Letter from Gallipoli

This piece was written in response to Carrot Ranch's 99 word challenge on the theme of distance dating. Today is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand, a tradition that started after 11,000 Australians and New Zealanders were needlessly slaughtered at Gallipoli in Turkey, allegedly to defend the British Empire. Dear Flo I’m writing this …

Bucket heads

This piece was written for the 99 word Carrot Ranch  challenge of 'shield your face'. ‘We’re going to have to tell him.’ ‘What do you mean “we”. It was your idea!’ ‘But you went along.’ ‘True. You do realise he’s going to go mental?’ ‘Oh, I realise alright. Hence these two buckets?’ ‘OK, why the …

Brooching the subject

This piece was written in response to the prompt of 'brooch' for this month's 1000 word monthly post on Blog Battle  We were sorting through Mum’s personal possessions before she moved into the aged care facility and we’d come to her ornate japanned jewellery box. She carefully sorted the contents in to two groups; one …

War and Pizza Store Menu

My entry into this week's Carrot Ranch 100 word challenge on the theme of pizza. PETA special – Contains no animal products but please note that wheat screams when it’s harvested. Four Seasons – Perfect for the procrustinator Meet Lovers – Could be anything but comes PDQ Blonde – Toasted open sandwich (they’ll never know) …

The temptation of Rabbi T.

This piece was written for this week's Flash Fiction 99 word challenge around the theme of a rabbit on the roof.   Rabbi Tannenbaum trudged through the snow and knifing winds until he saw the diner. Inside, he was greeted by an older blonde woman. ‘Cold enough for ya?’ she said, her smile frozen but …

Tap dancing

This my response to the 99 word Flash Fiction Challenge prompt of 'tapping'. He started with a shuffle on the kitchen table, skillfully avoiding the remnant spaghetti bolognaise, wine glasses and tootsie rolls. (Some time ago, ‘she’ became ‘he’ with a ball change when she was living in Buffalo.) Confident of his Shirley Temple rhythm …

Clarice of the light

This piece was written for the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction 99 word challenge, with the prompt word of 'Clarice'. I have taken my inspiration from the Australian painter, Clarice Beckett. You can learn more about her here. ‘Oh, that Clarice. Fancies painting more than men. Imagine that? Still, she’s done the right thing by her …

Nights in the castle

This piece was written for the Blog Battle challenge with the prompt word of 'castle'. The inevitable knock came. He opened the door swiftly, startling the middle-aged farmer in the high-viz jacket planted on the verandah, bearing a six-pack. He closed the door again, just as swiftly. Mission accomplished. By this evening, the word would …

An Australian on the road in Tenby, Wales

Written for Charlie Mills' Flash Fiction 100 word challenge around the theme of the open road. At the Buccaneer Pub, inside the walls of the old town, I’m drinking with ancients like myself, pretending to be interested in rugby, while they pretend to be interested in cricket, but neither of us fakes their distrust of …

Vivacious veracity

This piece was written for the monthly Blog Battle challenge around the word 'vivacious'. These pieces are normally meant to be around 1,000 words but any one of the following anecdotes provide a picture. Mrs. Chasen: [after spotting her son, Harold, hanging from a noose in the living room] ‘I suppose you think that’s very …