Friday Fictioneers – Page 5 – The Elephant's Trunk

Pennies From Heaven

January 26, 2024January 26, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

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

January 26, 2024February 4, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

“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”

Flash

Thin Skin

January 19, 2024January 18, 2024 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.
🥶

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.

Short Story

As He’d Hoped

January 12, 2024January 11, 2024 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.

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”

Flash

Chosen

January 5, 2024January 12, 2024 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

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”

Uncategorized

APPLE BLOSSOM TIME

December 29, 2023December 29, 2023 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.*

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

December 22, 2023December 22, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

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

Flash

BLUE CHRISTMAS

December 14, 2023December 13, 2023 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.

“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?

December 8, 2023December 7, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

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

December 1, 2023November 29, 2023 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.

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

November 24, 2023November 22, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

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

November 17, 2023November 17, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

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

November 11, 2023November 10, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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

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 i ncredible. 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

November 3, 2023November 3, 2023 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

November 3, 2023November 3, 2023 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!”

3 November 2023

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

Flash

AN ENIGMA

October 27, 2023October 27, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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.

27 October2023

FOWC with Fandango — Hike

Here are The Police performing “Every Breath You Take”

Uncategorized

FORCE MAJEURE

October 20, 2023October 20, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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.

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

October 15, 2023October 16, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

“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!

13 October 2023

This is Jubing Kristianto performing “Fish and Chips”

Flash

MIGHTY MOUSE

October 8, 2023October 7, 2023 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.

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

September 29, 2023September 28, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

“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.”

29 September 2023

Flash

CHEEKY BASTARD

September 20, 2023September 20, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

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!

22 September 2023

Flash

HOTEL BENNETT

September 15, 2023September 14, 2023 Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

We sat in the Gabrielle Dining Room of the Hotel Bennett, the same table by the window where we dined while on our honeymoon five years earlier.

Paul looked so handsome; I couldn’t look away as he smiled at me, the corners of his eyes crinkling ever so slightly.

My dress was his favorite – the black velvet with the daring neckline. After five years of marriage he was still captivated by me.

And I loved him, I truly did.

But business came first.

I whispered “Goodbye, darling”.

Too late, he became aware of the sniper’s laser aimed at his heart.

15 September 2023

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