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Friday, October 9, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - October 9, 2009

[Fiction] Friday Challenge: Pick your favorite movie monster (vampire, werewolf, etc) and give it a makeover.


The mad Dr. Frankenstein looked up to the laboratory ceiling and hollered, “Yes…It’s alive! It’s alive!”

Through the open doors above, the lightning snapped and flashed with the highest frequency in months. The electrods snagged the power of mother nature and transferred it to a very un-natural body.

The great man lying on the table was becoming more and more aggrevated and hostile. Screams of pain and anguish echoed throughout the room. Each snap of lightning rendered him more powerful than the last.

Sparks exploded from the outdated machinery, overloading the corroded wires with too much voltage. The ceiling doors slammed shut and the table legs snapped sending the table down to the floor.

Dr. Frankenstein turned and looked at the man that he brought back to life. His curly black hair, headband and the psychedelic clothes that made his uniform were all perfect. His guitar lay across his chest, the strings still smoking from heat.

He sat up looked at Dr. Frankenstein and said, “Excuse me while I kiss the sky.”

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Southington Apple Harvest Festival - Oct 10 & 11, 2009

This is an annoucement for the fair I will be attending next.

The Southington Apple Harvest Festival is happening October 2-4 and 10-11, 2009. I will be there with my books October 10-11, that is the arts & crafts and books weekend.



There will be free parking, free admission and free entertainment...can't beat that deal. Check it all out online.

The holidays will be approaching fast...have children on your list? Come out and get a signed copy of one or more of my books...prices are less than online and the more you buy the more you get for free!

Leaves are starting to change, it will be a great weekend to get out.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - September 25, 2009

This weeks challenge: The house lights dim, the curtain goes up… you’re on.

‘What’s this? - Where am I? – It’s so bright! – Are those people? I thought as my eyes adjusted to the sudden flash of light. I was on my back. ‘How did I get here?’

I sat up and tried to look around. The smell in the dust-ridden air was horrible. My head was sore and soaking wet. My eyes felt like I had been asleep for days.

“Hello?” I said using my hand as a visor to block the bright searing lights.

“Who’s out there? Where am I?” I demanded.

Suddenly out of the bright glow came an apple…bam! Right at my head.

“Hey!” I screamed.

Then, as I was rubbing my head, came another piece of fruit, this time an orange…and it nailed me in the leg.

“Booo! Booo! Do somethin’! Booo!” Roared an angry mob that I could not see.

“What’s going on? Who are you? Why am I here?” I yelled out even louder than last time to try to be heard over the dissatisfied crowd.

The white light switched to blue and now I could see some faint silhouettes. Here and there I could see a glow from a burning cigarette like fireflies exploring the night. I stood up but I couldn’t take a step. My feet were shackled to the floor. The light switched to red. I glared up at the source of it, blocking it with my hand.

“Who’s doing that? What do you WANT?” I screamed again but with more rage.

The silence was deafening. No one would answer me.

The lights clicked off. It was pitch black. I heard footsteps, lots of them, growing louder and louder. They grabbed me and forced me down. I could hear the shackles being unlocked and then straps being wrapped around me.

“What’s the matter with you?” Whispered a women’s voice.

“Yeah – c’mon mate – quit acting all loopy.” Whispered another voice, this time a man.

‘Did I know these voices?’ I thought. ‘They don’t sound familiar.’

The grasps suddenly left my body and I heard the scurrying of them all rush away.

“Wait – wait!” I yelled. “What did you do to me? Help me, please!”

Then the lights slammed on again. They seemed brighter than last time. I went to block the light but my arms were stuck. My legs were stuck.

I started to rise from floor and rotate up facing the crowd again. The lights started flashing, red, green, blue, purple, in varying patterns and brightness. Then they started circling the room but I couldn’t follow them because my head was stuck too.

I wiggled and squirmed in frustration and fear, trying to break free. Then whatever was holding me broke free, I lost my balance and started for the floor, backwards…boom the lights went out again.

