Sue Spitulnik

It Takes a Warrior

The nurse woke Maggie the morning after her right breast was removed. “Your husband wanted me to make sure you saw this.” She held up a framed picture of them holding compound bows. The inscription on the glass read, “To my warrior. Now you have an advantage. Your chief loves you.”

Even though it hurt, Maggie laughed. “We are professional archers. I have complained my boob gets in the way, now it won’t. That’s why we decided I shouldn’t have reconstruction. He tells me it will take a warrior to beat cancer and get strong enough to compete again.”

In response to Charli Mills May 31, 2018, prompt from Carrot Ranch Literary: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about warrior women. It can be myth or everyday mothers and wives. Go where the prompt leads.

06/04/2018 3

Share Freely

What can you give any other human being at a moments notice that won’t cost you a thing? It’s not a trick question. The simple answer is a smile. It has been proven it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown. Science also tells us that smiling has a direct link to the brain and can reduce stress. That’s pretty powerful. Continue reading “Share Freely” →

05/31/2018 2

Celebrate Creativity

Other than nature, everything within sight originated with a creative thought. Let that sink in a minute. I love creativity. If I’m not writing, I’m sewing, or cooking. Sometimes I even weed my flowerbeds to create the look I want instead of having the look the weeds treat me to. I enjoy how some of these days fall right where I need them to so I can share something I have been thinking about. Hence the following: Continue reading “Celebrate Creativity” →

05/30/2018 2

Remember the Fallen

What is Memorial Day weekend to you? In western New York state, it’s the unofficial start of summer when people with summer cottages take the three-day weekend to go open them up for the season. It’s the weekend you can safely plant your flowers or garden without fear of a killing frost. It’s a weekend of parades, picnics and family time. My husband and I make it an annual event to visit the graves of our loved ones to plant geraniums or leave a new stone. We also go to a chicken-bar-b-q at the American Legion in my home town and enjoy listening to a country music band that we know personally. Continue reading “Remember the Fallen” →

05/25/2018 2

I’ll Claim Alan

It’s brother’s day. I’m not sure why they picked the picture above. I would have picked a bunch of young people sitting around a picnic table so everyone could identify with it. I envy all of you that have a brother because I didn’t. Sisters are fine, but you can’t go to them and ask how a male thinks. I claimed my friend Mimi’s brother, Alan, as my own. I used to stay overnight at their house and Alan and I would have talks. When I got stressed in school, it was him who I sought out because he knew what to say to unruffle my feathers. When I had questions about other guys, I went to Alan. He would always take time for me. Continue reading “I’ll Claim Alan” →

05/24/2018 2

Deck of 52

I learned to play cards at an early age. The little kid games of Fish and Olde Maid come to mind. They were fun and you needed a second child or an adult to play with you. Lessons in numbers, winning and losing and sharing were learned. People interacted. Then as I got a little older or was home alone I learned to play solitaire. I can remember three forms I played hour after hour, before the invent of electronic gadgets. I even played it while talking on the phone. Continue reading “Deck of 52” →

05/22/2018 4