Blog 8 - Flash Fiction

The Fire!

Every day is the same in our house, or at least it used to be! The clock goes off at 7:00 a.m., out of bed, shower, hair styling, breakfast and prepare lunches (chicken fingers from the oven to a thermos) and out the door. Drop my brother at high school, mom at work and into the parking lot at MUN for a 9:00 class. But yesterday, that routine was shattered. I was at the University Centre (UC), just going on Google to search some information when my brother texted to ask why his thermos was empty. My Internet opened on VOCM News and I noticed the top story was a fire in the East End. It was so obvious … our house was on fire!  I raced to the parking lot, tore off, onto Prince Philip Drive and made my way toward home. I was pretty sure the smoke was from our neighborhood. Oh my god, our house was on fire!! The smoke was everywhere! As I turned onto our street I was amazed the fire trucks were nowhere to be seen. I was in such a state, I could hardly see the house with smoke but I couldn’t smell it. I burst through the door, at the risk of smothering.  The house was not as smoke filled as I expected, in fact it was not as smokey as outdoors. I was bewildered that the stove was off, the chicken fingers were sitting pretty on the tray.  I went out to take a breath and a neighbor walking his dog greeted me,  “It’s some foggy today”. 

I got off easy, the house was not burning, the oven wasn’t left on, and we are too rushed in the morning. Yes, the routine has changed. My brother can get his own lunch, and Mom will check the oven before we leave the house, and I will notice the difference in fog and smoke!

Blog 7 – Its that time again!

Dear Halloween,

I am so looking forward to your arrival next week. I must say I am a little bit wary of your scary side but love your fun side. Even though my trick or treating days are over, I have fond memories of doing so in my childhood. I did make one cute Snow White, even if I do say so myself. These days, I anxiously await the knock on the door and am delighted to open it to see all the excited witches, ghosts and goblins. Oh, to be that age again. This year I am expecting to be visited by many Sophia’s, Elsa’s and Anna’s. I really hope that Olaf the snowman comes knocking. I just love warm hugs!

One of my favorite things about you is looking at all the decorations and trying to decide which one I will add to my collection this year. I also like to drive around the neighbourhood looking at all the decorated houses and yards. As I do, I cannot help but think to myself that your popularity is growing in leaps and bounds. You will soon be as popular as Christmas. Personally, I much prefer you to Christmas.

I will say goodbye now as I have to finish preparing for your visit. I have to choose a costume, fill the treat bags and finish hanging the decorations.

Your ghostly friend,

Emily

Blog 6 - Breaking News

Newfoundland Alpacas “Knit”

Alpaca Farm
(Personal Photo: London, England)

Breaking News:  In Felix Cove, a couple has been running an alpaca farm in Newfoundland since 1995. The couple purchased the farm with their first alpacas and expanded it over the years to seventeen alpacas, one llama and two goats.  Starting as a hobby in 1995, it is now one of a kind in the province and has quickly become a petting zoo for tourists. During the years the couple added a craft shop with a large selection of alpaca wool knit wear and providing fibers that could be made into sweaters, scarves, blankets, socks and gloves. The alpacas are low maintenance and easy to take care.

Recently, the couple has decided they would put the farm up for sale. The reason solely being they don’t want to miss out on their grandchildren in Nova Scotia while they are still young. With that they have decided to sell the business stating, “It’s been a good go and if our kids and grandkids were still around us, we’d stay here, no second thoughts.” It has been very difficult for them to give the farm up as it was there dream but with heavy hearts they must sell the business. They hope “After running it all this time and it becoming a part of the experience of visiting the Port au Port Peninsula, we hope like heck to sell it as is.”

If selling the farm doesn’t happen the alpacas have decide amongst themselves to learn the craft of knitting and take over the farm. They feel this endeavor will be good for tourism.

Blog 5 - Spatial Poetry!