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Editor’s Choice Feature Fiction #64 & FLF Prompt #99

Bursting skies, Middle Earth and moonlight

Image by author via Canva.

How about those fireworks! I’m talking about the 4th of July extravaganza. I had YouTube running in the background while working, and every ten minutes or so I would check in. Boom! Kapow! Fizzle! Bang! 38 minutes sent 850,000 fireworks into the Washington, D.C., sky. An impressive spectacle from the country that emulates “Go Big or Go Home.”

I saw happy faces on people of all ages and races. Families, young couples, silver-haired smoochers, and a fine display of those in uniform, active and retired. The spectacle gave me hope that America is perhaps not as lost as some sides make it seem, but proudly patriotic as ever. As a Canadian, I consider America the crazy uncle, but still proud to have him in the family.

I have significantly less hope for Canada, but we shall see. I’m still holding on to my four-year moratorium on judging our current PM. He needs that time to implement and evaluate his plans, first to repair the grievous damage done by our former infantile-minded and incompetent PM, then to see progress, or further destruction. Currently, I’d say it’s 50/50.

In other news, the World Cup of Soccer is a big deal. I haven’t watched a game — who has that kind of time — and the fakery by grown men turns my stomach. If you’re a fan, I hope your team does well, whoever they may be.

Locally, we remain sadly counting the lost weeks of summer. A few sunny days have appeared, but none with any significant heat. I am happy to report that the hail netting I erected over my garden was money well spent. A recent flash storm walloped the area, and the netting held the destructive ice bullets. A few years ago, nearing harvest time, a hailstorm hit and wiped out nearly everything.

All Hail Safety! Photo by author who still has green things growing!

I haven’t seen my kid for more than five minutes in what seems like weeks. The ambitious youngster joined her gf and a few others in taking condensed Grade 12 classes this month, earning them an early credit, a school-year-free period, and the opportunity to graduate ahead of the pack.

By the time I wake from my night-shift day sleep, the house is empty, and the car is gone. I miss seeing the still-innocent-to-life’s-browbeating face, but it’s summer, and I hear reports that the gang are doing summer things. That makes me happy.

With any luck, the rain and hailstorms will abate, and the muddy, high-flowing rivers will ease and return to their blue ways. I am nearly desperate to kiss a trout, and I can hear my fly rods complaining from the basement.

Whatever your summer hobbies or hangouts, I hope you are getting tanned and soaking up the golden days.

Editor’s Choice Feature Fiction of the Week #64

I feel fortunate for the slow week regarding submissions to FLF. I’m in the grind gulley of this work marathon, and focus has been hard to maintain. One writer had no such issues, and her tale is a marvellous example of storytelling.

Erosia Potter dove into fantasy and lore but with the spin of modern nuance. The Threadbound Journals is a truly immersive and escapist read. A new world where the narration feels like Middle Earth, but the characters express themselves with an inner dialogue carrying today’s slang, cursing, and sarcasm. Character names like Mr. Catastrophe and Sir Douche-a-Lot are prime examples of why you should give this a read.

Potter’s descriptions are top-rate. She moves the story along with terrific physical scenes and specific character traits and appearances. It’s a mystery with hints of a reluctant romance and begs for more chapters.

So, find a seat on your porch, pour something over ice, kick up your feet and have a read.

[embed]The Threadbound Journals FLF Prompt 92: The One Behind Memedium.com

First Line Fiction Prompt #99

For this week’s prompt, I’m going more with scene setting than plot provocation. During summer especially, I find that nature itself is the best catalyst for pondering and dreams.

Here’s hoping you will reach into your imagination pocket and deliver something unique and entertaining.

FLF Prompt #99

The moonlight was so profound that the trees along the hill looked white.

For all FLF writers, please check out our socials! First Line Fiction’s **Instagram page posts your stories with a matching soundtrack, and our[ FB private group ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/607033858410715)**is a place to share whatever you write so we can all share our various passions and support each other.

We also have a** Bluesky page **that sees your stories go out the same day (most of the time), as they publish.

That’s it for me, folks. I’ll see you next week with a new Editor’s Choice Weekly Feature Story and a fresh FLF Prompt!

Take care and good writing!

Sincerely, Arpad Nagy FLF Owner/EIC.

I am tagging writers who requested to be notified of the weekly FLF newsletter. If you would like to be tagged, please let me know in the comments. You can also ask to be removed at any time. Thank you!

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