yes, i really did number 22

Last weeks writing prompt with Mama Kat's writer's workshop was to write a list of the 22 THINGS I had done. This week I can take one of those things and elaborate. The choice was easy, because I really did # 22 and a few people commented on it!


Here's what they said.

ARIANA said, "now # 22 is just crazy!!!" in her comment. An my friend MARK said in his "#22!" " Seriously?" " Were you strapped in?" "That's craziness!!!"

Let me explain since not only am I not crazy, I am actually the most normal person I know. I plead tired step-mother with a touch I didn't have a clue! What to know what #22 is, read on?!

You see I married young and my husband had three little kids, they lived with him so I became an instant Mom, I was barely 22 at the time.  Full of myself I jumped in head on into the step-mom thing. Some people might think that's crazy but that's not #22, continue reading.


When their Mom picked them up it was alone time for my husband. After all most married couples get years of privacy before kids but not us, alone time was weekends only.

So here's the story, we had only been married for a few months but on this particular weekend we decided to get away.  I cuddled up next to my husbands warm body while he was driving and fell asleep, it was a short distance to our destination but I went out like a light. I should say at this point I am not normally a napper.

A few months later on weekend afternoon after a romantic encounter hubby came back into the bedroom and sat on the bed eating a cold piece of pizza and drinking a beer. Being a big lover of pizza and beer I was rather surprised when I felt a rather strong urge to jump out of the bed, run to the bathroom and throw up. Dizzy and in a cold sweat I sat on the camode and just knew that I was pregnant.  Then the light went on for the reason my lights went out and I....  fell asleep on the back of a motorcycle.# 22

I received one more comment about #22, it was from JACKIE and she asked, "Oh my goodness, how do you fall asleep on the back of a motorcycle?" 

My answer to her would be; I was at the time an exhausted step-mother who didn't have a clue she was pregnant, and apparently that meant I could sleep anywhere; even on a motorcycle!

things I've done

Last week I did a post linking up with mama kat on the things I've never done, this weeks task is to write a list of Things I have Done... so here goes.

I am 52 years old and I have:

1. swam in the Atlantic, Pacific and the Mediterranean oceans.


2. moved to a state 8hours away from my parents after marrying.


3 lived in a beach community.

4. learned to cook Chinese (cooking class)


5.  buried two of my children, a daughter and a son.


6. owned dogs, cats and mice as pets.


7. gambled and liked it.


8. worked with the poor and homeless 


9. cooked for a men's shelter.


10. played viola in the junior- high school orchestra.

11. gone on religious retreat with Nuns


12. been to therapy


13. gotten drunk


14.shot a snake

15. surfed


16. stayed out all night (in my younger days)


17. took sewing lessons 

18. went up the Hudson River (NY) in a boat past the Statue of Liberty.


19. saw two mountain lions walk across my neighbors yard.


20. worn green dresses in every wedding for which I was a bridesmaid.


21. turned grey at 35


22. fell asleep on the back of a motorcycle

things I've never done

Today I am linking up with Mama Kat for her workshop and her task is to write about those things that I've never done:

I am fifty two and......

I have never:


1. learned to speak a second language fluently


2. skinny dipped at night in the ocean without hearing "The Jaws Movie" music in my head; I hate that dumb music!

3.traveled to Europe


4. given birth vaginally 


5. acted in a play


6. gotten a ticket, speeding or other


7.  been divorced


8. taken a vacation alone, nice thought huh?


9.  done CPR on a person


10.  been able to grow long finger nails


11. been picked for jury duty


12. sailed on a sail boat


13. been arrested


14. climbed a mountain


15. attended college


16. cut my own Christmas tree


17.  been to the movies alone


18. participated in a public civil protest


19.  gone to Canada


20.  gone to the top of the Empire State building


21. flown first class


22. worn contact lenses

mama kat's - where I'm from

I've never done a writer's workshop before this is my first. It was also really fun so go on over to Mama Kat's and check out all the other writers they are fantastic 


I am from American made cars, always blue, from Dewar’s Scotch and warm beach sand.

I am from a white stucco, sun filled two story house with brick stairs and the food aromas always ever present.

I am from the sunflower plant, tall, strong, sun worshiping and top heavy.

I am from Santa on Christmas Eve and laughter, from Nana’s gifts in brown bags and Daddy and Popa.

I am from screamers and jokers and lovers no matter what.

From go out and play to don’t go in over your head.

I am from Catholic not public, and statues of Mary in the back yard.

I am from New York City and Ireland and some French, pots of soup on the stove and bread, beer and potato’s.

From the albums my brother Paul played on our Victorla in the living room, the box of forty fives and how Daddy used to sing along when he drank to much.

I am from tea sets displayed on my side board and family pictures around my house and stored in my closet and family silver that graces my table every holiday that carried wonderful memories of my childhood.