Flash Fiction

It's FLASHWORDS time! I didn't think it was going to happen this year, but I got the e-mail about 15 minutes ago. Contestants have to write a compelling crime story in 150 words or fewer, using at least ten of the title words from novels and stories by our guests of honor at Crimebake this year, Nancy Pickard and Barry Eisler. The top three stories will be read at Crimebake. I'd LOVE to be one of them. So, I'm on a writing frenzy.

I'm still under the weather. Actually, I feel worse than I did last week. I'll have to call the doc tomorrow. I know I can take something for this, I've had it before. Hate to say it, but I think it takes longer for us to fight these things with every passing year. Nice way to spend my birthday week. Sigh.

Almost time to pack for my week-end with Lisa. Ahh... North Conway is so beautiful this time of year. After that I'll have two days to pack for Key West. Oh. My. God. Beaches, bikes and Key Lime pie. Yippee! Back to Hemingway's Key West house I go. It was thrilling to peek into his writing studio. Naturally, we'll be on bikes. As you can tell, I am not even enterTAINING the idea that it could rain and wash out our biking plans. I'll need some cute biking clothes and little Keds.

The only bad thing about a Kindle, I've discovered, is that I can no longer read in the bathtub. I used to do a lot of reading in the bubbles. Now, I'm too afraid to drop it. Wahh…

Hmm...I wonder if I could use these cute flip-flops in a crime?

That's the way my brain works, folks. Are ya scared yet?

My new bike!

Kenny and I went to L.L. Bean the other day to check out the sales. I love their sweaters and was hoping to get a couple more of the ones I LOVE in different colors. We walked in the door and I spotted a gorgeous bike. I HAD to have it! It's sort of a creamy, light aqua color - just beautiful. It's a hybrid, so I won't be riding over grass to pass people. Anyway, I took it for a test ride, had them put an odeometer on it and now I'm shopping for a helmet. We've gone out to Salem, twice. We had to walk the bikes down Essex street, because of the crowds. It IS October, after all. But we rode on to Salem Willows for our chop suey sandwiches and egg-rolls and our popcorn. No more ice cream, as I'm Vegan, but Kenny doesn't get any, either. Ah, yes. Summer on the North Shore, or, should say, Autumn It doesn't get any better than this.

I wore white capris (formerly known as pedal pushers), a cobalt blue linen shirt with 3/4 sleeves and my black flats with the silver beading.
LOVE these shoes! Kenny would prefer that I wear sneakers, as I've broken 4 bones in the last few years, but I put my foot down. hee! I do draw the line at flip-flops, though.

Next week I'll be away with Lisa. Yay! We'll be up in North Conway eating, reading, shopping, walking and, did I mention eating? Yeah, Bellini's!

Two days after that, Kenny and I will be back where I broke my left wrist - Key West. Yippee! We've already rented our bikes. They'll be at our hotel when we get there. No beach bikes this time. I don't do well with those. Hence, the broken left wrist. We'll rent kayaks and just relax. Can't wait to ride up and down Duval St again. Too bad we have to fly to get there. Waah...

Just completed a Christmas story. That was fun. I love typing The End. I've been anxious to get this story out of me. I'm pretty happy with it. Onward...