Family Ties

Daily writing prompt
Describe a family member.
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From my experience with my biological family, I believe that God gives us friends who become more like family than those who share the same DNA. With that being said, I can share about the one family member who I still have contact with.

Being born premature who wasn’t supposed to survive or even succeed in life, I am much different than my siblings. Those differences have caused rifts between me and my siblings from being honest to being accountable. The one person who I still have sporadic contact with is my younger sister who seems more in need to have a relationship with her older sister (me). She lives in upstate New York and has a daughter who is now in college and who I believe that her friends have become more like sisters in times of need. When we communicate now that I always initiate, our conversations are mostly positive and non judgmental. After my first visit to Connecticut and have flown into BDL (Bradley International AirPort) located in Windsor Locks, I found some friends of hers from high school who lived in the general area to contact it I would have run into trouble in western CT. Personality wise is that she can be bossy and presumes she’s always right which is the opposite of me.

With my future, final and second cross country move in development to Connecticut, I believe that our relationship might be better with her daughter who attends UCONN outside of Hartford and halfway plus will be halfway between us. She is not aware of my plan but is aware of my trips to the nutmeg State. The distance between us physically will be far enough apart to not be talk about the petty things but more of what’s important.

Family ties. Proceed with caution.

Leslie Elizabeth David.

The Exercise of Snow Removal

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite form of physical exercise?
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Dear Friends,

After moving to Texas after living in Michigan most of my life with some years in the northern lower peninsula, I have spent many hours outside shoveling snow off of driveways with steep hills early in the morning and late at night. Thought that I wouldn’t miss it but I do.

During “snowmageddon” in west Michigan back in 2011, my longtime employer gave me the week off for, “bad behavior,” so I had time to dig myself out. Other businesses like ours closed because of the storm but my employer put everyone in danger by being open and forcing employees to work. Truthfully, I knew that my employment was coming to an end but the timing was spot on. Because of the amount of snow, I dug out my home and driveway in layers to prevent getting a cold and to avoid injury. Plus, I had time to relax and to think about my future.

With shoveling snow to remove it from the driveway, one has to protect one’s back and arms while dressing warm and still being able to move. Bending your knees and lowering yourself closer to the ground will also prevent injury like many other exercises.

Another perk of shoveling especially in the early morning is the peacefulness and quietness that even in the city made it awesome.

Finally, I miss the cold weather and I miss the shoveling although I am considering a move back up north to be able to shovel a driveway again but not in Michigan.

In Peace,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

“Fly Me to the Moon”

Daily writing prompt
How much would you pay to go to the moon?
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Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a-Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby , kiss me

Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you

Fill my heart with song
Let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, in other words
I love … you

Sung by Mr. Frank Sinatra in 1964. Written by Bart Howard in 1954 originally known as, “In Other Words.”

Sourced by StreetDirectory

Truthfully, this is the only way I am going to the moon. Considered to be one of the most romantic songs ever which is the song of many couples.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Bad Energy

While listening to my coworker who just got back from her trip with live in boyfriend, Mom and sister had announced that she got engaged while on her first vacation that included her first time flying,

The bad energy hit immediately plus I sit in between them here at work. She sits to the right of me and he sits to the left one chair over. He also has a young child from a previous relationship that I happened to see on Facebook.

Her Dad who got her the job works only a few feet away and who also had a relationship with a married coworker who works in his department. He doesn’t seem happy for them at all. Normally, he comes over to chat when his daughter takes time off from work but not today.

Truthfully, I wish that I could be happy for them both on this occasion and I wish I could wish them only the best but I see and feel darkness. Praying that I am so wrong about this.

Plus, I have sprained wrist which the pain has spread towards my elbow plus a sprained finger both from overuse at work of folding outgoing mail. It doesn’t help the situation. Have braces on both.

Thanks for your time,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Altered State

Daily writing prompt
What food would you say is your specialty?
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My specialty in food would be altering the state of it although it may resemble the dish but tastes different.

