Saturday, March 14, 2009

WAG, part 3

“WAG #3: A New Friend” Sit somewhere that you can watch strangers passing by. Choose someone that you don’t know, but you can imagine being friends with. Describe them in concrete terms, particularly whatever it is about them you find appealing (or unappealing!) Feel free to also write what you imagine that makes you warm to them, but don’t forget to describe reality as well!

Thank you Marsha for contributing this week’s adventure theme!

This was a good one since I live in the country and rarely get out to see people. For the assignment I went to the local mall and sat near a big palm tree display jutting out from an adventure restaurant. Here is my paragraph:

She is thirty something with brown hair, brown eyes and a serene look on her face. Sitting on the bench across from me, she is surrounded by a stroller, large diaper bag and kids' coats, drinks and hats. Three of the screaming, laughing, running, wild youngsters are hers. At least that is how many I see rush up to her, say something profound and rush off. Or rush over, take a drink, check to see that she is still there, then rush back. Other mothers look harried. The noise level in the play area is ear shattering. The crowd of kids all happy to be somewhere not home. To be out when the weather is too cold to go outside. It's like they have all been set free for the morning. Something inside me wants to scream and run with them, arms flung wide. I know what it's like to have cabin fever. I am attracted to this mother because she is so calm and happy to simply sit among the ruins and watch her children play. I imagine she would be a pillar you could lean on. A friend and confidant you could trust to always be there when you come back from screaming and running.

To see the list of all the WAG blogs for this week go to: Nixy Valentine's blog.

12 comments:

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That is a good exercise!
I think that is what I love most about going to minor league baseball games - just sitting there and watching the people!

L. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net

Morgan Mandel said...

I can't handle all that noise. I guess I'm too old. Good idea to watch people and pretend you're them.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Nice description. I have always enjoyed people watching and often find myself doing this kind of exercise in my head.

Jane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I really like this... I have been enjoying reading what attracts each of us to other people.

Great visuals too... she'd make a good character!

Iain Martin said...

Nice job, Nancy; I liked the sequence of kids being drawn back to mom and your interpolation of why you were drawn to this woman.

J. M. Strother said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
J. M. Strother said...

Ah, kids at play. One of the true joys of life. I used to not like noisy kids. Then I had a couple. Now kid noise is more likely to evoke a smile than a wince - though there is a limit. Your woman seems to have found that inner peace of acceptance and forbearing needed to keep from going stark raving mad. ;) Brought back lots of fond memories of McD playlands. Thanks.
~jon

Wish we could edit. Saw a typo so deleted and reposted. :p
~jon

Cora Zane said...

Oh, wow. Great observations! I can relate to this in so many ways. I always notice the "calm" mother on the playground. :)

Lulu said...

Very descriptive. I know that woman, or an older version of her. I was always one of the harried moms, so I hated her. I think a good sign that a description really works is when others think they know the person you are describing. Enjoyable!

Marsha said...

Love it, Nancy! I like all the 'rushing' that happens - kids are so like that. I could really picture it!

Jackie said...

It's great how the children's behavior adds to the description of the woman. I see her as lovable and mom-like, someone that those children will always be able to run to.

Nancy J. Parra said...

Thanks everyone! Thanks Nixy for WAG- it's proving to be much fun.