Grandmas Goulash

If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times. Classy dragons don't neglect their pedicures. Microfiction Monday offers a new image each week and a challenge to write a story of 140 characters or less. Click on the image to see other entries. Why not try your own?

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   “I'm sorry.” Judith and Beth laughed at their synchronous apologies and shared a hug. “I was out of line, Beth. It's not my place to judge what you do.” “But you were right. I've lived in fear for far too long and it's going to stop. I want to go to parole after work today. Can you handle things until I get back?”

When had the change occurred? Sheila couldn't really say. It was more a gradual shift, than a precise moment. Subtle changes in his behavior. A little less attentive. A little less willing to please. Finally, outright defiance of her wishes. Still, she'd never dreamed it would come to this. One moment he was dicing vegetables. The next, he was pursuing her with the knife. She struggles, but soon abandons hope. As she succumbs to the psycho robot, she wistfully remembers simpler days and the harmless blue screen of death. Three Word Wednesday . is a meme that challenges writers to create something using three selected words. This week's words are gradual , precise and abandon . Click on the link to view other entries or submit your own.

Brother Vincent fell apart, but the others remained stoic. “Unto dust thou shalt return.” They'd never guessed it meant collecting dust. Microfiction Monday offers a new image each week and a challenge to write a story of 140 characters or less. Click on the image to see other entries. Why not try your own?

Not this Sunday at any rate, but hopefully by Monday evening, I'll post the next installment of Convictions .  Life has been hectic here.  The aftermath of flooding was an influx of insects, particularly ants.  Had to leave the house yesterday while they were being fumigated.  The good news is that we saw "How To Train Your Dragon" while we were out.  And that there is no sign of the nasty little critters today. Good thing, because the temperature just reached 100F and there's plenty of humidity to enhance that sweltering feeling.  Sufficient misery without adding the ants.    My granddaughter added to the day by falling and cutting her thumb.  It bled.  Profusely.  Finally got it stopped.  The excitement never ends! My blog is up at the new domain, but I'm still repairing some links and dealing with some other idiosyncrasies. So there's my excuses.  Hope you'll return tomorrow.

A bit of microfiction for this week's 3WW. A bit of a cheat as well. Used pacified instead of pacify. Hope it doesn't get me evicted! Awaken with dread. A dream. It's substance quickly slips my grasp. Relax. Visualize. Fears pacified. Maniacal laughter fills my room. Three Word Wednesday . is a meme that challenges writers to create something using three selected words. This week's words are dread , grasp and pacify . Click on the link to view other entries or submit your own.

Water bathes? Pressure cooking? Sue had been so proud of her canning. Why hadn't mother explained the facts of botulism? Microfiction Monday offers a new image each week and a challenge to write a story of 140 characters or less. Click on the image to see other entries. Why not try your own?

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   “Cassandra is no longer with us.” Questions sprang to Beth's lips, but Margaret continued without a pause. “It's obvious her supervision was poor. It's time for dinner and nothing is prepared. Are you concerned? No. You stand there dressed like a hussy with no thoughts of your responsibilities. Things are going to change. Immediately. Dinner will be served after the service or there will be consequences. A suitable dinner. None of your peanut butter sandwiches.” She turned and left the kitchen. Seconds later, the sounds of the evening service began.

I don't see Grandma anymore, Harry.   Where did she say she was going? Grandma's Goulash just acquired it's own domain name.  It will be keeping the Blogger format, but will no longer be located at a blogspot.com url.  There really shouldn't be any difference for readers.  Once implemented, you will be forwarded to the new url if you come to this one.   Of course, nothing is ever simple.  At the moment, Calico and I are struggling to implement this with my test blog and the results are less than successful.   Yeah, it's just not working.  I'm sure we'll figure things out eventually.  I won't try to transfer this blog until the test blog relocates successfully.  Hopefully it will be smooth, but if I'm not available for a bit, please don't panic.   My posts here will be infrequent while we're working on it.  Apologies in advance to my Convictions readers.  I'll do my best to make it up to you when I return.

