Carrot Ranch

 A friend of mine is a writer and one of his writings was selected for an anthology of writing published by Carrot Ranch at The Congress of Rough Writers.

It’s easy to lose time when we walk away from our screens or misplace a watch. Other forces might be at work, too.

Writers responded to the prompt of lost time, and what follows is a collection of perspectives in 99-word stories arranged like literary anthropology.

For those not familiar with Carrot Ranch, here is what it says on its Web page, for writers, it is worth a look

Welcome to Carrot Ranch!

We are a dynamic online literary community practicing craft, reading stories, and discussing the process of writing. Charli Mills is the lead buckaroo who hosts challenges, guest blogs, and an annual multi-contest called the Flash Fiction Rodeo. Those who interact and write here are the Rough Writers. All are welcome to write!

What do we write? 99 words, no more, no less. It’s a simple constraint, an easy-to-master literary art form, and a powerful writing tool for creatives and entrepreneurs. Writers calibrate the usefulness and beauty of 99-words through weekly flash fiction challenges.

You might think of the Ranch as a writer’s getaway: read, write, repeat. It’s also support for the motivated writer. The community is friendly and engaged. Every Monday we open up a virtual Saloon for friendly banter, guest characters (yes, characters from books are welcome here, too), and spontaneous writing challenges. On Tuesdays, we feature Rough Writer columnists.

The core of this literary community is the Congress of Rough Writers, who challenge themselves to explore creativity, craft, and voice. Equally important are the Friends who read, comment, and offer encouragement.

Flash fiction becomes the common ground for a diverse group of writers who include different genres, backgrounds, goals, and countries of origin. Carrot Ranch makes literary art accessible to writers, readers, and even lurkers. Together we are Carrot Ranchers.

Take a look around. This website is full of resources and inspiration. You can:

• learn about flash fiction and why we embrace the form;
• take the current weekly challenge;
• discover advanced flash fiction challenges;
• see what’s coming up or sponsored by the Ranch;
• find new and exciting books to read;
• purchase items, services or patronage;
• subscribe to The Roundup, a monthly literary newsletter for readers and writers.

When one door opens....

 1.      When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison.

2.      To me, "drink responsibly" means don't spill it.

3.      Age 60 might be the new 40, but 8:00 pm is the new midnight.

4.      It's the start of a brand new day, and I'm off like a herd of turtles.

5.      The older I get, the earlier it gets late.

6.      When I say, "The other day," I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.

7.      I remember being able to get up without making sound effects.

8.      I had my patience tested. I'm negative.

9.      Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn't fit any of your containers.

10.  If you're sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say, "Did you bring the money?"

11.  When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say "nothing," it does not mean I am free. It means I am doing nothing.

12.  I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days, but whatever.

13.  I run like the winded.

14.  I hate when a couple argues in public, and I missed the beginning and don't know whose side I'm on.

15.  When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask, "Why, what did you hear?"

16.  When you do squats, are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing on an aluminum can stuffed with celery?

17.  I don't mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited.

18.  When I ask for directions, please don't use words like "East."

19.  Don't bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That'll freak you right out.

20.  Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops.

Taking care as we age

 As we move into a new year, I hope that we are thinking of not just ourselves but of those around us who may need our help.

As we age. we need to take care of ourselves, emotionally, physically, and mentally.

There’s a saying that goes, “God never gives you more than you can handle.” But it’s not true.

Rehab centers and hospitals are filled with people who got more than they could handle. As are graveyards that are filled with suicide victims.

When you are in a situation where you can handle life, make your life about helping other people.

This may sound a little clichéd, but the more value you bring to someone’s life, the more you will receive in kind.

You won’t be in the position to help your spouse, family, or anyone else if you are sick though.

There will be a point in time when you are laid up in a hospital bed… or you are down and out… or you’re losing your mojo… and if you run your Business or Life by simply taking from people,

I have a question for you: What happens when all those people are no longer there?

I have plenty of people where if I lost everything, they would help.

But it didn’t start by trying to change the world; It started by changing ONE person's life.

Then another.

And another.

And whether you change the world or not, the one world you can change is the people you can directly and indirectly influence.

This starts with yourself.

You can be alone and not lonely, or you can be surrounded by people and feel very alone.

To me, it all goes back to connections made. And the best connections you’ll make are the ones you made while doing well by doing good.

 

I am doing it, after....

I did not write this and I’m not sure who did - but WOW does it speak to my heart!!! Worth the read. Don’t wait to read it later!

Barely the day started and... it's already six in the evening.

Barely arrived on Monday and it's already Friday.

... and the month is already over.

... and the year is almost over.

... and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.

... and we realize that we lost our parents, friends.

and we realize it's too late to go back...

So... Let's try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time...

Let's keep looking for activities that we like...

Let's put some colour in our grey...

Let's smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.

And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left. Let's try to eliminate the afters...

I'm doing it after...

I'll say after...

I'll think about it after...

We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours.

Because what we don't understand is that:

Afterwards, the coffee gets cold...

afterwards, priorities change...

Afterwards, the charm is broken...

afterwards, health passes...

Afterwards, the kids grow up...

Afterwards parents get old...

Afterwards, promises are forgotten...

afterwards, the day becomes the night...

afterwards life ends...

And then it's often too late....

So... Let's leave nothing for later...

Because still waiting see you later, we can lose the best moments,

the best experiences,

best friends,