MULTIPLY United Friends Challenge #132: Vanessa and the Cannabis Plant(s)

Sanctuaryrose's Challenge

Ok, so we have all heard of 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves', 'Cinderella', 'Rupunzel', and various fairy tales, well here's the fun part, what if we switched the roles and had some fun with these fairy tales. How about "Sleeping Handsome', 'Snow Man and the Seven Ladies', 'Cinderdude', 'Rupun with the really long hair'
Your challenge is to rewrite a fairy tale, any way you want by switching the female roles with male rolls and have fun. Make it funny or crazy, however you want it. Have fun!

Once upon a time there was a town that had people, businesses, transport, markets and even crooks and criminals; just an everyday sort of thing. Vanessa lived there with her mum and dad. Her dad, Shifty, was a drug peddler and her mum, Dolly, ran a strip club, just the normal day to day working places you would find in a big town. Vanessa spent most of the day at home looking after her dad's business while he was out visiting his customers. One day something annoying happened, one of the tyres on Shifty’s car was losing air. Shifty was very much annoyed as he needed the car for his business, so he sent Vanessa to the market to buy a new tyre.

Vanessa was an attractive girl, and she knew it. She always bought her clothes from the most expensive boutique and was at the hairdressers at least three times a week, so when the salesmen saw her coming they were only too happy to do business with her. Vanessa decided to get her father’s tyre from Honest Al. She knew him well, and was sure that he could supply something of a bargain.
“Hi Vanessa, how’s things going? Give my best wishes to Shifty. Looking for something special?”
“Hi Al, my dad needs a new tyre for his Cadillac, you know the size and everything, the other one went bust and he has business to do. Got anything suitable Al?”
“No problem, Vanessa, just got a new delivery yesterday. You can have two for the price of one, and on top I have a packet of seeds. The best on the market, guaranteed all of the female type. You know can’t use the male grass, it’s just weedy and no good for a joint.”
“I am sure my dad will be pleased” was Vanessa’s answer, “you can deliver the tyres this afternoon and I will take the weed seeds with me” and Vanessa went home, pleased with the bargain. Of course, daddy Shifty was happy about the new tyres, but he was not so happy about the hemp seeds.
“If someone saw you with those seeds, you could have got booked by the police. I do not want my daughter dealing in drugs.”
“But dad, I thought you would be happy, Al said they were all female.”
“And how does Al know that they are all female? Even my best men only know that when they start growing. I will have to have a few harsh words with Al. I think he has had an eye on my business for some time and was trying out the opportunity to deal me out. Show me the seeds.”
Vanessa gave her father the seeds, Shifty opened the window and threw them into the garden. Vanessa’s mother Dolly had just come into the room and saw what happened. Dolly only really worked nights so she was always at home during the day.
“Are you mad, Shifty, you have just thrown a fortune out of the window.+
“Dolly you leave those decisions to me. I don’t choose your girls, well not always, so you leave my business alone” and that was the end of the conversation.

The next morning Vanessa slept longer than usual. She was rarely out of her bed until lunchtime, but she had a particular problem today, everything was so dark. She pulled the curtains and found a huge plant in front of the window. She looked upwards and it was still growing, the tip had now even reached the clouds. It was the finest example of Cannabis she had ever seen. A nice bushy female plant full of seed capsules. Next to it there was a male plant growing, weaker than the female, but that made sure that the seeds would all be fertilised. She was going to tell her dad about this, but decided not to. Shifty had already left the house to have a look at some of his plantations and she decided that this plant would be hers. She would show them all. She crept into the garden, her mother Dolly was still sleeping, and decided to do some harvesting. She tied a bag around her waist for the harvest. The plant was so strong that she managed to climb to the top. On the way up she pulled off a couple of leaves and made herself a provisional joint, just to test the quality. It was promising and she was sure she had the solution to all her financial problems. She did get a little bit high on the way up the stalk and suddenly found herself above the clouds. There seemed to be a path through the clouds and she decided to follow it.

