Monday, October 5

A Writing Exercise

Tonight was the first time I've been able to attend writing meeting since it resumed from summer break. I entirely forgot about the first meeting and the second one was last Monday when Dwight was in the hospital. It was nice to get back and catch up with all my writing cronies.

The writing exercise we were given tonight was based on travel. We were to use the following sentence to write something and then we had to pick a mode of transportation out of an envelope. The sentence was: "I knew it was a mistake to travel by ------when... The mode of transportation that was on my slip of paper was tricycle.

At first I thought this a little ridiculous, but then my imagination took off. We had twenty minutes to write the short story. This is what I wrote:

I knew it was a mistake to travel by tricycle when my knees kept hitting the handlebars. However, since my sister wrecked my car, it was either ride the antique tricycle that was stored in my garage, or walk. I decided to try the tricycle because my arthritic knees refuse to allow me to walk far.

As I started out, my knees cried in protest as they banged against the handlebars each time the pedal completed a turn. Determined to get to the pharmacy for my much-needed meds, I forged ahead. Whack, whack, whack. Each time my knees hit the metal handlebars they screamed in protest, but I set my jaw, gritted my teeth against the pain and rounded the last corner. Blood pounded in my ears. The pain made me feel faint. Only a half block to go, I knuckled down and pedaled for all Iwas worth. Finally, I arrived at the front door.

I half stood and half fell off the tricycle, then hobbled into the pharmacy. How would I ever make it back home? At this rate I'd be laid up for a month, unable to put one foot in front of the other.

I paid for my meds and shuffled toward the front of the store, dreading the return trip. When I stepped outside, much to my surprise, the tricycle had vanished. I looked around the building. No luck.

An elderly lady sat on a bench in front of the drugstore.

"Did you happen to see an old tricycle?" I asked.

"Oh yes," she replied. "A man with a truck load of scrap metal threw it in the back of his truck and drove off."

So, my antique tricycle, the one my Grandpa had given me for my third birthday, had been stolen...my only mode of transportation at present. Now I would have to hoof it, or maybe not.

As I rode home in the taxi, excruciating pain shooting through my knees, I shed tears for that tricycle that I had spent so many happy hours on as a child.

I had known it was a mistake to travel by tricycle when my knees kept hitting the handlebars. Why hadn't I heeded my conscience?


It is kind of a crazy story, but it was fun to write. If anyone would like to give it a try, just let me know and I will send you a mode of transportation. Sometimes we just need to do something silly.

As per an update on hubby, he is doing okay. His vision has not been affected by the stroke, but he does tire easily. He walks Dakota and rests, but is getting back into his normal routine. He has to have a doppler on the 9th because the doctors suspect that the arteries in his neck are blocked. I will post another update when we find out more. Thanks to everyone for your concern, support and prayers

12 comments:

  1. Mary,
    I enjoyed your story. I'm not a writer and am impressed by your ability! Thanks for the report on Dwight.

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  2. 'forging ahead...whack, whack, whack....'

    I feel the pain.

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  3. You are so talented! Love your story and am very happy Dwight is doing lots better.

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  4. Mary
    Your imagination is great. I thourouhly enjoyed the story. I have finished four of the words you sent me and will try to post on the last one either today or tomorrow. May I copy and paste the 3rd postcard. Thanks. Glad to hear Dwight is doing so well. Peace, love and Prayers

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  5. You always amaze me at how quickly you can write up a story with just a few words to go by and make it into such an interesting read!! I could just see you on that tricycle...hehe! I'm glad you were able to go to your writing meeting, sometimes just being able to get out of the house and be with other people who have the same interests as you feels good:-) Also good to hear that Dwight is feeling better every day and getting back into his regular routine. xoxo

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  6. Mary-you are so talented-loved the story. And so glad your husband is feeling better too.

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  7. That was a fun story! We had our writing meeting last night, too. Two of my friends got a copy of my book and they helped me with a chapter of my middle grade that I've been working on. Go ahead and send me a mode of transportation and I'll give it a try.

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  8. oh now that was fun!!

    yup, send me a mode of transportation and I'll give her a go...

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  9. VERY GOOD Story, Mary! Quick response on tying something together in a written package.
    Glad to hear your husband is doing better. Takes time to heal but sounds like he's doing whatever he can to facilitate that.

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  10. This was cute...glad you got to catch up with yoru buds.

    Also glad everything is getting abck to normal for you.

    Let me know how your hubby is.

    Love, Jess

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  11. What a fun story... you do have a great imagination... Glad to hear that Dwight is doing better... hope his dopplar checkup will be good..

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