Smorgasbord Short Stories – The Carrot Ranch #Flash Fiction Challenge – Life’s Greatest Gift by Sally Cronin

This week, Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills was to create a story in 99 words not more, no less about The Greatest Gift….

Life’s Greatest Gift

Thomas prowled the corridors of the care home as its residents slept. During the day he would jump from lap to lap, rubbing gnarled hands with his head, accepting tender touches and morsels of food, hoarded and saved for his visit. For many he became the family they no longer knew, and was adored.

The cat slipped through a door left ajar, and approaching the bed, he leapt onto the pillow. Thomas purred gently into the old woman’s ear. She sighed and gave one last gentle breath, accepting the greatest gift in life of being loved until its end.

©Sally Cronin 2019

If you would like to participate you have until September 17th: https://carrotranch.com/2019/09/13/september-12-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

I hope you enjoyed my bit of flash and your feedback is always welcome.. thanks Sally.

 

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Smorgasbord Short Stories – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – True Grit by Sally Cronin

This week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills was to use the title of one of the greatest western’s of all time True Grit in one form or another.. Since is was my father’s favourite film (along with any John Wayne Western) I have responded with this.

True Grit

Each year on her late father’s birthday, Molly would watch True Grit, his favourite western. This year she was nine months pregnant and hoping after three boys it might be a girl. Her husband rubbed her ankles, passing her tissues as she wept at the end of the movie. The baby kicked and Molly felt a sharp pain.

‘It’s on the way love.’ She smiled at him. ‘I am going to call the baby Mattie, boy or girl.’

‘Thank God, I thought you were going to say Rooster for a minute.’ Laughing and excited they headed out the door.

©Sally Cronin 2019

If you would like to participate you have until September 10th: https://carrotranch.com/2019/09/06/september-5-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

I hope you enjoyed my bit of flash and your feedback is always welcome.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Short Stories – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – The Charm Bracelet by Sally Cronin

This week on the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills the prompt was ‘Old World Charm’ or words to that effect.. in 99 words no more no less..

The Charm Bracelet.

Keira stood in line with the other teenagers. Dressed in plain cotton overalls, the queue stretched back for miles. Above them, lining the cliff edges, were their families, held back by a tall fence. She looked down at the silver charm bracelet her mother had placed around her wrist as she had said her tearful goodbyes.

‘This will remind you of the old world my daughter, and our love.’

Keira finally reached the head of the line and was called forward by the guardians.
Placing her hand over the bracelet, she stepped through the portal, into the new world.

 

©Sally Cronin 2019

If you would like to participate in this weeks challenge, here is the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/08/22/august-22-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.

 

 

Smorgasbord Short Stories – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – Strawberry Jam by Sally Cronin

I hope you will enjoy my flash fiction in response to Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills  This week the prompt was sweet jam… and here is my 99 words, no more no less.

Strawberry Jam by Sally Cronin

Margaret sat in the sitting room of the nursing home, in a chintz covered chair by the window. She couldn’t remember why she was there, but perhaps the family had brought her out for tea. She tried to think of her daughter’s name; a pretty girl in a blue overall who spoke gently with a lovely smile. Margaret looked at the plate on her lap, lifting the contents to her lips, it tasted delicious with something red and sweet that stirred distant and happy memories. Jam, strawberry jam, on scones, with butter and cream. How could she have forgotten?

©Sally Cronin 2019

If you would like to participate in this week’s challenge here is the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/08/15/august-15-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Short Stories – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – Poisoned Apple by Sally Cronin

In this week’s post Charli Mills is heavy of heart about the recent violence that seems to be spreading through all our countries. The Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge  this week is about the rhetoric that is disseminated through every media outlet and social media platform, aimed at filling people’s heads with untruths and fear.

The prompt was Poisoned Apple and here is my interpretation. I don’t usually make political statements…but Charli did say to write where it leads us….

Poisoned Apple by Sally Cronin

It is common in this modern world, to be offered promises that seem as wholesome as a bowl of shiny apples. However the red skinned fruit may hide toxic untruths and evil intent. Once it is swallowed, the poisoned apple will stick in your throat, causing you to spout the heinous words hidden within; spreading the evil like a virus. The only antidote to its venom; is to establish the truth, and wash the words down with random acts of kindness. We must all think carefully before embarking on a dangerously addictive diet of fake news and ill intentions.

©Sally Cronin 2019

If you would like to participate in this week’s challenge here is the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/08/08/august-8-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Short Story – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – Rock Star by Sally Cronin

This week Charli Mills  the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge shares her joy at having bills to pay.. it has been a long and challenging process to move into their new home, but it has all worked out. She also shares her delight in her new course to obtain her degree and this week’s prompt, which is to write 99 words, no more no less about a Rock Star..

Without further ado….here is my bit of flash.

