Last week I was at work when our dear Ms. Jenny posted a wonderful story prompt. She was heavy in my thoughts as I penned this little100 word story (taking place FAR into the future). The prompt is in red.
The elderly woman shuffled towards the old shed she used for storage. She was grateful that she needn’t worry about inclement weather destroying her possessions as the hot Arizona sun beat down upon her bent frame. She stepped through the creaky door into the stuffy interior. She spied the trunk. Fumbling with the old skeleton key on a chain around her neck she unlocked and raised its lid. There they were. She lifted the stack of letters from the ancient chest. Smiling she began to read: “A is for…”
And that is where her children found her the next day.
(In no way was this meant to be morbid but rather an honor to the woman whose memes helped me find my inner voice and strength through the alphabet!)
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And the following is this week’s essay. Consider it my little 100 word public service announcement. The prompt is in blue.
She knew she needed to leave it alone, let it go its course, but she couldn’t stand it. She couldn’t help herself. She had a date that night and didn’t want that monstrosity remaining on the tip of her nose. So she did what any naive 17 year old would do. She squeezed and picked at the darn thing. Unfortunately for her, this was no ordinary pimple. It was infected. MRSA to be exact. It was growing bigger by the minute. She missed out on that date as she was rushed to the hospital with a severe case of cellulitis.
I am sorry for the "Ewww" factor of this particular story. Please, however, visit the following links for further information on MRSA or cellulitis.
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30 comments:
On the 1st story, I so wanted to end it with "...with a tear in her eye and a smile upon her face." Unfortunately, I ran out of words.
The dratted 100 word limit!
Yes that would have been lovely ... but I liked it, and the 'eeww' one just as they were! :o)
That thing on the nose was scarier than the heat in the shed!
These are both wonderful. I think the first is a fantastic tribute to our fearless leader, not morbid at all. And the second - eewww indeed, but it rang true! Kat
eww...MRSA is some nasty junk...glad she got it checked out...i thought the first one was cool actually
This is cool too...now come out with the this weeks....I went by way of food thought...but many so far are hitting on noses...imagine that! lol
I loved them both. How nice the tribute to our fearless leader. The second one I remember doing that same thing when I was young, yuck!!
Good jobs on your centus'.
When I first read the second prompt, I immediately thought of a giant pimple...I'm not sure I could have lessened the 'eww factor' like you did!
Well done!
From what I've seen on other blogs this week, AZ actually had snow/ice - lol so the heat factor just went out the window -oh wait that was on Jenny's blog yesterday when she had nothing to blog about.
The ewww factor doesn't bother me since I'm a medical transcriptionist and deal with a lot of eww factors as is. I can't think noses or pimples for this prompt though if I'm going to continue Geri's journey - if, big word - too much else going on this week to think of her story right now - Enjoyed both postings - E :)
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Elysabeth Eldering
Author of the Junior Geography Detective Squad, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com
Polly, this was interesting to me on so many levels. Thamks for such a good take on the prompt.
I loved both of your entries althought the last was a little gross I am sure we could all relate - ha ha!
I loved both of your entries although the last was a little gross I am sure we could all relate - ha ha!
I appreciate the relevant PSA. Not enough people are award of MSRA. I feel for this character, but I have faith she'll be just fine.
xoRobyn
PS oops, "aware" not "award".
I enjoyed both of those.
I enjoyed both of these :)) The second one had "eww" factor but so does life so bravo for bringing forth a very serious subject/condition. Nice work.
~Michelle
These are good! Isn't editing down to 100 words annoying sometimes?
By the way, I have a friend suffering from cellulitis right now. He's had it four weeks, and it's still far from well. It's no fun and worries us all.
"/
So different one to the other, these two stories. I liked them both. Such a creative take on this week's...nice ;-) Peace and blessings
Both are GOOD! For different reasons..
let it grow big
Very creative. Drat that 100 word limit.
Donna V.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com
Both are well crafted...the first a little sad that she was alone in her last moments(I am presuming she is dead)..the other was equally interesting....I have seen friends consider pimples as an end of life...never faced it when I was younger...funny I am stuck with it now in almost middle age.
The first was not morbid at all...more sentimental for me. The second was certainly a warning for us all. Both sued the 100 word limit beautifully, but I do like the ending you wish you could have added.
Nice to meet you here too, besides MF. I loved your two centus stories.
Great centus-texts, both of them!
If I find that I want to keep a longer text, than the whittled-down version for the 100 words, I write it on paper and keep it or save it as an unpublished draft. Sometimes these centus-texts can grow into something bigger, like a short story.
Best wishes,
Anna
Here are my texts from week 40 & 39:
Anna's SC week 40 '...growing bigger...'
'Infrequent visitor' SC week 39
I am having trouble with the link that I left on Jenny's blog. Try this one instead:
Anna's SC-wk 40 2nd try to link
Anna
2 stories for the price of one indeed! Both have left my mind wondering what would happen next. And I dont think i will ever pop a spot again after reading the second lol
Both very good !!!
I felt the sadness of the 1st one very much.
I can remember how painful a pimple on the nose can be ( thank goodness I don't have to suffer with those any longer )and the terror of seeing one appear, especially on important occasions !
Brilliant stories! Very thoughtful and original. Nicely done!
Ewwwah. Just reminds me...You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose. Hee hee! Just had to through that one in there. Disgusting but excellent use of that prompt!~Ames :D
Loved both of these!
They are a little different from your usual writing. It was interesting to read this 'voice' from you!
Little gems like this make me realize, yet again, how incredibly diverse and talented you are as a writer.
Thanks for linking.
These were both 'ewwwws' and 'wows'.
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