Mookoo's Home (木咕子的家)

2023年8月25日星期五

Images for Creative Writing

#2023-0825

Here are a dozen images that inspired me to write a novel. I think I'll keep referring to them for more "story ideas" in my future creations. . .

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Following is just one of the "anecdotes" that I was inspired to draft:

Once upon a time in a land of mountains, where wonders and magic abounded, there existed a special place called "Home Base." At its core lay a serene lake, and beside it stood the magnificent Magic School.

As I, Mega Pelico, a proud graduate of the Magic School, share this tale from my perspective, I invite you on an exciting journey. Let me begin by recounting a thrilling moment that unfolded at the start of my adventure.

One day, on the outskirts of Home Base, a fierce battle erupted between two powerful creatures – X-Tiger and V-Lion. Both were extraordinary beings, unmatched in strength and bravery. As they faced off, the ground quaked with anticipation.

Their roars echoed through the mountains, sending shivers down the spines of any who witnessed this epic clash. It was a breathtaking sight, captivating even the stars above.

X-Tiger lunged forward, slashing the air with his sharp claws, unstoppable in his force. V-Lion retaliated with a mighty swipe of his mane, displaying his own remarkable abilities. The two adversaries danced around each other, their every move calculated, their every step precise.

With each passing moment, the battle intensified, neither willing to yield. Their eyes locked, and a primal energy surged between them. It was a spectacle of strength, courage, and determination.

The clash continued, and the enchanting landscape around them seemed to hold its breath, as if awaiting the outcome of this monumental duel. Every creature nearby paused to witness this extraordinary display of power.

From a safe distance, my heart raced with excitement, uncertain of who would emerge victorious. Both X-Tiger and V-Lion fought with unwavering spirit, their fierce determination propelling them beyond their limits.

The battle seemed unending, and as the sun set over the mountains, their silhouettes became mere shadows locked in combat. I knew this encounter would be etched into the legends of this magical land.

As the battle between X-Tiger and V-Lion raged on, a sudden turn of events unfolded. From high above, two valiant creatures (known as V-Eagle and V-Pigeon) swooped down to join the fray.

With their wings spread wide, V-Eagle and V-Pigeon gracefully dived toward X-Tiger. They agilely danced around the bewildered tiger, creating a mesmerizing spectacle in the air. Their synchronized movements were a sight to behold, diverting X-Tiger's attention away from V-Lion.

In this moment of distraction, V-Lion seized the opportunity to strike. With unwavering determination and claws extended, the brave lion pounced. His attack landed firmly on X-Tiger, causing him to stagger back in pain.

V-Eagle and V-Pigeon continued their aerial dance, swooping in from different angles, making it difficult for X-Tiger to counter. Their efforts were not in vain, as V-Lion skillfully utilized these distractions to launch a series of powerful attacks against X-Tiger.

The combined efforts of V-Eagle, V-Pigeon, and V-Lion shifted the tide of the battle. X-Tiger fought fiercely, but with each strike, he grew weaker. His defiant roars transformed into pained grunts.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the magical glow of the land accentuated this extraordinary battle. The courage and camaraderie displayed by V-Eagle and V-Pigeon were commendable. They proved that unity and cooperation could overcome even the mightiest adversaries.

With one final powerful strike from V-Lion, X-Tiger was ultimately defeated. He let out a defeated growl, acknowledging his adversaries' strength. The once fierce and invincible tiger now recognized the might of his opponents.

As the dust settled, a sense of triumph filled the air. V-Eagle and V-Pigeon returned to the skies, their wings carrying them back to their watchful perches. V-Lion, battered but victorious, stood tall as the protector of Home Base.

[From that day forward, the bond between V-Lion, V-Eagle, and V-Pigeon grew stronger, fostering harmony in the magical land. Their bravery and unity became a legend, celebrated throughout the mountains.]

Of course, the above example of my first drafts will be revised (or totally rewritten) someday in the future. -- For the same story in simpler English, click and see Fiction Freewriting #2300.)

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相關文章 (See also)：

1) A Real Map: 「蛋花湯」地形圖 (2014)

2) I'm Going to Create Something (2014)

3) Poor Eyesight Makes a Better View Sometimes (Part One) (2015)

4) Poor Eyesight Makes a Better View Sometimes (Part Two) (2015)

5) Hiking, Hiding, Fighting! (2015)

6) Writing Goals (2016)

7) The Best Part of Being a Writer (2017)

8) {Fiction} ~ Hunting in the Jungle (2021)

9) 30 Pictures / Images / Illustrations (2021)

10) 坐擁天然奇景 (2022)

11) Why Writing? (寫作緣由) (2022)

12) The Fiction Month (2022)

13) From Reality to Fiction (大事 → 小說) (2023)

14) Fiction Freewriting #2300 (2023)

2023年8月23日星期三

從牆上到窗外，都是 "藝術"！

#2023-0823

We've been here again and again, enjoying our private chats . . . and simple set meals that we ordered . . . and the eye-catching artistic works on the walls . . . and whatever we can explore in the wooded backyard!

