Friday, August 2, 2013

Samantha Redstreake Geary Week 58: Treehuggers

Picture 1


Picture 2


Samantha Redstreake Geary’s Picture Choice: 2

Title: Treehuggers

Oh, how I hate summer.

Summer is the harbinger of doom. The scorching heat brings birds with their incessant chirping, squirrels with their clawing chatter, dogs with their relentless barking, and my personal favorite, kids with their obnoxious playing.

I look around the park and survey the situation. There are, roughly, two dozen kids in various shapes and sizes unloading various types of torment.

This doesn’t bode well for me.

“You’re looking stressed, Elmer. It’s a beautiful day, why don’t you just relax and enjoy the fresh air.”

That would be Oakley, my neighbor who looks well rested because he doesn’t have any kids busting his bubble of serenity.

“I don’t know why they bother to come outside. Half of ‘em just end up talking on their tiny phones or texting their tiny friends.” I groan, scanning the sea of blue lit screens.

Although, I have to admit, I’ve grown fond of these recent advances in technology. Without their entertaining gadgets, I’d be in even worse shape.

“I can remember a time when you looked forward to playing with the kids,” Oakley says, stretching his long limbs towards the cacophony of wood-splitting shrieks and shrills.

“I’ve lost my enthusiasm to old age,” I reply, cringing at the two rather suspicious looking boys invading my personal space.

“Oh, come on, they’re not that bad. At least you have someone to play with.”

Here we go.

“First it was the birdhouse, and then the ‘No Treehuggers’ sign, followed by, ‘Daddy can we hang a tire swing?’, but not just ONE swing, no, that wasn’t enough hard labor--I had to wrangle with TWO!” I point out. “The more I branched out, the more they demanded! Last week they asked about building a treehouse!” I bark, my anxiety mounting.

“Calm down, Elmer, you’re gonna burst a vein!” Oakley warns, watching warily as one of the larger boys climbs into the tormenting tire swing.

The boy kicks the swing back and forth, its chains ripping deeper, the burning steel unyielding.

“I can’t take it anymore, Oakley!” I yelp, shaking my stinging limb, knocking the interloper loose into a satisfying tangle of tire and terror.

Oh, how I hate summer.

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19 comments:

  1. This is terrific!!! Perfect take on the Summer Humbug!!! Such a fun read!!

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    1. Thanks, Ruth! This played like a Pixar short in my head:)

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  2. Wow! Very nice, Sam! :D You turned a simple situation into a lyrical piece!

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    1. Many thanks, Vidya! It was the coffee talking:)

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    1. And I love your vocabulary, Mina!

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  4. When I saw pic 1, i really hoped you'd chosen that one as a cat person! but after reading your story, I'm wowed! I love the anti summer attitude and POV. Very clever and such a fun read!! xx

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    1. I appreciate that, Lizzie! It was awfully tempting to do the cat, but I had a better idea for the tree--I'm a bit preoccupied with trees as of late:)

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  5. That was really a fun read, and oh so clever! I was smiling the whole time. Great "character" names ;-)
    Tina @ Life is Good

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    1. Thanks, Tina--I'm glad you caught that! I hope it wasn't too much of a hint as to the real POV:)

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  6. This was so cute and well done. I almost feel bad about my treehouse endeavors...almost. (;

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  7. Trees are normally all bark and no bite, Elise:)

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  8. Love that you got 'branching out' in to it too! The names were great and I was kept guessing til the last minute...erupting in a big grin when I 'got it'!

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    1. Oh, good, Lisa--glad I didn't give it away too soon:)

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  9. This was so fun! Yes, love their names and the ending. Nice tribute to Branching Out, for sure. :D

    Shannon at The Warrior Muse

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    1. Thanks, Shannon! A little humor for my treehouse gang:)

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  10. Thanks for the entertainment Sam!
    A great tribute to the "Branching Out Buddies"...
    Writer In Transit

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    1. Anytime, Michelle, and thank you:)

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  11. Very nice! I'm right there with Elmer in his assessment of summer. Knew I was going to enjoy this from the very first line.

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