Sadness, and Stories.
I woke up feeling a bit sad today.
Nothing specific, just thoughts about some things that make me sad.
Like lost friends that I can’t phone, or meet up with.
And things left unsaid with those now departed.
Or wishing I had made some better decisions in life a very long time ago.
Not to mention my frustration at my inability to get to grips with technology.
Stuff like that.
It obviously wasn’t too bad, because I soon shook that off thinking about ideas for more stories to go with the photos being sent to me.
By the way, if you have thought about sending me a photo to make a story from, there is no deadline. Please send me one, and I will do my best.
(Just a reminder, reduced size files, emailed to petejohnson50@yahoo.com)
One thing about having to make up stories from photos, it keeps your mind active. In my case, almost too active. I find myself considering stories in my head as I walk around with Ollie, trying to remember if I have posted one with a similar theme or idea before, and just forgotten it by now. But the photos are what they are, and often tell me their own story, which I just have to translate into something readable.
Photo-Prompts are very different to the complex discipline of a long fiction serial in many parts. They don’t require notes about time-lines, character’s names, or historical research. But the basic idea is the same. I think of the ending, come up with a suitable title, then work it all back from there to the first line of the story.
After more than six years of regularly posting fiction on this blog, I wonder when the day will come when my imagination fails me, and I run dry of ideas. But for now, as long as you keep reading them, and most of you enjoying them, I am inspired to continue.
I think you were born to be a storyteller, Pete and I honestly think you should write a memoir.
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Thanks very much for those kind words, Abbi. x
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hey, everything will going to be fine. We all go through such phases when we are sad. But it’s all a part of life.
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Thanks, Shruti. It certainly is a part of life. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think it’s so awesome how you can weave a story from one idea. And there must be something going on with so many of us contemplating all these deep things lately. I know that I have been doing the same!
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Thanks, Lisa. I wonder if it is a combination of gloomy weather changes and gloomy political changes? There often seems to be very little to look forward to right now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think you are right about both those things. This week I am trying to take a break from the news and see if it helps my demeanor any. Now I just have to get my husband to stop reading it to me when he gets home from work (he works in the news industry so it’s an occupational hazard.)
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I feel the same way from time to time. I try not to dwell on what I cannot fix or change. You’re on a roll, Pete. A good, long roll. I enjoy reading what you write, including your new photo prompt stories. Like you, I wish my memory bank was a little stronger. 🙂 Best to you, Pete.
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Thanks very much, Jennie. I enjoy blogging and writing, and even when I don’t feel 100% into it some days, I force myself to do something, just to keep my mind active every day.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You are welcome, Pete. You do it well!
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They say keeping the mind active wards off dementia and stuff…..and you sir have a great active mind…..[ideas will keep coming I do believe….chuq
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Thanks, chuq. If it wards off Dementia, that fine with me. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I know I have a good mind but the body is getting old….LOL chuq
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A rolling stone gathers no moss 🙂 I think you keep us all thinking just by reading your stories, keep them coming 🙂
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Cheers, Eddy. I will keep coming, just the the French Old Guard at Waterloo! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s been a great day for me. First the weather: sunny skies, 65°F/18°C, a very light breeze. Add to that a 2-hour hike up a scenic canyon (520 ft./159 m. elevation rise), and back along the canyon’s rim. And finally, the many crinoid fossils; the chollas, yuccas, and barrel cactus; and a sweeping view of the Wilson Cliffs and Calico Hills. It doesn’t get much better than this!
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Sounds great indeed, David. Strong winds and torrential rain here. I doubt you are jealous of that though. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I love reading your photo prompt stories Pete – you would be most welcome to use any of my photographs – although I am sure you must have hundreds sent to you 🙂 🌿
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Nowhere near that many, TP. Around 35 so far, I think but they are still arriving. If you have a photo you think would make a good story, please send it. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Your stories are inspirational, Pete. You could do a short story anthology from them! Winter tends to bring on the blues- hang on, spring is coming 🙂
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Thanks, Jacquie. Maybe a book one day, I am still undecided. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think you have a very fertile imagination Pete…I don’t think that well will ever run dry!
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I can only hope so. 🙂
Thanks, John.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Never.Stop.The.Stories!! And am glad you cheered up a bit, this grotty weather doesn’t help.
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I perked up remarkably quickly. 🙂
The weather is wearing, but at least we don’t have the snow you are supposed to get up there. 😦
Best wishes, Pete.
