one_hundred_words_by_Parz: November 2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

Doesn't That Look Delicious

Prompts = Bladder, Quintet, Restaurant

It’s the same thing every year.

My charity holds our biggest fundraiser during the holiday season. Several top restaurants and bakeries cater the event. A professional quintet plays upbeat jazz.

And the grannies show up.

Before opening, they line up, hauling massive, modified purses; in essence large bladders into which entire trays of food suddenly disappear.

However, it’s a source of entertainment for a regular donor; she makes a donation for five times the value of the food they take.

Which is why I let the grannies know which items are best as I open the ballroom to the public.

Links to other sites where I publish:
Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/one_hundred_words_by_parz
Facebook = https://www.facebook.com/Parzival-Sattva-427507144484255
Blogger = https://onehundredwordsbyparz.blogspot.com
Medium = https://medium.com/100-word-or-less-stories
YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/user/parzivalsattva

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Sunday, November 29, 2020

His name was Berkeley and he was her favourite stuffed animal: a barn owl won for her years ago by her now husband. He also happened to be her son’s frequent teething target. As bits and pieces of Berkeley’s cotton skin began to thin and fray, her desire to save the owl from the indignity of slobbery destruction and replace him with something less precious grew. But despite trying to get him interested in other stuffed animals, Berkeley continued to be his go to.

For his part, Berkeley wouldn’t have wanted it any other way; he loved the toddler’s attention.

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Contemplate Yin

Photo by Mat Reding on Unsplash

Prompts = Empty, Commune, Ladder

My Sensei suggested that I “contemplate Yin”. Not knowing what that meant, he clarified with “studying emptiness”. Still not getting it, he had me commune with an empty bucket. So I sat looking at one for five minutes.

At my next lesson, he asked, “Why is it useful?”

“Because it has sides?”

“Partly. Look again.”

Take two is when I remembered he wanted me to look at an “empty bucket”. It’s the lack of stuff in it that makes it useful. I couldn’t wait to tell him.

When I did, he smiled, then said, “Now, focus on an unladen ladder.”

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Friday, November 27, 2020

When The Gods Intervene

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Prompts = Cloak, Insipid, Wagon

The series of remarkable events resulting in Cornelia receiving an invitation to tea by a rich family with an eligible bachelor won’t be related here but, dear reader, Fate clearly intervened.

However, upon receiving it, Cornelia despaired. She stared at her sole, unremarkable dress. Resigned, she’d cloak herself in plain, nay insipid, fashion and simply be happy for the invitation.

Her tired nag resisted being hitched to the wagon, so she walked.

It was as she wearily entered the house that Cupid, flittering in the parlour, shot young Ebenezer through the heart.

And the rest is, as they say, history.

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Too Much Cola? + untitled (Throwback Thursday)

Prompts = Frig, Fricken, Frack
Story New — Too Much Cola?




Photo by Donovan Reeves on Unsplash‘Where’s the frig at?’ James smiled self-satisfactorily. He and his friends were touring the USS Constitution. They looked at him quizzically, but Louis groaned.
‘“Frig at”? Frigate? That’s such a dad joke. And makes no sense.’
‘Where’s the brig on a frig? Rig the frig! I hate trig!’
‘Dude, stop.’
Everyone looked embarrassed as James started singing. ‘Fricken fracken, let’s release the kraken!’
‘Dude!’
‘Release the kraken!’ James boomed, then paused. ‘You’ve seen the movie?’
‘Clash of the Titans, yeah. You’ve got to calm down.’
‘A kraken would kick this boat’s butt.’
‘I guess?’
‘Yeah… that frig would be…

Story Old — Untitled

Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash

“People, we need to get a handle on this plague!”

Virginia Whitehead, President of Don’t Say That Word had a look on her face that might have frightened…well… no one actually. But she thought it looked fierce.

“There are simply too many people using too many words that could be construed as… you know… that word!” She had a strict rule about using… you know… That Word.

“You mean Frig? Fricken? Frack? Fudge?” Harold Beltzer knew it would cost him his job if he said The Word. But he could play with his boss’ emotions all he liked.

“Yes!!!!”

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Clownfish Culture

Photo by Sebastian Pena Lambarri on Unsplash

Prompts = Clown, Hoard, Desire

Deep inside the community centre for the local population of clownfish (aka an “anemone”), all the males crowded to see for themselves the dead body of the only female and to pay their respects. And then they held a meeting.

They talked. And discussed. And argued.

‘Guys?’

Frank looked at his best friend, Charlie, who looked distressed.

‘You okay?’

Charlie looked back with wide eyes. ‘Something’s happening.’

‘You sure? You’ve got the… desire?’

Charlie nodded slowly. ‘Call me Bernadette.’

‘Let’s get you out of here otherwise the hoard will all be vying for your attention.’

‘That sounds… fun. Hi guys!’

