions?”

“Always.”

Sophie was curious, “What promises did you make?”

“It’s the same promise each year. I promise to love you more than anything in the world.”

Sophie smiled, “That’s my resolution too.”

Now Robert! Now John and Suzie and Jill!

Stop fighting and twitching, it’s time to be still.

This practise, the last, before evening time come,

There’s no more chances given to some.

Twas the night before Christmas and all round the town,

The children had gathered, not one with a frown.

Their voices rose high as they carolled their song,

This was their night, they’d waited so long.

The songs they were sung with voices so clear,

With parents all thinking this ends one more year.

Now pick up your children and take them to bed,

It’s my time to go and soothe aching head.

What a wonderful world. Its tilted axis to the planetary plane gives us the seasons, opposite for north and south, as we orbit our sun.

How strangely we cling to traditions.

It’s Christmas in Australia, summer, hot and time for the beach yet many Christmas cards show snow-covered scenes. There are also the decorated homes with coloured lights, Santa, reindeer and a sleigh atop snow, artificial in our summer’s heat. White snow. Bright snow.

I pause and think of an Aussie Christmas, Santa decked in board shorts, wearing sandals and sunglasses, cool for the summer.

It’s white heat, bright heat, an Australian summer Christmas.

“Bah Humbug!” I called, sick of the joy and goodwill.

I know, you’ve heard the story of Scrooge. Yes, I stole his words but my story wasn’t one of ghosts walking the halls. It’s a cry of someone with sore feet, laden with gifts, a toddler too tired and little Miss Four.

I know, many have had the same experience.

Many have made the promise, “Never again.”

The day comes, the toys unwrapped, smiles, greetings, overindulgence… all part of the day.

Toddler asleep in arms, little Miss Four dozing against my shoulder…

Maybe, just perhaps, one more time next year.

I’ve seen many Christmas Days in my long life and celebrated the twelve days of Christmas following. Yet another busy time comes all too soon. The “Ho, ho, ho” will resound through the decked out halls. Gifts will be left. Songs will be sung.

I’m Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, Sinterklaas, Tomte… I’ve many names but have one aim. I bring joy to children of the world.

What awaits when Christmas Day and the following twelve are done?

On the 13th Day of Christmas I’ll sit and dream of all that has been and all that will be.

Merry Christmas to all. To all a good night.

They worked when I put them away. It was again time to take them out and see if all was well.

When in position, power was applied. I noticed one was barely glowing. Checking the records, I was on my way to the location.

Restless, a little person was moving uncomfortably in bed. I could see his dreams. They had turned to nightmares. This would not do. A sprinkle from the sack and nightmare turned to pleasant dream. He now slept comfortably.

This was my regional routine each night. The sandmen and sandwomen (there are many) only bring pleasant dreams. Our mission is to protect the young.

“HQ, Agent N.U.T.S. 15807 on location,” I reported.

Nothing Unusual To See (N.U.T.S.) is a secret worldwide organization with the sole aim of reporting to the boss and keeping our records up to date. This is just one more mission, my disguise a squirrel.

Scampering up a branch, I peer through a window then contact HQ, “Add subject to the NI list. Moving to next subject.”

A moment later the rarer, “NA list.”

I suddenly realized I was still wearing my official N.U.T.S. hat. It’s quickly hidden. Elves in disguise helping with Santa’s NAughty and NIce list can’t be discovered.

Was it just last week she was begging me for a bedtime story?

“Ready, Dad?”

“You look beautiful, sweetheart. I’m so proud.”

I gave a nod to an usher at the door. The music changed. We could hear Pachelbel’s Canon in D commence. My daughter knew it had always been a favourite of mine.

One last time I walked with my little girl. A tear, a mixture of sadness and joy, came to an eye. Ahead, his face beamed at the sight of her. Soon they would be wed.

I whispered, “I love you more than life.”

Her smile will stay in my memory forever.

Have you had one of those moments when the prefect chocolate treat, loved by all, is down to one small piece? No one in the group is willing to take the last piece and appear greedy. If we were children, we might all make a dive for it but, no, we’re mature adults.

Someone suggests Sandy takes it, “You think I’m too skinny?”

Sandy suggests Mandy LOVES chocolate, “Now you’re saying I’m too fat!”

The to and fro continues until, “It’s gone! Who took it?”

With my most innocent expression, “I wasn’t watching,” and to myself, “…but it was delicious.”

Grey… not fifty shades, not five, just the funkiness seeming to envelope my daily routine. I wake to the alarm, get up, shower, dress, breakfast and head to work.

My alarm sounded. Expecting the usual grey in my depressed mind, I opened my eyes to see a little face smiling at me.

A kiss on the forehead from the little face and an, “I love you daddy.”

I sat up and hugged little face, “Thank you for bringing rainbows to my day.”

Some kind words and a loving smile can chase any grey from the world. Colour filled my day.

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