Category: Flash

Flash

Old Glory

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

The gracious Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
is challenging us to write something creative
in 100 words or less to go with this photo.
This is my response to that challenge.

Photo Prompt © Rowena Curtin

I’ve been married so long, Betsy Ross was my maid of honor!

Our first house was an impressive five-bedroom Colonial with loads of property. Fifty-two years ago it cost $68,000; today that money can buy a car.

The house was white with navy blue trim and a red door. As an excited new homeowner and proud American, I planted red and white impatiens and coral red begonias in all the window boxes.

There was no white picket fence but we did have a proper flagpole and hoisted Old Glory every morning …. much to the chagrin of my communist next-door neighbor.

NAR©2024
100 Words

8 March 2024

This is “Our House” by Crosby, Stills & Nash

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

Flash

Purification

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Not
a peep
did she make
in her white dress
receiving the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

NAR©2024
15 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #353 – Spirit
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – White

This is Dalai Lama meditation, “Purification”

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

Flash

Working Man

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Fleur Lind

Gary finished heating up his Hungry Man TV dinner …. 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.

“Man, this is the life!” 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.

“Fuckin’ A! It’s a freakin’ ‘Monk’ marathon!”

NAR©2023
100 Words

1 March 2024

This is Loverboy with “Working For The Weekend”

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

Flash

A Little Alone Time

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write something clever
in exactly 91 words, using the word “intent”.
This is my response in exactly 91 words.

Angie eased into the bathtub.

Her once lithe and graceful body had been rebelling for a while; now it had declared mutiny.

She didn’t expect to have free time today so this moment of solitude was bliss.

Angie barely had time to relax when she heard the persistent nudging on the door; a black paw soon found its way into the narrow opening.

Sidney, the cat.

He was intent on getting into the bathroom to see what Angie was up to without him.

“Sid!” Angie scolded playfully. “A little privacy, please!”

NAR©2024
91 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #352 – Intent
FOWC with Fandango — Privacy
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Expect
FOWC with Fandango — Lithe
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Bliss

This is Rufus Wainwright with “Alone Time”

All text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Remains Of The Day

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle, our gracious host at Friday Fictioneers,
has challenged us to write a story of 100 words or less,
using the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.

Photo Copyright Alicia Jamtaas

Too many arguments, too many years of spiteful words. She’d had enough.

He walked into their bedroom where she was packing. “How can you do this, like it was nothing?”

“Like it was nothing? Do you really think this is easy, like tossing out yesterday’s leftovers?”

“Twenty-three years, Beth. You can’t throw that away.”

“Would you just let it be, Sam, and go to work.”

“I’ll see you when I get home, Beth.”

“Oblivious” she murmured.

Of course she was gone when he returned. Nothing left but remains of the day.

And he didn’t have a clue what to do.

NAR©2024
100 Words

23 February 2024

This is Steve Tyrell with “A House Is Not A Home”

All text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Endless Love – Part 2

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

It’s time for Friday Fictioneers Fun with Rochelle! Here’s something different for you today. I wrote Part 2 to Dale Rogerson’s terrific story,  Endless Love and piggy backed my story onto hers. Here’s the link to Dale’s site; please read her story before mine. Thanks to our host Rochelle and my friend Dale for a fun read and a great photo!

Endless Love – Friday Fictioneers
© Dale Rogerson

Aw, do you love me, Baby?

Oh, Honey, you know I do.

Then come and show me, Baby.

Now, Sugar Cookie, what if I slip and hurt something important?

I’ll give you my very special TLC, Baby.

Really, Sweet Pea?  What kind of TLC?

Why, I’d give you some hugging, Baby.

Then what, Munchkin?

Some squeezing, Baby.

Ooh, then what, Turtle Dove?

Some kissing, Baby.

Oh, Sugar Lips, I do love your hugging and squeezing and kissing.

You coming over tonight, Baby?

Aw, Honey Pie. It’s freezing outside.

But it’s sizzling in here, Baby.

Mmm, Sweetness! Nothing’s gonna stop me!

16 February 2024

This is Mickey and Sylvia with “Lover Boy”

NAR©2024
100 Words

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Revenge Bill

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers has challenged us
once again to create something amazing
in 100 words or less to go with the photo prompt below.
Here is my 100-word response to that challenge.

© Peter Abbey

“What are they looking at, Bob.”

“Something rather barbaric, Ellen. I think we should just move along.”

“What do you mean ‘barbaric’? Now I’m feeling both disturbed and curious.”

“It’s an execution, Ellen.”

