Russell Gayer, author speaker
I’d like to start this week’s intro by saying I have the utmost respect for Mr. Fred Rogers. He brought a gentle, comforting presence into the lives of millions of children and the world is a better and happier place for him having lived in it.
When I was young, we used to watch the Dean Martin Show every week. My favorite episodes featured Jonathan Winters squeezing into a room stuffed with random items (not unlike my garage). He would pick up an item, such as a ball glove or carburetor, immediately jump into character, rattling off the funniest story you ever heard—totally spontaneous and unrehearsed.
Something similar, only different, happened to me today as I wrote this story. The Friday Flash Fictioneer photo for this week is courtesy of Doug “Flying Disc Man” MacIlroy. To read other far-fetched offerings, visit our hostess Ruby Slippers Wisoff-Fields‘ blog. If you’d like to participate in this exercise of madness, head over to her blog for step-by-step instructions. To view the ensemble of practicing fic-titioners in the writers in FFF Hollywood Squares Authors Block click here.
“Good morning, boys and girls. Welcome to Mr. Roger’s workshop. Today we’re going to build a disco ball for our friend, Mr. Mac, in Hawaii. Can you say that . . . disco?
First, we soak strips of paper in paste and cover a beach ball with them. This is called papier-mâché. When the ball is dry, we’ll glue on thousands of tiny mirrors.”
“What’s Mr. Mac going to do with it?” asked Ruby.
“He wants to put it on his red bucket and take it to the disc golf course.”
“But why?”
“Because it’s on his bucket list, Ruby.”
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This is the blog of a woman who is seriously on the edge and I mean right ON the edge…no, not there… just a little bit further… further than that…no, further still…just a tiny bit more… just move slightly to the right a little…no, that’s too much…just move a tad to the left…that’s right, just there…now you’ve moved too far to the left… Damn, what part of the ‘on the edge’ do you not understand? Oh, and her matricidal boy genius, come devil spawn.
Or the three people I guilted into reading this blog, whatever.
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And the worst things. And all that weird stuff in between.
You don’t mention if Trigger was there, and he was my favourite.
I am surprised that you tell jokes like that bucket one and are still stayin’ alive, stayiin’ alive…
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It is surprising, but that was six years ago and many lame jokes ago.
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Dear Mr. McFeely,
And how much do we miss Mr. Mac? Thanks to him I have my own collection of discs large and small. Unlike him I can’t hit the side of a barn. No chains chinging for me. Back to the daily grind of writing. Tis a hard life, as Doug would say.
There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like…zzzzzzzz,
Ruby Slippers W(T)F
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Dear Ruby Slippers W(T)F,
I loved Doug’s personality. He wrote some great stuff. I miss seeing his scruffy gray head around here.
Keep your eye on the yellow brick road,
Mr. McFeely
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I miss him too. It was nice to at least see his name beneath the picture.
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The only reason I’m even aware of Disc golf is thanks to Doug and his prompts – still to find anyone in the UK who plays…
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I’ve watched people play it here. It looks extremely challenging to me. Doug traveled and played in tournaments, so I assume he was pretty good.
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So at the golf course will he yell, “Fore!” or will it be, “Stayin’ alive. Ha ha ha!” I think watching the reaction of other golfers to that is on my bucket list. 😉 Fun one!
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Probably “Fling that Funky Disc You White Boy”
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The only reason I knew that was frisbee golf was because of an earlier prompt this year. I’ve still never seen one up close and personal. Maybe they just exist on Friday Fictioneers 🙂
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Nope, it’s real. They have it set up at a local park in Fayetteville.
We couldn’t make something up that outrageous.
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That’s a fun story written with your trademark hyperbole and wordplay. Made me chuckle!
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I thought it was just plain silly, but thank you for chuckling.
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You are always a hoot and a half (and I hadn’t read this the first time ’round so… all new to me!)
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It’s hard to believe I’ve been riding the FFF bus so long, but it’s been a fun ride.
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With you in it, for sure!!
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GROAAAAAN!!!! 🙂
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Thanks for the honest comment. It was a terribly lame attempt at a joke.
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I’d never heard of disco golf but thanks to you and a bit of investigation I ‘ve learned something today!
