The air was
that clear mist seen across the Highlands of Scotland … heather haze it could
be called, yet in other places it’d be the slate blue over the mountains
interspersed with evergreen …
 |
| The Mustang Voodoo |
She remembered
those days in her youth with her grandfather … as she watched her son delight
in his model, so carefully built … lollipop or matchstick, balsa wood pieces, sticky
rubber and glue, some cardboard – they’d had to find, odd pieces of firewood ‘thorns’
…
… they had pored over the model’s plans … working out how each piece connected … he had been so careful meticulously laying out the pieces – making sure none were missing …
… in between
as he worked, he made appropriate noises of a plane enjoying its carefree existence
… then she’d hear the ‘neeeawe neeawe neeaweeee’ as he created a yaw … his
sounds would ease off and the imagined plane would weave its way out of danger …
The model
slowly grew becoming more like a plane everyday … little by little – he learnt
the names of the various parts … then it was finished.
Now to the
painting – he wanted purple with green wing tips to match the scenery I had
described from grandpa’s tales …
We bought
those little tiny pots of paint … and he once again settled into his world of
the model … more noises came as he created the sounds of swoosh through the
air, the gentle start-up of the engine as it taxied to its take off point, the
revving of motors as he envisaged his little plane rising into the distant purple
haze …
 |
| Voodoo purple light |
Finally … he
was finished … he basked in the delight of showing off his beautiful model … he
still made noises, holding his stomach, as he envisioned a stall (eeeek), then
the fall off towards the ground (poo-ouu, ssst, poo-ouu) … he proverbially pulled
the stick back … his hands slowed the spin … while his wrists brought his
Voodoo back to full flight again …
A beaming smile
spread across my son’s face … he was so happy he’d been able to build great-grandpa’s
Voodoo … he would now play for hours wistfully dreaming of grandpa and that era …
 |
| Voodoo at Reno Airraces 2014 |
… the clear
hazy sky, with the purplish hue, out of which grandpa in his real life Voodoo would
come rushing by before taking to the skies once again …
Oh how glad
I was my father had written his own father’s stories down for us – we read
these … while my son delights in absorbing the settings as well as the amazing
twists and turns the ‘old’ Voodoo was able to do …
... your stories for your children so they can remember our earlier history ...
Please read the other entries via the WEP page ....
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
73 comments:
Such an amazing story. Your writing brings each action to life. And your message to save the stories of ancestors is an excellent reminder to record your family's oral history.
Your words made it easy to imagine the little boy playing with the plane, and making the noises all little boys love to make. Great job!
Loving the nostalgia created/recreated and the stories to come.
And oh, those colours of the highlands, and the memories...
I just want to let you know, my 72 year old child has a ton of planes all over our basement that he flies - he must have about 50!
What nice information and I am going to send this to him.
Now that's a fine memory to pass down and inspire the next generation.
Oh what an amazing story and so moving
Hari Om
as a plane enthusiast, am loving this! YAM xx
@ Gail - thanks so much ... just glad it comes to life for you; so many people don't remember the simple things to pass on for their children/grandchildren and beyond ... I suddenly thought I could put the prompt in here ...
@ Susan - so pleased ... not having kids it's not always easy to make a story line work ...
@ EC - oh yes nostalgia of a mother and son together, or a grandfather telling stories ... thanks re the purpley Highlands and memories ...
@ Sandie - that's amazing ... I'd love to hear what he thinks about this little story ... and how lovely to have a basement full of model planes that he 'can fly' and imagine ...
@ Alex - thanks - we should be passing on our thoughts shouldn't we ...
@ Jo-Anne - delighted you enjoyed the gentle tale ...
@ Yam - I hadn't realised you were a plane enthusiast ... perhaps I should have done from your blog ...
Great to see you all ... I'll be over to read other entries anon ... sounds like it's going to be an interesting blog hop - cheers Hilary
A lovely scene and an important message. The past and it's stories matter. You have to wonder is it the video recordings or the writings that will make the difference in the future.
Happy Halloween!
I see what you did there. A different kind of voodoo. Nice.
very nifty story with a positive twist. Oh, you are a clever writer, my friend. Kudos
That was an awesome journey Hilary. What a great way to keep Grandpa's memory alive, and to relive the best parts of his life. Great use of the voodoo theme.
I liked the use of colour throughout, very nice indeed!
Your first paragraph grabbed me and I knew a good story would follow. It was delightful!
A wonderfully written story, and I love that name for a plane. Well done! Have a lovely weekend, Hilary.
What a lovely story. The image of the boy and his grandpa, the sounds, the finish are captivating.
@ Renee - I'm glad the depiction came through. We so often forget that stories do need to be passed down. I wonder how posterity will remember things ... as you say video, or words, or for that matter orally - some languages might carry on that way ...
