Bolt Out of the Blue
I think about words a lot, as well as their meaning. Although I try to be original in my expression, and provide readers with fresh images, I sometimes catch myself falling into a tunnel of cliches. But fortunately there is light at the end of this tunnel, as well as a good laugh and lots of fun in this most unexpected place.
When I get started it’s hard to quit. I can come up with more clichés than you can shake a stick at. Then I remember this too, shall pass, even though at the time I find it’s as easy as pie to fall under the spell.
My son Jim and I talked about this on one of his visits–since he, too, is a writer. We began trading clichés and couldn’t stop. Our conversation was suddenly a mixed bag of time-worn phrases, and we didn’t even know what most of them meant or how they originated. Since then I’ve found some neat web sites that provide the phrase, its origin and meaning, so at least I am now better informed when I let the cat out of the bag and start talking in clichés. I should let sleeping dogs lie, but what fun is that?
In fact, laughing at such silliness is one of the ways I remain in high spirits, feeling as good as gold and as mellow as fine wine. Oops! See what I mean? As much as Jim and I tried to avoid clichés like the plague, the more they sprang from our lips–and they’re still springing!
After an hour or more of this tomfoolery I vowed to be as quiet as a mouse so I wouldn’t add to the pile of phrases that was growing by leaps and bounds, but it didn’t work. Soon I was up the creek without a paddle, laughing all the way. In fact, we laughed till we cried, but even the tears couldn’t stop us. We were having more fun than a barrel of monkeys! I often wonder just how much fun that would be. That one really takes the cake!
By that time I felt like throwing in the towel, or more to the point, throwing the book at myself, the book of clichés, that is. On the other hand, if I did that, I’d be a sitting duck, stuck in a rut, or worse, up a tree and madder than a wet hen, worried that I’d gotten myself in a pickle with more than I bargained for!
Finally, I felt that I had said all I needed to say on this subject–at least for that day–so I decided to beat it like a rug before I hit the point of no return.
If this little story rings your chimes, let me know! I’ll be waiting with bated breath. Or maybe to you, this is simply much ado about nothing. Either way, I’d love to hear from you. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Bite the bullet and send a note. I promise it’ll be a cake walk.
I want to assure you, however, that the buck stops here so don’t hold back even if you decide to send slings and arrows my way. Please send your own fresh as a daisy prose to me. It’ll lift your spirit and mine and put a feather in our caps!
That’s it for this week. And I’m sure you’re happy as a clam about that.
Well, this is a fine kettle of fish!! All I can think of right now is something my mother used to say. “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” Maybe that will “float your boat”. 🙂
SOoooo cute, Etta Mae. Thanks for participating in my silly blog post. It was fun to write and share.
I was giggling the whole time I was reading this and imagining the fun you had with your son trying to out-do each other. Laughter is the best medicine, for sure. And— You’re cute as a button. (also LOVE the puppy sleeping photo!) I don’t want to let that sleeping dog lie—I want to wake him up and let him lick my face and dance like nobody’s watching!
That was Erin with the dog. She and Shevawn (my granddaughter) are co-parenting him!!
I don’t know if this is keeping with your blog, but my mom used to say to make your words soft and sweet, because, some day, you may have to eat them.
Perfect. I love that reminder from your mom. 😊
Just don’t go up the creek without a paddle! “well, don’t that beat all?” All of what, I wonder~duh!
Love this! Laughter is good medicine and some of the ‘sayings’ my mother had were hilarious – naturally I cannot think of them now! One she used to say ended with “than Carter had oats” ?? does anyone rememer that one?
Thanks for a good memory and laugh.
Love you more than a pig loves slop!! Margaret
I found the source of that one on the Internet this morning. “A reference to a popular patent medicine created in 1868 called “Carter’s Little Liver Pills” (renamed “Carter’s Little Pills” in 1959). I swear, that boy’s got more excuses than Carter has liver pills!”
I remember this one too. Thanks, Margaret.
Karen, this gave me more laughs than Carter has pills. I think I’ll sleep with the angels tonight. Thanks for a fun read imagining you and Jim trying to put one over on each other to top it all off!
Love you to the moon and back!
And I love you to the moon and back too. Such a sweet one.
Lol, Karen!
All I can say is…”I’m tickled pink!”
💝🌸☺️Smiles, BRC
Perfect. In fact, I’m wearing a pink sweater today–so we are thinking pink!
Sure now Karen ….. You have the charm ….. and ….. The gift of the gab ……. just …. Don’t get your knickers in a knot!!!! Or ….. Talk the hind legs off a donkey!!!!!
Oh! I too could go on and on ….. we’ll have to play this game sometime together!! Ha! Ha!
Thanks, Kathleen. Some of these are new to me. Thanks for adding to the count!!
Actually my Mom used to use the “Carter’s Little Liver Pills” ‘sayings’ also. But she did use the Carters oats too. There may have been a man named Carter that had a field of oats next to my Dad’s brother’s farm. It has been so many years ago I may never know-ha! I’m still laughing!
More love, Margaret
Thanks for the additional comment, Margaret. 😊
Mom, it was a night to remember! … you had me in stitches… after a while, the clichés came easier than shooting fish in a barrel… at the end of the day… laughter is the best medicine and if my mom is going to start rattling off clichés… I better follow suit… after all… mommy knows best! 🙂 I love you mom thanks for sharing… sharing is caring. Love Jim
This is GREAT, dear Jim. What fun we had that night and continue to have on the phone and in person. I love you to the moon and back. Mom
Haha Mom! Touche! 🙂