This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
Bob and Lil had settled in extremely well into the luxury care home. After a few months, Bob became quite bored with the routine and one day Lil decided they should take a walk into the local park to cheer each other up. They came across a pretty woodland path and at Bob’s insistence they explored the edges of a large wood.
Suddenly they became aware of crashing and crunching of twigs, and bushes as if someone or something was quickly bearing down on them from behind. They froze at this noisy approach which was getting closer. Someone or something was quite near, running through the undergrowth. They looked at each other, held hands and stole along an adjoining path in the opposite direction. They didn’t wait to find out who or what made that noise, birds high above flew away making cries of alarm disturbed by this unwelcome intrusion.
They walked deeper and deeper into the blackness of this huge pine forest, until they collapsed on a grassy bank of a stream, panting to get their breath back. The noisy pursuing sounds had faded away. They had no idea where they were, the stream was running quite fast, there were reeds, rushes and pretty yellow flowers on both sides on the banks. They decided to follow this stream in the hope of finding a way out of the forest.
They came to a clearing in the dense woods covered with many wild flowers and lush green grass, by the side of the stream. They sat down to rest and feeling hungry they nibbled on some chocolate that Lil had discovered in the bottom of her handbag with some wild berries. Bob laughed and remarked that they were enjoying the fruits of the forest.
Lil asked Bob if he knew anything about a group of pretty wild flowers nearby. He gasped in surprise when he immediately recognised them as a group of beautiful orchids. He’d been a keen botanist in his younger days.
‘I’m certain these are rare, valuable, Fairy Slipper orchids.’
They continued on their way, leaving a makeshift trail of twisted reeds hanging from the branches of the trees and bushes along the path next to the stream. Suddenly, again there was an approaching crashing and breaking of twigs coming towards them from behind. They realised to their horror that they must have been followed and their pursuer was not far away.
To their relief, the bushes parted to reveal a familiar face.
‘There you are! I’ve been trying to catch up with you for ages. You must let someone know if you decide to go out for a walk.’
Bob looked at Lil and they both chorused. ‘Sorry it was my fault.’
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
(A continuation of the misshapen reality of Bob and Lil)
After a long examination of both Bob and Lil with many questions, the Doctor had this to say to Bill.
‘I’m sorry to say, I suspect your parents are both in the early stages of dementia. They are both living under the influence of a misshapen reality, it’s unusual for a married couple to both suffer together. The misshapen reality usually applies to one or the other. Interestingly they are both living in the same timeframe located many years ago when these friends they invited to the party were still alive.’
Bill and his wife Pattie were shocked at this development, although they were not entirely surprised, as they had both begun to notice some odd behaviour by the couple lately.
Bill’s first response was to ask Dr Blake, ‘What happens next?’
‘Well; there will have to be more tests before the final diagnosis and we will have to await a report from a consultant. Meanwhile the family will have to ensure they are both continuing to manage to look after each other.’
The family, of course, was ready to rally round and everyone sat down and began to discuss the arrangements of looking after Bob and Lil.
‘That’s not a very nice eightieth birthday present for Bob!’ exclaimed Lil.
‘No, and we don’t want any family being nosey and interfering in our lives.’ responded Bob.
There was a sudden unexpected knocking at the front door. Bob opened the door to a short, dark-haired gentleman, in a grey suit, carrying a black briefcase, beaming, with a wide smile.
‘Hallo; Mr. Robert Simkins? I’m Agent Million! I’m delighted to inform you that your premium bond number has been drawn and you are the lucky winner of one million pounds.’
‘That’s great news!’ said Lil, ‘Which one is it? We both have an old £1 bond each. I’ll go and find them, we keep them in the kitchen drawer, they’ve been there for 20 years.’
Agent Million was stunned to hear this, ‘You mean you have won a million pounds from an investment of £1 on a twenty-year old bond you keep in the kitchen drawer?’
‘Yes that’s right! Now, that’s the sort of birthday present Bob deserves.’
Several months later, after this incredible windfall was safely invested, the dreaded diagnosis arrived and Bob and Lil went off to stay in a luxury care establishment, where they lived happily beyond bliss together for over 10 years, absolutely in tune with each other.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
Bob Simpkins planned to celebrate his eightieth birthday in style. He’d always been a popular man in the village with a quick sense of humour and impish blue eyes with crinkly laughter lines, people were drawn to him. Bob’s wife Lil was excitedly calling up their local friends and neighbours, spreading the word.
Lil and Bob had been married for forty years. Lil was Bob’s pride and joy, they were so close, people who knew them thought they were possessed of one mind, sharing each other’s every thought and feeling. Lil was a splendid-looking, matronly lady with blonde curls and a charming smile that lit up her face. Her youthful looks wildly belied her 79 years of age.
Bob would brag to all and sundry. ‘She was a stunner when I met her and she hasn’t changed a bit.’
Lil would blush instantly if she happened to be present. Their three children had arranged to set the celebrations up, and left the invitations to Bob and Lil.
Bob and Lil were soon excitedly discussing who to invite from their numerous friends and acquaintances and filling in the invitation cards together.
Finally when the big day arrived the family were surprised to see so few people present apart from the family.
‘Bob! Did you remember to post the invites?’
‘Of course Lil! I’m not daft!’
At that moment the postman arrived with a bundle of returned mail. mostly marked deceased or gone away.
Dr Blake, the local GP, happened to have attended the party and pricked his ears up when he realized what had happened.
