Flash

By The Side Of The Road

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #397,
using the word β€œmerge” in exactly 28 words,
this is my fast food flash fiction.

🍩 🍦 πŸ•

Continue reading “By The Side Of The Road”
Flash

Ever Green

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #396
where we are asked to use the word β€œbeleaguer”.
In exactly 40 words, this is my flash.

Continue reading “Ever Green”
Flash

When Rudolph Went Rogue

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #395
incorporating the word β€œcommit” in exactly 64 words.
I have also used a few of the awesome images by Kevin
at No Theme Thursday. In 64 words, this is my story.

Continue reading “When Rudolph Went Rogue”
Short Story

Christmas With Mary

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #394
incorporating the word β€œberate” in exactly 90 words.
I have also used one of the awesome images by Kevin
at No Theme Thursday. In 90 words, this is my story.

Continue reading “Christmas With Mary”
Flash

Yo Ho

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #393
incorporating the word β€œoccident” in exactly 23 words.
Also for Sue & Gerry’s Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge
(red) and FOWC (vague). In exactly 23 words, this is my flash.

Continue reading “Yo Ho”
Flash

Devastation

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #392
incorporating the word β€œswarm” in a composition of 10 words.
Also for Sue & Gerry’s Weekly Prompts – The One Day
Prompt (8)
. In exactly 10 words, this is my flash.

Continue reading “Devastation”
Flash

Paternal Pardon

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #391
incorporating the word β€œvicinity” in exactly 50 words.
Also for FOWC – β€˜traditional’, FOWC – β€˜doubt’ and
Gerry C & Sue W’s Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge

– β€˜nurturing’. In exactly 50 words, this is my flash.

Continue reading “Paternal Pardon”
Flash

Seeing Red

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #390
incorporating the word β€œdiamond” in exactly 19 words
and based on a true event I’ll never forget. Here’s my flash.

Continue reading “Seeing Red”
Flash

Slim Pickings

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #389
incorporating the word β€œhunter” in exactly 99 words.
Also responding to Gerry & Sue’s Weekly Prompts
Wednesday Challenge
(β€œduplicity”) and Sue & Gerry’s
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge (β€œmethod”).
For further inspiration, I am using one of the amazing
graphic prompts created by Kevin at No Theme Thursday.
Here is my 99 word flash.

Continue reading “Slim Pickings”
Flash

Feeling Lucky

Written for Sammi’s Weekly Writing Prompt #388
in exactly 21 words and incorporating the word β€œdark”
and for Sue W & Gerry C’s Weekly Prompts Colour
Challenge
using the word β€œgrey”. Here is my flash.

Continue reading “Feeling Lucky”
Flash

Tout Doucement

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #387 and
Sue W & Gerry C’s Weekly Prompts – The One Day Prompt #7,
incorporating the words β€˜unexpected’ and β€˜one day’
written in exactly 15 words. This is my 15-word flash.

Continue reading “Tout Doucement”
Flash

Dear Ryan

Written for Kevin’s No Theme Thursday 10.17.14 photo prompt,
Sammi’s 94 word Weekend Writing Prompt #386,
Sue & Gerry’s Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge
and Gerry & Sue’s Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge.
Responses must be exactly 94 words (for Sammi), including
‘teach’, ‘ahead’ and ‘simplicity’. Here’s my little story.

Β© Kevin @ No Theme Thursday

Doris sat in the kitchen proofreading her letter.

Dear Ryan Seacrest –

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!

I’ll keep the light on.

Fondly, Doris Lipsmacker

NARΒ©2024
94 Words

From 1952, this is β€œWheel of Fortune” by Kay Starr

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.


Poem

Chills and Fever

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!

NARΒ©2024
85 Words

From 1964, this is β€œChills and Fever” featuring a 24 year old Tom Jones and his group, The Senators.

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

“Fresh” Tomatoes

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt 384 (groceries),
Sue & Gerry’s Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge (mainly orange)
and Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (mock). Here’s my 29 word flash.

One “fresh” Heirloom tomato. How rude!

While shopping for groceries, I was surprised to see the tomatoes were mostly orange and looked like sickly miniature pumpkins. Oh, how you mock me, my beloved red Heirlooms!

NARΒ©2024
29 Words

This is β€œHome Grown Tomatoes” by Jay Ungar and Molly Mason

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

Propagation of Uncertainty

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #383
where we are asked to get creative in exactly 80 words using
any form of the required word “calculate”. Here is my flash.

Construction on the Queensboro Bridge, AKA the 59th Street Bridge, New York
Β© Pinterest

Think about all the calculations involved in bridge building – not the least of which is the maximum weight a bridge can hold at any given time. I’m not a mathematician or an engineer but it’s obvious the answer isn’t one you can get wrong … ever. No guessing allowed! One small miscalculation could spell disaster. Imagine tossing and turning in bed after handing in your numbers to the bridge committee, wondering if the decimal point was in the right place.

