Wednesday, December 31, 2014

She flashed more than her smile!





I laughed as I wrote this one. Hope you do, too.

The prompt: The old house with its wildly overgrown garden was silent, secretive,


The old house with its wildly overgrown garden was silent, secretive, and exactly what Megan wanted. “It’s perfect,” she said.
        The realtor put her phone away. “The owner wants first and last month’s rent and a $500 cleaning deposit. He said he’d come by later to trim the trees.”
        “Tell him I like it the way it is.”
        “But you could have a view of the lake.”
        “I prefer privacy.”
        Later that week Megan lay in the sun completely nude when a man in overalls entered the yard with a chainsaw. He stopped and stared. “Little breezy, ain’t it?”  
  

Now check out what the others wrote:





Tuesday, December 23, 2014

'Twas the Night Before Christmas




Merry Christmas to all! And to all, a good night!
This week’s prompt: He didn’t want to go out on such a night, but


Ebenezer blew out the candle. He fluffed up his pillow, closed the bed curtains and settled down for a long winter’s nap. “I’ve been working too hard,” he muttered. Marley, you old dog. You can’t scare me. “Bah! Humbug!” He didn’t want to go out on such a night, but joyous carolers sang outside on the street below. A sudden thud struck his window. “Stupid fools!” He tore open the shutter and threw up the sash. “Be gone or I’ll call the constable!” A snow ball struck him on the head and he fell backwards onto the bed. “Bah! Humbug!”


Let’s see what the others wrote:






Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Brrrrr!




Cell phones are amazing. How did we ever get along without them? Believe it or not, there are still places on the planet where there’s no coverage.

Today’s prompt: She kept checking her phone and email, wishing someone would make contact.


Antarctica had always been her dream. Not anymore. Dr. Karen Hancock sat in her cabin staring at her phone. The ship would leave shortly and once at sea, all contact with civilization would end. Karen’s world would shrink to the size of the scientific station at McMurdo Bay. She kept checking her phone and email, wishing someone would make contact—someone named Dr. Mike O’Dell, her dentist. After he’d filled her dental caries last summer, they’d fallen in love. But while she studied penguins on the ice shelf, would he wait? Suddenly a text message buzzed. I’ll always love you.   


I like happy endings! Now let’s see what the others wrote:





Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Falling Fast!





I have no desire to go into space but I enjoy Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy!

Prompt: As he fell he waited for

After orbiting the earth three times, Friendship 7 plummeted through the atmosphere. John Glenn sat in the cramped capsule, his gaze fixed on the altimeter. He made it, thank God! The heat shield hadn’t come loose and the capsule hadn’t burned during the descent. At one point during the flight, he had to abandon the automatic control system, using the manual electrical fly-by-wire system instead. As he fell, he waited for the parachutes to open. In a few minutes he’d splash down in the Atlantic. Navy helicopters would come to his rescue and his life would be forever changed.


Let’s find out what the others wrote:










Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Bully in the Classroom





This week’s flash fiction takes place in the classroom. Schools campaign against bullying but sometimes the teacher is the bully.

The prompt: His voice had never sounded so cold.

Mr. Garbett had been teaching math more than thirty years. Hallie knew this because he had taught algebra when her mother was in school. “We multiply the coefficients,” he droned in a nasal whine, all the while scribbling numbers on the white board. “What happens to the exponents in the equation?”  The room was silent. Seventh graders twirled their pencils and stared at the clock. Only Hallie raised her hand. “Multiply?” she guessed. “Have you been listening for the past half hour?” His voice had never sounded so cold. “Add?” she whimpered. “Give that girl a gold star. Class dismissed.”


I wonder what the others wrote. Let’s find out:







Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Lights Out!





This week’s prompt: As he took in the view from the 20th floor, the lights went out all over the city.

Jake hailed from Florida—the land of oranges, palm trees and alligators, but no mountains. The tallest building in his hometown was three stories high. He’d recently been transferred to the Big Apple, to an office in the One World Trade Center. On Christmas Eve it was freezing cold. Stores had closed early, the streets were icy and Jake was homesick. He’d gone to his office to see the Christmas lights from his office window. As he took in the view from the 20th floor, the lights went out all over the city. What a re-volting development!


Now check out what the other participants wrote:










Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Flash, Flash, Flash!




The flash fiction prompt this week: He wanted her job and it would be easy enough to discredit her.

Jim’s fingers hovered over the keys of the cash register. He glanced from side to side. No one was watching. Mrs. Rembelski was at the front of the store helping a customer choose between a Zenith or a Motorola television set. She could go on and on about anodes and cathodes in that annoying Texas drawl of hers. If he entered $99.99 instead of $29.99 in the cash register no one would know until Mrs. R had to explain the loss. His lips twisted in a smirk. He wanted her job and it would be easy enough to discredit her.

