Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, the best weekly flash fiction around. Join our merriment, or just enjoy the other stories. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields makes it hard to resist. Check out the details here, and then join us or read the other wonderful stories.
I always welcome constructive feedback or a thoughtful comment. My goal for 2014 is to really build my blog and FB page. Please stop by Tales From the Motherland, or the TFTM Facebook page, and hit Like, to help me in this goal. Thanks for reading!
(97 Words)
The cold air feels cleansing, as I breathe in deeply and pull my scarf tighter. My sweet lab, Baker, runs ahead, returns to check on me, and then chases another scent into the brush. My boots in the mud and crackling frost sound louder against the silent morning.
“Come on Baker! Come back, boy!” He has rolled in something foul and I watch as he finally abandons his prize and ambles over, tail wagging guiltily.
The fog, still water, and muted sun trying to break through the gloom– reflect my own inner turmoil, as I search for clarity.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Hmm, I wonder what he’s rolled in. Hopefully nothing too macabre like a corpse. But that photo does have a Stephen King vibe to it…
Very nice!
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Thanks Carrie! You are ever the mystery, thriller writer! I was thinking goose shit. 😉 Thanks for checking ti out.
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Hahaha–well, corpse, goose poo, it’s all good.
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It’s a dog world.
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Nice interpretation of the mood of the prompt. And I can sense your inner turmoil — part of which is whether to get a much smaller cleaner dog! Could see further installments here as in your other pieces.
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Thanks Perry. Dark prompt on a moody day… but I’m thinking there won’t be a continuation of this story, and I certainly hope not the mood! :-p Thanks for stopping by, Perry. Always appreciated.
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You expressed the gloom and darkness in the photo. I was bracing for Baker finding something greusome.
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I’m not the thriller or horror writer that some of my FF peers are. Admittedly, when I saw the photo, I thought of an apocalyptic story, but my mood is dark today, and I guess the photo just connected to that. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your feedback. I really appreciate it!
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: Silent Prayer. | ugiridharaprasad
Thanks so much for sharing my work. It’s always kind of you. 🙂
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The picture does look like something out of a Stephen King novel or a story from my husbands cousin. I love the independent dog, Baker. Sure hope he didn’t run into something really creepy out there.. Really entertaining read – Thanks, Nan
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Thanks for reading my story, Nan; much appreciated! Baker just found the usual stuff that dogs find… it’s the narrator who is searching for answers. 😉 Baker is just having fun, so no worries.
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I love the rhythm of your writing, Dawn. The way you described a Baker going after his prize created such a vivid image.
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Thanks Emily. Love these challenges! Always fun to find the story in the photo. Thanks for coming by… I am WAY behind on blogs this week!! xo
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I can ” feel” your self reflection. Nice.
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Thanks so much unfetteredbs! That what’s I was going for… interesting that poor, innocent Baker took so many off track, but he’s just being a dog, and the narrator is just digging for answers.
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you painted a very vivid moment. it’s like taking a walk inside that photo,but im glad to have Baker as a companion
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Maybe Baker is the hero of the story. I honestly think he can help you find the way! 🙂
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My dog generally knows best, that’s for sure! Thanks for reading Eena. 🙂
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I love how you used Baker’s actions as a way to help us focus on the narrator’s thoughts. Very real-life, Dawn!
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Thanks Cathy. It’s fun to figure out those things that will make a story come to life. I appreciate your feedback!
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…and all the while Baker finds clarity in a good romp in the woods.
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Right! Dogs make it look so easy. Thanks for visiting, Honie. Much appreciated!
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Oftentimes one’s surroundings can invite reflection, and clarity. Good one.
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Trust a dog to lighten your day… nice one.
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Thanks Sandra.
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A great setting of the moment worded from a real life situation. Introspective and thoughtful writing.
-HA
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Thank you HA. I appreciate your thoughtful feedback. While it’s not my real life situation, I know it is someone’s. I love where the photos take each of us. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment; it’s much appreciated.
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Great ending.
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Thanks. Much appreciated.
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Welcome.
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Wonderful descriptions – I really felt like I was there. And great comparison with the mist and inner struggles – but hopefully the sun will shed some light on both situations. Nicely done.
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Thanks Tiffany. This photo is so beautiful, and I think really pulls at moods… from reading other posts. I appreciate your feedback; thanks!
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You’re welcome. I completely agree. It is an awesome photo!
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Dear Dawn,
This is so vivid and concise that I felt the cold air on my face. Well written.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much Rochelle! Shabbat Shalom, dawn
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The contrast of the dog and you gave this story a perfect glimpse intp the mood.. though I expected the lab to return with a human hand in his mouth.. 🙂
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I leave those outcomes to other writers on here, Björn! 😉 I am not a horror, thriller or suspense writer. I think I could be, but there are so many other FF writers who do it well. Thanks for the feedback.
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You made a 100 word story – beginning, middle and ending. That’s impressive. You also surprised me. I saw the fence in the photo. Your story barely includes the fence except maybe metaphorically in your final sentence because the fence is the most clear feature in the photo. I love how your mind works. – Mike
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I try very hard to go with what feelings and what story comes to me, regardless of what dominates the photo. Sometimes, I intentionally avoid the most obvious details. That said, I got a much darker image on my computer (something wrong with the contrast) and the sun and water, the foggy mood, really jumped out at me. The fence seemed an afterthought. Thanks for reading, Mike! I always appreciate your feedback.
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This picture does indeed inspire pondering.
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I really think so… I did get a slightly distorted image (darker) but it’s just a wonderful photo to write on.
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Yes.
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Sounds like my many trips to the dog park. My dog always finds to best stuff to roll in.
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NO kidding! Drives me nuts… because my lab, Luke, is not so easy to clean. Thanks Erin!
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Wonderful atmosphere, coupled with the beautiful but eerie picture.
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Thanks so much. Yes, I thought the photo was really amazing!
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Great take on the prompt, very descriptive writing.
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Thanks Patti. I appreciate your feedback.
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