Impulse Image Challenge, For my amusement Options

[Guest_Rosemerta_*]

 MistressKatrinesPelican_1_.jpeg ( 58.71K ) Number of downloads: 19
and detail  miss_katrine_detail.gif ( 12.08K ) Number of downloads: 19

I hope I haven't misunderstood the rules and that it is OK for anyone to post a challenge here if they so desire. Please correct me (or remove this) if I am wrong.

I was sorting some files the other day when I came across a painting I had done for a friend. Some have found it a bit strange as they didn't know the story behind its creation and I found their initial thoughts interesting.

There are so many clever writers in MM that I was curious as to how your interpretations/impressions of the piece might be.

No set rules - poetry or prose, whatever trips your trigger - just an exercise I felt compelled to present.

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi Jackie.

This looks like a great image challenge!

I look forward to giving this one a try. "Pardon, sir knight. Do you know the way to ...... "

You did this painting? It is so lovely! WOW! kudos!

~Cleo

[Guest_Rosemerta_*]

(((((Cleo)))))

"Pardon, sir knight. Do you know the way to ...... "

How funny! I'd love to see your response.

You did this painting? It is so lovely!

Thank you so much.

The truth of the matter is that I had a slight breakdown, mostly in terms of creativity. I've been going through some recovery/therapy and having been able to write and post here has helped a great deal with that. I haven't been able to draw or paint anything in over a year. My psychologist insisted I start sharing some of my old work with others as an incentive. I have managed to put my studio back together so there may be hope for me yet.

[Guest_Cathy_*]

Beautiful painting Jackie! I hope that things work out for you and I'm glad that MM has helped. You have so much talent, it would be a shame to hide it.

Here is my reponse to your challenge. It could stand some work but this is the gist of it. Thanks for posting the challenge! It was fun!

Cathy


Afternoon Battlefield

My daddy and me were messin' around the barn one day ... not lookin' for nothin' special ... just sorta pokin' 'round. He'd found some ol' scrap metal, fixed a handle to it and man it made the best shield! I didn't have a helmet to go with it but I found 'n ol' leather hood that worked just as well and off to the woods I went ... a-searchin' for a battlefield.

"Be back by supper!" Dad hollered at me. "Don't go gettin' carried away!"

"Wonder what he meant by that?" I thought.

I wandered into the woods a-swingin my stick-sword back and forth to clear me a path. I meant to make as much noise as possible so as to scare off my enemy!

"Man, these weeds are high!" My arm was a-gettin tired from all the swingin but I had to find their hidin place a-fore I was through! It was cool stompin along under all the trees, only patches of sunlight a-showin through the leaves over my head. The birds were all skeered and I could hear them a-flappin over me as they flew away. Whoa! That one woulda took my ear off 'ceptin for the hood!

Then someone grabbed me from behind! I whirled, throwin' him off me and jabbin' with my sword at the same time. The fool fell to the damp ground. A hoop and a holler from nearby warned me of the attack. I was surrounded by a dozen men about my size. I jumped at them, jabbed and swung at them, dropping them left and right! My arm grew weak, sweat poured down my face, into my eyes, making it hard to see. A thunder of hooves approached to my right and I spun around. Lordy be! A giant of a horse, dark as the darkest night bore an even bigger hulk on his back. A black-armored knight, made even more evil-looking when the metal reflected sunlight, sat motionless, staring at me.

"Who be ye, little man?" He sounded like Darth Vader through his helmet.

"Don't go gettin' carried away!" echoed through my mind.

Screamin', I spun 'round and darted through the trees. I could hear the horse crashing through the underbrush and weeds right behind me. My feet moved even faster and I didn't stop till I got home. Safely in my room, I put the sword stick, shield and hood into my toybox.

"Whew... man, that was close!" And I put my imagination to bed for the night.

"Daddy, I'm home!"

Cathy Bollhoefer

[Guest_Rosemerta_*]

Hi Cathy,

This is delightful! It never occured to me that someone would take this approach. It is a joy to see a little humor connected with knights and this one made me smile.

It also reminded me of when we were kids. My dad took the sides of a dryer box, cut shields from it for my siblings and I and painted big red crosses on them and looped string through the back for us to hold them. He fashioned swords for us out of scrap lumber and painted them silver. Then Mom plopped old tupperware bowls on our heads and we thought we were the 'Three Musketeers'.

Thanks for bringing back such a wonderful memory!

[Guest_Cathy_*]

Wow! I hadn't thought of a tupperware bowl! lol Three muskateers... how cute! The little boy in the painting looked about the age to enjoy his imagination so I just went with it. His was a little over-active I would say! I enjoyed this though and hope you post another one!

Cathy

[Guest_Rosemerta_*]

My dad was great at coming up with ways to entertain us. We were probably considered in the poverty level back then so he was very creative when it came to making/forming toys for us.

The little guy in the painting really isn't a boy but I'll expand more on the painting later. Right now I wanted first thoughts and you did that splendidly.

[Guest_Rosemerta_*]

Hey there, Cathy,

I was just going through old files and organizing my writings when I came across this thread. I realized I never explained the painting and since you are the only one who responded I thought I would fill you in.

I use to belong to the SCA (Society for Creative Anacronisms) a medieval reenactment group. One of our members was receiving her 'Pelican' which is a great honor. I didn't get it all but it meant a lot to her. I painted her wearing her favorite garb (costume). The little jester in front is carrying her shield.

Once again, and in reading your story again, I found it absolutely delightful!

~Jackie