Very Short Story; A Racehorse; and It's a Date!

During our recent meeting of the Uxbridge Writers' Circle, we held a ten-minute 'on-the-spot' writing challenge.

The prompt was 'fruit market'.

The short piece I wrote is below, followed by a picture of a racehorse we own a small part of, and then confirmation of the date of the Book Launch!!!

I've joined Facebook (finally succumbed) but haven't figured out how to embed a link. If you can find me, please be a friend!!

Fruit Market

Gertie stood behind her stall and wiped her hands on her apron. She felt out of place but she knew she had the juiciest, most tasty apples in the market and that was all that mattered. If anyone hesitated in front of the stall, she would slice a piece of apple for them and, usually, they would buy at least a few.

This day she was more agitated. Her husband had told her he needed her to sell more than the normal 75% of the crop. He wouldn't explain why he'd put this unreasonable demand on her, but he often made unreasonable demands.

She wondered if she should have better signs. Other stalls offered specials - buy two of something and get the third free - that sort of thing. Other vendors stood in front of their stalls and urged customers to stop and look and buy. Some even sang. Several had music playing. One even had a fiddler.

Gertie was not getting much traffic that day. She felt old and tired and wrinkled and shaky. This was not what she'd had in mind for life in her eighties. She took off her apron and tossed it behind her. She walked over to the large fruit stand at the end of the row and struck a deal with its owner, Jim. He and his helpers moved her apples and tables to join the rest of Jim's stand.

And Gertie used the money to take the first train out of Ontario as far west as she could afford to go.

Vicky Earle copyright 2023

Admissible

We are lucky to own a small share in this beautiful filly, 'Admissible'.

We're hoping that she enjoys a great racing season at Woodbine Racetrack.

She was fortunate to spend time in Florida, so she had a 'tune up' before coming back to Ontario.

She appreciates the blanket - it must have been a bit of a shock to come back to our cold, wet spring!

So far (keep your fingers crossed) she's doing well.

Book Launch

I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the printed proof of Dying for Money, the fifth book in the Meg Sheppard Mystery Series.

Hopefully, it will be fine and I'll be ordering copies for the launch and signing event.

I have confirmed with Blue Heron Books that the launch will be on Saturday, June 17 between 1 pm and 3 pm.

They have (kindly) assigned the room (called the Studio) at the back of the store for the event. So, there will be lots of space! And there will be treats and giveaways!

Everyone's invited!

I look forward to seeing you there!!