Tag: Friday Fictioneers

Flash

Rite Of Passage

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our gracious host Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
is encouraging us to get creative in 100 words or less
using this photo as our inspiration. This is my story.

© Dale Rogerson

In the 7th grade, ballroom dance class was a rite of passage – a Friday night event that lasted six months, culminating in a semiformal dinner-dance. The boys wore ties and jackets, the girls in party dresses and white gloves. It was not mandatory but if you didn’t sign up, you were snubbed. It was the highlight of the year …. not for the 12-year-old students but rather for their moms.

My son balked but signed up.

“You’ll never regret knowing how to dance”, I told him.

Since then, I’ve seen him dance on two occasions – his wedding and his brother’s.

NAR©2024
100 Words

29 March 2024

This is “Ballroom Dancing”  by Paul McCartney

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

Park Avenue

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our delightful host Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
has offered this challenge: to write creatively in
100 words or less in response to this photo.
Here is my story in 100 words.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

Each morning they would incline their respective hospital beds, draw back their curtains an inch and raise binoculars to their eyes. They would wave, smile radiantly and lift a hand-written note which read “Wanna blow this joint?”

A different note followed at noon and 9PM. And they’d laugh!

They found each other by accident, two teenage girls occupying apartments diagonally across Park Avenue. Each was bedridden with the ubiquitous daily flow of boring people in and out of their rooms …. parents, nurses, doctors.

It was indescribably joyful to have a secret friend.

These were the highlights of their days.

NAR©2024
100 Words

22 March 2024

This is Bette Midler with “Friends”

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

Frosted Flakes

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our lovely host, Rochelle, at Friday Fictioneers
has offered up this photo prompt to inspire us
to write creatively using 100 words or less.
This is my 100-word story from days in Montauk.

© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

“Surf rods are the heaviest and longest rods you can get. They’re designed to cast very far distances and pull in heavier fish from breaking waves. Depending on which bait you’re using – worms, squid, bunker – you’ll need to choose the right rig.”

Bill quietly explained to our pre-school boys, blissfully ignoring the fact that the rods were four times taller than them.

“This is a science, boys. You have to be patient and psyche out the fish.” The kiddos were gleefully lost in their mini boxes of Frosted Flakes.

Bill was content; this was cherished father/son time. Pivotal first steps.

NAR©2024
100 Words

15 March 2024

This is “Just Fishing” by Trace Adkins

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Short Story

As He’d Hoped

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Rochelle at Friday Fictioneers
has challenged us to write a 100-word
story prompted by the photo below.
Incorporating prompts from
Weekly Prompts Wednesday and
FOWC with Fandango,
this is my response to Rochelle’s challenge.

Photo Prompt © Susan Rouchard

How many years does someone need to spend in a loveless marriage before the word divorce is mentioned?

That was Barbara’s regrettable life. When her husband finally approached her, she didn’t hesitate; she knew she couldn’t love him as he’d hoped.

Their split was swift and formal.

Now Barbara walked out of the Prada shop in Salamanca and, with thrilling expectation, waved when she saw Evelyn across the street.

Their pace quickened and they embraced passionately, unafraid and unashamed to show their love for each other.

They walked off, hand in hand, toward a romantic outdoor café.

Happy at last.

NAR©2024
100 Words

12 January 2024
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Divorce
FOWC with Fandango — Expectation

This is Elbow with “Grounds For Divorce”

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.

Uncategorized

APPLE BLOSSOM TIME

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Rochelle from Friday Fictioneers
gave us the photo below while
Denise from Six Sentence Stories
provided the prompt word “jingle”.
This is my response, a union of two prompts,
in a 100-word, six-sentence story.*

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The year was 1939; they were a happy couple.

When she became pregnant the following year, they were ecstatic; their son was born in 1941, the most beautiful baby anyone ever saw – golden curls, plump cheeks as rosy as apple blossoms.

He was a delightful child who brought incredible joy into their lives.

In 1942 the baby was diagnosed with nephritis; incurable, the doctor said and they were left heartbroken.

