Category Archives: #ReaderFriday

Reader Friday . . . D-Day

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Today is D-Day. No, not Deb’s Return to The Killzone Day. I am glad to be back, though! Thank you to those who filled in on Fridays during my hiatus.   😊

Now, let’s talk about the real D-Day.

We often usurp the term D-Day to describe events of lesser import—such as work assignment deadlines, bills due, even personal stuff, like weddings or maybe divorces finalized.

But the real D-Day back in 1944 was (and still is) a day to remember. Because it was a day that sealed the fate of one of the real enemies of mankind.

According to my D-Day research, “Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied operation that launched the successful liberation of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) with the Normandy landings, Operation Neptune.” (From Wikipedia)

Many books have been written, and many movies have been created about this period in history. I happen to be one of those movie-goers who would choose a war movie over a romance every day and twice on Sundays. But what’s important is in the next paragraph.

I will be forever grateful for those brave men and women who fought these battles, and for those who gave their lives on this day. Which brings to mind a 102-year-old gentleman, the father of a friend of ours. Still spry, with a sense of humor and a knack for the flirt, he is one who thankfully returned to his family.

Many Americans, along with our allied forces and their families and loved ones, however, gave their all so that I can sit here writing this post for you to read. Sometimes I just can’t wrap my head around that. I ask myself, if I’d been in that generation, would I have been willing to sacrifice myself, or a husband or child?

Think a moment. Try to imagine what our world would look like if this day had never happened, and those enemies had not been defeated.

I think, maybe, our world would be much different.

Comments welcome.

 

Reader Friday: What Happens Next?

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Fredric Brown (1906 – 1972) was a spec-fiction pulp writer and a master of flash fiction—short-short stories with a twist. (I love his collection Nightmares and Geezenstacks.) He wrote a famous story called “Knock” which begins:

The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.

Without looking up the story, write the next line (or paragraph if you are so moved).

And AFTER you’ve done so, you may read the story here.

Reader Friday: Your First Suspenseful Read

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The first thriller I recall reading was Thomas Harris’s 1975 novel, Black Sunday. I read it when I was fifteen, checking it out of my high school’s library and plowing through it in just a couple of days. The book kept me on pins and needs the whole time, not letting up until the end, and even then, it lingered with me for days afterward.

What was the first suspense or thriller novel you remember reading? Do you remember where you found it?

Bonus question: what was the first suspense or thriller movie you recall seeing? Where did you see it? For me, it was the 1971 movie, The Andromeda Strain, adapted from Michael Crichton’s novel. I saw it on our local independent TV station, Channel 12.

Reader Friday: Word Games

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Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play. —Mike Singletary

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There seems to be some evidence that playing word games is good for your brain. Some people say it’s like a workout for your little gray cells. According to Dr. Oriana Cornett of St. Joseph’s Health

Incorporating puzzles and word games into your daily routine can be a game-changer for your brain health. These activities are more than just entertaining; they’re tools for maintaining and enhancing cognitive function and boosting mental acuity in a variety of ways.

Some of the areas of benefit she lists are

  • Improved Problem-Solving Skills
  • Language and Vocabulary Growth
  • Mental Agility

That’s great news for readers and writers (and for everybody else.) But whether word games improve brain function or not, they’re fun to play. Some I like are

  • Crossword puzzles
  • Wordle
  • Spelling Bee
  • Scrabble

I also have a few apps on my phone that are fun to play whenever I take a minute or two to relax. These include

  • 7 Little Words
  • Elevate
  • Wordbrain

 

So TKZers: Do you play word games? Do you think word games are good for brain health? What are some of your favorites?

 

Reader Friday-Deep Impact

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Do you happen to remember this movie, released in 1998?

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I do . . . it had all of the requirements to get my attention (and some popcorn): Great title, favorite Hollywood stars, disaster, and political intrigue. I think we even watched it twice. Nowadays, we don’t have to go to the movies to get most of that on a daily basis, right? Ahem . . . ’nuff said.

The movie, however, isn’t the topic of conversation this Friday. Just the title.

There was a guy in my life (and he’s still in my life) who has had the most profound impact upon me. All I need to know about how to do life on planet earth has its roots in him. Integrity, honesty, compassion, generosity, and humility were lessons I saw lived out every day of my life, and still, by this man.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Yep, you guessed it! My Dad. Navy veteran, businessman, husband, and father to two boys and two girls. He just turned 92 last month, he has memory issues, but he’s still the Dad I grew up knowing and trying to emulate. Thank you, Dad!

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TKZers, please share with us who has had the deepest impact upon your life, either personally or professionally. And has that person crept into your writing?

Inquiring minds want to know!

 

(This will be my last TKZ post for a couple of months or so while I take a break and deal with some *real* life current events. My stellar teammates will be stepping in to post on Fridays until I return. But never fear, I won’t be gone…just lurking around corners, spying on you, and enjoying my time off.)

🙂

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Reader Friday-Playing With The Storymatic

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We’re going to have a bit of fun here at The Killzone today. At least, I’m pretty sure it’ll be fun…

Have you heard of The Storymatic? Check out this website. It’s also available for purchase on Amazon. There are several versions of the game also–even one especially for the kiddos in your life.

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So, here’s what I’d like to do.

I have chosen four “story prompt cards” from the box. See below.

There are two “plot” cards and two “character” cards from which to build a story.

Then, (and this is the audience participation part) you will use the prompts to write the first line or first paragraph or so of the story and share it with us right here on TKZ. Sound fun?

Here’s our assignment:

CHARACTERS: House Cleaner, Investigative Reporter

PLOT: Something Inside The Wall, Safety Deposit Box

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Now it’s your turn, TKZers. Give us the first line or paragraph of your story using the above prompts. Don’t hold back now!

Look for mine in the comments. Let’s go for it . . .

 

 

 

 

Reader Friday-Let’s Have Coffee!

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What and where is your favorite place to have a cuppa joe, either alone or with a pal?

Here’s mine: Sundance Espresso.

It’s located in Selah, Washington–a little burg about 4 miles down the road from Yakima, where I live. It’s a great little place, owned by some very special folks, and is a business staple on the main drag going through town.

They serve coffee drinks, sandwiches, muffins, and other snacks. They also feature some handcrafted gift ideas. But the most important item they sell is good old-fashioned friendly service.

Oh . . . and did I mention they stock local authors’ books, including mine?  🙂

 

If you’re ever in central Washington, you must stop in when that coffee craving comes over you.

Let me know . . . I’ll meet you there!