#FFFC - Paradise

Photo Credit Roberto Nickson@unsplash.com

From Fandango's Flash Fiction Challenge...

Anyone looking in from the outside would call her life paradise, but she knew better. She was a slave. Not in the traditional sense, but a slave nonetheless.

The Four Agreements [by Don Miguel Ruiz]

I have seen this several times in the last couple of years. It's well worth reminding ourselves of how we should be living our lives.

Friday Fictioneers: Fourteen

My contribution to Rochelle Wisoff-Field's Friday Fictioneers...

PHOTO PROMPT © Ceayr

"...twelve, thirteen, fourteen!" he announced proudly. "I'm fourteen and our new home has fourteen steps. Isn't that the best?"

Friday Fictioneers: Resourceful

PHOTO PROMPT © Susan Eames

My contribution to Friday Fictioneers....

"Come down from there, right now!" She stomped her feet in the sand, accomplishing nothing.

"Not yet. I've almost got him."

100 Word Wednesday: Stranded #100WW

Image by Bikurgurl

Day 20: Bus still won't move. At least there is water nearby. No cell reception but battery already dead.

Day 99: Still no way to move this thing. I did catch a squirrel this morning so there will be dinner tonight.

#FFFC - The Last Stop

Bruno Aquirre@unsplash.com

From Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge...

"I told you we should have stopped earlier."

"But the sign says it's open."

Sunday Photo Fiction: The Climb

Photo Credit: Susan Spaulding

for Sunday Photo Fiction in 200 words or less

His calloused hands didn't feel the pain inflicted by the rough stones as he climbed upward. Seeking the best hand and foot holds, he took his time. Scaling a wall like this wasn't for the inexperienced or the faint-hearted. He'd been doing it for years. This was his favorite climb due to the fact no one else ever ventured there.

Distraction vs Focus

Books for Mystery Writers

Since I started writing in 2012, I have amassed quite a collection of books to help me both improve my craft and keep my stories accurate. We all use Google, of course, but not all the information available online is accurate (imagine that!). These books have been written by experts from all fields including law enforcement and law as well as, of course, writers.

Sunday Photo Fiction: The Storm

Photo Credit: Terri Smeigh

for Sunday Photo Fiction in 200 words or less

"Pull over there, the brick restaurant!"

Sunday Snippets: May 12, 2019

Welcome to the first edition of Sunday Snippets, a compilation of sundry thoughts I wanted to share with you.

Needless to say, my first thought today is sending out a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY wish. I do realize not everyone is a mother, not everyone had a good mother, not everyone celebrates.

Where to go from here?

It seems like I hit this point every year...where to go and what to do after the A to Z Challenge is complete. Last year I had a call for more flash fiction. While I do enjoy writing flash, it does take a significant amount of time away from working on my novels. And I KNOW many of you are eagerly waiting for book four, Paradise Dream, in my C'Mon Inn Mystery series.

A to Z Reflections

First of all, a HUGE thank you to all those who took time to stop by to read and comment. It was much appreciated. I personally know how difficult it was to write and keep up with all the blog posts.

This is my fifth year and fourth time writing flash fiction. Last year I not only wrote flash but did a personal theme of the A to Z of Goldendoodles, so guess that makes six times writing for A-Z. Each time I've used a different method to chose words for my flash fiction stories but the key was always the photos I found to help my creativity. The visual image always helps me with finding a story line I like.

Z - Zebra #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)

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"Isn't she striking?" Charlotte pointed out the ancient statue of a warrior women standing beside a zebra to her BFF, Analise, who shrugged. It hadn't been Analise's idea of a good way to spend an afternoon but it had been Charlotte's turn to choose an activity.

Museums made Analise queasy. The strange items, the unusual smells combined to make her dizzy. "I need to go sit for a minute. Can I meet you in the next exhibit room?"

Charlotte couldn't tear her eyes off the figurine but responded, "Sure, go ahead." I wonder what life was like for her? Maybe she was a princess, or a queen. I mean, she had her own zebra. How cool is that?

Someone behind her cleared their throat and she turned to face a wizened old man, skin as dark as the night, with a smile as charming as any she'd ever seen. She smiled in return.

"You like Queen Amina?" he asked.

She turned back to the display case and sighed. "Oh yes. I want to learn more about her. She is magnificent."

"You are interested in African history?"

She nodded. "I recently did my DNA and discovered I have roots there. I need to learn more about my ancestry."

"The good or the bad?"

