Hinge point: It’s my blog’s 2 1/2 year mark. I’m trying something new. Let me know what you think?
Introducing . . . ONE-MINUTE WONDERS:
- 1 snapshot
- 100-some words
- 1 minute of your time
Hinge: A flexible point of connection that allows relative movement.
Hinges squeal. Our old rattle-scrap screen door heaves and judders.
His sleeve cinched between door and jamb, the kid roars: “Let. Me. Go-o-o-o!”
He’s livid. And bigger than me. He’ll punch through the mesh any second. Then kill me. And then it’ll be me, the girl memorialized in the family album viewed with sighs, and shaken heads. “Always the stubborn one.”
Still, I’m leaning backward now, death-gripping cloth, white-knuckling the knob. Sweaty, panting, we glare at each other.
He’s my brother. We share a genetic axis. We are self-contained yet revolve around each other.
Who will pivot?
“You’re such a—” My scathing comeback erupts into hiccups. He snickers.
Despite anger’s corrosion, its grinding wear-and-tear . . .
. . . laughing, I open the door.
Sooner or later, everything hinges on grace.
Mirth diffuses defiance. How has unexpected humor released you?
You might also enjoy: Amazing Grace: Cyber Refresh
And for a genius-in-motion, world-class hinge: watch the Burke Brise Soleil, Milwaukee Art Museum (1:00)
Read about rear-pivot hydraulic cylinders and rod-eye hinges here.
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Your images and words are one-of-a-kind, my friend. So rich! And, Happy 2 1/2 year anniversary! My blog is officially 6 years old today….So glad it opened the door to connect with you.
Jody, thank you. Six years. WOW! I salute your continuity and all the investment of heart and time and thought you’ve offered others for so many years. Raising my water bottle and toasting you, friend, from afar!!
Hinged unhinged the gate swings both ways,,to quote a famous ghost buster ,,,
It all began when we were asked to care for my sons family dog for a week. Sure be glad to ,no problem Rasin loves me ..everyone was happy to do this, except maybe the cats,we neglected to consult the cats .. did I mention this is a long story ? Well it’s humorous,,
Being that the cats veto the request in abstention I decided to go stay with Rasin at his house … the first night for supper I cooked spaghetti and sausages as Rasin never more than a foot away anxiously watched my every move . When I put my plate on the table he expecting something better than the cardboard pressed treats in his bowl…He looked at me and barked and barked and barked …by now the shine of dog sitting was beginning to wear a little thin. Sensing His displeasure with what he saw as a double standard I took it upon myself to right this wrong…Going to the cupboard I fetched another plate filled it with food placed it on the table and pulled out his chair …he jumped on the chair onto the table and the two of us shared a quiet meal ..upon his families return I was asked how did it go and I simple said great …About a month later my son asked me again and I said fine no problems why ? He went on to explain that for some reason Rasin jumps up on the table when it’s time to eat…,,nonchalantly I said strange and the dissuasion ended .. I thought it amusing and in a polite way very discouraging lol …I have never been asked to watch anyone’s dog since … Humor I guess depends if your the one stuck in the door or holding it closed lol .. I love the read as usual Laurie , thanks for the reminder this morning I’m still laughing..
Oh Larry, what a hilarious tale—your inimitable style and storytelling a major part of my laughter! The “cats veto in abstentia.” The creative problem solving. The mischief. The understatement.
And this gem: “Humor depends on whether you’re the one stuck in the door or holding it closed.” Priceless. Like you, friend.
i have never been able to spell and my mind struggles to find words .old age is narrowing my vocabulary…..lol
Spelling is one of those knacks randomly assigned. Thank heaven for help when and where we need it. Your fine mind computes (dazzingly, I’ll bet) other things, probably numbers and all manner of scientific concepts and data. And oh, I know what you mean about reaching for that one . . . apt . . . yet elusive . . . likely no-brainer (yet unfindable in the brain at present) word! Me too!! 🙂
must have been the water
Praise God for the feel good endorphins released through humor. We do need to take better and more frequent advantage of this God-given gift. I never considered humor as a facet of grace, but your experience with your brother is a perfect example of how true it is. I’m remembering one evening at the dinner table when our two older children were hotly disagreeing with each other. (Dad wasn’t home to join me in calming them down.) At one point, our daughter said, “Two wrongs don’t make a right!” And our younger son, who hadn’t been participating said, “No! Two (W)rights made an airplane!” We all burst out laughing. That son is now a pastor, continuing to use his sense of humor as a form of grace everywhere he goes.
Oh, the delicious endorphins . . . I’d forgotten about that perk! Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
Your description helps me picture your kids at that long-ago table. The rising tensions, and the quick wit of your youngest, saving the day. Where would we be without laughter! Thanks for sharing the story, Nancy. Love it!
I like.
And I’m laughing.
And it’s true–everything hinges on grace.
Sandra, I’m so glad the humor came through. I want to make myself more available to whimsy, take myself less seriously. Might need to daily go swing myself on the garden gate and sing along with the creaketty hinges. 🙂
Sort of like a long haiku…
Yes, I see what you mean. Interesting comparison. In the shorter format, every word counts. But I don’t have to count syllables. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting, Lynn. xo
Love the pivot! Thanks for the insight. I’m going to use it soon!
Such a muscular little word. I know it’s been trendy for a while in some circles, but it still feels fresh to me. Would love to hear how you “use it .soon,” if you feel so inKleined. 🙂
I am generally unhinged, which is why I love grazing on grace in this place. It brings me calm, perspective, beauty, and joy. I love the photography. I love the words. I love the insights. You can write all you want till the cows come home as far as this grazer is concerned, but I will take what I can get. 100 words, or 1,000, it’s all breathtaking. I’ve a relationship now that is hinging on disaster…. build it up, think things are fine, and then pow-ee–honestly, don’t know what hit me! I will take your advice and pray for grace, and moreover, to extend it.
Love you dearest Laurie!
Lynn
Oh Lynn, you make me laugh. “Generally unhinged?” I think not. 🙂
Your gracious encouragement makes me sit taller, too, as I type, and as I think about the work you and I both love, this crafting of words that open themselves out to others.
People are such puzzles! May discernment and grace fill you to brimming—and beyond!—and from that spill of steadying grace may your interactions abound in love. xo L