Tag: 99WordStory

Making jam at home!

February 13, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a smear of jam. Is it across a slice of toast, a white shirt, or something unexpected? The jam could be the focus or detail that ads a twist. Who are the characters with the jam and where are they situated in space and time? Go where the prompt leads!

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My grandmother was an accomplished cook. She would cook delicious food daily, but what I remember most about her was the preserves, pickles, and jams she used to make with seasonal fruits.

Orange marmalade, apple jam, plum jelly, and guava jam were her specialties. I’d often stand with her when she was making the jams. she’d show me how to test for the readiness of the mixture.

“Put a smear of the jam on a plate and drag your finger through it. If the two parts remain separate, your jam is ready to be bottled”!

I do miss her!

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Word count; 99

Written for 99 Word Story, hosted by Charli Mills

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A date she dreaded

Today was the day, the day she had been waiting for, a date that she was looking forward to with fear and trepidation, hope and expectation.

12th of February, the date which was seared into her brain; a date that meant either fear or joy.

Her story started a few months back when she discovered a lump in her left breast, after investigation the doctors declared it to be cancerous and advised surgical removal of the lump.

She underwent the standard protocols after the surgery, and the radiotherapy too, and was given meds to take and get a follow-up after 12 months.

She healed well after the surgery and tolerated the therapy too perhaps because she was still in her thirties, now after one full year, she had her first post-op scan, the results of which were to be given to her on the 12th of March.

With both hope and dread vying for dominance in her heart she entered the doctor’s office and saw her look up with a smile on her face as she was reading her report, her relieved breath left her lungs in a big exhale, and now she could smile back too.

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Written in response to; Six Sentence Story- Date, hosted by Denise

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Dear mother

February 6, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story as a love letter to nature. You could reach back to more pastoral times of writing or enter into the future. Who is writing the letter — an ant or an aunt? Is it a lifetime of love or eons? Go where the prompt leads!

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Dear Mother Nature,

I know you aren’t happy with your children, yet you’ve never abandoned us. Every year the flowers bloom and the trees wear fresh green foliage. The birds chirp with joy at every new sunrise.

Despite our actions, you keep on providing clean water from the skies in rainfall and your trees filter out the harmful gases to make the air breathable for all 8 billion-plus souls living here.

I know that humans are very selfish and not caring enough, but please bear with us for I’m hopeful that the new generation will make things better, hopefully!🤞🏼

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Word count; 99

In response to 99 Word Story, hosted by Charli Mills

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Hope- A story

January 23, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that is optimistic. Feel free to explore optimism in all its forms from a positive mindset to toxic positivity. Is it a heartfelt story or a devious one? So much wiggle room for the optimistic writer. Go where the prompt leads!

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Mom was always optimistic, perhaps too much positive at times. Her kids learned to ignore her most of the time, but there were instances when she got on their nerves.

When her eldest went through a bad divorce, mom tried to buck her up with positive things in the whole situation, it backfired.

Whenever the younger got into a power struggle with her in-laws’ mom tried to point out the positives about them; the daughter stopped discussing her issues.

When mom got seriously ill, they wanted to cheer her up, give her hope. But it wasn’t needed, she knew!

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Word count; 99

Written in response to 99 Word Story, hosted by Charli Mills

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She’s invisible

January 16, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a lady shadow. Who is this person and why do they lurk in the shadows. What is the tone and setting for your story? Go where the prompt leads!

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A perfectly running home, a family whose needs are all taken care of, food cooked and served on time, clothes washed and ironed and floors mopped and everything dusted.

The lady of the house, a woman who has given up a lot of her life to raise the children, maintain the household, and make sure that everyone’s life runs smoothly, is herself like a shadow. You see her yet she is invisible. She doesn’t demands anything for herself.

We need to see the woman casting this shadow, look after her needs, fulfill her desires as she has right too.

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Word count; 99

Written in response to 99 Words Story, hosted by Charli Mills

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A rabbit with a pocketwatch

January 9, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes rabbits. Is it a family? A strange planet? Some crazy bunny person’s pets? Who are they and what are they doing? Go where the prompt leads!

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Alice in wonderland was perhaps one of the first classic books that I read. I think I was in grade 6. This book belonged to my late mother. John Tenniel wood-engraved 42 illustrations for the book.

The rabbit with his pocket watch and waistcoat was one of the first sketches that captured my imagination.

This Victorian-era book made me fall in love with classic literature and my love of reading deepened. We always had lots of books in our library and many classics resided there. I’m glad that my passion for reading was passed on to my daughters, and grandchildren.

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In response to 99 Word Story, hosted by Charli Mills

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Taking a break

January 2, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a sabbatical. Who needs one or has had one? What kind of tension could a rest create? Where can a break take your story? Go where the prompt leads!

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Can I take a break from parenting? A sabbatical from being a mom?

Ah….I know the answer so don’t bother replying. Once a mom, always a mom, even when we don’t need to be. All my kids have crossed their thirtieth birthday, and officially I am not required to mother them. But….

My mother hen instincts override the reality of reason and need many a time and I carry on as if their welfare depends on my actions, till they, irritated tell me to step out of the way so that they can carry on with their parenting duties.

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Word count; 99

In response to 99 Word Story- Sabbatical, hosted by Charli Mills

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Is it really not my concern?

November 28, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the saying, “not my monkeys, not my circus”. What is the situation that would spawn that aphorism? Have fun with setting and characters! Go where the prompt leads!

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It is a natural reaction to things that don’t directly concern us to say, “Not my monkeys not my circus”!

But they do concern us because we all are connected. Gun violence in one country can affect others around the world because we get the news instantly through electronic media. And the counter-reaction is swift, and disproportionate

I wouldn’t disown anything as not my concern, I’d try to improve things on my end and if we all did that, maybe things would improve.

This is very much our circus, and we’re the monkeys dancing and wreaking havoc in it.

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Word count; 99

Written for 99 Word Story, hosted by Charli Mills of the carrot ranch

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Love heals all

November 21, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the phrase, “Oh, my.” It can be used in storytelling or dialog. What is the cause for such a response? Have fun with this one! Go where the prompt leads!

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Coming home after a shopping trip, she stopped in her tracks as she entered the living room. Oh my, what happened?

The chaos in the room spoke for itself. The toys littered everywhere, and a glass of milk spilled. A child could be heard crying, somewhere.

With concern, she went to her daughter’s bedroom. Her grandson was crying, and his mother admonishing him.

She entered after knocking and a silent look passed between the two grown-ups. Her daughter left the room. Hugging her grandson, she said nothing. The love poured from her heart to his and the crying stopped.

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Word count: 99

Written for 99 words story- Oh my, hosted by Charli Mills of the carrot ranch

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A little white lie

November 14, 2022, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes a lie. What is the lie? It can be subtle or blatant. Who tells the lie and why? Is it an unreliable narrator? Go where the prompt leads!

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“What does it matters, it’s just a little white lie”

“That’s how it starts my dear and then one becomes two and two becomes too many. Lying becomes a habit that is hard to get rid of”

“But nan, I meant no harm. I just didn’t want to hurt Mel’s feelings by telling her I won’t come to her party, I’d already promised Cindy that I’ll hang out with her”

Then my sweet, you should tell her the truth, gently. If we start to hide behind lies, we will lose our true selves!”

“Okay nan. I promise, never again!”

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Word count; 99

Written for 99 Word Story- A lie, hosted by Charli Mills of the carrot ranch

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