Author: Liz H

Midwestern scribbler who loves to play with words. Short stories and flash fiction, something to while away the hours and lend a breath of fresh air. C'mon in, click, read, say hi if you'd like!

17:00

On By Liz HIn BOTS, Carrot Ranch, Flicker(>100 words)Leave a comment

Picture of a park bench

(Click here to view : What the park bench sees everyday)

She supposed she really ought to be scattering bird seed, perhaps corn for the larger ones. So her grandson had often told her, in kind but stern words. “The mold on the bread could kill them!”

But her widow’s pension was meant for sustenance, not luxury, so she shared what she had. The birds didn’t seem to mind, judging by how they gathered about her feet on this park bench, every day at 5 pm. And they never left a crumb behind, so where was the harm? Continue reading “17:00” →

Attention/Protest

On By Liz HIn BOTS, Carrot Ranch, Flash (<101 words)6 Comments
Homeless person in a thing blanket, in a windy blizzard
Source: Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Snowmageddon! Stay home if you don’t have to go out! Feels like double-digit negative temps! Treacherous conditions! Freezing drizzle! Mega-storm sweeping the continent, laying waste to everything in its path!

She switched off the tv, powered down her computer, snapped off background radio reports. She believed the footage: Continue reading “Attention/Protest” →

All Are Welcome Here

On By Liz HIn BOTS, Carrot Ranch, Flash (<101 words)11 Comments
Wife carrying Competition, jumping a hurdle
Image based on IBT(2014), with my apologies

A little flash fiction around a prompt of “Wife Carrying.” Because maybe that’s the true test of a strong partnership:

It’d never occurred to them that their participation might not be welcome. Celebrating the fortitude and stamina required to go the distance in marriage–what better way to do this than with a test of physical endurance?  Continue reading “All Are Welcome Here” →

Rodeo Event #1: Why I Had to Cancel Our Date

On By Liz HIn BOTS, Carrot Ranch, Flash (<101 words), Stories10 Comments
Red rotary phone, ringing hard
Image from Roberts Food Service UK

Countdown from the Carrot Ranch Contest: Modern Tall Tale in 99 words (for more detail, see the link below).

Yes, I’d promised to be there by 7:00, but my shower took longer than anticipated because the hot water heater was on the blink and I had to crawl underneath to light the pilot and then dropped the one match I’d brought and the explosion Continue reading “Rodeo Event #1: Why I Had to Cancel Our Date” →

Rodeo Event #2: Who Will Walk the Plank?

On By Liz HIn Carrot Ranch, Flash (<101 words), Sci-Fi, Stories4 Comments
Ray Walston my favorite martian
Apologies to Ray Walston!

Countdown from the Carrot Ranch Contest: Pro Bull Mashup in 99 words (for more detail, see the link below).

Captain Hand sneered, boot heels pounding across the bridge of Starship Ridgemont. “You abandoned your post, Ensign Spicoli. My orders will be followed without question!”  Continue reading “Rodeo Event #2: Who Will Walk the Plank?” →

Take a Chance, Change Your Life

On By Liz HIn Carrot Ranch, Fantasy, Flame(>499 words), microfiction madness, Stories7 Comments
three gnomes, nisse, Joulutonttu
Image by Annalise Batista from Pixabay

Extended version:  Take a Chance, Change Your Life

We were never quite clear about how they got into the tool shed, how long they’d been there, or where they came from originally. They’d arrived before we did, and will likely leave long after we’ve gone. If they ever do leave. Continue reading “Take a Chance, Change Your Life” →