Monthly Archives: September 2023

Blanket #99WordStories

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This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that includes a blanket. Any interpretation works! What happens to a story when you give a character the prop of a blanket? Is the blanket the story? Is it a memory container, a source of comfort, or smothering? Go where the prompt leads!

For my story, I used the word blanket to mean cover, obscure or block, in particular, like a cloud blocking the sun. The inspiration came from a recent post called Enveloping Tranquility by blogger friend Annika Perry, in which she mentioned ‘a cloud of butterflies’. If you haven’t done so already, please pop over to Annika’s blog and read her delightful post.

I loved the idea and wondered at the thought of a cloud of butterflies obscuring, or blanketing, the sun. That’s where my imagination took me, perhaps not as far as the imaginations of the children in my story though. I hope you enjoy it.

A Cloud of Butterflies

“I’m gunna dig all the way through the world and come out in China,” said Nathan.

“I’m going to the moon,” said Mandy.

“You can’t get to the moon this way.”

“Can too!”

“The moon’s in space, silly.”

“So?”

Nathan sighed. “Let’s just dig.”

“It’s really deep,” said Mandy in a little while. “We can stand in it now.”

“Yeah!” said Nathan. He continued digging. “I hope it doesn’t rain. Tell that cloud to go away.”

Mandy shook her fist. “Go away cloud!” Then she said, “It’s not a cloud. It’s butterflies!”

“Wow!” said Nathan. “A cloud of butterflies!”

Thank you blog post

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A few years ago, 2015 to be exact, I was fascinated by a huge kaleidoscope (swarm) of blue tiger butterflies as they migrated northwards in autumn. I’ve always loved the word kaleidoscope as the collective noun for butterflies, but how appropriate cloud is too. The migrating butterflies may not have blocked the sun like a blanket, but they cast shadows on the sand as they flew over the beach. Magnificent!

If you’d like to read more about the blue tiger butterflies, follow this link and scroll down a couple of paragraphs, or follow this link. In this second article, the migrating butterflies are referred to as a cloud. So, there it was all along.

Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt Insect Nation, including mine, can be read at the Carrot Ranch.

Insect Nation #99WordStories

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This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about the insect nation. You can focus on a particular insect or all insects. Is your story one of acceptance and understanding? Scientific knowledge? Or apocalyptic horror? Get bugged and go where the prompt leads!

I’ve stayed at the family party with Josie, the aunts and the stranger from previous stories for a bit more fun. I hope you enjoy it.

Mealtime chit-chat

“What have we got?” Finally, the stranger, now identified as Paul, asked a question.

“The usual for one of these shindigs,” said Josie. “Aunt Agnes’s lasagne, Clara’s meatballs, Priscilla’s chicken fricassee and Joe’s sliced meats.”

“And for dessert, there’s Marie’s apple pie and Josh’s lumpy custard. Looks like Great-Aunt Rose has added berries to her strawberry jelly,” said Josie, taking a scoop.

“Blaaah!” Josie spat the jelly. “That’s not a berry!”

“It’s just a fly.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Flies don’t hurt. Extra protein.”

“Then you have it,” said Josie, shoving the plate into him and storming off.

Thank you blog post

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

I used two real events for inspiration.

The first occurred at a family party when one of the dishes served up was a lasagne, which I’m sure would have been delicious if I could have ignored the flies (just one or two) baked into the top layer of béchamel sauce.

The second was a crunchy cappuccino I had once, that forever ended my love affair with cappuccino. When I removed the crunchy bit from my mouth to investigate what it was, I discovered it was a fly. The establishment was very good. They apologised and offered to make me another one. I’m not sure if I accepted their offer, but I’ve never ordered another cappuccino.

Flies and the Australian summer go hand in hand. I’m never keen on their company, and abhor them as a food source.

Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt Southwest Pumpkins, including mine, can be read at the Carrot Ranch.

