Our gracious host Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
has another intriguing photo for us to reflect on
and create something clever in 100 words or less.
In 100 words, this is what the photo said to me.
Gary finished heating up his Hungry Man TV dinner ā¦. fried chicken with a side of mash, corn and a big honking brownie for dessert. His stomach grumbled at the aroma of that juicy breast still sizzling hot from the oven.
āMan, this is the life!ā Gary thought. He plopped down onto his beloved Barca-Lounger and popped open a Mountain Dew, swigging half the bottle in three huge gulps followed by an explosive burp.
Every weekday mopping floors at the local elementary school, decorating his trailer with cool stuff from Lost and Found.
āFuckinā A! Itās a freakinā āMonkā marathon!ā
NARĀ©2023
100 Words
This is Loverboy with āWorking For The Weekendā
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantās Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NARĀ©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Equal parts smiling and sad here. Excellent, and vivid, description of a happy man who I’m not sure is really happy. (I used to love Monk)
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Gary is like one of those bittersweet, melancholy characters we read about in the great novels. That’s fine; I’m happy with my 100-worder on Fictioneers.
Thanks, Michael. I love Monk, too!
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Vivid descriptions! I’m glad he’s enjoying himself (though I’m not sure if the last line is excited or angry? I’m bad with tv shows…).
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Thanks so much, Angela!
Anything that rates a ‘Fuckin’ A!’ is definitely good. š
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Dear Nancy,
I’m flooded with memories of fried chicken TV dinners in aluminum trays. He’s living the life. Although, to me, a Monk marathon sounds like a pleasant way to spend the evening. š Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle!
Those TV dinners certainly were revolutionary and the individual folding TV tables, too.
Monk was one of the best characters, fantastically portrayed by Tony Shalhoub. What a great ensemble cast!
Gary is indeed living the life!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Great story, but I don’t know. I had to ponder this man.
I confess to being brain washed into loftier goals. But then…
how much is enough and how long is long enough?
Maybe Gary knows something I do not. I have read that to have all he has is to be better off (richer) than a significant portion of humanity.
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How dismal a commentary is that last sentence of yours? Yes, I’m sure there are a countless number of people who would give anything to be as well off as Gary. Something is drastically wrong there.
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Reality. Nobody likes it.
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He’s a simple man, not much needed to keep him happy, I think.
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He’s got all he needs in life …. food, a roof, a job, a recliner and TV.
Damn! I’d be content, too! š
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š
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Seems happy, nothing wrong with that.
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He’s living the life!
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happy and content; what else could he wish for? a girl friend, perhaps, who can cook him some nice dinner once in a while?Ā š
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Hey, stranger things have happened. Like they say, “Every pot has its lid”.
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He sounds quite content. Lovely.
Good on him.
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Everyone should be so lucky!
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Sounds like a fine dinner. Also sounds like his home looks a bit like a second hand store. Well done!
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Actually, I’m not anonymous, I’m Alicia
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There are quite a few WP peeps claiming to be ‘anonymous’. What’s up with that?
The chicken dinner does sound good, far better than the questionable meat loaf. Lost & Found can be a treasure trove for some and not nearly as desperate as dumpster diving.
Thanks for your thoughts, Alicia!
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I believe I’ve met that guy once or twice….
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Haha! He’s a lucky SOB, content in his little world.
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Absolutely no worries with him lol
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I had a date like that. Once. š
Altho’ honestly, my solo habits aren’t any better. I love the relaxed lifestyle, myself. And Shaloub is the best!
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Once is all it takes.
Tony rules!
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That sounded like a pretty tasty tv dinner.āGood man.
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Beats the meatloaf, for damn sure!
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Nick-packs??? I meant nick-nacks. But now that I look at it, even that doesn’t look right.
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HAHA!! I think it’s knick-knacks. Don’t forget the paddy-whacks!
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You’re right. Blimey. Who can’t spell??
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Haha. A picture of true happiness. Gary seems to be a man who has simple tastes and is content with his lot. That’s a rare quality. I love how you’ve added the little detail of how he came by all those nick-packs on the cupboard. It’s good to see what you really look like. I note your comment to Dale about all the photos š.
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It was time to show myself in daylight! š
Honestly, my hubby can’t take a pic if his life depended on it; this really is the only good one. Also, my glasses are ‘transitions’ so by the time he was half-way through the “shoot”, my specs had turned into sunglasses! šš
Thanks for you great comments, Margaret; they gave me a good chuckle.
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Fun piece, Nancy! It is the simple things. š Will never forget that album cover!
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Definitely the little things, Michele.
Haha. Yes, this album cover caused a bit of a stir.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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great fiction piece Nance! ā¤
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Thanks, CA! Glad You enjoyed my piece.
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Oh, to be so content with life…
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Gary sure seems to be.
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I loved Monk, the defective detective.
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Ha! The defective detective. Tony Shalhoub was great in that role; the whole cast was excellent.
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Good food is the best medicine for life, and Gary knows what he likes. Does he have any ambition orcas he reached his professional peak. maybe he can sell some of his creations at the local craft.
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Good food and home cooking …. I’m all in!
I don’t know what Gary’s plans are beyond working during the day and lounging at night. He doesn’t strike me as the ambitions sort.
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My comment disappeared into you spam folder or the Nirwana. Either way, great story.
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Found you!
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He likes his life apparently, a lucky man. Many who have more are not as content. Great visuals, it reads like a movie. Burp…
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Yes, I fished you out of spam.
Thanks for the great comments. Much appreciated!
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GOSH … I remember when I was first married and ate those TV dinners. I was too tired from work to cook. Now, YUK!!! I don’t know if that was chicken or beef or lab created food. I love this guy. Happy, full to the brim and out there making junk into collectables. I enjoyed where you took the prompt, Nancy. Nicely done … Isadora š
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Thank you so much, Isadora! My sons were into those dinners after they moved out of the house and got an apartment together. Once they got girlfriends to cook for them, the frozen dinners stopped! š
Gary seems to be quite content with his lot in life; I’m so glad you’re enjoying reading about him! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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š smart boys/adults š
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One man’s junk is another man’s treasure
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You bet your Barca Lounger it is!
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A happy man indeed!
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Ah, fried chicken and Mountain Dew. We should all be so content!
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You know what?āSay what you will, I am happy for Gary because he is happy/content with his life.āWhat more do each of us wish from life?āWould I wanna hang with Gary? Nope… but that’s okay… each pot has his/her lid…
Love seeing the real you š
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Exactly right!āGary’s his own man and I bet he’s just as happy without people hanging with him …. although I do enjoy an that Monk!
That’s one of my favorite expressions …. every pot has its lid.
Thanks, Dale! My hubs took about 87 pix of me the other day and that was the only good one. š š
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I don’t doubt he would.
In French we have one that I like even better. Chaque torchon trouve sa guenille: Each rag finds its tea towel.
87, eh? I’d be surprised it’s the only good one š
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It sounds better in French! š
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It does because in French, torchon and guenille are basically both rags š
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Nothing signifies contentment more than an explosive burp!
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Haha! A kiss for the cook, as my dad liked to say!
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There’s something satisfying about someone who has found happiness and contentment – whatever that may be!
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You’ll get no argument from me, Iain.
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I think I can see why Gary lives alone š¤£
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Not exactly “a catch”, eh?
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Nope!
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A product placement extravaganza!
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Sadly, I get no commission whatsoever!
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