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Apparently Gateshead will be having sleet. 😳 We’re too hard for snow 🤣
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I’ve found that imagination is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.So, I wouldn’t worry too much about your inspiration running out 🙂
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Thanks for those words of wisdom, Nicholas. I hope you are right. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Waking up is the hardest time for me as I am stuck with the realization I can’t talk to my sister today.
We spoke almost every day.
Hope you continue on with your writing for a long time as I am so enjoying it.
I love these stories you are doing now from the photos being sent to you!
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Thanks, Margie. Here are two more older ones, if you get a chance to read them.
https://beetleypete.com/2017/06/20/the-steps-to-the-bridge/
https://beetleypete.com/2019/04/25/photo-prompt-story-by-the-tiled-wall/
Best wishes, Pete.
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About ten years ago, I worried that the images I mess with would stop. So far they haven’t.. I figure it is nothing I do, but rather just damn fool luck. So, I enjoy it as long as it continues. Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks very much, Theo. I will take that good advice. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I’m glad your melancholy has already passed Pete. As for your imagination drying up, I can’t see that happening any time soon, and if it ever does happen we’ll all suffer a tremendous loss!
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Thanks, Kim. I have just thought of another serial, but I am still enjoying the photo prompts before starting that. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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👏🏻
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Love your short stories too, Pete! I also dont think you sometimes could get dry of imagination. Your thoughts on this Sunday are not really unusual.Its not summer, there no sun, then the mood is always a little bit down. Michael
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Yes, this February has been a hard month for weather, that’s for sure.
Thanks, Michael.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Whom to tell, Pete! Here in Bavarian Siberia i had enlightened my room to the max. 😉 Michael
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It is a great way to keep your mind alert. Don’t stop–that is why you are alive. I bet you live to be a 100.
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If I live to be 100, Cindy, I expect you to fly over for the party! 🙂 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Yes, sir!
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We all get melancholy from time to time. I tend to miss my family a lot, even though I love my life in Spain. I am loving your stories from the photo prompts. Such a great variety. Would you like another photo from me?
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Please feel free to send photos any time, Darlene. I have a few in the queue, but I choose the ones that ‘suggest a story’ to me to write first.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It doesn’t look like your imagination is going to dry up any time soon, Pete, and all your stories – especially the ones from the photo prompts you’ve been doing recently – are very different from each other. Glad the melancholy lifted. I’m in a state of fear today. A gallery owner is doing an exhibition on words and poets and I have to have my photo taken this afternoon and tomorrow I go to the dentist to see if she can sort my tooth.
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I am sure that you will look attractive and elegant in your photo, Mary, as you always do.
Be confident.
I hope the tooth is an easy job tomorrow. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks, Pete. Photo part done – in a freezing cold studio. Just the tooth to worry about now – and what the pictures will look like!
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I don’t think your imagination is drying up anytime soon, Pete! Sounds like you have a nice meal coming, I’ve cooked a rich beef in beer casserole, and a friend and I are drinking a good Chateauneuf with it shortly!
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I have been off the wine (sadly) since early January. But I have roast parsnips and Yorkshire pudding to accompany the lamb, and will just have to imagine the Chateauneuf. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Oh dear…..
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Everyone have rough times in a point of their time! I think that’s how life is made😊
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That’s definitely the truth, Richa. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Some days like you I wake up feeling a little sad for no apparent reason. Lately I’ve been thinking about my parents a lot and how much I miss them.
Like you, I like telling stories from photoprompts, and also the Sunday and Monday Wordles. My ideas might not be entirely original, but I tell it my own way.
It’s going to be good day today………… I’m cooking curry and our neighbour is joining us.
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Thanks for your thoughts and comment. Enjoy your curry, I am cooking a leg of lamb later. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Haven’t had lamb for a while, and I haven’t bought a joint of meat for years. Enjoy
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I regret too. I think probably we all do. I get very sad at times too. But I know what you mean about thinking about story lines as you are walking about! I do the same! Sometimes I can’t sleep for writing stories in my head 😀
Please keep writing your stories Pete. Imlivevthem
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Thanks, Lorraine. I have no doubt the stories will keep coming, photo-prompts or not. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete. x
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That’s good!
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We all feel melancholy sometimes, Pete. I am sure most people have regrets of some sort about their choices in life. Have a good new week.
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Thanks, Robbie. It didn’t last. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I think we all regret some decisions we made when we were young – I know I do, and the older we get the more we ruminate on what might have been. I think it was the Dalai Lama who said to always live in the present. It makes a lot of sense, I think.
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Thanks, Stevie. I try my best to live in the present, but the past keeps getting in the way.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Mine does too, but sometimes I have to shove it out of the door.
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