Itchin’ – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Dale | 77 Comments

I’d like to first offer my condolences to Liz on the loss of Don. My deepest condolences to you. Sending much love your way.

Secondly, I must wish happy birthday to my sister Lisa… Happy birthday, Sis! I love you to bits!

And finally… welcome to Friday Fictioneers, a place where peeps gather round the fire tended by Rochelle every week. Rochelle could not have made a better choice today (even if she didn’t know it at the time). I saw this and was immediately on a cruise in my mind… since we actually were on one, returning just before the shit officially hit the fan on Friday the thirteenth of March, 2020. Lordy. ‘Nuff of that. Click on the frog to play by adding the link to your 100-word story. G’head. It’s a great way to learn how to trim the fat from your writing…

©Liz Young

Fall is here.

Yes, and it’s my favourite time of the year.

Mine, too. The weather is perfect. If it could only stay like this through till spring. Skip winter alltogether.

Not how it works in this neck, you know that. Why bother harping on it?

Coz this is the time I start itchin’.

Itchin’?

Yeah. Itchin’ to book our next cruise for Spring Break.

Hah! You just said fall is your favourite. Enjoy it. Why rush?

One word for you: Planning ahead.

That’s two words.

Don’t be a smartass. Shall I call the sisters?

Duh! And don’t forget Mom!

Our Special Place – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on September 1, 2021 by Dale | 147 Comments

Good Wednesday, my peeps! It’s been a while since I played Friday Fictioneer. I was inspired by the book I am reading. A special thank you to Penny Gadd for the use of her photo and to our hostess with the mostest, Rochelle for being there through thick and thin. Should you wish to play, just click on the frogs below and add the link to your own one-hundred-word story! G’head! It’s fun!

Two green frogs swimming in the water of a little lake, between the water plants. The larger male is following the female during mating time. Seen fro Stock Photo - Alamy

Click to play!

Our Special Place

From the first weekend after school ended until the weekend it started up again, we lived at great-grandpa’s cottage. Though he was long gone, we refused to call it anything else. It felt disrespectful to rename it since he is the one who built it.

I remember the summer Bill arrived. We were ten and twelve. Though he was younger than I, we hit it off from the get. Our days were spent lazing in “my” hidden pool, away from all the other cottages.

Summer after summer, our friendship grew. Who knew I would end up marrying my best friend?

Organizing – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Dale | 111 Comments

It’s Wednesday! Yessiree! That means it’s time to Friday Fictioneer. I must thank Ted Strutz (so glad to see you’re getting better every day!) for the use of his picture and to Rochelle, who, even while dipping her toes in the ocean, still keeps this show running. If you’d like to play along, just click on the jumble of frogs below to add your link to your 100-word story.

350pc Family Puzzle Frog Pile jigsaw puzzle by Cobble Hill Puzzle Co. (mixed piece sizes)

Click to play!

Organizing

Bills Taxes Kids Housework Stress Job Love Health Frustration Disappointment Elation Excitement Sleeplessness Hunger Pain Empathy Boredom–

“ENOUGH! All of you, OUT. NOW!”

She took a deep breath. And another.

Oh, that felt good. She could feel her body, mind and soul come back together in a cohesive and natural state of being.

“Whatcha doing? And what’s that jumbled mess?”

“That mess is a serious purge of all that was taking over my body.”

“Uhhh…”

“Now I can look at each piece individually and see what needs to be done. What stays, what goes. Prioritize and organize.

“You’re weird.”

“Maybe.”

No Need to Go Out – FF and WWP

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Dale | 112 Comments

Don’t be mad at me, Rochelle! I was drawing a blank on what to do with this picture and then I saw in my ever-expanding draft files, the WWP for “tether”. Suddenly I had a story. So, merging two prompts is what I done did. That means you only have 80 words to read. Well, that and the blah blah I am doing as an intro 😉 I’m forgiven, right? Please? Thanks go to Roger Bultot for the use of his photo – wonder if he will ever play FF with us again? Should YOU feel like playing, just click on the frog below and add your fabulous 100 word story (don’t use me as a guide, you can use twenty more words!) and add your link!

©Roger Bultot

No Need to Go Out

The doorbell rang and she looked through the peephole. “Yes, who is it?”

“Package for you, Ma’am. Need you to sign.”

“Just leave it at the door, please.”

“But–”

“NO! Leave it. Just mark it delivered to Dot Parker. All the others do it.”

“Fine.” As he walked away, she heard him mutter “Stupid nutter.”

They say I’m tethered to my home. No, I’m not. I just don’t need to go out there.

At least that’s what she told herself.

Making the Rounds – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Dale | 97 Comments

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means, right? That’s right! It’s Friday Fictioneers time! This week, thanks go to the lovely Na’ama Yehuda, who may or may not know that it is her picture being used this week. 😉 No worries, she’ll find out soon enough, eh? As always, thanks to Rochelle for hosting this weekly shindig! If you want to play along, add your link to your own 100-word story by click on the frog below.

