Chills at the Fireplace!
Just to have a picture with her!
The night was late and dinner was missed, thanks to over extending projects that tested the team beyond the limits. The rain started to live up to its great Northwest pride of the needle city, knowing not to eat this late, but the local pub was calling my stomach to a late night snack.
The lights were dim and the stoic lady at the bar told me last call for hot plates is in 20 minutes. Then she came in, slightly wet from the increasing down poor as the repetition of beats from the rain grew faster on the roof. "I'll take two clam chowders and some warm tea for me and the lady" I mentioned to the lady cleaning the bar. She said, "You buy chowder and tea for all the ladies, stranger?". She leaned back as she took off her wet coat and asked, "You have a name?" Wanted to tell her Mike, but I said, "If you let me sit with you and share this light dinner, I promise to only be in your life for just this moment and my name will not matter!". rew
She crossed her legs and looked me over just once and said, "Okay, stranger! May I please have my chowder and tea?" saying it with a smile that could have froze the world. Maybe I should tell her my name in conversation and just go with the flow. Even slightly damp and with a rain drop running down her left cheek, there sat a woman that sent chills down my spine and the look in her eyes had me dreaming for days.
The fireplace was the setting catalyst that brought two strangers together and warm tummy night cap to bring the northwest chill down just a bit and gave way to what appears to be an ole-fashioned conversation. She raised the tea cup to her soft and sexy lips and said, "You, First!" before taking a sip. Then I told her I'm just a lonely guy in a strange city for work in the next few days and never thought I would run into a fascinating woman with such poise and grace. She laughed and said, "You going for the kill right away, stranger? Slow down mister, no one night stands and it will take more than chowder and tea to get me up to your room!"
I said, "There's no need for alarm, I vowed to not have sex with any woman, until my marriage. I have not have sex since my divorce and told myself that I wanted a mental connection with the next woman in my life before sex!" I crunched my crackers and looked down into my chowder, trying to ignore her eyes and didn't want her to catch onto my shyness. "Enough of me, what about you?" trying to shift the energy off me, she smiled and said, "Not so fast, Sir! Why no sex?" as she leaned forward with a concerned look. "Are you OK, are you healthy?" with a slight look on her face. I asked about her tattoo on her arm, anything to shift the conversation, but eyes sent chills down my spine and I gave way to her beauty and charm and started to tell my story.
Hours later, and with the rain slowing down, the conversation went well into the night. There we were sitting like two friends catching up on past times and not paying attention to the time on the wall. I then said to her, "It's too bad you have someone in your life! You have something wonderful going on and I can't figure it out!". She smiled, I said "Have a good morning, I hope to see you again!".
The rain stopped and the fire faded away.
About the Creator
Jay LeTron Dobbins
Casual writer! Love to express in print! Tell people how you feel and love life to the fullest with no regrets. Try to say something good about a person when they can hear it, and not when they are gone! Love like no tomorrow.
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Martha
Her heart and mind is so far away from me, but the hopeless romantic in me still trying to win will give it the ole college try. Listening to slow jams in the late hours of the night, I ran across her photo and said to myself, "How could a women with this much caliber be so far away from me?" Never knew why they called her lady of a thousand ways to make a man dream, but I would like to be the only one to dream of her a thousand ways.
