Women Can’t Fish – Sunday Photo Fiction

The Waterfront – Photo by Alastair Forbes

We head out from The Waterfront on the Sea Witch. We are going to be fishing for rock cod. I love rock cod. I head into the cabin of the boat and settle myself in for the hour and a half ride it will take for us to arrive at the fishing grounds. There are fifteen anglers and I am the only woman on board.

As we head to our destination, I sip on my coffee and read “Orion’s Gift.” The men have cracked open their beer and their voices are getting louder, a clear sign that the alcohol is taking effect. I hear a couple of the men laughing about me being on the boat. I smile to myself thinking, “We shall see boys.”

We finally arrive at the fishing grounds. I put away my coffee and book, and head over to my rod. I am using shrimp hooks. I release the line letting weight of the sinkers take my hooks down to the bottom. I know that I am there as my line slackens. I pull my line up a tad and wait.

I feel the hit of the fish. “Fish on!” I shout. Pulling them up the 250 feet, I have two lings. After one hour, I have hit the limit of what I can take. The men are scowling. Each has maybe one or two in their bags.  “Now who said that a woman cannot possibly be good at fishing? Eh, boys?”

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I am a bit over the word limit, but in order to tell my story, it was necessary.  I hope that you enjoyed this fish tale.

Thank you Alastair Forbes for hosting Sunday Photo Fiction, and for the photo that inspired my story. And, thanks to you dear reader, for stopping by today to read my bit of flash! Have one heck of an amazing Sunday, and be well… ^..^

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Painted Caddies – Friday Fictioneers

Cadillac Ranch – Photo by Jean L. Hays

“What can we do that would be exciting and different?” ask one millionaire of another.

“How do you feel about art?”

“Love it for the most part.”

“How do you feel about Cadillacs?”

“Love them too.”

“Do you like to paint?”

“I was never good at it, according to my art teacher from the 60’s when I was in school. Nor was I according to any teacher after that.”

“Do you care today?”

“No.”

“How’s about we paint up some caddies, sink them in the ground, and then charge folks to see them?”

“Great! Let’s get started!”

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Thanks go out to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and the Jean L. Hayes for the inspiring photo!

Thank you too dear reader for taking the time to stop by! Be well… ^..^

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Sarah Investigates – Mondays Finish the Story

Happy Monday! Every Monday I devote my post to a flash fiction writing challenge that I host. It is called Mondays Finish the Story. This is a flash fiction challenge where I provide a photo and the opening line to a story.  The writer is to use the opening line and write a story that goes with the photo.  The word limit is 100-150 words, not including the opening line. Here is my contribution to this week’s challenge. The opening sentence is in bold and italicized letters.

Sherman City Hall – © 2015, Barbara W. Beacham

“The Mayor and the town manager waved as their next victim approached.” Their smiling faces were welcoming. Sarah waved back at them as she hopped off the train.

“Welcome to Sherman,” said Mayor Gillespie.

“Thank you!” she replied.

“And, what brings you to our small hamlet?”

“I heard that there are some good hiking trails to the wilderness beyond.” What she was here for was to investigate what happened to her brother. His last call to the family was from the train that would drop him off here.

Heading into the building, they offered her a coffee, which she gratefully accepted. It was hot and slightly bitter.

“So, where are you from?” asked town manager Wilco.

“Eugene Oregon.”

“We had another visitor from there. Now isn’t that strange?”

As Sarah looked around the room, she saw her brother’s jacket hanging on the coat rack and stood up. The room began to spin.

“Got us another,” said Gillespie to Wilco laughing maniacally.

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I hope that you enjoyed my bit of flash!  You too can join in on this exciting challenge.  To get there click HERE!

Thank you for taking the time to drop on by! Have a magnificent day and be well… ^..^

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Angel That Rolls – Sunday Photo Fiction

Angel That Rolls – Photo by Alastair Forbes

She was not supposed to have any contact with humans. She ignored the rule. Sitting outside a cafe, she watched people walk by as she sipped on lemonade.

“Ahem,” he said.

