I recently came across the best obituary ever.
I was tempted to copy and paste it here but am unclear whether the entirety of an obituary falls under "fair use". Â You would think a character like this, who obviously enjoyed a good laugh, would welcome the sharing of his final tribute; still out of respect I'll ask that you click the link here to read the full text.
"Blanchard, Michael "Flathead"
1944 ~ 2012
A Celebration of the life of Michael "Flathead" Blanchard will be held on April 14th, 3 pm 8160 Rosemary St, Commerce City. Weary of reading obituaries noting someone's courageous battle with death, Mike wanted it known that he died as a result of being stubborn, refusing to follow doctors' orders and raising hell for more than six decades. He enjoyed booze, guns, cars and younger women until the day he died."
It shouldn't be too difficult to guess what today's challenge is.
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Personal note: I will be on and off the grid until early June. Â So if you don't see a column from me, don't be concerned.
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This week’s writing challenge: write an obituary.
- Write your own obituary.
- Write the obituary of someone you loved.
- Write the obituary of someone you did not love (pull out the stops for this one).
- Write an entirely fictional obituary for someone who never existed - but should have.
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Post your article to Gather Writing Essentials.
BE SURE TO TAG your submission with MWE.  Note: I search for articles using the tag "MWE"  If you don't tag it right, I will not find it.
- Include "Monday Writing Essential" in your title.
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Last week's challenge only drew exactly one response (Go Karen!)
good editing-mwe PASSING THRU -april 11 submission for thwe by karen vaughan
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Weekly reminder:don't forget to recommend an article that you like (to learn why, read Ann Marcaida's article Attract More Writers and Artists to Gather!).. Â Also try to place a comment on at least one article and say more than you liked the piece. Â Tell the author what worked and what needs work.
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Comments: 77
My wife might have to clean a cat box or two herself. (an even wider grin)
Featured in Triple Name Club.
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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
June 17, 2002
SMACKOVER — F. Ray Black Jr., 65, of Smackover died Friday, June 14, 2002, at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. He was born Feb. 3, 1937, in Temple, Texas, and graduated from Sam Houston University.
Ray, as in a ray of sunshine, was an Eagle Scout. He dismissed a membership to the MENSA Society — because the dues were too high. Known for his perfect timing, he was confirmed by the Right Reverend Larry Maze just this past Sunday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. He was on the board of directors of the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, was the resident character/limo driver of fayrays restaurant and a professional goat roaster. Ray’s joie de vivre included a winning game of snooker, a good cigar, sailing, annual trips to the fiery food show and gourmet lunches at On Target. Ray was always quick with a joke and has left a legacy of how to enjoy life. His one dream that was left uncompleted was to be the mayor of Kitsbul, Austria.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. F. Ray Black of Huntsville, Texas; his wife, Sondra Vickers Black; and his brother, Dr. Robert Black. His DNA is carried on by his gorgeous blonde daughters, Brandy Black Alewine of El Dorado and S. Vickers Black Jr. of Dallas; his grandchildren, Reaves and Kipling Alewine; son-in-law /understudy, Richard Alewine; Becky Lowery, the wearer of his cleat; and a hot, available brother, Dr. Roland Black of Dallas.
Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Monday, June 17 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church with Father Bob Allen officiating. Due to libation restrictions, there will be no visitation at the funeral home, but the family will be at 1601 North Madison with light hors d’oeuvres and heavy cocktails. Burial service will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at Oakwood Cemetery in Huntsville, Texas, under the direction of Young’s Funeral Home. Ew-wheeee !!!!!!!!!!!
This is a man I would have loved to call a friend.
☀★¸¸.☆.¸¸ . ✶*¨*. ¸ .✫*¨*.¸¸.✶*¸¸.☆.¸¸ . ☀★☀★¸¸.☆.¸¸ . ✶*¨*.
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After the death of my grandmother, a woman who had twelve kids, and whose children averaged twelve kids themselves, her family, including children, grand-children and great-grand-children - played football. We had three games going all afternoon and still had players on the bench. She would have loved to have been there.
Puts me in mind of crime reports from the sub-sub-urban local newspapers. Those things are always good for a bellylaugh or two!
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Man must be a glutton for honey-do-this-do-that....
Can't see it.
I can't imagine have double marriages and homes and kids, gotta be difficult. For all I know they may have all known about each other but if I remember correctly neither family listed the other children as survivors.