PHOTO PROMPT Copyright -B. W. Beacham
Every day, I push the same cart to and from the supermarket. Arthritis and senility poison me slowly, but I’m a champion.
In ’76, I was pushing a bobsled instead of this creaky contraption. We never stood a chance against those Germans, but that didn’t mar our memories.
Old Jamie and Joe (J-squared) passed years back. Now, Paul’s all I’ve got.
“Teddy-boy,” his crackly voice bellows from behind. I turn to see him with two power chairs, painted fierce red, like our sled.
“You’ve been a brakeman for too long. Time to be a driver!”
I shove that damn cart into the lake.
We’re going riding!
***Thank you SO much for reading my piece for this week’s Friday Fictioneers. Our wonderful leader, Rochelle, has made quite an art of weaving historical references within her stories. After reading them, I’m always entertained and feel a little smarter! I’ve finally found the courage to follow her lead. This week I challenged myself to learn something about a sport I knew nothing of and reference a specific event in history that wasn’t taught in school.This might not be my most creative work, but it was fun and educational. Please take a look at the other wonderful work of my fellow Fictioneers!
Artfully Aspiring 
Dang app, I had commented earlier and nothing saved, but hey I had a chuckle at the pushing cart into the river part 😀 lol
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Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I felt like getting out of my dark and heavy writing for a bit. A breath of fresh air, if you will! I’m glad I was still able to entertain! 😀
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That you did and I always enjoy your posts! ^^
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Thank you very much, and the appreciation is mutual!
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You gotta stop making me blush Adeile, People will think I’ve gone nuts with this huge ear to ear smile lol 😉
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It’s Wednesday, everyone’s allowed to be a little nuts!
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Sooo bonkers by Friday then yes? lol 😉
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Sounds like a plan to me! 🙂
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😀 😀
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You go, geezers! I love their spirit, Adelie. I’m imagining them zooming around in their power chairs, drunk on power and speed once again!
janet
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Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Janet. It gave me a good laugh, first thing in the morning! I just love the stories that show you’re never too old to have fun!
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“Arthritis and senility poison me slowly”. I’m glad you brought a little light after that line!
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Yes! When I first wrote the story, it was quite bitter, but I turned it around to have a lighter end because I feel most of my stories are too depressing! I left the initial bitterness there, hoping that a shift in mood would bring greater entertainment. Thanks for reading and sharing!
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Dear Adelie,
Your story and your comments both made me smile. Why push a shopping cart when you can race a power chair? A lot of fun mixed with pathos. Loved the history. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you so very much for leaving such a bright and supportive comment, Rochelle! I felt like having fun this week, and I’m glad you came along for the journey! 😀
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Adelie, Good story in that genre. 🙂 Amusing with a happy ending for the oldsters. Looks like they haven’t forgotten what the winning spirit is all about. Good for them . Well done. 🙂
Susan
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Susan, Thank you so much for the wonderful encouragement and support! I always enjoy the stories where people remain young at heart, so I decided to give it a shot! I can imagine that being an Olympian would be such an amazing experience that sticks with one forever! Your kindness means the world to me! 🙂
Adelie
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Wow!!! Very GOOD! I believed it from word one to the big finish. Vivid, real, super-believeable. Gold Medal time! You killed it, Adelie! One of the best I have read so far.
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Oh, thank you so, SO much! Your praise and support is highly valued. Receiving such wonderful words from such a talented and compelling writer brightens my day!
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I concur! She had me hook, line and sinker! 😀
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Adelie! That was pure enjoyment. Great job sweetie! I love the lightness and the joy that emanated from him pushing his cart into the water and taking off on a power machine 🙂 You told a complete story in such few words! Wow!
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Thank you so much for the amazingly supportive comment, Kathie! 🙂 I’m really glad that my story was able to brighten your day and bring you joy! Your thoughtful and kind words truly warm my heart! 🙂
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Adelie,
Mixing history with a touch of whimsy makes for fun stories. Nicely handled this week.
Cheers!
MG
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MG!
Thank you so very much for reading and for the lovely comment! Usually, I stray away from history, but I’m glad I could make it a little entertaining this week!
With gratitude,
Adelie
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That was great! I love the two red power chairs!!!
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Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! Yeah, I feel red is a pretty spunky and energizing color!
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That’s a great story, Adelie. I love those two characters. We care about Teddy-boy right from the first line so we’re cheering loudly for him as he zooms off. Well-written, too.
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Indeed! I want to hear more of what they get up to! 😀
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Oh, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful comment! It’s nice to write a feel-good story every now and then!
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Wow! With condensed shorts like this, every word must be weighty and count for impact. You’ve done just that. Tight and economical without losing the power. I see vast accelerations in your writing talent with each new piece!
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The word limit sure has changed my approach to writing. It takes a while to whittle each story down, but it’s also refreshing to discover the most important aspects of your story and quickly connect them. You’re absolutely too kind, Stephanie!
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Loved it. Way to go. Bravo.
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Thank you SO much, Patrick! Your wonderful comment brightened my day!
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This made me chuckle. My husband’s mom his in a nursing home with people in wheelchairs, walkers, and just sitting. I’ll bet many of them would like to “shove that damn cart into the water”. Thanks for a very fun post.
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Thank you so much for the wonderful words, and I’m really glad I was able to bring laughter to your day! Maybe next time you visit your mother-in-law, you can persuade some of the fellow residents to get their racing on!
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Nothing’s like old gaffers.. they are sure always keep their spirit up…
Reminds me of one of my best tweets..
At a fight at the retirement-home the gaffers knocked some senescence into each other…
🙂
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Senescence- genius! Yes, I think we’re never too old to have fun. Thanks so much for the awesome comment! 🙂
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So very well told. Excellent. Lucy
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I’m truly grateful that you gave this a read and left such lovely words, Lucy! Thank you so much!
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A nice up-beat take on the prompt. Spirited too!
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Thank you so much for reading and for the lovely response, Sandra! It’s nice to write something a little less depressing, every once in a while!
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I like what you did with this. Very creative. Yeah for active old people!
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Thank you so much for reading and for leaving such wonderful words! I felt like having a little fun this week, and I’m really glad you came along for the ride! 😀
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Comes across very realistically. I can picture it. Well done.
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I so agree!! I pictured it as well.
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Thank you very much! I was hoping it would be easy to enjoy!
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A fun and really well written story this week, and a little bit of authenticity adds something to a story. I loved the little details in this (J squared, especially). It felt a little bit special to me.
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Thank you so much for the wonderful comment! I really wanted to give it a personal touch to make it more sentimental and less play-by-play. I’m really touched that you enjoyed this!
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This is so good!! I started reading it and became so engrossed I thought it was based on a real person! You caught me 😀 Well done Adelie!
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Thank you so much for reading and for the lovely comment, Natti! Technically it’s based on a real person ( I altered the names just to be safe), but I’d like to think that the guys had slightly better luck in their lives after the Olympics. No one’s ever claimed to have been engrossed by my writing. I feel very special now! 🙂 My love to you, Natti!
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You’re welcome!! 🙂
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Time can slow our bodies, but only we can slow our minds. Wonderful story.
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Wow, such wonderful and insightful words you’ve left! Thank you so much for reading and for the lovely support!
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