@ Liz - yes it was certainly different ...
@ Joanne - thanks ... it was fun to set up and remember childhood ... there was a bit of model making in the family ...
@ Donna - just lovely I'm glad the story resonated ... grandfathers have so much to offer younger generations. Thanks re the Voodoo theme ...
@ Sue - I was pleased to see Voodoo was painted purple and green - gave me that added dimension ...
@ Arleen - thanks so much ... it was fun to write up ...
@ Christine - I was thrilled to find out that Voodoo could mean a plane too ... gave me a different direction to think about ... so thanks ...
@ Jacqui - I'm not sure how you write sounds ... but gave it a go ... but the little lad capturing his grandpa's flying days was fun to write ... so glad it resonated ...
Thanks so much to you all - I'll be around to visit ... take care - cheers Hilary
Lovely tale, I love how it progressed with the building of the plane
I love this so much. I love the nostalgia and bonding it brings to me. My father-in-law wanted me to write his memoir but died before we got around to it. I often think about doing it from what I knew about him so my kids could have it. (His son died too.)
Elsie
My heart is full - this is lovely!
This is wonderful, Hilary! I love the photo of both the stick plane and the real one. You are so lucky that you have his stories to remember. I need to write down all my own father's tales he told his children. Perhaps I should start today. Thanks for the memories, Hilary. All best to you!
Stories do bring the generations closer. Lovely story, Hilary.
Wishing you an exciting Halloween.
Nice use of the prompt. Very nostalgic.
I love the colorful planes!
Hilary, please link your flash fiction to the WEP+IWSG badge that’s pinned to the top, over at the IWSG Facebook page, so that others can read your lovely work.
Thank you!
Very creative. And a lovely pictorial with words.
That is a great name for a plane indeed. Goes to show what passing tales down to future generations can spur.
I love your take on the prompt! So vividly described and full of childhood joy! This was an absolute pleasure to read! Thanks for sharing this with us!
What a great story! Easy to picture. I also love the idea of parents and grandparents (and aunts and uncles) passing their stories down through the next generations.
~Jess
Nice story! I love that you had something for our "voodoo" prompt besides horror, too :)
@ Steve - thanks so much ... just so pleased you could join in with us in the story ...
@ Elsie - oh dear I am sorry to read this ... shows us how we really should get on with things. From the little you've said ... I'd do it ... especially as his son died too ... so sad - but thank you for letting us know here ... brings my story to life a little more ...
@ Jemi - thanks so much ...
@ Victoria - thank you so much ... I was lucky to find the two photos, that nearly matched. It was a made up story ... I don't have children ... though my brothers did make models for a while (they too don't have children) - but never passionately. As for your own father's tales - yes definitely start writing them down and continue on. Glad it might have spurred you on ... good luck with them ...
@ Adjura - yes stories can bring generations together can't they ... and bridge the gap between the grandparent and the grandchild. Not sure about Halloween ... ?!
@ Michelle - thank you ... couldn't resist when I found there was a plane called the Voodoo ... and the purple!
Ok ... Michelle I couldn't find where to go ... I'll look again tomorrow .. thanks.
@ Sandra - I'm afraid I need my pics in things ... helps you all read it (I believe and hope to think!) ... and thank you ...
@ Pat - isn't it a wonderful name - not mine, nor our family, ... but the tale obviously is resonating with many of you ...
@ LG - delighted you enjoyed it so much ... thank you and I was able to bring the model building and story telling to light ... so pleased.
@ Jess - I agree - we can all pass things down, and spend time with our various kids/ nephews, nieces, or god children ... helping them understand their roots and how enlightening lives can be ...
@ Rebecca - I don't like following the crowd ... so I was really pleased when I found out about the Voodoo plane - and thought I can do something with that ...
Thanks so much to you ... I'm so pleased you're all happy reading the tale here - cheers Hilary
Hello Hilary! I adored this story. How effective was all the little-boy noises. So authentic. I could see him with his tongue out, creating the appropriate sounds as he created his voodoo. Passing down stories is so important. Otherwise so much is lost.
Marvelous! Simply marvelous. I couldn't stop smiling. And the colors are fantastic. I didn't know there was a real plane called Voodoo. What an outstanding entry to this theme!
Relating a child's joy in making something that he feels connects him to his grandfather is truly a pleasant read. Wonder why he called his plane Voodoo?
A great way to play on the word prompt. Liked this, Hilary, it will stir the hearts of any mothers or fathers remembering their sons at play.
I remember so well those balsa wood airplanes from the past and the satisfaction we derived from building them (we thought we were aviation engineers, designers even). Often shortly after flying them they would get damaged in one fashion or another and then they had to be repaired. But we were so delighted to have them. I know this is the nostalgia of an old man, but do kids get that kind of satisfaction any more? Does solving a Rubik's cube compare? Does playing a game at hyper active speed on a tablet rival the first launch of the balsa wood Queen of the Skies? Somehow I think something has been lost.
