IAIN KELLY

ENOUGH ALREADY

Snow.

Again.

Christmas had been magical.

Days off school in January building snowmen had been fun.

Now it was February.

The thought of ice cold hands and toes put him off going outside.

The roads were closed. Elsa had put ‘Frozen’ on for the hundredth time.

Football practice had been cancelled for the third week in a row.

Grandad had slipped and done something to his back.

Enough already.

He saw Dad walking up the hill, waving and smiling, pointing at something he was pulling.

His eyes lit up and he dashed to get his boots on.

Time for sledging!


dale-rogerson-snow-photo
Copyright Dale Rogerson

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

104 responses to “ENOUGH ALREADY”

  1. The Urban Spaceman Avatar

    I can sympathise with the reader. At first it’s like, yay, snow! And then it’s like, ugh, snow. -__- I definitely wouldn’t mind sledding, though.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – that’s been my response exactly this winter. I’m over the snow now, bring on spring!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    In our part of the country, we seem to get our worst winter weather in February. I love the progression of this and the promise of sledding brightening his mood at the end. Nicely done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rochelle. This year we’ve had snow on and off from December through to February, much more than the last few years. It was fun the first time…! 🙂

      Like

  3. Varad Avatar

    A fun piece, after quite a few melancholic ones. Nicely done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Varad, always nice to change it up 🙂

      Like

  4. neilmacdon Avatar

    A nicely crafted story arc from joy throug glum to joy again

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Neil

      Like

  5. Claire Fuller Avatar

    Nice turn around. Who wouldn’t like a bit of sledging.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, well I have my limits – the kids always seem to want to stay out that bit longer than I can tolerate the cold! Thanks Claire.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. cynthiamvoss Avatar

    I’m glad he enjoyed the snow at the end. I’m feeling jealous because we’ve been having such warm weather lately I’m afraid that our winter might be over already.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Lucky you! We’ve had about our fifth lot of snow for the winter in recent days!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Jane Dougherty Avatar

    Sledging would just about finish it off for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      One tumble out the sled and I’d be done with it too.

      Like

  8. Sandra Avatar

    That captures this time of the year beautifully. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sandra – it certainly does this year with another lot of snow today here…

      Like

  9. James Avatar

    Everyone wants a “white Christmas” but from mid-January to March it’s nothing but cold, grey suck. I saw that on a meme once.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, there’s not much to look forward too except knowing Spring will follow in time.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. ceayr Avatar

    Love this, Iain, a touch of the old Hello Muddah, hello Faddah about it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you CE, I have to confess to having to look up the reference, but, yes, it does fit.

      Like

  11. liz young Avatar

    It doesn’t take much to lift a boy’s spirits. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      When you’re younger I think that’s true, not old and cynical like us adults 🙂

      Like

  12. Edith M. Field Avatar

    I love the way your story skilfully outlines the change of response to the snow from pleasure and excitement to dismay and resentment. Suddenly, the delight is restored! Great writing, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Edith – very much based on my own response over this winter 🙂

      Like

  13. Anita Avatar

    Sledging fun!
    Snow has its merits 🙂
    Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And to you Anita! There’s always fun to be had with snow 🙂

      Like

  14. Anna Rymer Avatar

    Once you burst through the exhaustion / monotony of anything there is ALWAYS more fun to be had! This paints a great character and atmosphere 👍 Really liked it!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Anna 🙂

      Like

  15. Alice Audrey Avatar

    So young at heart. My kids are finally old enough now to not want to sled in the back yard every Christmas. I can breathe a sigh of relief.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Lucky you, you survived! I have a few years to go yet!

      Like

  16. granonine Avatar

    Always a bright spot, if you look for it. I loved winter when I was a kid. So many fun things to do outdoors.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Absolutely, thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. J. E. Kennedy Avatar

    I love that he gets something fun to do at the end. There is always room for fun, best not to wallow in miserable weather 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks for reading. Snow is fun, until you want to get back on with other stuff!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. pennygadd51 Avatar

    A delightful little story that proves you don’t need anything beyond daily life to make a satisfactory tale. Beautifully told, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Penny, I do try to stick to real life with my fiction, rather than fantasy or the like.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    The best part of winter! Well, anyone who loves winter sports is VERY happy this year… especially in my neck of the woods.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Same here Dale, the ski slopes are doing good business 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        Nice!

        Like

  20. michael1148humphris Avatar
    michael1148humphris

    Ha the joys of snow and sledging, in my case it led on to a few ski-ing holidays. Thank you for prompting me to recall good times

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re welcome 🙂

      Like

  21. Susan Avatar

    There is always an optimist in every crowd. Nicely done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Susan

      Liked by 1 person

  22. subroto Avatar

    Here down under I am over the heat, snow would be a nice change (and an environmental miracle). Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Marquessa Avatar

    Glad you enjoy the snow! Not me…I’m just holding on for summer! 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I’m ready for summer now too, I can’t pretend to have his enthusiasm any longer! 🙂

      Like

      1. Marquessa Avatar

        Lol. I’ve just kep my bitterness from the day of the first snowstorm!😉

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    I could feel his boredom and angst, I remember those stir crazy days as a teen. Very nicely written story! I also remember the joy of sledding with my siblings and dad!! 🙂 Thanks for those wonderful memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Brenda, happy family memories for me too, something about snow seems to bring them out.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. draliman Avatar

    Suddenly the excitement returns!