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Friday, September 18, 2009

New Book Trailer - There's a Bear in my Bathing Suit

Click here to see the book trailer for my new children's book, There's a Bear in my Bathing Suit.




copyright Uncle Tee Books

[Fiction] Friday - September 18, 2009

Picture Prompt: The Starry Night by Van Gogh















It was chilly up on the hill overlooking the town. The cool breeze swirled in small funnels all around him. The ground was grassy and dry, too cold for annoying insects and the sky was clear. Vincent was happy he chose this night to capture the scene.

After walking back and forth, searching for the right spot, Vincent had found his spot. He had his easel set up, his paints ready to go and he the stars were only getting brighter.

They twinkled and flashed as he starred at them trying to image what they felt like and how far away they were. He could see that they were different colors but couldn’t quite create the exact color on his pallet.

The gradient sky was a magnificent backdrop for the sleepy town. Below it, the rolling hills with the trees and houses at its feet. Dark shadows and dimly light candles filled the windows and streets.

He knew he hadn’t much time to capture the landscape before night swallowed it in its darkness. The moon wouldn’t stop for Vincent to take his time, the time was now, and he had to paint fast.

He transformed the canvas with such ease. Merging on it the image before him and the way that he saw it. The night went on changing, growing darker and colder until the moon left his canvas. The stars followed as hills and sky became one.

Vincent finished and packed up his tools. He carefully lifted his painting off the easel and carried it back down the path that he came. That night he captured a scene that would never return and would never be exactly the same. To Vincent it was just another starry night.

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

New Children's Book Release - There's a Bear in my Bathing Suit

I am proud to announce the release of my ninth children's book, There's a Bear in my Bathing Suit. You can see it at Uncle Tee Books
 
This one is a little bit different than my previous eight books in that it is longer (40 pages) and it is not a rhyming book. Also I used a different drawing style...still drawn by hand but with a watercolor/acrylic type style. Reading levels up to second grade and a great picture book for preschool.
copyright Uncle Tee Books

Thursday, September 3, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - September 4, 2009

Personal Note: I haven't participated in the last few weeks of [Fiction] Friday due to certain deadlines. I was trying to get ready for an art show and finish my latest children's book...which will be released in a few days. You can see all my books at my website. I am creating books non-stop, please take a look at them.

This weeks challenge: Pick an ordinary object, and give it an extraordinary use.

A cool breeze rushed through the crisp autumn air as the leaves slowly drifted down from the trees one by one. The sun cast long shadows through the thinning foliage. It was the first time in a week that the wet ground had any sunlight on it.

David and his son, Tommy, were just finishing their breakfast.

“Today’s the day, Tommy.”

“The day for what?” Tommy asked.

“Well, now that it finally stopped rainin’ we have to git out there and drain the pool cover.”

“Really, that’s what we’re goin’ to do?” Tommy asked with excitement.

“Yeah, we have to. It’s not goin’ to be that much fun ya know.”

They cleaned up the table, put on their boots and coats and headed for the shed. David hunted around until he found the pump that he uses to get the water off the pool cover.

“Ah, here it is. Tommy, can you start unwindin’ the hose?”

“Okay.”

David hung the pump over the edge of the pool cover into the cold, clear water and positioned it just right. He unwound the cord and ran it to the extension cord he had plugged earlier on their way to the shed.

“Okay, just gotta hook up the hose then plug it in. Got it out yet?” David said as he turned to Tommy who was down at the edge of the grass. “What are you doin’?”

“Nothin’.” Tommy replied as he carried some rocks from the nearby wood line.

He had the hose stretched out from where he was, around the pool and next to spot where David placed the pump.

David connected the hose to the pump and followed it to the end to be sure it wasn’t kinked or facing the wrong way. Then he went back up to the pool and plugged it in.

“Here it comes.” He yelled to Tommy.

Tommy was holding the hose and a rock, trying to position it on top of another rock to be the start of his waterfall. He strategically placed and fitted each rock so that the water would move in exactly the direction that he wanted it to.