“An execution? Here …. out in the open? When did that become legal?”

“Last week. It’s the “Revenge Bill”. Convicted murderers can be executed the same way they killed their victims. In the cage is the “Bathtub Murderer”. He’ll be lowered into the water and kept there until he drowns. These people watching are the victim’s family members.”

“OMG! That’s dreadful!”

“An eye for an eye, Ellen.”

NAR©2024
100 Words

NB: This is a fiction piece and must be regarded as such. My beliefs regarding capital punishment or my political/religions/humanitarian leanings are strictly personal and are not up for discussion on a public forum such as WordPress unless I specifically choose to do so.

9 February 2024

This is Unkle with “Eye For An Eye”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Until Now

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
has challenged us to respond to this photo
in 100 words or less. Here is my story.

Photo Prompt © Susan Rouchard

Hard to imagine life without her. When the hell did everything start to unravel?

He sat alone in the shell of their apartment nursing his second Dewars. Once upon a time this place was alive with people enjoying one of their famous dinner parties. He could hear the sound of her spirited laugh when someone told a dirty joke. 

They were the perfect couple, the envy of all their friends. Theirs was an easy, comfortable marriage. They were in sync in their choices of restaurants, paint colors and the biggest decision of all .… neither one wanted kids.

Until now.

NAR©2024
100 Words

2 February 2024

This is Landon Austin with “Blindsided”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Jumping The Shark

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Two prompts today:
Weekend Writing Prompt and
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge ~
to include the words ‘bridge’ & ‘turmoil’,
all in 53 words. Here is my story.

There are certain lines that exist in society, even among the closest of friends, lines not meant to be crossed.

She not only crossed the line …. she hurtled the bridge and jumped the shark.

And why? She’s only human and carelessly, regrettably didn’t think things through; now her brain is in turmoil.

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Bridge.
Weekend Writing Prompt #348 – Turmoil

This is Billy Joel with “You’re Only Human”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Pennies From Heaven

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers has
challenged us with this photo prompt.
Here is my 100-word response.

Photo Prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Sunny Hill Farm. The name alone made me smile.

We never went on vacation when I was a kid; that was for “rich people”.

You can imagine my unbearable glee when it was decided in the summer of ’59 that we would leave The Bronx for five glorious days in a place called Sunny Hill Farm.

Looking at the brochure we declared it to be “perfect” with lush rolling hills, horses, swimming, picnics, barbecues, fresh air and sunshine everywhere.

We loaded up the car, singing all the way to our vacation nirvana …. where it poured and poured for days.

NAR©2024
100 Words

26 January 2024

This is “Pennies From Heaven” by Billie Holiday

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Wildflowers

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers has
challenged us with this photo prompt.
Here is my 100-word response.

Photo Prompt © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

“Good morning, Sunshine! Did you notice the wildflowers? It’s like they sprang up overnight. It’s awfully stuffy in here, don’t you think, Charlie? I’ll open the window a crack for some air if you promise to behave. One little yell from you and I’ll be forced to put your gag back in. Do you want that, Charlie? Ah, that’s a lovely breeze, isn’t it. Oh, now Charlie! You really shouldn’t have hollered like that! Just when I was gonna untie you. Why can’t you follow orders? That makes me angry. You remember what happens when I’m angry, don’t you, Charlie?” 

NAR©2024
100 Words

26 January 2024

This is Tom Petty and “Wildflowers”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Home Cooking

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
is challenging us with the word “note”;
in exactly 72 words, this is my response.

My mother was a terrific cook; her specialty was, of course, homemade Italian food – manicotti, arancini, etc.

She left me her ‘recipe book, which was really nothing more than scribbled notes. Her ‘detailed‘ cooking instructions read: “some cheese” and a “glass” of water.

I can remember the glass she used to add water to whatever she was cooking; it was an old Flintstones jelly jar.

How I wish I had that jar!

NAR©2024
72 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #347 – Note

This is “Come On-A My House” by Louis Prima

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

High And Dry

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
is challenging us with the word “note”;
in exactly 72 words, this is my response.
🍸

After thirty minutes and two martinis I began feeling paranoid. It was painfully obvious, at least to me, that everyone who saw me sitting by the bar thought I was either an elegant call girl just past her prime or a lonesome, tedious housewife who had been stood up. 

I became aware of someone approaching. I looked up expectantly, smiling; it was just the concierge. Whispering discreetly, he handed me a note.

