Tag: Friday Fictioneers

Flash

Sign Language

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where Rochelle asks us to
get creative in 100 words or less. Making every word count
and using Dale’s photo below as inspiration, here is my flash.

Β© Dale Rogerson

Since we was kids it was just me and Roxie. Nobody wanted us but we didn’t care.Β  We was crazy in love, wild about each other. We didn’t need nobody stickin’ their noses in our beeswax.

Long as we was together, nothin’ else much mattered, y’know?

We got a gig flippin’ flapjacks, a tin roof over our heads, a bed, and a hi-fi for spinnin’ tunes.

We do our jobs each day, make mad love every night, and dance in the glittery moonlight.

We’re happy and there’s no hidin’ the signs. The whole shack shimmies.

That’s more than most folks got.  

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

6 September 2024

This is β€œLove Shack” by The B-52’s

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Don’t Cry For Me Agrigento

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked
to get creative in 100 words or less using the
photo below for inspiration. Here is my story.

Photo Β© Mr. Binks

It was 1965, a big year – my sister’s graduation, the Beatles concert and our trip to Sicily.

We spent a day at Mom’s cousin Concetta’s farmhouse outside Agrigento. Goats, sheep and a donkey grazed in the field among the olive trees. Chickens scurried around the barnyard like drunken spinning tops. They were extremely entertaining – our favorite.

We hung out with the animals all morning. In the afternoon we drove to Agrigento to explore the shops.

Upon returning to Concetta’s, we sat down for dinner. Pasta to start, of course. When she brought out the roast chickens, we burst into tears.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

16 August 2024

Here are three ridiculously talented Sicilian guys from Palermo playing a tune called “The Chicken”. They are Matteo Mancuso (guitar), Riccardo Oliva (bass) and Salvatore Lima (drums). Enjoy this one.

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Goose It!

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are
asked to get creative in 100 words or less using
the photo below for inspiration. Here’s my story.

Β© Jennifer Pendergast

Gregory Goose shouted:

β€œStop lollygagging, you gang of pencil neck geeks, and get a move on! We don’t have a gazillion hours to waste. A performance awaits us so step lively. And speaking of step, watch yours. There’s goop about.

Greta! Grab hold of those goslings!

George! Stop giving Ginger googly eyes!

Glenda and Gloria! Quit gabbing!

Listen up, guys. Christmas will be here before you know it. If you don’t wanna get cooked, we gotta nail that β€˜six geese a-laying’ verse. We need two more geese in our gaggle to make three groups of six.

Ladies, who’s feeling romantic?”

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

9 August 2024

The is β€œLet’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

The Lake

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are
encouraged to be creative in 100 words or less
using this photo for inspiration. Here is my story.

Photo Prompt Β© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Eileen gathered some boxes from the attic and began to pack up her late husband’s belongings; Ned always told Eileen he wanted his things donated to the men’s shelter.

Now the drawer was empty except for a folder; inside Eileen found Ned’s sketches of their lake. Leafing through them, Eileen was outraged to see drawings of her sister Denise in the lake dated 2023 – the last time she visited. Ned and Denise had a fling years ago but Ned ended it – or so he said.

Eileen put the sketches back into the folder. Time for a little chat with Denise.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

2 August 2024

This is β€œCry Me A River” by Diana Krall

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Paying Through The Nose

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked
to get creative in 100 words or less using the
photo below for inspiration. Here’s my story.

Photo Prompt Β© Roger Bultot

β€œDid you get it?” Ray asked when the door opened.

β€œYeah, but I had to shell out more money for it” grumbled Joe-Bob.

β€œThat rat bastard! Hand it over … and a flashlight.” Ray demanded.

β€œThis is primo, Joe-Bob! Gimme six Ds, will ya?”

Ray inserted the Ds and turned on his newly acquired battery-operated fan.