Tommy was lost in his own world, manipulating the water as gravity pulled it down. His hands were ice cold from building the beautiful and complicated maze of rocks and flowing water coming from what most other people saw as just an ordinary garden hose.

About fifteen minutes past and David was getting the last of the water, “Okay…it’s almost empty.” He said as he walked around the pool and down to where Tommy was. “Wow! That is awesome. Aren’t your hands cold?”

“Not really.”

"Well, in just another minute the water is goin’ stop but that is really cool what you made there.” David said. “Why don’t you leave it and next time we drain the pool you can make it bigger and better?”

David walked back up to the pump. He was trying to remember what it was like to be Tommy’s age and taking regular objects and making them extraordinary.

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Art on the Green

Hello everyone, this is an announcement for the upcoming art show that I will be attending.

This year the Art on the Green is being held on September 26, 2009 from 10-3, at the
Jonathan Trumbull Jr. House Museum.
I will have about twelve art pieces for sale along with each of my children's
books available including another new one...
"There's a Bear in my Bathing Suit".


This one is in the proofing stage and has not been released yet but it will be ready by the time of the art show. This one is a bit different than my previous eight books in that it is longer (40 pages) and it is not a rhyming book. Also I used a different
drawing style...still drawn by hand but with a watercolor/acrylic type style.


If you have read any of my books, please feel free to rate, comment or review them here Thank you in advance.

Friday, August 7, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - August 7, 2009

The challenge: Set your story at the Opera

 
It was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and he was determined to do something he said he would do a quarter of a century ago, take his wife to the opera. It’s been so long since his promise to take her that he forgot how they decided on the opera.

Standing outside the front doors awaiting her arrival from a late day at work, he pondered whether or not he would even like the opera. Surely twenty-five years ago he would not but now he is older now and wiser. Might be fun, he thought.

The crowd was building and so was his anticipation. Rarely do they go out on the town, which was exciting by itself but they decided that his wife would purchase the tickets and he was not to peak.

All cleaned up and wearing his best suit, his only suit that he wore on occasions such as weddings and funerals, he was feeling pretty special. Perhaps he felt different in it tonight because the occasion wasn’t a wedding or a funeral but a night with his wife, his friend of twenty-five years, and his soul mate.

The city lights became brighter as the sky grew dark and the hustle of the street was settling for the night. He was only there waiting for about twenty minutes but it seemed longer because of how fast everything changed from workday to nightlife. There was so much going on that he didn’t have the time or the inclination to check his watch. He knew she would be there soon.

Just a few minutes later she came walking down the sidewalk toward him in a new dress that she picked up last week, on sale of course. She looked beautiful and ready to take on anything. They embraced like two people entangled in a forbidden love story.

After they looked each other over and complimented each other’s appearance they took each other’s hand and climbed the stairs to the entrance. Being the last two to enter the theater, the doorman closed the doors behind them. Without a spoken word between them they took their seats, held hands and disappeared into the show.

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Friday, July 31, 2009

Illustration Friday - Modify

 
copyright Uncle Tee Books

[Fiction] Friday - July 31, 2009

This weeks challenge: It’s July 31st. What is Santa doing in downtown Los Angeles?


“It’s July 31st.
What is Santa doing in downtown Los Angeles?”

That headline was plastered over every newspaper in LA. Retail business was extremely low this summer and they had to boost business or many of them would go out of business. Somebody suggested a way to get sales going…they should start the holiday shopping off early with huge savings.

And that’s how the papers got their front-page story today.

But this was not just some scheme to get shoppers in the stores; this was a full-blown holiday at the mall. They pulled out all the stops. They lowered the temperature in the mall down to sixty-seven degrees. They put up all the decorations throughout the mall and stacked wrapped boxes from the floor to the ceiling. The music from all the speakers in the mall was the same you would hear as if it was Christmas Eve. Everyone who worked in the mall was asked to dress for the holiday, and they did.

They advertised all over TV about the big event with huge savings, holiday cheer and to top it all off, Santa and his elves.

Of course, with children being out of school they saw all the TV ads and begged their parents to go see Santa. Most every request was granted and even though most parents weren’t ready for it, they took their children to go see the jolly old man.

