Missing Microfiction Monday

Almost from the beginning of this blog, one of the things I've most looked forward to each week has been the magnificent meme "Microfiction Monday" from Susan at Stony River. It's been a treat seeing the many creative minds coming up with stupendous stories prompted by one of Susan's pictures (how does she find so many great ones?) And you have to write the story in 140 characters. Talk about learning to write concisely on the fly.
Participants come from all over the world. There's a feeling of community, with familiar faces posting and commenting each week. It's like a little online family, without the angst and without having to finish your liver and onions.

But two weeks ago, Susan hinted that Microfiction Monday's days were numbered. Last year, she moved from Ireland to West Virginia and, as a single mother, took on several jobs to make ends meet. Because of her hectic work schedule, her posts became sporadic. Last week, I feared the worst when Microfiction Monday never got posted.

I refreshed and refreshed my blog, checking and hoping against hope. Then, sometime on Monday, Susan posted from her phone that W. Va had been hit by a winter storm and that she had been without power. But the week has gone by and Microfiction Monday never surfaced.

I'm really sad. Sunday afternoon just doesn't seem right without the challenge of writing a microfiction and then putting on one's Sunday best to make the round of other blogs.

And I don't quite know what to do. I'd love to help Susan, but I don't know how. Should I offer this blog as Microfiction Monday's temporary home? (Somebody else would have to supply the photos, because I'm hopeless at that.) Or should we all accept the inevitable end, sniffle into our hankies, and console each other that it was good while it lasted?

Any ideas, folks? Any thoughts? If Microfiction Monday does end, will you promise to stay in touch? (124 characters)

Microfiction Monday: A Bifocal Cautionary Tale

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Santiago's photo was on Ana's altar as a cautionary tale. Never trust a man who's so vain he tries to woo you without wearing his bifocals. (139 characters)

I shall be away from my desk all day (going to see "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at Portland Center Stage) so I'm posting early and will be commenting late. Looking forward to everyone's stories, and wishing you all a very happy and productive week ahead.

Microfiction Monday: The Tooth Fairy's New Line

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

In this economy, even the Tooth Fairy moonlighted. "Designing costumes for Oscar's fine, but spending so much moolah for the promos! Oy!" (137 characters)

Yes, folks, they're giving away those little golden statuettes tonight. I'll be gawking at the tooth fairy's latest creations, and applauding for The King's Speech. So, if you don't hear from me tonight, you know why.

Thanks to all of you who visit and comment. I look forward to reciprocating within the next day or two.
Have a wonderful week!

Microfiction Monday: Ewan's Choice

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

"One door to dullness, one to decadence, one to despair. Which will you choose, Ewan?"

"None, Father. I choose the last door. To delight." (139 characters)
 
(If you too would choose the door to delight, please take a moment to join my anniversary blog party at the post below. I want to thank all you microfictioneers for helping make my first year of blogging such a delightful one.)

Thanks for your comments. I look forward to reciprocating within the next day or two.

Microfiction Monday: Rufus Flying Solo

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

"Well," thought Rufus, waiting for Emma's arrival. "That's the last time I send my picnic invite via carrier pigeon. Next time, I'll tweet." (140 characters)

I've had a great week--plan to post why tomorrow, together with a heads-up about my 1st Blogoversary party (and accompanying contest.) Please stop by, if you have a moment.

Thanks for your comments. I look forward to reciprocating within the next day or two.

Microfiction Monday: Rupert Brooke's Missing Muse

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Rupert Brooke was pissed. "Stands the town clock near half past two? And is there honey at the zoo?" Where was his muse when he needed her?

Another British-themed one today. English poet Rupert Brooke's "The Old Vicarage, Grantchester," ends famously with "Stands the church clock at ten to three? And is there honey still for tea?" I wonder what he'd think of the new variation.

Thanks for your comments. I hope to reciprocate within the next couple of days. Have a great week.

Microfiction Monday: Beachcombing Bill and Ben

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

(ALERT: THE FOLLOWING MAY BE CONFUSING UNLESS YOU KNOW ABOUT 1950s & 60s BRITISH TELEVISION PROGRAMMES)

After flowerpot liberation, Bill and Ben were beachcombers, with a new friend: Little SeaWeed. 'Twas cleanliving, with all the soap ashore. (139 characters)

(Thought I'd give my British readers a trip down memory lane. "The Flowerpot Men" were big in my youth. You can read all about them and their friend, Little Weed here--if interested.)

Thanks in advance for your comments. I look forward to visiting in return over the next couple of days.

Microfiction Monday: Mothman Redux

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

"The mist over Uranus is so beautiful," said Borophax the Blue. Mothman wasn't listening. Wings tented overhead, he dreamed of other moons. (140 characters on the nose.)

Knowing Susan's partiality for the afore-mentioned planet, I decided to continue where I left off two weeks ago, with Mothman and the blue-robed wizard. Heck, this may turn into a novel!

Good to be back. I missed last week's MM and missed all of you. Thanks in advance for your comments. I look forward to visiting in return over the next couple of days.

Microfiction Monday: Mothman vs. The Joking Wizards

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Mothman hated being the butt of the wizards' jokes. He grabbed Blue, ready to kill. But(t) Yellow's "Uranus" spell nobbled him first.