After half an hour she could see the outlines of a bar in the distance. She was feeling thirsty, after the joint, so decided to go in for a drink. At first the bar seemed to be empty and then she hear the patter of tiny feet.
“Can I help you?”
Vanessa looked around but saw no-one.
“Can I help you said the voice a little louder.”
“I would like something to drink, where are you?”
“I am here in front of your eyes of course.”
Vanessa looked around and then she looked down and saw a female dwarf. The tip of her head only just reached the edge of the bar.
“Do you have a martini” Vanessa asked
“No problem, martini it will be” and the female dwarf mixed her one.
“What do you have in that bag” asked the dwarf pointing to the bag that Vanessa had taken with her for the weed.
“It’s just some salad I picked on the way up.”
“Show me, doesn’t look or smell like salad to me, more like first class hemp.”
“Who are you talking to dwarf” said suddenly a loud voice from the back and a man appeared, the most beautiful man that Vanessa had ever seen. He looked so much like Brad Pitt, it was almost unbelievable.
“One of those tall people from below arrived here. Fi Fi Fo Fum, I smell the crop of a garden, the dwarf said and tore the bag away from Vanessa.
“Dwarf what are you doing.?” Asked the Brad Pitt look alike.
“That is our shit, said the dwarf and I am keeping it.” The dwarf disappeared through the back of the bar.
Vanessa was so disappointed; after her climb up the hemp stalks and the hard work of picking the leaves it was all gone. She started crying. Well not really, but she wanted to impress the Brad Pitt lookalike.
“Don’t cry” he said and he put his arms around her. “Just wait a few minutes. The dwarf woman will soon be asleep and then you can take the bag away from her and disappear again the way you came. Indeed it was so. The female dwarf was soon snoring heavily and with the Brad Pitt lookalike’s help she managed to take the bag and waving her rescuer goodbye she escaped and climbed back to her home. That day she visited Big Al who was nursing the black eye that Shifty had given him for dealing in hemp seeds with his daughter. However, when Big Al saw the perfect shit that Vanessa had, he bought it all off of her.
“Please don’t tell my father” said Vanessa
“You must be kidding” answered Big Al “we will split the profit between us” and everyone was happy.

Vanessa decided to go harvesting once again, so on the next morning she again climbed the stalk to the clouds, gathering what she should for making a profit with Big Al. She met the Brad Pitt lookalike once again.
“I have something very special for you to take this time” he said. We have a cat with golden whiskers, you can take it with you, but be careful, the dwarf guards it with her life.”
“Are you kidding” said Vanessa to the Brad Pitt lookalike. “I am not risking my life for a cat with golden whiskers. Come’on Brad, I have a good job for you down below the clouds.”

No Vanessa did not dream it, it really happened and her and the Brad Pitt lookalike lived happily ever after.

United Friends Challenge #132: Vanessa and the Cannabis Plant(s)

Pawbook and Miaowing

"Fluffy, what were you and Roschti talking about in the garden yesterday?"
"Nera you really have to know everything. We were having a discussion about Pawbook."
"Is Roschti in Pawbook as well.?"
"Of course she is, all intelligent cats like ourselves are in Pawbook. We are now in the game where you can find mice hidden in Pawbook. I have collected five up to now and Roschti only three."
"Oh, that's not a problem, I found two in Pawbook." said Nera.
"Hi cats" and Tabby arrived. "I joined Pawbook last week, that is fun. Now you really know what is going on. I was talking to Mr. Grey in Pawbook and he was telling me how things are in his new home."
"Yes, I miss him" said Nera "It's a shame his humans had to move away, how is Mr. Grey getting on?"
"He seems to be fine."answered Tabby "although he said he cannot go out yet, his humans told him it would be better to stay at home to get used to things."
"So what did you tell him?" asked Nera
"I pawed him and said we all miss him, and he should keep in touch on Pawbook, perhaps put a couple of photos up so that we can see what it is like where he is."
"By the way, did you try the test to find out which cat in the White House you resemble most of all in intelligence?"
"Fluffy of course we did. I resembled India most of all - you know the one that owned George Bush" said Nera
"Well you don't have to be proud of that Nera, there have been more intelligent cats in that place."
"Yes, but she looked good, didn't she?"
"What about you Tabby? What was your cat?"
"Now that is obvious of course, I resembled Tabby, the first cat in the white house belonging to Abe Lincoln. And you Fluffy?"
"I had a bit of a problem answering the questions, after all I am a special cat really."
"Listen to him, you would think he was Bast himself"
"No Nera, now don't be jealous. If you must know, I am most similar to Misty Malarky Ying Yang."
"Who???" said both Tabby and Nera together.
"Misty Malarky Ying Yang, he owned Jimmy Carter. Now don't laugh, he was really something special. Anyhow I don't go into Pawbook so much any more. Since they started games with building your own play center and adopting pet mice, I found it boring."
"That's true Fluffy, who wants to adopt a mouse, that is so stupid. I just eat them." said Tabby.
"I have discovered something completely different and much more interesting."
"Tell us Fluffy, what is it."
"Well Mrs. Human has started tweeting."
"She has started what???"
"Tweeting. It's some sort of human thing."
Nera looked a bit puzzled. "But birds tweet and Mrs. Human is not a bird, otherwise I would have had her for dinner a long time ago."
"Fluffy, tell us more. Humans just do not tweet" said Tabby.
"I know, but you know how strange those humans are sometimes. Anyhow they tweet to each other, on the computer of course. They even follow tweets, which means if a human tweets another human sees it and might tweet back. I had a further look into this tweeting business and found that the cat that owns Bill Gates, has also started a site called "miaowing"."
"Now that sounds good Fluffy, how does that work?"
"Well first of all you have to register with a paw print and then you can start. You can just miaow something like "Today is tuna day" or "It's raining and I am staying at home" I mean logical things for a cat. Now it might be that another cat is following your miaows. Bobinette next door and Roschti are both following my miaows at the moment and I am following theirs."
"Fluffy, I have a question" said Tabby. "What happens if you do not want to follow their miaows?"
"Oh that is no problem. You just say not follow. They can follow your miaow if they want to, but you don't have to follow theirs."
"This is very interesting Fluffy. I think I will register. Do I have to have a photo as well, me being Nera the most beautiful cat around here."
"Usually a paw print is enough, but there is also a Miaowpic where you can put pictures in as well."
"What do you think Tabby?"
"Of course Nera, we will register today."
"I was just thinking" said Tabby "does this mean that we don't talk to each other any more, but only over the Miaowing pages on the computer?"
"Of course, we will talk to each other" answered Nera "but think of the famous cats I can now miaow with day to day. I am sure the Queen of England or the new president of America is owned by a cat. Perhaps even Garfield miaows. I can see untold advantages."
"Nera don't you think you are going a bit far with this miaowing thing."
"Don't bother me cats, I have more important things to do..... What did they say, a mere paw print and you are in - fantastic."