Rock Star by Sally Cronin

The performance came to a climax, the singer whipping sweat laden hair around in a frenzy. Voice gravelly with fatigue, he growled out the final lyrics, gyrating across the stage. The last notes faded to the roar of the crowd. Thrusting his guitar above his head, he backed into the wings. Grabbing a towel he headed to his dressing room, eager for what waited for him. He sat back in the chair satisfied. Nothing like a fish paste sandwich and glass of cold milk to end the night. He smiled at the woman. ‘Thanks Mum just what I needed.’

©Sally Cronin 2019

 

I hope you will participate in the challenge...https://carrotranch.com/2019/08/01/august-1-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Short Stories – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge – Retail Therapy by Sally Cronin

Another wonderful prompt and post from Charli Mills for this week’s carrot ranch flash fiction challenge And I do suggest you head over to read about a loon chick who lost its way and the kindness of human strangers determined that it should have a chance to survive. The prompt this week was ‘For One Day’

Retail Therapy by Sally Cronin

The slinky red dress in the window of the boutique caught her eye as she trudged home from work, laden with groceries and the burden of the day. There was a sign beneath the ravishingly daring and crimson outfit.

For one day only, half price. Dress as the woman you’ve always wanted to be.

In her case that would be the woman she used to be. She looked at her reflection in the window. Greying hair, dowdy clothes and weariness etched on her face. She pushed open the door to the shop taking the first step to her rejuvenation.

©Sally Cronin 2019

Do head over and participate in the challenge… it is fun and you get to meet a great bunch of writers in the recap on Thursdays. https://carrotranch.com/2019/07/25/july-25-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Short Story – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – Escaping the Famine by Sally Cronin

Time for this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills and this week being July 4th, it is in celebration of Charli’s part of Michigan, and its history. She asked us to check out the micro history of the Keweenaw National Historic Park from the 1840s and write 99 words no more no less about an aspect of that history.

My mother’s family on her father’s side originated from Cork where ships began leaving for America in the mid-1840s after the worst winter of the famine. I know that my Great Grandfather William Walsh left to join the Royal Navy but I am sure many of my relatives died or immigrated to America and beyond. The ships were overcrowded, cramped and disease was common. Already weakened by years of famine, many died hence the later term ‘coffin ships’, and those that survived had to endure terrible storms and deprivation to reach the promised land. One of the stories on the site is about an Irish couple from County Kerry who left around that time, so I have loosely based my story around them.

Image – The Colour of life by Geoffrey Cronin.

Escaping the Famine by Sally Cronin

Michael placed a clod of barren earth in a pouch before joining Maggie, waiting with their meagre possessions by the side of the road. Carrying their bundles and what food was left, they walked eighty miles through desolate lands to Cork. With their last few pounds, they bought passage on a ‘Coffin’ ship. Surviving storms and disease aboard the crowded vessel, they made their way to Michigan. Michael toiled in a copper mine, until the growing family settled on a farm near Hurontown, where they mixed the earth from the old country with the rich soil of the new.

©Sally Cronin 2019

 If you would like to participate in this week’s challenge here is the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/07/04/july-4-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Short Stories – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – Waiting for the Bus by Sally Cronin

The last post of the week is in response to Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills and the prompt this week is ‘Waiting’. This week in her post Charli Mills talks about the challenges they face with completing on their house with VA loans dependent on certain work being carried out and an inspection to check compliance. Added into the mix is a starling intent on building a nest in the most inconvenient place.

Waiting for the Bus by Sally Cronin

The young girl waited anxiously for the bus. She huddled into the long queue of people standing impatiently in the rain, hiding her bulging rucksack between her feet. She was cold and wet but determined to get away from this place. The planning had been carried out meticulously, and she was happy that she had everything needed for a new life. Her stomach began rumbling. It was Friday and her mum made fish and chips for tea. People muttered as the five year old pushed through them, dragging her rucksack and heading down the street. She smiled in anticipation.

©Sally Cronin 2019

If you would like to participate in this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction here is the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/06/21/june-20-flash-fiction-challenge/

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Short Story – Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction – Many Hands by Sally Cronin

That time of the week when I participate in the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills This week in her post, Charli talks about how she and neighbours help out an elderly victim of last years floods and debris that wrecked her garden. She also how the accumulative efforts of the community sustain the The Vet centres and the recognition this year of the wives of veterans who fought in the Vietnam war.

Appropriately the prompt is ‘Many Hands’ and here is my piece of flash of 99 words, no more, no less.

Many Hands by Sally Cronin

Many hands reached out to rock the cradle that held the infant. The first baby to be born to the tribe since the long drought and famine years, when the earth and its people had become barren. Finally the rain came and washed the toxic dust away, bringing life to the land and hope to them all. With bellies filled, young and old toiled in the fields to lay in stores for the coming winter and to gather seeds for next year’s crop. By then other babies will have been born, ensuring the future of the village and mankind.

©Sally Cronin 2019

Image: Pixabay.com

If you would like to participate in this week’s Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction here is the link: https://carrotranch.com/2019/06/13/june-13-flash-fiction-challeng

I have a number of short story collections and you can find my books and their reviews: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/my-books-and-reviews-2019/

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my story….thanks Sally.