Power of Art (Friday Fictioneers) and 52 Hats

Posted on by Prior...

 

Power of Art (fiction word count: 104)

The Johnson family had a circle sculpture. I thought it was stupid recycled stuff.

Later – the intricate pieces spoke to me. I felt the power of art. The strategic assemblage had balance amidst a midair coordinate plane. CDs glistened and texture from the tires whispered near rusty crevices. Was the creator a cyclist and each wheel came from rides? Was the creator a math person purporting that the study of circles gave us geometry, astronomy, and calculus?

Turns out…

the piece had no intended deeper meaning and Grandpa Johnson made it out of boredom. The sculpture is now on the way to the dump.

 

 

When I saw this hat image last week, I wrote a little story in my mind.  I imagined that someone wealthy had to simplify their gift giving because every year family wanted more and more. Then, after visiting Ana’s blog today – here– and seeing she had a post with a similar theme (i.e. holidays, working on Xmas Eve, talking at the checkout, etc.)- I decided to write out my little vignette (thanks for the nudge to finish this Ana – and for your beautiful reminder to be mindful of those who work during holidays).

Here is my fiction:

 52 Hats

“Yes,” the man said, “ I’ll take 52 hats. And do you always ask customers about their purchases?!”

 

The saleswoman was silent as she layered hats inside the bag.

 

“I’m sorry,” continued the man, “I am a little grumpy and not in a chatty mood.”

 

“That’s okay, sir. I’m actually just glad to be making this sale on Christmas Eve. Glad you came to my booth tonight.”

 

“Well my pleasure. Your hand-knitted hats are exactly what I was looking for. I’m buying them for Christmas gifts. Every year, my relatives have expected bigger gifts from me. I finally decided that each Christmas they’d get a small check and one inexpensive, but special, gift. My holiday giving has had more joy this way and escalation issues have dissipated.”

 

“Right on, sir. Here is your change.”

“Oh and I also make scarves and mittens. So if you’re around next year, remember I am booth 314.”

“Sounds good – Oh – and keep the change.”

((smiles exchanged))

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54 thoughts on “Power of Art (Friday Fictioneers) and 52 Hats”

    1. ha – you are so right – like maybe a new High Tech Nordic cycle machine for the die-hard triathlete who needs to use up all the extra carbs they THINK they need.

      lol

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Agreed. When we had that dumpster, my daughter seized the opportunity to toss a lot of her high school and early college artwork. It was hard to see it go, but…

        Liked by 1 person

        1. but….
          wow – that is a really big dump for her.

          my husband would be especially proud – he has a loose hand with items –
          and I am getting there.
          slowly –
          very hard – but taking photos of stuff is always a way to help let things go.
          anyhow, your daughter was also old enough to make her choice – and that is really amazing

          Liked by 1 person

  4. I think you had a good thinking about the creator might be a mathematician. I think I see the whole contraption is quite balance from its look. I would agree with Dan’s comment above that it is too bad that the sculpture is going to the dump.

    Nice little dialog between the purchaser and the sale person. It ends quite nicely.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. thanks YC.
      and maybe in part 2 of the fiction (for the wheel art)
      someone rescued it from the dump and added a few lights and now it sits outside of a bicycle shop as a way to get the store noticed.
      lol

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Great stories, Y! I could see that sculpture glittering in the sun. I don’t know why but the last two days I’ve had that kids’ song, the wheels on the bus go round and round, pop into my head. Yes, your pic and story triggered it again! HA! We could use some of those hats here. Although, thank goodness, we’re not like some parts of the country! Stay warm and happy New Year! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. hi – well I still think of you with :we are siamese if you please…”
      and yes – I heard the cold spell has ended right in Georgia – but glad it is not too cold for yall
      (sending some virtual hats)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well, a few days have passed and I’m freezing my patootie off! It was 4F this morning. Not my idea of fun. It’s hard to whine to others who are suffering with the minus temps! 😛 Stay warm! This too shall pass! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

      1. And to you…hoping the ups and downs of the past few years will even out a bit in the coming year. Blessings.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Ohhhh I liiiiiiiike machines. Please don’t throw the art to the dump.
    The MIT museum has similar art pieces, they make so many people happy and make so many people think.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. The first one really points on some of the craziness about art… we do really want to believe in art don’t we? like the emperor’s new clothes…

    The second one reminded me of the time when we bought hats for everyone… it was when I was writing my thesis and but we basically ordered it all on internet… great timesiver… I will remember the scarves.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. how cool that you bought everyone hats one year – I wonder if it was that year when all those animal hats were in?
      and the comment about art reminds me as to how subjective interpretation can be and sometimes rich critique is maybe BS (ha)

      Like

  11. Hiya
    I saw that you tried to access my blog. I’ve given it up for the time being, as I feel I have nothing interesting to report since we left the boat in Greece in October and returned to the UK for the winter. But I do miss my blogging friends! I do have a Facebook page, (search for Georgina Moon), I’m on Instagram too.
    if you would like to get in touch, my email is xxx–(cut)
    I’d love to hear from you! Hope things are well with you. I need some inspiration for writing more stuff in 2018!
    G

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Go grandad, great way to beat boredom. Like the idea of giving everyone the same. Actually youngest son gave all his nieces and nephews a tshirt each from Billabong this year, an iconic brand name over here. We got a gift card from a gardening/hardware store… 4 hour count down to 2018 over here and the children’s fireworks have just started on the beach

    Like

  20. I’m happy to have provided a little bit of motivation 😉 Nice take on the “52 hats” photo… and on working on Christmas Eve 😉 But I do know certain people who would not be happy at all with the small, yet meaningful gift 🙂 😉
    Oh, and good luck with the 2018 flash fiction writing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. oh you are so right on the not appreciating the small gift – maybe even moreso from the wealthy – folks might expect more (and not to judge – but sometimes the rich have lost the pure joy of giving – the act of giving becomes transactions and numbers – not from the heart and not from spontaneous love or complete compassion – well not all the time – because some wealthy (awesome) person (anonymous) just gave millions of dollars to charity water….. (a cool outreach)
      but other times the giving is about elevating and becomes managerial – oh I dunno.
      and thanks again for your post to prompt this and for your comment

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Finding the right gift is certainly not as easy as it seems 😉 I generally try to focus on what the recipient might like to receive, rather than on what I would like to offer (within certain limits, of course, and when it’s about more serious presents). I particularly dislike those hidden meaning gifts, the ones who try to teach me what I “should” like, so I try not to do that to others 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        1. oh I hear ya – I hate hidden meaning gifts too! and I also hate when someone gives and keeps talking about it – or they wrestle with it and well – have a family member who starts talking about what he will give the nieces and nephews (obligated tone).
          but you are spot on – the best gifts are customizing it for the recipient –

          Liked by 1 person

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