"There's like that 10%, maybe 8%, of stuff that is really brilliant, or really special, or really soulful, or really beautiful, or...there's something about it that's gorgeous. And it speaks to you on many levels. And that's one of those things that, there's no formula for it. Otherwise, every record would be that way. It's still the magic part of music, even today. And...it's one of those things that, in spite of it's best efforts, the music industry won't ever be able to wipe that out. That 10% of special shit." ~ Jerry Garcia

     Thank you @MarianneWest for inviting me to highlight some of my special shit as part of the #freewrite community's Over 20 Club! I have previously written about how I became a freewriter and what the community means to me. If you're interested you can read about that in my post, Freewrites, Friendship, And The Old Steemians Home! And a special thanks to @fireawaymarmot for designing the fantastic over 20 Club badge! Here we go:

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The Personal

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     I might as well start with the deeply personal stuff. These are the two freewrites that mean the most to me. In fact I wrote them specifically for myself. I wanted to get these out. I needed to. The first is called:

Pasta In The Wind

     Dramatic, right? I never got to know my maternal grandmother. I've only heard stories through my parents. One of those memories is featured in Pasta In The Wind. As is the picture below...

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     Despite it's length, my next selection was, by far, the hardest thing for me to write. It's my only poem. And, it's the most personal thing I've posted. That is, of course, my ode:

To Peter

     Peter McBride. This needs some explanation. Peter was introduced to my family through an organization called Project Children. This organization brought thousands of children from Northern Ireland over to the United States to stay with host families for the summer. From the website:

The idea was twofold. Most importantly they wanted to get the kids away from the violence and the paramilitaries who work double time recruiting kids during school breaks. Denis and Pat also wanted to show the Protestant and Catholic kids that they could live together and actually like each other.

     My family hosted Peter for two consecutive summers. Unfortunately, the violence we helped him escape eventually took his life anyway. Though, if you google "Peter McBride Murder" you'll see that his death was not in vain. Rest in peace, Peter. You will, forever, be my friend.

At the airport. Anxiously awaiting his arrival.

The first meeting.

Peter on the local news. Never ones to miss an opportunity, my brother and I are in the background. I'm on the left making a face and my brother is on the right doing a Pepsi commercial.

Peter certainly made the most out of his short time with us. Here he is riding the three-wheeler...

...riding the lawn mower...

...swimming in the pool. My mom still wants to yell at him for standing on the tube when she sees this picture. "Don't be yellin' at me now," was Peter's usual response.

My favorite picture of Peter and me. Engaged in our favorite past-time. I think one of us deserves a yellow card. LOL, I remember that dog jumping into the fray.

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The Paranormal

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     Those who already know me, know about my interest in the paranormal. I've written numerous accounts about my real-life experiences with the unknown. Despite always being into the paranormal, I never actually experienced paranormal activity until I went to college(possibly?). Here is one of my first experiences:

The Phantom Foghorn: A Freewrite Original

     And a more recent experience:

Freewrite: Sacket's Harbor Orb

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The Humor

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     Since my favorite thing to do is make people laugh, I definitely want to end this on a lighter note. Here are a couple of short freewrites that I've been told are funny. Thank you for reading this far. Enjoy:

5 Minute Freewrite: Dirty Dishes!

5 Minute Freewrite - An Ode To Family 😏 (Glasses)