It worked, retail stores thrived and the following Monday the papers front pages were plastered with a new headline:

“Post Holiday Sale! Hurry for Year-End Savings”
copyright Uncle Tee Books

Friday, July 10, 2009

[Fiction Friday] - July 10, 2009

Write about a misunderstanding between three people.


“What time did you tell him?”

“I didn’t talk to him. He was out when I called so I talked to his wife and she said she would tell him.”

“So what was the message you left?”

“I told her to tell him eight o’clock, at the Civic Center…and that we would meet ‘em at the front doors, on top of the steps.”

“Okay, so where is he?”

“I don’t know…I’ll give him a call.”

“Is it ringing?”

"Yeah it rings but then it’s goin’ to voicemail. He must be on his way.”

“Well, I hope he gets here soon dude, the game’s gonna start in a few.”

“Yeah I know…lets give him a few more minutes and I’ll call him again.”

“You did tell her Saturday…today Saturday right?”

“Yeah, I talked to her yesterday, right after I talked to you and told her this Saturday.”

“Well if he didn’t get the message until this morning…do you think he thought you meant next Saturday?”

“I don’t know…what time you got?”

“Ten of eight.”

****************************

“Hey babe, what are you doin’ home?”

“What do mean…I live here.”

“Ha…ha. I thought you were goin’ out with the boys tonight? I left you a note.”

“Yeah I saw it this morning. It said the game is this Saturday.”

“Yeah, this Saturday…today…tonight Saturday.”

“You serious. I thought this Saturday meant this coming Saturday. Chuck me the remote, would ya.”

TV Announcer: “Well Bill, the word is that tonight’s game between the LA and Boston should be a great match up. One of those games you don’t want to miss.”

“Oh man…what time is it?”

“Ten of eight.”

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Friday, July 3, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - July 3, 2009

Where your character is committed to a drastic or extreme change

Two hours waiting in line…joking and laughing with friends…not thinking about what’s next. Feet hurting from standing for so long. Sweating from the humidity…or maybe from nerves and anticipation.

The sound of screams and machine-like mechanisms are getting louder and louder as the next step approaches. Looking back at all the faces who will also go through this experience…this test of will and bravery. They all have varying expressions but share the same look in their eyes every few minutes when the screaming goes through its cycle.

One more rotation of the system, one more cycle of screaming and clunking. Last chance to give in, to let the scare win.

Climbing in now, sitting and looking back at those wondering faces. The anticipation has reached its peak. Seat belt tight, bar moved back into position. Rolling forward, slowly.

‘Clunk…clunk…clunk…clunk…clunk…clunk’

Climbing out into the sunlight, higher and higher. Looking side to side at the landscape getting smaller and smaller. Everything is in sight now. Nearing the very top, clinching the bar, rolling over the peak…

“Ahhhh!!! Whoooo!!!” Screams are flying from the short train of cars as we zoom down the hill.

‘Bang’ to the right, ‘Bang’ to the left, up and down over the whoop-de-does, racing up through the corkscrew, around to the right, small climb to another peak, then whipping down and to the left, then right, one last big turn…

‘Screech’

The line of cars slows abruptly and creeps back under the canopy. Stopping and exiting the to the other side making room for the next set of roller coaster riders.

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Friday, June 26, 2009

New Children's Book Release - Fallen Star

I am proud to announce the release of my eighth children's book, Fallen Star. You can see it at www.UncleTeeBooks.com

It's a short story about a Fallen Star and then it educates children on what a fallen star is...check it out.

[Fiction] Friday - June 26th, 2009

Challenge - Your story involves an invasion of privacy.

Julie climbed the hardwood stairs, gripping the railing and humming the song she was listening to on her ipod. With each step she took, she was thinking of how she was going to start today’s entry. There were several topics she wanted to record, but which to start with was the challenge.