Southwest Pumpkins #99WordStories

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This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that depicts the painting, “Southwest Pumpkins” by TOJ. Feel free to explore the nuances — do you focus on the art or seek a story? What vibes do you get? Who shows up to enter the image? What happens? Go where the prompt leads!

I thought of the painting as a scene from a doorway. I wondered what the doorway led to or from, and who was standing in it and why. My story relates to those ponderings. I hope you enjoy it.

The Next Leg

The distant mountains did a thumbs up as if measuring how far the moon had still to travel before they’d reach their destination. While this taverna was welcoming, not all were so obliging, and the desert could never be thought of as a friend. They thanked their host and gathered their belongings, including replenished canteens and knapsacks. Grasping their hands firmly, the host wished them a safe journey. He advised on signs to seek and others to avoid. They bade farewell, but then, before they left, they finger framed the scene, a memory to guide them on their way.

Thank you blog post

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Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt It’s Festa Time, including mine, can be read at the Carrot Ranch.

An invitation to read aloud – one of my favourite things – #readilearn

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In August, I received a message from a former year one student of mine, inviting me to read to her prep class as part of her Book Week celebration. As reading to children is one of my favourite things and I consider read aloud to be one of the non-negotiables in any classroom, especially early childhood classrooms, I was delighted to accept. I was even more delighted to visit her as a teacher […]

Continue reading: An invitation to read aloud – one of my favourite things – readilearn

Festa #99WordStories

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This week at the Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills challenged writers to In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a festa. It can be any festival, celebration, or use of the word. Is it food-related or an event? Is it an object or a shout-out? Who is involved and why? What happens? Go where the prompt leads!

For my response, I’ve stayed with Josie and the aunts I introduced in two previous stories, A Dark Horse and Whether the Weather. I’m not sure where these characters have come from, but I’m having fun getting to know them. Be assured that they are not based on anyone, currently or previously living, I know.

Family Fun

The celebration was progressing in the usual Festa fashion. The aunts huddled down one end, criticising and badmouthing anyone out of earshot, and even some who weren’t. The men propped up the bar ensuring they didn’t miss their fair share of the free-flowing beer. The children played spotlight outside, relishing the lack of supervision. Any young people whose protests had failed wished they were somewhere, anywhere, else. Including Josie. The stranger, who’d become more intriguing with the aunts’ warnings, was totally self-absorbed. Seems the cool exterior was just that. Nothing of substance below.  Now what was Josie to do?

Thank you blog post

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

Note: The collection of stories made in response to the previous prompt The Weather Arrives, including mine, can be read at the Carrot Ranch.

Jack’s Best Day Ever! by Gabrielle Bassett – a review – #readilearn

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Today it is my pleasure to review a beautiful new picture book Jack’s Best Day Ever! written by Gabrielle Bassett, illustrated by Annabelle Hale and published by Woodslane Press. This post is part of a Books on Tour promotion.

About author Gabrielle Bassett

a mother and son

Gabrielle Bassett is a scientist, mum and author. She started her career as a Microbiologist. Later, she hung up her white coat and started working in recruitment and discovered she got great joy in finding other scientists their dream jobs.

Through her work in an Australian University, Gabrielle leads programs of work around disability inclusion, Indigenous employment and female leadership within STEM.

Jack, the boy in her story Jack’s Best Day Ever!, is based on her son.

You can connect with Gabrielle Bassett on Instagram and Facebook.

About illustrator Annabelle Hale

Annabelle graduated in 2017 and is an illustrator based in Melbourne, Australia. She loves drawing, dancing and spending time outdoors in nature.

Visit Annabelle Hale on her website Annabelle Hale or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook

About Jack’s Best Day Ever!

 For ages 4 – 8

Published by Woodslane Press

Jack loves anything that zooms, digs and races.

Continue reading: Jack’s Best Day Ever! by Gabrielle Bassett – a review – readilearn