The Issue with Politicians – Friday Fictioneers

A Congressional Hearing for the Birds – Photo by The Reclining Gentleman

“How wide is that island out there in the bay?” asked the Congressman. “I am thinking that it might be 20 feet long and 6 feet wide. Would that be correct Admiral?”

“Congressman, I do not have the exact information right now, but I can get it for you,” replied the Admiral.

“And what is the bird population on this island?”

“I think that it might be about 150.”

“Now you want to add how many birds to the island?”

“We want to add 6 birds sir.”

“My fear is that if you add 6 birds to this island it will become overly populated, capsize, and tip over.”

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I wrote this story based upon on an actual event. A friend of mine sent me a video link in an email. Not believing that what I was seeing was true, I did a check of Snopes.com. The story is true!

The true story has to do with adding U.S. troops to the Island of Guam. I hope that you watch the video below. I found it unbelievable and maybe you will too. As much as I would like to spout off here, I will not. I just ask that you watch this video, and then ask yourself about who you are voting for, no matter where you are in this world.

Now for the video:

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Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers, and to the Reclining Gentleman who brought to mind the story of a video sent to me by a certain friend! Aloha!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I certainly hope that you took the time to watch the video…be well!

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X Marks the Spot – Mondays Finish the Story

X Marks the Spot – BW Beacham

“Do you remember that old saying, ‘X marks the spot?” Two shuttles were just approaching the mothership having completed their mission. The “X” was prominent in the sky below them. The Zarcathians had been watching this planet for some time now.

What drew their attention to this once blue planet were the weapons of mass destruction. The inhabitants were in a state of unrest, countries warring against other countries. They did not need these weapons as they were destroying the planet already.

For years, the Zarcathians monitored the devastation on this planet. They watched the depletion of the ozone layer, destruction of forestlands, and pollution of the once blue waters that surrounded the planet.

What bothered the Zarcathians the most was that it appeared the inhabitants were planning on heading out into space for colonization. They could not let this happen.

The order was given, and where X marked the spot, the photon torpedo made its descent.
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You too can join in on this writing challenge! A photo is provided and the opening sentence of a story that you get to finish! Join in on this Mondays Finish the Story challenge! To get to this week’s challenge click HERE!

I hope that you liked my bit of flash fiction! Thank you for taking the time to stop by today for a bit! Have a great Monday and be well! ^..^

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Pay Per View – Sunday Photo Fiction

Pay Per View – Photo by Alastair Forbes

“Daddy can I have fifty cents pah-lease?” asked Damien’s daughter.

Camera hanging from around his neck and being distracted because he was about to become one of the 30% club for seeing Mount McKinley, he reached into his pocket and pulled out two quarters handing them to her.

“Here you go,” he said as he raised the camera to his eye, the clouds lifting. He would catch a photo of the peak, something not many do.

His daughter ran off gripping the quarters. The person at the scope was now gone. She put in the two quarters, heard a whoosh, and was gone!

Damien stood there looking at the mountain. He caught a shot just before it disappeared behind the clouds.

He turned back towards the telescopes looking for his daughter, and could not find her. Running inside, he looked for her. He stopped at the front desk of the lodge and asked if anyone had seen her. A gal behind the desk asked, “Did you give her two quarters to look at the mountain?”

“Yes.”

She said, “Isn’t it amazing how easy fifty cents can suck you in for pay per view?” His daughter was never seen again.

Mount McKinley

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A huge thanks goes out to Alastair Forbes for hosting Sunday Photo Fiction! Great photo Al! Like you, I knew just what to do with this photo!

Thank you dear reader for taking the time to drop on by today! Be well! ^..^

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Buddah

Do it with your heart!

This saying comes from the Dhammapada, which is a collection of quotes from Buddah. I once took a class in Eastern Philosophy and read the entire book. It took a while because the sayings really make you think…Here are a few more:

“Do not give your attention to what others do or fail to do; give it to what you do or fail to do.”

“As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.”

“It is easy to see the faults of others…it is hard to see our own.”

“Like a lovely flower full of color but lacking in fragrance, are the words of those who do not practice what they teach.”

Take each of these with you today, and see if you can find the truth for yourself! Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful day! Be well! ^..^

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The Story of the Three Meerkats – Sunday Photo Fiction

See No Evil – Photo by Alastair Forbes

Give me garden statuary that has meaning. Is that too much to ask? After perusing all of what there was to choose from at the local Home Depot, she turned to walk away. Looking down her eye landed upon a small piece that had three Meerkats. She picked it up, looked at it from all angles, and decided to add this piece to her garden.

Once she got it home, she placed it amongst the oxalis. With it placed just right she went back into the house, poured herself a cocktail, then headed back outside. Taking a seat, she raised her glass in a silent toast.

