Meanwhile, back up in the upper U.P. … We joke about being without our devices but imagine if your phone and your computer crashed and burned at the same time. Now imagine that they do this in the midst of a mammoth blizzard. Immobilized and isolated, Charli Mills has somehow kept the Ranch going and is digging out. Find out more at Carrot Ranch. This week after a post about the vital practice of backing up your files on your computer, Charli is back with the February 28, 2019, prompt: “In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using the term backup. You can back up or have a backup, just go where the prompt leads!” I have three; if you don’t like one there’s backup, keep reading, maybe there’s something for you. If you’ve enjoyed Marlie, the girl with the Destiny Doll, she’s back. I recycled a story from last week’s “intermittent challenge” about being buried in the snow. And something new just for fun. Go to Carrot Ranch for more fine fun flash.
***
Traditional Does Not Equate With Destiny
“Honey! I could use some backup.”
Marlie’s dad came out of his office. “Yes?”
“Our first grader has figured out that she no longer needs to attend school.”
“I can read and my teacher says if you can read you can learn anything. But we don’t have time at school.”
“What about math?”
“We keep doing the same things over and over. I’ll do math here by baking and using your tools to fix things.”
“You did tell her that was real math.”
“Let’s let her try it. I work from home, she can work from home.”
“Some backup.”
***
Fire in the Hole
Dusted by the unremitting snowflakes, the explorers carefully made their way across the glacier.
“They say each snowflake is unique. No two alike.”
“Are they still saying that? That makes this landscape even more diabolical, a conspiracy of snowflakes of astronomical proportions.”
They stopped to take a GPS reading. “Here we are. Standing over downtown. Welcome to Houghton, Michigan.”
“Back up! A crevice.”
They took another reading by the crevasse and checked their notes.
“Down in there, that’s where the CFC used to be. Is.”
“Listen! Hear that?”
“Yes. This means…”
“The Continental Firehouse Company is open! Let’s go!”
***
Best Laid Plans
“Mom, Dad. Sit down, I have something to tell you.”
They sat, exchanging wry smiles. They weren’t naïve.
“I have struggled with this but really have no choice.” Their child fell silent, swallowed nervously. They held hands under the table. “You need to know that I am…”
“You can tell us, Dear. It’ll be okay.”
“I- I’m a writer.”
Now it was they that blew out their breath. This they hadn’t expected. Perhaps they were naïve.
“But what about money?”
“I’ll write a book.”
Damn. A partner might have meant income, security.
“Tell us you have a backup plan.”
***
as ever clever, engaging and amusing…
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High praise from a clever, engaging and amusing writer such as you.
I do appreciate it. Thanks.
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We should try a mutual flattery-a-thon just to give each other a boost! Thank you D. for the kind words
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That last one cracked me up – so indicative of the state of the writing art!
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Ha! Last the best of all the game. 🙂
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Thanks. It was fun to write.
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Very nice, we teacher understand how the kids (and big kids) think. D. I laughed at the last one. 🙂
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Thanks for coming by Miriam. I’m glad to have given you a laugh.
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You’re welcome, D. The kids think that they can out smart the grown-ups!
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I love Marlie’s Dad. He’s just my type!
Love your take on the Houghton snow scene. I think the CFC scene might be more fun! It’s great to give them another mention.
I think there are many parents who may not take well the news of an offspring wanting to be a writer. Well told.
I enjoyed all three but would vote for Marlie’s dad (and give him a huge hug) if I had to. I’d back him up. 🙂
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I knew you would! It really isn’t a bad idea, this kid staying home to learn. Her arguments are sound.
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They are indeed. 🙂 I home educated my daughter until year four. By that time she was wanting to see what ‘normal’ was like. Now she realises where she learned more. 🙂
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Good stories. It’s funny that all kids want to be adults and all adults want to be kids. I love “a conspiracy of snowflakes.” I didn’t have the last issue with my parents. My mom’s been very supportive. There was a girl, though. I could tell she was interested until I told her I was a writer.
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How supportive? Are you living in mom’s basement?
Thanks for coming by for a read, I appreciate that.
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I prefer to call it my “Man Cave” or “Lair Of The Dungeon Master.” No. She reads things and gives me feedback and funds my prostitute habit.
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What a brilliant trio! I’m starting to see a familial pattern in Marlie’s outlook. Like that girl! I busted out laughing over the glaciated Houghton, MI. Mind if I read that at the next dance performance during intermission? I think the crew at CFC will get a kick out of it. Aw, that last one — yes, a partner would mean far more security.
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My flash is your flash, Boss, of course you may read that for the good buried people of the double H townships of the Keewena.
Yeah, people found that last story amusing when I wrote it as a scary story.
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I really like all of them!
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Thanks! They were all fun to write.
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Entertaining trio! Loved them all and laughed at the last one.
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Happy to entertain. Thanks for coming by.
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Clever! I loved the CFC discovery under the ice.
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It’s just a glacier, the good folks up there will carry on.
Thanks for coming by. Hope you’re feeling better.
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