It’s Friday Fictioneers, the greatest free show in town! Rochelle Wisoff-Fields runs this band of merry writers, where participants are asked to write a 100-word story, with a beginning, middle and end, using a photo prompt. Check out other participants here.
I always welcome feedback: positive or constructive. Leave something in the comments, and make my day. Hit Like, to feed my vanity.
I try very hard to read each story in the weekly series, and appreciate those of you who visit mine. This week I’m leaving for New York city, so I may be slow in responding. But I will eventually.
Please check out Tales From the Motherland on Facebook, and hit like. It will give me another reason to be Thankful.
A bonus– One of my favorite bands, Arcade Fire, Sprawl: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awHWColYQ90
copyright Randy Mazie
(95 words)
They planted the tiny “California lilac” at the corner, hoping it would one day be a larger shrub, and send purple joy to the windows.
The city added another lane, to the small road in front of their home; requiring a new sidewalk.
Jerry and Lois watched their yard disappear foot by foot, the sprawl slithering beyond the downtown. Their lawn gone, the sidewalk soon pushed up against the house. Imminent domain they were told.
Boarded and barred, they finally left. The lilac clung to the empty shell, its roots cut off, her flowers poisoned.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Great descriptive voice, Dawn. I’m a still thinking on this one! I like your take on it. Well done.
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Thanks Amy. I didn’t get to look at it until about an hour ago. This one took about ten minutes… wonderful prompt! Can’t wait to see what you write.
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Wonderful job and sad. 😦
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Yes… it is. This picture reminded me of seeing my Great Grandmother’s home, once so beautiful with its fruit trees and lush yard, all boarded up and barred windows. Stockton, CA has changed so much and her home now abuts the highway and is in total decay. I appreciate you taking the tine, Anja.
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Where I grew up there are many areas like that. What is so bad, they built up malls and such and now those are empty. Very depressing.
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Where did you grow up? The sprawl is everywhere… even where it seems like it isn’t. The cities are definitely the saddest. Look at Detroit. Such a sad slide down.
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Ohio…my town is small, only 3000 people but if you went towards other once prosperous cities it is bad.
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It really is!
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Another nice post . Looks like a bougainvillea , though .
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I knew it wasn’t CA lilac, but that bush suited my story. I was wondering if it was some kind of evergreen? Good eye, Dan! 😉
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This was excellent for so few words. Imminent domain makes me sad… We have a university and a hospital that are constantly displacing people in my city, many of them are older like the characters in your story. You definitely captured it.
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Thanks Aussa! I noted in another comment, this reminded me so much of my Great Grandmother’s house. So sad. Thanks for taking the time.
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Nice short tale with so much implied. I especially like the ending and it’s relevant to our society of today. Thanks for the chance to read!
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Thank YOU, Laurel Leigh. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. It is very relevant and indeed, sad. 95 words… a new record for me! 🙂
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I love those little personal victories! Cheers!
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It’s cocktail time all over. 😉
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That’s a lovely thought to hold onto on a cold, chilly night!
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Great job 🙂
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Thank you, Helen! I appreciate you taking the time. I think I’ll have to do all of my reading when I return from New York City.
Sent from Dawn’s iPhone
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Powerful and saddening. Great work here. 🙂
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Thanks Kourtney. Each week this is one of my favorite posts to write; always a challenge and fun. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Sent from Dawn’s iPhone
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I remember when I was a child my uncles house was the victim of imminent domain. The back yard that we played in was reduced to a driveway for one car.
I can imagine they felt this way.
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I’ve always imagined it would feel/look like this, for the homes with yards I’ve seen disappear. Thanks for stopping by Dawn. I’ve been traveling, and computer is in the shop. I will try to get to stories before Wed!
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If someone had posted this or read it to me without introduction, I would have thought it was a news story. The details are stark and revealing. It could easily have been real, which I think is an indicator of good writing. – Mike
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Mike, your comments always make me feel so great! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story; Friday Fictioneers has become one of my favorite things each week.
Sent from Dawn’s iPhone
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I can see that. We are now closer to the road than when we moved here.
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Dawn, one of your best. There is a road very close to me that is being widened, and I feel really bad for the people whose homes are on that road because their front lawns are shrinking. I just keep thinking that if they have kids, they surely won’t let them play out there anymore because it would be too dangerous.
“Sprawl” is *easily* my favorite Arcade Fire song. My husband and I used to listen to it on repeat when we played Scrabble when I was pregnant with C. 😉
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I love the whole album! Just for fun, you should read my most recent. It’s a Friday Fictioneers 2, An Unfinished Book… it might surprise you. I’m not all tender and rainbows. 😉
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