NAR©2024
72 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #347 – Note

This is “The Queen of the Blues”, Dinah Washington, with “Drinking Again”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Thin Skin

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers has prepared for us
another prompt with the intriguing image below.
This is my 100-word response to her challenge.
🥶

Photo Prompt © Jennifer Pendergast

It’s been dreadfully cold lately; I seem to get a chill much easier now that I’m older. Maybe my “Senile Under-Skin Bleeding” is a direct result.

I spoke to my dermatologist about the thinning, drying and bruising skin on my lower legs; she suggested sauna bathing. The benefits include detoxification, increased metabolism, weight loss, increased blood circulation, pain reduction, anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, improved cardiovascular function, improved sleep, stress management and relaxation.

What could possibly go wrong?

I located a spa with a sauna. My glasses steamed up, I tripped and bumped into the frozen water bucket.

Lovely! Another fucking bruise!

NAR©2024
100 Words

✦ Authors Note: “Senile Under-Skin Bleeding”, also known as “Senile Purpura”, occurs when the skin and blood vessels become more fragile as people age, making it easier for the skin to bruise from minor trauma. While it is mostly associated with older people, it is a common problem among those in their 30s and 40s. This frustrating and painful skin issue with a very ugly name can be improved slowly following a dedicated regimen of gentle exfoliation, daily Vitamin D and a skin lotion rich in Vitamin C. Staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen, keeping hydrated and eating fruits and leafy greens are also extremely important and helpful.

19 January 2024

This is Brian Chevalier with “Thin Skinned”. Relax to this bluesy sound.

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Step Right Up

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt
has challenged us to write a piece
of exactly 87 words, making sure to
include the prompt “appointment”.
This is my response to that challenge.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“An appointment? I didn’t even know I was coming!”

“Haha! You should have seen your face! You looked like you were gonna die!”

“Funny! You’re a regular Jerry Seinfeld!”

“Listen, toots! You barely made it up here so don’t push it. HE remembers everything!”

“Up here? So I made it? Oh, thank God!”

“You’ll get your chance.”

“Gatekeeper, can I put in a good word for a friend?”

“No saving seats.”

“Can I tell you her name?”

“No need. HE already knows.”

NAR©2024
87 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #346 – Appointment

From the soundtrack of The Aviator this is Rufus Wainwright with “I’ll Build A Stairway To Paradise”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Chosen

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
is hosting another photo prompt.
Here’s the photo followed by
my 100-word response.

Photo © Dale Rogerson

Leyland spoke softly as he comforted his weeping wife, Willow.

“Hush, darling. Another season has come and gone and I’m still here to protect you and the children. I realize I had a couple of close calls but so far, so good. I never thought I’d say this but I’m thankful for my disfigurement; it’s kept me from being selected and close to you.”

Willow sighed. “I feel terribly guilty. There’s no chance I will ever be chosen and I fear for our friends and family.”

“I know, darling. I’ll check on Douglas today. Pray the family is all safe.”  

NAR©2024
100 Words

Author’s Note: Leyland and Douglas are very popular evergreens sold as Christmas trees. One of the saddest things is seeing all the dead and forgotten Christmas trees discarded by the curb after the season. Next time you go looking for a Christmas tree, consider buying one with its root ball intact instead of one that’s been chopped down; you can replant it in your yard or place it in a pot. Your tree gave you so much joy during the holidays; why not give it a chance to keep living? And BTW, artificial doesn’t need to have a negative connotation!

5 January 2024

This is the one and only Frank Sinatra with “Willow Weep For Me”

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

Dizzy Miss Lizzy

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

It’s a hat trick!
Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge,
Fandango’s One Word Challenge and
Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt.
🎄  👓 😉

© Claudia Nass @ iStock

In my tree
winking at me.
Can you see?
No?
You need glasses!

NAR © 2024
13 Words

Melissa’s Fandango Flash Fiction Challenge #248
FOWC with Fandango — Glasses
Weekend Writing Prompt #344 – Wink

This is “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” by the incredible Colt Clark and the Quarantine Kids. Of course it is!!

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

WRAP IT UP: A DECTINA

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Dectina Refrain:
This refrain is written as follows:
1st line – 1 syllable, 2nd line – 2 syllables
3rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines
as one stand-alone line.

Torn
wrapping
paper is
scattered about.
Let’s ring out the old
and ring in the new year.
Resolution-making time.
Hit the gym and start that diet.
I’ve never kept a resolution.
Torn wrapping paper is scattered about.

NAR © 2023

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Wrapping

This is “Happy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

VERNAL EQUINOX

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

As I sit here in my recliner looking out my bedroom window, wondering where Christmas has gone, I ask myself if I should venture out for my walk.