Looking over, she saw a man. He had warm brown eyes, rusty brown hair, a strong square jaw and a mustache. He was gorgeous and he was looking at her. They both stared at one another.

“May I introduce myself?” he asked.

Still staring, she nodded. “My name is Charles. Charles Rolls,” he said. “This might seem a bit impertinent, but may I join you?”

Tongue-tied she nodded her head. He pulled the chair back, sat and struck up conversation. Soon they were talking animatedly. The talk turned to cars, and he offered her a ride in his. Off they went.

She loved the ride. At the end of the day, when it was time to go, she kissed him on the cheek. Removing her coat, she spread her wings, winked at Charles and flew off.

Charles never wanted to forget her and the time they spent together. To commemorate her, he had her effigy created. Today one can see her on the hoods of all the Rolls-Royce cars.

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A huge thanks goes out to Alastair Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction for the inspiring photo and for hosting this flash fiction challenge.

Sunday Photo Fiction

To you dear reader, thank you for taking the time to stop by. I hope that you enjoyed my bit of flash fiction. Have a splendid Sunday and be well… ^..^

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The Garlic Shop – Friday Fictioneers

It is time for another story! Thursday’s I devote the day to writing for the Friday Fictioneers flash fiction challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge requires that you write a story of no more than 100 words and that the story have a beginning, middle and end. So here is today’s photo and my story.

Garlic Shop – Photo by Kent Bonham

Walking along the promenade, window-shopping, we came across this store called “Trak All the Way.” We could smell the shop before we came upon it. Garlic! I love garlic!

Heading inside we were surprised to find that all they had were religious crosses and, of course, garlic. It was then that we realized the reason that they sold what they did was to keep the vamps away.

The sun was setting as we turned to leave. The woman ran over, hung a cross around my neck and handed me some garlic. “No charge,” she said. “Be very careful going home.”

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Thanks goes out to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and to Kent Bonham for the photo that inspired this story. As to you, dear reader, I thank you too for taking the time to stop by today.

Have an amazing day and be well… ^..^

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Chiming In – Mondays Finish the Story

It is Monday again, and this is the day I devote to the other blog that I write, which is the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. This challenge gives an opening line to a story that the writer must use and that they write a story that goes along with the photo. The word limit is 100-150 words, not including the opening line. Here is my contribution to this week’s challenge. The opening sentence is in bold and italicized letters.

© 2015, Barbara W. Beacham

“Hey boys, how ’bout y’all makin’ yer Ma some wind chimes?” This was how it all began for Jimmy Jack and Bobby Roy. They went to work on the wind chimes for ma and came up with the design of a wrench with cans of beans and beer for the chimes.

It went over so well with not only the family, but with friends and neighbors. Word got out and orders for wind chimes came rolling in. Next thing the boys knew they had a thriving business. They were having a hard time keeping up with the orders, and soon realized that they needed to hire help. And so the boys hired cousins and friends. They moved out of the barn and into a warehouse.

When Betty Sue created a website for them, sales went through the roof. Today the boys and ma live in the lap of luxury.

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I hope that you enjoyed my bit of flash. If you would like to take part in this fun and unique flash fiction challenge, then just click HERE!

Thanks for dropping by and have a magnificent Monday! Be well… ^..^

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An Odd Job – Sunday Photo Fiction

Today I am taking part in Sunday Photo Fiction hosted by Alastair Forbes. This is a flash fiction challenge where you use the photo prompt provided and write a story that goes with the photo. The challenge requires the writer to create a story using about 200 words. Here is the photo and my story entitled “An Odd Job.”

As the sun sets – Photo by Alastair Forbes

The sun was low on the western horizon. I watched and waited patiently for it to dip below the horizon. Soon she would be awake.

I am a caretaker of one of the walking dead. It was an unusual job to say the least. I work from dusk to dawn. I prepare meals, enjoy the nightlife, and I travel. It’s a blast!

The vamp that I take care of, Arminell, is a real beauty. It was in the 1600’s at the young age of 17, when she was turned. She has raven hair, flawless skin, and eyes the color of the sky. I was lucky because even though I work for her, she is my friend. Other caretakers are not so lucky.

