Run, run as fast as you can

Photo by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

by, Nan Claire Falkner

Hurrying up the alley, they ran faster while Mother screamed “Children, run, run!”  She knew full well that not making it meant the end for sure.  Holding the banner, she waved her hands so they would run faster and faster.  If they didn’t make it to the street, they would be “mincemeat” as their adversaries had loudly taunted.

Millie cried but didn’t slow down – even for a second as the bravest of the lot, Norma Jean, shouted back to them – “Go away!”

Having caught them, the marauders shouted “We capture your flag!”

Mother had scurried ahead unnoticed “Not so quick!”

The Washington Island Ferry

By, Nan Claire Falkner

The Washington Island Ferryboat was a lucrative business for its skipper.   For years, people had vacationed on the island, but the only way to get there was by a 30-minute jaunt to “fun-in-the-sun at forty dollars a pop” snickered the Commodore, “Cha-Ching!”

Melinda and Roy were making their twentieth trip to their favorite hidey-hole.   Each time, she brought the captain fruit pudding – spending many hours toiling over it. The captain never thanked her, but this year she had a surprise.

On the way home, the Captain had a puckered face.

“Sugar” is all he said.

“Oops, Sorry!” she smiled coyly.

 

Little Big Girl

By, Nan Claire Falkner

 

Screaming people ran as the eerie image of an eighty foot monster girl in a nightgown allowed her presence to be shown.   The scared throng of vacationers could only see her black silhouette which had morphed into the palm trees for a creepy effect.

“Where am I?  She cried out – “What has happened to my bedroom?”

The crowd ran faster hearing her oddly child-like voice bellowing from the trees.  Shadowy figures floated after the people yelling “Go quickly if you want to live!”

“MOMMY!” she screamed.

“No more scary movies for you young lady!”  Mommy said soothing  her daughter back to sleep.

Never a Petunia – Always a Weed!

Picture by Sarah Potter (THANK YOU VERY MUCH, Sarah!)

 

By, Nan Claire Falkner

 

“Oh, how I wish I had a green thumb!” Ann lamented, looking at the box of flowers she had just bought and wondering if they would last until July fourth.  Of course in the past, this hadn’t happened.  Each pathetic petunia only lasted until it was hot.

So, rolling up her sleeves, she tied a bandana on her head to keep untamed curls from escaping, and picked up her potting tools.

Putting on her gloves, she opened the door slowly.

“They’re alive!  They’re alive!”  She danced outside into the arms of her husband, Alan singing

“I’m giving up weeds!  Eureka!”

Tippy

by Nan Claire Falkner

 

Daddy brought home a puppy.  The kids shouted “You’re the best Daddy in the whole world!”  Paxton, Finley, and Otto screeched at the new addition to the family – an adorable brown lab with a white tip on his tail.

”Well, Sweetums,” Mother said, “You’re going to help!”

The next week, Dad came home from a long trip.   Mom said “Can you give the kids a bath?   Toys too! They’re in the bathroom.  Thanks sweet-ums!”

“Okay, he shouted from the bathroom!”

Later, he came out with the kids and she said

“Who took the bath, you or the kids?”