MULTIPLY Rita's "Riting" Challenge #15 The Purple Door

Perhaps some might remember the Stewart family from an earlier happening in their lives. Hank Stewart, the father, had a new job in the Swiss Company office and so the complete family, his wife Jean and the two boys moved over to Switzerland. The problems do not seem to be at an end.

“Marcel, Marcel come and have a look, they are doing things again.”
“Who are doing things again Michelle, I am reading the newspaper, please do not disturb” but seeing that Michelle was standing at the window with binoculars looking through the curtains, he knew that his peaceful reading session was over.
“Our American neighbours, on the other side of the street. He is painting the door.”
“So let him paint the door, I paint mine as well now every two or three years when they start looking a bit shabby. A new coat of white paint looks good.”
“No Marcel, you do not understand, he is painting the door purple.”
“That can’t be true, show me” and Marcel Le Blanc put the newspaper down, and stood next to his wife at the window
“This is unbelievable” he said “this is a crime in our little picturesque Swiss village. I am sure it is not allowed. Michelle phone the police.”

“Good morning officers; nice to see you again. As you can see the Swiss ski lift cabin looks very good in the garden. I think it has become one of the most popular places in the neighbourhood for the children to play.”
“Bonjour Mr. Stewart, can you tell me what you are doing?”
“Just thought I would freshen the look of the place up with a new coat of paint. Jean can you come quickly. It’s those two nice police officers again, you know the ones about the old truck we had in the garden.”
“Coming, Hank; why good morning officers, can I offer you something for the thirst, perhaps a beer”
“Thank you madam, but we are on duty and not allowed to drink.”
“Of course, in the States our police don’t drink either. Then perhaps a cup of coffee, freshly brewed.”
“Well thank you madam” said one of the officers.
“No, we do not have refreshments on duty.” Said the other glaring at his colleague.
“To what do we owe the honour” asked Hank
“We are dealing with a small complaint from your neighbours.”
“Oh no, not again” and Jean was very disappointed. “Why can’t those people just tell us when they have problems.”
“It doesn’t surprise me Jean, I saw Mrs. Le Blanc at the window this morning with the binoculars. So what is wrong officers?”
“It is like this, Swiss villages do not have homes with purple doors. It is not custom, and how shall I say, it spoils the general impression of the village.”
“So what do you suggest officer” said Hank glaring at the window across the road. Mr. and Mrs. Le Blanc were still standing there watching the developments. “I just wanted to freshen the place up a bit, it must be years since something was done to the door.”
“Of course, you may do some renovating Mr. Stewart, that is a very good thing to keep everything clean and beautiful for our wonderful countryside, but purple is not a very good colour.”
“Then perhaps something in green to match the leaves on the plants”
“Or yellow” said Jean “we have so many wonderful yellow flowers in the garden.”
“The problem is Mr. Stewart, that purple is just not a Swiss colour. It does not fit in with the custom in our country; if you must paint the door, then perhaps according to Swiss tastes and customs.”
“Hank, I think we better do as the policeman said We don’t want to annoy our neighbours. Are you sure you don’t want a coffee, or perhaps some lemonade.”
“No thank you madam, we must be going, but please bear in mind our remarks. We are honoured that you have chosen to live in our village, but we must ask that you perhaps accustom yourselves to the Swiss way of life.”
“No problem officers. Of course” said Hank, again with the poisonous look in his eyes as he looked across the street to the windows of Mr. and Mrs. Blanc.

