Wednesday, 18 April 2018

SPIRIT SPINNER - 100 word story

The photo prompt this week intrigued me and I could only guess what the contraption was - rather like the character in my story. 
I did some research and hope I've got it more right than my character!


PHOTO PROMPT © Douglas M. MacIlroy


SPIRIT SPINNER 
The first time I saw Jodie she was twirling on John's lawn.
'Don't be fooled.' said John. 'She's a fruitcake.'
But Jodie beguiled me.
'I made these.' Jodie showed me dream catchers. Delicate and ethereal. 'I love the idea of capturing dreams. Don't you?'
I nodded sagely and told her, 'yes.'
'That's my spirit spinner.' Jodie pointed at a contraption in the yard. 'It allows my spirit to dance freely on the astral plane. I bought it from a Wise Woman.'
A memory stirred.
'Um, Isn't it something to do with golf?' I said.
Jodie gave me a pitying look.


I hope you enjoyed reading this and I look forward to your comments. 

If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE



If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 
- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.

On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 

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85 comments:

  1. Keith's Ramblings18 April 2018 at 13:17

    Whatever it is, I like Jodies explanation!

    A-Z of My Friend Rosey!

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 13:30

      He he - well she believes it - and I'm all for harmless dreamers, Keith!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous18 April 2018 at 13:36

    That evoked a wry smile

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 13:42

      Good! That's a valid reaction. Thanks for commenting. :)

      Delete
  3. Anita Sabat18 April 2018 at 13:44

    Dream catcher and Spirit spinner - truly mystical & intriguing!
    Well expressed, Susan!

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 18:31

      Thanks, Anita. Certainly an object to mystify!

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  4. James18 April 2018 at 14:19

    Something captured my dreams last night. Weird zombie-like dream. My heroine won in the end, but it was a near thing.

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 18:32

      He he - I've never really understood how dream catchers are supposed to work! I'll have to ask Jodie. :)

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  5. Alice Audrey18 April 2018 at 14:48

    LOL! I love the pitying look. So obtuse.

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 18:33

      Yes, Jodie clearly thought he didn't understand. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  6. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields18 April 2018 at 15:14

    Dear Susan,

    Sometimes I think I should adopt your last comment. I feel the same way. With the size of our group, reading and commenting on all of them is a labor even if it is of love. As I've said before, when someone consistently does not bother to comment on mine, I return the favor.

    Now that I've sounded off, I love your take on the prompt. I didn't know what that thing was until 6 years ago when I met Doug, the professional disc golf player. Jodie, might be a fruitcake, but an endearing one. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 18:37

      Thanks, Rochelle. Yes, I'm afraid I'm now loosely keeping track of comments. Last week I commented on over 60 blogs and less than half returned the favour. Persistent non-commenters will be weeded out!

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    2. Dale18 April 2018 at 21:08

      I do the same, Susan. I open up my "comments" section, type in the name if I feel it's been a long time or never and am usually greeted with a blank. And I, too, return the favour..

      Delete
    3. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 21:34

      I find it sad and a little baffling when fellow writers fail to support each other, Dale.

      Delete
    4. Sandra Crook19 April 2018 at 09:48

      Everyone lets one or two slip through the net from time to time, but systematically not returning a comment is pure bad manners, I think. And not thanking the commenter as well as not returning the courtesy... :(

      Delete
    5. Sandra Crook19 April 2018 at 09:50

      I don't seem to be able to add another comment independently, so I'll just say here that I love the sound of Jodie. She's my kind of girl... :)

      Delete
    6. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 21:28

      Thanks, Sandra. And- yes, of course I always give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to returning comments, but I've decided on a 'three strikes and they're out' policy. I just don't see why I should waste my precious time on discourteous people.

      Delete
  7. Lynn Love18 April 2018 at 17:50

    Maybe it's both, a multi functional object :) Love the mix of down to earth and dreamy in your characters Susan

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 18:38

      Thanks, Lynn. Sometimes stories write themselves, and that's what happened with this one. :)

      Delete
  8. Iain Kelly18 April 2018 at 19:16

    It was a very wise woman that managed to sell her that!

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  9. Linda18 April 2018 at 19:37

    Certainly made me smile. I like the dreamcatcher idea.

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  10. brudberg18 April 2018 at 19:42

    Ha.. I think it can find many uses... but it can capture things that spins.

