Tag: Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge

Short Story

Driving Lessons

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

β€œDanielle wants to learn how to drive, Bob”

β€œDon’t look at me, Helen. Last year’s lessons with Vanessa nearly put me over the edge.”

β€œWell, I can’t do it! Ever since Marcia Morelli snatched that promotion for Real Estate Agent of the Year away from me, I’m spending all my time at work playing catch up.”

β€œThat’s not my problem, Helen. Anyway, I signed on to coach Brandon’s baseball team this season, remember?”

β€œOh, cry me a river, Bob! You’re the one who took an early retirement; your schedule is much more flexible than mine.”

β€œThat’s right, I retired so I could do things I enjoy like playing golf  and going fishing. It’s important to stay mobile after retirement so we don’t become dust in the wind.”

β€œWell, if you can’t do it and I can’t do it, why don’t we get Vanessa to teach Danielle how to drive?”

β€œAre you out of your mind, woman! Vanessa’s been driving less than a year. She can’t take Danielle out driving! Can you imagine the mayhem when those two hit the streets?”

β€œAt least I’m making suggestions, Bob. All you’re doing is justifying why you can’t do it.”

β€œOh, Helen, save your breath and don’t look at me with such contempt. I’m right and you know it. I won’t idly sit by and watch both our daughters driving without an adult in the car. It’s out of the question.”

β€œYou won’t? Oh, that’s wonderful, Bob! I knew you’d come around!”

β€œNow hold on there, Helen. I didn’t agree to anything.”

β€œWhy, sure you did, Bob. You said you wouldn’t sit idly by while the girls are driving around without an adult in the car.”

β€œBut I didn’t mean…..”

β€œLook at it this way, Bob. Danielle is used to being driven everywhere she goes. If you don’t teach her how to drive, you’ll just have to drive here wherever she wants to go. I’d say this is a win/win situation.”

β€œAnd how do you figure that, Helen?”

β€œSimple! By giving Danielle driving lessons, you’ll be doing your part to keep our insurance rates down, you’ll be able to coach Brandon’s baseball team and still have time to do the things you enjoy and you won’t turn into dust in the wind. And all it takes is just one daily one-hour driving lesson! You’re a genius, Bob!”

β€œI am? Yeah, I guess I am. Hey! Wait just a gosh darn minute, Helen!”

NARΒ©2024

FOWC with Fandango β€” Learn
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Edge
FOWC with Fandango β€” Snatch
FOWC with Fandango β€” Flexible
FOWC with Fandango β€” Mobile
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Streets
FOWC with Fandango β€” Contempt
FOWC with Fandango β€” Driven

This is Kansas with β€œDust In The Wind”

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.

Uncategorized

From Eden

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Sammi at Weekend Writing Prompt has challenged us to write
a poem or prose of exactly 97 words, including the word β€˜anfractuous’.
I’ve added a few other prompts I had laying around, namely from
FOWC with Fandango, Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge and
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge. This is my 97-word story.

They lived in lush green perfection of ripe fruit and pristine water. When their misadventures and disobedience angered the Maker, they and their sons were cast out.

One son, a farmer, made an offering of paltry wheat; the Maker was displeased.

The other, a shepherd, offered his firstborn lamb, which pleased the Maker.

In a panic, the jealous farmer killed his brother.

Enraged and saddened, the Maker banished the murderer, condemning him to a life of endless wandering.

AnfractuousΒ paths covered the land. The farmerΒ roamedΒ for years, until blindly falling from a cliff to his death.

NARΒ©2024
97 Words

Weekend Writing Prompt #349 – Anfractuous
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – Green
FOWC with Fandango β€” Roam
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Misadventures
FOWC with Fandango β€” Panic

This is Hozier with “From Eden”

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

Jumping The Shark

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Two prompts today:
Weekend Writing Prompt and
Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge ~
to include the words ‘bridge’ & ‘turmoil’,
all in 53 words. Here is my story.

There are certain lines that exist in society, even among the closest of friends, lines not meant to be crossed.

She not only crossed the line …. she hurtled the bridge and jumped the shark.

And why? She’s only human and carelessly, regrettably didn’t think things through; now her brain is in turmoil.

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Bridge.
Weekend Writing Prompt #348 – Turmoil

This is Billy Joel with β€œYou’re Only Human”

This portfolio (includingΒ 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.

Short Story

Big Whoop

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

It’s a fiver today,
including prompt words from
FOWC with Fandango
and Weekly Prompts Wednesday.

β€œDebonair, sophisticated and charming” sighed Alice Carter. β€œI just love that movie. Cary Grant is so good-looking and classy. They don’t make movies like that anymore, you know?” 

β€œAnd that Ingrid Bergman is some beauty, too” replied Alice’s husband Ralph. β€œThose smoldering eyes, high cheekbones, graceful neck – a real looker, that one.” 

β€œAnd so chic, too, Ralph. You always knew a real lady when you saw one. Well, I better start dinner. I’m making your favorite – sausage and potato casserole.” 

β€œI hope you made a lemon meringue pie for dessert.” 

β€œOf course! Have we ever celebrated your birthday without your favorite pie? I know what you like, Ralph.” 

