Ross Mannell

Saturday Centus – Wk#145 – Photo:Punxsutawney Phil retires? – 100 words – “Old Phil”

05 Feb

Punxsutawney Phil emerged and, seeing his shadow, returned to his hole.

“Six more weeks of winter,” the humans said.

Back in the comfort of his hole, he sat as his computer, “Life’s so much easier now I can get long range weather forecasts online.”

Phil’s son looked on, “What now you’re retired, dad?”

“It’s your turn. Your mom and I have been given a quiet retirement hole. You’re Phil now.”

Old Phil and Phyllis settled into their retirement hole assured New Phil would carry on the tradition.

Old Santa, their neighbour, was reassuring, “Even the President can’t hold office forever.”

This picture is from the Saturday Centus blog.

#100WCGU – Wk75 – Prompt: photo – 100 words – “Maina”

05 Feb

Maina stood transfixed overlooking the Grand Canyon’s abyss.

Worried she was terrified, “Maina, are you okay?”

“Wamblee spoke to me,” her eyes looked a little glazed

“Who is Wamblee?”

“Wamblee is my spirit guide. I was the eagle. Look!”

She pointed up. An eagle was soaring but dropped down and landed on the railing. It looked at Maina for a short time before appearing to bow and flying off.

Our Native American guide explained Maina had had a spirit guide experience, “She will achieve greatness in her life.”

We had named her well. Maina was a Hindi name for bird.

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

4 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on February 5, 2013 in 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

Saturday Centus – Wk#144 – Photo: The dark side of the stars. – 106 words – “Dimmed”

01 Feb

We care for them, nurture them and share their joys and sorrows as they grow. We revel in their successes and teach them the ways of the world but, in time, they must make their own choices.

They are our stars, our attempt at immortality, our children but there is the dark side of the stars. They feel immortal and fate sometimes proves them wrong.

“Your mum and I will always love you.”

Gently we hold his hands. I give a nod. The regular beep slows then stops. A constant tone is heard.

This gentle star will no longer shine and our stars are now dimmed.

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

6 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on February 1, 2013 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk74 – Prompt: the extreme weather meant – 104 words – “Summer Heat”

24 Jan

Our regular coastal breeze had failed. Strong winds from the north-west brought heat from Australia’s desert regions. Temperature in the shade rose to 44C. Away from the coast, temperatures rose higher and in Australia’s centre birds were seen to fall dead from the sky.

The extreme weather meant fires were ravaging many areas. The smell of smoke hung in the air giving ominous warning.

An emergency alert warned a fire was five kilometres distant. Checking wind direction, I knew my house was safe but friends were in its path.

A new day, winds and heat less, my friends were safe… at least for now.

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

6 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on January 24, 2013 in 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

Saturday Centus – Wk#143 – Photo prompt. – 100 words – “Grey”

24 Jan

“Look, Poppa! Some tomatoes are red,” surprised Alex called.

Poppa smiled, “They’re ready to pick.”

“Can we pick the green ones?”

“They aren’t ripe yet,” Poppa explained. “We have to wait for them to change colour.”

Alex pondered, “We eat green and red apples. Aren’t the green ones ripe?”

Poppa’s smile widened, “Not all things change colours the same way.”

“Will I change colour when I’m older?”

Poppa was amused, “Like your Poppa, your hair may one day grow grey.”

“Are you ripe?”

Poppa laughed, “I’ve been on the vine a long time.”

“No one picked you?”

“Your Grandma did.”

This is the photo prompt from the Centus site.

3 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on January 24, 2013 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk73 – Prompt: the notes from the piano – 105 words – “Symphony”

19 Jan

The notes from the piano drifted through the air, my mind lost in thought provoked. What strange a world when notes are limited yet by blending in original ways beauty can be made.

The notes from the piano played, a metaphor for life. We all have notes in our lives to play yet we combine them in original ways. For some, life is a symphony. For others, life seems tone deaf.

Reality returns as a note goes wrong, “No, sweetheart, that should have been a C#.”

