Category Archives: 2. Saturday Centus

My child, asleep after a day of new discoveries…

I wondered, “What dreams does he bring?”

My mind, slowing in the moment of contentment, brought thoughts of my grandfather so long ago…

“Cwsg fy mhlentyn a heddwch yn mynychu ti,” his words would soothe me when sleep was elusive.

Welsh, the language of my ancestors, was lost in time to me yet this one phrase I understood.

Kissing the forehead of my sleeping joy, “Sleep my child and peace attend thee.”

I could see my grandfather smiling down on us, sharing our intimate moment, knowing he was still a part of our lives… all through the night.

This was the graphic on the Saturday Centus site.

“The Art of Pancakes”… What a title for such a simple recipe yet I was lost in thought as the broadcast droned on.

“Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat,” the voice continued.

How many times in our lives have we been lost in those mundane moments?

She stirs. I gently stroke her head still too warm. Her eyes again close.

The voice, “Cook until golden brown.”

The night had been long as anyone with a fevered child knows. My eyes slowly closed…

“Mumma?”

Her call brought me back to my senses. Her temperature was returning to normal.

“Can I have pancakes?”

“I know just the recipe.”

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

“Dear John,”

Two words she’d so often written since he’d set to sea because of this accursed war. The task was to escort a convoy… a milk run he had claimed… no real danger.

Her letters, written daily, in the hope they’d find him and in return she would receive those she knew he would write… but it wasn’t to be. Her first letter wasn’t from him but from the navy.

Five words tore into her heart, “all hands lost at sea.”

A letter tossed into the sea in a bottle…

“Dear John, my love, why did you leave me?” it began.

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

“IT WAS THE SUMMER OF 1974. The sun beat down on the homestead scorching the grass. Our animals found whatever shade they could. We had hot days before but this was different. There was an intensity none had seen before.”

“How hot was it, Poppy?” asked five.

“It was so hot, we had to light the fireplace to cool the house down.”

Five pondered a thought for a short time, “I don’t believe you. If it was that hot everything would burn up.”

Poppy smiled, “It did. We had to move.”

“Where?”

“To the Earth. After the sun was lit, it was too hot to stay.”

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

OUR FINGERS ENTWINED LIKE RIBBONS OF LIGHT. It was her gentle touch when I was little that taught me how to love. It was her kind words that taught me how to care. It was her comfort when sad and her laughter when happy. She’d been there from my birth but, as we grow older, we learn nothing mortal will live forever.

Her face grown old, her touch no longer strong, I watch her making her age-worn way no longer spry. Another Mother’s Day and I treasure the moments I know can’t last. It was her who now needs my hand to help her along her way.

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

There was fear at the office,

For the word had got around.

Not a chocolate or a normal egg,

In Easter town was found.

.

Some hatched a plan, a tricky trap,

It’s deviled eggs they planted.

They knew the thief would come again,

Taking sweetened eggs for granted.

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But just one bite and he’d be done,

The eggs were hot as flame.

The thief would scream and then be caught,

He’d have none else to blame.

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Sure enough they heard a scream that night,

And all came out in wonder.

For sitting there was Easter Bunny,

Surrounded by fiery plunder.

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

This is the Saturday Centus Deviled Egg photo.

We go through lives meeting many people. From the moment of our birth, we’re part of a family. As we grow, our circle of friends bring more people into our lives. School and work further increases our circle of acquaintances.

Each person we meet has an influence, no matter how slight, no matter whether negative or positive, on our growth as a person but there are some in our lives who have a profound positive effect on us.

We shout, “Thank you Beryl!”

You have been introduced to us through the love of your daughter and, in turn, have introduced us to Tracy.

This is the Centus photo supplied with the prompt.

There are the good times and there are the bad. We all have joys in our lives and times we’d rather forget.

It’s my time on duty. I’m ready, alert for any sound or smell warning of danger.

The moment comes and my mind screams, “Code Red!”

I quickly put on my protective clothing. The rubber gloves come next. Finally, I slip my gas mask over my face. I am ready!

I approach the source of the problem, my mind suppressing my fear of what’s to come. As efficiently as a first attempt can be, I change my new baby’s dirty diaper.

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

She was eight but, to her Grandma, she seemed to be carrying the weight of the world, “Why so sad, Debbie?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Are you thinking about Michael?”

Debbie’s sobs increased, “He shouldn’t have died. He was my best friend.”

Grandma knew the loss we can feel when accident takes someone close, “Close you eyes. Tell me about Michael.”

Debbie recounted good times and bad, Grandma laughing and crying with her, “As long as you hold your memories and love of your friend, he’ll always be with you.”

Many years passed. Debbie sat with her grandson. History repeated.

She remembered, “My Grandma always told me…”

This photo is not to be copied without written permission.