What can you say in 100 words? Quite a lot, as it happens. Weekly, kingdoms rise and fall, heroes live and die, all sorts of fantasy and humor occur, zombies and other creatures wreak havoc, relationships flourish, die or are killed.
Where does all this take place? In the world of Friday Fictioneers. Using a photo prompt as a jumping-off spot,
their characters take off for worlds known, unknown, and don’t-want-to-be-known.
Feel free to explore with them as they often boldly go where no one in his or her right mind would want to go.
Take off with your little blue guide at the end of the story and fasten your seat belt because you have no idea where you might end up.
Or with whom.
This week’s photo is courtesy of Randy Mazie, at The Writer’s Village.
In the Running
Being a nanny makes finding the right relationship difficult. I didn’t have to do all the running in ours, although I took the lead. He followed with alacrity, though, and as a couple, we were perfect. Those who knew us bet that we’d make it. And they were right. Ours was a winning combination.
We had great fun until one day, while out training together, what does he do but drop dead of a heart attack? It gets my goat; it really does. I miss you, Pierre, especially since without you, another team will win Tobago’s goat races this year.
………………
My initial idea was about as far from this one as you could get. Then I recalled a short article Bill pointed out to me in Sports Illustrated as we sat waiting for the doctor to arrive yesterday morning. After that, it was off to the races.
If you want to read a bit more about the goat races in Tobago, you can go here: http://www.thetobagonews.com/opinion/Goat-Racing—-a-pathway-to-development-194624821.html.
Take a look at how the fun unfolds:
This, that and the other thing 
Seriously strange, love it – would go down well in Northumberland – what happens when the goat comes first and the owner comes third 🙂
Just found your comment, along with too many others, languishing in my spam folder. WP seems to have run amok, depositing legit comments in said folder. But they’ve been discovered!! (Just hope that gets fixed.)
Glad you liked the story. It was a seriously strange picture so I had to do a story worthy of it. 🙂
janet
Glad you found it – this is happening to every comment I make on every blog – their spam detector has turned over zealous 😦
No kidding and the big problem is that a number on mine were some time ago, so I had to scroll through all the comments pages to find and approve the once I’d unspammed them! I’ll have to remember to check daily. Sigh. Anyway, hope you’re having a great day and I’m off to have some breakfast!
Clever Janet.
Had to go with the light touch this week, maybe to offset the dreary day. Enjoy your day and thanks.
janet
Read the article and noted the author’s ambitious description of “the world renowned Buccoo Goat and Crab Races”–what a combination. Good story, Janet, and it looks as if the speed of the human runner is as important as that of the goat. Hope your nanny finds a new partner for next year’s event.
Looks like it could be a wild and crazy time, doesn’t it? I think she’ll find a new partner. Winners always do, right?
janet
Never heard of this goat race. Looks like fun.
Funny how much we learn through this meme! Nicely done!
Dear Janet,
Definitely a unique take on the prompt. I enjoyed this and learned something new. The best of both worlds, I’d say.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Now that was a different take on the prompt; and a great video too. Well done Janet.
You were right, Sandra. Your comment (and others, even from days back) were in my spam folder. Yikes! Goad you like the story and video and thanks for commenting (and cluing us in on the spam debacle.)
Have a great day!
janet
Glad you found it, just hope all the others find their’s too or else I’ve just wasted a colossal amount of time yesterday and today. 😦
Not sure what’s up with WordPress. I found comments from many days ago. Guess I’ll have to remember to check daily.
I’ve just posted on Shreyank and it’s not appeared. I’ve contacted Support at WordPress and will post any intelligible response on the Friday Fictioneers FB page.
Thanks for that, Sandra. I’ll be interested to see what they say. The few times I’ve asked questions, they set up some little group and of course, I never heard anything from anyone. What was needed was a response from them!!
Clever use of the word nanny — I knew something was up there…
Thanks. I wanted to conceal the ending as much as possible and human nannies can have troubles, too, with guys trying to take advantage of them or thinking they’re not quite as good. I hasten to add, I don’t know this from personal experience! 🙂
Thanks for reading,
janet
I always enjoy a story that entertains and educates 🙂
I’m glad, Carrie. I enjoyed reading up on the goat racing and watching the video. I imagine it’s a fun time.
janet
Haha! Great story. Goat races? Who knew?
Glad you enjoyed it, Linda. I haven’t had time to do any reading yet and I’m feeling a bit behind! But I won’t let it get my goat and I’ll race to catch up later. 🙂
janet
Aren’t you clever to catch the idea and entertain us with it!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Joe. 🙂 I think she’ll be over eating in your garden soon.
janet
Well done Janet, and I learned something new today – goat races who would have though it.
Hope all is well with you and Bill
Dee
🙂
Sorry it took me so long to say thanks, Dee, but yours and a number of other comments were put in my spam file and I didn’t realize it until I got a heads-up from Sandra that was happening to hers. Glad you liked it. Bill and I are doing well and thanks so much for asking.
janet
Pierre the goat? I must admit, I smiled at the idea of a goat and a trainer ( nanny) out for a jog.
Thanks!
ha – gotta get another goat
learning alot this week about goats and history
What a strange find, darling — goat racing? What will they think of next?
