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Living Outside Herself

November 18, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 23 Comments

Each afternoon they chatted beside the warm fire. 
He shared memories of his life as a young man, nearly century old memories.
She listened and sensed the man he once was when his life was full and productive.
Did you always want to be a traveling salesman?
No. I took whatever job came along after the war. I had to think of my wife and young kids. Did you always want to be a banker?
I never wanted to be a banker. I took whatever job came along after college.
Winter melted.  
Soon he would leave.
  
As they sat together on the porch swing, he thought of yesterday. 
She thought of something more. 
She dared to imagine a different life. 
Have you decided what you want to do when you grow up, he asked with a chuckle. 
Write. I’ve always wanted to write. But change is scary, unfamiliar. She glanced to the trees searching for answers.

He nodded in agreement. When you start to live outside yourself, it’s all dangerous. 
***

talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
This post was written for Write Tribe – Hemingway prompt (weave a story or poem around a Hemingway quote…)   “When you start to live outside yourself, it’s all dangerous.” – Ernest Hemingway, The Garden of Eden

Filed Under: Family, Writing Tagged With: creative writing prompt, Ernest Hemingway, Hemingway-Pfeiffer

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Comments

  1. Staci Sandquist says

    November 18, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    Love this

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 19, 2013 at 7:26 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Dorothy Johnson says

    November 19, 2013 at 5:30 am

    Excellent! I could see this without the photo.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 19, 2013 at 7:26 am

      Thank you Dorothy!

      Reply
  3. Lisa Pobst says

    November 19, 2013 at 5:38 am

    Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 19, 2013 at 7:26 am

      Thanks Lisa.

      Reply
  4. Patricia A. Laster says

    November 19, 2013 at 5:45 am

    Amen to all the above replies.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 19, 2013 at 7:26 am

      I love to get an amen:)

      Reply
  5. Gary Henderson says

    November 19, 2013 at 5:48 am

    This may very well be my favorite thing you’ve written.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 19, 2013 at 7:26 am

      Wow. Really? Thanks.

      Reply
  6. Dot Hatfield says

    November 19, 2013 at 6:43 am

    Outstanding. This vignette tells so much about their relationship. Well done.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 19, 2013 at 7:27 am

      Thank you Dot. I appreciate your encouragement!

      Reply
  7. Writercat59 says

    November 19, 2013 at 8:44 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  8. Writercat59 says

    November 19, 2013 at 8:45 am

    Love the contrast of the different generations who still find a connection. Good use of the quote.

    Reply
  9. Margo says

    November 19, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    I thought I posted something earlier today. Really excellent. Next stop, Harry’s Bar. Seriously, every Hemmingwayesque. Wonderfully written. k

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm

      Thank you Margo!

      Reply
  10. [email protected] says

    November 19, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    Fabulous! Powerful! Compelling! Well done.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Suzy says

    November 19, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    Loved your take on the prompt. Change and the unfamiliar are scary until we get past it and then wonder why they were scary. I love the conversation and the wisdom of the older generation. Beautifully done.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm

      Thanks Suzy!

      Reply
  12. Mina Menon says

    November 19, 2013 at 11:24 pm

    I can so identify with that relucatnce to get out of our comfort zone…

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 20, 2013 at 12:40 pm

      a big problem for me…

      Reply
  13. kayladean says

    November 20, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    Wonderful advice. Wise man.

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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