A SHARED MEMORY FROM MY PAST: When I was in the 8th grade I was shy but friendly with my fellow 8th graders. I lived in the country. So the size of the classes were relatively small. About 20 students. But I loved to write stories.
So one day I began to write a science fiction (yes I loved it even back then) story about a flying saucer landing in the play area of the school grounds. They (the aliens) were here for the purpose of choosing which students would go with them back to their planet to learn about life on another world.
A friend sitting to my left asked to read the first few pages and then the boy sitting next to her asked to read them and so on until the story circulated from desk to desk. Every day I added new written pages. Naturally many of the students were characters in the story, so we were all having great fun with this, until the day I looked up to see the principal (Mr. Dunbar – his actual name) standing next to my desk with his hand out (I guess word had gotten out).
I handed him (very nervously, he was always so stern appearing) the latest few pages. He stood there reading them and then said “You know Penny it isn’t fair not to share this story with everyone”. So he told my teacher she should let me, everyday, stand in front of the class (OH NO, remember I was shy and very self conscious about my speaking voice!) and read the latest installment. Which I nervously did. To the cheers of the whole class, and my embarrassment.
Yes the fiction had a happy ending. A few of the students “of course I was one” were chosen and went to live on Mars! Yes at that time it was definitely the “Go To” place, in outer space. My Title of this fantasy, very uninspiring … “My Trip to Mars“!
As I reflect on this story today, I think to myself how much like blogging this experience was, where we write and then interactively share our written words with others. Who knew I’d be sharing my stories with others around the planet when I grew up … Not Mars perhaps, but ever so cool. Blogging and bloggers, yes indeed! And no principal peering over my shoulder either!
Thanks for your time to visit me today, Have a great day!
~ Penny
The Why About This 
Oh I love this Penny. 🙂 I can just picture you standing in front of the class, nervous, and reading. 🙂
Hi Celestine, thank you. Yup that was me, I stuttered my way through! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your out of this world memory!
xx 🙂 🙂 xx
Yes RoSy, I’ll let you know when I’m heading back (hoping they’ll show up soon). 🙂 xo
I lovely childhood memory, and I’m not surprised that even back then a shy little girl had all around her enthralled, just as it is today. 🙂
Thank you LuAnn, very much my friend! 🙂 xo
!!! You do know what they say about “great minds” huh?!
We’ve been re-viewing our “Lost in Space”, “Invaders” and [of course!] “Star Trek” dvds with great great joy and to see your post today…
I love your sketch and story! It’s wonderful how you’ve kept that thread linking to your childhood alive! Very few people retain that instant access [I know you know what I mean!].
🙂 Happy Wednesday, my dear! xxxxxxxxx
Hi Marina, thank you and I’m glad you guys have been enjoying your space dvd’s. I “love” the outer space of things, always have. And I never thought about the instant access thing, just take it for granted, close my eyes and the memory appears like a video. Happy Wednesday to you also dear friend! 🙂 xoxoxo
…exactly [on instant access!!]
xxxxxxxxxxxx and hugs!
🙂
AnElephantCant travel in spaceships
He can’t even fit into cars
But he knows Penny’s not wrong
Because he heard the song
There really is Life on Mars
Yes, it’s subterraneal, they’re hoping the humans won’t find out, you let one in and then everything will go to ….
Isn’t it incredible that some of us are tapping into something here in our blog-world that we loved and thrived on as children!!?! Wow – what a great story– and so glad for the happy ending and your ultimate trip to MARS!! Made me smile a lot reading about it… So much Love and Hugs dearest one ~ x RL
Hi Robyn. I’m thinking about another visit there (still waiting for the martians to return though – maybe they are having political unrest as well lol) Thanks have the bestest day dearest friend of mine, all my love to you xo
Your story sounded really cool. As a kid I daydreamed about living on the moon. 🙂 Have a great Penny…Hugs Paula xxx
Hi Paula, thanks. I liked the thought of living on the moon also. Hope your week is going well for you! With much affection, 🙂 xx
I wanted to say look behind you the principle is there… but you had already covered that point… is it not a fact that we have all (I mean previous generations) in some manner blogged.?? Either in books, magazines and even paintings.. today more of us have the chance to add our own little bit… but my wonder goes to the future… say 30 – 40 years from now.?? what will it be like then…..
