#CarrotRanch | But I Smile Anyway...

November 15 – Flash Fiction – Scraps

16 Nov 2018 29 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch, Fiction, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #CarrotRanch, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Charli Mills, Flash Fiction, Life Scraps, Scraps

Charli’s prompt this week:

November 15, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that uses scraps. It can be scraps of dried flowers, paper, metal, fabric, food — any kind of scraps you can think of. Then write a story about those scraps and why they matter or what they make. Go where the prompt leads you.

Life Scraps

Brenda hobbled backwards and admired her handiwork.
It had taken a long time. A lifetime.
Gazing at the large quilt, pieced together lovingly, she wiped a tear that had settled on her cheek.
Each and every scrap of material used showed another step taken in their life.
She gently fingered the white satin patch at the top, sewn next to a rough, black patch.
Their wedding outfits.
Scraps from old curtains, sheets, special clothes, even a tartan square from Reg the dog’s old blanket.
Wrapping it around her, she knew he was still close by, always in her heart.

https://carrotranch.com/2018/11/15/november-15-flash-fiction-challenge/

Rodeo #2: Memoir Winners « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

16 Nov 2018 10 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Bloggerm Blogging, Carrot Ranch, Memoirs, Ranch Rodeo, Winners

Well, here we have the second Rodeo winners mentioned in the post below.

Congratulations to all the entrants and special well done to the Winner and Runners Up!

By Irene Waters She Did It was the prompt for the memoir ride in the Rodeo. The four judges were given a judging sheet: was it a complete story, grammar, and spelling, structure, use of language, a…

Source: Rodeo #2: Memoir Winners « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

If anyone wants to read my entry, it was this:

She Did It!

My teenage years were influenced by many, but very heavily by someone who lived with us for a few years.

I was the young one, trying desperately hard to impress; so keen that I was naïve enough to do pretty much anything I was asked.

“I like him,” she said, “And you can like his brother.”

It was decided that we would write letters to these boys, expressing our interest.

How did I know that they would tell their mother?

And that she would call my mum?

And that my cousin would turn the finger at me, “She did it!”

Carrot Ranch Rodeo #1 -Dialogue -Winners & My Entry

09 Nov 2018 36 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Carrot Ranch, Dialogue, Flash Fiction, Rodeo

So, the Carrot Ranch Rodeo was with us through the month of October, and I think I took part in pretty much all of the contests, bar one.

Having received an honourable mention in the TUFFest Challenge, I was more than happy, and am really delighted to share the winners of this first contest, judged by His Geoffleship, Chelsea Owen and Esther Chilton.

The first contest was to write a 99-word piece in pure dialogue. Not an easy task, I have to say, but the honourable mentions and winners were really well deserved!

Click here to read the winners entries and a special mention to Sarah Brentyn who was awarded both second AND first place! The contests are blind judged too, so I think you can see the talent in this woman!

We had this photo as our fantastic prompt.

I do love His Geoffleship!

And here is my (non-winning) take!

“Whatcha looking at?”

“Mmmmnnmmnggrr.”

“Look, dear! He’s trying to say something to me!”

“Mmmmngghhrr!”

“Oh do be careful, Mr Tortoise. If you strain your neck too much, you might just do something to yourself.”

“Mmmnnnghrrr!”

“I do wonder what these animals are thinking. Is he just making random noises? Or is he trying to communicate with me?”

“Mmmmnnnngghrrrr!!! I AM trying to say something!”

“Geoff, dear, we need to move along now.”

“But…”

“Mmmmmnnnnnggghhh! No! Don’t go! For the first time I found a man with a neck to rival mine! I’ll even forgive you calling me a ‘he’!”

Hope you enjoyed my little mischief!

November 8 – Flash Fiction – Super Mash

09 Nov 2018 38 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch, Fiction, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #CarrotRanch, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Charli Mills, Flash Fiction, Mashed Potato, Super Mash

Charli’s prompt this week:

November 8, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that pairs mashed potatoes with a superpower. It can be in any circumstance, funny or poignant. Go where the prompt leads.

Super Mash

I sat at the table, awaiting my meal.
It was bangers and mash tonight. My absolute favourite.
I don’t know why, but somehow mum managed to make the best mashed potato ever.
Creamy, fluffy, light, with no lumps: something I had still not mastered, despite copying her technique.
And no matter how I was feeling, it made me feel better. If I was ill, the buttery mash would make me feel better. If I was upset, I’d leave the table smiling.
I don’t know why, but it was that mash. Maybe mum had some sort of mystical mash superpower…

https://carrotranch.com/2018/11/09/november-8-flash-fiction-challenge/

November 1 – Flash Fiction – The Festival of Lights

02 Nov 2018 55 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch, Fiction, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #CarrotRanch, Bandi Chorr Diwas, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Charli Mills, Diwali, Festival Of Lights, Flash Fiction

Charli’s https://carrotranch.com/2018/11/01/flash-fiction-challenge-november-1/prompt this week:

November 1, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a festival of lights. It can be any holiday, event or moment. Express the hope of light over darkness. Or use it to highlight injustice. Go where the prompt leads.

Seeing as Diwali is on its way, I thought I would write a brief version about why we Sikhs celebrate on that day. Our festival of light is commonly called Diwali by others usually, but in Sikhism, it is actually referred to as Band Chorr Diwas

Bandi Chorr Diwas

Emperor Jehangir found no reason to keep Guru Hargobind imprisoned anymore, for he had shown no danger towards the leader.
The Guru insisted upon the release of fifty-two innocent Hindu kings imprisoned alongside him.
Whoever was able to hold onto the cloth of his gown would be free.
He had a special cloak stitched with enough tassels so they could all hold on.
The day Guru Hargobind arrived back in Amritsar happened to be Diwali where the whole city was flooded with the light from candles, lit in joy at his return back to the holiest of Sikh cities.

https://carrotranch.com/2018/11/01/flash-fiction-challenge-november-1/