Dahlia

Off the Beaten Track

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt. Thanks to Sandra for the photo 🙂

sheep-and-car

Off the Beaten Track

Words 95

“Mom!” Ravi protested, “Why did you take this road?”

“Didn’t you see the massive traffic jam on the main road?”

“Mom, main roads are always a safer bet. Here, on this track, who knows when it will clear or even whether we will reach our destination?”

“Patience Ravi, patience.” She was unperturbed. “Look, the sheep are all going the other way. In just a while, we will own the road.”

“So tell me Mom,” Ravi turned to her, “what were your objections to leaving my job in the US and taking up farming in Kerala?

***

Look forward to hearing from you 🙂

Reminder: Today’s the 15th of July and time for Story Club # 2. Do read Stephen Crane’s The Open Boat and drop in for a review by YP of In the Zone later in the day. Anyone interested in posting a review of their own – most welcome! Please create a pingback to the post Story Club #2 – coming soon at a blog near you 😀

Click here for Story Club #1

For the readers of Moonshine, here's Chapter 75 and Calvin - he never gives up trying does he?

Macro Moment Week 4

The rainy season is here and like last year, I had another visitation.

Taking care to check that the window was securely bolted, I leaned in for a closer shot.

This is in response to Susan’s Macro Moments Week 4 challenge

Thanks for visiting 😀

CFFC: Signs of the Times

As usual, Cee has an interesting Fun Foto Challenge lined up for us – Signs. I have quite an obsession for signs. Let’s begin shall we?

I have to confess the first two sets are forwards but they were too good to pass up 😀

Minus the legs!

Why just at nite?

Outside a zoo somewhere in India. I refuse to divulge where, who knows what it will attract..

At Lucerne, Switzerland. Perhaps a single line would not have conveyed the same message?

For some reason I found WALK terribly funny

Well, at least one can boast about a golden cage 😀

Oops, I seem to have nicked off the topmost part – translation anyone?

And the award goes to

Off to hunt for my pot of gold 😀

Have a great day and thanks for visiting. Do leave me a note or two and if you like, you could check out my other photos…

SPF: Exposed

Written for the Sunday Photo Fiction – a story in 200 words or less. Click here for other stories on this prompt.

20160527_125013

SPF: Exposed

Words 198

“Reeta!” Sheila burst inside her house, “did you hear the news?”

“What news?” Reeta asked her easily excitable neighbor.

“Don’t you ever watch TV?”

“Not if I can help it.” Reeta said drily. Besides, who needs a TV when you are here?

“Didn’t you hear the TV vans whooshing past – or the ambulance? I checked the news and sure enough, it’s all over the TV!” Sheila’s eyes glittered with pleasurable glee and something else. “Look at you, sitting here cool as cucumber.”

Reeta made a wry face and got to her feet. “My apologies. Would you like a cup of tea?” She began walking to the kitchen.

Sheila grabbed Reeta by the arm and burst out, “The well-known socialite Mrs Sisodia committed suicide.”

Reeta froze. She paled and her eyes widened.

Sheila watched these developments with ghoulish delight. “Oh! Now I remember, she and your husband were very good friends weren’t they?” Sheila looked around. “Where is he? Does he know? Call him up and let him know.” She urged.

The doorbell rang. It was the police.

Reeta mentally cursed the inconsiderate Mrs Sisodia.

She could brush an affair under the carpet but not a dead woman.

***

Do let me know what you think…

For the readers of Moonshine, here’s Chapter 74 and Hobbes up to no good :D

And please do check out my latest photo challenge – Look up or here for a laugh (or a shock depending on your view) or… never mind, I arranged all my picture posts at one place for easy access – Clicks and Pics.

Have a super day and look forward to hearing from you 🙂

Look Up

This is in response to Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge – Look Up. Obedient to the core, I looked up.

Last week was a difficult time. Looking up, it struck me that the long and short of it was that all of us are trapped in a spin of our own until Someone switches us off. Claustrophobic and not in the best frame of mind, I walked out in search of succor and inspiration.

