CANADIAN ROCKIES RETIREMENT HOME

‘You don’t think the mountain range is enough to keep them out?’

‘Nope,’ Frank spat as he knocked in the last fence post.

‘But if they manage to get over that,’ Giles pointed to the tall peaks in the distance, ‘then this fence isn’t going to stop them.’

Frank threw down the hammer and looked at his son-in-law. ‘Point is, my property is clearly demarcated now. If they Yankees step onto it, then I’m within my rights to take action.’

Giles made a mental note to make sure the Care Home didn’t keep any weapons on the property.


Russell-quarry
Copyright Russell Gayer

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.

Struggling for inspiration and time with this prompt, but here’s to a Happy New Year and all the best for 2019 to you all!


amazon and bookdeposit
‘a first class read from start to finish’ – reader review

Amazon.com / Amazon.co.uk / Book Depository
Amazon.in / Amazon.au / Amazon.ca

90 responses to “CANADIAN ROCKIES RETIREMENT HOME”

  1. At least Frank is keeping active and alert

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He has a purpose, and that’s all he needs.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Happy New Year Iain. A good starter!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Di, all the best for 2019.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Dear Iain,

    One of those “first I laughed and then I cried stories.” Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Well, good stuff, a hopelessly lost man in his own world, very sad.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Although he may be happy in his own world and perhaps that’s the best we can ask for.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. They haven’t given up on him and that’s good to see. And yes, hope there aren’t any weapons lying around.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yrs, harmless so long as they keep him unarmed!

      Like

  6. I thought Canadians were peaceful types?
    Fun story, with a hidden depth.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. War’s a-comin. I have a feeling that fighting the Yankees remains a lost cause.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s not often worked out well for those involved

      Like

  8. This isn’t the end…there’s more to come. Lovely story Kelly.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Well, at least he has a plan! Love your wry humour, your twist of the surreal. Lovely

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Spirit will keep you going long after the other faculties deteriorate. I kind of like the sound of him.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Property lovers need to be vigilant and alert.
    Wish you a very happy new year!
    Zapped – Anita

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Anita, Happy New Year 🙂

      Like

  12. LOL. Probably how my Dad would have reacted if he lived long enough to require being placed in an assisted living home. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha, yes I can imagine 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Ha! Loved this! I detect no inspiration/time struggle whatsoever… fine work!

    Happy 2019 to you as well!!

    -Rachel

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Rachel, too kind. Happy New Year to you 🙂

      Like

  14. Short and sweet, but you can still tell a lot about the character from it. You’re such a great writer- I’m surprised you were lacking inspiration.

    Happy new year!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for such kind words! Happy New Year! 🙂

      Like

  15. An interesting flash, it has potential

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Roberta 🙂

      Like

  16. Happy New Year, Iain. That wall thing is ever present, isn’t it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. With a prompt like this, it’s hard to avoid – it does seem to keep cropping up! Happy New Year Janet, all the best for 2019!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. But will the Yankees pay for the fence?

    Liked by 1 person

  18. At least he’s putting up the fence himself. ;p
    I really enjoyed reading this, possibly because it reminds me of a few older family members I have. (Farming families are filled with old men building fences to keep things out.)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha, thank you Carol 🙂

      Like

  19. i don’t know but he reminds me of somebody with an orange hair who became president. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Maybe this is where he ends up

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Building fences. Perhaps it’s a man thing. Interesting story

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Definitely a human thing.

      Like

  21. It is good that the senior citizen is keeping himself busy in the retirement home. wish they do not keep any weapons. It would be dangerous.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I canna lie… I did let out a chuckle.
    And those Yanks would be best to remember us Canucks burned down their Whitehouse… so they should keep to their side of the fence.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I based Frank’s attitude on one of the few Canadians I know online… 😉

      Like

      1. He he he…. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Ha! I took an almost similar route. Have an amazing new year Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you – same to you!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. but in the the Yankees will creep in

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Ha, Frank’s gonna be a handful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The staff will love him!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Frank certainly knows what is his. But how is he going to protect it from being encroached upon?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think he has a losing battle on his hands.

      Like

  27. Iain, I just finished reading your new book, A Justified State. I could hardly put it down! Chillingly prophetic and believable in the not-too-distant future. Great writing, and congratulations.

    As for this week’s FF, you created two sympathetic characters who are not quite in sync with each other. Both are believable. I think the older generations will identify more easily with Frank, the younger with Giles. Excellent dialogue, really puts the point across.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, so good to hear such positive words! Do spread the word and if you are on Goodreads or Amazon a little review is always welcome if you have time. The aim is to have a sequel later in the year so look out for news of that! Look forward to another year of reading and writing 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. To paraphrase – a Canadian’s home is his castle!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 🙂 Happy New Year Liz

      Like

      1. someone recommended your booik to me the other day…

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I hope you took them up on the recommendation! Good to know the word is being spread around 🙂

        Like

      3. Borrowed it for my kindle 😀 soon as i finish this one I’ll be on it

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Fantastic, look forward to seeing what you think of it! 🙂

        Like

  29. Wonderful story as always. Giles is a good son-in-law, not bursting his father’s bubble, just making sure he’s safe. That’s all we can ask for, to have family around to make sure we don’t hurt ourselves when we enter that stage of life. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  30. You gotta protect the ole homestead, right?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Exactly. Thanks Russell

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Oh well told. I hope anything that could be used as a weapon is locked away, I fear he’ll find something. It is a terrible thing, old age and failing memories

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ageing in general is terrible I find…

      Like

  32. Hell, I’d cross the border to Canada if I lived further north. Beautiful country out there. I can see why he wants to defend it. Great story man 🙂 I liked it a lot

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Nice take on the prompt, Lain, the fence reminded me of Donald Trump’s wall. Happy 2019, Lain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Happy New Year to you too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  34. The fear of “invasion” from the southern border appears to be contagious. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Spreading all over the globe it seems!

      Liked by 1 person

  35. A pleasure as always. You were missed .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, a few days off from writing over the holidays, good to be back with recharged energy 🙂

      Like

  36. Those darn Yankees! Can’t win a world series, the lot of them. 🙂 Fun with the cantankerous.

    Liked by 1 person

  37. Ha ha, Iain, this is great! Your writing really pulls me in. Thank you.

    Happy New Year!! All the blessings to you,
    Debbie

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Debbie, Happy New Year 🙂

      Like

  38. I love these two, they feel so real. Maybe Giles could buy his FIL a watergun? 😀
    A happy new year to you, too, and congrats on the book.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you – I do hope you will give it a read! Good idea with the watergun 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Very funny. He knows his enemy and he knows the merits of a good fence.

    Liked by 1 person

  40. I admire the way you did the dialogue.
    Great story, as always.

    Like

  41. Seems to be the season to put up fences. Let’s hope the Care Home has all sharp objects under lock and key.

    Like

  42. If the mountains couldn’t contain them, how will some legalities do that!! Good one, Iain!

    Like

  43. Aw – both funny and so sad. Wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Frank is the most territorial Canadian I’ve ever encountered! 😉

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Anita Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.