This surprised me, to be sure.
They race all sorts of things, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they race goats. Perhaps the human race is just as strange.
janet
Good story.
Goat races, not for me. I ain’t running with goats.
Nanny needs to find another goat racer.
Next you’ll have me running with wolves.
I don’t run. Now bunny hop – that I’ll consider.
Randy
Then I guess she’s not looking for you, kid. 🙂
A fun story about a heart attack! Only you could pull it off, Janet! I loved the video, too.
I’m glad you took the time to watch the (short) video, Jan. It’s pretty good. As for the heart attack, I don’t suppose it was funny for Pierre, but unfortunately for him, he wasn’t the main character here. 🙂
janet
What a wild idea for racing! And you brought a really neat idea to this week’s prompt. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Dave. I bet lines get tangled sometimes or goats run away.
janet
Thanks as always for your visit – I try to write stand alone pieces in the continuing story. I guess it can get confusing. I had to go back myself to look up and make sure my referenses were correct.
I really like your goat piece. I hope the waiting for the doc was for a good thing.
I wish I could help you out with formatting and stuff. But I always type in my own documents and then copy and paste. So I haven’t a clue about that ‘stuff’.
Jules
a perfect clever story for the prompt ! loved it
I’m glad. Thanks for coming by this morning (at least morning for me) and I hope your day’s going well.
janet
its going well Janet.. I m off to a evening walk with my aunt ! 🙂
Had me fooled all the way, still thought Pierre was dating the goat! Funny post, may nanny pluck a new Pierre soon!
My day’s complete if I fooled you, Perry. A winning nanny can always find someone to fun after her. The opposite, not as easy. 🙂
janet
Hi Janet,
You really channeled your inner goat here, while making a cogent comment on relationships in general. Must be the kid in you. Ron
Or because I live in a nanny state, Ron. Nice to have you back.
janet
Goat me up, I loved this! 🙂
I’m hope you’re not kidding!! Thanks.
janet
LOL! Nope, not kidding 🙂
Just a little goat-seque humor. 🙂
Okay, you win.
:-). Thanks for racing over, Patrick.
janet
I think I would be more suite for a sloth race, Janet. Then we could film it and play it back in slow motion. 🙂
Or forward in slow motion, Ray.
janet
Goat races–love it. And poor nanny goat without her racing partner.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/judas-goats/
Being without a partner’s tough on anyone. I’ll get to you tomorrow…rough day today with a friend moving out of a house and a marriage.
janet
Been there, done that. Good luck.
Great, now I have to worry about a goat racing addiction. Thanks for the story.
🙂 Looks like it could be fun to watch. Glad you enjoyed the story.
janet
I enjoy the bitter-sweet taste of this…I hope the relationship ends on the racetrack, though. Well done!
Definitely ends on the racetrack, Charles!!
janet
Oh sad and funny at the same time.. had not heard about goat races before..
Me, either. From the video, the real thing is probably hilarious…unless you’re betting on them. 🙂
janet
Probably similar to ostrich riding 🙂
That’s sad and funny, all at the same time. Thanks for putting in the video clip; I’d never heard of such a thing before.
Certainly different, isn’t it, David (the goat racing, I mean)?
janet
Dear Janet,
Thanks for the video. It was the perfect companion piece to your delightful story.
I am loving le Tour. Thank you for the link to the live stream. Also looking daily for misplaced comments in my spam file.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug, I’m glad you’re enjoying all those things. The Tour yesterday reached new heights of excitement so I’m glad you could see it!
janet
This is great. Once again, Janet, you made me smile!
That’s a good thing, Honie! I have to get going with reading. Seems as if I’m moving backwards. 🙂
Enjoy the weekend.
janet
And they’re off! I think people will race just about anything. Great take on the picture.
Thanks, Jackie, and yes, I think they will race almost anything. 🙂
janet
Thanks for a bit of a smile.
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/07/13/friday-fictioneers-71213-a-very-grave-nanny-pg13/
I’m always glad to make someone smile, Scott, assuming the story is supposed to be humorous, of course. Happy Sunday to you.
janet
That was fun, janet. An original take, a delightful story and well written! 🙂
Thanks, Penny. Hope you’re having a good weekend,
janet
A great one janet, finally not roasting to death (a few 107 days recently) wonderful weather now and enjoying extremely, thank you. Hope yours is equally good.
Well I suppose there are worse things you can do to goats than race them. Good story. Blackish humour always appeals to me. Ann
WordPress put this in my spam folder and I just found it. Glad you enjoyed the story and yes, racing goats probably doesn’t do much harm to them.
janet
i really liked you poem about Friday Fictioneers. If I wasn’t already a member, I’d want to check out the worlds.
Also liked your story. Too bad about losing the race and friend.
Phyllis
May I share your FF poem on the next photo. With you as credit, of course.
Of course you may and thanks. Glad you liked it and the story as well.
janet
If you’d include a link back to my blog, that would be great.
Definitely!
Wonderful. Lovely voice from nanny. And thanks for the education. The things people do!
Glad you enjoyed it. It was fun reading about it and the writing about it.
janet