For God sakes Emma, did you see what the Richardson’s did to their yard? They’ve put fake snow and decorated their outside trees. I’m pretty sure I saw a Christmas tree in their living room window!

Yes, that’s right. Glad to see your eyes are working

Why the hell for? It’s July for Christ’s sake.

Their daughter Bessie doesn’t have long with this world and they want her to have one last Christmas.

Oh damn, that is so sad. I’ve an idea!

What are you doing?

Call the neighbours and put on your coat, hat and mitts, we’re going carolling!

The Daily Wave – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Dale | 125 Comments

Good Wednesday morning, my peeps! It’s Friday Fictioneer time and today we have this photo from J.Hardy Carroll to inspire us. As always, thank you to Rochelle for driving this train weekly! If you care to play along, just click on the frog below and add the link to your 100-word story. Easy peasy!

The Daily Wave

My train’s always on time. I pride myself on following the schedule. People count on me and I dare not let them down. Not in my nature, anyhow. So, I chug along, blowing my whistle calling the children to come out and wave. I tell you, it’s the best part of my day to see them kids running across the fields wanting nothing else but to have me return their hello. I sure wish I could bring them wherever they want to go. It’s a hard life for them with few options. But I ain’t allowed.

Where are they today?

I was reminded of my trip to Cuba. My kids and I took a short train ride and the local kids all came out running, waving to us passengers. Most smiled…

Pay the Price – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Dale | 168 Comments

It’s Wednesday! I am afraid I don’t do fiction very well. Of course, if I didn’t have so many stories to cull from, maybe I’d work my imagination a bit more. 😉 That being said, here is this week’s Friday Fictioneer contribution inspired by Sandra Crook‘s photo. As always, thank you to Rochelle for hosting this here weekly partay! Click on the frog below to add the link to your own 100-word story if you dare…

I asked the city for permission. They said ‘no’.

Why the hell did you do that?

It’s the right thing to do.

Ahh, shit. Don’t care, I’m cutting it down anyway. It’s too huge, sways like crazy in storms and the damn pinecones end up in the pool!

***

Mick’s friend Pierre, a professional, did the deed while the neighbours watched and cheered (they worried with every storm, too). They then chopped and put the logs aside to dry. Firewood for next year!

***

Two months later, the city slapped us with an $850 fine. Plus, we had to replace the tree. Cost: $150.

Bye-bye old tree

Hello expensive new tree

A Family Trip – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Dale | 159 Comments

It’s Wednesday! And the last day of work for me, followed by a four-day weekend. Again. Wooo hoooo! So, why not play a little with this lovely Russell Gayer image? Thanks, always to Rochelle for hosting this weekly party. I do appreciate your efforts, my friend. Should you be interested in writing your own 100-word story to go with, just click on the frogs below and add you link!

Click to play

All five of us in a van for four weeks? Have you lost your mind?

It’ll be great. We’ll get a chance to see most of our beautiful country and part of the States on our return.

Five of us. Together. Four weeks.

Yes. It’ll be great. We each get one hour of music and no one is allowed to complain.

Hah! You think that is enough to stem potential arguments?

Have faith.

And you, have reality.

I do. And I think this will be a trip of a lifetime.

Or will feel like it lasts that long…

Shut up.

Uprooted – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on June 23, 2021 by Dale | 115 Comments

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means, right? Well, most times it means I Friday Fictioneer. And this time, just before I have to hit the door for work! Woot! Thank you to Rochelle for hosting week after week, and this week, thank you to Brenda Cox for the loan of her interesting image! Click on the frogs below to play by adding the link to your own 100-word story!

©Brenda Cox

613 Frog On Log Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images - iStock

Click to play!

I don’t understand how things like this go down. Everything is perfect and then… uprooted In the blink of an eye. Why do I put up with it? Every move means starting over, rebuilding in an unknown environment. I have to relearn where to go and how to go about getting it. The kids are amazing, though. So far, they seem to thrive on each new change. For them, it’s a new world to explore with new friends to make. How did I manage to raise such open and enthusiastic children when I, myself am tormented each and every time?

Die Hütte – Friday Fictioneers

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Dale | 138 Comments

Good Wednesday evening, my peeps. I almost didn’t play this week. But this photo called me. And then I worried I’d do something similar to what I’ve already done so… I’ve decided to do a little FanFic. One of former Friday Fictioneers, Claire Fuller, was my inspiration – considering I’m reading her latest and fourth novel, it might be the why 🙂 Should you have something wonderful to write about this lovely image from Alicia Jamtaas, do so, please. And leave your link by clicking on the frog below. As always, a thank you goes to Rochelle for herding this rowdy bunch of cats every week!