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 21:27

      Yes, it's just a case of where the imagination takes us. :)

      Delete
  11. The Silver Fox18 April 2018 at 20:42

    Children can come up with all sorts of creative interpretations of words, objects, whatever... and then some idiot (usually an adult) has to inject a note of reality and mess it all up!

    It's like when a child receives a big toy, contained in a box, and after the toy is taken out of the box, the child climbs into the box and makes that box anything he or she desires!

    I used to take what I believe are called "lockseam curtain rods" and use one as a cane, a rifle, a submarine periscope, and more. And I would take an outdoor drink holder, the kind that has a top which is twisted into a shape like a spring, put my hand in the coiled part, and voila! I had a sword!

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 21:30

      So true! I'll never forget my toddler niece disappearing into a fantasy world with nothing more special than an empty cotton reel.

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  12. Dale18 April 2018 at 21:09

    I love your take! Magical - and let's face it, there is a decided lack of magic in this world, lately...

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 21:31

      Thank you, Dale. Yes - let's use fictional stories to escape the real world!

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  13. EagleAye18 April 2018 at 21:54

    I know what it is, but Jodie's explanation is so much more interesting. More power to her!

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 22:02

      I agree, EagleAye - a little bit of mystique is more fun than the prosaic reality!

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  14. Penny Gadd18 April 2018 at 22:08

    You show great imagination in turning the heavy artefact of the photoprompt into a spirit spinner, and excellent writing skills in making dippy Jodie so sympathetic.
    I'd love a device that allowed my spirit to dance freely on the astral plane. It sounds such a joyful thing to do!

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    1. Susan A Eames18 April 2018 at 22:27

      Thanks for your feedback, Penny. I'm not sure what part of my subconscious the idea of a spirit spinner came from!

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  15. Subroto18 April 2018 at 23:59

    Ha! Ha! Jodie's explanation is much more interesting and I loved that last line.

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 09:37

      Well it's more interesting to take something and look for a different twist - in my humble opinion - glad you enjoyed it.

      Delete
  16. draliman19 April 2018 at 08:14

    Hey dude, don't be spoiling Jodie's calm :-) Love the "pitying look" she gives him.

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 09:38

      Thanks for the feedback, Alistair - glad to hear the last line worked for you.

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  17. Anonymous19 April 2018 at 13:02

    Love your take on the prompt, Susan.��
    Such a fun story. Thank you for ‘ astral planes’. I admire Jodie’s absolute faith in those two objects. Great writing.
    Best wishes,
    Moon

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 14:51

      Thanks, Moon. I don't share Jodie's naivety, but I do like her innocence.

      Delete
  18. liz young19 April 2018 at 17:54

    Why did you have to pour cold water on Jodie's explanation!

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 17:58

      Because he likes her and he knew she'd been bamboozled by the Wise Woman. :)

      Delete
  19. Anonymous19 April 2018 at 18:11

    Cute spiritually spinning piece.
    Randy

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  20. Unknown19 April 2018 at 18:30

    I love the idea of a spirit spinner. Even if she really is a fruitcake, she seems happy and that what matters. Nice take on the prompt!

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 21:30

      Absolutely, Shivam. Nothing wrong with a bit of harmless spinning!

      Delete
  21. Linda Daunter19 April 2018 at 18:52

    I'm still none the wiser - I don't know much about golf - but a Spirit Spinner sounds like something we all need!
    (Haven't taken part in this challenge yet, but I like to see what others make of the prompts.)

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 21:33

      Linda, I'm learning to play golf, but I've never seen this thing! As for taking part - it took me months to decide to give it a try, but I'm so glad I did.

      Delete
  22. Helen Laycock19 April 2018 at 19:49

    It looks like an instrument of torture to me! I think I would have gone down the grisly route, so well done for thinking of something a bit different.

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 21:35

      Ha ha - I wouldn't have had you down for writing something gruesome, Helen!

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  23. Patsy19 April 2018 at 21:02

    For all I know of golf, both explanations might be correct.

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    1. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 21:36

      I'm afraid the prosaic one is correct - but let's ignore that and follow Jodie's lead! :)

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  24. Anonymous19 April 2018 at 22:04

    Haha sounds like he needs to use his imagination more! Great take on the prompt

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  25. Susan A Eames19 April 2018 at 22:51

    Yes, maybe Jodie has got it right. Thanks for commenting - appreciate it.

