Monday, September 2, 2024
Friday, April 26, 2024
Unspoken Bond
Unspoken Bond
A small southern town, 1978. The town is enveloped in the
lush greenery of mighty oaks and evergreen pine. One of the many small churches
stands on the outskirts, symbolizing the community's deep-rooted Baptist faith.
This short story is a work of fiction and I have the
legal rights to publish it as it is a product of this authors own imagination and ChatGPT 3.5. Names, characters, businesses, places, events,
locales, and incidents are either the products of this author's imagination or
used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,
or actual events is purely coincidental.
Characters:
AI Voice is Guy – pace .75 Thomas
Barns: A stern and traditional father in his late 40s, deeply committed to the
church and its teachings.
AI Voice is Brandon – pace .75 –
Johnny Barns: Thomas' teenage son, rebellious and headstrong, constantly
pushing boundaries.
AI Voice is Sara -Hopeful, Pace .75. –
Betty Barns: Thomas' wife and Johnny's mother, a calming presence caught
between her husband and son.
AI Voice is Roger – pace .75 -
Preacher Paul: The local pastor of the church, a wise and compassionate figure
in the community.
Act 1: Tensions Rise
Scene 1: The sun shines just
above the red oaks in the Western Sky. Thomas, swaying back and forth, in his old
sturdy, wooden rocking chair (the rocking chair symbolizes the unspoken love
between a father and a son) his father made for him, with his Bible laying open
to Colossians 3:21 (Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest
they be discouraged.) on his lap …… Breaking his concentration
is the sound of Johnny's motorcycle. Interrupting an otherwise peaceful
evening.
After maneuvering onto the freshly cut grass, Johnny turns
the key off on his Harley.
Thomas: "Johnny, what did I tell you about parking on
the grass? And why so late?"
Johnny: "It's not hurting the yard! Why do you always
have to make such a big deal about everything?"
Thomas: "Not going to hurt the yard? Boy, that's a
dangerous weapon you're driving."
Betty: "Please? Can't we have one evening without
arguing?"
Johnny: Pushing the Harley to the driveway. "Mom,
Dad just doesn't get it. He never does."
Thomas: "Honey, it’s not about not getting it. What's
the neighbors going to think? I’ll tell you what they’re going to think. They’re
going to think we’re from the sticks and they just may be right."
Act 2: Conflicts and
Confrontations
Scene 3: Johnny comes home
late one night, clearly intoxicated. Stumbling into the kitchen, he pulls the
chain over the dinner table to see his mother, sitting in her assigned seat,
puffy red eyes stare back at him.
Betty: "Johnny! Where have you been? And in this
condition?" She gets up from the table pointing to the seat.
Johnny: He sits at once. "Just out with friends, Mom.
Relax." Johnny tries to comfort his mother by conveying with his hands
that he can take care of himself.
Betty: "Oh Johnny! You're ruining your life!" She
places a steamy cup o’ Joe in front of him while she gives him a reassuring hug
around the neck.
Johnny: "Mom, dad expects me to waste my life working
at that stupid carpet mill like he has! I don’t want to squander my
life in this hopeless town."
Scene 4: The following Sunday, waiting to be the last one out the door, Mr. Barns pulls Preacher Paul to the side, asking for reassuring parenting advice.
Preacher Paul: "Thomas, parenting is never easy, especially when our children begin to rebel. But remember, God's love and grace are always there, guiding us and them. As it says in Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Thomas: "I know …. but it's just hard to see that boy
going down that path."
Act
3: Seeking Understanding
Scene 5: A day or so
later. Thomas and Johnny have a heart-to-heart conversation in the garage,
surrounded by tools and the Harley. Johnny is lubricating the
chains while Thomas towers over him.
Thomas: "Johnny, I'm worried about you. You know I
want the best for you."
Johnny: "What’s best for me?” He stops rising up to
look at him square in the eyes. “Your way isn't the only way."
Thomas: "I understand that, son. But there are
consequences to our choices."
Johnny: "I know that. I'll try to be more cautious."
Scene 6: Later that evening
after supper. Sitting in her comfy chair, Betty is knitting a blanket for her nieces
newborn baby, Johnny is relaxing on the couch watching a rerun of Mash. She nonchalantly brings up the subject of finding common ground
with his dad.
Betty: "Your father loves you, Johnny. He just wants
to protect you."
Johnny: Looking around the room to make sure Thomas isn’t
around. "I know, Mom. But I need to find my own way, make my own
mistakes."
