Posts Tagged ‘Grandfather’
Sep
Eulogy for Lead
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
My grandfather liked to paint lead miniatures, redcoat British riflemen and coal-colored Zulu warriors with brilliant spears. He would wax poetic about square formations and Michael Caine, talk about each individual figure as though they led deeply introverted lives. On hot summer mornings I’d wake with my child’s eyes and see: all those soldiers shifted from their positions, playing out an historical drama that only my grandfather knew. Grandfather survived the brutality of the Pacific Theater. Now he lays forever asleep, something inanimate, molded by ancestral pressures unknown, moved with care, another lead actor in some endless recursive performance.
From Guest Contributor John K. Webb
Apr
Analgesics
by thegooddoctor in Uncategorized
My Grandfather’s house is becoming more and more cluttered. I’m afraid he is becoming a hoarder.
I am most concerned he will muddle his medications.
“Where do you keep your medicines, pills and tablets?” I ask.
“In the medicine cabinet, follow me, I’ll show you.” He leads me into the bathroom.
I open the cabinet door revealing dozens of unopened packets of analgesics stacked on the shelves. I look at him quizzically but don’t say anything. Finally he breaks the silence.
“I take them for my memory.”
“No,” I correct him, “Analgesics are prescribed for pain.”
“I have painful memories.”
From guest contributor Barry O’Farrell
Barry O’Farrell is an actor living in Brisbane, Australia. Barry’s stories may also be found in Cyclamens & Swords, 50 Words Stories, and here at A Story In 100 Words.
Jul
Backfire
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Betsy wanted to slay a dragon. All her friends had killed at least one and it was embarrassing to show her face at the academy.
Sadly, Betsy’s father had strictly forbidden her from joining any quests. He kept telling her maybe when she’s older.
Betsy’s brother had resigned himself long ago to never slaying any dragons and he told Betsy she might as well give up too. “Dad’s never going to change his mind. He’s against all slayings. Mom says that it’s because his grandfather was a dragon.”
Betsy grew up to hate dragons more than any of her classmates.
Sep
Pickled Confectionery
by thegooddoctor in 100 Words
Anyone who’s been to the wrong side of West Virginia knows that just about anything can be pickled. The shop windows are lined with jars of pickled vegetables, pickled rattlesnakes, pickled squirrels, pickled acorns. They’ll even take candy and Twinkies and preserve them for wintertime.
My grandfather was from West Virginia and he would boast they used to eat the pickled leather of worn-through boots. I’m not sure if he was telling the truth or not, but it makes me feel fortunate that today we have the option of eating at McDonald’s. Though I can imagine pickled hamburgers are next.