She thought for a moment. "I guess I'd have to say both. After all, you can't live life with just one of those."

"Agreed." He muttered a few words she didn't understand, swirled twice and then stamped his right foot. "It is done. Walk through that door."

She looked in the direction he pointed and when she looked back, he was gone. With a shrug she walked over, grasped the doorknob and inhaled. Closing her eyes she opened it and stepped through.

She looked down at her strange garments, then up to a new past.

Y - Yak #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)

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"Do you know what he said next? No? Well, let me tell you..."

Blah, blah, blah. This man is can yak more than any woman I know. I really need to finish my shopping. Why won't he give me my cane back?

"Can you believe it? I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to tell him..."

My legs hurt. I shouldn't have come this way. Blah, blah, blah. How can one person yak for so long?

"Then she smacked him and he fell backwards in the chair. Can you believe it? Her, such a sweet, tiny thing. Knocked him flat over." He threw his head back and laughed.

"I really-"

"Yup, then when he got up she told him he was drunk and should go home. Oh, did you hear about..."

I can't get a word in edgewise. I need to rip my cane out of his hand and leave. I shifted my shopping bag to my other arm and reached for my cane.

"Oh, wait, there's more..."

Can't I just smack him? Yak, yak, yak. And they say old women are the gossips.

"But don't tell anyone. I was sworn to secrecy. Oh, did you know old Widow Johnson is trying to hook me. Yup, she thinks I'm a catch. Brought me over a blueberry pie the other day."

"I really need-"

"She's a bit old for me though. But she's a good cook. Then again, there's always..."

"John! I need to-"

"She's a peach though. Grand-girls are sweet. But you can't take them fishing. Not that I can do much of that anymore. My hip pains me..."

"JOHN! I have to leave NOW!" I tugged my cane away from him.

"Huh? You say something? Forgot my hearing aids today."

X - Xylophone #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)

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They were known as the Rodrigo brothers. They were born in Portugal on September ninth, one year apart from each other. They were itinerant musicians, playing their vintage xylophone at carnivals and other traveling shows.

Tiago and Paulo were now in their eighties and still touring. Wherever they went, rumors flowed about what happened when they played. Some said they were hypnotized and only woke when the duo stopped playing. Others said they had never felt better, even after the music ended.

But not all the rumors were good ones. You see Tiago and Paulo had a few disabilities from birth. Tiago, the oldest, was blind in his left eye. Paulo, the youngest, was blind in his right eye. They never wore sunglasses to hide these issues and they never hesitated staring at their audience.

Needless to say, their stares could be a bit creepy. The more superstitious among the crowd accused them of casting the evil eye and bewitching some of those watching.

Today was no different, except for the fact it was their first time back in Portugal since they were youngsters and their final performance anywhere. They stepped up to the xylophone, tapped a few notes, and broke into a lively folk tune. Soon everyone was clapping and stamping their feet.

Their final song was subdued, somewhat eerie, and as they played they stared into the crowd. Each brother seemed to seek out one specific person. A young person.

The tune lingered in the air and vibrated with the notes. A strong wind arose, blinding everyone with dust and debris. Once settled, the stage was empty.

Stranger yet, three young people in the audience were seen strolling off arm in arm. One blind in the left eye, one blind in the right eye, and one totally blind.

W - Wall #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)

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"What a happy mural. Don't you just love that couple? Makes me want to dance." She twirled her boyfriend around in a circle. "How long has it been here? I don't remember seeing it last time I visited."

He stood back and stared at it. "I'm really not sure. I don't think I've seen it before."

"Play some music on your phone and dance with me."

He looked around and seeing no one near, he pulled out his phone and asked, "Fast or slow?"

"I think slow. That's much more romantic." She wrapped her arms around his neck as he chose a playlist, set the volume and swayed them both towards the bench under the brooding elm tree where he set it down.

They danced the night away....


A few days later, another couple came by. "Oh honey, look at that great mural! Don't they look happy?"

He didn't respond and she looked back at him. He had stopped by the bench under the tree and showed it to her. "Look! Someone left their phone here."

"Wow, any ID on it?"

"Let me look." She stared at the mural and sighed. "Looks like all that's on here is music."

"Oooh, goody! Play something slow and let's dance!"

So they did, and before the night was done, there were now three happy couples dancing in silhouette on the mural.


The phone waited on the bench...

