To Blink, or Not to Blink

He who blinks first, loses.

This is what I learned as a child when facing down a brother or another aggressive boy on the playground. Hold your ground. Invade personal space. Close in for the kill. AND never blink first. 

This is important:  He who blinks first, loses.

Oh, yeah.

The skills honed in the fires of sibling conflict and playground battles have carried me through many tough situations. Okay—not necessarily rough, but definitely confrontational. 

As a young mother, I learned the importance of holding my position on naps (everyone takes one in the afternoon, including me) until my oldest child was almost 9 years old.  Having three stair-step children, I bent over and drew my eyes level with theirs.

 “You will take a nap today. A good long nap.” They blinked. I didn’t. The nap wars fought and won, because I didn’t blink first.

When teaching, the teacher must hold the line on so many discipline issues:  raising the hands to speak, asking permission, respecting another student’s right to exist, etc. Staring down thirty + children requires practice and experience. It must be done with firmness and, most of all, with kindness.

Timothy Olyphant stare
He is the hands-down champion of  full on stare.

This villain does blink in entire movie.

There was always one student who challenged blink contests “You will not steal anyone's pencils. Do you understand, mister?”  Blink, blink, “Yes’m.”

That was when all the skills in the first paragraph had to go into the game. The teacher has to win this—rest of the class has to know that standards of behavior are listed on the wall for a reason.

Ziva could melt steel with her glare of death.

When not playing poker for big bucks, or trying to convince a three-year old that he will stay out of the flour canister, blinking is fine. Blink away to your heart’s content. 

But, when one absolutely must win a situation, keep those eyes open, piercing into the other eyes with deadly aim, and impose your will.  Good luck, soldier.

Elaine's Journey

Nicer than one thinks to walk upon

Ten steps.  Elaine counted, running fingers along ridged strip along the wall…linen closet door…towels rolled and placed in color value…Elaine inhaled with satisfaction.

Nine steps…bathroom and its cold bumpy tile.  Those ridiculous river rock titles that make a path to the toilet, to the shower and now the modified sink…Life is bumpy, will become bumpier, and then what?

Eight steps…a painting Elaine had done once, when all had been well and her hands did what she said.  The colors and the brilliant textures Elaine felt in her mind, painted with a broad brush and pallet knife. How glorious!

Seven steps: sixth—a step up, fifth step…then the landing, all with the blessed railing.

Fourth, third, second, holding onto a thick rope and then Praise God! Finally the last step…her bed with night gown and turned down covers, soft and warm, producing a deep sigh of relief.

Lamp light filled the room.  It was night, but for some reason, knowing light glowed above was a blessing.

Diabetes is a disease increasing in numbers as more and more people become obese.  Diabetes has become a part of my family members.  Blindness can be caused by this horrible diabetes.

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Colors of the Rainbow...part 1

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‘A new student today…a blind teenager...William, oh the fun we will share!’ Caroline tied her apron, checking the full pockets.

William walked toward her, his white cane sweeping across the sidewalk and she joyfully called to him, “William!”  He swung toward her.

“Miss Caroline?”  William hesitated as Caroline gently laid her hand upon his arm, squeezing lightly.  “I’m…William.  Your new student… here to learn…colors,” he stammered.

William felt warmth and acceptance as she led him to the lawn where they both knelt.  Caroline took his hand, guiding across the grass.  “This is green.  Green is new life—in grass, in leaves, in foods both tart and sweet.”

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Tearing some grass, she crushed them between her fingers, then touching his face.  “I want you to smell grass….really deep breaths.  This is green, green grass.” 

William inhaled and smiled at the unique scent.  Then Caroline directed him to taste the grass, chew the grass.  The bitterness hit his tongue immediately and he spat it out.  “Not all greens taste so awful.  Here, try this kiwi.”  She placed the peeled pieces upon his palm.

He smiled at the delight of tart and sweet, soft and chewy.  “Now this I like!” 

Caroline helped William stand and head to the sidewalk. “That’s all for today.  Here is a list in Braille of items for you and your parents to taste, feel, and smell.  And this CD has as the first track. .  Explore them all.”  She noticed William’s mother walking down the walk and calling him.  “Tomorrow…we will discover…BLUE.”

William turned in the direction of his mother’s voice, but he paused.  “No one has ever done this…”

As Caroline turned toward her room, she was yellow and orange as she relived William’s words.  

Delores @ Under the Porch Light  hosts "Wednesday Words", providing a list of six words and/or a sentence prompt, and/or an assignment.  This week I have chosen to do the assignment:  Describing a rainbow to a blind person.  Part 2 (final) will be posted tomorrow, Friday, March 7th.  You absolutely MUST go to her site (by clicking the delightful stream on the side-bar)and read other participants' writing.  Go there!  Right now!

Reflections

Today is December 16^th! 

My Reflection of the A-Z 2011 Challenge is being posted on the following site  A-to-Z Challenge 2012

(Click on the purple letters!)

I encourage you to go there to see my thoughts and feelings about that tremendous Challenge.  It forced me to grow as a writer, think outside my comfort zone, and meet new people.

Many thanks for Arlee Bird and his dedicated team for creating this new site!

Go!  There!  Now!  Susan

Samuel vs. Ginger

Thanks Pam and Dawn! See*Photo*Write

Heavy rain pelted the Old Church door and Samuel coughed.  It was a wet cough followed by yellow goo from his nose.  Misery was running high.

The Mommy had cleaned him up, wiping his nose again.  ‘Just let it flow, woman!’  Samuel had already found the sofa and chairs useful enough. 

The doorbell rang, and Aunt Tammy came whooshing through the door.  An irritatingly cheerful woman, “Oh, whittle Sammie Whammy has duh sniffuls?” as she scooped him up.  “Oh, who’s duh cutest…” 

Samuel let loose with a full-bodied sneeze right into her open mouth.  ‘Just for you, Tammy Whammy!’

The Mommy carried in a gift from Tammy’s car:  a round fish bowl with a deep-red fish swirling around, its fins fluttering in clear water.  Setting it on the table, she wiped Samuel’s nose again and took him from the retching Aunt Tammy.

Putting Samuel down by the table, the Mommy called, “Here’s some tea!”  Tammy stumbled, retching all the way to the kitchen, leaving Samuel.  Eye level with the fish bowl, Samuel considered it.

Ginger-the-old-fat-tabby appeared on a chair next to Samuel.  Their eyes met, thoughts were exchanged, and challenges made.  Who is faster?  Who is better?  Who will win this battle?

Samuel saw only one way. Giving it his all, Samuel screamed and cried, “Whaaaa!  Mommmmmmammmmmmaaa…”

The Mommy came, saw the crying child pointing at the cat, and grabbed the Ginger.  She scolded the old cat all the way to the front door.  Ginger and Samuel exchanged looks.  ‘So this is the way it is to be,’ Ginger glared through slitted eyes.

Time enough.  Just time enough.  Samuel grabbed the fish bowl between snotty hands, pulling it to the edge.  ‘Be free, my friend.  Be free.’  The bowl dropped.