Bill and I have agreed (for research purposes) to watch more movies with a holiday theme. This is our first one and, boy, it’s an oldie but a goodie …. a true classic with one of my favorite actors …. Jack Lemmon. It’s not exactly a holiday movie, but most of the drama unfolds during the Christmas season, which earns it a spot on my list. The Apartment, which won five Oscars (including Best Picture), follows a lonely insurance worker named C.C. Baxter (Lemmon). To climb up the corporate ladder, he starts to lend his Upper West Side apartment to company bosses who are having romantic affairs. However, things get complicated when Baxter learns that his own manager is hooking up with the woman he has feelings for. They don’t make them like this anymore. Here’s the trailer:
This week at Writing Prompts, Esther has teased us with the word ‘Christmas’. Here are some happy childhood memories from a piece I wrote in 2018. This is my 2024 version of “So This Is Christmas”.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where our host Rochelle asks us to use the photo below as inspiration to write creatively in 100 words or less while making every word count. Also in response to Gerry & Sue’s Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge where the prompt word this week is ‘frenzied’. This is my 100 word flash.
Looking through my early stories, I found one from 2017, my first year on WordPress, with only 4 likes and no comments; I thought I’d give it another shot. Any similarity between the MC and yours truly is very much intended. I hope you enjoy Lamb Stew.
Written for “Can You Tell A Story In…” – Esther asks: “Can you tell a story in 23 words?” We must use these three words in what we write: ‘quinoa’, ‘ferret’, and ‘thwart’. Here’s my 23 word story.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where our host Rochelle asks us to use the photo below as inspiration to write creatively in 100 words or less while making every word count. This is my flash.
Esther asks: “Can You Tell A Story In….?” This week’s challenge is to include the words “dentist”, “elegant”, “trout” and “pocket” in astory of exactly 30 words. Here’s my 30 word story.
Written for d’Verse Quadrille #212 – “What the What”, where the challenge is to write a poem in exactly 44 words with the word “what” as inspiration. This is my quadrille.
Written for No Theme Thursday where Kevin has offered us some incredible images to inspire and get our creative juices flowing. Revamping of a 2020 tale, this is my story.
Written for Friday Fictioneers where our host Rochelle has asked us to use the photo below as inspiration to get creative in 100 words or less, making every word count. Here’s my flash.
Imagine my surprise when I tuned into “Wheel of Fortune” and discovered you’re the new host!
Where the fuck is Pat Sajak? He could teach you a few things about show business! You have a nice smile and might have a future ahead in commercials.
You’re a cutie-pie; I wouldn’t mind a roll in the hay with you, that’s for damn sure. Next time you’re in Wichita, stop by Doris’ Donuts – simplicity at its tastiest!
This morning he found himself in the elevator with his boss; they were chatting amiably about the baseball post-season games. Joe’s boss was impressed (and a bit jealous) to learn that Joe had a home theatre set up in his rec room with a 96” Samsung smart TV.
Before he could stop himself, Joe invited his boss over for dinner, a little billiards and the baseball game that night … without first checking in with his wife, Amy. This was not the first time Joe invited someone over without asking Amy; true, they were his friends and Amy didn’t mind because they just ordered pizza and played pool. But this was his boss and Joe was expecting Amy to cook a nice meal. And it was already 3:30 PM!
Joe sent Amy a text (because he was too chicken to call her in person!): “Hey, babe! Boss coming to dinner. Big opportunity for me! Don’t care what you have to do, just make me proud. Luv ya.”
Amy stared at her phone in disbelief. A thousand thoughts raced through her head. Wishing to avoid an unpleasant conversation, she answered Joe’s text with a simple “OK” but her blood was boiling.
Two hours later when Joe and his boss opened the front door, they were greeted with the most mouthwatering aromas coming from the kitchen. Joe looked around in awe at his sparkling house and the beautifully set dining room table. Amy greeted them, all smiles and looking lovely.
“Babe!” Joe whispered breathlessly. “The place looks fabulous and dinner smells amazing. How’d you do all this?”
Amy blushed sweetly and whispered back “It wasn’t so hard, honey. I just hired Minute Maid Cleaners, a personal chef and a waiter.”
“You did what?? We couldn’t possibly afford all that!” Joe barked.
“Sure we could, honey” Amy laughed, “after I sold the pool table and the TV.”
Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #385. The challenge is to write a poem or a piece of prose in exactly 85 words using the word “vertigo”. Here’s mine.
What is this sudden disequilibrium? I feel like I could fall flat on my bum!
Tummy’s flipping and I’m gonna be sick Somebody get me some Pepto quick!
Ears are ringing, I’ve got a headache Doctor, please! I need a break!
First a fever and now the chills Pass me some of those magic pills!
My heart is racing like an SST Give it to me straight, Doc. What’s wrong with me?
What’s that you say? It’s love vertigo? There’s no cure? Well, whaddya know!
Author’s Note: Kidding aside, I am so grateful to be doing this well after major surgery. Both Bill and I are delighted with our new-found freedom; he’s been my chauffeur for the past six weeks. I’m really an excellent driver and in the 53 years I’ve been driving, I have never gotten a moving violation (and it’s not because the police have been unable to catch me!). 😎
Written for Friday Fictioneers where our host Rochelle has asked us to use the photo below as inspiration and get creative in 100 words or less, while making every word count. Here’s my flash.
Imagine if you will a girl, her dog and three hapless friends searching for a wizard to grant their deepest wishes.
People love scrappy little pups. But what if the dog was a mangy seagull with a caw like a rusty fan belt? What if his wish was to crow like a mighty rooster, to wake the townspeople with his majestic “cock-a-doodle-doo“?
The wise and benevolent wizard could not fulfill such hopes but his reassuring message was that everyone’s wishes would come true if only they dared to dream.
I do believe that gull with lofty ambitions dared to dream..
While shopping for groceries, I was surprised to see the tomatoes were mostlyorange and looked like sickly miniature pumpkins. Oh, how you mock me, my beloved red Heirlooms!