V - Vase #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)

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Now that Dad was gone, it was time for us to clean out the house and barn. I left the house to my two older sisters while my younger brother and I tackled the barn. We tended to be the pragmatic ones and I didn't want to listen to my sisters wail and lament over each item. I, for one, was glad those days were gone. Joey was young enough he didn't remember the worst days before our mother went away.

Back then she was politely described as outlandish. She dressed in weird outfits and said inappropriate things. Now we know she was schizophrenic. We took the brunt of the voices in her head telling her to do things to us, bad things. Joey wasn't a year old when they found some of her clothing beside the lake.

"Hey, Molly, come look at this?" Joey shouted and I left my memories behind.

"What's up?" I ambled over to one of the side windows.

He pointed to an old horseshoe beside a vase on the sill. "Think Dad kept this for good luck?"

I shrugged. "He was a farrier for many years. His anvil should be around here somewhere."

"Really? Those things go for lots of money nowadays."

"Huh, didn't know that. Let me know if you find it."

We continue culling items into three piles. Sell, trash, keep and divide between us siblings.

It took us the better part of a week but we were done. Our sisters were still in the house bickering on what went into each pile.

I looked over the three piles and picked up the single horseshoe. "Joey, didn't you find Dad's anvil or farrier tools?"

"Nah, he musta sold them."

I had another thought. Those would have provided enough weight to keep a body underwater.

U - Unicorn #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)

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All little girls love unicorns, right? Even some big girls do. But eight year old Suzie wasn't a fan. She never told anyone why. But then again, no one bothered to ask. After all, kids will be kids, right? Some love koala bears, others love cats. Teddy bears or dogs. The list goes on and on.

But Suzie was different. She used to love unicorns, back when she was little. Real little. Like maybe four or five years old. She really, I mean, REALLY, loved unicorns.

So why did she stop? What could cause that?

Suzie had lived in several foster homes before she was placed with her new parents. Their first year up, plans were underway for adoption. She'd never been happier. Well, until they gave her a stuffed unicorn for her eighth birthday. She'd screamed, thrown it across the room, and ran upstairs to her bedroom. Surprised at her reaction, her parents weren't sure what to do. Make a big deal about it? Talk to her? Ignore the incident?

They opted to ignore it. That might have been a mistake. After that encounter, little Suzie wasn't the same. She stayed in her room except for meals and school. She lost what few friends she had. She started having nightmares. They realized it was time to discuss things.

After much prodding, they got their answer and no one could have prepared them for it.

"He did it."

"Who did what?"

"My foster brother took my favorite unicorn and put a spell on it."

"A spell?"

"Yes, so she had my face. Then he speared me with a big stick and stuck me in the yard looking into my bedroom window."

"Couldn't someone take it down?"

"I tried." She wiped her face. "But it hurt me inside when I did, like it was really me. I hate unicorns!"

T - Tea #AtoZChallenge

My A to Z Challenge: Micro fiction, using 300 words or less, inspired by selected words along with a photo for inspiration. The words were chosen in reverse order from this lesson plan page.
(For example, for the letter A it was the 26th word on the list, for Z it was the 1st word on the list)

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I watched her gnarled hands as she lifted the old tea kettle into the sink and filled it from the hand pump before placing it on the ancient wood stove. Pulling a rusty tin down from a high shelf, she held it towards me. "Choose."

I peered inside and saw several hand-wrapped packets of what I assumed were tea leaves. I pulled out several, sniffed each, and put two back.

She dropped the contents into a teacup, filled it with boiling water, and sat down. I wondered when she would give me the tea. As though she knew what I was thinking, she said, "Three minutes."

I sat and tried to be patient.

"Here." She thrust the tea cup into my hands. "Don't drink all. Leave a little." She sat back and smiled, well, I thought it was a smile. I did as I was told, setting it down on the table between us when there was a little left.

"Hold in left hand. Swirl three times. To the right."

I swirled the contents, mesmerized by the agitated leaves. Some drifted to the bottom, some stuck to the sides. I held the cup towards her but she shook her head. "Upside down on saucer. Slowly."

I followed her instructions, wondering if all the leaves would drop into the saucer but wouldn't that mean it would be a saucer reading?

Again, as though she read my thoughts. "No, leaves stay." This was getting a bit eerie but I was in for the full measure.

Eventually she lifted the cup and peered inside. She looked up at me, eyes wide open. "GO!"

"What?"

"Now!"

I tried to argue but she pushed me outside the door. What had she seen that so terrified-

My thoughts were cut short by the bullet that killed me.

How to read tea leaves