May-December Attraction

January 17, 2026

It was mutually alluring

the magnetic pull between

film-star handsome

older man, and younger

woman of head-snapping

beauty…

wherever they went people

stared, sometimes with smiles

of subtle envy–

Like soldered hearts

the match continued

through “better or worse”

they clung to each other

when Life’s sands shifted…

happy, content, grateful

in love…

And when Time

took the shine off

youthful good looks

they refused to mourn–

Decades after they’d maried

they laughed…thinking

their age difference

would have raised

eyebrows if reversed…

strangers’ admiring

glances turning aghast

if they mistook her

for his mother ~ Cale

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2026/01/15/ragtag-daily-prompt-thursday-alluring/

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2026/01/15/reverse/

The Red Tree

January 15, 2026

Hagar’s take on two prompts birthed a dark poem. ~ Cale

Generation after generation

one son after another

and women as well–

blood of criminality runs

cool through their veins

violence is nothing to them

merely part of day’s routine–

conscienceless, they drink

the dregs of others’ lives

who matter to them not–

No mystery trust

has vanished, become

a dusk mist tinged

with copper, reeking

of rust…fear, dread

and viral suspicion…

predators surround–

across globe red rain

drips like weeping

from neighboring trees

since Cain, in cursing rage

murdered his brother…

deep root of the red tree

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/01/15/tree-3/

https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/01/14/writing-prompts-99/

To Sail, To Love

January 14, 2026

Hello, friendly bloggers–I hope you’re in fine spirits.  I bring you another poem from Hagar😊 ~ Cale

~💙~

He liked boats, craved sailing

it fed him the way his work did–

She only adored the water’s

shimmer, its varying color…

and standing on the shore

where wind carried

salted fragrance and

directed waves

as ballet–but didn’t

toss her where she

might not return…

She could see him

not too far distant

she waved

he waved to her…

as long as she kept

his boat in view

he was certain

to come back to her–

he craved sailing

she craved him more

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/01/14/sail-2/

Vows that Paint Pictures (Six-Sentence Story)

January 14, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/01/14/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-54/

It’s a good day…we write, then read 6-Sentence stories.  The link above will steer you to this weekly challenge, where you’ll meet the host, Denise–and get her all-important prompt word (on Sundays), as well as other info you need to join the talented group of writers. 

This week the word is “VOW” (said in a hushed voice).  And here’s the next scene in the story I began last week:

🎨🖌🖼

Judd was in his studio working on a new painting he’d titled, “Winter Love”–he smiled, hearing Lorelei come in.

From behind, she twined her arms around his shoulders, nuzzled his neck… “it’s coming along well, the blue of the waves with snow falling into them is especially nice–so soft and quiet, calm,” she said.

“You’re my Number 1 Fan, easy to please–what’s on your agenda today, Love?”

Her lips against his ear whispered, “the scent of oil paint is a powerful aphrodisiac–are you feeling romantic?”

‘Romance’ was her remedy for myriad ills (and a desirable one it was)–however, he wasn’t inclined to lay aside his brush just yet; “you are a temptress, irresistible more often than not…one day I suspect my ship will wreck upon your shore–is that the goal?” he teased.

But her thoughts were little birds, flitting here and there; she smoothed his fraying denim collar, and said, “I want to invite Pastor Richard to dinner…his backstory must be fascinating–I know I’m intrigued…do you think he’s taken a vow of celibacy?”

Blood Moon (What Do You See?)

January 14, 2026

https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2026/01/12/what-do-you-see-323-12-january-2026/

These inspiring images are brought to you by blog author Sadje, and the credited image artists.  Click the link above for more information to participate in Sadje’s challenges.

The poetry is by my friend Hagar. ~ Cale

Image credit; Alison Torres @ Unsplash

Image credit; Sean Pierce @ Unsplash

~~~~~

I would have walked through

a thousand winters to find you

to be with you, to love you…

Bare trees, breath-tightening

frosted air would have been

to me, nothing…

loving so fiercely

I’d have been fearless

no mere child

despised, tiptoeing

’round strangers

harsh shadow figures

in world far distant 

much colder than yours…

I would love you today

with same blind

passion which knows

no dearth…regardless

of season or years…

But you are gone

for always.

~~~

Blood Moon, you pulse

with wild beat…heat

which can’t be soothed

nor I, who beg you

whisper in the wind

so dark it spins

my thoughts to places

I would not go…

sing a lullaby

into the rain

and weep with me

Blood Moon…

Last Dream, Last Dance

January 13, 2026

Not sure I made the deadline, but I couldn’t resist #6:

https://thesoundofonehandtyping.com/2026/01/13/this-weeks-writers-workshop-prompts-january-13-2026/

Here are this week’s prompts:

  1. Write a post inspired by the word theory.
  2. Write a post in exactly sixteen (16) sentences.
  3. Write a story where a unique vessel takes you somewhere you’ve never before been.
  4. What do you wish you had more talent doing?
  5. When you’re by yourself, what do you usually think about?
  6. What was the last dream you can remember about?

😴💃The last dream I had was that I was dancing with Brad Pitt, which is beyond ridiculous:  I never even liked him, and I seriously cannot dance….and I’m way too old, or he’s way too young.

But it was a nice enough change from the usual deluge of nightmares🙄 Cale

Unusual Coupons

January 13, 2026

Back in my day we lived for, and by, coupons for groceries and other essentials.  It was a thrill to match them with our current needs, thinking about all we could buy on a stretched budget.

Today my crazy ageing brain wandered to “weird coupons”…

It might be exciting to wake up

some days and collect a different

kind of coupons from the mailbox

not ones for coffee or catfood or

likely-freezer-burn cabbage rolls–

Imagine the relief to find savings

on things like knots and wrinkles

typical of normal days

(abnormal ones not included)–

Here are a few you might

be interested in:

50% off negative feedback

“2 for 1” sale on profanity

(limited quantities)

10% off artificial smiles

but Look! there’s a 

“manager’s overstock”

basket of eye-rolling…

The best one, to me, would be

75% off that troublesome

situation I still haven’t 

found a positive and doable

solution for.

~ Cale

(If I’ve lost you, the idea is that all these things would be less distressing than usual…doable😉)

Here are links to the prompt words I’ve used:

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/abnormal-2/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/rdp-tuesday-situation/

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/feedback/

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/burn-4/

https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2026/01/11/rdp-sunday-artificial/

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/01/10/solution/

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2026/01/10/profanity/

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2026/01/13/coupon/