Wink hated me,
and I him,
the same.
Because
I had his number.
Look both ways when reflecting on all relationships.
Mind the gaps for problems and power handicaps.
Sammi’s Weekender #344 (wink)
Friday Fictioneers for December 29th, 2023
Rochelle is flying solo for today’s Friday Fictioneers picture. Click on the New Year ball to be dispatched over to her blog page where the timetable and schedule of how to be all-aboard the #FF bullet train to her grand central player’s squares. Just write fewer than 101 words and you’ll be riding on the City of New Orleans.
Genre: Historical Friction
Title: Characters in Control
Word Count: 100
In 1907, Katie and William boarded the train in Philadelphia for New York City’s first New Year’s Eve Ball lowering celebration from atop One Times Square. They were excited to be part of America’s celebratory history.
They worried little about New York’s train safety, including one major crash in February.
As they stepped off the train in New York, Kate asked William if something was wrong. He looked ill and lost.
“I don’t know, Darling. It’s like some future writer started a story about us but stopped when he realized that he knew nothing about New York City in 1907.”
Look both ways and pay due diligence to how we got to where we are.
Mind the gaps in the tracks and cross-tie walkers.
My favorite New Year’s movie scene.
Sammi’s Weekender #343 (window)
The Side I Never Met
Floating through darkness
I saw a light
in the black universe, one
dot, then
I determined
it was a window.
A woman was there.
She seemed to look but not see,
her blue eyes were calm.
I sensed
honest love, like a mother.
I could see longing—expecting
in her moist eyes.
Then I saw
the window was
a mirror of reality.
She was my reflection,
able to see into my past.
She was the image of the real me.
See both ways when looking through windows or into mirrors,
especially as metaphors of life.
Mind the gaps, the cracks, the wrinkles, and the patina of age.
Everything means something.
Sammi’s Weekender #342 (ocean)
Two Earths, land and
ocean
perfectly disguised above.
Deadly.
Needed for life.
One Ocean. Four names. Only one.
Awesome is insufficient.
Look both ways when lost at sea.
Mind the gaps in the Marianas Trench.
The third line alludes to the song, “A Horse with No Name” by America (band).
Friday Fictioneers for December 15th, 2023
The mid-December and Hanukkah Holidays are upon us as we celebrate Sandra’s birthday. Susan Rouchard submitted a dark, artful, candle-lit pic for us to ponder and then create our 100-(or fewer)-word story to post.
Click on Susan’s picture prompt to burn-out on your way over to Rochelle’s artful blog to get all curated up on the magic of Friday Fictioneering.
Genre: Feline Fiction
Title: The Museum Fire
Words: 100
***
They ran like cats out of hell. Tonto turned right, skidded left, then jumped through an open door. Duchess followed. Fat Jack barely made it before the dogs got him.
Tonto said, “I don’t know why we run, Duchess. They’ll catch FJ. We’d be long gone.”
Jack tried to hiss and arch his back but couldn’t.
“Leave him alone. He runs interference.” Moaned Duchess.
“Where are we?” asked Fat Jack.
“Oh, candles! Where do I start?” said Duchess.
“I’ll take the top shelf.” Tonto leaped up. “You two start knocking over the lower ones.”
They concluded the fire was arson.
***
Look both ways and light a candle before you curse the darkness.
Mind the gaps for the curious and destructive cats.
Sammi’s Weekender #341 (rhythm)
Rhythm is fascinating
to humans, animals,
even natural things
like rain can capture
the human heart and soul.
Even now, the natural pat-
pat-pat of my foot
absentmindedly comforts
my mind and soul.
A cat purrs out sounds
as birds sing their tunes
and the dancer begins
to move her feet.
Some days
the lyrics move me,
Other times,
it’s the beat
and I move my feet.
Look both ways at the lyrics and the music.
Mind the gaps where one saves the other.
I do so enjoy watching these dance videos with a step or two of envy. 🙂
Friday Fictioneers for December 8th, 2023
Ted Strutz contributed a photo of shoes for this week’s #FF prompt. As she does each week, the wonderful water lady in the purple lane, Rochelle, has challenged us to write a micro-fiction story (≤100 words) and to post the same among the squares of honor.
To join us, click on Ted’s pic and walk right on over to Madam’s blog page to get all laced up on the path to a successful Friday Fictioneers career. The pay ain’t great but the benefits are awesome.
Genre: Norden Fiction
Title: Barefoot Rhapsody
Word Count: 100
***
Her mother said, “It’s time. Get your shoes on. Let’s go so you can sing them to tears.”
Angelina replied, “I’ll sing for America, Mama—mostly for Simon. I sing barefoot.
“What if you step on a nail? Have you had your tetanus shot?”
“Singing barefoot is what I do. It promotes singing, and people love it. So, please; no shoes.
Father, help me.”
Father smiles. “Angel, this is Norway. It’s January. Wear the boots. Before you take the stage, remove your socks and boots. We will be there to hear you make them cry.”
The angel wore the boots.
***
Look both ways and dress appropriately.
Mind the gaps and listen to the lady sing.
***
Singers who also often sang barefoot include Linda Ronstadt, Patti LaBelle, Bjork, Deana Carter, Kelly Clarkson, Joss Stone, Shakira, Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Colbie Calliat, Jewel, Krist Novoselic, Carly Simon (often but not always). If this Angelina Jordan video doesn’t make you feel something, put your shoes on and leave.
Sammi’s Weekender #340 (wobble)
The bow-legged woman
wobbled like a lady
doing the boogaloo.
Kind of a James Brown
LA stomp
with an old bag
of swag.
I just try to get by,
she said,
with an audible sigh.
Then I saw them leave,
the lady and drummer,
whose name was summer,
wobbled hysterically
out the door
just to move their feet.
Look both ways and write your song.
Mind the gaps and the sounds between the notes.
Friday Fictioneers for December 1st, 2023
For a December first kickoff, Fleur Lind and the sensational Rochelle, Mistress of the Friday Fictioneers Realm, joined forces in a flowerily display of automotive genius.
Click on the pic to taxi over to Madam R’s blog page for instructions on the care and feeding of planted stories of 100 words or fewer.
Title: Advertising Inspiration
Genre: Fire Sky Fiction
Words: 100
***
It was all Christmassy in C-City.
I said, “Hey, Dewey. Let’s tow that old flatbed truck to your boutique and park it outside. You can put your potted plants on it and under the open hood. Maybe even displays or dressed mannequins in or on it. A Santa too, maybe?”
“It is not a boutique, Dad. Kind of, but not really. I don’t know if the city will allow it, but I can ask. It’s a great idea. How did you think of it?”
“When I woke up last Wednesday morning, it just came to me. Pure freakin’ magic. Right?”
***
Look both ways for ideas and plants.
Mind the gaps, steal like an artist, and bend the rules.
Click on Julie’s (Dewey to me) plants to read more aromatic #FF stories.
Sammi’s Weekender #337 (scribe)
Been a student.
Learned and been taught.
Forgotten most of it by now
like Algebra and French
except the writing. And
some things
that can’t be taught.
Other things
I didn’t learn in school
like telling stories and jokes
that are learnt by listening.
Sitting around campfires
when some was truth,
some memories,
and some was downright lies.
When they ask
I say I write.
“What do you write?” they question.
What should I say? Words? Stuff?
Letters or poems?
Will novels and memoirs
resonate with my interrogators?
What does any writer write?
“I am a scribe.”
Sometimes.
Look both ways for self-identification.
Know the how’s, when’s, and whatever’s.
Mind the gaps and watch for traps but try to be what you say you are.
Our Literary Journey 