Rants and Beards (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall58 Comments

Christopher Osten on Unsplash

previously

The red-headed writer, aka the Raconteuse, had enjoyed Miami, although she had know that she should not venture into certain districts, since both the tall, thin man and the Bartender had warned her not to go there; but in any case, she was already going to Key West now.

However, she was still annoyed since she had been using her smartphone as she’d been reading and answering on Jetpack – they’re too many spam stuck under the radar, she muttered – see look, here’s D. and Reena, both in the SSS each week, and also two of my good friends, Aladin and Gary from WP (grrr).

Next she’d opened Facebook where she always looked at some lovely cats – there’s Misty with Dave Astor and Luna with Chris Hall (both of them are also WP people); she’d wondered whether the two cats might like each other (probably not), it was more likely at least one of them (meaning Luna) would open their claws… not good (moving quickly on).

But now it was time for the red-headed writer to grab her big bag and get off the bus; she was suddenly feeling famished but there was a nice café, and a few minutes later she was eating a hunk of bread and dunking it into her chunky soup.

She looked up… and then around… all these guys have beards, and all of them looked like Ernest Hemingway – really!

All she needed now was the Gatekeeper – was that him? she could smell the cigar just then.

next episode

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: HUNK, DUNK, CHUNK

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: CLAW

More #SixSentenceStories

The Little Lighthouse

Chris Hall65 Comments

The little lighthouse sits proudly just beyond the beautiful bay. Mostly it is sunny and bright, where the sea and sky are blue and bluer. The waves dance with the white foam, ebb and flow, ebb and flow. But sometimes the wind and rain lash around the rocky promontory, as it clashes and moans. It goes dark and there is no moon, but the little lighthouse flashes boldly around, keeping the boats and ships from harm. And then, in the morning, it is light and sunny again.

dear little lighthouse
you shine gaily day and night
keep us safe always

~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Elias Kipfer @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a lighthouse located on a tiny piece of land near a rocky coastline. The sea around it is misty and gray.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #256 photo prompt.

What do you see # 256- September 30, 2024.

Train Time (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall50 Comments

 Janne Simoes on Unsplash

previously

The red-headed writer, aka the Raconteuse, was on a lovely train; she had her big bag, which was bulging, and she had lots of things to do.

She had been reading and writing, and then looking and looking again, as she watched the miles clock up; she had gone from NYC to NJ, Pennsylvania and then to Virginia; she stood up – it must be time for dinner, as she went into the dining car.

It was late as the red-headed writer opened her secret lining in her bag, this was what she’d taken in the Six-Sentence-Cafe-and-Bistro under the bar; the tall, thin man had given a nod as she quickly pocket it: it had been there for ages – and now she had been looking at this again – would it be time to use it?

It had been a long trip, even though it was so pleasant, but she felt a bit wrecked as she sat up; she went into the tiny bathroom to comb her hair, then made it spiky again, next she squirted some toothpaste onto her toothbrush and begin to clean her teeth, brushing with her incisors, canines and molars, as the train went clickety-click, clickety-click.

There were only a few miles left now and she packed her things back, carefully.

She was now feeling good as she got off the train; it was so busy with people rushing around, but after all, it was Miami; she could almost see Crockett and Tubbs holding up their guns.

next episode

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: TOOTH, MOLAR, INCISOR

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: WRECK

More #SixSentenceStories

Can I do this? (a bit of nonsense)

Chris Hall63 Comments

I was never good at numbers, unfortunately. However, I have written so many things. When I was little I would write poems and small stories, and then in high school I went up to an essay each week. I am happy with all writing things – either pen or pencil with paper, and even better on my laptop now… but numbers? Really not good – apart from playing Scrabble, of course.

a pen or pencil
is mightier than a number:
wouldn’t you say, eh?

right, okay
strike it out, that’s it;
now, try it again

a pen or pencil
is mightier than a sword:
better isn’t it?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Karla Hernandez @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a hand holding a Rubik’s cube which has words written in some of the squares, that can be read from left to right or top to bottom that says; “ Figure it out”

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #255 photo prompt.
Di’s Pensitivity101 – Monday’s Three Things Challenge: WRITTEN, PAPER, ESSAY

What do you see # 255- September 23, 2024
Three Things Challenge #M826

What’s inside?

Chris Hall54 Comments

© Ayr/Gray

Everyone was out. The father, the mother and the two children were busy going to the shops.

Meanwhile, there was something moving slowly inside. It slithered down and writhed around the house. People craned outside, looking at the house.

A little later the father, mother and the two children came home, wondering who was looking in their window. ‘Please go away,’ said the father.

But what had happened?

They heard a noise as they opened the door, but none of them were worried.

‘Oh, there he is. Look!’
‘He managed to get out.’
The two children carefully picked him up.

