CC&R Violation – Mondays Finish the Story!

It is Monday which is the day that I devote to the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. The rules for this challenge are to write a story that goes with the photo and that one uses the opening line provided. The word limit is between 100-150 not including the opening line, which is in bold italicized letters. Here is the photo and my story!

© 2015, Barbara W. Beacham

“The neighbors were not happy about my choice of yard art, so much so that I actually received a complaint letter from the Homeowners Association.

The letter read, “It has come to our attention that you have recently installed extremely large art pieces in your yard. Our CC&R’s, if you read them, indicate that there is a height limitation of six feet on all garden art on properties within the association. We demand that you remove these pieces at once. Have a nice day…” The letter was signed by the Board President.

Frankly, their letter upset me! Honestly, I feel they are picking on me yet again. This is not the first time they have sent me a letter. I received another one when I put up the huge shed out back. I got yet another over the old rusty farm pieces.

What I don’t understand is why they never said a word to my neighbors about their six-foot phallus and testes!

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I hope that you enjoyed my story! If you like to write, you can join in on this challenge by clicking HERE!

Thanks for taking the time to drop on by! I hope that you have a magnificent Monday and be well…. ^..^

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The Riddle – Mondays Finish the Story

It is Monday and once again I am participating in the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. The rules for this challenge are to write a story that goes with the photo and that one uses the opening line provided. The word limit is between 100-150 not including the opening line, which is in bold italicized letters. Here is the photo and my story!

The Kingdom Behind the Fog – Photo by Barbara W. Beacham

Once upon a time in a land far, far away behind the blue fog was the Kingdom of Cantabile. The time had come for the King to pass the kingdom on to one of his three daughters. To choose the best of the three he asked them the following question:

“A ship has a ladder with seven rungs hanging over its side. The distance between rungs is 20 cm. The length of the ladder is 180 cm. The ship moves from salt water to fresh water. The displacement value of the water is 2,240. The ship moves at a rate of 10 knots. As it moves to fresh water, how many rungs will still be visible given these values?”

The first and second daughters begin working on the problem. The third daughter without hesitating answered first.

“Seven,” she said.

“Correct!” said the King. He signaled the Page. The blue waters of the Kingdom now ran red signifying a new leader.

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You too can join in on this challenge. Simply click HERE!

Thanks for taking the time to stop on by today. Have a magnificent week! Be well… ^..^

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Pizza Anyone? Mondays Finish the Story

It is Monday and once again I am participating in the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge.

The rules for this challenge are to write a story that goes with the photo and uses the opening line provided. The word limit is between 100-150 not including the opening line. Today I took the liberty of going a bit over, as this story just had to be told the right way….Here is the photo and my story!

Pizza anyone? – Photo by Barbara W. Beacham

“Pizza anyone?” asked John. Those were his last words. Let me go back to the beginning of the day…

John, an avid pizza maker, returned home with a new wood-burning pizza oven for use outdoors. After reading the instructions on how to use it, he got it set up out back.

Then he went to work in the kitchen. He made his own pizza dough. While the dough was resting, he put together his own special sauce. Next, he got all the toppings ready. Once the dough was ready, he dotted the top with his chosen items. He slid the pizza into the oven.

We all sat around, drinking glasses of red wine, as the pizza cooked. When it was ready, he pulled the pizza out of the oven, and turned to us uttering those last words. You see, in a flash he, the pizza and the oven disappeared.

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John looked around and found himself in a dark wine bar surrounded by grey beings, each holding wine glasses in their three-fingered hands. He saw people behind a bar, and a senior citizen band was playing music. Looking back to the smiling greys, he heard in his mind, “Pizza!”

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If you would like to write a story that goes along with the photo above, then click HERE to join in!

Thank you for taking the time to read my bit of flash! I hope that you have a marvelous week! Be well… ^..^

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The Senior Citizen Band – Friday Fictioneers

This is my entry for the Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This challenge requires me to write a story using 100 words or less. Today I am tying my story to two others that I have done. The first one is: The Wine Bar. The second: More!