Let’s see what the others wrote:

mistglenmoon.net/blog

myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com

Saturday, November 15, 2014

A Dash of Flash!

WonHundred Word Wednesday came and went this week and I didn’t get my flash fiction posted. Better late than never!

Prompt: Why shouldn’t they help themselves after the way they’d been treated?


The queen frowned. “Close the window, Cozette. I don’t want to hear that awful racket.”
“Yes, M’Lady.” Cozette obeyed, gazing at the scene below. People ran about with baskets of stolen food.
“What’s happening out there?” the queen asked.
“The people are rioting. They’re hungry.”
Her Highness took a frosted delicacy from the tray. “Let them eat cake.”
The ladies-in-waiting giggled. “You’re a wit, M’Lady.”
“Bring more tea, Cozette.”
Cozette hurried to the kitchen where all the women were abuzz about the riots. A plump cook said, “Mon Dieu! Why shouldn’t they help themselves after the way they’d been treated?”

Now I hope you’ll stop by the other blogs and read what they wrote with the prompt.



lauradbastian.com





Tuesday, November 4, 2014

WonHundred Word Wednesday!

I’m not a fan of the lottery. I’ve never even bought a ticket.  But writing flash fiction with this prompt was fun.

Prompt: What do you mean you lost the lottery ticket.

          Grandpa sat in his recliner watching the announcer on tv pull the first numbered ping pong ball out of a wire cage. Grandma stood behind him, fingers crossed.
          “12”
          Grandpa leaned forward. “We’re off to a good start,” he said.
          “28”
          “Oh, Leeland,” Grandma said. “Do you think?”
          “64”
          “We won!” Grandpa shouted. “I knew our wedding date was lucky!”
          Grandma went to her purse and began rummaging through it. “It’s not here!” she wailed.
          “What do you mean, you lost the lottery ticket?”   
          “Do you still love me?” she asked.
          He nodded. “Always and forever.”
          “Hallelujah! Here it is!”


Now check these out!









Wednesday, October 29, 2014

WonHundred Word Wednesday






Prompt: Was it a knock that had woken her?


Dannika sat up in bed. Was it a knock that had woken her? No one knew she was at the cabin except her aunt. She slipped out of bed and pulled on her jeans. Who’s out there? The cabin had seemed the perfect place to study for finals. No service on her cell phone, no tv, no internet. Now she wasn’t so sure. She ducked into the kitchen, took a knife from the drawer, and went to the front door to make sure the deadbolt was secure.  Just as she peeked through the drapes, she heard a woodpecker tap-tap-tapping. Phew!






Sunday, October 26, 2014

Noisy Birds




Can you identify these birds? They are sandhill cranes. During the summer months they fly overhead every morning on their way to the marsh and fly back in the afternoon. They’re noisy!


Flying Fish Wives

From inside the house
I hear the cranes
Flying overhead.
Chatter-prattle
Jabber-twaddle
Complaining fish wives
As if they own the sky.


The First Snow Birds

For ten million winters
Sandhill cranes
With six foot wingspans
Have flapped a thousand miles
To forage roots, frogs and worms in a shallow marsh
And dance in the southern sun.


Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Flash By!




The prompt:  As she searched, her movements were frantic.

 Danny sat in the blind, shivering. The temperature had plummeted at sunset, but he couldn’t leave. Fifteen feet below him, a female grizzly stood erect on her hind legs and sniffed the air. His platform was hidden in branches but his scent must have smelled appetizing.  He whispered a prayer, fumbling with his phone. No service. The bear snorted. She lumbered through the brush, batting aside the saplings . As she searched, her movements were frantic. She raised her immense head and growled.   Moments later, her cub gamboled up to meet her. She nosed it and they both meandered away.   

I wonder what everyone else wrote. Let’s find out!







Monday, October 20, 2014

Escape to the Woods!






Our poetry club went on a fall retreat earlier this month. We sat under the golden aspens and wrote poems for almost an hour. Afterwards, we read our poems and then listened to a friend play his twelve-string guitar. What a treat! I wrote these poems that beautiful afternoon.

#1
Golden leaves flutter
They timidly cling and shake.
Go, little birds. Fly!

#2
Five aspen trees grow from
        A single heart,
Like brothers and sisters playing
        Ring around the rosies.
But none fall down.

#3
In the silence under the trees, I hear the breeze tickle the quakies. I hear the shallow brook rippling over the rocks and I hear my own thoughts. They sound louder, clearer. In the silence under the trees, my voice is a sacrilege.  

#4
As time passes,
The cool breeze tells us it’s getting late.
We have to go back to our busy lives
Or do we?


Thursday, October 16, 2014

Flash!



WonHundred Word Wednesday happened yesterday and I missed it! Better late than never.