Leaving the stairway behind and dancing down the hall, she reached the door to her bedroom. It was shut all the way. She usually kept it open a few inches. Without giving it much thought she entered her large, purple painted room. Its décor consisted of pink and purple window drapery; white, pink and purple comforter, sheets and pillowcase and a large white oval shaped rug set askew. Her room also housed two very large dressers that surrounded the doorway to her walk-in closet. Among the scattered clothes and shoes that had not been put away, her desk and vanity hid camouflaged, covered with photos and notes, on the other side of her bed.

She pushed the door open, removed the buds from her ears and tossed them, along with the ipod, onto her bed. Spinning around and twirling to her desk she reached out for her favorite pen that she used only for her diary.

Scribbling a few lines on a piece of scrap paper on her desk she mutters, “Okay, good to go.”

As she walked over to her dresser where she secretly kept her diary she noticed that her sock drawer was open along with some socks laying over the edge of the finely crafted dresser drawer.

‘That’s not how I left it…’ she thought.

Digging through her socks to the back, where her diary is supposed to be, she finds that it’s gone.

“Mom! Have you been in my room!?!” She hollered without even standing up.

“NO!”

“UGH.” Julie grunts. “DYLAN!!”

She stands and stomps for the doorway where she finds her four year younger brother standing with her diary in his hands.

“Lookin’ for something?” He asks as he waives it around in the air.

“If you’ve read anything in there you’re dead!” She threatens, squinting and piercing her eyes right at him.

“That’s for me to know, and you to never find out.” He spouts back as he tosses it at her and runs out of the doorway.



copyright Uncle Tee Books

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Illustration Friday - Drifting

 
copyright Uncle Tee Books

Friday, June 19, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - June 19, 2009

Include this line in your story…(your character) closed his/her eyes, took a deep breath, and jumped..

Tony stood there, at the edge of the pool, sweating. His skin was tacky from the globs of sunscreen that his mother caked on and his arms were angled out slightly to avoid sticking to his sides. His eyes were squinted from the bright reflection of the hazy sky above bouncing off the water.

The thermometer was just about at one hundreds degrees Fahrenheit. The weather report said it was going to be a hazy, hot and humid day, the first real scorcher of the summer. This was the beginning of a heat wave they predicted.

The waters glassy surface was flat even though it glistened thousands of sparkling spikes of sunlight. Tony bent one leg down and dipped his toes from his other foot in the water causing half circle waves to spread across the pool slowly.

“Feels pretty good.” Tony said to his father who was standing right next to him.

“Okay, let’s do it then…are you ready?” His father asked.

“I’m ready…” Tony replied. “I’ll go first.”

Tony closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and jumped out as far as he could to reach the middle of the pool as he yelled, “Whoooohoooo!”

As he crashed through the flat surface of the water he felt the change in temperature from the hot humid air to the cold settled water at the bottom of the pool. He immediately pushed his feet to the floor and raised himself back up out of the water.

“Cold! Ahh…its still cold on the bottom!” He hollered as he stood up in the middle of the pool.

copyright www.UncleTeeBooks.com

Monday, June 15, 2009

Illustration Friday - Unfold

 

Friday, June 12, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - June 12, 2009

Include this line in your story…”The piano accordion player slumped forward.”


The accordion bellowed sweet music as he pumped air through it and swayed in rhythm. His head tilted up towards the sun, as bursts of light danced across his sunglasses. Dressed in an odd combination of patterns along with mis-matched socks and an old newsboy hat, he played his accordion as if it was his only way of communicating.

People shuffled by all day long passing this old accordion player on a busy street downtown. Most hardly noticed him or took time to listen, while others stood and enjoyed his vision of freedom through the whistling pitches he created. The people who did stop to listen only stayed for a short time, often tossing a few coins into the cup he had sitting out in front of him.

They often gave money because they felt bad for him in his odd clothing riddled with stains and frayed edges. They figured he lived someplace on the street close by in an alley or under a bridge. Not giving it anymore thought than that they moved on with their busy day and stressful lives.

The accordion player was a mysterious man though. He was probably close to eighty-five or even ninety years old. He never talked to the people on the street and most times didn’t even know if anyone was listening. All he could hear was the sound of the music he bellowed through his instrument, at least until he stopped playing.