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      How long it will last I’m not sure 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Akshata Ram Avatar

    yay! that sounds super fun

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    Snow has its uses! I remember sliding downhill on a tea tray (no, not last week!). Happy days!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Happy memories of sledging too, though never on a tea tray! My Dad made a sled for us from wood that lasted for years.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. anuragbakhshi Avatar

    Ha ha ha. To be a kid and not be judged for your whims again!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      They’re allowed to change their minds in an instant 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  29. Jan Vanek Avatar

    Funny how we always want what we don’t have. We rarely get snow in Dallas, and never enough to go sledding. I liked the progression of this story–kind of backwards from what one might think, and I loved that it ended on a fun note. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jan, it’s always funny to hear people around the world always wanting to swap weather – I’d take some warm sunny days and long summers here 🙂

      Like

  30. Vivian Zems Avatar

    Sledging!….what a relief from all that monotony 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Vivian 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Lynn Love Avatar

    That’s so lovely – all that sadness and then … sledging! Great tale Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      A sure fire way to cheer up a glum child 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Until the moment the cold gets to them and they start crying for home! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  32. Norma Avatar

    Now that would be fun… Sledging! At least someone is going to make the most of it. Loved the way your piece has progressed showing what the narrator feels about the snow.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Norma 🙂

      Like

  33. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    This made me laugh. Kids! I remember growing up in Denver in the 1960’s we always had tons of snow and I never tired of it. Sledding, snowshoeing, ice skating!!! So much fun to be had.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Glad it brought back nice memories for you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

        It sure did. Especially ice skating on the lake down the street. Good times.

        Liked by 1 person

  34. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Lol I feel for the pain of neverend… wait… sledding? Cool

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, so you’re a big kid at heart? 🙂

      Like

      1. Laurie Bell Avatar

        Absolutely!

        Liked by 1 person

  35. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    There are always those who love the snow… I think that snow in April would be a bit too much even for me.

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I do love it a little, but my limit is about a week and then I’m over it! Thanks Bjorn

      Like

  36. plaridel Avatar

    i guess dad has the right positive attitude. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Or he just wants the kids out from under his feet for an hour 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Moon Avatar
    Moon

    What an adorable little boy and of course, a sweet dad. I really liked that the sister who likes frozen is Elsa too.🙂
    Beautiful word picture, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Moon 🙂

      Like

  38. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    I think many, especially those on the East coast of USA can sympathize with this. For us, here in the middle, it’s been rain, rain, and rain. We have a hundred words for it, but no matter what you call it, it’s still rain. Ugh! I hate being wet and cold all the time.

    Liked by 1 person

  39. ahtdoucette Avatar

    Ugh, I agree about enough snow already. More coming tomorrow. Too bad we can’t sled around town.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Haha, that would make it more fun 🙂

      Like

  40. rgayer55 Avatar

    A little snow is fun. A whole lot, not so much. I’ve watched Frozen more times that I care to count too. My granddaughters all love it.
    We used to slide down hills on giant inner tubes, but a piece of old linoleum is the fastest ride I’ve ever been on.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Old linoleum – good tip. Yes, I have lost count of how many times I’ve had to sit through ‘Frozen’. And a sequel coming next year to look forward too…

      Like

  41. Dahlia Avatar

    I liked the range of emotions covered in this short piece- very well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dahlia

      Liked by 1 person

  42. Fatima Fakier Avatar

    Having never experienced proper snow (Hello Africa!) I really can’t relate to this. However I do miss the sun when it is raining for 3 days straight. First I’m dancing in the rain, then the damp gets to me and I just want warmth again. Sledding sounds amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      3 days! It’s been about 3 months since we had a nice sunny warm day 🙂 But the sledding is fun.

      Like

      1. Fatima Fakier Avatar

        I know. I really can’t complain 😄

        Liked by 1 person

  43. landofimages Avatar

    This had a strong personal experiencial aire to it, I could feel the drudge and the nicely uplifting ending 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Definitely based on experience. Thank you.

      Like

  44. magarisa Avatar

    I’ve lived in a place where snow covers the ground for half the year, so I can definitely relate to this. Really liked the way the story progressed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  45. The Reclining Gentleman Avatar

    what a charming snapshot. I remember sledging days of my youth – what magical times. And I count myself lucky for never having had to watch Frozen on repeat…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You are very lucky – not that it’s bad, but just not after a few months on repeat… Thank you.

      Like

  46. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    I’m too old for the sport but i can certainly appreciate it’s appeal.
    Nicely told story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  47. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Lovely turnaround. This really was one fed-up little person before Dad appeared with the sledge. So well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  48. Woman walking Max Avatar

    Love the way you get the mood of the child, when things are so BORING, and times drags by. Pleased he got to go sledging.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you – my children are in that bored stage right now, and we don’t have a sledge!

      Like

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