The two officers left the Stewart household. On the way they had a small discussion.
“Jacques, don’t you think you were a little bit hard on the Stewarts. They are such nice people offering us something to drink. That does not happen very often.”
“Of course that does not happen very often Charles, the Swiss do not do things like that and we Swiss police do not drink on duty, alcohol or otherwise, is that clear.”
“Yes Jacques, I suppose you are right”
and the two police walked back to their car, Charles being glad that his patrol was soon finished and he could have a nice cool beer in the local bar.

In the meanwhile Jean and Hank had a discussion and changed their minds about the purple door. They did not want to have more problems with the neighbours and the police. They decided to paint the door to suit Swiss tastes.

A week later their son, Jason came home from school with a black eye.
“Jason what on earth has happened” said a concerned Jean Stewart. “Have you been fighting at school?”
“You should see the other one mom, he has a black eye as well and even started crying.”
“I don’t like my boys fighting” joined in Hank. “Can you tell me what happened.”
“They started calling names and insulting me” answered Jason “they said I was a copycat Yankee and that we must all be colour blind at home.”
“That is really being nasty Jason. I will have to have a word with their parents and the teacher.”
“No leave it mum, just do me a favour and repaint the door.”
“Now what is wrong with our door. We didn’t paint it purple as it wasn’t Swiss enough so we decided on something else.”
“Yes mum, I know, but a nice quiet shade of white would have done the trick. Did you have to paint a white cross on a red background.?”

Rita's "Riting" Challenge #15 The Purple Door

MULTIPLY Visual Aid #3

Joe was at home the evening had come
and started to play his horn
The neighbours complained inside there was noise
They said he was a thorn

He had to find another place
to play his clarinet
It was then he sat outside to play
and could watch the sunset

It was just a hobby, nothing serious for him
He enjoyed rehearsing the tunes
It was such a shame when he had to stop
and the rain fell down in monsoons

However one day he was sitting there
And a lady passed his way
She dropped a coin in front of him
and then walked on with no say

Five minutes later the same thing happened
And on and on it went
At the end of the day he had plenty of money
Definitely more than fifty cent

The next day he had to go to work
His job was very well paid
But when he got home he went out on the street
His plan was already made

He earned so much with his job and his music
An idea he had very sly
The year went on, his playing was better
And so a house he did buy

So if you take a walk in the town
And hear a clarinet play
It is probably Joe sitting at home
with his clarinet playing all day.

Visual Aid #3

MULTIPLY Creative Challenge #46: Hanging in the Balance

"Here I am again, the most beautiful, curvaceous long haired black cat around here, commonly known as Nera by Mr. and Mrs. Human. You want to know what is hanging in the balance, well I can tell you a story that makes a cat lose at least one of its nine lives, when not more."
"Nera what are you doing on my computer and what sort of horror story are you telling people. Yours lives are all intact, if anyone looses a life around here it will be me or Mr. Human living with three cats who seem to be organising our life." I was a bit annoyed with Nera sitting at my computer without asking, just as I wanted to write something.
"Mrs. Human, just take a look at this photo. Tabby and I took it when you was in bed last night."