A unique, delightful and superb take on the prompt and a very important message built into this entry. I had no idea that there were fighter planes called Voodoo. I rarely come here without learning some new fact, even when it's supposed to be a fiction post...
Love this. And I love how you incorporated sound into it and brought it to life for all of us.
@ Denise - thanks so much ... I obviously managed to interpret some little boy noises - the facial elements were missing ... but so good to know I got the noise in. Story telling is the way we should all live ...
@ Olga - so pleased you were smiling as you read ... and that the colours came to life as the story was told. I couldn't think what to do re the prompt - but when I saw in wiki there was a Voodoo plane I just thought ah ha I could use that ... and hoped it'd be different ...
@ DG - lovely ... so many of us live far away from our grandchildren - and both my grandfathers died so I never knew them. I've no idea re the name ... and I've just looked to see if it clarified it - but no ... it was Chile Voodoo - why ... is anyone's guess.
Thanks - as you know - I prefer to go the different route ... and it seems to be stirring parent's hearts and memories re their kids as youngsters ...
@ David - good to see you back ... but am so pleased you've added to the story - I'm sure youngsters dream of flying high, or designing weird and wonderful ideas.
You're right - I doubt kids get the same knowledge from a Rubik's cube, or a video game compared to building a little model aeroplane ... so many skills can be picked up and kept for the future ...
@ Nila - it was only one plane that eventually got called Chile Voodoo - Voodoo was the name that appeared in Wiki ... so I used it. It was (I think) a one off performance type aircraft ... but its name fitted my bill! It is most definitely a fiction post - just using that name as the title ...
@ Elizabeth - many thanks ... thankfully I could vaguely remember my brothers playing with the balsa wood pieces ... so I'm delighted to read the little story came to life ...
Thanks so much to you all - we need to remember our stories for our children and youngsters - I delighted in telling this ... cheers Hilary
Great story!
I totally agree that those with children, grandchildren or others who'll follow after them and be interested, should write down some of their stories and memories to pass on to future readers.
A great way of passing down family history. Well done.
This story is so warm and uplifting. It makes me smile. Thanks for sharing it.
So beautiful, Hilary.
Thank you for sharing this with us!
That is too lovely, Hilary. Such a moving story. I loved it! As with all the other commenters here, I thank you for sharing it with us!
Hi, Hilary,
So sweet. I remember those days when I painted my model airplanes! Ah, the innocent days of youth. I find it so interesting the plane's name is Voodoo... such fun. Nice tie in. Really enjoyed your entry!
it is so wonderful to have the memories and stories of our ancestors. I have been immersed in genealogy research lately and wish I know more of my ancestors life stories. Nice memory of building a special model plane.
Awe. So Sweet. This makes me want to go out and get a stick set to build with my son. We don't do much crafting, but he loves cars and planes, and any fast moving vehicle, so maybe this might be a way into it. So, thanks! :-D
Hi Hilary!
This is the link over at the IWSG Facebook page, where you must post your WEP piece. You can copy and paste it into your browser.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/IWSG13/permalink/1158296360995481/
Voodoo and the plane
are both the same
what was writen years ago
was played out today
Action begot Reaction
This was lovely, moving and great descriptions from the colours to the noises.
@ Patsy - yes we all should really ... even those without kids - there's always others in the family. Essential to write our stories down ... something I haven't done - but ... a few might get written here ...
@ Christopher - so many are reluctant to do it - yet others happily write away ...
@ Mary - thanks ... delighted you enjoyed the story and it made you smile ...
@ Donna - many thanks ... it was fun to envision the little tale ...
@ Val - it was total fiction - but still I'm just so glad it's delighted so many of you ...
@ Michael - thanks for posting my entry ... I've now joined FB IWSG: that might help! Excellent you remember your youth and as you say those innocent days. I was so pleased when I found out about the plane - and thus couldn't resist using it as part of the prompt - then finding the lollipop plane in the same colours was just the bee's knees!! So thank you ...
@ Deborah - I wish I did have those memories ... but sadly the ones I remember but no others from my parents or grandparents. I'm sure your genealogy will bring to light interesting occupations and place - stories can be created and gleaned then into tales from the past ... good luck.
@ Tanya - that's great if I've inspired you with something that will fascinate your son - yet bring crafting/ model aeroplaning into his life and that you can do together ... and perhaps inspire him to do more ...
@ Michelle - I think Michael did it for me ... I wasn't a FB IWSG member - but have joined now ... so in the future might be easier.
@ Ellis - thanks for rhyming for me and bringing little plane to life ...