NARΒ©2024
80 Words

This is β€œThe 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) by Simon & Garfunkel.

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

Eat Me!

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #382
where we are asked to get down in exactly 22 words,
using the required word β€œplease”. Here’s my flash.

Β© naturallyella.com

Now that Autumn is here, I’m thinking Brown Butter Pecan Pancakes with a side scoop of butter pecan ice cream. Yes, please!

NARΒ©2024
22 Words

Here’s the recipe link: https://naturallyella.com/brown-butter-and-pecan-pancakes/

This is β€œHarvest Moon” by Neil Young

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

Going To The Mattresses*

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #381 where
Sammi asks us to use the prompt word “bungle” and
get creative in exactly 41 words. Here’s my flash.

Β© Pinterest

Dio mio! I’m afraid I’ve bungled things quite badly.

While planning the seating arrangement for my son’s wedding, I inadvertently placed Zia Carmella at Table 1 and her sister, Zia Francesca, at Table 2.

An insult! Disgrazia!

This means war!

NARΒ©2024
41 Words

* In times of war or siege, Italian families would vacate their homes and rent apartments in safer areas. In order to protect themselves they would hire soldiers to sleep on the floor in shifts. The meaning of the phrase “going to the mattresses” symbolizes the association inΒ Italian folk-memory of mattresses with safety in wartime. The phrase wasn’t well known outside the US and Italy prior to the Godfather movies. It was used there, and later in The Sopranos, to mean “preparing for battle”.

When Kay met Michael, scenes from an Italian wedding (Godfather, 1972) featuring Al Martino as Johnny Fontane. This is “I Have But One Heart (O Marenariello)”

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

Tears Come Easy

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #380 and
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge where the required words
are ‘auction’ and ‘lilac’. In exactly 78 words, here is my story
.

My husband came home from grocery shopping and after putting away the ice cream said to me, β€œI stopped by the Chatsworth Auction House. Look what I found.”

He handed me a small box; inside were vintage lilac gemstone and silver filigree earrings.

I started to cry … tears come easy … and he asked β€œWhat’s wrong?”

β€œNothing. They’re perfect” I sobbed. β€œJust like the ones I lost years ago.”

β€œI remember” he whispered and kissed my head.

NARΒ©2024
78 Words

This is β€œI Remember You” by Frank Ifield

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

From Where to Eternity*

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #379 and
Weekly Prompts – The One-Day Prompt. In exactly
82 words and including the required words
“timepiece” and “one day”, here is my flash.

Β© HBO, The Sopranos

The Sopranos, Episode 2.09. A post-surgery Christopher Moltisanti frantically pumps his morphine drip.

Those were my thoughts at 4AM after waking up in agony; my 8-Hour Tylenol  had worn off two hours early, alerting the pain timepiece in my brain.

Clearly the Tylenol isn’t cutting it, but due to federal guidelines and crackdowns, a doctor’s ability to prescribe necessary painkillers has been seriously restricted and people like me living in the US are getting screwed.

Maybe one day they’ll get it right.

NARΒ©2024
82 Words
*The Sopranos, Season 2, Episode 9

This is the opening theme for The Sopranos, β€œWoke Up This Morning”, by Alabama 3.

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.

Poem

Whole Lotta Shakin’

Written for Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge with the
prompt word ‘bank’ and for Weekend Writing Prompt #377
using the word ‘reverberate’ in exactly 43 words. Here’s my piece.

When my kids played
the whole house would
shake
like an eight point
earthquake
and the coins in their
piggy bank
would
reverberate
as the crystal glasses
in the dining room
breakfront
did the hippy hippy
shake
and I
baked
an
earthquake
cake

NARΒ©2024
43 Words

You can find the recipe for Earthquake Cake HERE.

This is β€œThe Hippy Hippy Shake” by the Swinging Blue Jeans

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

Not My Bag, Baby

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #376
where we are to write something in exactly 20 words
and include the word ‘handmade’. Here’s my flash.

Β© Nancy Richy

This quilted pillow is the only handmade item I’ve stitched.

I’m a cook and crafter but sewing’s not my thing!

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

This is β€œI Am Woman” by the one and only Peggy Lee.

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

Brace Yourself

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #375,
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge and
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge,
31 words exactly using the three prompt words
of defray, brown and rigid. Here is my flash.

Mary went rigid and her soft brown eyes filled with tears when she saw the orthodontist’s bill. With no dental insurance, she’d have to find some way to defray the expense.


NARΒ©2024
31 Words

https://sammiscribbles.wordpress.com/2024/08/03/weekend-writing-prompt-375-defray/


This is β€œEasy Money” by Billy Joel

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 Punchy

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #371
where we are asked to get creative in exactly 54 words using the prompt word “timorous”. Here’s my story.