"It's a photo of your play center" I said
"Mrs. Human that is no longer a play center but a complete wreck and dangerous. Our feline lives are hanging in the balance using it. Even Fluffy, the youngest and most stupid cat amongst us, refuses to sit on it any more."
"Nera Fluffy is not stupid, he is just a bit younger than you are, and I see nothing wrong with it. Admittedly we had to make a few repairs and through constant sharpening of 3 cat's claws the string got loosened. Luckily Mr. Human stuck it together again, but it looks like we will have to stick a bit more."
"Stick a bit more, you must be joking Mrs. Human. Neither I nor my other feline colleagues here would not even look at that play centre with our back ends as it stands at the moment. I met Roschti, the neighbour's cat a few days ago and he asked if the humans are taking over where I live. He saw the play center through the window. I had to tell him to stop laughing and with a swipe of my paw calmed him down, but I really don't want to start defending the honour of our cat colony here in our home against such lowly felines as Roschti and his cronies. Something must be done."
"What do you mean Nera. What should be done?"
"I don't care how you do it, but make sure that a new, perfect, complete cat center is available by the end of the week, according to our feline tastes. And by the way it is not a "play centre" as you humans say. We cats do not play on the centre. We have serious work to do there. Sharpening claws and sleeping on the top level belong to our survival training. This has nothing to do with "play". It has a very important purpose in our lives - which are hanging in the balance at the moment through the disregard of the human species who are allowed to live with us. Do something Mrs. Human, but at once."

So what could I do. Under such threats and glaring yellow eyes, Nera was being very serious and not wanting to live with 3 spitting, aggressive cats I had a word with Mr. Human. He said he had been thinking about the problem for some time and so he made a journey to the pet shop. A day later Tabby patted me on the foot with he claw.

"Mrs. Human, what about our exercise centre. Nera told me she had a serious talk with you. What is being done about it, we cats are patient, but even our patience comes to an end. I am sure you would not want us to start sharpening our claws on the human furniture, or sleeping in your beds."
"Ok, Tabby, well Mr. Human has now gone to town to see what can be done. You must admit that the complete play centre, sorry exercise centre. does not have to be replaced, but just certain parts. He is now at the pet shop talking to the manager."
"Pet shop, excuse me but we are not pets. You can use that word for birds, mice or hamsters, even a stupid dog, that only does what he is told. We cats are a bit more than that. When I think of my ancestors in the Egyptian corn chambers being worshipped as gods ....."
"OK Tabby, I know that one, so save it for another time."

In the meanwhile Mr. Human arrived home with a long parcel containing a scratching post of the smaller size. He explained this was to replace the smaller scratching post on the play centre and if the screws fitted, he could order the larger one.

"Did you hear that Tabby and Nera" I said
"Tabby and Nera have gone for a walk, Mrs. Human, but I am here" and up spoke Tabby the youngest of the three.
"I heard what Mr. Human said, so we will have to wait another few days for the complete overhaul to be made on our exercise centre. I don't think Nera and Tabby will be happy about that."
"No we are not happy, but I suppose we will just have to put up with it; typical humans. If you had ask us what we wanted for Catmas, we would have said new claw sharpening posts for the exercise centre, but we were not asked. All we got was an extra portion of tuna fish and a toy mouse stuffed with catnip." Tabby and Nera returned from their walk.
"Yes cats, ok, you are right again. Next Catmas will ask you what you have for a wish."

Two days later there was a telephone call from the pet shop. Mr. Human and I were out, but the cats were at home.
"Mrs. Human, the man called from the cat exercise centre supplier. He said that the extra long post had arrived and Mr. Human can pick it up. I told him that Mr. Human would call past this afternoon. I also mentioned that he should perhaps order another three or four in case such an emergency would occur again and he had some reserves in stock. He didn't seem very happy about that, but when I told him who I was, Nera the chief cat in the village, he agreed, so we shouldn't have this problem re-occurring in the future."
"Nera I am glad you have everything under control." If she was not so keen on car journeys, I am sure she would have gone with Mr. Human in the afternoon to pick up the post. Anyhow Mr. Human arrived home with another large parcel containing the new extra large cat post pieces. It was so long that two pieces had to be screwed together.

"Satisfied now Nera, Tabby and Fluffy. How do you find the new renovated exercise centre.?"
"Not too bad Mrs. Human" said Nera "The join between the two posts is not so aesthetic, but I suppose you can't have everything where humans are concerned. I now have to do the special Nera test and will let you know. Now please don't bother me, I have to concentrate on the test."

The test consisted of Nera climbing up to the top of the play centre, making circular movements and laying on the top level. A minute later she was sleeping. Tabby and Fluffy watched attentively and when she was asleep they both clapped their paws and went off to their own corners for their afternoon sleep.

