August 16: Flash Fiction Challenge – The Comet

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Michael

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August 16, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a comet. You can consider how it features into a story, influences a character, or creates a mood. Go where the prompt leads.

They said if we dared look at it there could be all sorts of negative consequences. It was a light in the sky, a long way off, what harm could it do?

The first night there was a report of people throwing themselves into the sea. The second night fish throwing themselves from the sea. The third night people danced naked in the streets. The fourth night everyone slept soundly.

The comet disappeared the fifth day. In some places, there were no people, in others streets were lined with rotting fish. But everywhere people looked for their discarded clothes.

 

Written for: https://carrotranch.com/2018/08/16/august-16-flash-fiction-challenge/

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Thursday photo prompt: Circle #writephoto – The Gork Ancient Order of Druids

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Michael

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In the ancient village of Gork, there was a small group of men who like many villages of the time had their own ancient order of druids called the Gork Ancient Order of Druids.

Though small in number they were enthusiastic and dedicated. One of their member Gork Stonefoot had ventured out to other villages to see what their druids were up to and discovered vast stones set in all sorts of patterns in homage of the sun, moon or in some cases Tuesdays.

The Gork druids decided they too would have stones and as they were a vertically challenged group of men their stones were more befitting of their size.

And so, after much argument as to where the stones should be placed a final vote was taken and a circular pattern would be established that would allow them to see one another.

Gork Stoneface had composed a chant, lots of “oomms” and the occasional “golla golla golla” more for effect than anything else.

The stones were sourced from Gork Stonearm’s farm and dragged to the site by Gork Stoneteeth’s oxen.

A larger stone was erected after much huffing and puffing, and that was to be the leader’s seat of wisdom. The leader would be voted on each full moon, and so everyone would get a chance to be the leader and feel the sense of importance at being so.

Gork Stonehead was the first leader, a tough man, a fair man with little to no idea about leadership. Stonehead liked to dance and so set the precedent for future leaders to introduce some favourite thing they liked to do. Though when Gork Stoneknit took over, there were raised eye brows at his penchant for knitting woollen helmets.

And so, in the fullness of time, the Gork Ancient Order of Druids left for future generations not much more than a few stones standing among the over-grown grass and a whole bunch of unanswered questions.

 

Written for: https://scvincent.com/2018/08/16/thursday-photo-prompt-circle-writephoto/

 

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Reena’s Exploration Challenge #Week 50

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Michael

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When my marriage ended, it was not a pretty sight.

My wife never saw it coming. She thought she had me so trapped there was nowhere for me to go. Marriage was not about bliss and joy it was about servitude and abuse. Which was my experience and I admire those who find it otherwise.

Leaving was not easy, there were children involved, and the financial side of it would in time cripple me.

But there were other factors, such as belonging and freedom.

I left to save both myself and my children. No one should live in an abusive relationship. The impact on my children was devastating, and it took many years to repair that damage as three of my kids were teenagers when all this happened.

They knew what was going on and understood why I had to leave but being young they also wanted a mum and dad like everyone else.

One of the things I noticed in the first weeks of leaving was my lack of a sense of belonging. It was a strange feeling of being displaced and feeling there was no place that was mine. I certainly experienced freedom, that realization that a huge weight had been taken off me was a wonderful sensation.

It took me some time to gain any sense of belonging even though I left and went to live with my dad who was aging and welcomed me into his home as I know he saw me as a source of assistance to him.

The landscape if you like to call it of my post-marriage days was rocky, to say the least. I had a great sense of responsibility to my children whom I’d left behind, so I was easy prey for a while to my ex asking for help with any of them.

She would invite me to go and talk about this one or other, and I’d do so. The trouble was that conversation was a ploy to get me alone with her and after a minute ‘discussing’ the child in question the next 90 minutes would be about me and all the evil I had committed in being her husband.

I used to tell a work colleague about these events and one day she asked me if it was all worth it.

My reply was “Freedom is priceless.”