In the blink of an eye between Jingle Bells and Auld Lang Syne, their baby silently passed away.

The young couple was devastated; they never celebrated new year’s eve again.

NAR © 2023
100 Words
6 Sentences

*This story is true; the young mother and father were my parents, their baby boy was the brother I never knew. Six weeks after their baby died, my father was drafted and spent his entire tour of duty fighting in Europe during WWII while my mother was left alone without a husband, without a baby. It was many years before I understood the ineffable emotional toll this had on their lives and why we never celebrated New Year’s Eve.

29 December 2023
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt!

This is The Andrews Sisters singing “Apple Blossom Time”

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

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

”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

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

UNFORTUNATE SITUATION

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for Friday Fictioneers.
This is the photo prompt and my take.

Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

Bet you’re wondering how I ended up here.

It was that little snot Petey and his lackluster efforts in watering the endive plants. One job and he failed miserably.

Well, after being told week after week that he was doing a lousy job, he’d finally found some gumption (ill-placed though it was) and hung me out to dry. What a master twit he turned out to be!

Here I am; I have no arms to pull myself up, no legs to jump down. Guess I’ll be here till the real thing comes along.

What an unfortunate situation this is!

NAR © 2023
100 Words

17 November 2023
Five Word Weekly Challenge (2346)

#gb5ww #gmgblog

This is “Until The Real Thing Comes Along” by The Billie Holiday:

Flash

GRAVY MEAT

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

It’s time once again for
Friday Fictioneers.
This is how the photo
prompted me.

Photo Prompt © David Stewart

It was a tradition in my house when I was a kid; Mom made macaroni with gravy meat every Sunday and Thursday.

Nobody called it pasta; it was Ronzoni macaroni. And we didn’t say “sauce” either; it was “gravy”. Meatballs, pieces of pork, beef and lamb, sausages and bracciole – that’s Sicilian “gravy meat”.

Mom’s cooking was absolutely incredible. With the steamy kitchen window open just a crack, the aromas wafted out into the night, beckoning aunts, uncles, cousins and a few neighbors to dinner. Our apartment was always full.

The bright light wasn’t really necessary; everyone just followed their nose.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

10 November 2023
FOWC with Fandango — Incredible

This is Louis Prima and “Come On A My House”

Flash

THE SWING SET

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Rochelle at “Friday Fictioneers” has challenged us to
write a 100 word piece about how the image below inspired us.
This is my original response to her challenge.

Devin and Charlie jumped out of her car, fiercely kissing and tearing at each other’s clothes.

What great luck for the teens with sex drives in hyper-mode; Devin’s cabin all to themselves while both sets of parents were far off on weekend vacations.

The teens planned to spend every minute in bed.

Devin retrieved the key from her pocket and unlocked the door.

The first shock was the romantic glow in the fireplace. The second? Finding all four parents getting it on …. and not with their own spouses.

And there stood Devin and Charlie letting it all hang out.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

3 November 2023

This is T. Rex with “Bang A Gong” (Get It On)

Flash

OUT OF GAS

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Rochelle at “Friday Fictioneers” has challenged us to
write a 100 word piece about how the image below inspired us.
This is my response to her challenge.

“We’re out of gas, Pepper.”

“Look, Brad! There’s a light! Let’s walk to it.”

“Good idea! Maybe someone can help.”

Arriving at a house, the couple was struck by its serene beauty. They dreamed of owning a home like this.

They knocked and a woman answered.

“May I help you?”

Brad explained their situation; the woman said there were full gasoline cans in the garage and invited them in.

The interior was breathtaking.

“Your house is gorgeous!” exclaimed Pepper.

“Oh, it’s not mine; I’m the selling agent. You interested?”

Brad and Pepper exchanged surprised and delighted glances.

“We’ll take it!”

NAR © 2023
100 Words

3 November 2023

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

Flash

AN ENIGMA

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
Photo Prompt © Lisa Fox

Did you ever get the feeling you were being watched?

The forecast for snow turned out to be highly exaggerated as there was barely a coating; much had already melted away.

