JusJoJan

Frustration and Persnickety: Expect Shenanigans

/ Liz H-H / Leave a comment

In which I combine two prompts that go really well together & try to find a kinder, more understanding perspective…
        January 5 – Prompt FRUSTRATION from Barbara
       January 7 – Prompt PERNICKETY/PERSNICKETY from Ritu                        
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Okay, so I did write a response to the prompts (582 words. Ugh!), and succeeded in finding the humor and the humanity of the situation, so the prompts were great for introspection and humor. Many thanks, Barbara and Ritu!
But face it: we don’t really want to spend time reading a lot of whingeing, especially from me. So it remains in my word processor and not on my blog. Instead, enjoy my silly offering from the (sadly) now defunct Carrot Ranch, in which our task was to create variations and a story on “Once Upon a Time” in EXACTLY 99 words:
https://valleyofthetrolls.blog/2023/11/16/a-place-where-stories-begin/

Hope I make you smile today!
© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2025)

To join in the fun of Just Jot It January (reading or writing your own on the prompt), visit: https://lindaghill.com/2025/01/05/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-5th-2025/

https://lindaghill.com/2025/01/07/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-7th-2025/ 

Just Jot It Janauary 22 – Piper Moon

/ Liz H-H / Leave a comment

For just Jot It January, a quick write to explore the Pied Piper and one who got left behind. From Kaye’s prompt “Seasonal” (Kaye @ https://kayespencer.com/blog-2/ ).There’s still time to join in on reading or sharing your own writing. Visit the comments section here for others’ responses to Seasonal.

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He leaned his head back and felt the warm sun cut the chill on his face, and the chill of the stone bench he sat upon. He’d gone to the mountain just before sunrise, still hoping for entrance after so many, many years. It was his seasonal visit, for no one now could remember the exact day, only the time of year. They’d hurried to erase all records and smudge retellings, in shame of their greed and their short-sightedness. Continue reading →

Reversal and Gratitude

/ Liz H-H / Leave a comment

Here’s a two-fer for Linda Hill’s Just-Jot-It January 2023, combining Sadje and Carole Anne’s prompt words. They just seemed to flow together in a stream of consciousness story. We’re only half way through the month, but if you want to play (read others’ posts and/or write your own) here is where you go to join in! The prompts are:

Reversal (Sadje @ http://lifeafter50forwomen.wordpress.com )

Gratitude (Carol Anne @ http://therapybits.com/)

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January 13 – Reversal

While it wasn’t exactly a face palm, her forehead did wind up lowered into her left hand, head tipped to the side. She gazed at him from under her curtain of curly bangs, unable to believe what she was hearing now. Her elbows dropped to the dark wooden table as her left hand met the right and clasped her mouth. She sighed and looked at him straight on. “How in the hell did we get to this place?” Continue reading →

Doing Donuts

/ Liz H-H / 16 Comments

The prompts suggested by fellow bloggers and writers for Linda Hill’s Just-Jot-It January 2023 have been great sources of inspiration for revising my novel. We’re only half way through the month, but if you want to play (read others’ posts and/or write your own), here is where you go to join in the fun! 

Today, I offer up my response to the prompt “DONUT,” which has nothing to do with my novel, but everything to do with beating the doldrums and trying new things. Hope you enjoy, and try something new today!

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Doing Donuts

“And after that, you told Kevin it was the last time?” Aribeth raised an eyebrow, quizzical, if not skeptical.

“I did, and I really meant it at the time,” Claudia gazed into her cup, swishing the tea leaves in search of possible patterns or prophetic truths. “But now, I’m not so sure.”

Their wooden chairs creaked in sympathy with their discomfort at revisiting the topic once again. Same local coffee & tea shop “Bean Me Up, Scottie”, quickly emptying of the morning rush, same low murmur of the regulars and staff. Claudia had her usual blueberry scone and English Breakfast tea, and Aribeth sat with a cooling Americano in a tall mug, no cream, no sugar. A gust of wind smacked against the picture window, and both jumped at the rattle of rain and sleet. They laughed; the icy rain apparently wanted to be part of their weekly ritual, too. Continue reading →