“No, we have not, Alice. The kitchen is your milieu and no one makes a lemon meringue pie like you, my little chickadee!” Alice blushed with delight; Ralph’s compliments were rare these days.

Returning to the den after starting dinner, Alice found Ralph was watching the weather channel. “My goodness! That weather girl’s pants are awfully tight! They’re a bit unseemly for TV, I think. Don’t you agree, Ralph?“

“Oh, I don’t think so at all, Alice. She’s got a lovely figure; she probably works out every day. I’m sure her parents instilled in her an excellent work ethic. You know, I remember reading in some countries the TV weather girls are topless.”

“Topless? Why, I never” Alice declared indignantly; Ralph switched the channel to the news.  

Alice clucked her tongue. β€œWhy aren’t there more delightful men on the news, men like that handsome Peter Jennings?” 

β€œBecause he’s dead” replied Ralph.

β€œHow about Mike Wallace? He’s so dapper.”

β€œAlso dead” Ralph reminded Alice. 

β€œLook at that clown, Glenn Beck, wearing jeans and sneakers on a TV news show! Give him a beanie and he’d look just like one of those little rascal kids. What ever happened to that nice Matt Lauer?”

β€œFired for overt misconduct and sexual harassment” replied Ralph.

β€œGood Lord! I don’t believe it! Well, what about Bill O’Reilly, Eric Bolling and Charlie Rose?” 

β€œFired, fired and, oh yeah .… fired. Alice, can I please have a moment of peace and quiet to watch the news?” 

β€œWell, pardon me for living! No need to be rude, Ralph” she sniffed. β€œI’m going to check on the sausage casserole.” 

When she returned Alice stopped dead in her tracks. β€œOh my God, Ralph! What on earth are you watching now?” 

β€œIt’s still the news, Alice. In fact, it’s called β€˜The News Channel’. News all day, every day.”

β€œThe β€˜X Rated News Channel’, you mean! No wonder those poor men got fired. What red-blooded guy could resist floozies like that showing off their goods on national TV? They look like hookers! And look at you sitting there in your underwear all bug-eyed.  Disgusting!” Alice harrumphed. 

β€œPut a lid on it, Alice! You don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about. These women are professionals. They’re lawyers, professors and judges, not some bimbos with sketchy qualifications who just walked in off the street.” 

β€œYeah, they’re highly qualified alright …. as adult entertainers!” Alice snapped. β€œTake that one on the end with the dyed blonde hair and skirt so short I can practically see Niagara Falls! What happened …. did they run out of fabric? And the other one with the dark hair. Who is she …. one of the Kardashians? With those spike heels and implants, I’m sure she can get a job as a pole dancer!”

β€œWoah, woah, woah! That’s enough, Alice! Look, this here is Megyn Kelly. She has a law degree, is a journalist, an author and a world-famous political commentator as well as a news anchor. The dark-haired one is Kimberly Guilfoyle. She’s a political analyst, an attorney and former First Lady of San Francisco. Now she’s engaged to Donald Trump, Jr.”

β€œWell, big whoop!! If you think I’m impressed, Ralph, you’ve got another thing comin’. You’re delusional!”

β€œI don’t care what you think, Alice. I’m sure their families are very proud of them. Besides being absolutely stunning, they are brilliant. Now why don’t you just run back into the kitchen and let me enjoy my one indulgence.”

β€œIndulgence??” Alice countered. β€œSo you admit it’s all about cheap thrills and nothing to do with the news. You’re such a pig, Ralph!” 

“Alice, your ignorance is showing. Can we please stop talking about this? How’s that sausage coming, anyway? I’m starving!”

Alice saw red. β€œHere’s an idea for you, Ralph. Get Kimberly what’s-her-name to see to your sausage. I’m sure she’s highly qualified! And one more thing …. Happy Effin’ Birthday!”

NAR Β© 2024

FOWC with Fandango β€” Milieu

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge -Weather

FOWC with Fandango β€” Instill
FOWC with Fandango β€” Overt
FOWC with Fandango β€” Rude

This is Judas Priest with β€œYou’ve Got Another Thing Coming”.

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 Β© 2017-present.

Short Story

As He’d Hoped

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

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 Β© 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 cafΓ©.

Happy at last.

NARΒ©2024
100 Words

12 January 2024
Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Divorce
FOWC with Fandango β€” Expectation

This is Elbow with β€œGrounds 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 Β© 2017-present.

Flash

WRAP IT UP: A DECTINA

Nancy's Notes πŸ–ŠοΈβ™¬

Dectina Refrain:
This refrain is written as follows:
1st line – 1 syllable, 2nd line – 2 syllables
3rd line – 3 syllables, and so on for 9 lines;
the 10th line is comprised of the first four lines
as one stand-alone line.

Torn
wrapping
paper is
scattered about.
Let’s ring out the old
and ring in the new year.
Resolution-making time.
Hit the gym and start that diet.
I’ve never kept a resolution.
Torn wrapping paper is scattered about.

NAR Β© 2023

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Wrapping

This is β€œHappy Xmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon

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 Β© 2017-present.