A hundred words …

Keith's Ramblings

for Friday Fictioneers 

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Confession time – today’s tale is fact, not fiction. 

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anak-cute

 

*The name has been changed to protect the innocent!

church-958x719-1Back then, a date with a girl normally involved messing around in the park or sharing a sneaky puff on a cigarette!

But I had loftier intentions. I knew where the key to the church tower was hidden! Often, Millie and I’d climb to the top for a kiss and cuddle, and watch the people below.

For her seventeenth birthday,  I planned a picnic up there.  Before she arrived I scratched our initials within a heart on the sandstone and placed flickering tea lights on the steps.

Often, when passing the church I wonder if our etching survived the ravages of time.

 

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img_6787Thanks to Rochelle for hosting and to Dale for the photo.

The church alongside my story is the actual venue!

Click Froggie to join in the fun!

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60 thoughts on “A hundred words …”

  2. granonine Sep 29, 2021 / 18:34

    You must be getting along in age, to have survived the ravages of time 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  4. Ain Starlingsson Sep 29, 2021 / 20:25

    What would survive the ravages of time…the scratchings in sandstone or something else?

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. pennygadd51 Sep 29, 2021 / 21:13

    What a sweet young man you must have been! A birthday picnic in the church tower – how romantic!

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. Bill Sep 29, 2021 / 23:01

    Oh, Keith, I did enjoy this story of your little tryst up the stairs. Nicely told,

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Sep 30, 2021 / 10:54

      I’ve often thought of creeping into the church when there’s no one there just to see if it’s still sitting there above the organ!

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  9. Dora Sep 30, 2021 / 01:50

    Keith,
    What a romantic assignation! Whether or not the etching survived, his memory is still keen on remembering. Good one.
    pax,
    dora

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. msjadeli Sep 30, 2021 / 01:52

    Keith I love this true story and I am smiling at your diagram of where the key is. Now I wonder if *that* is still there. You may be able to find out if the etching is still there someday if it is 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. plaridel Sep 30, 2021 / 06:30

    that’s sweet. i want to believe the etching is still there even though they might have moved on.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Sep 30, 2021 / 11:18

      I’d like to think so, although my effort wasn’t as dramatic as some of the carvings up there, many going back centuries.

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. Tannille Sep 30, 2021 / 07:22

    Nothing says I want to fool around with you like defacing a church.😀

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Sep 30, 2021 / 09:49

      The crenellations at the top of the tower had many names and dates chiselled into them, some going back hundreds of years – my scratching was a pretty modest attempt in comparison!

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  13. Sandra Sep 30, 2021 / 08:50

    An assignation with a view. Some guys think of everything.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. Lorraine Sep 30, 2021 / 09:42

    Perhaps Millie wonders the same thing. When they say the words “are etched in stone . . .” I know will think of romantic assignations.

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  15. rochellewisoff Sep 30, 2021 / 14:37

    Dear Keith,

    I can picture this story. Very sweet and romantic. I’d be interested to know if your names are still visible. ❤

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Sep 30, 2021 / 16:47

      I’d really like to know, but my scratchings were nothing compared to some of the intricate and ancient graffiti chiselled in the sandstone up there!

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  16. Dale Sep 30, 2021 / 14:43

    I knew it! You are (were) a romantic sort. Loved this tale of love in the church tower…

    Liked by 1 person

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  19. Bear Sep 30, 2021 / 20:51

    Why is it that we equate vandalism with love. Sigh…. Anyway, the story is a sweet one, and that church of yours is gorgeous. I can just envision the bell tower with its assorted cobwebs and dust. I can hear the echo and sub echoes of the bell as it tolls. great story.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Oct 1, 2021 / 13:01

      A few scratches are nothing compared to some of the chiselled graffiti going back hundreds of years up there. Climbing the tower was a little spooky, but once we emerged into the open air at the top it was very different. Thanks so much for your beautifully worded comment Bear.

      Liked by 1 person

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      • Bear Oct 1, 2021 / 19:58

        I used to love hiding out in our bell tower at church, too. Only, I never used the stairs, and most of the time it was the middle of the night so I literally climbed the wall. I hid there from an abusive and addicted parent… or when that parent would disappear for days at a time. Quite a nice little hidey hole it was.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Keith's Ramblings Oct 2, 2021 / 09:34

        They are wonderful places, but so sad that you needed a haven.

        Like

  20. GHLearner Oct 1, 2021 / 12:18

    What a sweet and romantic story. And from the comments I gather, that the two also kept up a long tradition. I think you should go there and look. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Oct 1, 2021 / 13:14

      It is. We have several Norman castles in my area and some of the carved messages on their walls go back many centuries. Graffiti is nothing new! You’re right, I should go back!

      Liked by 1 person

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  21. draliman Oct 1, 2021 / 15:14

    Maybe the key is still there. You could pop up and have a look!

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  22. larry trasciatti Oct 1, 2021 / 18:50

    Even if your rendezvous doesn’t have any remaining tangible souvenir it’s still so cute and happy

    Liked by 1 person

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  25. Inside the Mind of Isadora Oct 2, 2021 / 20:37

    HA HA I had a good chuckle from your response to Dale’s comment “Stick with the past tense Dale! But yes, I had my moments back in the day!”
    Romantic youthful and sweet memories of an innocent time. I enjoyed the read and the surprising revelation.

    Stay Safe 😷 Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

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  26. ahtdoucette Oct 5, 2021 / 18:40

    “Loftier attentions” that one is going to make me giggle for a while. Thanks for the laugh. I needed that!

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  27. Na'ama Yehuda Oct 5, 2021 / 19:23

    Me think, God gave you the wisdom to think up this mischief, so … God may well smiled on it (you didn’t get caught, did you?! ;)) and perhaps preserved the scratches. Or not … 😉

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