‘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.

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!
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At least Frank is keeping active and alert
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He has a purpose, and that’s all he needs.
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Happy New Year Iain. A good starter!
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Thank you Di, all the best for 2019.
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Dear Iain,
One of those “first I laughed and then I cried stories.” Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle
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Well, good stuff, a hopelessly lost man in his own world, very sad.
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Although he may be happy in his own world and perhaps that’s the best we can ask for.
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They haven’t given up on him and that’s good to see. And yes, hope there aren’t any weapons lying around.
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Yrs, harmless so long as they keep him unarmed!
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I thought Canadians were peaceful types?
Fun story, with a hidden depth.
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Thanks CE
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War’s a-comin. I have a feeling that fighting the Yankees remains a lost cause.
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It’s not often worked out well for those involved
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This isn’t the end…there’s more to come. Lovely story Kelly.
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Thanks Neel
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Well, at least he has a plan! Love your wry humour, your twist of the surreal. Lovely
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Thanks Lynn 🙂
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My pleasure
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Spirit will keep you going long after the other faculties deteriorate. I kind of like the sound of him.
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Me too Sandra
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Property lovers need to be vigilant and alert.
Wish you a very happy new year!
Zapped – Anita
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Thanks Anita, Happy New Year 🙂
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LOL. Probably how my Dad would have reacted if he lived long enough to require being placed in an assisted living home. 😉
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Ha, yes I can imagine 🙂
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Ha! Loved this! I detect no inspiration/time struggle whatsoever… fine work!
Happy 2019 to you as well!!
-Rachel
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Thank you Rachel, too kind. Happy New Year to you 🙂
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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!
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Thank you for such kind words! Happy New Year! 🙂
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An interesting flash, it has potential
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Thank you Roberta 🙂
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Happy New Year, Iain. That wall thing is ever present, isn’t it?
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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!
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But will the Yankees pay for the fence?
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🙂
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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.)
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Ha, thank you Carol 🙂
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i don’t know but he reminds me of somebody with an orange hair who became president. 🙂
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Maybe this is where he ends up
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Building fences. Perhaps it’s a man thing. Interesting story
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Definitely a human thing.
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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.
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It would indeed!
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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.
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I based Frank’s attitude on one of the few Canadians I know online… 😉
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He he he…. 😉
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Ha! I took an almost similar route. Have an amazing new year Iain.
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Thank you – same to you!
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but in the the Yankees will creep in
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They always do.
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Ha, Frank’s gonna be a handful!
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The staff will love him!
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Frank certainly knows what is his. But how is he going to protect it from being encroached upon?
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I think he has a losing battle on his hands.
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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.
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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 🙂
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To paraphrase – a Canadian’s home is his castle!
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🙂 Happy New Year Liz
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Happy New Year x
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And to you 🙂
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someone recommended your booik to me the other day…
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I hope you took them up on the recommendation! Good to know the word is being spread around 🙂
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Borrowed it for my kindle 😀 soon as i finish this one I’ll be on it
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Fantastic, look forward to seeing what you think of it! 🙂
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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. 🙂
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Thank you Brenda
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You gotta protect the ole homestead, right?
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Exactly. Thanks Russell
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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
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Ageing in general is terrible I find…
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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
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Thank you Jacob 🙂
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Nice take on the prompt, Lain, the fence reminded me of Donald Trump’s wall. Happy 2019, Lain!
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Thank you, Happy New Year to you too 🙂
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The fear of “invasion” from the southern border appears to be contagious. 😊
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Spreading all over the globe it seems!
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A pleasure as always. You were missed .
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Thank you, a few days off from writing over the holidays, good to be back with recharged energy 🙂
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Those darn Yankees! Can’t win a world series, the lot of them. 🙂 Fun with the cantankerous.
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😉
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Ha ha, Iain, this is great! Your writing really pulls me in. Thank you.
Happy New Year!! All the blessings to you,
Debbie
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Thank you Debbie, Happy New Year 🙂
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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.
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Thank you – I do hope you will give it a read! Good idea with the watergun 🙂
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Very funny. He knows his enemy and he knows the merits of a good fence.
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I admire the way you did the dialogue.
Great story, as always.
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Seems to be the season to put up fences. Let’s hope the Care Home has all sharp objects under lock and key.
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If the mountains couldn’t contain them, how will some legalities do that!! Good one, Iain!
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Aw – both funny and so sad. Wonderful!
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Frank is the most territorial Canadian I’ve ever encountered! 😉
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