β€œListen, Joe-Bob. When Uncle Lester died, he left me a slew of money. I’m gonna buy a state-of-the-art, solar-powered, non-electric RV. I’m stocking up batteries β€˜cos when that asshole gets elected, gas and electric prices will be insane. I’m finally gonna beat the man!”

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

26 July 2024

This is β€œTax Man” by The Beatles

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Hippocrisy

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where Rochelle
encourages us to write creatively in 100 words or less
using the photo below for inspiration. And would you look
at that! Today’s photo is one of mine! Woot woot!! Here’s my story.

Β© Nancy Richy

β€œOMG, Vern! People are starting to arrive. This is the most thrilling day of my life! Imagine me …. Hazel Heftybottoms …. a published author! I wonder how many of my friends will be here.

Oh no! Look who’s prancing down the street like a prima donna. It’s that cow Eloise and she’s wearing the same outfit as me! That pachyderm has really packed on the pounds! And provocative pink lipstick on her proboscis? What a slut!

I can’t believe she actually published her poetry book. What a pile of poppycock!

Yoo-hoo! Eloise D-A-R-L-I-N-G!! You look absolutely M-A-R-V-E-L-O-U-S!!

Mwah! Kissy, kissy!”

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

5 July 2024

This is “One Hippopotami” by Allan Sherman

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Bumble, Mumble

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where Rochelle
encourages us to get creative in 100 words or less
using the photo below for inspiration. Here’s my story.

Triplet bumblebees Bizz, Bozz, and Buzz loved to bob from plant to flower to vine in the neighborhood alley. It was so bucolic, even the occasional visitor didn’t bother them.

Being such busy bees, they barely noticed the giant structure by the entrance.

β€œWhat’s that thing?” they asked in unison.

β€œKeep back! It’s a trap” warned Groucho the Grasshopper. β€œPeople say bad ideas are inside, dangerous goings-on about a Very Hungry Caterpillar, an Ant Bully and Bug Muldoon.”

The terrified triplets trembled, their little knees knocking.

 β€œBugger off now, boys! You don’t wanna be here when the soldier bees arrive!”

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

28 June 2023

This is β€œSons of 1984” by Todd Rundgren

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Feeling The Burn

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are
encouraged to get creative by writing a story
of no more than 100 words using this photo
as our inspiration. Here is my 100 word story.

Β© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

It was the summer of ’59 and I was going to spend July and August with my cousins at the shore. I’d been packing since my last day of school, finishing two days before taking off.

The following morning I awoke with fever, sore throat, bumpy tongue and a facial rash. Scarlet fever, the doctor said. The disease was highly contagious. I was prescribed antibiotics and my parents were warned to keep me home.

My summer plans were abruptly cancelled; I was dejected. All I could do was watch my friends playing, my nose pressed up against the window screen.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

21 June 2024

This is β€œFever” by Little Willie John

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Warts and All

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are
encouraged to write a story in 100 words or less
using this photo for inspiration. Here is my story.

Photo Prompt Β© Lisa Fox

There was a boy named Danny who sat directly in front of me in 5th grade. He had a perpetual case of ringworm which fascinated and repulsed me at the same time.

His beautiful black hair had been shaved to expose the circular rash on the back of his head. I imagined microscopic critters chasing each other around that stubbly maze.

The theory was that Danny caught the fungus while hunting frogs in the boggy bullrushes; somehow that didn’t make it any less gross.

I never could understand boys and their frog fetishes. Everyone knows that’s where warts come from!

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

14 June 2024

This is β€œHop Frog” by Lou Reed featuring David Bowie

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Of Memories And Dreams

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where our gracious host, Rochelle,
encourages us to get creative in 100 words or less using this photo
as our inspiration. Here is my 100-word photo-inspired story.

Β© Roger Bultot

Funny thing about dreams and memories; sometimes it’s difficult to tell them apart. Sometimes I just don’t want to.

That summer …. after the breakup …. I needed to be alone …. to think …. to put the hurt behind me. A few days at that motel on the beach seemed like a good idea at the time. 