Trees are such a comfort – and who can resist an endless blue sky dotted with cotton clouds? Horizons expanding, I walked to the other side of the house for a change in perspective.

Heart full, a crick in the neck, I couldn’t help looking down.

Quite a refreshing sight wouldn’t you say?

A bit easier than before, I went back in and read YP’s post – “Dragging through is ok – we will NOT always be able to Dash through issues….”

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
― Lao Tzu

And of course – Que sera sera

Thanks for visiting and have a super week ahead 🙂

Big Banyan Tree

It’s time for Sunday Trees -243

Botanics4 — The Great Banyan tree (*Ficus benghalensis*) at Botanic Garden, Howrah, near Kolkata, India

Believe it or not, that is not a forest but a single tree. One that is more than 250 years old. The area occupied by the tree is about 18,918 square meters (about 1.5 hectares or 4 acres). The present crown of the tree has a circumference of 486 m. and the highest branch rises to 24.5 m. Interestingly, the tree survives without its main trunk, which decayed and had to be removed in 1925.

Instead, it has a large number of aerial roots, which grow from the branches and run vertically to the ground and looks like it has so many trunks. It is estimated that at present it has 3772 aerial roots reaching down to the ground as a prop root. Fascinating isn’t it?

Thanks for visiting and to kick start your Monday, have a look here 😀

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COB #27: Whoops

Here’s this week’s submission for Cee’s oddball photo challenge # 27. This is taken from the balcony of a 6th floor apartment in Mumbai.

OBPC2 copy.png — Having a closer look at the street? Perhaps hoping for a ride?

I couldn’t help wondering if her friend threw her or she ~~jumped~~ fell. 😉 Good pic for a flash fiction eh? Anyone game?

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Sons and Daughters

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle for the picture prompt below – a story in 100 words or less. For amazing stories on this prompt click here. Thanks to Jan Marler Morrill for the photo.

Sons and daughters

Words 99

“This alley is so tiny.” Sheena laughed. “I remember it as a long dark highway!”

“Useful for sneaking back inside.” Her brother winked.

“And learning the facts of life,” Sheena said.

“Meaning?”

“When I was about 12, I overheard Dad telling Mom – if it is again a girl, I will get another wife.”

Sheena shook him by the arm. “Make your peace with Dad. He loves you!”

“Yeah right. After my bike accident, I overheard him – Thanks to God for saving my son. I cannot afford to lose him. It’s not like I have two or three sons.”

***

Thanks for reading. If you have time and the inclination, do check out the Macro Moment photo challenge and one-liner Wednesday post. Though I should warn you, it isn’t exactly one line blushing

Have a great weekend. Oh I almost forgot! For the readers of Moonshine, here’s Chapter 73 and Calvin on a water conservation spree 😀

If you are a first time visitor, welcome aboard 🙂 Click here for more Short Stories or here for more information About the Blog

Dont forget to leave me a note.

Macro Moments Week 3

For Susan’s Macro Moments challenge Week 3

Sorry no idea about lens and other stuff – just a simple phone camera 🙂

Quite unafraid as I clicked her – or perhaps frozen with fear? She does have a wild look in her eye doesn’t she?

Have a grand weekend 🙂

One-liner Wednesday

Yeah well today’s Thursday but somewhere it’s Wednesday! 😀 Linda runs this really cool challenge One-liner Wednesdays and this week the prompt is ‘Opposite of Feverish.’ This is my first time and not very sure how to deal with it one line – but why worry when the internet is at your service 😉

I found this really ‘cool’ quote cool

If you’re hotter than me, then that means I’m cooler than you. – Anonymous

Don’t you think it fits very well with the prompt?

P.S. It just struck me – my own line is pretty neat for the prompt as well! laughing Dont get it? okay fine I will ‘spell’ it out again – I meant this line:-

Linda runs this really cool challenge One-liner Wednesdays and this week the prompt is ‘Opposite of Feverish.’

Oops, hope that got none of you ‘hot and bothered’ – okay fine!

I’m going to stand outside, so if anybody asks for me, I’m outstanding. – Anonymous

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SPF: Exposed

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Sons and daughters

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