That’s when the sounds of life irritated his sensitive hearing. Shoes scuffing the ground, voices mumbling, the hum of the freeway just a block away, and car brakes screaming even few minutes. And of course there was the occasional sound of coins being tossed into his can, while whispers fluttered around about his appearance. He could only take a few moments of the sounds before he had to play to drown out the city sounds.

After each song, the piano accordion player slumped forward to give a seated bow to anyone who was still standing there, even if they were only there waiting for the pedestrian crossing light to change.

At the end of the day, with the sinking sun glowing on the old mans face, it’s time for him to go. He snaps the strap to close his accordion and puts it in its case. He collects his can and reaches behind him to retrieve his walking cane. He stands up, unfolds the red and white stick, adjusts his hat and sunglasses and walks away toward the sun.

Casting a shadow ten times his height behind him as he maneuvers down the quiet sidewalk, he wonders if he’ll be back tomorrow.

copyright www.UncleTeeBooks.com

Friday, June 5, 2009

Illustration Friday - Craving

 

[Fiction] Friday - June 5, 2009

This weeks challenge is to use:
“Don’t sit there,” she commanded. “That’s the cat’s chair.”
in a story.
_________________________________________________

The doorbell rang just as I was making my way down the stairs. I had my tuxedo on and I was ready to go. It’s going to be a night of rocking and partying.

 My friends and I rented a limo and a small dance hall for the night. We’re throwing a big bash for one of our friends who is joining the Armed Forces. He’ll be leaving in two days.

“Hey, you ready?” Geo said after I opened the door.

“Just about man, I just have to grab some stuff from the kitchen, c’mon.” I replied.

Geo was all decked out in his classic James Bond tuxedo. His girlfriend was waiting out in the limo and we had to hurry so we could pick up everyone else including the U S Army’s newest recruit, Freddy.

“Dude, what are you doing? We gotta go.” Geo said impatiently.

“I know I know, just don’t distract me and I can go faster.” I told him as I gathered up a few things.

Just then our white cat came sashaying through the kitchen like she owned the place.

“Watch out…if she brushes up against your tux, your legs will be all white.” I told him as she was circling around the kitchen looking for attention. “C’mon Angel, get out of here…shooo!”

“Hey, git...get any from me.” Geo said as he tried to keep away from Angel.

“Angel…c’mere leave them alone.” My mother called to Angel as she walked in the kitchen. “Well look at you two…are you leaving now?”

“In a minute…” I answered.

“We are as soon as he’s ready…” Geo sarcastically answered my mother as he stepped back to sit down.

“Don’t sit there,” she commanded. “That’s the cat’s chair.”

“What…why…aw man!” Geo exclaimed as he turned to look at the back of his pants.

They were covered in white cat hair.

“That’s where Angel sleeps and cleans herself…” I told him as he was trying to brush off the cat hair. Then I handed him a wad of tape. “Here…try this…brushing it ain’t goin’ work.”

“Man, this is why we don’t have a cat.” Geo said while trying to remove the hair from his tux.

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Friday, May 29, 2009

Illustration Friday - Adapt

 
copyright Uncle Tee Books

Thursday, May 28, 2009

[Fiction] Friday - May 29, 2009

 This post is for [Fiction] Friday for May 29, 2009.
The challenge was to write a poem about "A Fallen Star"


A Fallen Star 

There it lies, in the pit of my mind.
The fallen star, and the trailing line.

It came from the black, of outer space.
It came from being, in just one place.

It shot across the sky, on a slight angle.
With no sounds, no jingle or jangle.

What made it move, and why so fast?
How long was it there? How long did it last?

This fallen star, helpless and cold.
I wonder your age, how young or how old.

Why have you fallen? Why are you here?
So many questions, I have for you dear.

But you can't answer, my fallen star.
I'll never know why you came, or who you are.

copyright Uncle Tee Books

Illustration Friday - Cracked


copyright  Uncle Tee Books