It’s that time of week again–time for Friday Fictioneers on a Wednesday morning! This week our photo prompt is courtesy of Ted Strutz (who’s a pretty cool guy that you should get to know), and by the week’s end it will inspire scores of original 100-word stories. My story this week weighs in at exactly 100 words.
Copyright Ted Strutz
Farm-Fresh Fragrances
“You tellin’ me your shit don’t stink?”
Dana knew better than to roll her eyes.
“Only person ‘round here who can get away with that is your mother. That’s why I married her. Now, go back and do it right.”
Dana went back to weeding the garden, grumbling. Then she caught sight of an old commode behind the tool shed.
Early in the morning on Mother’s Day, Dana wrangled the commode into position in the front yard. Petunias cascaded from the tank and bowl. “Stinky shit makes darn good fertilizer.”
Seeing her gift, Mom laughed. “Well, the flowers are beautiful.”
Glad Mom saw the funny side.
Being married to Dad, I’m guessing she has to have a fairly lighthearted outlook.
Thanks so much for dropping in.
My guess is that Mother has a full time job as a peace-maker in that family. Cracker of an opening line! 🙂
Thanks, Sandra. You’re probably right. Many moms have that job. As to the opening line, I’m glad you liked it. It’s a bit of a cliche here in the Midwest, but I’ve never met a farmer who didn’t talk in cliches.
All my best,
MG
Dear Marie Gail,
If it weren’t for cliches, farmers would be silent. 😉 Cliches are perfectly fine in dialogue when defining the character and that you’ve done quite well. I love the Mother’s Day gift. Nothing better than a mom with a sense of humor. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle. Writing this reminded me of a poetry challenge I once attempted at Wild Poetry Forum. The challenge was to write in the voice of someone who would use cliches but to come up with a unique poem that wasn’t a cliche itself. Fun but difficult.
All my best,
MG
I keep telling Connie mine smells like lilacs, but she refuses to believe. It was a good way to repurpose the old crapper. Fun story.
Thanks, Russell! As to Connie’s disbelief–you might want to try backing up your claims with actual evidence in the future. 😉
Cheers!
MG
Yes…. it’s how mothers survive! With a sense of humour!
And the way marriages survive is by overlooking a few faults. 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Marie Gail
Yes, without a doubt!
Great piece! That’s a great Mom!
Thanks!
Good to find a use for the old thing, and she saw the funny side!
Waste not, want not. 😉
I think we had similar ideas in mind with this one. Nicely done. 🙂
Thanks!
Funny story!
And fun to write. Glad to have you along for the giggle.
All my best,
MG
Always good to have mom on your side.
Especially when Dad’s a little tough on you. 🙂
Mum has great humour. Such a fun story.
Thank you so much!