On his way (a short story)

She was standing at the traffic lights with her bicycle. 

Leaning one hand against the black-and-white striped traffic light pole 

she was balancing, feet on pedals, trying her best not to touch the ground.

He watched her and couldn't help thinking about the man 

who tried to fly by letting himself fall and then forget to touch the ground. 

The twinkle in her eyes told him that she had a secret 

that she wasn't willing to share with the world just yet. 

The light changed to green.

In an effort to get going from her standstill 

she lost the black ballerina shoe on her right foot. 

Smiling broadly she waited by the roadside, leaning on her bicycle 

and with her naked right foot on her left knee.

When the oncoming traffic had stopped rushing by

 she picked up her shoe from the street. 

Her hand found support on the saddle as she covered her foot again.

As she slid her pretty behind onto the saddle she saw him standing there 

and gave him a wink and a smile to match.

Feeling better than before he continued on his way.

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Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

Rising up against frustration

All over the world people are rising up against their governments. And against scientists. They state they are living in a dictatorship because of facemask mandates, their local bars being closed and other measures governments are taking to control the Coronavirus pandemic, backed by scientists. People are crazy with frustration so are very gullible when it comes to 'news' that seems to back up their 'gut feeling'. They mean 'a Facebook post from a conspiracy theorist' but say they did their own research because they don't want to appear stupid. But it's okay: they're simply very gullible.

People protesting against government measures to clamp down a pandemic is not new. First time in recorded history that happened was in London. In 1625. The pandemic at the time became known as The Plague. In stead of listening to science (okay, science at the time did not know what a virus was so - just like today - even scientists had to guess at what could possibly work against getting sick) people resorted to blaming other people. Jews mostly. 'How come so many of us are dying and so few of them?'

Mid 14th Century the same thing was happening with The Black Death: Jews were blamed. How come less Jews than other groups of people died?

Simple: An important part of Jewish laws is good hygiene. A quick burial of the dead, handwashing, staying indoors during an epidemic, not dipping your bread in the bowl your guest dips his piece of bread in, et cetera.

Perhaps we can learn from previous pandemics. And from Jews. Note: not from the extremist Jews that refuse to stay indoors and wear a facemask when going outside 'because Jahweh will protect us!'

Religous fanatics have two things in common: 1. They put all of their trust into a deity and not into science. 2. They die (click) before their time.). 

But first we have to stop trusting Facebook posts.

Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon

Why are you bored?

You basically do the same things everybody else does: you wake up, do things and go to bed. Every single day of your life. Well, most days anyway.

But others seems to live meaningful and happy lives while you only seem to work from paycheck to paycheck, get groceries, do the dishes and watch Netflix. First of all: maybe social media is the culprit. When you look at the lives of others everyday to them seems like an adventure and they always have something meaningful to do. Especially celebrities. Right?

And although you know there's tons of stuff you could do to make yourself (feel) useful (help your neighbour or a friend, create a work of art, fix the sink, make a new friend, read Moby Dick or whatever) you rather complain on social media that you are utterly and totally bored, have seen every show on Netflix and just don't know what to do.

Well, you're not the only one:

So, get up and actually do something. Okay? And just for your information: doing something does not include bothering people you know who are not bored. So, for instance, if they say: 'Please don't bother me with your boredom. I'm really sorry for you that you are bored but I am not. Instead I am busy and do not wish to be disturbed.', do not - I repeat NOT - ask them what they are busy with and why they don't want to be disturbed under the false pretence you are 'merely interested in what they are doing' because you and I know you are not actually interested in what they have to say but you are just simply, totally and utterly bored. And you are the only one who can fix that problem. 

You still don't know what to do? Here's a bit of inspiration:

Good luck! 

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Want to read (more of) my short stories? My author page: Terrence Weijnschenk at Amazon