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  26. Russell Gayer20 April 2018 at 03:23

    I like her explanation. It's much better than a knight's underwear. :)

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    1. Susan A Eames20 April 2018 at 10:04

      Ha ha - spirits flying free versus men's underwear? I know what I would choose. (And this is what I love about FF- the different interpretations on the photo prompt.)

      Delete
  27. Anonymous20 April 2018 at 08:24

    I'll go with dream catcher and spirit spinner because until today I had no idea about disc golf.
    Nice take on the prompt Susan.
    Thanks,
    Norma.

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    1. Susan A Eames20 April 2018 at 10:05

      Me neither, Norma. And of course, nor did Jodie. Thanks for commenting. :)

      Delete
  28. lisarey1990@gmail.com20 April 2018 at 10:56

    Very intriguing story. Enjoyed it.

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    1. Susan A Eames20 April 2018 at 13:02

      Thanks for commenting, Lisa - good to know you enjoyed it.

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  29. Fatima Fakier20 April 2018 at 11:40

    I love Jodie's innocence and clearly it is this side of her that John likes, which may suggest he is a dreamer too. Deep inside hidden beneath all that scepticism. That said, Jodie needs someone to help her watch her spending habits.

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  30. Jaya21 April 2018 at 19:07

    Wow. Wonderful take on the prompt. Spirit spinner is very interesting and enigmatic.

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  31. Susan A Eames21 April 2018 at 20:59

    Thanks, Jaya. I don't know where the idea of a Spirit Spinner came from - it's funny what the subconscious conjures up!

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  32. Gah Learner21 April 2018 at 23:24

    Oh, I think his chances with her just dropped. Wonderful and imaginative take on the prompt.

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    1. Susan A Eames22 April 2018 at 10:43

      He'll have to redeem himself sharpish, won't he? Thanks for commenting, Gah. :)

      Delete
  33. Anurag Bakhshi22 April 2018 at 05:16

    Yes, it is a spirit-spinner Jodie, don't listen to these practical-types party-poopers.

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    1. Susan A Eames22 April 2018 at 10:43

      Ha ha! Yes, let her keep her dreams, Anurag!

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  34. Michael Wynn22 April 2018 at 08:41

    Great, I love the withering look at the end, some people are just too literal

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    1. Susan A Eames22 April 2018 at 10:44

      Yes, it would be a dry old world if we didn't have people who look at things differently, Michael. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
  35. plaridel22 April 2018 at 18:19

    well, what do you know? great spin on this week's prompt.

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  36. magarisa22 April 2018 at 20:23

    Love the way you ended the story, with Jodie giving the narrator a pitying look. I'll bet life is never dull for her. :-)

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    1. Susan A Eames22 April 2018 at 21:37

      I'm glad you enjoyed the ending; it seemed appropriate. :)

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  37. Woman Walks Dog22 April 2018 at 20:41

    Like the way you tell the story, most entertaining - mystical meets down to earth. Good one

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    1. Susan A Eames22 April 2018 at 21:38

      Thanks for commenting - yes, I think contrasting characters make stories more interesting.

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  38. Anonymous23 April 2018 at 10:31

    Love the story, and Jodie's pitying look. I wonder what other wonders she has in her collection.

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    1. Susan A Eames23 April 2018 at 11:53

      Thanks, Sarah - yes, I might have to revisit Jodie's world in more stories to find out. :)

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  39. Rachel Bjerke23 April 2018 at 14:14

    I, for one, would love to hear more about Jodie's world!! Sounds like I could learn something from her :)

    Great story!!

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    1. Susan A Eames23 April 2018 at 14:44

      Ha ha - thanks, Rachel. The world might be a better place if we behaved like Jodie. :)

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  40. Unknown24 April 2018 at 02:28

    I never could figure out what it was, so a golf-thingy or dream-catcher works for me. Nicely done Susan.

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  41. Susan A Eames24 April 2018 at 15:49

    Thank you! Appreciate your feedback. :)

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  42. Woman Walks Dog24 April 2018 at 15:55

    Like the blend of mystical and down to earth, in the conversation. A satisfying story - well done.

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  43. Susan A Eames24 April 2018 at 19:18

    Thank you - it's always so good to know when a story works for people! :)

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  44. Alicia L. Jamtaas24 April 2018 at 22:02

    I love her explanation and now I want one in my yard! Delightful take on the prompt.

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  45. Susan A Eames25 April 2018 at 09:47

    Thanks, Alicia - it's a nice idea, isn't it? (Even though I don't believe it for one minute!)

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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