Ah, there she is. “Good evening Sally,” she says in greeting. She is wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt, her hair in a French braid. “What are we going to do today?”

“Let me get you something to eat, then let’s hit the city.”

“Splendid! What’s on the menu?”

I have created a food bank, you see. It works perfectly. Folks think they’re auditioning for a new stage play. “How about starting with a spicy Spaniard, and finishing with a cool Norwegian?”

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Sunday Photo Fiction

Thank you Al for the amazing photo that inspired my story. And, to you dear reader, thank you for taking the time to stop by for a quick read. Have an amazing day and be well. ^..^

 

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A Haunting – Friday Fictioneers

Chandelier – Photo by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

In the library, we sat quietly. Suddenly, we saw a book on the table move and open up.

By the fireplace, we saw the silhouette of a man in uniform. As quickly as he appeared, he disappeared.

At the glass doors leading outside, we saw the face of a boy peering in through the window. Quickly going to the door, looking out, we realized no one was there.

They say the place is haunted. We had to find out. In the dining room I asked, “Is anyone here with us?”

The massive chandelier began to sway. “Yesss,” said a voice.

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Thanks go out to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and for the beautiful photo that inspired this story.

And, thank you dear reader for taking the time to drop on by for a quick read. May you have a fabulous day! Be well… ^..^

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The Biosphere – Mondays Finish the Story

It is Monday again, and this is the day I devote to the other blog that I write, which is the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. This challenge gives an opening line to a story that the writer must use and that they write a story that goes along with the photo. The word limit is 100-150 words, not including the opening line. Here is my contribution to this week’s challenge. The opening sentence is in bold and italicized letters.

The Biosphere – Photo by Barbara W. Beacham

“At first, it looked like an ordinary marble, but it was far from it.” They saw it from a distance. They continued on heading to the biosphere. It had been there now for 45 years.

“Are those fractures?” asked McClary.

“I don’t know,” replied Smith.

They got to the biosphere and circled it looking for a way in. The surface did look fractured.

“Where is the door?” Smith asked.

“Over here.”

Gaining access, they went through the locks. Not knowing what they would find inside, they left their suits on. As they walked through the last lock, they saw the hydroponic garden. Fish tanks were bubbling, and cows looked up at them.

Heading into the building, they found themselves in the dining hall. The people turned to see who was coming in.

Smith and McClary were surprised to see humans and greys eating pizza, drinking either wine or milk, while a band played music in the background.

“Welcome!” they both heard in their heads.

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I hope that you enjoyed my bit of flash. Thanks go out to Eric from Momus News for helping out this week with the opening line for the challenge. If you would like to take part in this fun and unique flash fiction challenge, then just click HERE!

Thanks for dropping by and have a magnificent Monday! Be well… ^..^

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3:00 p.m., June 14th, 2015 – Sunday Photo Fiction

Today we return for another edition of Sunday Photo Fiction hosted by Alastair Forbes. This flash fiction challenge asks us to write a story, using the photo prompt, and keeping the number of words used to about 200. Here is the photo and my story.

Clock Tower – Photo by Alastair Forbes

“When the clock strikes three,” so the prophecy said, “on the 14th of June, 2015, the world will come to an end.”

The clock read 2:53 p.m. as I sat on the bench looking over the sand beach. I thought about my life. Did I do everything that I wanted to do? No. I wished that I had had the time to repair the relationship with my parents. I wished that I had found the love of my live. I wished that I could apologize to all those that I have hurt. I wished that I had taken the opportunity to open my own business.

Would haves, could haves. What’s the use? The clock now read 2:56. I watched as the water lapped along the sand. I breathed in deep enjoying the smell of the air. There was nothing like the smell of the air along the coast.

Seagulls flew, and then landed, looking around for food discarded by the people who walked the beach eating the fish tacos sold nearby. Did they know that the end of the world was coming? The clock read 2:59.

I shut my eyes and waited. I took one last breath.

Bong, bong, bong.

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Sunday Photo Fiction

Thank you Al for hosting this fun flash fiction challenge. And, thank you dear reader for taking the time to stop by. Have an amazing day and be well… ^..^

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