Chores – Flash Fiction

October 15, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about chores. It doesn’t have to be a western ranch chore; it can be any routine task. Go where the prompt leads!

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99 Words of Chores

Never called chores in my house as a child, just the price you paid for the joy of living here. We were a house full of people, 10 plus the birds. Saturday chores/baths/laundry day. Descriptions on a paper slip went into the chore jar.  Oldest picked first. We all watched and secretly cheered when our least-liked was gone. Today I have the dining room, dust 1st, then sweep next wash the floor. Now my favorite, polish the wood, I still like the smell of the polish on wood. Funny how a smell brings a happy memory to a tough time.

Challenge # 48 Santa’s Stocking

This challenge comes from a small writing group.  We have a large series of random questions that we answer and share.  The goal is to answer at least one per week.  My personal goal is to do this for one full year. I am so glad this is almost over, it has now reached the tedious level and I have no plans for after it’s over. I know the writing group is getting together but I have not been brave enough to attend a gathering of that sort yet.

Question:

You have to stuff a stocking for Santa. What would you put in it and why?

Stuffing Santa’s Stocking

This sounds like a fun project and it’s not like I have to shop to fulfill a wish list, this can travel into realms of fun and fantasy. My first thought is the size of the stocking, we all have pretty stockings that look like they might even fit our feet. And they sometimes have our name on them or decorative elements meant just for us or generic. In some homes all the stockings match and in some cases they change each year to match the current decorations for the year.

My thoughts are that Santa might have a five foot long stocking. When one of my daughters was about 5 or 6 she colored a picture at Christmas for a local bank, and she won the prize of a 5 foot stocking filled with toys and candy. It has been more than 35 years since then and she very vividly remembers that moment. So maybe Santa will enjoy having a stocking filled for him, so here goes.

First, hot chocolate, because winter here is cold. The next four items are for the same reason, lip balm, ear muffs, warm gloves and wool socks. Healthy snacks like nuts and dried fruit to keep his strength up. Also can’t forget the carrots for the reindeer.

I would need to throw in a couple of things to keep his mind active as well, maybe a crossword puzzle book or sudoku puzzles. Many of us have learned the joys of jigsaw puzzles during quarantien and one of those would fit the stocking. I always enjoyed some kind of surprise item tucked into the toe of the stockings I have received or filled. I think he might enjoy a gift card for a massage after his hard day of work.

99 word challenge Dusty trail

October 1, 2020, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that happens on the dusty trail. It can take place anywhere. Who is your character, where are they going, and why? Bonus points if they meet up with Kid and Pal from D. Avery’s Ranch Yarns and Saddle Up Saloon (they hit the trail so TUFF could take over the saloon). Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by October 6, 2020. Use the comment section below to share, read, and be social. You may leave a link, pingback, or story in the comments. If you want to be published in the weekly collection, please use the form.  Rules & Guidelines.

Dusty Trails

Sally walked along the trail covered with dust, no rain in almost two months along her beloved ridge of mountain.  This was where she came to clear her head from all the noise of her family of 11 siblings, all talking at the same time.  She knew that she could only have a few minutes before someone was looking for her.  What would she find here today? Would he still be here, was he feeling well enough to leave?

As she searched the trees and bushes there was no sign of him.  The eagle free from his trap was gone.

Challenge # 47 Ravinia Concert

This challenge comes from a small writing group.  We have a large series of random questions that we answer and share.  The goal is to answer at least one per week.  My personal goal is to do this for one full year. I am so glad this is almost over, it has now reached the tedious level and I have no plans for after it’s over. I know the writing group is getting together but I have not been brave enough to attend a gathering of that sort yet.

Question:

Describe a perfect evening under the stars.

Ravinia Concert

The Chicago area has the benefit of a large variety of entertainment venues both indoor and outdoor. One of my absolute favorites is Ravinia in Highland Park, IL. Ravinia Park opened in 1904 and is the oldest music venue in the United States still in operation. It is a short train ride from Chicago which made it very popular as a place to escape from the city.

The setting is in the midst of a wooded area and has trees throughout the area. There is a large covered area with seats and a stage for the performances. There are other performance areas on the grounds but the pavilion is the main stage. Surrounding this area is a lot of lawn area and several special food service places.

Lawn seating is the least expensive seating and usually our favorite place. We would get there early to find a good space and then spread out the picnic type meal we brought along. Blankets were spread on the ground, candles at the ready for when the sun went down and the food was spread out and consumed. Not so much the fried chicken, potato salad and fruit bowl type of food.

This was where I introduced my daughters to some more “exotic” cheese other than those squares of American cheese. Flavor combinations they might not ordinarily try. I might have a little more of unique fruit in the salad combination and the crackers we used for our cheese were not saltines. This is the vibe on the lawn seating. Not unusual to have your neighbor borrow your wine bottle opener or a lighter to light their candles.

The music is as eclectic as the audience and this was an opportunity to introduce different genres to my family. From most of the lawn seating you are not able to see the performance . I can picture it now, a warm evening, good music playing in the background, laying down on the blanket on the lawn and just chilling and looking up at the stars in the sky instead.