An awesome thought Bulldog. First that we have all “blogged” in different manners but the future of blogging … it sounds so very exciting and positive! Yes … I like your thoughts very much! xx
We have something else in common, Penny! I also like science fiction and currently have 2 sci-fi novels in the works. My fiction trends more towards the supernatural and / or psychological. I also wrote up a piece on my blog last October entitled “Dreams Bigger than Ourselves” in which I mentioned sending humans to Mars.
An excellent piece Alejandro, I just finished reading it. Outstanding! Well I was younger at the time so the adult science fiction I enjoy is a little bit more sophisticated! I also enjoy the supernatural! 🙂
They still read my stories about Earth in the constellation of the Seven Sisters! I am told it is a best seller! :0
I have no doubt at all about that Barb! I’d like a copy myself to share with my friends on Mars, lol!
Hee hee! Good laugh Penny!
Funny, but I am putting together photos for tomorrow’s blog post and it has all the makings of an alien adventure…
Come and take a trip with me my dear friend!
http://salmonfishingqueen.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/outer-space-in-my-backyard/
Hugs!
on my way Barb! 🙂 xx
Go on. Tell me the truth. You are blogging from Mars are you not Penny ?? 😉 Ralph xox 😀
Shhhhhhhhhh! I was actually born there Ralph! Got accidently left behind here as a baby, sigh! 🙂 oh the trauma of dealing with humans! 🙂
Yes humans must be alien to you Martians.
It’s 2:30am here. So night night my friend. ZzzZzzZzz 😀
Oh goody, I get to tuck you in tonight. Do you have your wuba to snuggle with? good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite! 🙂
Good morning Penny *yawn*. Thanks for tucking me in last night, so snuggly 😉 No. I haven’t got a wuba as I haven’t a clue what one is, but if she belly dances I’ll have one. Can I get one on Amazon? 😉
Good Morning Ralph, so glad you slept well. Emma used to have a small little square piece of very soft cloth, as a toddler, it was her portable “feel good” item she’d carry around with her, to hold onto while she traveled, to tuck her stuffed animals in bed when she played with them and then to sleep with holding it against her cheek (don’t know how she got the name) but she was always safe and comfortable with her “Wuba”, and yes I want one too! 🙂
Thanks for explaining Penny. I am so glad that it is a “comfort blanket” as my imagination works overtime some times as in this case 😀
hmmmmm – imagination always a very good thing Ralph! 🙂
It’s well known that thoughts are things, in other words thoughts can manifest into reality 😀
I believe this as well! 🙂
So my belly dancer should materialise soon 😉
One can dream of course! 🙂 xo
Sigh. Yes I know 😥
What a beautiful story, Penny. I love heading about wonderful childhood memories. Well done 😀
Thank you Dianne for the lovely compliment and thanks for your visit to me – you busy author/writer/builder, you! 🙂
That doesn’t surprise me with you Penny. It seems you have been an inspiration for a great many years. Even when you were a shy likkle school girl you inspired a school. And now .. what? 50 years later? … you are inspiring thousands. A skill many would love to have.
A great trip down memory lane there, thank you for taking us down there with you.
Your welcome Alastair, even then, I may have been small but my imagination knew no bounds (still doesn’t actually lol)! 🙂
And it’s great. Do you have that story or has it vanished into the past?
WOW Penny, that is an awesome story! I love that your principal even wanted to read it. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to a shy 8th grader. And now, you are still entertaining a new class and we’re cheering you on 😉
Thanks Lyn, at the time I alternated between being terrified (the principal – head honcho, main dude and all that) and liking the fact the the other kids were enjoying my story! 🙂 This new class is a smidgen bigger however! lol
LOL just a bit 😀
Childhood… lovely days… colourful stories… comics… school days… you made me nostalgic. Thanks Penny 😀
I’m glad Sushil, nostalgic memories are excellent to recall! 🙂