Suzie’s House 337 : In a Sluggish Economy
The woman behind the counter probably didn’t mean to come off as combative. She squeezed off a hard, polite smile as she said, “It’s all done on computer now. We have several available in the room over there.” She pointed to the room to the right.
“Oh.” Suzie hadn’t been in Job Service in so long that she might as well have no experience at all. Everything had changed in the intervening years. “Um…”
The Serialists of Dec 18th
Featured Author: Ann Pino Who has been in the holiday spirit for a while now.
This week must serve for two, as I’m taking Christmas off. If you post more than one episode, please link here again.
This is the hub for The Serialists, a meme for people who post original, serialized fiction on their blogs. If you have one or more posts you would like for us to read, please put the direct link(s) to the post(s) in the linky. Remember to visit one another and comment. We all want to hear from our readers.
Oasis
We were driving around in a place that tends to look like the above picture when we ran across something that looked like the picture below.
Yep. In the middle of the desert we found an oasis. Most of the water we found in the Gobi Desert was pumped up from various aquifers. Some were close enough to the surface that you could scoop it out with a bag on a long stick. Others were deep enough to require a pump. Regardless, the locals tended to draw only as much as it takes to water their livestock.
That isn’t nearly enough to water a farm. This was the only farm I saw down there. It is built around a natural spring, which they divert into the various channels of the field. Each day a different part gets watered.
This particular farm was quite substantial. They grew a wide variety of vegetables, much of which was sold to the various ger camps to be used in fine cuisine for the tourists. 🙂
Yet it wasn’t a mega operation. It seemed to be run by one or two families with minimal equipment. We were given a guided tour by someone who didn’t speak English while a couple of girls washed their hair in the irrigation water. There were only a couple of gers set up nearby.
It was quite a surprise to run across right after a long, hot hike in the red rocks. I only wish we could have bought something from them, a carrot of some beans or such. We probably ate some of their food that night without even knowing it.
Boxing Day
Theodor: At last, I have you cornered.
Previously in Jack and Jill: 25 Hours of Sleep
The theme for this week’s Jack and Jill is ” box” as suggested by The Boy
Want to see what I can do with a word or phrase? Make a suggestion.
Blur
First to the dentists before the insurance expires, then to the mall for socks and underwear, and then back to work on the annual report due the instant the year is up. It’s hardly worth taking time off when it means so much extra work. Sometimes she’s so busy her feet can’t be seen.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a host with the most.
13 Points About the Reindeer People of Mongolia
1. The race of Mongolians who live off of herds of reindeer on the border with Siberia are called Dukha. There are less than 300 of them left, and they are steadily decreasing.
Suzie’s House 336 : Have a Cigar
John parked the van behind The Warehouse. By now the kids should have finished playing however many songs they could get away with and should be waiting. If he pushed it back too much more, Bruce would be calling, demanding a ride for their equipment, and maybe a chance to yell about the gig. No way John was going to submit to that.
The Serialists of Dec 11th
Featured Author: Sheilagh Lee started a new serial. Yay!
This is the hub for The Serialists, a meme for people who post original, serialized fiction on their blogs. If you have one or more posts you would like for us to read, please put the direct link(s) to the post(s) in the linky. Remember to visit one another and comment. We all want to hear from our readers.
Hail on the Water
Months ago, in Mongolia, we were on our way to visit a family that raised and lived off of reindeer when a storm came up. I was so glad our boat came equipped with a hard top. It began to hail. The hail stones never got to be any larger than the size of a pea, but that’s more than enough if you can’t get away from them.
25 Hours of Sleep
Tina: Rats. I shouldn’t have hit him so hard. He’s taking up the best bed in the house.
Previously in Jack and Jill: Home Décor
The theme for this week’s Jack and Jill is ” 25 hours of sleep ” as suggested by The Walking Man
Want to see what I can do with a word or phrase? Make a suggestion.
Offline
The little blinking lights should have clued me in, even if they were green. The modem fizzled out. The first thing Tech Support had to say? “You can chat with us on our web site. Or if you prefer, google our store’s location.” Stupid me, I actually tried.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a host with the most.
Suzie’s House 335 : Where the Bass Belongs
This was great! Tracy windmilled her strumming arm and pushed out to the front of the stage. She’d never felt so good before. Could this really be her calling in life?
Except she wasn’t supposed to be doing this, right? Usually it was the guitar that took the lead, right? That’s why they called it a lead guitar. But Gene must have stage fright or something because he spent the whole show looking down like he didn’t know how to play the songs and holding back the way a bass guitar is supposed to. What? Was he afraid he’d expose himself or something?
The Serialists of Dec 4th
Featured Author: Old Egg (Give me a bit. NaNo waylaid my button making)
This is the hub for The Serialists, a meme for people who post original, serialized fiction on their blogs. If you have one or more posts you would like for us to read, please put the direct link(s) to the post(s) in the linky. Remember to visit one another and comment. We all want to hear from our readers.
