On My Mind
Daily dead fish wrapper
I left my home far away and came to this country with what I thought was very good mastery of the American language until today. I was on way to grocery shopping when heard advertisement on radio for something called daily dead fish wrapper. So I stop in meat department and inquired about such product. Butcher refer me to Deli, saying all specialty items are located there. Stood in line for twenty minutes while customer in front tried to decide baked or fried; light or dark; one or two piece. Was dancing around venting frustration speaking with hands, because in old country, you have only one choice; take the one item or leave it.
Was elated when got to front of line, was quickly deflated when counter person, she was new also, shrugged shoulders and pointed at Sushi chef saying him wrap dead fish every day. Advertisement not sound like Asian product. Politely I step over and ask chef about paper for wrapping dead fish in. Him look like not having good day...I no speak Oriental language but his hand gestures were universal. I gave up and finished shopping.
At check out , I ask clerk about product; she points towards door. I look, seeing empty wire racks. I look at her confused and hold up hand. She places change in my hand and says, "Sorry, sold out."
I get home and wife asks me where newspaper for birdcage was. I slap forehead, "I knew there was something I forgot."
Creative writing
Present Participles
I started writing at a very young age and had my first work published while in the seventh grade. Wrote articles for my high school news paper. But I really didn't get into the gift God gave me until after my retirement. That's when I learned the difference from those who went to college and think they know how to write, to those who were born with the gift, such as Twain, Poe, Rod Serling, or even Roddenberry; Or the Masters I call them. Now days college educated wannabe's demand you write a certain way, use, or not use certain words. But my favorite argument with them is the use of 'ing' words. Or present participles. The educated say they slow the story down or destroy the action. My say... it's my story, and to prove my point I will use Hollywood as an example. Some of the most successful actors didn't follow the rigidity of the Educator's Creative Writing Ideology, i.e. Robin Williams, Henry Winkler, and Bob Hope. As a friend, and professional Indian story teller, Ed Edmo once said after being chided for putting on paper his oral stories... If I change the wording to fit your style, then it is no longer my story. Just remember.... Those who can't do...Teach. and those who can't teach..... become Politicians.