Everywhere I walked …. everything I saw …. reminded me of you. The scent of salt water. Scattered shells and seaweed. That song. Hot summer nights. Stars so close you could touch them.

Memories and dreams of you …. they’re funny that way.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

7 June 2024

This is β€œIn Dreams” by Roy Orbison

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Uncle Bobby And The Spiders From Mars

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are
encouraged to write something creative in
100 words or less using the photo below as
inspiration. This is my 100-word story.

Photo Β© Mr. Binks

Uncle Bobby had this irrational fear of spiders. Well, it was irrational to his family; for him it was very real.

So when the new amusement park ride Spiders From Mars opened, Uncle Bobby wouldn’t go near it.

Everyone tried convincing him the ride wasn’t jinxed or dangerous but he wasn’t buying it. All their urging and encouragement fell on deaf ears. Uncle Bobby watched from the shadows as his nieces and nephews went for a spin.

That night the ride malfunctioned; several family members were killed, unceremoniously hurled out of the park.

Guess Uncle Bobby’s fear wasn’t so irrational. πŸ•·οΈ

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

31 May 2024

This is β€œZiggy Stardust” by David Bowie

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

Flash

Carla’s Big Night

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we’re given a photo
and asked to let it inspire us to create something magical
in 100 words or less. This is my 100-word inspired creation.

Β© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

β€œUngrateful … bastard … son-of-a-bitch … always telling me what to do … when to do it … waiting on him like a motherless child … picking up after him … cooking three meals a day … seven days a week … cleaning … cleaning … cleaning … and what’s my reward … an unwelcome fuck at 3 AM … pig … I … have … had … enough!”

Carla’s thoughts raced through her head like a locomotive engulfed in flames.

β€œYou gonna cook that pizza or beat it to death?’ he snarled.

He died instantly. Death by rolling pin.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

24 May 2024

This is a live acoustic cover of The Allman Brothers’ β€œWhipping Post” performed by Matie Cummings and Jeremy Edge

Another muse: my usually stoic mother
making an attempt at humor. Circa 1965.

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

Short Story

And Then He Knows – Revisited

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for The Unicorn Challenge
(with a timely lead-in from yesterday’s
Friday Fictioneers). Here we are challenged
to be creative in 250 words or less
using the photo below. This is my story.

Β© Ayr/Gray
β€˜Domestic animals, even on leads, are banned from the beach from 6am – 9pm’

He walked on the beach with his dog just as he always did. He saw the sign but ignored it, happy to see someone had vandalized it. Damn rules!

He threw the ball but when the dog returned, he had a purse hanging from his mouth. He dropped the purse and ran back to where he found it.

Looking in the purse, the man saw a cell phone. Hers. Last call was to him. Chasing the dog, he saw a body sprawled on the rocks near the water.

And before he got any closer, he knew it was his wife.

A flood of questions hit him like a tsunami. What happened? Why didn’t he get her call? What was she doing here …. not just here on the beach .… here in Cannes?

She was supposed to be in Lyon finalizing the sale of her late mother’s apartment. Her mother died five years ago and for reasons only she could explain but never did, she refused to get rid of the place.

He quickened his pace to the body. The dog kept nudging her head and running around wildly on the deserted beach. The man looked at her phone again; there were numerous calls to someone named Roman. An unfamiliar name.

He heard a voice. β€œMonsieur! You are not supposed to be here with that dog! There are rules.” The local gendarmerie. Then louder, more urgently – β€œWhat have you done, monsieur? Do not move! Ici! DΓ©pΓͺchez-vous!”

And the whistles blew.

NARΒ©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-17/05/24

This is β€œWho Let The Dogs Out” by Baha Men. Hey, hippie-ye-yo!

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

Flash

And Then He Knows

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked to
write something creative in 100 words or less using
the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.

He walks on the beach with his dog, just as he always does. They have a routine. He tosses the ball, the dog brings it back. It’s all very natural and civilized.

Except for this night.

When the dog returns, he has a purse hanging from his mouth. He drops the purse and runs back to where he found it.