‘Come, Henry, back in the tank.’
It was only the huge and lovely snake. He’s a beautiful boa.

~~~~~~~~

The Unicorn Challenge-20/09/24
Three Things Challenge #M825

Getting Restless (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall50 Comments

Cesar Done on Unsplash

previously

On the ground floor, where the Six-Sentence-Café-and-Bistro were busy getting things done, the red-headed writer, aka the Raconteuse, had been up in the flat roof were she was sitting writing – it was going pretty well, although she could do better; she needed more inspiration…

She had been really pleased with her new hairstyle, it had been cut and coloured again, not just the usual bright red, but also three foils on the front of her hair, which were almost white; she had another look in her tiny mirror, as she smiled happily, then she settled down to write again.

But then she heard something wonderful – she had raised her head and then stood up, and looked down, and then she laughed out loud; it was the Gatekeeper who was crouching next to Hūnga as they both howled together.

She picked up everything as she descended quickly, running down the fire exit to the bottom; she almost bumped into the tall, thin man, ‘gosh, sorry about that,’ she said, ‘well, it looks like almost all of us are here,’ – ‘shall we go together?’

They were back in the bar, sitting around the long table and chatting, it was lovely to see them, but now she needed something else and suddenly she thought; she had her big bag and and things stowed into it.

The Raconteuse decided to get into a taxi, then she will alight and then descend to find a train, but where she will go she’s not certain… yet.

next episode

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Di of Pensitivity 101 – Wednesday’s Three Things Challenge: ALIGHT, DESCENT, RAISE (almost DESCEND)

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: FOIL

More #SixSentenceStories

Climb Up

Chris Hall46 Comments

‘Climb up, climb up, you can do it,’ as they shouted. But she couldn’t hear them. She had fallen, tumbling and tumbling; it was very dark, damp and clammy. She’d been bruised and cut, as she moved around, carefully. She could see a little chink of light here in the cave and she clambered around and began to climb. Now it was lighter and warmer, and it wasn’t too far now. She could hear all of them shouting: ‘Come on, you can do it!’

she climbed, climbed again
as the rays of light shined out
and now, she’s here, phew!

~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Danial Burka @ Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a shadowy figure standing on a raised grassy plateau inside a cave. The top of this plateau is illuminated with rays of light coming from an opening at the top.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #254 photo prompt.

What do you see # 254 – September 16, 2024

Retrospection (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall35 Comments

Kat von Wood on Unsplash

previously

The red-headed writer, aka the Raconteuse, had a spring in her step as she went down a couple of stairs and into the Six-Sentence-Café-&-Bistro; it was a lovely day and Tom had already made a whole load of bagels, while the Bartender was pouring a large cup of newly-brewed coffee.

‘No big bag today then?’ asked Mimi, while the Bartender lent over the bar, and said, ‘that’s very posh, going somewhere?’

‘I am indeed,’ said the Raconteuse as she smiled, ‘there’s a new gallery which has only just opened and it’s not far from here, in fact, I can even walk there; and you know, I might even buy something,’ and at that, she winked and walked out, leaving a nice tip on the bar.

She entered the new gallery, it was bright and light, and the colours danced around the room, she looked everywhere, pondering and lingering on several pieces, and then she was entranced with that particular item, she noticed the name ‘inSPIRAtion’, and it was familiar… she pulled out her phone… it is him!

She put her phone back into her pocket and walked to the desk; a little conversation, getting her card out and then seeing the little red dot, to show that it was sold; she would have it when the exhibition closed.

She held up her fist making a little punch in the air just outside, while she said quietly, ‘I’ve got a beautiful sculpture, it’s almost mine and even better I know who’s made it.’

n

next episode

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: PUNCH

More #SixSentenceStories

The Luggage

Chris Hall55 Comments

she’s moving again
how many times, she’s lost count
where will she go next?

the custom manager
threw the rest of her things out
‘good riddance,’ he shouted

her method is the same
she will find another place
it’s a tradition

a man’s there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image credit: Bernhard @Unsplash

For the visually challenged reader, this image shows the view of a street where a stack of old luggage (suitcases) is piled one upon another, the lowest one resting on a wooden box. There’s a bicycle parked next to this pile, along a no parking sign.

Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #253 photo prompt.
Di’s Pensitivity101 – Monday’s Three Things Challenge: CUSTOM, TRADITION, METHOD

What do you see # 253- September 9, 2024
Three Things Challenge #M812

The other one? (Tales from the SSC&B)

Chris Hall49 Comments

Negley Stockman on Unsplash

previously

The Bartender was setting up behind the bar and Mimi was counting up the till, just as the red-head writer, aka the Raconteuse, walked into the Six-Sentence-Café-&-Bistro, greeting them both, ‘is he in?’ she asked, as her eyes swiveled over the long corridor where the kitchen was and then the office where the usual Proprietor was often in there.

She could hear that Tom was singing loudly in the kitchen, were he was making bread as the tiny bubbles began to rise and foam; then one of the double doors opened as Tom said, ‘it will be ready in a couple of hours,’ and he stopped – ‘you’re here, how lovely,’ as he waved across to the Raconteuse, ‘I don’t see you enough,’ he said, ‘but come this way, I can see that you need to have a word in the office down there; Tom then winked, as she pushed the other side of the door.

The tall, thin man stood in the Manager’s office, and leaned out, ‘come in, my dear,’ as he gestured to the two cozy chairs, ‘tell me.’

‘Last week I saw someone who looked like me; I was sitting in my usual alcove, and I saw her skirting around the room, and then she quickly ran out again – she was pretending to be me!’

‘Well,’ said the tall, thin man, ‘I saw both of you – two red-head women – a real person and a fictional person, but come on, that’s normal here, isn’t it?’

next episode

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Denise Farley of GirlieOnTheEdge
Sunday’s Six Sentence Story Word Prompt: FOAM

More #SixSentenceStories