The Journey is over...

For now anyway...(:

I received The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in the mail last week from the last person on the journey! I was so flippin excited to finally have the book back and to read through all the letters that you guys were so kind enough to write. This book means so much to me, and because of you all, it's a treasure that I will hold dear to me forever. I'm so thankful to all of you that participated.


I wanted to thank you all so much for doing this with me. It seems like so long ago that I started the Guernsey Journey...well, I suppose two and half years ago is a long time. Now that I have it back, I don't want to send it out anywhere else, but it has one more journey to go on...back up to New York, it must travel. My dear friend, Barb, who I always used to take books to to read has not read it yet. I had planned on driving it to her when I did get it back but at the time I had no idea I would not be living in NY anymore. So it must make its way back into an envelope and journey once more.

I am usually so anal about my books always keeping that new book appearance. However, with this one, I am so happy that it has that well-read, worn look to it. It's perfect!

Sometime last year, I was in Pier 1 Imports and I found this book box and thought it would be the perfect thing to store this book in.


And the reason I decided to mail this book out and start the Guernsey Journey was because of the final paragraph in the Afterward...

--It's members are spread all over the world, but they are joined by their love of books, of talking about books and of their fellow readers. We are transformed-magically-into the literary society each time we pass a book along, each time we ask a question about it, each time we say, "If you like that, I bet you'd like this." Whenever we are willing to be delighted and share our delight, we are part of the ongoing story of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.--

Thank you all, again, so much for being part of this "Guernsey Journey" with me.

Miss my blog and yours...

Hello, my fellow blogging friends! I've attempted to post on several different occasions, but I always end up deleting it. I moved down to TN a few months ago. Didn't quite work out so well, and now I'm living in Bowling Green, KY with my aunt and cousin. So many life changes over the last year has sort of put me in mood. I always think how nice it would be to find that routine I used to have, perhaps someday.

I spoke on the phone with a friend the other day, met her online several years ago in an author's forum. She knows what to say to lift my spirits and encourage me to believe that I can do what I have to do, that I'm a strong person. Thank you so much, Christine. I've cried to you on the phone through some rough times (On Father's Day one year, no less, and you let me!) But I'm not going to cry anymore...only happy tears now. I figure things can't get any worse, only better. And there is another lady that no matter how distant I get, she never fails to remind me that her friendship is always there. Your packages in the mail, Anna, mean so much to me. I made some amazing friendships over the last few years blogging and discussing books and just whatever was going on in our lives. I miss it. Dottie, Lea, Linda, Tracy...you guys are always in my thoughts, among many others.

A few weeks ago, I was having a bad day, and decided to go on a long road trip back home to NY for a few days. Damn, it felt good seeing the familiarity of home, visiting my mom, and my other 'mom'. But I realized that that is not my home anymore. I was on the phone with my cousin one night when that reality hit...I was driving home. Not back to my mom's apartment, but home to my house. When I realized what I had done, I felt like I got punched in the gut. It was not a pleasant feeling at all. I needed it though, to realize that what was my home for 11 years was now someone elses home. Imiss it, but I have a new place to call home now.

(Not my home anymore, but it sure felt like it the first time I drove by.)

I just wanted to post, and say Hi to you all and hope that you are enjoying the holiday season!

My Very Own Book Wyrm!

A few weeks ago I finally decided it was time to get another tattoo. I had an idea of what I wanted for the past couple of years...a book wyrm. Went back to the same guy that did my other one and Bob hooked me up yesterday! I printed up a couple of pictures, told him what I would like and he did the rest! And boy, did he do an amazing job drawing exactly what I wanted. His rendition of my ideas totally blew me away! He is one very talented dude :). I could not be more happy with my Book Wyrm. He persuaded me very nicely into adding color. Originally, I wanted mostly black and grey shading, with a little bit of green on the body. I think what he did is perfect.