The moment is at hand. Although she is not the first to travel here, it doesn't lessen the fear. She takes a step, gathers her courage and looks down. She cannot ignore the message, screaming in glaring red numbers from her scale. Oh to live in a weightless world. Three Word Wednesday . is a meme that challenges writers to create something using three selected words. This week's words are ignore, fear and weightless. Click on the link to view other entries or submit your own.

You'll never find your contact in this grass. We're going back to the convention. I'm not giving up my chance for the Best Dressed award. Microfiction Monday offers a new image each week and a challenge to write a story of 140 characters or less. Click on the image to see other entries. Why not try your own?

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   “It's okay to use a fork.” Cal smiled at Beth's chagrined face, then adeptly used his chopsticks to eat the shrimp fried rice. “It takes a bit of practice. Next time I'll order Mu Shu pork.” “Why?” “Mu Shu's served with Chinese pancakes. A lot easier than rice when you're learning to use chopsticks.” “That's a good idea.” "It's my mother's. I wanted to learn when I was young, but got quickly frustrated. And hungry. So she started serving pancakes for breakfast. Each day she'd cut them into smaller pieces and hand me a pair of chopsticks. It made learning easy and fun." Beth barely remembered her mother's face, but the memories of Amanda Hollister's indifference were still vivid. “She must have been a wonderful mother.” “Still is. Better than I deserve. I disappointed her, but she's never stopped supporting me. In prison, s

New to Convictions? Full story:   Index . Quick Story:  In a Nutshell   Beth hurried towards the kitchen. Time was tight, even for pasta. But as she approached, the tantalizing scent of beef, garlic and spices floated out to her. Cassandra was tossing a salad, while Judith mashed potatoes. They looked up as Beth entered. “That smells wonderful. I'm so proud of you.” “My timing is still off. The potatoes are ready, but the meatloaf is still cooking.” “We can keep them warm, Judith. You've both done a terrific job with dinner.” “So tell us how it went.” “Thanks to you, I have the job, Cassandra” “You messin' with me?” “I'd never joke about a job. It's part-time and temporary. But it's a start. “Will parole accept that?” “Yes. I spoke with Officer Watkins. With my history, she considers any job an achievement and said it would fulfill the employment requirement. I don't have to continue cooking here, but I'm hoping Pastor

Warm day, soft breeze. White clouds, cerulean sky. Flowers' scent, nature's hum. Mellow wine, sharp cheese, sweet fruit, fresh honey. Lovers savor the day, the food, each other. Intensified hum. Pure black, vibrant yellow. No escape. Honey theft revenged. Three Word Wednesday . is a meme that challenges writers to create something using three selected words. This week's words are escape, hum and vibrant. Click on the link to view other entries or submit your own.

The sun was warm that June day. Surely there was no need to wear a hooded jacket to ward off the cold. It's purpose was concealment and who could have guessed what was hidden beneath? He walked silently through the peaceful woods. He seemed oblivious to the twittering birds or the paddling of the beaver's tail. Emerging at the back of the house, he crept quietly towards it. No need to pick the lock. The door had been conveniently left open. The house kept his secret. No sound shattered the neighborhood's tranquility as he quickly finished his work. His crime was perfect. No one would ever know. The detective thought otherwise, as he quickly followed a trail of blood to the assassin. The criminal was a wally. Only an amateur would neglect to wipe the cleaver before placing it back inside his jacket. Nessa at the Chrysalis Stage is hosting a new meme called Tales on Tuesday . This week's theme is Leave It To Beaver. Hope you'll head on over an

I'm running a bit late. Entertained relatives from Florida earlier in the week. Thought I'd polish my next installment after they left. Mother Nature had a different idea. High wind and torrential rain caused some flooding in our home, covering the back half of the house with a half inch of water. Sure, it could have been worse. But it certainly has been a mess to clean up. To top it all off, my characters started doing things I hadn't planned on. But as they did, pieces of the story fell into place. Pieces that I hadn't counted on. And they belong in the next two installments. The bottom line - the current installment isn't ready. The good news? I'll be publishing an installment next Friday and another one on Saturday. Hope you'll be back to check them out.