It seems the new renovated cat play centre/exercise centre passed the Nera test. So what did we learn today. That the happiness and well being of a feline life is definitely hanging in the balance if the play sorry exercise centre is not in order. The man at the pet shop also learned that he has to keep a stock of spare parts in case it happens again. The peace and quiet in the human/cat household have now been restored.

Creative Challenge #46: Hanging in the Balance

MULTIPLY United Friends Challenge #131 - The "Lucky" Shoes

Kittigory's Challenge

Choose a favorite popular ballad, and write your own version of the story it tells.
Give your story a title, and, as an added, though no required bonus, post the actual song lyrics.

Jeff will never forget that Monday afternoon, it remains in his memories as a sort of intensive black cloudy Monday. The rain was pouring down as if the heavens had decided to open the sluice gates all at once and he had just one wish, which was to arrive home in the nice warm shelter of his comfortable nest with Shirley, the love of his life. Even this was a mistake, but if we turn the clocks back about an hour he was sitting in the office at work, talking to his boss, Mr. Smith.
“Sit down, Jeff. Would you like a coffee?”
Jeff was somehow feeling uncertain. His boss usually only spoke to him when there was a problem in the factory. Jeff was maintenance man and repaired the machines if they had a fault. This time he was actually sitting in the office opposite Mr. Smith. The last time he was here was when he was engaged for the job, so something must be wrong somewhere. He was even being offered a coffee.
“No thank you Mr. Smith, can I help you in any way” thinking that a new machine was arriving and he would have to help set it up.
“No, not really Jeff. It is just that things will be changing. I mean we are really satisfied with your work, but as the situation is in this day and age, our company has become too small to hold its head up high in the engineering world.”
Basically Jeff understood very little of this conversation, so just nodded in agreement, waiting for the next sentence.
“Where was I” said Mr. Smith
“in the engineering world I think”
“Yes, well you see our machine park has been bought by another company. Actually our company has been bought and although production will continue, all the machines will now be serviced and supplied by our new owners. Unfortunately this means that your job no longer exists. Of course your salary will be paid until the end of the month. This should give you time to find a new job.”
This meant that Jeff was now out of work. Now we find Jeff on the wet streets. Even his feet were wet, his old sneakers were split at the seams and the soles were also wearing thin. “Oh for dry feet and a sympathetic ear from Shirley.” He thought.
When he arrived home in the middle of the afternoon, which was not usual, his feet were still wet and Shirley seemed to be busy. Actually she was in bed, not having an afternoon nap, but was quite active with Charlie, one of Jeff’s friends. Needless to say Jeff was more than disappointed with Shirley’s activities when he was not at home. He did not even bother to tell her he had lost his job. He did not really have time. There was an argument. Charlie was no longer one of Jeff’s friends and Shirley packed her clothes in a case and left with Charlie saying she would let Jeff know where to send the remains of her belongings.
Jeff spent a very unhappy lonely night at home on that Monday. He decided that a drink would help and went to bed in the early hours of the morning after he had emptied the whisky bottle.

Oh Jeff felt bad on Tuesday morning. He was glad that the toilette was so near to the bedroom. He was also glad that he did not have to go to work, he was feeling tired and sick.
“Shirley, Shirley” he called “where are you, I need you, I am ill.” There was no answer and then he realised that there was no Shirley, she was probably lying in Charlie’s arms and had already forgotten the feelings she once had for Jeff.

So Jeff had a shower. It was a shower to beat all showers and he must have stood under the water for at least thirty minutes. He still felt a bit groggy, but decided life must go on and being out of work, he could go into town for a walk. He even had money. The money he received from the company would be enough until the month was over. He got himself dressed, took a pair of clean socks from the drawer and as a last movement put his shoes on. Jeff lived in sneakers. Blue jeans and a t-shirt were his daily wardrobe and what could match better than a pair of sneakers. It was then that he realised that there were no sneakers any more. At least they were there, but very wet and torn. He had no choice but to put them on. Having wet feet was one problem, but the shoes just made a noise when he was walking, the water squelching out at the sides where they were split.

There was only one solution. His first visit must be to the shoe shop. As he left his home the sun started shining and it was warm, the remaining grey layer of damp quickly drying on the paving stones of the street.