I was so worried whether or not I could sit through several hours, since he had told me when I made the appointment that it would be about 5 hours and since we're moving to TN next Wednesday, I couldn't split it into two sessions. But luckily it only took him little over 3 hours. Only took one break after the outline for a few minutes.

Now that this one is done, I've been inspecting the rest of my leg thinking about all the empty space where I can add more stuff...hahaha!! And then there is the other leg...

I absolutely love my dragon! I couldn't have asked for anything better...I wonder what he's reading...perhaps some smut?? :P

Well, we have 10 more days and we'll be heading down to TN...it seems so crazy how fast this has all happened. These last few days are going to fly by and I feel like I have so much to do, people to see and say my good-byes to. I'm really going to miss it here. Not the area, but the familiarity of it, and the friends that I have. But I figure I'm trading that for something else wonderful...I will be close to my dad for the first time since I was ten. The last time I seen him, I was 13...almost 23 years ago. We both are so excited for this reunion. And then my aunt Judy and cousin Angie are down there too, in Kentucky. They are planning on moving to Nashville in September...totally psyched about that.

I hope things are well with all of you and you are enjoying your summer! One good thing about TN, the summers last a heck of a lot longer than they do around here :)

Flash Fiction Entry #??

Monday Morning Flash Fiction

Free

By Amy C
Word count - 401

Skeletons of long ago lay in mocking silence behind her. She wept from the injustices of a past she could not change, a present she felt trapped within, and a future unable to see.

Her tears no longer comfort, no longer ease the loneliness that haunts. Pain and sorrow define her. The shattered pieces of who she is drift farther and farther apart. Lost and aimlessly traveling, searching for that safe haven that will heal the broken soul she harbors.

Hovering in front of her are the scattered remnants of herself. Trembling as waves of fear crash into her, she reached, slowly extending her arm. Her fingers hesitantly gripped one of the floating frames. Her eyes watered as she gazed at the moving image etched within; a child, carefree, laughing and smiling, without the weight of the blackness that would one day rip her apart. Cradling it against her heart, eyes closed, willing herself to feel that lightheartedness, the piece slowly melded into her. She gasped at the sensation.

Encouraged and empowered, she reached for another. This one burned where it touched flesh. Forcing her eyes to view the image, she reeled back at the faceless man she saw. Horrible feelings of hurt and bleakness, loneliness and despair threatened to taint the previous reflection. Her skin crawled and her stomach revolted, twisting and knotting, ready to spill its contents.

She took a deep breath, drawing strength from the carefree child that was her. “No more,” she shouted. “I will live no more with the torment of you and your wicked deeds.” With all her might, with every ounce of courage she possessed, she flung the frame from her, watching it shatter against an invisible wall. The dark tendrils that had so expertly wove around her heart, breaking her, fortifying the layers of her shield, allowing nothing in, dissolved. No longer would they bind her to a past that caused so much pain and tears, a sense of self lost and outside of reality.

She reached for another piece and another, hugging them preciously close until each found their place. Ones that she thought too far from reach began to drift closer toward her. Her heart grew lighter as memories of contentment and love penetrated the unraveling layers. So long she’d lived in broken shambles. Her soul mended, yet fragile, she wept with joy of the wholeness she now felt within herself.

* * * * *

Been quite awhile since I did one! Great image Dottie and Michelle...

Flash Fiction Entry #36

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #36

Dream of Loneliness

By Amy C

Word Count - 333

I lie here, surrounded by a mist of loneliness. The satiny cloth draped over my body, a lover’s caress. I cannot move from this stasis I find myself engulfed within. Tendrils of emptiness constrict around my heart, trapping me, keeping me from breaking free and taking that which I long for most. A bit of happiness.

I long for his touch, the gentle melody of his voice. My emotions betray me, forever wanting to reach out and connect.

“Why do you not let me in? Embrace the love I offer?” I whisper through the haze.

“We are not for each other. I have no love to give you in return.” The sorrowful words shatter my emotional control. My soul cries out, for inside me, my love, my passion, is for him and him alone.

