Mystery...Romance...Sci Fi...Humor... The joy of writing fiction - meeting brand new people in places that don't yet exist.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

The Twelve Year Weekend

My grandkids love for me to tell them bedtime stories.  I realize this has less to do with my wonderful story-telling abilities and more to do with them not wanting to go to sleep, but I indulge them anyway.  They especially like stories about their father, which I tell and he denies.

Last weekend, I told my grandson how our dog Chance came to be a member of our family.  It was the Friday before Mother's Day, twelve years ago. My son called early that morning to tell me he had the perfect Mother's Day gift for me.  He knew I was thinking about getting a companion for our dog Brandi and he had just the dog - an apparent stray who had followed my daughter-in-law home on her morning jog.   I reminded him I was looking for a female puppy.  He countered that this adult male was "really cute" and he knew I would love him.  I held my ground.  He agreed he would find another home for the little guy but he was going out of town for the weekend and could I help out by taking the dog until he got back?  I don't remember agreeing to this but somehow there he was.  Our weekend guest, who arrived on Friday and never left.

When I finished the story, my grandson said, "So Chance just stayed with you for a twelve year weekend."

I guess that's what it was.

This story is in memory of Chance, whose long weekend with us ended last Wednesday (we miss you, buddy).  But it's also about things that are supposed to be temporary and somehow go on and on.  What about you?  Have there been things (houseguests, jobs, responsibilities, etc.) in your world that were supposed to be short term but didn't quite turn out that way?  Will you share one?

Unwriting progress: From the original 150,000 words down to 109,874.

I'm currently enjoying: Just finished really enjoying Touch of Fire by Maria Zannini

Quote of the day: “Nobody can be as agreeable as an uninvited guest” - Kin Hubbard

18 comments:

Mason Canyon said...

I love your grandson line. Sometimes things that are suppose to be only temporary turn out to be some of the best long-term events in our lives.

So sorry about Chance. Sounds like he had a fun weekend stay.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Anonymous said...

Regarding the last line, I think of that old SNL skit with John Belushi as the uninvited guest. Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtain played the married home owners. They kept dropping hints for Belushi to leave but he just sat in the living room watching TV eating their food and making a mess.

Linda Leszczuk said...

Mason - Yes, my grandson has a way with words. And, as for Chance, I have to admit we enjoyed his long weekend, too.

Linda Leszczuk said...

Stephen - I remember that skit. Classic SNL!

Maria Zannini said...

I had a cat who was only supposed to stay until the ice storm passed.

He was with us for 19 years.

I'm so glad you liked Touch Of Fire!

Linda Leszczuk said...

Maria - Wow, you get some really long ice storms in Texas. :-)

How do I get my hands on True Believers? It's not showing up on B&N's web site and only as a kindle on Amazon?

Maria Zannini said...

Linda, it's only in digital right now.

(although I have high hopes since Carina recently announced they were going to try a few suspense titles in print.)

You can get it at Carina as a pdf.

Linda Leszczuk said...

Who do I write to encourage printed copies?

Maria Zannini said...

Ref: Who do I write to encourage printed copies?

hmm...good question.

Probably Angela James
angela_james AT carinapress.com

Dru said...

I thought quilting would be a "I'm laid off and I need something to do" craft, but 7 years later I'm still quilting and liking it.

Linda Leszczuk said...

Dru - that's a great one. And you do it so well. I get lots of compliments on the centerpiece you sent me.

Joanne said...

It's funny how those "temporary" moments go on to become a part of who we are. I started writing freelance articles years ago when my children were young, and never looked back. The writing has taken on a life of its own ... mine! Sorry to hear about Chance ...

Linda Leszczuk said...

Joanne - That's very cool. I've had a lot of 'temporaries' that I wish I'd let take over, writing being a big one. Maybe it's time now.

Re. Chance, thank you. He was a sweet boy.

Robert Guthrie said...

"A twelve year weekend." I love that!

When I graduated college and left for a job in Japan, it didn't feel right leaving my first official boyfriend. So we never exactly said goodbye and I came back in fifteen months and we've been together for 22 years and counting.

Linda Leszczuk said...

Robert - That's a great story. You were obviously meant to be together. I wish you 22 more (and then still counting).

Robert Guthrie said...

Thank you, Linda. :)

Kimber Leszczuk. said...

I don't really have the problem of having temporary things turn out to be long term. Usually it is the opposite - things get taken for granted that they will always be there and then they get lost or misplaced and end up being shorter term than expected!

Kimber Leszczuk. said...

LOVED that Belushi skit too BTW! Also loved the comment about the 12 year weekend - that sounds like something he would say! :)