How the Cookie Crumbles

Life and scribbles on the far side of SIXTY-FIVE

Flash in the Pan – Figures

by 63 Comments


Microsoft Clip Art

Microsoft Clip Art

“What’s in the box Gramps?” Lucas bounced on the sofa beside him.

“Something special from when I was your age.” He patted the box and stared into the distance.

“Lemme see. Lemme see.”

“These GI Joe action figures were made popular 50 years ago this month.”

“Ew. You played with dolls?”

“You liked the Star Wars collectibles didn’t you?

“Yeah, but they weren’t huge like Barbies.”

“You don’t want these?”

“Sorry, I like Minecraft better.”

~ * ~

The Winter Quarter of Flash in the Pan is here. The theme: Boys and Their Toys. For the rules and how to join, click: http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/

The word limit for Figures is 75 words. I used all of them.

Author: Let's CUT the Crap!

I'm getting a little LONG in the tooth and have things to say about---ouch---AGEing. I believe it's certainly a state of mind but sometimes it's nice to hear that you're NORMAL. I enjoy reading by the truckload. I'm a grandma but I don't feel OLD although I'm not so young anymore. My plan is to stick it out as long as I can on this lovely planet and only will leave it kicking and screaming!

63 thoughts on “Flash in the Pan – Figures”

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  1. ramblingsfromamum
    February 25, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    Lucas doesn’t know what he’s missing. How sad when computer games take over action figures…the interaction not quite the same now is it? Well done lovely. x

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  2. coldhandboyack
    February 25, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    I have a bunch of the collectible Joes, based upon real people.

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  3. Glynis Jolly
    February 25, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    Very well done, Tess. We don’t seem to see how much the world has changed until it’s a little too late to get use to it all.

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  4. sueslaght
    February 26, 2014 at 12:36 am

    Minecraft seems to busily be mining young minds.

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  5. Andrew Petcher
    February 26, 2014 at 12:50 am

    Sounds like my dad’s collection of tin soldiers!

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  6. Chatter Master
    February 26, 2014 at 5:46 am

    That kinda broke my heart. 😦

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  7. Joanna Aislinn
    February 26, 2014 at 6:22 am

    Love it. Can’t tell you how much $$$ my younger son spent on wrestling figures. Guess it’s all about perspective.

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    • Let's CUT the Crap!
      February 26, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      My daughter used to collect wrestler figures. We had a mess of them. Can’t remember who gave her the money, though. 🙂

      Like

      • Joanna Aislinn
        February 26, 2014 at 9:38 pm

        Most of the the time, my son would save up or ask what he could do to earn money. Every now and again he’d get a ‘reward’ for schoolwork (I think.). I used to get nuts about how much went into these things, and would tell him here and there he’d wish he might not have invested so much someday much later.

        He’s now 15 and 5-7 years wiser. Out of nowhere in the car he said the blessed words, “Mom, you were right about me realizing how much $$ I spent on the wrestlers.” (We won’t disclose the approximate figures.)

        The wrestlers went to his younger cousin when my guy realized no one on ebay was interested, lol.

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      • Let's CUT the Crap!
        February 26, 2014 at 11:52 pm

        passions run hot and fast. 😀 At least that’s what I found with my daughter’s great need of them.

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      • Joanna Aislinn
        February 27, 2014 at 7:07 am

        Defintiely 🙂

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  8. TBM
    February 26, 2014 at 6:24 am

    I’d much rather play with GI Joe than minecraft.

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  9. thehappyhugger
    February 26, 2014 at 7:15 am

    I don’t know what minecraft is, but I hope Gramps feelings weren’t hurt. Well written again, Tess 🙂

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    • Let's CUT the Crap!
      February 26, 2014 at 3:27 pm

      I think Gramps WAS hurt. I don’t know much about Minecraft either but the kids love it (an electronic sandbox…kind of). I shake my head. Both my 10-year-old and the six-year-old granddaughters plat it all the time. Makes no sense to me.

      Like

  10. lauriebest
    February 26, 2014 at 8:41 am

    I admire your ability to be so succinct and get your message across, Tess. I couldn’t do it! It takes talent to tell such complete yet short stories. I tend to blather on…Side note: I thought you might want to check out my article in the Facts and Arguments section of The Globe today. Hope you enjoy it!

    Like

    • Let's CUT the Crap!
      February 26, 2014 at 3:25 pm

      Thank YOU, Laurie. I feel most comfortable with less words and these flashes have been good practice. Are they wonderful? I do enjoy the challenge and if anyone like them, I’m tickled pink. 😀
      🙂

      Like

  11. The Writing Waters Blog
    February 26, 2014 at 11:10 am

    You caught the differences in generations very well. Oh, your trip to China is going to give you soooo many more ideas!

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  12. Carrie Rubin
    February 26, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    Haha, typical.

    I just re-watched the movie ‘Seven’ last weekend. “What’s in the box?” has a whole new meaning for me. (I won’t say anything more in case you’ve never seen the movie.)

    Like

  13. Delft
    February 26, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Poor Gramps!
    I really like this one. It has sadness of the generation gap (or whatever it’s called) without being at all didactic.

    Like

  14. heylookawriterfellow
    February 26, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Based on your earlier Flash In The Pan entries, I was expecting something deadly in there — like a hand grenade.

    On another note, anyone who dares to “Ew!” a G.I. Joe should be severely punished. That soldier is a Real American Hero!

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  15. Lucid Gypsy
    February 26, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    Oh poor gramps, this made me so sad, but I can just imagine it!

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  16. Tom Merriman
    February 26, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    Tess, they’re so advanced nowadays – the little ones, I mean, not the toys!

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  17. Carl D'Agostino
    February 26, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Toys ? We used to sword fight with sticks or use them as guns. Miami full of fruit trees and rotten fruit was great ammunition. There is no greater feeling than sending a kid home screaming and crying to his fat ol’ mama having had a rotten mango smashed into his face. Ah victory, the thrill of power and king of the block. “Load up men and prepare to charge.”

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  18. Jacqui Murray
    February 26, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    Isn’t that the way it goes. I like the comparison–collectibles vs. toys. Ha!

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  19. The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap
    February 26, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    Generations, viva la difference, and so it goes. Always so interesting how our values and likes change over time. Interesting take on this one Tess. Pretty soon it’ll just be electronic dolls.

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  20. Valentine Logar
    February 27, 2014 at 6:42 am

    Bah, children! My sons played with GI Joe, had bunches of them. Good one Tess.

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  21. Sherri
    February 27, 2014 at 7:01 am

    Once again you tell a very strong story in so few words Tess, and very telling and moving too. For one thing, I don’t know about Minecraft as my children are all grown and I don’t have grandchildren so I am out of the loop with the latest kids’ toys craze but it seems to be taking over from what I’ve read on various blogs lately. Once upon a time I would have been in with it all, lol 😉

    For another, my brother had these full size GI Joes (Action Man as it was called in the UK) and we both had great fun with them. Once we filled up the entire bath tub just so that we could play with him in his deep-sea diving gear!!! Not sure my mum was happy, even in those ancient of days we had to keep tabs on our precious resources… 😉

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