He walked along the road and then he saw them in the window of the shoe shop, blue and white sneakers. He fell in love with them at once. They resembled so much the first sneakers he had bought with his first wages. The background was completely in white, but they had the unforgettable three blue leather stripes on each side. Jeff entered the shop where he spoke to the assistant. She seemed very familiar to him, but he just could not place her.
“I think we know each other” she said “You’re Jeff”
Jeff was surprised.
“That’s me sure, you seem familiar as well.”
“I’m Susan, I used to work at the factory in the canteen. A coffee with three sugars and no milk was always your order for the break in the morning.”
“That’s right. Of course, you are the lady that would bring the coffee to the table. You have a new job?”
“I realised that the company would be closing and I started looking around for something different, and am now selling shoes. Can I help you.”
“Well yes, I would like to try the blue and white sneakers that you have in the window.”
“Size? We only have the one pair, they are a remainder from an old order, but they are still in good condition. Some say they were the best sneakers ever made.”
“I have size 42, do you think they will fit?” and Jeff was now getting worried that they might not be his size.
Susan went to the window and took the shoes and looked at them.
“Looks like you are in luck, size 42 would you like to try them?”
“Yes, very much.” Jeff felt a bit ashamed with his wet socks, but it was the chance of a lifetime.
“Jeff, if you don’t mind me noticing, you socks seem to be wet from the old sneakers. I have a pair of white cotton socks here that you can have. They are a remainder from the sales and no-one buys white socks any more, although I think they would really suit the sneakers.”
So Jeff put the dry socks on and tried the sneakers and they fitted perfectly. He felt so happy, and could see that there was a little bit of light on the horizon.

The shoes were a special price, as they were a remaining pair. When he left the shop he had a good feeling. Things were picking up. He walked down the street, but felt like he was floating with his new shoes. Everyone seemed to be looking at him and smiling. He just felt so happy. He was perhaps more than happy as he had Susan’s telephone number that she wrote on the receipt for the shoes.

Jeff phoned Susan and they arranged to go out on Thursday evening. He woke up late on Thursday morning, but he did not care. He decided to have a look in the newspaper, perhaps he might find a work. It suddenly hit him “Maintenance man needed urgently for machine repairs.” Jeff lost no time and called. It seemed to be so urgent that he had an appointment for an interview in the afternoon. He decided to put on his best blue jeans, the ones with the washed out look, a white t-shirt with the words “Be happy” across the front and of course his new beloved sneakers. He was the ideal man for the job. Jeff had a feeling that one of the reasons that he was employed was the new shoes. He noticed the manager of the company was looking at his shoes most of the time. After the papers were signed, his new boss just could not resist asking where he got the shoes. Jeff told him they were the only pair in the shop.
“I remember when I was a teenager, full of hopes for the future, I always bought those sneakers. I grew up with them” said the manager and Jeff was sure he saw a slight sign of water in the manager’s eyes.

He was glad that the last two days were over and it was now time to start a new life. “Forget Shirley, who was Shirley” he was now ready for his date with Susan. He put on his new sneakers, evening came, he left his home, walked down the street and there was Susan standing at the street corner waiting for him. Under the light of the street lamp she looked like an angel. They walked together to the local bar. They had a wonderful evening together and it was the first of many.

Yes, it is amazing what a pair of new shoes can do for you.

------------

New Shoes by Paolo Nutini

Woke up cold one tuesday,
I'm looking tired and feeling quite sick,
I felt like there was something missing in my day to day life
so I quickly opened the wardrobe,
pulled out some jeans and a T-shirt that seemed clean,
topped it off with a pair of old shoes,
that were ripped around the seams,
and I thought these shoes just don't suit me

CHORUS
Hey, I put some new shoes on,
and suddenly everything is right,
I said, hey, I put some new shoes on and everbody's smiling,
it so inviting,
Oh, short on money,
but long on time,
slowly strolling in the sweet sunshine,
and I'm running late,
and I don't need an excuse,
'cause I'm wearing my brand new shoes.

Woke up late one thursday,
and I'm seeing stars as I'm rubbing my eyes,
and I felt like there were two days missing,
as I focused on the time,
and I made my way to the kitchen,
but I had to stop from the shock of what I found,
a room full of all my friends dancing round and round
and I thought hello new shoes,
byebye them blues

CHORUS

Take me wondering through these streets,
where bright lights and angels meet,
stone to stone they take me on,
I'm walking to the break of dawn. (x2)

CHORUS (x2)

Take me wondering through these streets.