In the corner near the rear window (the windowpane being close because of air-conditioning inside) the four of us -- Xiuzhi, Xiuqing, Jean and I -- sat at the same table, sharing lots of our news and stories with each other, on such a wonderful Wednesday afternoon.

Before the party was over, I snapped a few photos inside and outside the Ringo-Tango café (see below). ⸺沒錯！從牆上到窗外，都是 "藝術"。牆壁上的小幅油畫、立體或半立體造型、草花盛開的盆栽；還有後院裡的風景，包括那隻蹲伏的石貓，都令我印象深刻。

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相關文章 (See also)：

1) 林果 ● 探戈 (2019)

2) Ringo-Tango Again! (2020)

3) Flowers at Ringo-Tango (2022)

4) A Sibling Reunion at Ringo-Tango (2023)

2023年8月21日星期一

The Phrase "Pass Away" . . .

#2023-0821

The phrase "pass away," especially in the past tense, is something I hate to hear or say, but it seems entirely impossible for us humans to avoid (or get rid of) hearing or saying it in our lifetime.

How sad it would be that someone close to us has passed away! We all grieve the loss of a loved one, no matter how long they had been ill, or how suddenly they left us and passed away!

While I've been asked to keep it private for now, I was deeply saddened to learn that a good friends of mine [name withheld] passed away last Friday (8/18). Being so distressed, I can't help but miss a lot of people and things that I've been through all these past years. -- O Lord God, have mercy on us. May the merciful Father, Son, and Holy Spirit keep and bless all the people I've deeply loved and am missing so much!

Following are some more people and things

that I'll always remember, as recorded

on my blog Mookoo's Home:

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"My father, who passed away several years ago, had worked on the farm all his life -- either on the mountainside or in the rice field. You may call such a person "farmer" but in my case another English word ("peasant") might be better used to describe my dad, as he used to be a poor peasant." (See A Dream 昨夜今晨夢 written in 2021.)

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"A week after the wedding party, I heard Li laoshi and Chen laoshi say that Lao Ye's father "happened to die" on the very same day when Lao Ye's daughter got married. What a shame! It seemed that none of us had been told about it the previous week. I asked Lao Wang if the bad news was true. Lao Wang said, 'That's true. Lao Ye's father caught a bad cold about two months ago, and was sent to one of the best hospitals in Taichung. No one would believe that he would pass away so soon -- on his granddaughter's wedding day!'" (See Lao Ye, posted in 2010, originally written in 2005.)

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"My mother's parents came to Taiwan from the northern part of China. They both passed away already, but I remember that they often talked about the wars, about their difficult time in those days, about how they fled to Taiwan, and so on." (See 講道稿英譯：Don't Look among the Dead for the Living, translated in 2013.)

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"Ah Zung's daddy and mommy used to be pioneers, coming from their faraway hometown to this sparsely populated mountain area. Then they worked mostly as woodcutters; they also opened up some virgin soil. When they passed away, they left their sons a piece of land on the mountainside, which was not formally allotted yet." (See First Part of My Family Tale, posted in 2010, originally written in 2001.)

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"Since my father-in-law passed away in Jan. 26, 2010, we've been missing him very, very much. Especially my mother-in-law! She didn't even want to be away from her house for more than half a day! This week we've just made it possible for her to come with us visiting Sun Moon Lake. We all want to cheer her up, and we'll always be happy to see her happy!" (See 明潭二日（食、宿）：共 2 組, which I posted in 2010.)

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"I'm -- I -- as your youngest daughter's first son, I am so curious about you. I've never seen you, because you died in your early seventies when my mom was just thirteen or so -- I heard mom say 13, but I wonder if it was xusui, the nominal age (based on the East Asian age reckoning), or shisui, the real age. Now my mom, or your youngest daughter, has passed away; and I (as well as my yournger brothers and sisters) miss her so much that I'd also like to recall that she had a father who was dushu ren (讀書人), an educated man -- a scholar and also a "doctor" of Chinese medicine!" (See A Precious Picture: 外公的照片, written & posted in 2021.)

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"After 19 years I found these old photos by chance. I miss everyone in the photos very much. -- Yes, I miss them all, including Bishop John C. T. Chien (簡啟聰主教) and Rev. Payton Craghill (葛培根牧師), who have both passed away!" (See 老照片: 2000 丹佛總議會, posted in 2019.)

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"Oh, Mr. Lu, I thank you for having taught me so much about literature. In fact, I had quite a number of good teachers and lots of good classmates who have always been in my heart: I still remember them now, though some of them (e.g. Mr. Lu) already passed away." (See I Remember You, Mr. T. P. Lu, written in 2016.)

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"The piece of land belonged to my father until he passed away in 2015. Then, according to his will, the ownership of the land was transferred to my mother. (By then, my father had already given some other parts of his land to my brothers and me!) Five years later, my mother passed away in December 2000, and the land legally became the joint inheritance of all my siblings and me." (See The Last Piece of Land written in 2023.)

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相關文章 (See also)：

1) An Enjoyable Potluck-Brunch Party (2012)

2) Photos of a Sunday Gathering (2013)

3) 棕枝主日 (Palm Sunday) (2022)

4) Confirmation and Reception (2022)