 Carrie 

LEGEND He sat pint in hand watching the dancing. She arrived with 3 sisters, the image of Rita Hayworth with her red hair and #crimson lipstick. He was besotted. Thinking he wouldn’t stand a chance, she said “yes” to a waltz. So began 61 years of Irish Gran and Grandpa #vss365

"#Together until the end of time. Will you always be mine?" Bob beamed at the poem he'd penned in Nora's anniversary card. Being a poet wasn't easy, but he felt that he nailed it. He added a box of chocolates, hoping he would melt her heart. #vss365

i waited until midnight before dancing with the past tripping over starlight into your waiting arms our moonlust adventure of bewitching smiles & endless sighs before returning with my mellow afterglow 'neath serene aurora skies #vss365 #mellow

do you remember our days of innocence & hopes, the field where we lay shaping clouds bathing in sunlight wildflowers in my hair, do you remember us do you remember me, blissful in our celestial meadow of dreams, now fading whispers of yesterday blowing amid wistful blossom wind.

💔

She carefully folded the #Crimson top &placed it in her case. After many years without, she had been given the opportunity2go on holiday She had pushed herself to say yes It’s easy to get set in ways…a sure way to an early decline. This is a new start A new beginning #vss365

#vss365 #WritingCommunity "Pull yourself #together" they'd say when I was stressed, as if bits of me were flying in all directions. I guess I must have managed it somehow, because as far as I can tell I'm in one piece. Maybe not all there, but still here.

The #tear holds back for the appropriate time Waiting, until it is safe to let go, For there are some who see weakness’s When tears fall at inopportune moments. And weakness could not be shown Not now, not ever. But, they will fall soon Life will move forward Very soon. #vss365

“No, Jill,” Carol sighed. “Just because he buys unsalted butter doesn’t make him a psychopath. I #promise you, I’ve met at least 4 psychopaths. One of them made meringues.” “But he doesn’t drink tea,” said Jill. Carol gasped. “Why didn’t you say? Psychopath, for sure.” #vss365

When Mum said, “Will you cry at my funeral?” I’m sure she pictured a more restrained scene. A single #tear beneath a chic veil, dabbed at with gloved fingers. Maybe a sob or 2. Not the red-faced, snot-soaked mess I am now. Then again, she *did* leave everything to the cat #vss365

"See, this is why I admire your mum, Nora. She #tore up the Les Misérables tickets after being stood up. She's a force of nature." Nora glanced at Bob. "Will she ever find love again?" He shrugged. Her dating life had been anything but a smooth ride. #vss365

#vss365 Everyone was grappling with the magnitude of events happening. Our breakdown of society had crept in so gradually. Reliant on technology, critical thinking began to atrophy. Creativity and education no longer in demand. Suddenly our lack of #purpose we couldn’t…

Look here and hold me in the pupil of your right eye polish my watercolor existence with #purpose I #promise a tale of transmutation meant to tease a surly sea into cinders let’s create an incandescent wave meant to swallow this sad world I expect you to hold me in…

Ex-Superintendent Carol found her #purpose in life after retirement, thanks to her decision to write a memoir of her working life. “Trust No-one” was a huge hit. Carol’s day to day paranoia about her neighbours eased after that. But everyone else’s was just beginning... #vss365

"I'll be trying on dresses," Nora said, "but you must #promise to say which ones work and which ones don't." Bob sat up like he'd heard an alarm. This was anything but a simple request from Nora. It needed his full attention. #vss365

DEVOTION When Irish Gran and Grandpa got married, they took their vows seriously....except one. When they married in the 1940s, women would #promise to ‘love, honour and obey.’ It was no doubt Gran loved and honoured Grandpa, but it was Grandpa who was the one to obey. #vss365

I'm waiting for him to disappear He is the air I am the rain I don't mean to suffocate I don't beg to be a burden But every inch of me blends No purpose, just steam and havoc I watch the sky turn His name falling from my tongue His ears turning away from the wind #vss365

REGAIN When Irish Gran died from Alzheimer’s, Grandpa was so distraught. He missed her laughter, her kindness and her caring. The house was far too quiet. He loved visits from the family but it was only when we gave him Poppet, that his #purpose and smiles were reborn. #vss365

TOGETHER Irish Gran and Grandpa were very alike. They loved routine and the comforts of home. Where they differed never became a problem. Gran was fascinated by the #spiritual side of life while Grandpa had more interest in the physical world. They say opposites attract #vss365

Nora brought home soft blue bedding. "To make the room feel more #mellow," she said. Bob eyed the bed with a wary look. "What if it makes me leave the bed even later in the morning?" Nora smiled. "Then say goodbye to warm showers, sleepyhead." #vss365