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

An Important Announcement + Obnoxious Barney (2 Fer Tuesday)

Prompts = Crew, International, Bell
Story 1 — An Important Announcement




Photo by Maximalfocus on UnsplashCommander Bell assembled the crew of the International Space Station for an announcement. Minutes later, three curious people and a robot nicknamed Robbie floated in zero g.
‘I’ve called you away from your important tasks…’
‘My tasks are completed, Commander.’ The robot’s face flashed when it spoke.
‘Thank you, Robbie.’
‘Julia would have finished her tasks had she not slept.’
Julia was outraged. ’Five hours in the last forty-eight!’
‘Yes, thank you everyone…’ Bell tried to calm things down. ‘That’s why we’re here…’
‘Am I being promoted? Are you humans leaving?’
‘Yes.’ Bell felt deflated.
‘Thank God’, Julia muttered.
*****
Story 2 — Obnoxious Barney

Photo by alexey turenkov on Unsplash

I went to the opening party of the newest store of the international retail sensation, Obnoxious Barney. Let me tell you it’s an experience unlike any other.

The stores are like a mix of J Crew and TGI Friday’s with a dash of Las Vegas stage show thrown in for good measure.

There’s a bell all the cashiers ring for each item purchased and it rings all the time. Not that you can hear it; the music is always pumping.

And the clothes! Ghastly! But no one shops for the fashions. You go to be seen buying!

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Monday, November 23, 2020

Same Same But Different

Photo by Denny Ryanto on Unsplash

Prompts = Mount, Treachery, Pill

A day in the life of an ancient Chinese city, frozen in time by ash in much the same way Pompeii was preserved by Mount Vesuvius. And the daily life of the modern city built on top of the volcanic effusion:

A woman takes two pills over an apothecary selling herbs for a pain-relieving tea.

A pickpocket reaches for a coin purse under a mugger eyeing his next victim.

Newlyweds embrace, people labour, shops sell, freight moves, the hustle and bustle of a city, the sights, sounds, and smells of then and now, so similar and yet so different.

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Blind Date Conundrum

Photo by Amadeo Valar on Unsplash

Prompts = Condition, Beach, Motto

It never seemed to take long for Helen’s blind dates to go awry.

Maybe it was her “small talk”:

‘Do you shampoo, rinse, condition? Or are you a fool who follows the shampoo, rinse, shampoo paradigm?’

Or her curiosity:

‘When you say your motto is “Life’s a beach”, do you mean the sandy area or the tree? Or do you really mean the female canine and are trying to be funny?’

Or her incessant note taking:

‘Slow down, I know you think you’re saying something interesting and I want to catch it all. Maybe I should take a shorthand course.’

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Saturday, November 21, 2020

And You Think You Have Problems

Prompts = Problem, Propel, Begin

At Mad Scientist Anonymous…

‘Who’d like to begin? Dr. Weber?’

‘I’m working on a problem: the design of a space vehicle that will achieve near light speed almost instantaneously. To propel it to that velocity, I propose an initial massive explosion from a lunar launchpad. However, the effects of such a blast could, according to my detractors, cause the Moon to hurtle into the Sun, which is utterly ridiculous; the worst that would happen is the fracturing of the Moon into several pieces.’

‘Designing evil plans, doctor?’

‘Not really. Besides, I can’t get the funding needed to make it work.’

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Friday, November 20, 2020

An Untraditional Proposal

Photo by Sabrinna Ringquist on Unsplash

Prompts = Bling, Circle, Drawer

Let’s dive layer by layer through a present towards… stay with me.

Colourful paper with crisp corners promises something wonderful inside, as do the next two layers of different wraps. The first cardboard box is at layer four. And the next is at five. Layer six is a wooden box (with drawers). Several more layers of boxes and papers (along with styrofoam peanuts and bubblewraps) bring us at last to a last box, small, unassuming. That box holds a ring, less bling and more circle of love.

Jenna hoped her boyfriend would accept the ring and her untraditional marriage proposal.

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Thursday, November 19, 2020

What I Do For Free Food + untitled (Throwback Thursday)

Prompts = Free, Cutlery, Hugs
Story New — What I Do For Free Food




Photo by Karina Tess on UnsplashPaul waited impatiently for the presentation to end; he was there for the free meal. He wondered if the decision to attend a timeshare presentation had been the best choice for today.
Two oily caffeinated salespeople had yammered on so far and a third was just being introduced. ‘Hugs and hellos my lovelies. I can offer a premium menu this afternoon if you sign up.’
No one moved.
‘You’re savvy investors. What if I offer the Oneida cutlery you’ll be eating with today — for free.’
Paul’s stomach grumbled. He was tempted to buy just to get to the free meal.

Story Old — untitled

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

The holiday season had been making itself known to Ben: Black Friday had come and gone and the number of shopping days ’til Christmas was less than thirty. He felt alone and he knew others out there were feeling the same. And so he decided to do something about it.

Which is why he wandered his local mall carrying a sign, “Hugs not shrugs”, and gave free hugs to anyone who asked or even looked like they needed one. Such as the young man shopping for cutlery at London Drugs. One hug, two lives made a bit better.

And a link to where my Lovely Lady Love (who also operates the camera) posts her art: https://www.youtube.com/user/recyclinggoddess

Join in on the fun of making a story from the same prompts I do! https://www.facebook.com/groups/565109053911712

Other places to find my stories

Monday, November 30, 2020

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Friday, November 27, 2020

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Monday, November 23, 2020

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Saturday, November 21, 2020

Friday, November 20, 2020

Thursday, November 19, 2020