Two weeks into my retirement and hardly a word written! It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but then life has a habit of interfering. I have managed to scribble this, hope you like it. Thanks to Kent Bonham for the interesting photo and to Rochelle for steering us through the maze…
Copyright Kent Bonham
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A Man of Vision
‘How can we help you if you keep the design in your head Antoni?’
‘I cannot draw a design, as it changes every time I think of it. It is a fluid, changing thing I cannot confine to paper. If you will help me, then you must work as I work.’
‘But this bears no resemblance to any cathedral we have ever seen.’
Antoni stopped listening.
Through years of turmoil and political unrest he worked on his masterpiece. He never finished it, but saw in his mind’s eye all the colours, the textures and the glory of his beloved cathedral.
*******
For more information on Antoni Gaudi and his work, including his beloved cathedral the Sagrada Familia
for more stories, click Mr Frog
40again's Blog 
I’d love to know what you could have done with this idea if you’d had 500 words
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Hi Neil, thank you for reading. Perhaps I’ll try a longer version…
Dee
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One of my favourites, the Sagrada Familia. A nice tribute. Hope you are enjoying your retirement- it will get busier from here on.
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Mine too. Retirement wasn’t what I expected, but it is early days and I’m sure you are right.
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wow, it would be neat to see that cathedral in all it’s glory, indeed!
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I think it is quite exceptional, although lots of people disagree. Thank you for reading 🙂
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Dear Dee,
I once wrote a Gaudi story for FF. He was ahead of his time and a man of vision. Very well done.
Congrats on your retirement. Isn’t it amazing how there’s plenty to fill what we thought was going to be ‘free time?’
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Gaudi’s buildings don’t seem to age, each generation finds something fresh in them.
Retirement feels very strange and yes, you are right, I thought I would have lots of ‘free time’ but I haven’t found it yet!
Thanks for reading
Take care
Dee
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Beauty in the eye of the beholder, but too frail to be shared? Nice take on the prompt.
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Thank you, appreciate you stopping by.
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Ahhh! YES! I KNEW it had to be Gaudi, one of my favorite artists. I have been to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona twice and it is pretty impressive. Believe it or not, it’s almost finished. It looks as fresh now, even fresher than it did 100 years ago. Gaudi was truly a man ahead of his time.
Super writing, Dee! And thank-you! 🙂
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Hi Kent, pleased you liked this.
The Sagrada Familia is very impressive, even with all the cranes around it as there were when I saw it last. Delighted to hear it is almost finished, must go back and take another look.
Thank you for the photo, really provided lots of interesting stories.
Dee 🙂
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😉
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How timely, I leave for Spain next week. I’ll be there 6 weeks learning Spanish which was one of my retirement goals. I’ve been retired a year and I’m still finding my path. I have lots of ideas in my head too.
Congratulations on retirement,
Tracey
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Hi Tracey
What an adventure! I’m sure you will have a great time and congratulations on ticking off one of your retirement goals. I do hope you get to Barcelona to see some of Gaudi’s work, the buildings are truly works of art.
Enjoy Spain, would love to hear how you get on.
Take care
Dee
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Confidently sticking to only a vision (however ever changing) that only he can see. Bold choice, I loved the story- learnt something new once more.
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It’s good to dream, sadly not all dreams get developed. This one though deserved to be completed
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Thanks Mike. I think Kent said that it is almost finished,I think I need to go and take another look…
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Years ago I read the book Pillars of the Earth. It was about the building of a cathedral and remains one of my favorite books. Thanks for this.
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Pleased you liked this Dawn, cathedrals are such amazing buildings, built by true craftsmen.
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Most creative people get frustrated with the reasoning of the rational who want a measure of the work.
Happy extended hols!
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Thanks for reading, good to hear from you. 😀
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I loved this story and the description of Gaudi’s fluid vision. I haven’t made it to Barcelona yet but hope to do so one of these years! Enjoy your retirement
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Thank you Siobhan, I do hope you make it to Barcelona one day, it is a beautiful city and worth a visit. As for retirement, it’s only been two weeks and I think will take some getting used to!
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Love this… believe it or not, the first time I heard about Gaudi was in the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona… since then, I keep “bumping” into him… Needless to say, it is now on my ever-expanding list of places and things to see!
Enjoy your retirement!
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Thank you Dale 😀 I do hope you get to Barcelona and see some of Gaudi’s work, it is quite amazing.
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I will… One day!
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Congratulations on your retirement, Dee! I’m sure the break is a good start so you can be fresh when you begin writing your masterpiece. This artistic endeavor must have consumed Antoni until the end. Wonderful piece, Dee.
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I think you’re right about Gaudi, he left some extraordinary buildings for us to marvel at. I’m pleased you liked the story Amy and thank you for your good wishes 😀
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I love it, and by using his first name you made me think the more… love it (and I do remember when we had a Gaudi house as prompt for FF).
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Thank you Björn,I had forgotten about the Gaudi house prompt, I’ll see what I posted for that. Thanks for reading.
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I just happened to see this building in a TV doco this week. I love how you’ve represented Gaudi’s creative impulse and vision. Enjoy your retirement. I hope you settle into the rhythm of it quickly and easily. The days speed by.
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Thank you Margaret, pleased you liked the story. It’s only been 2 weeks and I have been busy with other things, but hopeful I’ll get used to it. The days do speed by 😀
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This is wonderful. I think great art speaks to everyone with open senses, no matter the era.
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Thank you so much. I agree with you, I’ve watched people stand in silence in front of Gaudi’s work as you would in front of a great painting. Art is a great leveller. 😀
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