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.

Beauty Lives On

Our house was always a mess. Craft projects lying on the table, unfolded blankets on the couch, a dirty glass wherever it was set. Cat toys on the floor.

The cemetery is so neat, the flowers blooming, the stately stones, and peaceful with only the sounds of nature. What you longed for in life, but with a large family, it wasn’t to be.

I bring my grandchildren here to visit with you. They can’t see you and don’t understand. I tell them they are your beauty beyond the grave, your eyes, and your auburn hair. I miss you, Mom.

Written in response to Charli Mills December 19, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about beauty beyond the grave. Who is showing up for you? Will you press into a Dream of your own? Do you dare write of beauty graveside? What connections or contrasts come to mind? Is Beauty Beyond the Grave a modern/ancient myth? Go where the prompt leads!

12/31/2023 4

She’s Got the Beat

Have you ever been on a music cruise? I highly recommend going after experiencing one with my husband. There were at least three active stages with music from noon to midnight and there were so many people dancing it looked like a dance-off. Funny thing, there was this one lady, wearing layers of soft flowing fabrics in varied colors. She was always off to one side, alone, swiveling her body and waving her arms more like she was pretending to fly, but never in time to the music. We’re still trying to imagine what internal beat she was feeling.

Written in response to Charli Mills December 12, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a dance-off. Who has come together in dance for what purpose? What are dancers wearing? What kind of music? Bring some unity to people through the act of coming together, each getting to step to their own groove. Go where the prompt leads!

12/18/2023 4

The Nickname That Won’t Go Away

The adoring fan seated herself near the drum set. Batting her eyelashes, she asked, “Tyrell, why do you have a moose sticker on each of your drums?”

He wasn’t very forthcoming. “Identifies them as mine.”

“But, why a moose?”

He opened his arms, then pulled his hands together and ran them down his front. “You figure it out.”

Kurt intervened. “He’s big, tall, brown, aloof, and eats way more vegetables than anyone else. A skinny, short, white guy called him that in the mess tent one day and it stuck.”

“Oh. Now I get it.”

Tyrell wished she didn’t.

Written in response to Charli Mills December 5, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a moose. It can be an attribute of moose — big, protective, wild, gentle. Your story can express realism or fantasy. It can be a sci-fi or cli-fi moose. Is the moose loose or hidden? Go where the prompt leads!

12/11/2023 3

Gossiping

The lady wearing the fancy hat loves to clean.
Says you can eat off her floors.
Maybe that’s true, but standing next to her
The smell of Lysol and bleach gag me.

And that lady’s coat always has an odor.
It’s not totally unpleasant but made me wonder.
I took her some bread and found
She shares her house with ten cats.

How about the man over there?
Doesn’t he smell of an old fashioned pipe?
My goodness, Mom, get a life.
It’s Mary Jane and beer.

Do people know they carry their home odors with them?
Do I?

Written in response to Charli Mills November 28, 2023, prompt at Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less), write the smell of other people’s houses. You could compare your childhood home to friends’ homes; houses in different regions; houses on the same street; dorm rooms or public housing. Go where the prompt leads!

12/04/2023 2

Escaping the Rat Race

The handsome couple took ownership of the forty-five-foot sailboat. The salesman asked, “Have you picked a name.”

The husband responded, “The Huntress.”

The wife raised an eyebrow. “I know a sailboat is a chick magnet. You better not be hunting babes with this.”

“Considering neither one of us can handle our baby alone and the decision to leave the life of schedules and live on her was a mutual dream, my sweet, I don’t think you have a thing to worry about.”

“Then what are we hunting?”

“Peace, good food, and drink at any port we dock in.”

“Excellent.”

11/27/2023 6

My Networking Reality

As a girl, I dreamed of being an author.

But, after high school, I became a military wife writing letters home instead of a novel.

Years later, I started a blog. An avid reader from South Africa discovered it and led me to Carrot Ranch.

I enjoyed a Charli-led retreat in Vermont and became friends with another author who introduced me to Women Writing the West.

After a WWW conference where I heard Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer speak, I met an artist on the Big Easy Cruise whose eyes lit up because I knew about Houma and Choctaw Native Americans.

November 14, 2023, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that begins with “Once upon a time…” or use a different beginning. Invent a new story-starter or research different beginnings from among the world’s cultures. Go where the prompt leads!

11/20/2023 4