Senior Band – Photo by David Stewart

The sun was setting in the park, and the senior citizen band was ready to play. The conductor raised his baton; and the music began. Notes flowed from each instrument.

Song after song they played. As the evening wound down, they finished the song “25 or 6 to 4.” Suddenly they could hear a humming sound. A light beamed down upon the gazebo, and in a flash, it was gone!

The seniors found themselves in a bar filled with grey beings drinking glasses of wine. Each senior heard the word, “Play.” And, so they did. The aliens raised their glasses!

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Thank you Rochelle for hosting this challenge and David for the photo that inspired this story! And, I thank you dear reader for taking the time to stop by for a quick read! Have an amazing day and be well… ^..^

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Bracing for Impact – Mondays Finish the Story!

It is Monday and once again I am participating in the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. The rules for this challenge are to write a story that goes with the photo and uses the opening line provided. The word limit is between 100-150 not including the opening line. Here is the photo and my story!

On the River – Photo by Barbara W. Beacham

“When the team heard the dam explode, they knew they had limited time to make it to safety.” The team made their way into the rapids, hoping that with their paddling they would be able to get farther down river.

They could hear the roar of the water from the dam as it rushed towards them. “Strap in!” shouted Captain Venisant. “All paddles in!”

The team complied with orders. Each man grabbed a hold of the strapping. The roar of the water was loud. Taking a quick look back, the Captain shouted, “Brace for impact.”

The water crashed down on them. The men held on tight. The rocks at the rivers bottom battered them. The raft slowly began to rise. Finally, it surfaced.

Each man drew a deep breath. They made it without casualties. “Well done men!” shouted the Captain.

They all looked at each other. Smiles adorned every face. Then they heard the roar. Turning to look ahead, they hit the top of the falls.

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You too can join in on this flash fiction writing challenge! To get to the page, click HERE!

Thank you dear reader for stopping by today! Have a marvelous Monday and be well… ^..^

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More! Mondays Finish the Story

It is Monday and once again I am participating in the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. The rules for this challenge are to write a story that goes with the photo and uses the opening line provided. The word limit is between 100-150 not including the opening line. Here is the photo and my story!

The Brigadiers House – Photo by Barbara Beacham

A body suddenly crashed through a plate glass window at the Brigadier’s house.  Startled, the Brigadier and his guests ran towards the sound.

Coming around the side of the house, they found George lying on the patio amongst bits of glass. Blood oozed from numerous cuts on his body. He groaned, clutching what remained of his wine glass.

The Brigadier went over to George and helped him up. Private Marsh came over to assist.

“Private,” said the Brigadier, “go get the first aid kit from under the kitchen sink.”

Helping George over to a lounge chair, the Brigadier got him settled. “What in the devil happened George?”

“So sorry Al about your window,” George said. “Remember the strange lights we saw over that vineyard?”

“Yes,” replied the Brigadier.

“I saw them again.” Suddenly, a beam of light shot down on George and he disappeared.

George found himself behind a wine bar looking at drunken aliens. In his head, he heard the word “MORE.”

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Have you a story that goes with the above photo? Well you too can join in on the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge by clicking HERE!

Thank you for taking the time today to drop on by! I hope that you enjoyed my story…Be well! ^..^

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The Wine Bar – Mondays Finish the Story

It is Monday and once again I am participating in the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge. The rules for this challenge are to write a story that goes with the photo and uses the opening line provided. The word limit is between 100-150 not including the opening line. Here is the photo and my story!

UFO’s – Photo by Barbara Beacham

“On March 9th, 2015, three objects were reportedly seen in the skies over the Borracho Todos los Tiempos Vineyard.”

Sitting at her desk working, she glanced out the window and noticed the objects. Picking up the phone, she called to the other office. “Look out the window!”

“What the heck are they?” asked Alice.

“I don’t know.”

Suddenly, the lights from the objects glowed brighter. Bright beams of light shot out of the vessels towards the two windows. Both Brittany and Alice simultaneously disappeared from their offices and found themselves standing behind a wine bar on the alien vessel.

Staring at them were large headed, skinny grey beings that had huge black unblinking eyes. The aliens were pounding on the bar. Inside their minds, the women heard the words, “More!”