“Okay, papa,” a smiling child replies as the music goes on.

“What symphony will her life play?” I wonder.

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

Saturday Centus – Wk#142 – Prompt: My mother turned 80 today. – 105 words – “JM”

19 Jan

My mother turned 80 today, an achievement in itself not achieved by all. The comment had me wondering of life for this woman once young.

From the family album, I chose a photo of a girl just ten.

What hopes and dreams were behind the face, what joys and sorrows of future times? Growing to womanhood, boyfriends, a proposal, marriage, children, grandchildren… Were her dreams met?

Her husband lost so young. Her children grown, her parents lost and siblings gone but two. Her walk once spritely now with cane, I asked her of her life.

“Alright,” she said in typical understatement, “but not always happy.”

This photo is not to be used without direct written permission from me.

2 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on January 19, 2013 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk72 – Prompt: You said you’d do WHAT? – 105 words – “Call Me Sam”

10 Jan

“You said you’d do WHAT?”

I knew dad wouldn’t be happy but I wanted to be Samuel, the star, in the school play. As part of a witness program, he had to pretend to be a girl. Samuel, call him Sam or Samantha, learned a lesson of friendship.

When the scenes came, I entered in blond curls and wearing a pink dress. Laughs turned to silence as Sam’s story unfolded, my father’s frown turned to pride.

“It seems as long as you’re with your best friends you can do almost anything.”

Was that a tear in my dad’s eye as I said my last line?

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

2 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on January 10, 2013 in 1. 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups #100WCGU

Saturday Centus – Wk#141 – Photo prompt. Style: first person – 100 words – “A New Atlas”

10 Jan

My teacher was talking about global problems. My mind’s imagination took flight.

I was Atlas, not of Greek mythology but of a new order. No longer carried on my back where much goes unseen, I hold the world in one hand. I see problems pollution has brought, the sadness of war and those lost to anger. I see hunger when others have plenty.

I raised my hand to speak, “We all live on one world. We’re in one family, human.”

“And…?” teacher prompted.

“Families need to work together when there are problems. We only need to care enough to try.”

This is the prompt photo from the Saturday Centus site.

4 Comments

Posted by Ross Mannell on January 10, 2013 in 2. Saturday Centus

#100WCGU – Wk71 – Prompt: As midnight struck – 103 words – “Hope’s Moment”

01 Jan

As midnight struck, my world is frozen in a moment of time. No New Year fireworks, no cheering nor the cacophony of parties cuts the air.

I wander the darker sides of life. I mourn those lost to evil ways.

I see the empathic, the loving, the caring, and the possibilities in humanity.

The balance is done. Good outweighs evil but, in places, the balance is awry.

The world moves on, greeting another year. It can do better.

Conscience? Guiding angel? Mystical being? Call me what you will. I’ll be whispering in the hope some may listen, in the hope all will care.

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

Author Archives: Ross Mannell

About Ross Mannell

Punxsutawney Phil emerged and, seeing his shadow, returned to his hole.

“Six more weeks of winter,” the humans said.

Back in the comfort of his hole, he sat as his computer, “Life’s so much easier now I can get long range weather forecasts online.”

Phil’s son looked on, “What now you’re retired, dad?”

“It’s your turn. Your mom and I have been given a quiet retirement hole. You’re Phil now.”

Old Phil and Phyllis settled into their retirement hole assured New Phil would carry on the tradition.

Old Santa, their neighbour, was reassuring, “Even the President can’t hold office forever.”

Maina stood transfixed overlooking the Grand Canyon’s abyss.

Worried she was terrified, “Maina, are you okay?”

“Wamblee spoke to me,” her eyes looked a little glazed

“Who is Wamblee?”

“Wamblee is my spirit guide. I was the eagle. Look!”

She pointed up. An eagle was soaring but dropped down and landed on the railing. It looked at Maina for a short time before appearing to bow and flying off.

Our Native American guide explained Maina had had a spirit guide experience, “She will achieve greatness in her life.”

We had named her well. Maina was a Hindi name for bird.