Nelly was a timorous sort; every little thing turned her into a nervous wreck.

So the other night at the dinner party when everyone except Nelly started feeling deathly ill while she stood off to the side calmly sipping her water, the truth became obvious.

Nelly was the one who poisoned the punch bowl.

NARΒ©2024
54 Words

This is β€œLittle Drop Of Poison” by Tom Waits

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

Noble Spirit

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #370,
incorporating the word ‘pirate’ in a story of exactly 74 words.
Also for Thursday Inspiration #234 – ‘No Matter What/Nothing’,
What Do You See #242 (#WDYS) and
Weekly Prompts –
The One-Day Prompt (3)
. Here is my story in exactly 74 words.

Β© Michael Dziedzic @ Unsplash

The fiery battle raged for days; in the end Evalyn, the Pirate Goddess, was victorious … but at what cost?

While fighting on deck, there was a sudden cannon retort followed by grapeshot finding its mark … Evalyn’s beautiful face. Her eyes were spared but she was disfigured.

That one day changed Evalyn into a stronger woman. For her, nothing else mattered.

Fashioning a mask of solid gold, she became Evalyn, the Noble Pirate.

NARΒ©2024
74 Words

This is β€œNothing Else Matters” by Metallica

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

Bad Medicine

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #369
where we are challenged to write something clever
in exactly 33 words using the word “spoonful”.

Identical medicine bottles was how my non-English speaking grandfather almost killed my grandmother.

Alone for 15 minutes resulted in administering a near-fatal spoonful of massaging oil of wintergreen instead of dextromethorphan for coughs.

NARΒ©2024
33 Words

This is β€œBad Medicine” by Bon Jovi

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

Inquiring Minds

Written for Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge
and Weekend Writing Prompt #368 where we are
asked to be creative in exactly 100 words incorporating
the prompt words “sleep” and “quaint”. This is my story.

Poe Cottage Photo @ Pinterest

We visited the Poe Cottage this week, former home of the poet Edgar Allan Poe. It’s about a 30 minute drive from my house and I thought my two teenage grandchildren would enjoy the walk-around since they’re both reading the works of Poe in school.

It’s a quaint old place with small bedrooms, a common kitchen-parlor-dining room downstairs and an upstairs loft. My 6’ tall grandson questioned how a grown man could sleep in the tiny bed.

At one point I realized my grandson had gone missing. Imagine my embarrassment when he was found napping in Poe’s bed!

Inquiring minds.

Poe Cottage Bedroom Photo @ Pinterest

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

This is β€œI’m So Tired” 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

Love Happens

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #367 using the required
word “party” in exactly 88 words; Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge,
with the required word “peak” and Weekly Prompts Wednesday
Challenge
using the required word “sunset“. Here’s my flash.

Yesterday was our anniversary, wed 52 years. No party necessary.

None of our friends who married around the same time are still together. How sad is that?

People have asked β€œWhat’s the secret to a long and happy marriage?” For us it’s pretty simple: respect, communication, honesty, having a sense of humor.

When you combine those ingredients, love happens. You can manage the lows and celebrate the peaks, watch the dawns and the sunsets, walk hand-in-hand through the ordinary and make it extraordinary.

That’s us. Uncomplicated. Happy together.

NARΒ©2024
88 Words

This is β€œHappy Together” by the Turtles.

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

Check List

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #366
where we are to get creative using the word β€˜Monday’
in exactly 25 words. Here are my 25 words.

Garbage out? βœ“
Clean sheets? βœ“
Toilets swished? βœ“
Kitchen mopped? βœ“
Pain Management appointment? βœ“

Trigger point injections and back massage? βœ“

Lather, rinse, repeat next week! βœ“

Routine Monday maintenance. βœ“

NARΒ©2024
25 Words

This is β€œYakety Yak” by the Coasters

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not for use without permission which I usually give when asked. NARΒ©2017-present.

Flash

Fanning The Flames

Written for Weekend Writing Prompt #365
and Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge.
Our write must be 61 words exactly and include
the words ‘pause’ and ‘heroism’. Here’s my flash.

Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
Cambridge, England

This weekend in the US we pause to honor all Americans who died in any war while serving in the US Armed Forces.

There have been 108 wars involving the US, including 11 major wars, 4 ongoing. That’s a lot of fighting, bloodshed, death, heroism.

If war is hell, why do we keep fanning the flames? When will we ever learn?

NARΒ©2024
61 words

This is β€œWhere Have All The Flowers Gone” by the Kingston Trio

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

Pointless

Written for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #364
where we are asked to be creative with the word
“squander” in exactly 11 words. Here is my creation.

Squander not your thoughts
on the predestined;
it is useless worry.

NARΒ©2024
11 Words

This is β€œWhy Worry” by Dire Straits.

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.