Mindful Writing Day

Today is Mindful Writing Day 2012. Here is my small stone:

The sun breaks through the rain clouds, instantly warming the room and highlighting the specks of dust on my keyboard.

Sleet

The ladies behind the counter in the charity shop shriek a little when the manager tells them it is sleeting outside. I confirm the truth of his statement but reassure them that it is so light that it is barely noticeable,

Chill factor

Unwilling to put the heating on when I am alone in the house, I pull a fleecy dressing gown on over my sweater and trousers. Immediately I can feel my legs and hand start to come to life again as my body warms up.

Homework

I glance at the assignment but computer coding means little to me. The results, however, seem to make sense as a basic game pops up onto the screen and I am invited to make a selection..

Coffee

He buys the largest frothy coffee. As we chat about his future I am relieved that we have found our way back.

Surprise

'It's raining,' he says, hearing the heavy patter on the garden table. But when he looks through the window he sees snowflakes falling amongst the raindrops.

Caller

The lady from the bank is charming when I explain that I can't talk and promises to call back tomorrow. Although I know she will want to sell something, I am relieved that she doesn't pressurise me at that moment.

Celebration

Tiny cupcakes. The glitter sprinkled on the icing  resembles sparkling crushed strawberry.

Caught out

'We won't see anyone I know,' I say, leaving the house in old clothes and with little make-up on my face. As we search for a parking space at the supermarket we spot a friend and bump into her by the vegetable section.

Fire alarm

Just as the meeting is ending the fire alarm rings out with unfortunate timing. We must vacate the new building, to stand in a cold and rubble-strewn car park as the important visitor takes his leave.

Bubbles

A lavender-scented bath, warm but not too hot, offers bubbly respite from a challenging day.

Shopping

Disney's disappearance leaves another dark hole in the shopping centre, but outside the panpipe musicians play on.

Chili sauce

Hot is no substitute for sweet in this house, so we quickly locate the bottle and send it back with the grocery delivery man, whose van is blocking the road.

Once a year

Catching up over coffee in the park: shabby chic, daisies and ducks.

Sensitivity

The dental hygienist sprays my tooth with water  and the pain jumps unbearably. She completes the cleaning by hand.

Chinese

A successful driving test is celebrated by an expensive chicken feast from the Chinese takeaway.

Laptop

The laptop takes an age to install updates and restart, causing a knot of anxiety to form in my stomach which is only relieved when my desktop is visible again.

Outside

The coffee shop is crowded so I unexpectedly take my americano to a table outside. It's too cold to concentrate on people watching.

Ambulance

An ambulance stands in the middle of the pedestrian area, near Marks and Spencer. I go for a coffee and then wander round the corner to visit some charity shops. When I return, I am dismayed to see two ambulances and a paramedic car.

Blood pressure

The doctor chides me for not recording the checks I have done at home, but smiles when her machine shows that the medication appears to be working. I leave with a piece of paper in my hand.

An upset

The anger, triggered by something inconsequential, rises to a whirlwind of fury. Afterwards he is all smiles and we tend our wounds.

Maps

Using Google maps to plot the distance between a bus stop and a destination, I follow the route in detail and realise that it is further than I can now walk. I doubt whether I shall be making that journey on foot.

Window cleaners

Outside the window cleaners talk loudly in heavily accented voices, but I can't make out what they are saying. When I open the door later I find the wheelie bins left in disarray.

Moon

The full moon shines briefly down on us from a circular hole in the blanket of thick dark cloud. A moment later it is gone.

Calm after the storm

The unbridled anger finally abates, leaving us all shaken.

Premonition

Waiting at the bus stop I suddenly find myself thinking about someone I haven't seen for a couple of years. Thirty minutes later I bump into her in town.

Acceptance

Revisiting an old song for writing inspiration, the lyrics no longer flood me with sadness.

Wind blown

A white picket fence, flung across the pavement, bears witness to the ferocity of the wind in the depths of the night.

Coffee break

Over coffee we dissect a story in the news and regret that we can not predict its outcome.

A visit

The wind howls and rain is buffetted on to obscured glass as the vampire searches for a vein. Two attempts later there is surprisingly just enough blood in the test tube to be sent off for testing.

Sunshine after the rain

Half a swirly lemon cheesecake, a gift from a friend, shines out at me when I open the fridge door.

Doom and gloom

The new year descends upon us in a dark mist of rain, a reflection, perhaps, of sadness which has crept too close in the last few days.