I have been away too long, drifting in a sea of endless writing and loving every minute of it. My summer of literary analysis has been an eye opener, and it isn’t over yet. But the Friday Fictioneers were having fun without me, so, here are 100 words sure to put an end to the frivolity. Blame it on the educational system. Some days I wish I did not know all of the things I did not know before. Seriously, returning to school has been an amazing experience, each day more rewarding than the last. Thanks to Sandra Crook for the photo prompt that crystallizes my last few months’ reading, pondering, and strategizing for what’s next.
The legislature convened one last time. Their work was done; only the long wait remained. The atmosphere was grave, but the legal battles were finally over. The line between law maker and law breaker had become indistinguishable, the law of the land irrelevant. They’d misjudged the distance from pioneer to pensioner, those damned explorers and their fatal progress.
“What is your problem?”
“Don’t ask.”
“Why didn’t you just say no?”
“This is your fault!”
“Go to hell!”
“Don’t tell me what to do!”
Two old enemies. Same old arguments. The world ended.
There was no child left behind.
*****
Honie Briggs 
“I wish I did not know all of the things I did not know before.” The very definition of blissful ignorance! I second that emotion.
We can’t trust politicians to do politics.
Good piece.
“Doveryai, no proveryai,” as they say. We don’t do enough of that at any level of government. This is possibly because the world is kept sufficiently distracted. Thanks for commenting.
I’d not heard that adage before Honie: many thanks.
No child left behind and no money to make it work. It was a nightmare, glad my boys are removed from it, but sad that school was torture! Well done!
I say, “Just say no to teaching to the test.” 🙂
Dear Stephonie,
First, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you back. I’d throw flowers but I think the distance is to much and I throw like a girl. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6o0Cah5kQU
No child left behind? Ha. My youngest son battles ADHD. When he was in middle school into high school he was put on an IEP which literally meant he spent more time loafing with permission than learning anything. ‘As long as he wasn’t causing trouble it was all good, right? Ju
We finally put him in a private school where they lovingly put him back a year. Because of one incredible teacher who took him home with her and made him work, my son graduated high school.
Had it been left up to the public school system he would’ve been left in the dust.
There! You have incited me to rant. I’ve missed your writing. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
Oh! My first incited rant of 2015. 🙂 It is great that you recognized the need to change the course of your son’s education. Often the frustration of dealing with school administrators and school policies is too much for many parents to handle, and they are left with anger and disappointment. When students get short changed, we all lose.
Peace
Stephanie
Drifting, no matter whether enforced, choice or otherwise still sounds rather pleasant. Literary analysis drifting, that sounds rather dreamy.
Loved this one, the world ended. Sometimes I wonder.
Hi there, Val. Self-imposed drifting is required from time to time.
“The line between law maker and law breaker had become indistinguishable” excellent line. We have a lot of criminals in office now. Great story, Honie.
It keeps them off the streets, I suppose. Thank for commenting, Russell.
I know this laugh and groan feeling. I spent some weeks scoring writing tests. Oh, my goodness! Yes, sometimes you want to cry, too. This is a very effective piece. You’ve come back in full bloom, Honie. I hope you’re enjoying the learning part of school. I’ve missed you!
Oh, Amy, I do not envy that task. It’s funny, the learning is happening much differently than I expected. I am enjoying it. Thanks for your kind words.
A delightful piece! Thanks for taking the time to write it. What are you studying in school?
Alicia, thank for taking the time to read and comment. My core concentrations are emergency management, public administration, and dispute resolution.
Your kind of drifting sounds intriguing. Loving it sounds about right.
The rigors of academia notwithstanding, there is much to be loved about learning even when it is learning how much I still do not know. I can appreciate that now more than ever. I think it is shameful that mastery of test taking has been substituted for learning in our public education system.
I’m glad you’re spending some time drifting this summer 🙂 nice to ” see” you
Some self-imposed drifting helps when one gets in over one’s head. 🙂 It is nice to “see” you too.
Can you laugh and groan at the same time?
Why yes you can. I just did.
Nice to see you Stephanie.
Dawn, I’ve missed making the FF rounds. Laugh and groans – yep – and some eye rolls.
We’ve missed you. But of course support your pursuit of a continuing education. Sounds like you have been having some fun doing it.
Welcome back. 🙂
Thanks. This is more like an interlude.
No child left behind is an educational nightmare.
If only we could wake up.
Yes!
A “summer of literary analysis.” Sounds wonderful. 🙂
Wonderful, yes, full of wonder, and Motrin.
LOL that is just crazy! Love it.
It is laughable in a laugh until you cry sort of way.