@ Sally - it was fun to write and then to think of the noises for the son to make ... the colours came from the mountains here and early morning sun ...
Thanks so much to you all - it's been fun to see all your comments and to know I've touched your hearts and memories for writing your stories down for your family ... have lovely weekends - cheers Hilary
How sweet is this? I really enjoyed this. I love the idea of passing on stories from one generation to another. The connection to the real Voodoo and the toy one was perfect. I could totally see the little boy playing. Nicely done!
I've always admired those who were able to build cars and planes, but your story really makes it all come to life so we can see it first hand. I always appreciate the fond memories! Hugs...RO
You brought the sights and sounds to life through your words. Excellent!
@ Toi - many thanks ... I was lucky finding the Voodoo Mustang and could match it with the lollipop one both purple and green ... so glad I brought it to life for you ...
@ RO - I could never do that: make models or design things ... so like you I always admire people who love crafting and creating. Delighted the story brings back fond memories for you ...
@ Keith - thanks ... just glad it resonated with everyone ...
Thanks so much to you all - cheers Hilary
Voodoo is a perfect theme for the season, and I liked how you took the theme and made it different.
Great story - and you know how much I like planes :)
You're absolutely right, people should write down their parents' and grandparents stories before it's too late.
Hope your weekend has been grand.
Cheers,
This was a really great twist on the voodoo prompt! Nice job, Hilary!
@ Chrys - it is the perfect theme for the season ... but I didn't think I could write about that - fortunately 'little' plane came into 'view' ... glad you enjoyed it ...
@ Jemima - actually I hadn't realised you enjoyed planes ... but now I know - and am glad you too enjoyed it ...
Yes we should be encouraging everyone to write down their memoirs / history/ stories of their lives ... even notes in some format ... I hope more people will ...
@ Sandra - it's been a gorgeous weekend - wonderful Indian Summer ...
@ Lynda - thanks ... just enjoyed the different approach I could take with the little story ...
Cheers to you all - last day by the look of it of our Indian Summer - so am off to take advantage while the sun is out ... thanks so much for your visits - Hilary
Hilary, this is sooo good. I bet you had fun writing it?
Love writing stories down for my kids. It's important or they will be lost.
Teresa C.
Hope your week is filled with energy and creativity.
Cheers,
That Mustang looks so cool:) Although I still like Spitfires the best:)
This story reminded me of all the model planes I made as a child and strung from ceilings so they were flying. A beautiful piece and so visual with sounds as well
@ Teresa - thankfully it all came together quite quickly ... not having kids - I sort of had to make it up ... but the Voodoo helped! You're right - I'm so glad you're writing things down ... as your father has done for you ...
@ Sandra - thanks ... and your week too ...
@ Mark - knowing no difference between the too ... but as the Spitfire is British - I'll go with that!!
@ Roland - that's wonderful you can relate to the story - thanks so much ... it was fun to write and I'm glad you enjoyed it ...
Cheers to you all - our childhoods are precious, as too our children's ... so it's good to read you will remember to write your stories down - all the best with your memories ... Hilary
This was totally adorable and touching, Hilary. And I liked the call to Write, Edit, and Publish our stories for our children. Perfect.
What a gorgeously nostalgic story. You captured the sensations of making one of those little planes so well.
I also enjoyed your words at ECs, Hilary. Fun.
@ Lee - delighted ... and yes that link of the phrase we use for this bloghop of 'Write, Edit and Publish ...' made sense to remind everyone to, at least, jot down their notes for future generations ...
@ Operation Awesome - brilliant ... thanks so much for the comment - it was guess work on my part ... but one can sort of imagine a parent with a child crafting one of these ...
@ Sandra - thanks ... that's so kind ... EC's words were 'interesting' to say the least ...
Cheers to the three of you - I'm so pleased the little story enticed so many of you - thanks ... Hilary
Loved this piece, Hilary. Such a gentle yet urgent story. One to share again and again I think. :-) X
Thanks Deborah - it was fun to write up ... and yes, even though it's nothing to do with my family, or my experiences ... it is amusing to remember back to the lollipop days of model building ... cheers Hilary
A very happy take on the prompt. Nice work! This made me smile.
I had no idea there was a plane with that name. Did you just know that, or did you have to dig around?
@ JL - that's good ... thanks ...
@ Jamie - I just checked re the 'name' and found the plane - and thought ok I can do something with that ... so I dug around in my grey cells about the little purple and green plane!
Thanks to you both - cheers Hilary
Aw, what a lovely story! I've always wanted to try building a model airplane.
Thanks Deniz - it was a delight to write up ... and I'm so pleased everyone enjoyed the story - cheers Hilary PS perhaps in a few years you'll be able to put your hand to model building ...?!
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