BETTER THAN HUNTING

It's Friday Fictioneer Day. As always, the photo prompt is provided by http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com Here's my story (and it's 124 words--not 100 this time!)

Discouraged, Ray climbed down his deer stand. He heard shots all morning but hadn’t seen a deer. He stretched his aching back. Ray was in no mood to be chided about his first-hunt-gone-bad.

Twigs snapped as he walked through the woods. He caught his jeans on a barbed wire fence when a flash of rust and aqua caught his eye. It couldn’t be. His breath quickened as he walked toward the truck.

There in all its glory stood Ol’ Bess. The door creaked open. Ray ran his hand over the cracked upholstery and could almost smell her scent. He sat on the dusty seat and wiped cobwebs away. Ray felt Cindy’s soft arms around him. Now, Ray had a story to tell his buddies.

Friday Fictioneers (A Day Late)

I'm joining the Friday Fictioneers a day late. Hopefully, a few will still be reading the posts. As always, the photo prompt was provided by http://www.madisonwoods.com Give it a try!

BADGES ARE HARD TO EARN

Samantha hugged her knees wishing she had listened to her mother. She could still hear her mom’s voice, “Wear long pants and layers. It’ll be cold out there.”

Always the rebel, Samantha instead wore shorts and a light jacket to Girl Scout camp. Her teeth chattered from the cold, damp air. The ghost stories didn’t help.

The bonfire crackled and Samantha jumped. She eyed the skinny, barren tree limbs. She’d have to be the weight of a squirrel for those limbs to hold her. She was stuck. All night. In the woods. To earn a badge.

At least they could serve some of those famous cookies.

Ocean Haiku

As some of you know, my husband and I were in beautiful, sunny Florida for two delightful weeks. The second week, he took a Chapman's seamanship course which gave me plenty of time to reflect, read, and of course, write.

While walking the beach (white sand on the Gulf side and brown sand on the Atlantic side), I took in the warmth, sand, and blue water! I also met several interesting people (more on that in another post) and was especially entertained by the birds. I loved watching their rituals.

As promised, I'll share some ocean haiku I wrote. I hope some of these give you a feel for the beach and ocean. I wrote too many haiku to post here but chose a few favorites. Please tell me which one you like, and feel free to add some of your own in the comment section!

LUNCHTIME
By Beth Carter
Pelicans circle.
Dive headfirst into ocean.
Pluck fish from the sea.

WAVES
By Beth Carter
Rolling, boiling sea.
Tide foamy like shaving cream.
Splashes on my toes.

AHOY, MATEY
By Beth Carter
Ship on horizon
Friend or foe? Looms large and then
disappears from sight.

WHAT AM I?
By Beth Carter
Underwater blimp?
A pig or small elephant?
Manatee, of course!

A KID AGAIN
By Beth Carter
Buckets of brown sand.
Plastic cups of all sizes.
Castle emerges.

THE BOSS
By Beth Carter
Waves frothing at mouth.
Rolling, lapping angrily.
Telling all who's boss.

FOOTPRINTS
By Beth Carter
Footprints in the sand.
Leading to nowhere and back.
Wiped clean by the tide.

Friday Fictioneers

It's Friday Fictioneer time which means writers are encouraged to post a 100-word flash fiction story based on a photo provided by author Madison Woods at http://madisonwoods.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/ I encourage you to try this creative exercise and post a link to your blog on Madison's site (and mine) so we can all enjoy them.

Here's this week's photo:

DOGSPEAK
By Beth Carter

"Did you hear that?"
"What?"
Barney talked.
Jack stared at the half-brown, half-gray dog that had wandered up to their house the previous day.
"Don't be ridiculous." He continued to chop wood while Nelia poured water into Barney's bowl.
"Thank you."
"He did it again! Jack, come over here."
Jack peered over his glasses. "Have you taken up drinking?"
Nelia put her hands on her hips. "I'm serious. Watch." She gave Barney some crispy bacon.
Nothing.
She handed him another piece.
Barney crunched loudly but said nothing, his mouth set in a defiant line.
Jack shrugged, walked to the wood pile and started chopping.
"More." Nelia fainted.

Kiltie Chili Supper & KGBX Women's Show

Last weekend was busy. Really busy. I had a book signing at two events which meant for days beforehand I was making lists, printing bookmarks, getting candy, buying crayons, loading my trunk, making forms for the drawings, promoting the events on Facebook, Twitter and via email, and ordering more books. It was harried. I was tired for DAYS afterward.

But it was fun.

Here are a few photos of the Kiltie Chili Supper & Silent Auction held Friday, February 24, and the KGBX Women's Show on Saturday, February 25, 2012.

Here's the basket I donated to the Kilties. I also donated the proceeds of my book sales that night. (See some of the Kilties in the background). The chili was good and they also held a silent auction and raised nearly $5,000. Go, Kilties! I was a Kiltie drum captain back in the day and will always support these girls. In fact, the Kiltie Drum & Bugle Corps is the OLDEST women's drum corps in the United States!

And..the winner of said basket (he bought it for his daughter. Sweet, right?!)

Here's my booth at the KGBX Women's Show (I had a lousy location but what can you do?) Standing next to me is my lovely mom who came to give me a much-needed lunch break during the trade show.

And finally the cutest picture of all...Avery White, the winner of my Women's Show basket. It's almost as big as she is!

I appreciate so many of my writer friends who stopped by--Stephanie who was first, Shirley and Carol who brought me COFFEE (xoxo for that!), Beverly who told me her granddaughter loves my book, thus making my day, V.J., DeLane, Cecily and Avery. I hope I didn't miss anyone. Your support meant so much to me during those two long days on my feet.

I encourage all writers to take advantage of the exposure provided by these events, and if you can, donate a basket and an autographed book to a worthy cause. Now, to put my feet up...