For example, my altered state of spaghetti which is probably more accepted and done by many others, is using ground turkey instead of ground beef and using whole grain noodles instead standard noodles. Likewise with lasagna too. Ravioli would get the same treatment as well. Sau Basically, anything Italian.

The dishes that I won’t change our the dishes that are considered sacred to my upbringing and ancestry is Hungarian cuisine. For example, my grandmother taught me to make goulash, chicken paprikas and sour cream with cucumbers the old school way with ingredients and processes that have remained the same since my great grandparents came to the States outside of Budapest.

Like any other person who cooks and bakes when seeing a new recipe for the first time, if I see something that I don’t like, I change it. For example, Chick Fil A created their own version of a breakfast sandwich and hash browns by altering it enough to fit into their brand.

What recipe would you put in an altered state?

Cooking MisFit,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

The 1967 Riots of Detroit

Daily writing prompt
What major historical events do you remember?
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When I was five years old, I remember vividly the riots of Detroit back in the summer of 1967. It was televised locally and nationally which started from a police raid of an illegal bar that opened up.

The statistics of the summer long riots ended up 43 deaths, over 1000 injured and over 7000 arrests. This occurred in the short period of time from July 23-July 27.

On the island community which I was living on received a verified threat which the people who were going to destroy the island homes and businesses in the summer. The caller made the mistake of telling the island township police of when they were supposed to be crossing one of the bridges from the mainland to the island. The chosen bridge was/is privately owned so authorities asked the owners to open the bridge as if a freighter was passing through for a few hours which they did.
The rioters couldn’t cross with their vehicles and it’s too dangerous to swim with the current of the Detroit River.

Being born premature and being five years old, the situation put me medically at risk as well as others who might need urgent medical care so the island government leaders found a helicopter from the Naval AFB to assist. The base was located on the south end to protect against our Canadian border at one time.

Looking back in my childhood, the race riots of Detroit was my first experience of learning that the world is not always a kind place and destruction to others property plus, more importantly, putting someone else in danger is not a way to solve problems. With that being said, the rioters stated that their issues weren’t being taken seriously and was left no choice but to destroy the City of their home.

Since then, the City of Detroit along with its neighborhood leaders have been in communication and making changes to ensure a better quality of life for all residents of the city.

Additionally, Marvin Gaye who recorded with Motown Records in Detroit wrote and sang the song about the riots, “What’s Going On?,” which became a hit for him

In Love and Peace,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

My Big Dream/Risk

Daily writing prompt
What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?
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My big risk or dream is moving north of the NYC metro area to Connecticut from north Texas. Previously, I moved from west Michigan to north Texas but I learned that I miss the water in 2013.

Went to Connecticut for the first time almost six years ago for closure on a situation which didn’t happen but I found out that I loved the area because of the Long Island Sound and the old architecture. Stayed in Norwalk then until I went north and found Milford.

My third trip that occurred in August when I went specifically to Milford to check out possible places to live. The town has the green space for community events in the middle of a four lane road with mature trees. Plus, I also checked out the town of Stratford as well because a condominium association rarely has units that go on sale.

My time there was darkened in August because the drowning of a young boy on the Housatonic River near where the cargo ships dock and unload items from countries across the ocean. It still breaks my heart for the boy’s family.

The good news is that my realtor in Texas wants to buy my home to be used for rental property since it’s relatively safe area and great school district. Plus. I have put a new roof, paint, water heater and furnace in since I moved in recently.

So, my big risk or dream is of income that will allow me to live comfortably without financial hardship plus moving again with two felines again across the country again. Like before, I know in my heart and soul that it’s going to happen but when, when and how must be

Proud of My Baby Girls

Before a trip about three years ago, a coworker who was afraid that I wouldn’t come back especially after losing my Seville about a month prior found these two in a neighborhood news letter in her area.

Honestly, she had every right to be concerned because I work diligently and quietly without much socializing that is the opposite of her. My permanent absence would force her to be productive.