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That’s good. At least you don’t have to carry a bunch of clubs with this sport.
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
This seems to be a time to remember the past. If you lived through the ’70s like Russell and me, you must remember art that included paper mache`. I also can remember green kitchen appliances but would rather not. If you enjoyed this double treat of humor, just swerve right on the blog and click on one or both of the book covers. You can also help Russell by reblogging this post as I’ve done.
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Ah, the matching Avacado green appliances. We have one of those old, pedestal bathroom sinks in that color if you’re in the market for one.
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I enjoyed Doug’s stories also. I commented once that I hadn’t read a word he used since I last read Tolkien. The man had a large vocabulary. The photos he sent in were “different”. I seem to remember a spider. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Doug certainly has a command of the English language and knows how to tell a good story. I was fortunate enough to meet him in person when he came to Kansas City and stayed with Rochelle and Jan. I wish he’d get back in the groove and join us again.
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A great take on the prompt! So far, your story is the only one I’ve read that mentions the bucket. Kudos!
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I just reposted what I wrote 6 years ago. I’m surprised more people haven’t mentioned the bucket.
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Memories of Mr. Rogers, I heard his voice in your story. I remember those crazy disco balls from my high school years. 🙂
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I love Mr. Rogers voice–and there were some great parodies on him as well. He was quite the war hero, you know, as was Captain Kangeroo.
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It was very soothing. I didn’t know he was a war hero. Also, loved Captain Kangaroo. Evidently, my brothers and I were in the audience or on the show, I remember a photo with Captain Kangaroo and my brothers. But, I was very young. Hmmm…need to ask my mom about that. 😊 Lovely memories.
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I remember being totally flummoxed (lovely word) by the prompt when it first appeared back in 2012. I still can’t say I’m much wiser about the sport even now. I can, however, spot a corny joke even from this distance.
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Your comment made me chuckle aloud. I love when that happens.
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Oh, there is nothing a sweet as a good pun.
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Thanks, Susan. Six years ago, when I wrote this, the movie about the Bucket List was still quite popular.
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Lol. Yes, well bucket lists are good. If only to dream big.
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I miss Doug too… and this picture was a great reminder…
The pun is excellent, and it’s interesting how many of the stories I had forgotten after six years (including my own)
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It is fun to go back and read some of our old post – and the comments. I guess that’s FFF nostalgia
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that must be fun. 🙂
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What? Disc golf, or fulfilling your bucket list?
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It’s fun to have fun with a photo prompt. I had fun with this one too.
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Excellent. I look forward to reading yours.
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When I read the title, I must admit I thought Golf Community- Florida- Theme Party. Glad to say I was dead wrong!!! LOL!! Good write.. Even if I do have to go research disco golf.
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It looks like a fun, but challenging sport. Doug wasn’t really the disco type. This little post was a jibe at him.
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At least he will cross out one item of his bucket list.
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Amen.
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Made me laugh. Great write.
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Thanks, Lisa.
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Groan. So bad it is good. Sort of. 😊
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The only place I have seen disc golf is Friday Fictioneers. Does it really exist? Yes. Like Davy Jones sang, I’m a believer. I kind of imagine it’s similar to my own favourite: Extreme Jigsaw. And I hope both are on a bucket list created by a those whose lives are a beach, who always call a spade a spade and who know water can flow in a bucket, if there is a hole in the bottom.
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Frisbee golf exists! We have at least two courses here in Jacksonville, Florida. Don’t know about disco golf…I never made the connection, looking at the picture, between disc golf and disco ball. Nice funny mashing of those concepts! Got a disco ball in mine too.
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You’ve managed to incorporate several elements of the photo into your story… I’m impressed! Love the bucket list pun. 😀
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Ah, I have a bucket list but sometimes I get to do things after which I wish I’d thought to put on my list. Recently in Budapest I slipped and when I looked to see what had caused it, there was a banana skin lying on the pavement. Until that moment, I thought people only slipped on banana skins in cartoons and comics. I was a very proud man that day and retrospectively put slipping on a banana skin on my bucket list and then ticked it off.
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“Bucket list” groan. You have to be a mug to fall for that.
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