If you take the T out of a storm, it goes from ruthless to toothless. So it goes and so it went.
A lot of lightning last night, a few gusts, a smattering of random water pellets to refresh and remind. A nice back drop for a much needed conversation with my daughter Maria.
So what indeed did we cover with all of that (wind fire and an iffy version of brim stone) ?
What on earth do 52 year old Dad’s and their 11 year old misplaced daughters talk about on a stormy Friday night?
what elephants... ?
Well, since the weather was a topic, it became a foil for projects of a more sensitive nature, and a warm moist compress to the forehead in terms of the manner and approach to handling the challenges of life. It was a self defense class for my daughter and a reaffirmation that she could indeed protect herself if the prospect of violation of soul, being, and spirit were ever to be engaged.
The mother question of course reared up, and a fundamental sadness once again unscabbed. How do you protect a girl from the fact that indeed you love her, but the mother she loves wasn’t the right mix for you? Do you say it flat out as I did? Does it make it worse or better? Is the essence of letting someone that once loved you and you once loved, is that brutality letting them go or hanging on?
So it seems that while I flounder with the questions of life that Maria and I have chosen to discuss this wet and windy evening, I persist in making sure that my dearest Maria understands that love is the salt needed for bread as well as for her tears.
Yep. So it went like that. Mixed in with thunder, a few slashes of rain, and some jagged (with emphasis on the “gg’s”) lightening.
We did a dog walk and promptly lost the husky (Laz) from her ill clipped leash. So all of a sudden we are running down some dark ally in Lubbock Texas, chasing a pissed off, overheated husky mix that was more evenly tempered to the cooler climates of Michigan, and now is flipping us off as she finds freedom for the first time in a stormy Texas night.
The recapture wasn’t one out of an Animal Kingdom episode that we see on TV, no nets or anesthetic darts, basically just pathetic mewling cries for her to come back. A little bit of fast walking and semi jogging as we became the walked instead of the walkers.
I LIKE Racoons...
An enunciation of freedom and a redemptive reminder of undying glue, as she finally allowed us to catch her. So it went with her. She allowed us back in her life, as perhaps a reminder that we should always reconsider any bridges we think of burning. The burden of doubt lays in the leash at hand…
It was a good and heady night. One to be relived but never remixed with afterthought or paint brush.
Yip Yip Yip
Unwritten Feathers 
I have to admit Sourdough Mullet, your’s is truly a unique and fun name.
Evokes an image.
Sourdough Mullet Says:
July 18th, 2009 at 9:31 AM
@Teutonic #92:
I read 3 or 4 of your blog posts, and they were really wonderful! You have a very original and poetic way with words, and your writing evokes emotion beautifully! Keep it up!
a total lightening storm today- basketball and hoping I can influence my daughter enough to make a few buckets.
All I can say is that i am overwhelmed and greatfull for all of your comments and incisiveness.
This is just a beginning, I HOPE…..
To KLM, 3-day is my absolute favorite.
Response to WakeUp crit. While I agree with the need for ‘color and texture’, I’m thinking that I trust Teutonic to provide, as this story gets fleshed out, those descriptions. Sometimes I’m glad to have a little breathing room for my imagination before the author gives me the whole picture.
I missed the dressage reference…interesting word, great sport. Used to do 3-day, I envy you your teaching and riding!!
Teutonic…have you read “The Liars Club” by Mary Carr? Extraordinary blend of raw (and shocking) detail and delicious description.
Well, to be perfectly frank, the reason I am a teacher rather than a writer is that I am unable to finish any book I write. I’m not so great at pulling my own work all together. However, I am a voracious and eclectic reader, and I know what is compelling in a story. You know what your characters look like in your mind, and your imagination fills in all those pesky, vibrant details, but your reader is watching one of those jerky, black and white, no sound films as they read your story.
There is nothing wrong with writing your story completely, and then going back and painting it, if you will. You have an interesting story line and great humor, so finish your story, and then come back and bring it alive. One reason J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books are so popular to all ages is because her writing is so descriptive that you feel that you are right there in the story with the characters.
Best of luck with your story. I will check back to see what happens to dad, daughter, and dog.
OK trying to write a buk and can’t spel or rite- ther = there (see above)
Are ther 3 “T”s in Ditto? 🙂 Always back atchya
I love you baby…
ok, so I have finished reading this first part. You do a nice job of describing some funny dog chasing (been there, done that); however, I am a bit annoyed because I want to really know what this dumb dog looks like, other than she is a husky and obviously wet. I’m thinking that maybe when you finally re-attached yourself to her, she gave a vibrant and disdainful shake of that triple-coat husky hair and transferred the mud to you and your daughter. What does your daughter look like, and how did she like this walk in the rain. Was she upset when the dog got loose? Did she think you were a complete doofus? Was the water dripping off of your hat or did you forget to bring one? You were running down a dark alley, but was it narrow, filled with trash, lots of potholes that you both stumbled in? Were you running athletically or lumbering and out of breath as you have become out-of-shape? Did your lithe, gazelle-like daughter sprint ahead and leave you searching for an oxygen tank? Get the idea? I want you to fill in all these blank areas in the picture you are painting. Your story has lots of potential. Put in the details. Feel free to delete this if it isn’t the type of critique you want.
Yeah she is- alot of heart in dat ol’ dawg
OK that DID wake me up. I am not a real “describe the snot coming out of your nose and then label the texture” kind of writer person or what not. I am pretty frank. I go for burst- but fail to describe the bubble. But certainly the suggestions that you offer and your own writing style are an indication of your obvious talent. First of all thanks- for actually reading my stuff. If I can repay the favor let me know.
Your opening caught my interest. I like what I have read so far. I see some compound adjectives that need hyphenating.
For what it is worth, the following sentence puzzles me as both an English teacher and a dressage rider/trainer:
…and a dressage for the manner and approach to handling the challenges of life…
tanks for taking the time to review 🙂
I finally saw the entire message- and yes the use of “dressage” was a question for me as well. I think it was ill advised usage of a concept unfamiliar to myself other that it sounded right at the time. I trusted gut- but didn’t do the check. Thanks- very meaningful.
I’d say a good start…interesting style without being too cute or coy which often happens when people try to be ‘stylish’
Let see more!
k – saw the link on the mudflats.
True- Cute coy and pretentious- i just want raw and true.