Visited them briefly before my trip and came back to get them afterwards being told that they were kittens. When we came home, they were scared to death literally. My little babies ate nonstop for 2.5 weeks straight and doubling in size of eating dry kitten food and treats. They had their first check up on shots and examination which I was told that they were older mature female adult felines. Immediately following, they went into heat so back to the veterinary clinic we went.

Afterwards, my princess divas were home continuously so that I could earn their trust which they dealt with hunger and neglect in their past. It was at least 3 months for me to earn Luna’s trust who is on the right of the picture above and the younger one. Bella who is the smaller one and the older one was least trusting so it was almost five months for her.

From what I understood is that I’m their fourth and final human after the story that I was told. Bella and Luna stayed with their feline Mom and siblings plus humans for almost three months. Then, they went to the daughter of the couple who I got them from for about 2-3 months who got tired of them. Afterwards, her parents helped her out (once again) and took them for a couple of months before I got them. The advertisement stated that they were kittens because of their size but they were coming of age upon my custody of them.

As their human, I am proud of my baby girls for all they endured prior to me plus all they put up with the veterinarians to get them better, and learning to trust someone again.

Proud Cat Mom,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

Working on a Better Me

Daily writing prompt
What have you been working on?
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Lately, I’ve been working on myself both emotionally and financially. More or less, I’ve been working on a better me.

Since my trip out east in August, I felt that I lost grip of my finances and felt defeated. Kept working on a budget that seemed to shrink thus concerned about the future of my house and the well being of my cats.

This past week, I embraced my financial acumen that I had when I worked for a credit union for years in multiple positions. What I applied to help others transform their lives in order to purchase a home or buy a newer automobile, I put to work for me. Changed insurance, viewed property values and redid budgets to get the most out of my funds.

In addition, I plan to donate most of the inventory of my online closet especially the older items that I was able to purchase wholesale through the network of closet owners. Benefits are helping others who need the items I have, helping myself of freeing up space plus tax benefits. The freed up containers can help with my move in the future to ship my items to our next destination.

Before my trip to window shop possibly future homes, someone who I thought was my friend was playing games. It always happened when she perceived that I was being more successful than her. We grew up in different parts of the country and grew up in very different family backgrounds. She grew up in a rural area and mine was suburban metro areas. She has gifts and shortcomings that are different than mine. We weren’t each other’s competition although it felt like it more than not.

Today, I feel like I am working on a better me that hits emotionally, financially and relationally. Change is inevitable so I will as well.

Yours Truly,

Leslie Elizabeth David.

The End of My Rope

Daily writing prompt
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
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When I reached my limit of unnecessary stress of things that should have been fixed or not doing things to avoid problems and/or additional work, my patience runs out quickly and my attitude changes promptly. I bite my tongue to the point of bleeding so I won’t say anything that I will have to apologize for later. Yet, it can be read on my face.

Plus, those who behave unsavory for the wrong reasons. For example, one of my coworkers who craves to be in control handles it poorly because she will never ever be in control of me. Her latest and greatest event was showing up on my property to make noise to scare me. About the same time, my neighbor who came home who was completely in shock to see her in my backyard. She swiftly moved to say, “Hello,” in a flirtatious manner and acted like her being here was normal behavior. Before she left, she slammed my gate. The next two days, she lived in well earned her fear of me telling owners and management about her behavior that I chose not to. Believe that her behavior will catch up to her and pay her back severely. She does things expecting me to do but I ignore her.

In closing, when I’m at, “the end of my rope,” I am tested to the maximum so that I don’t just let it go with poignant truth and honesty about how I feel about them and hard truths about how I think about them too. Not too many people know about me on this because I divert it by releasing my emotions by screaming into a towel, leaving abruptly or start crying privately.

“Don’t let anyone steal your joy” from my former supervisor and friend. I try to remember this always.

Thank you,

Leslie Elizabeth David.