By Jay LeTron Dobbins3 years ago in Humans
Hind Rajab: A Child the World Heard Too Late
Cinema has always been a powerful medium for telling stories that history books often reduce to numbers. When a film chooses to focus on a single child caught in the machinery of war, it forces audiences to confront reality not as statistics, but as human loss. The movie inspired by the tragic story of Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl, does exactly that. It is not merely a film; it is a testimony, a memorial, and a question posed to the conscience of the world. Hind Rajab’s name became known globally after reports emerged of her final hours during the Gaza conflict. She was a child trapped in circumstances no child should ever experience. The film based on her story does not sensationalize her death, nor does it turn her suffering into spectacle. Instead, it approaches her story with restraint, dignity, and an unwavering focus on innocence lost amid violence. The Story at the Heart of the Film The movie centers on a young Palestinian girl who becomes separated from safety during intense military escalation. Through her eyes, viewers witness fear, confusion, and the fragile hope that someone, somewhere, will come to help. The film follows her final journey—both physical and emotional—using minimal dialogue and powerful visual storytelling. Rather than relying on graphic imagery, the filmmakers choose silence, pauses, and close-up shots to convey terror and vulnerability. This artistic choice makes the film even more haunting. The audience is left to sit with the child’s fear, her calls for help, and the unbearable waiting that defines her final moments. By focusing on Hind as an individual rather than a symbol, the film restores her humanity. She is not portrayed as a political tool, but as a daughter, a child with dreams, and a life that mattered. A Child as the Center of a Global Tragedy What makes this movie particularly impactful is its refusal to shift focus away from the civilian cost of war. The story does not revolve around soldiers, strategies, or power struggles. It revolves around a child who should have been worried about school, friends, and play—not survival. This narrative choice challenges the audience to rethink how conflicts are discussed in media and politics. Wars are often framed in terms of borders, ideologies, and victory. This film asks a different question: What is the price paid by those who have no role in choosing the war? By centering the story on Hind, the film exposes the imbalance of power and the devastating consequences faced by the most vulnerable. Artistic Direction and Emotional Weight The film’s direction is deliberately restrained. There is no dramatic background score overpowering the scenes. Instead, ambient sounds—distant explosions, static-filled phone calls, the quiet breathing of a frightened child—carry the emotional weight. This realism makes the film deeply unsettling. The young actress portraying Hind delivers a performance that is heartbreakingly authentic. Her expressions alone communicate fear, confusion, and bravery far beyond her years. The filmmakers avoid overacting or melodrama, allowing the story’s truth to speak for itself. Cinematography plays a crucial role as well. Tight frames and limited perspectives reinforce the feeling of entrapment, while long, unbroken shots force viewers to experience time as Hind did—slow, uncertain, and terrifying. A Political Film Without Political Speeches One of the film’s greatest strengths is that it does not rely on speeches or overt political messaging. Its power lies in its simplicity. By telling one child’s story honestly, it exposes the broader reality of civilian suffering in conflict zones. The film does not tell audiences what to think. Instead, it asks them to feel—and that is far more powerful. Viewers are left to grapple with difficult questions about responsibility, accountability, and the value of human life. This approach has made the movie resonate across cultures and ideologies. Even those unfamiliar with the details of the Palestinian struggle can connect with the universal themes of childhood, fear, and loss. Reception and Global Impact Since its release, the film has sparked intense discussion on social media, in film circles, and among human rights advocates. Many viewers describe it as one of the most emotionally challenging films they have ever watched. Critics have praised its ethical storytelling and refusal to exploit tragedy. For many, the movie serves as an entry point into understanding the human cost of the Gaza conflict. It has been screened at independent film festivals and community events, often followed by discussions about civilian protection and children in war zones. Most importantly, the film ensures that Hind Rajab’s name is not forgotten. In a world where news cycles move quickly, cinema has given her story permanence. Why This Film Matters This movie matters because it stands against normalization of suffering. It reminds us that behind every headline about war are real people, real families, and real children whose lives are forever altered—or ended. By immortalizing Hind Rajab’s story, the film becomes an act of resistance against silence. It insists that her life had meaning and that her death deserves acknowledgment, reflection, and accountability. In the end, this is not just a film about one Palestinian girl. It is a film about every child trapped in conflict, every unanswered call for help, and every moment when humanity fails its youngest members. Cinema cannot undo tragedy, but it can refuse to let it be ignored. And in doing so, this film ensures that Hind Rajab’s story continues to speak—long after the screen fades to black.
By Hasbanullah3 days ago in Humans
Center Stage with Gina C.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler7 days ago in Interview
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