“You’re heart has been broken, betrayed. Let me mend it for you. Gather it in the warmth of my devotion, keep it safe.”

“I warned you, don’t get attached. Your emotions are not welcome.”

I felt his presence dissipate, leaving me in hollow silence. I plead with the tears seeping from eyes for him to stay, to comfort me, to love me. But he is gone.

I stir from a warm pressure upon arm. My eyes open, surrounded by a pool of liquid.

“Hey,” a soft voice whispers near my ear.

I turn, rolling onto my back, and gaze at the face before me. “Hey,” I whisper back, a smile curves my lips. Profound relief eases the grip of loneliness that moments ago had been knotted around my heart. His palm rests lightly upon my cheek.

“You were dreaming. What were you dreaming about? It must have been sad. You were crying,” he spoke softly, concern in his eyes, love in his heart.

I snuggle closer to him, pressing my face into his chest, his embrace tightening around me, comforting me. “Nothing,” I answer back. “You’re here with me, and that’s all that matters. It was just a dream.”

* * * * *

It's late...but I finally did one :). It's a bit melancholic, but happy nonetheless.

Thank you, Dottie, for continuing to post images every week. I'm glad this weekly challenge is still going strong. Maybe week 37 will be inspiring also!

Flash Fiction Entry and other news...

Has it really been since the end of February that I posted last? Time seems to be going by so fast with this new job. Only having a few hours in the evening makes it hard to find time for everything.

I did manage to write my Flash fiction for last week! I meant to post it Friday night, but I was pre-occupied with a trip to Cleveland. I had intended to go alone, just to get away, but my cousin ended up meeting me there. Got drunk and had to drive home the next day with a hangover...it was awesome! LOL We've already made plans to do it again!

The new job is going great. I thought it was going to be too much for me, but now that it's been two months, it isn't so bad! I did quit the mall :(. As much as I hated going in there after working all day at Ingram, I miss it terribly and it's only been a week! But it's knowing that I won't be going in anymore, at least not to work. I was in there yesterday for a few hours to hang out :). It's hard to stay away.

Anyway, here is my flash for last week!

Flash Fiction Entry

Untitled

By Amy C
Word Count - 363

She ran, her feet carrying her to a future she dreamed so often of. If only she could make it to the gates of deliverance before her body gave in to the gnawing need to rest.

She stumbled, falling an endless downward spiral to the hard and brittle earth. Her heart sank with the weight of her exhaustion. Tears gathered in her eyes, spilling forth a trail of her loneliness. Failure. Always a failure.

He promised he’d be there waiting on the other side where the lushness, the beauty held such an intense contrast to the desolate scenery she knelt within. His voice called to her, whispering in her mind, encouraging her to rise.

She struggled on shaky legs to stand, gathering what strength remained. His remembered touch enticed her; the gentle press of his lips, the warm embrace of his arms around her. He was everywhere, yet nowhere.

One step, two steps, but her fatigued muscles would carry her no further. She collapsed mere feet from the gates entrance. She wept silently, for she possessed not enough energy for more. Body trembling, she drifted into darkness.

She stirred as something tickled her consciousness.

“Rise, my sweet. Come to me.”

That voice. She knew that loving, melodic caress. But she could not bring herself to full awareness. If she lay here a little longer, renew her strength then she could continue.

The peaceful chirping of birds woke her. She stretched, yawning, expecting pain in every muscle, surprised when she felt no hint of strain. How long had she laid there sleeping? She collected herself and rose. Her no longer tired feet carried her body the last few steps through the gate. Her heart expanded as the man she sought entered her mind. Soon they would be together, his promise lingering.

She searched, gazing this way and that. Where was he? He should be here awaiting her arrival. Desperation stole the steady beat of her heart. And then realization struck, as all around her only an empty silence existed. No more did she hear the caress of his voice.

“I could wait no longer,” a distant memory of words echoed in the hollow stillness.

*****