(137 characters)

This sort of gutter humor will be understood only if you've seen Susan's other picture of the escapade. (I shall have to put it behind me before I bum you all out.) Here's the pic:

Thanks in advance for your comments. I'm looking forward to visiting as many as possible in return during the next couple of days.

Microfiction Monday: Gia'Sou (The Greek "Cheers")

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Advertize the real Greece? Spiros was delighted. So what was with the silly star and hat instead of a dish of Souvlaki and a glass of ouzo?

(139 Characters)

And a big "cheers" to all of you for 2011. Thanks in advance for your comments. I'm looking forward to visiting as many as possible in return.

Microfiction Monday: "Bird Brain!"

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Frankie thought his new joke was a hoot: "Why did the pigeon cross the road? To join the chicken on the other side!" Julian wasn't amused. (140 characters)

My youngest son, who is four, has been learning to tell jokes from his older brothers. So far, this is his mainstay: "Why did the (insert bird, animal, one-legged cyclops here) cross the road?" And the answer is always the same as old Frankie's above.

Hope you all had a good Christmas. I'm off to eat some cucumber sandwiches. As usual, I greatly appreciate your comments and will try to get back to you as soon as possible (on my new laptop, but who's bragging?!)

Microfiction Monday: "A Literary Treasure Hunt"

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

What the Dickens! "C us Forester's At wood," they call themselves. Shaw brings bacon.  Caroll, Eliot, and Jane Austen hold the Greenery. (137 characters.)

(My homage to 9 great writers, who visited me in the middle of the night while I struggled with this week's picture. Great company they were! In chronological order:

Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

George Eliot (1819-1880)

Lewis Caroll (1832-1898)

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

C.S. Forester (1899-1966)

Graham Greene (1904-1991)

Margaret Atwood (1939-present)

Have a great week, everyone. Thanks in advance for your comments. I appreciate them and will do my best to visit you all in return.

Microfiction Monday: "The Donald's New Reality Show."

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

I said I wanted a show about people washing their dirty linen in public.

Yes, Mr. Trump.

And you gave me this! You're fired.  (134 characters)


I have to admit that Donald Trump's "The Apprentice" is my guilty reality TV pleasure. It wasn't too much of a stretch to come up with a show about washing dirty linen in public!

Have a great week, everyone. Thanks for the comments. I appreciate them and will do my best to visit you all in return.

Microfiction Monday: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlefolk."

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

The merry gentlefolk rested, and nothing--not even Black Friday or Cyber Monday--dismayed them. They knew the real meaning of Christmas. (139 characters)

This was a hard one. However, I decided to continue my theme from last week--a curse on Black Friday and its new sister, Cyber Monday. I figured the folks in the ground would know what we're really celebrating at Christmas.

A happy writing week to all. Thanks for the comments. I enjoy and appreciate each one!

Microfiction Monday: "Bullish on Black Friday."

"Hubs, Uncle Ty: When I said "what a load of bull" about your silly costume plan for Black Friday, I didn't think you'd take me literally." (140 characters)

(For non-U.S. readers, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when consumer society goes into overdrive and we are exhorted to hit the mall and "Spend, spend, spend," therefore putting the merchants in "the black" for the year.)

Have a happy writing week, and thanks so much for all your comments.

Microfiction Monday: Divorce, Cactus-Style

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Jorge was kicking himself. He never should've badmouthed Marta's cooking. Not when SHE was on the ponkey and they were 90 miles from home. (138 characters)

(Remember the ponkey from Microfiction 6/6/10? He's back!!)

Microfiction Monday: "Li'l Pink's Wolf Stew"

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Li'l Pink, I worry about the wolf. Be careful.

I'm not worried, Mama.

Why ever not, dear?

Who do you think was in yesterday's stew?

Microfiction Monday: Pumpkin Attack and A Rocky Horror Query

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

She didn't hear the evil pumpkin flying in behind her, but Blackie did. What could he do to make sure her Halloween didn't end with a SPLAT?

I missed last week's MM because things were entirely crazy, but can't resist. After all, better a week late than a pound foolish, don't you think?

At the Writing Conference:

The agents and editors were waiting for their costumes to arrive. Then they'd show those writers a Rocky Horror of a "query."

Microfiction Monday: "Big Brother: The Middle Ages"

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the world's best meme, coming to you from Susan at Stony River. One of the highlights of a dangerous writer's week. Enjoy.

Next on Lara's to-do list: winning "Big Brother: The Middle Ages." First, fake 'em out with frowny face. Then, fling some fancy rock cakes. (139 characters)

Microfiction Monday: Noreen's Lucky Number

Welcome to Microfiction Monday, at Stony River: a writing life, where a picture paints 140 characters, or even fewer.[Hate counting letters and spaces? Try Design 215's character counter, which will count for you as you type. Microsoft Word will count for you too, of course, as part of its word count feature under the 'Review' tab.] Here's this week's picture, and my story to go with it.

15 was a sign, Noreen just knew it. After 14 long, lonely years with Joe and his tirades, the #15 would take her where he couldn't find her. (140 characters)

Hope there are no Noreens in your life; if there are, I hope they find their "#15." Have a great week, everyone.