Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
PHOTO PROMPT © DALE ROGERSON
Time out of mind
I trace my finger across the rough tiles of the oven, moulded from the red mud of the Dnieper. My grandmother’s grandmother baked bread in this oven. Probably her grandmother did the same, but family tradition doesn’t extend so far, and there are no written records. We have lived in the house time out of mind.
I hang garlic in front of the oven to protect the house. It smells fresh and strong. I have scrubbed every room, sold every stick of furniture.
I wish I could stay, but I have no daughters and I am old; too old.
Autumn Leaves 
Dear Penny,
So much story and description in only a hundred words. You put me in the moment, sight and scent and then tugged at my heart strings as well. Good job!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for such a lovely comment! It was a terrific prompt – beautifully evocative – thank you!
Shalom
Penny
xx
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You created that atmosphere of deep time and the end of tradition so well
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Dear Neil
Thank you for your very kind comment. The photo prompt dragged me forcibly back into deep time – it was an absolute cracker of a prompt!
With very best wishes
Penny
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A lovely, yet sad, sense of belonging and of time running out. Great stuff, Penny.
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Yes, there’s sadness. All things change. She’s leaving the house well swept and protected as best she knows for its new occupants. Thank you for the kind comment.
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What a loss! But if the past isn’t valued by the young, it will slip away. I love the strength of the old woman, though. That comes across loud and clear.
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Dear Dora
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m delighted hat the old woman’s strength came across loud and clear.
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Wow! That is beautifully melancholy, Penny. There’s a sense of history, regret, longing, and the end of epoch all in 100 words. Impressively done. You get bonus points for avoiding vampires unlike most of us.
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Dear Nobbin
Thank you for your very kind comment. I found the photoprompt very stimulating!
With best wishes
Penny
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I love how you showed her respect for time and place. The history and the lack thereof because there are no daughters. You leave us with a sense of longing and acceptance. Kudos!!! Lish
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Dear Lish
Yay! You spotted the significance of continuity through the female line! Thank you so much for your comment!
Very best wishes
Penny
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I could sense the sadness in this story. So many old homes holding the memories of the occupants within their walls. Beautifully written 😊
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You’re right – old houses do seem to hold memories. For a couple of years I lived in a house which dated back to the 14th century, and there were memories – happy ones, I think, because the place had a wonderful welcoming feel.
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Oh wow, a 14th century house would have so much history. Glad the house had good vibes😊
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This was a beautiful write, Penny. I found myself sighing a deep sigh of sadness for her to be the last of the line…
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Dear Dale
Thank you for such a lovely comment. I think you read to the heart of my story.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Was so lovely
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If walls could talk, the tales they’d tell. Whoever follows will feel the love for sure.
Here’s mine!
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Yes, tales of marriages, births and deaths. Tales of love and hate. Tales of cruelty and tales of compassion. I hope the new owners are strong…
Thank you so much for your comment!
With very best wishes
Penny
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such is life. nothing lasts forever.
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As you say, such is life. Thank you for commenting.
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This was so very poignant. Amazing, but not surprising, that leaving the house in pristine condition was of paramount importance. Nicely done, Penny.
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Dear Sandra
Thank you for that lovely and perceptive comment.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Lovely, atmospheric piece of writing, Penny.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you for your kind comment, Susan.
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Wow, Penny. I read it twice just to absorb everything. At least five generations of story there, probably more, and a sad ending. Well done.
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Dear Linda
Thank you for that lovely comment; I’m encouraged that you read it twice.
I’m fascinated by people with deep roots in a location. I’ve lived in my town for 29 years, but I’m just an in-comer. Several of my friends are members of families who have lived locally since time out of mind.
With very best wishes
Penny
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Same here, Penny. It’s been 26 years here for us, but I have friend for whom it goes back several generations, some in the same house or at least on the same land.
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Beautiful and sad at the same time. I know some people like that–last of their family line, with no one to carry on. Extremely well written.
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Dear Russell
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment.
With very best wishes
Penny
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A poignant and beautifully lyrical story, evokes many feelings. Nicely done.
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Dear Francine
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m very pleased that the story evoked many feelings – thank you!
With very best wishes
Penny
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Hard moving on and the realities of age. I hope she found inner peace eventually.
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This was a heart-tugging and beautifully written story, Penny.
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A heart wrenching story. with a great sense of belonging and loss. Well done
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