He asked Bob and Lil and their son to attend the surgery.
After a long examination of both Bob and Lil with many questions, the Doctor had this to say to Bill.
‘I’m sorry to say, I suspect your parents are both in the early stages of dementia. They are both living under the influence of a misshapen reality, it’s unusual for a married couple to both suffer together. The misshapen reality usually applies to one or the other. Interestingly they are both living in the same timeframe located many years ago when these friends they invited to the party were still alive.’
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
Mount Etna erupted on 17th February 2021 with no injuries or damage caused.
~
The Italian volcano Mount Etna has erupted for the first time this year 2021.
The volcano which is located on the island of Sicily, erupted on Tuesday, sending jets of lava into the sky.
Pictures shared on social media showed a plume of smoke rising from the mountain and ash raining down on buildings.
A nearby airport in Catania, was forced to close temporarily due to ash in the air making it unsafe to fly but there have been no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
I find whenever I’m writing a story or piece of poetry, it’s inevitable that my characters will start out completely faceless.
My job is certainly to word my description in such a way as to gently suggest the characteristics that would build the type of person I’m introducing.
My favourite author, Charles Dickens was adept at this, cleverly introducing characteristics that helped the reader form a picture of a person from a faceless face.
One way is to concentrate on the five senses when thinking of how to construct a character’s face.
Sight~ Eyes, colour, cold blue etc , shape, deformities
Sound~Ears, pointed, flat etc, sharp hearing, loss of hearing.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below.
This is a response to a Flash Fiction prompt from ‘Putting My Feet In the Dirt’, Writing Prompts hosted by ‘M’. Which can be found by following the link below..
Joe Young was 18, the second youngest in his family, his elder sister was at university studying to become a nurse. Joe was a budding painter keen to take up an art course in college. The postman had delivered an invitation to attend an interview and he was excited. He quickly dialled up his friend Betty to find out if she had received her invitation.
‘Hey Betty!’
‘Joe! I tried to get you earlier, but your phone was busy. Good news! My interview is next Wednesday at 09;00, in London.’
‘Wow! My interview is at midday! Maybe we can go together if you like.’
‘OK Joe! Are you worried about your recent experience when the local police caught you writing slogans with a spray can about global warming and big business?’
‘Not really Betty, they gave me an unofficial warning as they caught me decorating a derelict building. I won’t even bother to mention it.’
‘That’s great! I’ll meet you at the station on Wednesday, Joe.’
The week dragged along slowly with both Joe and Betty on tenterhooks. They both called each other almost every day, rehearsing their responses to the questions they were likely to face during their interviews.
Joe actually contacted the local police station to enquire if he should raise the worrying issue and he was assured there wasn’t any problem.
In spite of this they both arrived late at the railway station. They were soon running down the platform at top speed as the train had been sitting in the station for several minutes before they arrived.
“C’mon Betty! Keep up, we mustn’t miss the train, I’ve been waiting so long to get this interview over with. Means a lot to both of us.” Joe said, literally tugging her along.
‘Alright Joe, I’m coming! Please don’t pull my sleeve like that. You will ruin my new coat, I bought it especially for this college interview. It will be great to go to the same Art college.’
‘Wait, please wait!’ shouted Joe to the Guard who stood on the platform with a flag and his whistle, which he raised to his lips ready to set the train in motion. He smiled as the young couple dashed up and jumped into the nearest carriage.
‘Phew, that was close!’ Joe went on, as Betty collapsed in the nearest seat to the door. The train soon pulled away from the station into the leafy countryside speeding through the rural beauty of England on the way from their hometown of Ware to the city of London. It was then that they took notice of the other two passengers in the carriage, an elderly gentleman with a smartly dressed young lady, both were politely smiling, as Joe and Betty settled back into their seats.
‘Look at that wonderful view Joe,’ said Betty. ‘Beautiful farms and country houses set in acres of rolling countryside.’
Joe grunted in reply, as he put his head down studying his iPhone intently. The closer they got to the city, the more derelict and decrepit the buildings looked as large blocks of flats and terraced houses became views of factories and industrial units. The buildings were covered in graffiti; an amazing variety of shapes and patterns and pictures that seemed to accentuate the general state of urban decay.
Betty was shocked at this change of scene. ‘Joe, that’s disgraceful, look at that shocking rubbish and abandoned litter, piled around the buildings and the graffiti all over the walls!’
Joe looked up from his device and said, ‘Betty, I hate the rubbish and the piles of junk all over the place but I think some of the graffiti is good and actually has the effect of brightening up the urban landscape.’
Betty then replied, ‘Joe, that graffiti is mostly rubbish and has no meaning, just block initials and hearts and zigzags.’
There was a polite cough as the elderly gentleman in the opposite corner of the carriage broke in. ‘I beg to differ, young lady, graffiti is an example not only of urban decay it reveals the underlying artistic decay of the population. This is an example of youth expressing themselves in the nearest they can get to pure art.’
Joe then looked closely at their traveling companion and gasped, ‘You are Sir Larry the television artist, who has made money from urban art! We are off to college to be interviewed for our places.’
The young lady then smiled and said, ‘Sir Larry will be on the selection panel!’
Betty said, ‘I hope I haven’t put my foot in it by what I said.’
The gentleman smiled and said, ‘I am sure you will get a place; both of you, I am a prime example of artistic decay, I was a graffiti artist once a long time ago.’
johnandmargaret1607 