Betty: Looking at him from above her horn-rimmed glasses. "Just remember, we're always here for you, no matter
what."
Act 4: Reconciliation
and Understanding
Scene 7: The following Sunday, a small congregation
gathers for an evening service. Although Thomas and Johnny arrived together,
they didn’t sit together. Each, secretly wishing to bridge the gap between
them.
Pastor Paul: "Let us pray for our families, for
understanding, love, and forgiveness."
Thomas: "Amen."
Johnny: "Amen."
Scene 8: Later at home, after gorging themselves on Betty’s homemade fried chicken, okra, peas and cornbread baked in a deep-dish Wagner frying pan, Thomas relaxes in
his sturdy rocker. Johnny leans back on the second concrete porch step, eyes
gazing up at the stars, sharing a quiet moment on the porch.
Thomas: "You know, Johnny, life's not always easy, and
your mother and I will be gone from this Earth one day. But, in the meantime,
we'll be here for ya."
Johnny: "Thanks, Dad. I love you too".
Thomas: Astonished. to hear the love word spoken from the
lips of his only son. He leans forward, hands clasp together, "One day
son. I'm gonna make you a rocking chair."
Moral of the Story:
"Unspoken Bond" is a journey through the
challenges and conflicts that arise between a strict father and his rebellious
son. Through misunderstandings, arguments, and heart-to-heart conversations,
they learn to navigate their differences and find common ground. It's a story
about love, understanding, and the unbreakable bond between a father and his
son, reminding us that family is where life begins and love never ends.
To listen to this story and watch a video, see the link below. Thanks for reading.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Geyer Springs Road in the Morning Short Trip
Geyer Springs Road in the Morning
Just a short trip
People stayed home from work
- a lot of people stayed home from work that day thinking something major is going to happen.
I didn't. I went to work. Hardly no traffic. It was like a holiday.
Hardly anyone called. Hardly any customers came in.
As Shania Twain would sing. That don't impress me much
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Thinking about getting ready to have a Yard Sale!
Thinking about getting ready to have a Yard Sale!
It won't be long until it is May. All these April showers will bring May flowers and I need to do some Spring Cleaning. Not only in the house but also in some out buildings we have on the property. We have accumulated so much stuff over the years and we need to do a detox.
I have to take off from work just to have time to do all the stuff I want to do. There are so many projects I want to get done but it seems like I can't get them done because stuff happens. Life Happens!
Please come back and keep up with me if you have time. Check out my YouTube channel too. My channel name is just "LC Sanders"
I have a vision of what I want to do and it is not only YouTube but also here on Blogger.
Thanks so much
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Arkansas Ephemera
ARKANSAS
The Official Arkansas State Song
Words and Music by Eva Ware Barnett
Published and Distributed by Kelly Bryant, Secretary of State
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
In Memory of my mother-in-law
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Inside my new home
Hi there, I was going to do a video of my new home but my memory card only recorded about 10 minutes of video. And I can't get the video from my camera to my phone because I dont have a computer yet. I am doing all this on my android cell phone. So I figured I would take pictures while playing the video on my camera. The pictures aren't the best. I could have used my cell phone to video but I wanted to try my camera because it has been a while since I used it. So here are some pictures and I'll describe them as we go.
This is what you will see when you come in the front door. It is a single wide 16 x 80.I have a farm sink. I love it because I will be able to fill up the coffee pot from it. I have a new dishwasher. I have never had a dishwasher. This will be a first. A new electric stove. I haven't had a working stove in years.
It has this bar, which I love. Now we just got to find 3 bar stools.
Here is the master bedroom. we have a large walk in closet.
We have a walkin shower and I got this garden tub. I couldn't tell you the last time I took a long soaking bath. I want to get all the stuff that goes with a finger pruning hot water tub full of suds.
So, that is half of it. The other half is the 2 bedrooms and hallway bathroom which will most likely belong to Brandon. He is my son. He is 30 years old. Never been married. No kids. He does hold a full time job and he will be helping pay for it because he will eventually end up with everything.
I'll post more pictures as we move in and decorate. I dont think I'm going to do all the vloggging on YouTube. I love to write. I dont like talking. I hate the sound of my voice. I like to write words. I think my words can convey my messages better than I can say. Although I dont like to talk, I can speak on the phone easily.
Well, I think I got off subject so I'll post more later and more often.
Bye for now,
Lisa