Prompt: They say everyone who looks into their family history will find a secret sooner or later.

Sixteen year-old Molly McLemore thought genealogy was boring. Names on a census list or statistics on a gravestone—creepy! But Sunday afternoon in the McLemore home had been set aside for family history and now it was Molly’s turn.  As she stared at the computer screen her eyes widened. “Mom, come look at this.” Molly pointed at the monitor. “Look who I found on our family tree. Robert L. Parker.” “Who’s he?” “Don’t you know? Butch Cassidy.” Her mother laughed. “They say everyone who looks into their family history will find a secret sooner or later. And you found ours!”


Now check out the others:

jaclynweist.blogspot.com
http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/
http://www.myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com/
http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/
http://www.lauradbastian.com/

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

WonHundred Word Wednesday!



The prompt: There was nothing left of the money except

Brad shoved his clothes into the dryer—jeans, shirts, socks, and underwear. Even his college sweatshirt, the one he’d bought when he arrived on campus a week ago. His mother had told him to separate whites and darks but who has time? Brad slipped four quarters in the slot and ran off to class. Mid-Chemistry, he remembered the money. Brad’s stomach tightened. As soon as class ended he hurried back to the laundromat. His clothes lay piled up in a cart. He fingered the pockets of his jeans. There was nothing left of the money except a shiny, clean quarter. 

Now check out the others:
Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/
Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters http://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Flash Fiction Fun





WonHundred Word Wednesday!

The prompt : He didn’t understand what he’d done to her, but he would by the time she was finished.


Seth brushed his teeth, getting ready for his date, and glanced up at himself in the mirror. Wisps of unruly red hair protruded over his ears. Emily was right. He needed a haircut. But it was too late.  “Emily,” he called out to his thirteen year-old sister, “could you snip off these loose ends?” She came into the bathroom, her face a frown. “Why should I help you? You called me a dork.” “Yeah. Sorry about that,” he said, handing her the scissors. He didn’t understand what he’d done to her, but he would by the time she was finished. 


Now go check out what everyone else wrote:


Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): http://alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com/
Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Wintershttp://lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com





Monday, September 29, 2014

Twitter Poems





Do you use twitter? I do. It’s a great tool for connecting with other writers.  I often see links to blogs that interest me.  Twitter posts contain only 140 characters or less—a challenge for a poet.

#1
A tweet on twitter
Connects me with writer friends
All alone and bored.

#2
Sitting on the front porch
Chocolate cookie in hand
Waiting for my muse
To peek
From behind the clouds.


#3
Caught on the barbed-wire
It fills and flaps in the wind
My plastic bag of dreams





Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Flash Fiction Fun

It’s WonHundred Word Wednesday! 

The prompt: He hadn’t meant to scare the child 

It was a chilly Christmas Eve in Tucson, Arizona. Officer Tippets sat in his vehicle filling out paperwork when he saw a child in his headlights. She wore only a tiara and a diaper. “Where’s your mommy?” He hadn’t meant to scare the child but now she gagged between sobs. “Don’t cry, little one. I won’t hurt you.” He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. “Come with me. We’ll find mom,” he said, carrying her to the warm police car. He took the emergency teddy bear from the glove box and she hugged it close. “Merry Christmas.”

 Check them out!

Jennifer Lee www.myfam-i-lee.blogspot.com Alison Woods (Peering Into. . .): alisonmillerwoods.wordpress.com Amryn Scott: wildscottkids.wordpress.com Canda Mortensen: candamortensen.blogspot.com Jaclyn Weist: jaclynweist.blogspot.com Laura D. Bastian: www.lauradbastian.com Leah Sanders, inklings: inklings-leahsanders.blogspot.com Lindzee Armstrong/Lydia Winters: lindzeearmstrong.blogspot.com Miranda D. Nelson: www.mirandadnelson.blogspot.com Starimprint http://starimprint.blogspot.com/ Wendy Knight, Author: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com
Jenna Eatough http://mistglenmoon.net/blog/

Sunday, September 21, 2014

It's Autumn! Time for a Poem or Two



The maple leaves are beautiful right now! And the aspens are golden yellow patches on the mountainsides. I love autumn. Have you seen this poem by e.e. cummings? He focused on (and imitated) the action of a falling leaf in this  poem.



l(a
le

af
fa
ll

s)

one
l

iness

It might help to see the poem unbroken: 
"l(a leaf falls) oneliness." 
Cummings wrote the sentence so that the action of a leaf falling is actually contained within the word "loneliness." 
I wrote a poem inspired by the first line of a poem by a Canadian poet, Bliss Carman. 
"There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood"

There is something in the autumn that is native to my blood
Colder, longer nights,
the smell of wood smoke in the air.
One lonely fly buzzes by
my soup bowl,
                wondering
What happened to summer?