I’d hiked these woods many times; I was comfortable here and felt safe among the deer and wild birds. Today was different; I couldn’t shake that feeling of being watched.

I scanned the area and that’s when I saw him. You’ll see him, too. Look in the upper left section of the photo. There, hiding behind the grey rock is the face of Edgar Allan Poe.

He’s watching you.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

27 October2023
FOWC with Fandango — Hike

Here are The Police performing “Every Breath You Take”

Uncategorized

FORCE MAJEURE

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
© Liz Young

Sixty-something years had passed since that night on Amagansett Beach but the twins and their younger sister had never forgotten.

Their cousin, Susie, had been with them that night. She was the only one who didn’t run from the strange fluorescent orbs as they hovered above the shore. She was imprisoned, locked in place, arms reaching heavenward.

Susie was never the same after that night. Only ten years later, she died of unknown causes.

Now there were new reports of luminous globes suspended over the waters of Amagansett Beach; the twins and their sister felt an inexplicable compulsion to return.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

Author’s Note: This story is based on true events experienced by my husband, his twin brother, their sister and their cousin when they were pre-teens. After that night, they never again discussed the mysterious and frightening incident. Quite a few years later during the course of conversation, they were shocked to discover they all had the same disturbing recurring dreams.

20 October 2023

This is Dennis Lloyd live at Mitzpe Ramon performing “Alien”:

Flash

THE CLERK

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
© Rowena Curtin

“This can’t be the right place, Alex.”

“Well, it’s the address the hotel clerk gave me and our GPS brought us right here.”

Alex and Gwen sat in their car wondering how the little yellow shack by the water could possibly be “the best fish and chips place in all of Liverpool”.

Exiting the car, they were struck by the tantalizing aroma of frying food. Grabbing each other’s hands, they ran to the front of the shack. The smell of fish and chips was mouthwatering and there were at least fifty people in line.

Damn if that clerk wasn’t right!

NAR © 2023
100 Words

13 October 2023

This is Jubing Kristianto performing “Fish and Chips”

Flash

MIGHTY MOUSE

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Every Saturday, as soon as A Stitch In Time opened its doors, my mother was first in line …. and she’d drag me along.

Mother would spend hours going through the new fabric; the store, with its profusion of colors, designs and matching thread, was her fantasy land.

Then Kelly’s Knitting Korner opened next door and mother would lose all sense of time surrounded by cotton candy skeins of wool.

I hated being there. Bored, I’d spin the display racks, play pirate with the knitting needles and wish I was home watching Mighty Mouse.

I never did learn how to knit.

NAR © 2023
100 Words

6 October 2023
https://weeklyprompts.com/2023/10/04/weekly-prompts-wednesday-challenge-time/

https://youtu.be/X78i13q-atk?si=N8Mcl_w7piwvkmMd
Flash

DON’T BLINK

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
© Jennifer Pendergast

“Grammy, come see our new homework room. Daddy painted the walls for us. Come look!”

My grandchildren tug at my arms, leading me into their newly decorated room. There were three workstations for them to do their schoolwork, shelves lined with books and a big old wooden chest filled with treasures.

The underwater scenes my son painted were wondrous; honestly, the theme didn’t matter.

It was the memories that came flooding back to me from thirty years ago when he painted the walls of his own room with cartoon characters he created.

“Crying? No, sillies! Just something in my eye.”

NAR © 2023
100 words

29 September 2023
Flash

CHEEKY BASTARD

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
Photo Prompt © Roger Bultot

You know how it is when you see a person or hear a name and it sort of rings a bell but it’s not in its usual context so you don’t make the connection?

Yeah, that’s what happened to me when I discovered Carlton’s Candy Coop – my favorite place for all my sweet-tooth cravings.

Chocolates, nougats, peanuts, caramels … all those mouth-watering, sugar-rushing, delectable tummy treats that stick to your teeth but you don’t care because they’re just too damn yummy!

Then it hit me. Carlton. Carlton? Carlton! But of course! Carl Carlton was my dentist!

Why, that cheeky bastard!

NAR © 2023
100 Words

22 September 2023