Realizing that the aliens were asking for wine, they filled the raised glasses. Once done, the women looked at each other. Realizing the aliens were drunk, they raised the bottles said in unison, “I’ll drink to that!”

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I hope that you enjoyed my bit of flash for the  Mondays Finish the Story challenge!

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

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Legs and Jim – Mondays Finish the Story!

It is time once again for the Mondays Finish the Story flash fiction challenge!

Using the photo prompt, and the opening line, I am tasked with writing a story using between 100-150 words. Are you ready for my story? Let’s jump in!

Jumping Frog Plaque – Photo by Barbara W. Beacham

When it came to a challenge, Jim Smiley just had to jump right in! You see, Jim Smiley, named after his great grandfather, was a gamblin’ man. He landed himself a huge frog for the 150th Annual Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee.

Doing some research, he discovered that frogs could jump up to twenty times their length. His frog measured 13″. Jim figured that this frog could easily jump over twenty 20 1/2′. The record holder, Rosey the Ribetor jumped 21’5 3/4″. He had to beat this record.

Together, he and his frog, Legs, trained every day. It was not easy training a frog, but he figured out a method that worked!

Jim placed his bet on Legs. Hearing his name, he approached the starting line with the frog. Setting Legs down, he assumed his position. He beat the ground behind Legs. The frog pumped his legs and jumped! Sailing through the air, he dropped at 23′! Jim smiled. It was a new record!

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You to can take part in this flash fiction challenge! To check out the post on this challenge click HERE!

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope that you have an exceptional week! Be well… ^..^

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Underwood #4 – Mondays Finish the Story

It is time for another installment of Mondays Finish the Story, which is a flash fiction challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to a story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words, not including the opening line… Are you ready for my story?

Underwood #4 – Photo by Barbara W. Beacham

The old typewriter had a mind of its own. The odd thing is that whoever owned this typewriter had bestselling books. Let’s look at some past owners.

In 1926, the first owner was Ernest Hemingway. After a night of heavy drinking, he awoke one morning to find “The Sun Also Rises” stacked neatly next to the typewriter. He did not remember writing this book which became a bestseller that year.

Margaret Mitchell owned it too. No matter what keys she struck, it typed something else. When she was done, “Gone with the Wind” was in her hands. It became the 1936 bestselling book!

This unique device found its way to George Orwell. His fingers flew over the keys, his mind whirling with a story. The typewriter produced two books for him. Both were quite different from what he had in mind. “1984” and “Animal Farm” made the bestsellers list in the 40’s.

The typewriter is now mine.  🙂

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I hope that you enjoyed my entry into the Mondays Finish the Story challenge!

If you wish to join in on this challenge, well, then just click HERE!

Thanks for dropping by today! Have one heck of an amazing week! Be well… ^..^

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The Artist – Mondays Finish the Story

I am taking part in Mondays Finish the Story, which is a flash fiction challenge that provides a photo prompt and the opening sentence to a story. The rules indicate that the story you come up with must be between 100-150 words, not including the opening line… Are you ready for my story?

The Musicians – Photo by BW Beacham

“Little did they know when the photographer took their picture that they would find themselves trapped in a painting.” The photographer chuckled to herself, smiling as she walked away from the waterfront.

After snapping a couple more photos, she returned the art gallery. Walking into the back room, she hooked up the camera to the synthesizer. Turning it on it began to whir, pop and snap. Heading over to the printer, she watched as the painting emerged.

With everything framed and hung, she was ready for opening night. At six o’clock, she opened the doors. The art community gathered in her gallery, sipping wine and admiring each piece. All was going well.

A man who was admiring the painting of the musicians approached her. Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out a wallet and flashed his badge. “My name is Detective Schmidt from the New Orleans PD. Can I ask you some questions about your paintings? You see, what I find very odd, is that the people in each of your paintings are folks who have been reported missing.”

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I hope that you enjoyed my entry into the Mondays Finish the Story challenge!

If you wish to join in on this challenge, well, then just click HERE!

Thanks for dropping by today! Have one heck of an amazing week! Be well… ^..^

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