Six words to describe your life

The book Not Quite What I was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure, by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser, is a cogent little compilation based on the story that Hemingway once bet ten dollars that he could sum up his life in six words. His words were: For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.

(I don't really understand this actually: was he referring to his own shoes? He had kids, so it couldn't be theirs, so what gives? Anyway, I digress [my memoir in just three words right there.])

So, this is a wildly popular meme and since I'm always up for talking about myself a challenge, here we go. How I'd sum up my life varies wildly depending on how I feel at any particular moment. Maybe that's one:

Can't describe it: it keeps changing.

A few more:

PA, VT, AK, MA, CA, OR.

Getting old but feel fourteen inside.

I'm on a roll:

So much love, yet still single.

I hope I'm reborn a kitten.

And from the Dalai Lama's thoughts on the meaning of life:

Be happy: help others be happy.

 

Alright, all my froggers (friend/bloggers). I won't call out your names in front of the whole class, but start writing. Either here or take the ball and go home to your own blog with it. It's kind of addicting.

[Read more submissions to the next book project here.]

Comments

[steveh]

All it took, all I had.

Nowhere to go,nothing to do.

The walls talk, so walk tall.

All you gather, more to lose.

Wheel is`spinning, can't slow down.

There's infinite work to do; begin.

[I would prefer 8 words, I think...]

[Baby shoes]

I thought the baby shoes one was about someone who wanted a baby so badly that they bought the shoes ahead of time... then, they found out they couldn't have children.

I spoke of disappointment. (To me at least)

[Kathi D]

Not who I'm supposed to be.

[PJ]

Much to see; let's go now.

So much hiding inside my head.

[Noni]

dang -- it's a challenge huh?

Every skill earned; a challenge met.

There's a universe in their smiles.

Mom, wife, best friend, lover, woman.

Empathy & sarcasm served with hopeful cynicism.

Openly, publically, loudly, a private person.

strange format Melissa -- interesting and enigmatic. it's like pringles, who can eat just one?

[Meadowlark]

Far from home, missing it daily.

[Thom]

You don't understand, or at least get a hit, off the "baby shoes" story? Yikes.

Here's a clue: someone was expecting a baby. They bought shoes for the coming baby (and probably painted a room, bought clothes, had a shower, bursted with joy and fear and expectation...), and something went wrong. Anyone's guess as to what (that's why it's such a great story), but the baby didn't come. "Never worn."

I mean, sheesh.

[Melissa]

Yeah, fine, but it was supposedly Hemingway's own memoir. He had kids.

I don't necessarily appreciate some of the memoirs...but did enjoy the exercise when I read it in February.

Everything works out in the end.
Will not be crippled by headache.
No matter what she always laughed

[Sarah]

I didn't know comment can be posted without poster's info????

Sorry...last post was mine.

[Melissa]

I love all these - thanks for participating!

[Jen]

Err... Someone else already said it better than me...
Still crazy after all these years!

Original...
Living the geek girl dream, everyday.

[Steve Hochschild]

A threat? That's what I get for being supportive, creative, and responsive?

Just for that, here are more:

Three sisters overwhelmed poor little boy.
It really should have been me.
Jerry, Townes, Stevie, Roy, Champ, Janis
You'll never find another honest man.
Taxes are theft, least latest applies.
If you ask, you'll never know.
Too many words, too little sense.
They're after me, I must hide.
Not my fault, don't blame me.
To finish first, first just finish.
Green flag drops, bull shit stops.
Cats are donkeys, dogs are horses.
It ain't bragging, if you can.
Cheated on me, robbed me blind.
Love my country, fear my government.
Next year in Black Rock City.
Hot as a pistol, cool inside.
Don't let your deal go down.
Her standards high, I am rejected.
Calm begets calm, temper begets temper.
Hot Texas nights, I lie awake.
My kitten purring, I fall asleep.

I could do this all night.

[Melissa]

I've unleashed a creative hurricane in Austin!
Hate to tell you this, but I had frost damage to some plants last night. It's a beautiful 75 degrees here today.

[Noni]

Steve wouldn't be your brother, would he?

Dreaming beagle, chasing rabbits, that's contentment.

Kid: be 14 and know everything.

Mom: learn something new every day.

19 yrs, happy birthday my family!

the beeb, the beagle, my bestfriend!

okies, that one tops them all, 'cause you know, it's just me :)

[Melissa]

These are great, you guys. Watch for the greatest hits compilation tomorrow!

[Treasures By Brenda]

Fantastic -- you have inspired lots of friends to leave their quotes!

I read the book Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure and loved it. The quotes were funny, sad and often poignant, a short record or chronicle of a writer's life. For more information about the book, some sample quotes and the chance to add your own six-word memoir, please read http://www.squidoo.com/yourlifesentenceinsixwords.

Personally, my favorite quote is one that relates to my family. I have fourteen and sixteen year old sons for whom the quote is absolutely, positively true...they have their whole lives ahead of them. The quote is:

"Fourteen years old, story still untold."

Brenda

[Susan G]

Regarding the 6-word descriptions, I'm late to this word-fest, but here are four. Sorry the first three seem a little depressing, but my neck hurts tonight.
I'm doing the best I can.
Mostly, I want to be alone.
It all seemed so easy once.
Peace is waves on the beach.