“It’s a bleak-looking day and awfully chilly. Stay inside where it’s warm and comfy.”

But then I remember that my wonky knee could use the exercise and time is fleeting. In just 83 days the beautiful blushing bride of nature will arrive and winter will be nothing but a distant memory.

NAR © 2023
79 Words

This is Felix Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song, Op. 62 No. 6″

Weekend Writing Prompt #343 – Window

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Time once again for Friday Fictioneers.
Rochelle has offered up this photo challenge.
This is my 100-word response.

Photo Prompt © Rowena Curtin

This can’t be the right place.

Checked my text message again; yeah, it’s the correct address.

In all my years as Santa Claus, I’ve been sent to a few places that tore my heart out but they were castles compared to this.

Broken windows could only mean no heat. No lights – obviously no electricity.

My white-gloved hand grabbed the fence and it shook as my anger began to rise. How do people exist like this? Why is homelessness allowed to continue?

Dammit! Better get a grip and do my job. Can’t have these sweet kids going without yet another night.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

22 December 2023

From 1984, this is “Do They Know It’s Christmas” from Band Aid

This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section. NAR © 2017-present.

Flash

LIFE IS STRANGE

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

This weekend our challenge was
to write a poem or a piece of prose
in exactly 21 words using the word “ocean”.
Here’s mine.

Me and sis
AI © Misky

Life is strange.

I’ve lived years on  
one continent
only to find a friend
across the ocean

who became
my sister.

NAR © 2023
21 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #342 – Ocean

This is Lucy and Ethel singing “Friendship”

And from the 1954 movie “White Christmas”, this is Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen singing “Sisters” (co-stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye).

Flash

KUKLA HUGS

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Today Sadje is asking us
“What do you see?“
Using her image along with
Eugi’s word prompt “boundless”
and Fandango’s word prompt “back”,
this is my response.

Image credit: Jr Korpa @ Unsplash

I stand at the doorway and watch
as she stretches her legs from her car seat
in the back of her daddy’s car,
grunting with that Little Engine That Could determination
until her fur-trimmed black ankle boots finally reach the curb.
With the boundless spirit of a 3 year old,
she runs up the path to our front door,
stops for a second to wave at our North Pole decorations,
and gaily calls out “Grammy! Grampy! It’s your Kukla! I’m here!” ….
my nickname for our youngest granddaughter, Colette.
She flings herself into my arms
and we share a big warm Kukla Hug.
Her hugs are the best and I don’t want to let go.
Eyes smiling, she excitedly tells me
she saw Santa and the elves outside
and asks if we can bake Christmas cookies today.
Every day with her really is
the most wonderful time of the year.

NAR © 2023

My Kukla
Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Boundless
What do you see # 216- December 11, 2023
FOWC with Fandango — Back

This is Pentatonix with “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”

Please join us today
for a very special
holiday edition of
“Be Our Guest”.
https://rhythmsection.blog/

Flash

BLUE CHRISTMAS

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle @ Friday Fictioneers
has challenged us once again
to write a 100 word story
using the image below as a prompt.
This is what came to mind.

Photo Prompt © Susan Rouchard

“What is this place, Draco, and why have I never seen it before?”

“Ah, Natalia, this is the most prized room in the castle! Very few know of its existence …. only those whom I trust implicitly with my deepest secrets, those whom I know will never speak of this room to another living soul.”

“Oh, dearest Draco! Tell me truly. Does this mean you love me?”

“Love you, Natalia? No, my dear. It’s not love that rules my vampiric heart, but lust.”

And with that he ravished her atop the sarcophagus before sinking his teeth into her comely neck.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

15 December 2023

This is “Blue Christmas” by Elvis Presley

Please join me today for
Birthday Thursdays.
No fuss, no muss –
nothing but music!
https://rhythmsection.blog/

Flash

WHY BOTHER?

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle @ Friday Fictioneers
has offered up another photo prompt;
this is my 100-word response.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

My mother was coming for a visit – just a couple of hours but enough time to give my house the once-over.

I gave up long ago trying to please Mom or meet her unreasonable expectations; nothing I did made her happy or proud so why even bother? Now that I was a mom, spending time with my kids was more important than keeping an immaculate house.

To my surprise, the afternoon with Mom was delightful. As she was leaving, she walked by the pile of shoes in my mudroom and announced with a huff, “Nancy, you are such a disappointment.”

NAR © 2023
100 Words

8 December 2023

This is “Motherless Child” by Eric Clapton

Flash

THWACK!

