Thursday, August 12, 2010

Mag 27

The esteemed Willow, of Willow Manor, tweaks our minds every week with a photo prompt. She invites her readers to write a poem, an essay or a story based on the photo. Here is this week's photo.


They had been married nearly 60 years. Walter and Agnes had been young at heart when they wed. It was 1952.

Many things happened that year of their marriage.

A pretty young English woman became Queen Elizabeth II when her father died.

In the United States a former general, Dwight Eisenhower, was elected president.

"The Diary of Anne Frank" was published.

In Argentina, Eva Peron died of cancer at the age of 33.

Television debuted in Canada.

Jimmy Boyd’s recording of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" was released.

During the many years of their marriage, history continued to be made as well as the passage of thousands of sillier events.

Walter and Agnes had their losses over the years. They had never had children but had suffered the loss of their parents.

Walter thought of all these things as he struggled to turn the wrench on the old water pipes in the basement. He stopped for a moment, staring at the rust around the pipe fittings.

"That’s what I am," he thought. "Full of rust."

He put the wrench down and walked slowly up the stairs, feeling the aches in his joints with every step. He went into the living room, where Agnes sat reading a book. He bent over and kissed her cheek.

She looked up, surprised, and asked "what was that for?"

Walter smiled and said "for the rust."

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I invite you to visit Magpie Tales to read the submissions of other writers.

35 comments:

R. Burnett Baker said...

I like it!! Just a sweet and kind story, something we need more of!!

Rick

Catalyst said...

Thanks Rick.

Stafford Ray said...

There's nothing like a bit of shared and well earned rust! Cheers!

Tattered and Lost said...

Lovely!

Paul Andrew Russell said...

A lovely story. Hope I grow old enough to rust. (I'm well on the way. lol)

Catalyst said...

Stafford, Tattered and Paul - Thank you.

Suz said...

Oh you smoothie you
lucky girl to get that rust
so sweet..good one

Tumblewords: said...

Sweet! I love the thoughtfulness and the tenderness of the words in this piece!

Marilyn & Jeff said...

I love this, it's beautiful.

Catalyst said...

Suz, Tumblewords and Marilyn - I'm glad you liked it.

Brigid O'Connor said...

This was lovely, such a thoughtful and understated love the couple share.

Anonymous said...

I thought I would find a grizzly murder scene here! Well written, as the others have already said, lovely words

Steve said...

This was an enjoyable read.

Rinkly Rimes said...

Loved it! Especially that throwaway but so meaningful line 'for the rust.'

Gemma Wiseman aka Pamela Adams said...

A poignant tale without sinking into sentimental memory! The kiss for the rust tweaks the moment with a delightful wink!

Anonymous said...

so sweet! I hope i can say that to my sweetie when we're old.

christine said...

This was a lovely tale, love lives on even in us oldies, well me anyway!LOL

Tess Kincaid said...

For the rust. This is so sweet, Mr. C. xx

Unknown said...

Thanks for picking 1952. You gave me some insight on the year I was born!

Well written and a nice soft ending. Nice job BT

Hope you're doing well

Helen said...

Beyond sweet ... what we all yearn for.

Kristen Haskell said...

I agree beyond sweet and so very romantic. I love it.

Claudia said...

i also agree - this is beyond sweet - it's just wonderful - and yes - very romantic

Judy said...

Very touching and, yes, sweet.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

natural process, you make it fun to know...
;)

Catalyst said...

Hey, thanks, everyone!

Angie Muresan said...

This is lovely and sweet. A tribute to a happy marriage.

www.angiemuresan.com

Lyn said...

So poignant, and very real.. natural, original..

chiccoreal said...

Dear Stafford: An amazing story and I definitely relate; my folks 60th this year. Lovely images! Well written piece de la resistance. Is that's what are bodies are doing, rusting! Mre Antioxidants! Maybe we need to pass around some anti-aging meds! Green coconut milk, cat's claw, blueberries anyone? Brought it all back; thanks for the memories!

Catalyst said...

Jane - Congratulations to your parents. But . . I'm not Stafford! I'm Catalyst!

ninotaziz said...

Dear Catalyst,
How lovely - the comfort of young love remaining true to be old love. Something we all hope for but few actully privileged to have.

signed...bkm said...

A beautiful love story - we are lucky should we experience this type of rust....bkm

Steve Capelin said...

A sweet one for the mature aged amongst us.

Brian Miller said...

aww...beautifully sweet...i hope to one day experience just the same...smiles. nice mag!

Everyday Goddess said...

this is so wonderful, great tale of love through time! nice magging!

Meggie said...

Ah. I fear Gom is doing it 'for the rust' when he unexpectedly kisses my cheek!