Norah Colvin

Live Love Laugh Learn … Create the possibilities

Sweet Cherries #WordStories

Written by

Norah

in

,

This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story sweet as cherries. It can be about the fruit or something cherries represent. Why is it sweet? Can you use contrast to draw out the beauty? Go where the prompt leads!

This is where I went — down in aisle 1. I hope you enjoy in.

Sweet Cherries

Mum loves cherries, but are they sweet? She taste-tested. Yes! She tore off a bag and stuffed it with cherries. Further on, she spotted punnets. That would impress Mum more. She grabbed one and ditched the loose cherries.

*Code blue. Code blue. Customer down in fresh produce!*

“You alright, ma’am? Need a hand?”

“I’m alright — this time!” She was as red-faced as the cherries. “But you should keep these floors clean.”

Later, dignity reinstalled, exaggerating injuries, she demanded compensation.

The video told the story — a cherry, yes — a rogue cherry; escaped her unceremonious dumping; only to be splattered underfoot.

Thank you blog post

Thank you for reading. I appreciate your feedback. Please share your thoughts.

Comments

28 responses to “Sweet Cherries #WordStories”

  1. calmkate Avatar
    calmkate

    lol there are oe than one way to lose our cherries .. big brother is watching!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Everywhere, every time! 😂🍒

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. calmkate Avatar
        calmkate

        😉

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  2. pedometergeek Avatar
    pedometergeek

    Cute story, Norah, and I loved the line about “dignity”. I remember tripping (and falling) on the sidewalk several years ago. Of course, it was during the time we were having new siding and windows installed. The work crew rushed to make sure I wasn’t hurt. My response: “Only my dignity.” Every time I walk on that sidewalk now, I am extra careful to avoid that raised crack.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I hope you re-established your dignity quickly, Nan. It can be a bit embarrassing. I’m pleased you weren’t hurt.
      Sounds like that sidewalk could do with some repairs. Is there a process in place for that?

      Like

      Reply
  3. Prior... Avatar
    Prior…

    I like the social and modern vibe with the video showing what happened (no compensation but maybe she will be charged for th cheery she sampled or lost?)
    And then “this Time”? Has she had many falls
    –
    By fav line was
    “Dignity reinstalled”
    Tasty good and Has a rich sweetness that goes beyond or story and allows each reader the chance to maybe remember the very “sweet as cherries” feeling we get when dignity is reinstalled!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thank you so much for your sweeter than cherries comment, Yvette. I appreciate your interpretation. I’m pleased you liked ‘dignity reinstalled’. I had to delete a few options before I got to that one. Sometimes it’s difficult to get the ‘just right’ word.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Prior... Avatar
        Prior…

        Yes – one of the great things about flash fiction are when writers do spend time getting just the right word – readers can feel it

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          I’d like to get those ‘right’ words more often than I do. I do manage it more often in writing than in speech, though. I can never think of the right word when I’m talking. It’s downright embarrassing.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Prior... Avatar
            Prior…

            Well I think sometime when it seems like folks have the right word when we speaking – we are seeing years and years of practice and repetitive behavior – ya know? And all that practice opens up word flow – and maybe some just have more talent – but your comment reminded me of my recent exploring of Winston Churchill’s talents – he was a gifted orator and it seems like he had words just come to him
            But behind the seasons we was practicing and churning words all the time – at one point he ran after his Cicero book for an idea for a phrase – a lot of churning (and he dictated from the tub too)
            So all that to say don’t be too embarrassed if the right word doesn’t always come while speaking – I think jt is a human thing because our brain is in a certain mode and unless we practiced and prepped for a topic – even maybe recited a bit – well then even the most astute and seasoned one might not have the words come easy
            (Did that make sense- hahaha – hope so)

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Norah Avatar
              Norah

              It did make sense. Thank you for your encouragment. There are some things I find easy to talk about and can think of the right words for – like child development and education (in my field), but if it’s not an area of expertise, I stumble. (And I’m totally hopeless at small talk.) I think what’s what you’re saying, so I won’t worry too much. Thank you.

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply
              1. Prior... Avatar
                Prior…

                Yes – exactly 🙏☀️😊

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply
  4. Sweet as Cherries Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community Avatar
    Sweet as Cherries Collection « Carrot Ranch Literary Community

    […] Sweet Cherries by Norah Colvin […]

    Like

    Reply
  5. dgkaye Avatar
    dgkaye

    Cute story Norah, and glas she wasn’t hurt. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I’m glad you enjoyed it, Debby.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    That was a fun story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I’m pleased you enjoyed it, Jennie.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        😀

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  7. Patricia Tilton Avatar
    Patricia Tilton

    Fun story. Didn’t see that coming. Yay for video cameras.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Thanks, Patricia. I’m pleased you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    Working in retail for many years …it is amazing that folks don’t realize that cameras are everywhere. In one store I worked at an overnight cleaning crew was caught stuffing some trash bags with goods. The Security guy spent the night hidden in a secure office and then when it was time to leave in the morning… called the police!!

    Your story mimics a true story of a man and woman arguing in a fast food place. They tossed their drinks at each other and then slipped and tried to get compinsated for ‘damages’ that they had caused!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      I think we’re constantly watched, Jules. Some people must have boring lives, watching people do boring things.
      I wonder why the security guard hid.
      I thought my story might ring true for someone. Some people are quite brazen in what they try get from others. It costs us all in the long run.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jules Avatar
        Jules

        The security guard suspected theft from another time they were there…so he stayed in his ‘office’ to catch them by watching the live feed.

        Not only are cameras everywhere but cell phones and some social media… well that’s everywhere too. All the ‘Ring’ type home doorbell cameras, Dash cams, body cams… who is protecting whom?

        We are tracked in so many ways – I’ve just stopped worrying… If you don’t have much of worth and you are good – maybe you are safe.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Norah Avatar
          Norah

          There’s certainly not much privacy any more. I’m pleased the security guard nabbed the thieves.
          I hope your final statement is correct. Stay safe!

          Like

          Reply
  9. robbiesinspiration Avatar
    robbiesinspiration

    Hi Norah, I had a funny feeling it was her own fault.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      Your funny feeling was correct. 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. Jacqui Murray Avatar
    Jacqui Murray

    Oh for life before videos caught everything.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Norah Avatar
      Norah

      😉😂😂😂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a reply to Jacqui Murray Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More posts