Sue Spitulnik

Author

Sue Spitulnik

I am a retired grandmother that grew up in western New York State, left for 25 years, and am now back in the area. I happily live with my husband and two cats. I am pro-military, writing, food, family, and quilting. I am con-exercise, insulting commercials, and lack of common sense. I have met some great friends through this website.

Snow Covered Roads

The woman with three sons made the white knuckle drive to the ski resort. “I wish your hobby didn’t take us out in wrecker weather.”

“Mom, we always make it to the slopes with no problem. If you’d relax, it wouldn’t seem so difficult a drive. You knew the first time Dad brought us this might be a thing.”

“I remember. You don’t have to remind me.”

“Besides, you’ve never experienced the serenity when the snow falls while you command the hill. You really need to try it with us.”

“Thanks all the same. I’ll wait in the lodge.”

Written in response to Charli Mills January 16, 2024, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that unfolds during wrecking weather. You can set the story anywhere and use any genre. Who are your wreckers? Your targets? Your merchants? Are there difficulties to overcome the weather? Go where the prompt leads!

01/22/2024 8

Recognize the Parallel

A girl in her late teens screams at her mother, “You mean I have to be in this cast for three months.”

“Who wrecked the car? Deal with it.”

“Is my car all right? I don’t remember.”

“No. It’s going to take months to get the parts to fix it.”

***

Two months later, the girl pouts. “This recovery is getting to me. I don’t know if I can do it.”

Her mother is sympathetic. “I know, honey. It’s wearing on me too. But I promise, on the other side, there is much catching up to look forward to.”

Written in response to Charli Mills January 9, 2024, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a recovery story. What instigated the recovery? What is being recovered? Data, athletes, illness — expand the idea of recovery and find your story. Go where the prompt leads!

01/15/2024 7

One Person’s Opinion

Age 10 — Mom’s red geraniums don’t smell sweet like a flower should. I don’t like them.

Age 20 — When I see a red geranium I remember my mother. She liked their bold color.

Age 45 to present — I live close to the cemetery where my folks rest. I pot red geraniums near their headstone each spring, and they survive the summer no matter the weather, with no care.

Age 68 to present — I plant red geraniums at home so I can enjoy the memories.

After I pass, I hope my children plant them for me.

Note: This week, we were experimenting with how many ways we could write red. Thus, multiple micro flashes go in different directions.

Written in response to Charli Mills January 2, 2024, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the color red. It can be a descriptor, a setting, a character, or a metaphor. How far can you get in a story by expanding “red”? Go where the prompt leads!

01/07/2024 12

The Red Button is Returned

The boy was often left to his own devices while Mummy sewed extravagant dresses and coats for the elite. He couldn’t help being jealous of the beautiful clothes and fasteners. One day, she was working on a new wool coat that was to have soft red velvet-covered buttons. He nicked one when he was sent from the room, which caused a big to-do since there were no extras.

Years later, when his mother passed, the man tucked the thread-bare button inside her hand while she lay in her coffin. “I’m sorry. I needed a part of you with me.”

01/07/2024 0

Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras Costume thought process...try thinking outside of the box. Something in red.


It was January when the college student started planning. She collected multiple plastic milk jugs over the next few weeks to make the desired shapes. She bought white duct tape and the correct type fire-engine red paint. She went to Amazon.com and purchased a long white night shirt. The construction was more challenging than she had expected, but on parade day, it proved worth it.



The red stove pipe hat said BIG in white letters, and the raised red button that covered her front read EASY.



Note: New Orleans nickname is The Big Easy, and the red Easy button is from a TV commercial for Staples office supply store.


Written in in response to Charli Mills January 2, 2024 at Carrot Ranch Literary, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the color red. It can be a descriptor, a setting, a character, or a metaphor. How far can you get in a story by expanding “red”? Go where the prompt leads!

01/07/2024 2

Seeing Red

A couple in their early stages was walking the mall. She pulled him into a Victoria's Secret store and picked up a frilly red nightie.

He scowled. "You aren't wearing that for me."

"But Babe, red is for love and romance."

"Blood and anger," he retorted. 

"You said you left the service five years ago. You gotta let it go."

"You hold your buddy on the battlefield with blood gushing out of his guts and get over it." 

"It's in the past..."

"It's every night in my colorful nightmares." He stormed away, leaving her there with no way home.


January 2, 2024, prompt from Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story using the color red. It can be a descriptor, a setting, a character, or a metaphor. How far can you get in a story by expanding “red”? Go where the prompt leads!