In a Name

63 Replies
k-rawson

PHOTO PROMPT © Karen Rawson

I called them “The Infinite Stairs” as I climbed home after a long day of play on the lake.

My brother Bill called it “The Stairway to Heaven” as he descended for a day of fishing or swim.

My sister Gail called it “The Boys Escape” as she went with Mom into town to shop and socialize.

Father called it our family’s crown jewels, a lakefront house in the woods that was close to the city.  He said it was worth a fortune.

But rivers must run free.  They removed the dam in ’92.

Now rundown, I call it home.

— — —

Word count = 100

Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields.  This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo provided by © Karen Rawson.  Read more or join in by following the InLinkz “linky“.

63 thoughts on “In a Name”

  2. Nan Falkner

    Good perspective! Everyone has different views of what is really enjoyable and serene. I like the way you told the good and the bad on different aspects of the wilderness. Good idea!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Dams can be very bad for the environment and I have no issue with them taking them down. And since a lot of places do take down dams, it makes for good flash fiction.

      Like

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  6. pennygadd51

    That’s a lovely story, Trent. I like the way you give us the history of the place by the names it was called – that’s an ingenious way of telling the story. And it’s a nice, if bittersweet, conclusion that it’s now just ‘home’. No longer in a magical location, it has become mundane – and yet all those names live on in the memory, like the fading glamour of an ageing movie star. Good writing!

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks! It’s funny how some things in a prompt jump out. For me this time I thought of the names as soon as I saw the photo and so had to find a reason behind them. Always fun to experiment :)

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      “Home in the valley…” I haven’t heard this song in ages and had forgotten the lyrics (beyond the chorus – “I’m burning, I’m burning, etc.”) It is an interesting contrast.

      Thanks.

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I think it is the memories that make it home. There were few places were I fished as a kid that no longer exist because they took the dams out, so that part is experience.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Me too – Since I’m teleworking today I have shorts on for the first time this year. Of course, for you I think it is a cabin on a hill with no wifi that you’re looking for ;)

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks Miriam. When I saw those steps, the words infinite stairway came to mind instantly, followed by the thought that it looked almost like an old pier where there was no longer a lake or pond.

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  24. Rowena

    That’s beautiful, Trent and such a refreshing read after my horrific take. I don’t usually write about violence, but the story came along as they do.
    I love how this building up like the stairs and has those lovely, poignant reminiscences. Well done.
    How have you been? I’ve been very bogged down with the Blogging A-Z Challenge. Did you participate? I don’t think I saw you on the list. My theme was writing letters to Dead Artists. I asked each artist a question which can be rather camouflaged in my effusive prose. It was such a rush job but I spent hours and hours every day researching and trying to get into the head of each artist and their work. Now, I’m going to add a piece of music to each one. I thought you might like the first one. For the Venus de Milo, I’m going to have “She”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O040xuq2FR0
    Best wishes,
    Ro
    PS I am looking froward to returning to the land of the living!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. trentpmcd Post author

      No children were injured in the writing of my story ;) Yeah, sometimes the violent side comes out in these Friday Fictioneer stories.

      I did not participate in the A-Z challenge. I have a hard enough time just doing normal blogging ;) I did read several of your Dead Artist posts and looked at the pictures on most even if I didn’t read every word of them. I’ll try to take a look at the video later, when I’m not at work.

      I’m sure that you are done with that major blogging project I’ll see you around. Have a great day.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Rowena

        Sure will. I love doing the challenge every year and always swear I’ll be better prepared next year and have all my posts done ahead but this is me we’re talking about…chaos central.
        Best wishes,
        Ro
        PS I actually got out on the kayak about two weeks ago. It was only a brief 15 minute paddle but Geoff and my son took the laser out for a sail and I had to take my daughter to a dance audition.

        Liked by 1 person

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