United Friends Challenge #131 - The "Lucky" Shoes

MULTIPLY Pictures to Words #13 - Creative Writing

There they are again
I know they are talking about me
I just could not care less
What they are is plain to see

She is standing there
with her died black plastic hair
Her first husband is dead
but she really could not care

He was rich and fat
and he was such a fool
And then they found him drowned
In his own deep swimming pool

Now I would not say
That she was at a fault
She said it was an accident
I am sure she will never get caught

And so she married Jim
What a crook he is, not wise
With his delicate black moustache
And narrow shifty eyes

He married her a month
after her first was in the can
I am sure they worked together
to carry out the plan

And there we have poor Fred
With his hair that won’t lay down
That man is such a joke
even too stupid to be a clown

He is always hanging around
with her and Jim as well
They are the only people that talk to him
I just wish they would all go to hell

I think I will just ignore them
I have better things to do
My seventh husband just arrived
What they can do, I can do too.

Pictures to Words #13 - Creative Writing

MULTIPLY Poetry Posse Week 25 Acrostic: Cats Whiskers

Climbing over fields
Aiming for a prey
Trying now to catch
Stalking all the way

Where has it gone
Has left a smell in the air
Is it in a tree trunk
See it isn’t there
Keeping with the rhythm
Even in the house
Ready to pounce and kill
Seeking the stupid mouse

Poetry Posse - Week 25 Acrostic - Cats Whiskers

MULTIPLY Mono Monday #38 MM #52 One Year Anniversary

So here is my contribution for this weeks playtime with photos. Again husband had to go to town and dragged me with him - no problem I love going to town, he does his thing and I do mine usually with the camera. I was waiting for him on one of the main square and did some shooting around. Did not kill any one but this photo showing a view on our Swiss reform church and the Burris tower next to it really surprised me. I quite liked it. Sort of came out well. Even the lady in the red jacket right bottom corner gave a bit of colour to the whole thing. Anyhow I decided to leave the black and white thing this week and go straight into sepia. Our town was one of the first to be founded by the romans on their walk through Switzerland, so old colours suit, although the church is not so old. I asked my Swiss half when it was built, but he remembered going there with his mother when he was a boy which was during the second world war, so it is not a new as it looks. Anyhow after treatment with piknik and sepiation I made a frame - also Piknik. Here is the end result.

Large Size

And now for a bit of plus. This week I had to go to the pet shop to make sure my cats did not go hungry and start feeding on me and my husband. The nice thing about our pet shop is that they also sell small animals. I then saw a Mongolian Spring mouse in a tank full of hay. He had dug his way to the glass window, so I took his photo. I also took a photo of an old door to the law courts of our town of Solothurn, Here are the two originals.

With the help of CS3 photosshop and layering I put the mouse behind the door. I had to resize the mouse a bit and squash him in, but he did not mind. I also did some cloning on the post in the middle at the front of the photo and the mouse said it got in his way. I then took two photos I once made in our local supermarket. One of grapefruits and the other of apples. I worked again with layering and removed the top storey of the building as well as some of the pavement (sidewalk). I then made an appropriate frame and the mouse now has this photo hanging in his new lodgings.

Larger Size

Mono Monday Plus #38 (MM #52)

MULTIPLY Mono Monday - One Year Anniversary

 

 

I was wondering what to write, there is nothing much more to say except I would never had dreamed of achieving what I have achieved over the past year with Garry and his wonderful monochromatic Monday idea. Although the basic thing was black and white and some sepia, he said we could use a bit of colour. This opened a completly new world of photography and applying the photo programmes that you have.

My husband was getting suspicious. I always have my camera with me - you never know. He found it strange that I started taking photos of fruit and vegetable in the local supermarket. My photos of graveyards and gravestones he found a bit marcabre. My poor cats just run and hide these days when I have the camera. They said that they are fed up with smiling for every photo I take of them, and it is not nice when they are eating and I take a photo of them. After all humans don't like to be photographed with food in their mouths either etc. etc. they said. I think I have photographed every living thing in my garden, from worm through snail to butterfly. I discovered that snow also has its good side, you can take photos, you don't even have to colour them black and white, although green snow would also be an idea.

Anyhow enough said. I have spent more than an hour making a collage of pictures this afternoon. At first I tried piknik, but was not happy, half of the photo went missing. I eventually invested my time in a Fireworks presentation. There were so many photos so I did not take all. The rest follows. If you want to see the originals with the report you can click here where you will find all the past details of the hours of sweat and tears spent with such programmes a photoshop, fireworks, piknik and a few others. 

Once again a big thank you for my colleague across the pond. I have also met so many wonderful people here and sometimes wish I lived just a little bit closer that I could join in on the gatherings of the clan.

 

Mono Monday One Year Aniversary