Looking in the purse, he sees a cell phone. Hers. The last call dialed was to him. He chases the dog; there’s a body sprawled on the rocks near the water.

And before he sees her, he knows who it is.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

17 May 2024

This is β€œO Fortuna” from Carmina Burana by Carl Orff

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

Flash

Silent Labors

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are
challenged to write something creative in
100 words or less using the photo below.
This is my story in 100 words.

They walk five miles to work every other day, softly conversing in Italian. They unlock the side door and go directly to the closet. Dragging out their supplies, they stop talking and address their task.

Kerchiefs holding back their hair, hands protected by rubber gloves, they uncap their jars of Murphy’s Oil Soap and add a small amount to their buckets of water. It doesn’t take much of the lemon-scented solution to polish every pew.

These are the church ladies. They labor silently for three hours. When done, they leave the church in darkness except for the luminous bell tower.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

17 May 2024

This is “The Bells ~ I. Allegro Ma Non Tanto by Sergei Rachmaninoff

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

Flash

Love Bites

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked to get
creative in 100 words or less using this photo as inspiration.
Here is my story.

Photo Prompt Β© Lisa Fox

Locking eyes across the room, Jaclyn and Mark gave each other the signal. A discreet nod toward the door meant it was time to bail on the noisy frat party. Clutching each other’s hands, the teens bounded down the stairs and ran across the yard until they reached the thick grove of tall maple trees.

Fiercely kissing, they fell to the ground, groping and tearing at their clothes.

β€œMark, my hair is stuck in some sticky glop” Jaclyn protested, then screamed as she spied the enormous web suspended over them.

Too late, Mark felt the agonizing sting of giant toxic pincers.

NARΒ©2024

10 May 2024

This is β€œLove Bites” by Def Leppard

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

Flash

The Girlfriend

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are challenged
to be creative in 100 words or less using this image as inspiration.

Β Β© Ted Strutz

β€œGee, the house sure is quiet. I wonder where everybody’s gone. Bobby’s been a little distant lately and that makes me sad. I mean, we’ve been best buds ever since he was a little guy. We did everything together and he wouldn’t go anywhere without me. And he gave the best hugs at night. Shh! Here he comes now! Bobby! I just knew you wouldn’t leave without me. What’re we doing today?”

β€œI’m watching TV with Becky …. alone.”

β€œGosh, Bobby. You’re my bestie. Who’s this Becky chick?”

β€œMy girlfriend. Adios, Mr. Bill!”

β€œOoh nooooo! Come back, Bobby ….

you little shit!”

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

3 May 2024

This is Connie Francis with β€œWho’s Sorry Now”

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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Secret Stash

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers where we are asked to get creative
in 100 words or less using this image for inspiration. Here’s my story.

Β© Fleur Lind

In the middle of a field there stands a great big tree and at the base of the tree’s very broad trunk is a miniature door with a little knob. Beyond that miniature door is the most dizzying of spiral staircases intricately woven together with twigs and seeds, licked-clean popsicle sticks and discarded toothpicks. Each landing of the staircase leads to a cluster of tiny rooms .… storage rooms, dining rooms, play rooms, sun rooms and hibernating rooms. Inside those tiny rooms are the giddiest chipmunks busy storing, dining, playing, sunning and, when the wintry snowflakes bluster about, snugly hibernating. 🐿️

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

26 April 2024

This is “Twigs and Seeds” by Jesse Winchester

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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Traditions

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers, using the photo below for inspiration;
the challenge is to write something creative in 100 words or less.

Β© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

There’s something very comforting about Montauk; it’s steeped in tradition, averse to change.

Case in point: the Montauk Shirt Shop which never changed its inventory …. and that was just fine. People popped in to get their mandatory summer vacation t-shirt …. not the latest fashion craze.

Things just weren’t the same after the familiar shop was renovated featuring a new step-up, almost exclusive section with high-end merchandise and souvenirs no one wanted. We looked around the new area once; it was overpriced and a bit too chi-chi for the sleepy fishing village.

