A few weeks ago, I visited my niece and her husband, a physician’s assistant and a lawyer, parents of two children under the age of four. They are also triathletes who will be competing in the Ironman 70.3 Vineman in Sonoma, California this July.
While looking for glasses in their kitchen, I happened upon this striking still life–a perfect Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) photo. Crayons, pacifiers, flasks, Kahlua, bourbon, glasses, a crayon drawing, martini shaker, and some sort of sample medication in a tube.
A ghost story. Parents get drunk remembering their kid who passed away. Revelations slowly come out. Finally, the child makes an appearence. For venegance? Comfort? Perhaps the motives are difficult to discern.
I’ll give this some thought and see if anything bubbles up. Stay tuned. In the meantime, let me know if you come up with a story. Maybe a little flash fiction?
Yes, we had a few laughs while I was taking this picture. They’re working on “weaning” their youngest from a pacifier, so this is the most convenient place in the kitchen where crayons can be exchanged for pacifiers.
It seems simple enough to me. The days are busy, and at the end of them, they need to give the older child crayons to occupy them quietly until they fall asleep. Baby gets the pacifier, and Mom the red dring, and Dad, the one in the back. Each in order of when they go off to bed. 🙂
Jilanne Hoffmann 
A ghost story. Parents get drunk remembering their kid who passed away. Revelations slowly come out. Finally, the child makes an appearence. For venegance? Comfort? Perhaps the motives are difficult to discern.
Oooooohhhhhhh, I like your thinking on this! So many possibilities! I think you should run with it!
I may, but you are welcome to use it, too. We can compare when we’re done.
I’ll give this some thought and see if anything bubbles up. Stay tuned. In the meantime, let me know if you come up with a story. Maybe a little flash fiction?
Here’s the updated version link:
http://erickeys.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/destiny-is-not-denied-version-2-please-help-with-a-better-title/
I took it in a slightly different direction, but from the same basic prompt:
http://erickeys.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/two-for-tuesday-challenge-destiny-is-not-denied/
I also combined it with a prompt from another blog.
Anyway, let me know what you think!
That is quite a juxtaposition of objects. I like that you recognized it and grabbed the photo. I probably would have walked right past, clueless. 🙂
Yes, we had a few laughs while I was taking this picture. They’re working on “weaning” their youngest from a pacifier, so this is the most convenient place in the kitchen where crayons can be exchanged for pacifiers.
Looks like fun for the whole family!
In a very un-Disney-esque way.
It seems simple enough to me. The days are busy, and at the end of them, they need to give the older child crayons to occupy them quietly until they fall asleep. Baby gets the pacifier, and Mom the red dring, and Dad, the one in the back. Each in order of when they go off to bed. 🙂
I like your interpretation! Everyone just passes by the cabinet at their respective bedtime. :o)
Thanks! It was a great picture – a very odd assortment! All relaxing stuff for folks at different ages. The relaxing cabinet! 🙂 🙂