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

“Watcha staring at, Norman?”

“Ain’t staring, Agnes. I’m observing.”

“That so? Watcha observing then, Norman?”

“Nuthin that concerns you, Agnes.”

“It’s Mrs. Claus with the biggy bumps, ain’t it?”

“She’s got a nice wobble, is all.”

“You idiot!”

**THWACK!!**

“Ow! I gots a biggy bump on me head now, Agnes!”

“Ain’t no bump, Norman! Just a wee wobble.”

NAR © 2023
58 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #340 – Wobble

This is Sue Thompson singing “Norman”.

Flash

”PETAL” TO THE METAL

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers is challenging us
once again with a very unusual photo prompt!
This is my 100 word response to her challenge.

© Photo Prompt by Fleur Lind

Dad never learned to drive so mom had to take matters into her own hands.

She got her driver’s license in 1957 at age 40. Oh, she’d driven a bit when she was younger but women drivers in the 30s and 40s was unheard of.

Her first car was a Studebaker Golden Hawk and she ran that thing into the ground, literally.

One blindingly sunny day with the pedal to the metal, mom drove off the road, smashed into the cemetery and dug up a few floral arrangements along the way.

The old Golden Hawk. May she rest in peace.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

1 December 2023

This is Drive, She Said with “Pedal to the Metal”

Flash

AS IF

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Our summer neighbors were two women from Manhattan; “playwrights”, they said.

There was endless “lesbian” speculation.

The writers called their weekend cottage “Intermission” – tres cool!

Idiots foolishly obsessed over the whole gay thing.

“Who gives a fuck?” I argued. “They’re authors!”

“Says the storyteller!” the idiots jibed.

NAR © 2023
47 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #339 – Cottage

This is Elvis Costello & The Attractions with “Everyday I Write The Book”

Today I’m hosting
Name That Tune.
Hit the link; try your luck!
https://rhythmsection.blog/

Flash

ON LEADEN FEET

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

A provocative & evocative image from
Jenne at The Unicorn Challenge;
our mission, if we choose to accept it,
is to write our reaction to this prompt.
Here is mine.

© Ayr/Gray

Carry myself with pride, as my mama taught me. My name is Elizabeth but everyone calls me Betsy. I am sixteen, pretty and full of life. This is day one of my first paying job – working in the cotton mills. I’m lucky and so grateful.

Mama is home caring for my seven little siblings. Daddy left one day and never came back.

In my lunch sack is bread, an orange and a chunk of cheese; a plain lunch but it keeps me going. During my break I’ll sit by the banks of the river and splash my scorched face. Life is good.

Carry myself with stooped shoulders. I’ve been in the mill for eight months. It’s hotter inside than the blazing Georgia sun. Humid, too, to keep the thread from breaking. Boiled potatoes and river water for lunch. I’m sixteen. Maybe I’ll meet a husband here.

Carry myself on leaden feet. I work six days a week, twelve hours a day. I earn $1.00 each week. The air is thick with cotton dust. Nobody talks anymore; we keep our mouths covered but that doesn’t stop the coughing. I have no time or energy for anything else. I’m sixteen and feel like I’m sixty.

Carry myself with doom. I’m coughing up blood and see nothing in my future except dying in the mill. I think I’ll just walk into the river and never come out.

Carry my dead body to the graveyard. I was only sixteen and my name was Betsy.

NAR © 2023
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-24/11/23

“Isn’t It A Pity (George Harrison)

Flash

SEETHING MAN

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
has challenged us once again
with an intriguing photo prompt.
This is my response.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The man stood off to the side, silently watching, seething.

They were neighbors, friends at one time …. brothers, a lifetime ago. When asked to go into business together, he turned his friend down saying it was a foolish venture, throwing good money after bad. He was afraid.

His friend was successful in his business and became wealthy beyond measure while his own life languished. Jealousy turned to self-pity which morphed into anger and hatred so deep and volatile, his head pounded at the sight of his once friend.

And look at her with that flashy red purse. Disgusting.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

24 November 2023

This is “My Brother’s Keeper” by Orphaned Land

Flash

PERCHANCE TO DREAM

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Come to bed, pretty.

Can you hear the wolf beckoning you?

Let the Sandman cradle you in his arms, protect you from the macabre terrors of the night.

You trust me, sweet child, don’t you?

Foolish.

NAR © 2023
36 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #338 – Macabre

This is Metallica and “Enter Sandman”

Please join me today
as I host another round of
Name That Tune.
It’s an oldie but a goodie!
https://rhythmsection.blog/