Sometimes all you want is a damn t-shirt.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

19 April 2024

This is the Stones with β€œMemory Motel”,  located on 27 East in Montauk, NY right across the street from the old diner and the t-shirt store. In my younger days I’d go to the bar at the Memory Motel and may or may not have caught a glimpse of Mick and Keith mingling very comfortably with the locals. It was a simpler time, no big deal, ya know?

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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Halcyon Days

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers.
The challenge: to write a story of 100 words or less,
as inspired by the photo prompt below. Here is my story.

Photo Prompt Β© Susan Rouchard

After the wake, a few of us went back to our sister-in-law’s house. A question tap-danced in my brain: now that my husband’s brother was dead, was his widow still our sister-in-law or will she eventually be erased from the familial slate, ties severed, connections lost?

The room which they call β€˜the office’ was a confusion of books, photo albums and memorabilia piled high like Babel.

Flipping through yellowed snapshots, we spotted her, the widow, in every image …. halcyon days when we all spoke the language of youth and happiness …. and my question was answered.

She is family.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

12 April 2024

This is Jim Capaldi with β€œOld Photographs”

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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Ponte dei Sospiri

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Written for Friday Fictioneers. Greetings, friends. Some of you know, others do not. We had a death in the family last week … my husband’s twin brother passed away on Tuesday. I’ve taken some time off from writing but now I’m ready to return. You may read about our loss hereΒ if you are so inclined. Thank you for your thoughts. This is my story today.

Β© Sandra Crook

It wasn’t in the evening when a calm tide rolls out, nor in the early morning as the glorious sun rises but rather in the middle of the day, just after noon when he crossed the bridge and left us stunned and lost. One minute he was with us …. happy, strong and alive. The next he was gone, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, he crossed the bridge and slipped away. We had no time to prepare, no time to say β€œGoodbye and fare thee well, brother”. He was just gone, peacefully and silently across the bridge.

NARΒ©2024

5 April 2024

This is β€œBridge of Sighs” by Robin Trower

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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Rite Of Passage

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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.

Β© 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.

β€œYou’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.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

29 March 2024

This is β€œBallroom 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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Park Avenue

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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 Β© 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 β€œWanna 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.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

22 March 2024

This is Bette Midler with β€œFriends”

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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Frosted Flakes

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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.

Β© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

β€œSurf 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.

β€œThis 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.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

15 March 2024

This is β€œJust 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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Old Glory

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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 Β© 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.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

8 March 2024

This is β€œOur 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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Working Man

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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 Β© 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.

β€œMan, 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.

β€œFuckin’ A! It’s a freakin’ β€˜Monk’ marathon!”

NARΒ©2023
100 Words

1 March 2024

This is Loverboy with β€œWorking 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. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Remains Of The Day

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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. β€œHow can you do this, like it was nothing?”

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

β€œTwenty-three years, Beth. You can’t throw that away.”

β€œWould you just let it be, Sam, and go to work.”

β€œI’ll see you when I get home, Beth.”

β€œOblivious” 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.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

23 February 2024

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

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

Flash

Endless Love – Part 2

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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, Β 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
Β© 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 β€œLover Boy”

NARΒ©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 Β© 2017-present.

Flash

Revenge Bill

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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.

Β© Peter Abbey

β€œWhat are they looking at, Bob.”

β€œSomething rather barbaric, Ellen. I think we should just move along.”

β€œWhat do you mean β€˜barbaric’? Now I’m feeling both disturbed and curious.”

β€œIt’s an execution, Ellen.”

β€œAn execution? Here …. out in the open? When did that become legal?”

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

β€œOMG! That’s dreadful!”

β€œAn eye for an eye, Ellen.”

NARΒ©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 Β© 2017-present.

Flash

Until Now

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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

Photo Prompt Β© 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.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

2 February 2024

This is Landon Austin with β€œBlindsided”

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 Β© 2017-present.