SOLC 2019 Day 10: Beets! They Only Look Innocent.

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March 2019 SOLC–Day 10
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

In a burst of optimism (or insanity), after signing up for the 2019 SOL Challenge last month, I signed up for Laura Shovan’s March Poetry Challenge. This challenge posts daily photos of food as poetry prompts. Ideally, you respond each day in a private Facebook group. Yup. Do the math–Two daily challenges. With unusual foresight, I made it clear when joining the poetry group that my participation would be less than 100%. I just didn’t realize how much less! Sigh.

So, with the weekend and extra writing time ahead of me, I visited the Facebook site early Saturday morning. Instead of a collection of photos and poetry, I discovered a bit of a brouhaha. Yesterday’s beet photo and its accompanying comments/poems had gone missing! P.I. (Poetry Instigator) Laura Shovan was quickly on the job and got to the root of it all! She informed us that she’d inquired and that Facebook reported that the photo had been tagged as inappropriate. What?! Well, this is clearly a compliment to the photographer!

Jone's beets.jpg

Kudos to Jone McCulloch for her sensuous beet photo

The incident has been resolved and the photo restored, but the whole thing tickled my funny bone. I kept having random odd beet-thoughts popping into my mind.

Beets look innocent…until they’re not.

Brazen crimson beets! The color should have warned us…as damning as the letter “A” in the vegetable world. (And what does this say about radishes?)

Tubers…just say it. It even sounds inappropriate.

Beets…clearly at the root of all our problems.

Ultimately after endlessly amusing myself, I wrote this limerick:

With Thanks to Facebook for their Vigilance

The beets always look so suspicious
their intent is clearly malicious
their raw earthy flavor
too tempting to savor
Thank heavens we’re saved from beet dishes!

©Molly Hogan, 2019

33 thoughts on “SOLC 2019 Day 10: Beets! They Only Look Innocent.

  1. As a lover of beets, I could not help but read your link. First, I cannot imagine 2 challenges but I give you lots of credit for even attempting! Second, I love the idea of food as a impetus for poetry or any writing….but I love to eat beets…In my opinion, they can’t be beat!!!!!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine says:

      I’m a huge beet fan, but I haven’t managed to even try to write a poem about them (other than the limerick) or the next prompt, or the next prompt. Ah, well. I did get a chuckle out of the whole Facebook thing, and that’s something!

      Like

  2. dmsherriff says:

    Oh, I’m with Anita! I love beets! This slice is so comical! I was smiling as I read but this line really got me,” Laura Shovan was quickly on the job and got to the root of it all! ” I admire your taking on the two challenges! The limerick is light and fun, too! Beets aren’t all that bad when they inspire such great writing! Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine says:

      The whole episode cracked me up, and I shared it with my husband, who was equally amused. I think we’re going to throw around beet references frequently now, and totally mystify everyone around us.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. dianeandlynne says:

    Facebook–you have to wonder, considering some of things that make it into my “news” feed! The photo is sensuous I suppose for other beets!
    Love your limerick. I look forward to your posts every day.
    By the way, roasted beet salad is one of my favorite things.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. margaretsmn says:

    I signed up for the same two challenges and have been less than 100% in the poetry one. I did see all the hullabaloo about the beets yesterday. Your limerick is so spot on. I am not a huge fan of beets, but never found them so offensive to defacebook them. Crazy!

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine says:

      I think I’m hovering around 30% with the poetry, and that’s including the limerick response. I adore beets, as does my whole family. Apparently Facebook shares your opinion! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  5. paulabourque says:

    I saw several comments about beets being inappropriate yesterday and now I get what they were talking about! Haaaa! Wow, you are a determined writer to sign up for two challenges this month. Kudos to you for any that you can post. Food and people: such a love/hate relationship could make for some interesting writing! Good luck

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine says:

      I think deluded or delusional might be more appropriate than determined! lol Especially when you consider that we have report cards due and parent teacher conferences this month. Yeah…delusional! At any rate, I’m glad I could clear up the beet mystery for you. 🙂

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  6. Christine says:

    This is just hilarious! And I love how you turned the incident into a lively and humorous limerick.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Cheryl Reynolds says:

    I was enticed by the subject of your slice because I love beets. What a surprise you left for me. I loved reading it. I found myself smiling at the end and now I would like to incorporate beets into my Sunday meal prep day.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. humbleswede says:

    Big fan of beets, here, but I have to admit that part of what I enjoy is their mysterious, underground ties. Loved the limerick.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Amanda Potts says:

    Hahahaha – the limerick is great, but I also love all the beet thoughts. Beets – you can’t beat ’em.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. A fun, fun limerick and hilarious story around the photo! I don’t like beets at all, I think it’s the way they stain all the other food on a plate, but that said, they make the most amazing natural dye which I’ve used!

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine says:

      I’ve heard that beets can be used as a dye. Certainly they dye my hands when I chop them up. They are a beautiful color. What have you dyed with them?

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  11. Amy says:

    I laughed out loud while reading this! Love it and how you so cleverly captured it. (Ending with a poem checking off two challenges at once) you go, girl!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. terierrol says:

    You are busy! But I disagree I love beets and their color reminds me of the strength of blood. And the beet greens are delicious too. So pretty in the photo.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Trina Haase says:

    Holy cow… that makes you a busy girl!! How are you keeping up?

    I am not a huge fan of beets, but that photo is gorgeous. It makes me want to give beets another try!

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine says:

      Essentially, I am not keeping up. Sigh. Luckily, there was enough room in the group this year so I’m not taking anyone’s place. I had hoped that I could double up post sometimes, but I’m not nearly efficient or organized enough!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. greenelit says:

    I love beets. Any way, any time, any place- BEETS! I so admire your commitment to two challenges….this one is already hard for me and I’m only 10 days in! Best of luck. If you need some energy, may I suggest some delicious beets?

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  15. I am so hopelessly behind with Laura’s challenge that I wasn’t even aware of the beet brouhaha until yesterday! I love beets, and your limerick. So clever!

    Liked by 1 person

    • mbhmaine says:

      You may think you’re behind, Catherine, but I’m eating your dust. I definitely bit off more than I can chew. Oh, well. I’ll do what I can and I did get a good laugh out of the beet brouhaha.

      Liked by 1 person

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