 

Written for: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/reenas-exploration-challenge-week-50/

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FOWC with Fandango — Modern

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Michael

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My neighbour Mr Fango could never be accused of being modern. It was clear to me that the cutting edge of technology had long passed him by.

I know this because he still used a push mower and hand shears to cut his hedge. Added to that his home had a fuel stove and Mrs Fango wore old lady shoes even in middle age.

I mentioned this to my mum and dad at the dinner table one night, and they told me that Mr and Mrs Fango belonged to an age-old religious group who rejected modernization in every way.

Though it was true, they had a telephone and one day I spied Mrs Fango greeting the pizza guy at their door. Mr Fango though always the wore the same khaki overalls every day of the week, and I think if he was a church goer he’d wear them there as well.

It came as a surprise one day to see a new car in their driveway as it turned out Mr Fango had come into a large amount of money and had splashed out on something modern after all.

 

Written for: https://fivedotoh.com/2018/08/16/fowc-with-fandango-modern/

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Tale Weaver – #184 – Time’s Up – 16th August – Andy Russell’s Soul

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Michael

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Andy Russell lay on his death bed drawing one pained breath in after another. Around him, his family hung on every breath thinking that might be his last.

Inside Andy, his soul fought tooth and nail to stay with his body. Throughout his life, Andy had been determined and always got what he wanted. But now as his life ebbed away, his soul took notice of the two entities standing at the back of the room. It was these two deities who would determine the fate of his soul and his soul wasn’t keen to engage them in the question of Andy’s eternity.

The two entities were Wayne and Greg. These were the angels of the next world. Wayne was the representative of Hell and Greg the Angel of Heaven.

They were friends charged with after the death of a soul to direct it to either the downstairs or upstairs. Their day had been interrupted by Andy’s impending death. In a way, they dreaded Andy’s passing because they had long detected that the soul in question was afraid of them and therefore would put up an extraordinary battle to avoid facing them.

Wayne tapped his foot impatiently, and Greg checked his nails as they waited for Andy to breathe his last. Before arriving, they had checked Andy’s life story and concluded Andy could be a candidate for either up or down.

Andy had been a politician most of his life. In that capacity, he had learned the ability to enact great deeds and at the same time develop the ability to lie with a straight face.

There was a sigh among his family as Andy took his final breath. His soul floated up out of his body and Wayne, and Greg stood to attention as the soul floated towards them.

“So,” announced Wayne, “Your time’s up.”

“Well Andy,” said Greg, “here we are, at the moment of your eternity.”

“So, what’s it to be?” asked Wayne by now very impatient. Impatience was a virtue only the agents of Hell possessed, and Greg often felt envious of it as the Heavenly bodies like him did not possess such a quality.

Andy’s soul hesitated a moment before moving towards Greg with a resigned but hopeful on his face. Then looking at Wayne and realizing his bad deeds in life far outweighed his good he stood beside Wayne.

“As I thought, “remarked Greg, “a good choice. A choice I’m glad you made and not us.”

“Welcome to your eternity Andy,” announced Wayne as a dark shadow moved across Andy and led him away.

The two entities now satisfied their work was over stood and watched as Andy drifted away.

“I’m feeling a bit peckish,” said Wayne as Andy’s soul disappeared.

“Same here,” replied Greg, “souls can be such exhausting creatures.

“You pack a ham sandwich* today?” asked Wayne

“Certainly did. You bring the sushi?” asked Greg already licking his lips.

“Would I let you down? Hell’s Kitchen, the best sushi in eternity,” exclaimed Wayne handing Greg a small wrapped parcel of delicious nourishment.

“Enjoy the sandwich, Gandhi and Mother Teresa were on kitchen duty today,” said Greg as both angels settled down to eat their favourite meals.

  • It was well known that in eternity Hell was where you found the best sushi and heaven the only place to get a decent ham sandwich.

Written for: https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/tale-weaver-184-times-up-16th-august/

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Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers – Grandad’s Birthday.

Posted on August 16, 2018 by Michael

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Image: Ted Strutz.