As she sat there, she heard the sound of tapping. Looking around she tried to isolate where the sound came from. She realized it came from the new statuary.

Looking at it the first Meerkat, she saw its tiny arms moving and then covering its mouth. Then she watched as the second Meerkat tapped then covered its eyes. Then the third Meerkat tapped and covered its ears.

As she sat there in her garden, she realized what the little Meerkats were trying to tell her. What happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas!
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Thank you to Alastair Forbes for hosting Sunday Photo Fiction!

And, thank you dear reader for taking a moment to stop by to read my little bit of flash! Have a great Sunday and be well! ^..^

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Paddle Boarding!

When we were at Stumpy Meadows there was a mother and son enjoying paddling boarding on the lake. What could be better on a hot day then a day with Mom on a lake? This actually looks like fun and some good exercise too! Let’s take a look, shall we?

Paddle boarding at Stumpy Meadows

You can see from he ripples on the water that there was a bit of a breeze.

Sunday outing with Mom

Stumpy Meadows got its name from all the trees that were cut down to make this reservoir. Look at the shore in this photo…Be sure to click to enlarge the photo!

Taking a break

I could hear Mom calling out to her son to follow her!

Follow the leader

After a while they got tired and started to head for shore…

Heading to shore

This boy is very lucky that his Mom spent the day with him doing this! My Mom: Forget getting her out on the water on one of those boards! My Dad might have enjoyed this!

Enjoy your Tuesday! Thank you for dropping in today! Be well! ^..^

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It’s Your Party! – A WordPress Photo Challenge!

Due to the birthday of the United States of America, Nilesh, another blogger, suggested that this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge should be about a party and how you celebrate! Let’s begin this with a photo featured on my 1st birthday of this blog!

Happy Birthday!

What better way to celebrate than with a glass of champagne!

Celebrating!

And with a steak dinner!

A steak dinner!

Don’t forget the goofy glasses! At a party one needs to have some fun!

Happy Birthday!

How do you party?

Have a great Saturday and if you are in my neck of the woods, keep water with you during this heat wave!

Thanks for dropping by and be well! ^..^

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That’s It! – Friday Fictioneers

Relaxing – Photo by Douglas M. MacIlroy

“I quit!” he yelled.

“You can’t quit! You owe me two weeks’ notice!”

“You treated me like crap, so no notice!”

Mr. Johnson, the boss, flopped into a chair, mouth hanging open.

“Some suggestions ,” said Bob. “Stop yelling at everyone including your customers. You need to remember that they are your bread and butter! And clean up this place. No one needs a 40 year old adding machine sitting around.”

He left and went home. He lit some candles, got dinner going and stared at the computer screen of a painting of Mt. Fuji. Damn did he feel good!
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Thank you to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to Douglas M. MacIlroy for the inspiring photo!

If you are in my neck of the woods, it is going to be stinky hot today! Stay cool and if you are out and about, carry water with you!

Thanks for taking the time to drop in for a quick read, and be well! ^..^

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Street Life – A WordPress Photo Challenge…

This week the WordPress Photo Challenge subject is street life. Cheri Lucas Rowlands asks us to “…capture a scene that reveals a bit about a place…” So, with this in mind, I will take you to a number of places that I have been that do just this! Ready? Let’s go!

Let’s begin with a photo of the town where I live: Placerville, CA.

A view of Main Street

Here is a shot of another town here in the foothills…Murphys, CA.

The main street in Murphys

Here is a street scene from Columbia, CA.

A view down an old town street

Taking you somewhere different, this street scene is found on the island of Santa Catalina, just off the Southern California coast…

One of the streets in town

Going much further south, we took a couple of cruises that brought us south of the border. These next photos are a huge contrast to life here in the foothills!

Here is a street in Puerto Vallarta.

A street in Puerto Vallarta

This next one is in Mazatlan.

A street in Mazatlan

And one final shot. This one is in the town of Ensenada!

One of the busy streets

II hope that you enjoyed these street scenes! Thanks Cheri for this challenge! And, thank you, dear readers, for taking the time to drop in for a visit!

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Prince Charming Escapes! …Friday Fictioneers

Prince Charming Escapes — Photo by Sandra Crook

Hidden within the hay of the truck tucked in tight was Prince Charming. This was one method of escape that he had not tried before. He was hoping it would work.

He was being forced to marry the Princess Driselda. He was rebelling against this. He dressed himself like one of the commoners and made a mad dash for the hay truck while no one was looking.

Peering over the top he watched the town glide by. At the bend in the road the vehicle stopped. The King’s men were waiting having placed a homing device in the Prince’s clothes.
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A huge thanks goes out to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting Friday Fictioneers! The challenge: Write a story with a beginning, middle and end in 100 words or less….

We made it to Friday! Have a wonderful day and thank you for dropping by!

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