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AnnieKate Nicholson-Phillips's avatar

Sharron, loved the story of Lucy and Jeramy. I'm so in love with these short short stories, 50 or 100 words. So fun. I'm working on one now from Justin Deming's prompt for this week, about the bench by the workshop. Hopefully it will come to something and I will post it on his thread. But I love your comparisons: "like an Edward Hopper painting." And we learn so much about her from that bit of description: Dickinson, no cell phone or laptop, her clothes. Well done my writing sister. -- AnnieKate

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, AnnieKate, for reading my story and for your lovely comment. I will go back to Justin's page every day. I will watch for your contribution. ( Remember, when writing 50-word stories, contractions can be our friends.)

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

More than a short short story, your glimpses into the heartbeats of others’ lives could deserve a new type of writing. They overshoot categorization. Maybe daVincis? Leonardo wrote upside down and backwards, and painted the enigmatic Mona Lisa. I’m so enthralled with your perspectives. Thank you for sharing. HeARTfully, Jill

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Such interesting comments, Jill. Thank you! I sure enjoyed your poem today! I am glad to be subscribed.

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Kate Henry's avatar

write upside down and backwards.... it sounds like he filled out forms for students from behind the desk. ...a skill I got paid for looooooong ago.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

How well you captured the angst of the initial approach. The ending is every young man's dream!

Well done, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I am blessed/cursed with a romantic heart. And I still like a sappy ending. Life needs more of them if you ask me. I am getting well, now, by the way. The worst is passed. Thank you for your good thoughts.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better.

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Wade Terry's avatar

Bravo! Jim Cummings is correct. Earlier in my life I had that dream over and over, in my sleep and in real life. It came true once but alas she was a drunk.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh poop! Well, you are not dead yet, Wade. There is still time! Remain optimistic.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Lovely gentle twist, Sharron … so much scope for a follow up!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes, I was thinking that I liked both these characters and wonder what kinds of weird surprises they might bring to each other in a short sequel ... hmmm. Thanks for reading my little romances.

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Love some romance. I should try writing some of it!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I'd like to see that, Barrie!

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Feasts and Fables's avatar

Mm, let’s see what emerges!

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Another lovely twist of fate. Good for the girl in the window. And isn't it funny that, just as you're about to act on an idea you've been mulling over for weeks, the answer just steps up and takes your hand.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You bet! It happens with no other explanation than that you have put something out into the universe to be noticed.

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James Ron's avatar

I was going to say "Hey - I know that guy!" Nice turn of events, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I'm thinking you WERE that guy, James Ron. I know you are still an old-school romantic. Thank you for the lovely Christmas card with photos. BTW, will we hear any more adventures of Jimmy Swann this coming year? I am thinking of sending Haylene and Marla on another road trip.

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James Ron's avatar

: ) And you are welcome! And yes re JS. I'll be in touch re Bella for some background info on the girls.

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Janice Walton's avatar

What a special story! Hope for women and men of all ages facing the same dilemma.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha. How hard can it be? Thank you, Janice, and thanks again for sharing your paintings with your readers this week. I hope we will see more.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Reminded me of the girl from Ipanema. Loved the Hopper allusion. Great twist!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Terry. I apologize to you ( publicly ) for not responding to every piece you write. It is all wonderful, I assure you, but between you and Woestenberg, I just cannot keep up. You are both so prolific.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Well, I can't keep up with you either, for which I feel profoundly guilty.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh heavens! Strike that word “guilt” from your personal lexicon right this minute! Don’t you know you have already earned your place in heaven? You can sin the rest of your life now.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Oh good, because I'm fed up with being a goody two shoes! 😂

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C J O'Hare's avatar

I love a good old coffee shop meet-cute . . . I have just started to dive into Emily Dickenson after picking up a collection I found in a charity bookshop - are you a fan Sharron?

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I am. It was Dickenson who really affected me when she said, 'If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can warm me, I know that is poetry. ... If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?" I experience this phenomenon in some of your work, Conor, and in the work of Jim Cummings and Jim Wilsky.

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C J O'Hare's avatar

You are too kind! I see Jim Cummings recently interviewed Jim Wilsky, it was a great read - when are we going to get the Jim/Sharron interview??

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I was interviewed by Erica Drayton last August for the MicroZine.

https://microzine.substack.com/p/microzine-interview-sharron-bassano

My cat, Raymond, on his Pawed Cast - 4, interviewed Jim Cummings and three other fine Substack writers. Ray did a pretty good job. Check it out.

https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/pawed-cast-4-up-all-night-with-raymond?utm_source=publication-search

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C J O'Hare's avatar

Great! I loved your idea in Erica's interview about looking at a microfictio promt, writing one sentence and the walking away for an hour to let it bake - I'm gonna try that for sure!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

It seems to take the "pressure" off of beginning a new piece. For me, anyway.

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Kate Henry's avatar

So who is he.... maybe she'll find out

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I am thinking there may be a short sequel next week, just to see what new experience these two might bring each other…. Thanks Kate!

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Jim Sarasu's avatar

What rare, precious creatures - people sitting alone in a cafe who don't barricade themselves behind Spotify in the ears and Instagram in the eyes and mind! Not that it wasn't hard enough making an approach in the days before such barricades got deployed. Someone should open a no-smartphones cafe and frame this story on the wall.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

It is an interesting commentary on the world, when 20 people are in a waiting room and 19 of them are staring, hypnotized, on their phones. The one who is NOT is now considered the deviant, or at the least, suspicious... I love your idea of a no-smartphone cafe, however, I fear it is too late, Jim. They'd have no customers The sad thing is, everyone KNOWS that they themselves are allowing their phones to rule their lives, but no one cares... Life is so short.

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palmisanocj@yahoo.com's avatar

Wonderful story, Sharron. And I love the vid you included--the image itself is cool but the music is just lovely. Thank you for posting! xo

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Connie. So sorry I missed you over here this week. I am finally getting well, after two weeks of misery. That Eric Satie piece is such an old classic. I love the mood it creates. Glad you liked it.

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

I love Eric Satie and I loved the story. Jeremy’s problem was solved by Lucy. Good for her..

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Yael. I am a fool for romance... does it show? Satie's Je Te Veux, is one of my favorites, for the melancholy mood it engenders. Glad you liked it, too.

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Matt Inwood's avatar

Carpe diem for Lucy. Very nicely done.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

She was done waiting, I'd say. Thanks, Matt.

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Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Sharron, this was just a terrific story. In every way. I absolutely loved it. - Jim

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you so much, Jim. Happiest of holidays to you and to all those who love you out there wherever you are! I have appreciated your kindness and your creativity this year.

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