The lineup for the vehicular ferry was long.

In the car, there was a sense of expectation. It was Grandad’s 90th birthday, and we were excited to see him.

He lived out on the island, and the only access was the ferry. He’d been a fisherman all his life and had long dreamed of retiring to the island to relax and forget about the world which he saw as nothing but a whole bunch of trouble.

Once the traffic line started moving it wasn’t long before we found ourselves driving onto the ferry, the last one onboard.

I liked to get out of the car and watch the island coming closer, thinking Grandad would be there on the jetty expecting us.

As the ferry neared the island I could see him, a tall man, bushy beard and gum boots, he always wore gum boots, standing looking to see who was coming to visit him today.

“Happy birthday Grandad,” I said throwing my arms around him.

 

 

Written for: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2018/08/13/fffaw-challenge-178th/

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FLASH FICTION FOR THE PURPOSEFUL PRACTITIONER- 2018 WEEK #33 – The Village Bakery

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Michael

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Image: Daria Shevtsova pexels-photo-1070945

My aged companion Joyce and I lived in a quaint village in a quainter part of the countryside. The village served everything we needed to satisfy our basic needs.

Joyce woke up this morning saying she’d like a bagel from the Bread Ahead bakery and would I be so kind to run down and buy her one.

As Joyce and I had not long returned from our wonderful holiday in Morgue, she was a tad jet-lagged and so stayed in bed each morning until she felt she had a handle on her bearings.

Our tour leader Roger had promised he’d keep us aware of future holidays and Joyce scoured the emails daily to see if he had kept his word.

This morning I took myself down to the village and walked past the butcher, grocer and candlestick maker to find myself in front of the bakery. The smell of fresh baked bread and pastries was over powering, and I decided to buy a few extra bread products.

I carried home my purchases and presented Joyce with her bagel which she devoured hungrily. The other items I could see she was in the process of coveting.

 

Written for: https://flashfictionforthepracticalpractitioner.wordpress.com/2018/08/15/flash-fiction-for-the-purposeful-practitioner-2018-week-33/

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100 Word Wednesday: Week 84 – Boris The Butler

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Michael

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When the Crown Princes Olaf and Ulaf came to the University, their presence was a nightmare.

They had to be protected meaning someone had to be with them 24/7.

Each afternoon they took a walk around the botanical garden and accompanying them was their security, their press secretary and Boris the Butler.

Boris was getting old and thought of the Princes as spoilt brats. He hated walking too.

One day he led them up the garden path where they met an untimely end. Boris was free at last, he went back from whence he came and lived happily ever after.

 

Written for: https://bikurgurl.com/2018/08/15/100-word-wednesday-week-84/

 

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In Other Words, wave…

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Michael

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It was Christmas morning, I was all alone and decided to take a walk.

At 6.00am there’s no one about and very little traffic.

I walked by the house of a lady I saw out walking and whom I liked.

I noticed her backing her car out.

As she drove by, she waved and, in that moment, made my day.

 

Written for:  https://patriciasplace.me/2018/08/15/in-other-words-wave/
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FOWC with Fandango — Handle

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Michael

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Mr Fango was at odds with putting a new handle on his axe. It was clear from the language wafting over the fence that he didn’t have much of a handle on fixing the axe to the handle.

“$#$$@*%^$^&,” said Mr Fango as once again his efforts were thwarted.

Partt of my education growing up was listening to Mr Fango. He knew more obscene words than either mum or dad, and they had a pretty good handle on things obscene.

I stuck my nose to the fence to see Mr Fango holding the axe head in one hand and his new handle in the other. For reasons that puzzled Mr Fango the two were refusing to come together.

Later he drove off, I assumed to get help or buy a completely new axe with handle attracted.

When he returned, he did have his axe in one piece. I heard him call to his wife that he’d been back to Gonners our hardware store to get help.

Pretty soon there was the happy sound of Mr Fango splitting firewood, expletive-free.

 

Written for: https://fivedotoh.com/2018/08/15/fowc-with-fandango-handle/
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