We care for them, nurture them and share their joys and sorrows as they grow. We revel in their successes and teach them the ways of the world but, in time, they must make their own choices.

They are our stars, our attempt at immortality, our children but there is the dark side of the stars. They feel immortal and fate sometimes proves them wrong.

“Your mum and I will always love you.”

Gently we hold his hands. I give a nod. The regular beep slows then stops. A constant tone is heard.

This gentle star will no longer shine and our stars are now dimmed.

Our regular coastal breeze had failed. Strong winds from the north-west brought heat from Australia’s desert regions. Temperature in the shade rose to 44C. Away from the coast, temperatures rose higher and in Australia’s centre birds were seen to fall dead from the sky.

The extreme weather meant fires were ravaging many areas. The smell of smoke hung in the air giving ominous warning.

An emergency alert warned a fire was five kilometres distant. Checking wind direction, I knew my house was safe but friends were in its path.

A new day, winds and heat less, my friends were safe… at least for now.

“Look, Poppa! Some tomatoes are red,” surprised Alex called.

Poppa smiled, “They’re ready to pick.”

“Can we pick the green ones?”

“They aren’t ripe yet,” Poppa explained. “We have to wait for them to change colour.”

Alex pondered, “We eat green and red apples. Aren’t the green ones ripe?”

Poppa’s smile widened, “Not all things change colours the same way.”

“Will I change colour when I’m older?”

Poppa was amused, “Like your Poppa, your hair may one day grow grey.”

“Are you ripe?”

Poppa laughed, “I’ve been on the vine a long time.”

“No one picked you?”

“Your Grandma did.”

The notes from the piano drifted through the air, my mind lost in thought provoked. What strange a world when notes are limited yet by blending in original ways beauty can be made.

The notes from the piano played, a metaphor for life. We all have notes in our lives to play yet we combine them in original ways. For some, life is a symphony. For others, life seems tone deaf.

Reality returns as a note goes wrong, “No, sweetheart, that should have been a C#.”

“Okay, papa,” a smiling child replies as the music goes on.

“What symphony will her life play?” I wonder.

My mother turned 80 today, an achievement in itself not achieved by all. The comment had me wondering of life for this woman once young.

From the family album, I chose a photo of a girl just ten.

What hopes and dreams were behind the face, what joys and sorrows of future times? Growing to womanhood, boyfriends, a proposal, marriage, children, grandchildren… Were her dreams met?

Her husband lost so young. Her children grown, her parents lost and siblings gone but two. Her walk once spritely now with cane, I asked her of her life.

“Alright,” she said in typical understatement, “but not always happy.”

“You said you’d do WHAT?”

I knew dad wouldn’t be happy but I wanted to be Samuel, the star, in the school play. As part of a witness program, he had to pretend to be a girl. Samuel, call him Sam or Samantha, learned a lesson of friendship.

When the scenes came, I entered in blond curls and wearing a pink dress. Laughs turned to silence as Sam’s story unfolded, my father’s frown turned to pride.

“It seems as long as you’re with your best friends you can do almost anything.”

Was that a tear in my dad’s eye as I said my last line?

My teacher was talking about global problems. My mind’s imagination took flight.

I was Atlas, not of Greek mythology but of a new order. No longer carried on my back where much goes unseen, I hold the world in one hand. I see problems pollution has brought, the sadness of war and those lost to anger. I see hunger when others have plenty.

I raised my hand to speak, “We all live on one world. We’re in one family, human.”

“And…?” teacher prompted.

“Families need to work together when there are problems. We only need to care enough to try.”

As midnight struck, my world is frozen in a moment of time. No New Year fireworks, no cheering nor the cacophony of parties cuts the air.

I wander the darker sides of life. I mourn those lost to evil ways.

I see the empathic, the loving, the caring, and the possibilities in humanity.

The balance is done. Good outweighs evil but, in places, the balance is awry.

The world moves on, greeting another year. It can do better.

Conscience? Guiding angel? Mystical being? Call me what you will. I’ll be whispering in the hope some may listen, in the hope all will care.

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