tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91388581426644086942024-03-12T19:05:43.164-04:00Everything SusanRecipes, reviews, photos and even some poetry. Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.comBlogger335125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-21213362419823714412019-02-14T17:54:00.001-05:002019-02-14T17:54:46.169-05:00CT Scan Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First off let me wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. <br />
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Well, things didn't go as well as I'd hoped they would today. I was supposed to go for my follow-up appointment on Tuesday of this week but because of the bad weather, I had to cancel and was able to get an appointment today.<br />
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My oncologist has been watching a small nodule on the bottom lobe of my right lung. Today he told me that the scan showed a 2ml growth. He's concerned about it but not recommending going back on chemo just yet. In four months we'll take a look at the next scan and see how that nodule is doing.<br />
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If I have to go back on chemo .... so be it. But I'll cross that bridge when and if I come to it.<br />
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I'll keep on fighting the battle with my positive outlook and I'm sure everything will turn out fine in the end.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-78462383784175040162019-02-07T14:36:00.001-05:002019-02-07T14:36:38.029-05:00Update and CT Scan - Lung Cancer<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Had a CT scan February 4<sup>th</sup> and this morning I received a call to remind me of an appointment with my oncologist on Tuesday the 12<sup>th.</sup> I know for sure that no appointment was made for said date. This is probably just a follow-up but still, I cannot help but worry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The last CT was in October and it was decided that I stop chemo for the time being as the scan looked good, and nothing had changed. I was and still am ecstatic over this. Five full years of chemo is enough, don’t you think. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once you’ve had cancer you (at least me) are worried and on guard of it returning (which has happened to me 4 times). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When they gave me a prognosis 5 years and 4 months ago of one to five years, I was determined to make it past that. My husband said they were leaning towards the one year to live mark. I guess you hear what you want to hear in a life and death situation. I heard 5, he heard 1 Most time's when I have an appointment with my oncologist, I bring someone with me as an extra set of ears because I myself tend to hear what I want to hear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Don’t get me wrong I’ll never give in to this disease, and I’ll always stay as positive as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Believe that you can beat lung cancer. Never give up and never give in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please think positive thoughts for me this upcoming Tuesday and thank you for visiting my blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-59052329623602657852019-01-28T16:42:00.003-05:002019-01-28T16:42:35.832-05:00Melancholy - Flash Fiction - Shards<i>It's been almost a year since I've written anything. Last year was a tough one for me but I made it through. I keep checking in over at Carrot Ranch to see if anything sparks my interest or I should say gets me out of this writers roadblock. For me, there's nothing quite like a flash fiction to pique my interest and get me back into the saddle. </i><br />
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<i>So here goes, and hopefully, I will be writing again more frequently. </i><br />
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<br /><o:p></o:p>.No desire to eat or get out of bed but most of all I just wanted to be alone.<br />
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At times I would think so rigorously, try so hard to make sense of it all, yet concentration was impossible to come by and all I would do was escape into sleep. Darkness was my only friend and I welcomed it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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People would walk around me as if they were stepping around shards of glass. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When would this all end? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>This piece was written for a flash fiction challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2019/01/25/january-24-flash-fiction-challenge/">Carrot Ranch</a>. Write a short story (99 words, no more, no less) about shards. </i></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-89797620265672018112018-04-02T07:26:00.000-04:002018-04-02T07:26:22.424-04:00Rough Writer Tour Around the World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Orillia_ON.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="800" height="389" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Orillia_ON.JPG" title="By P199 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hi, and welcome to my little corner of the world; Orillia, Ontario, Canada, home of Gordon Lightfoot. I’ve lived here for the past 28 years after moving from a large city called Mississauga. It was a big change, but an easy one for us as Mississauga has a population of 752,000, and Orillia has 30,550. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The summers here are beautiful as we have two large lakes; Lake Couchiching, and Lake Simcoe. Both have gorgeous parks and are easily accessed by walking trails, boat, or car. If you’re ever here in July, the Mariposa Folk Festival (a three-day event) is a must. Orillia has been hosting this festival since 1961 and has had headliners which include Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter Paul and Mary, Leonard Cohen, Jackson Brown, Tracy Chapman, Donovan, Bare Naked Ladies, Blue Rodeo, and of course Gordon Lightfoot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Located in the snow belt makes winters quite cold and a little less appealing to some. For many Orillia is a winter wonderland, playground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I remember when we first moved here I’d <s>throw</s> put my two-year-old twin boys in their car seats and off we’d go for an afternoon adventure. Most days we’d end up at the park down at the lake where I met some lovely women, whom I’m still friends with to this day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m proud and ecstatic to be included the Carrot Ranch Tour Around the World. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was March 5<sup>th</sup>, 2014 (4 years ago) when Charli challenged us to write our first flash fiction over at Carrot Ranch. I’d only ever written one flash fiction before, and if I recall correctly, it was 199 words. My first thought was, how the heck am I going to tell a story in 99 words?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I love a challenge and set out to write my story about an avalanche. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That first week we had six writers respond to the challenge; Norah Colvin, Ruchira Khanna, Jason Kennedy, Paula Moyer, myself, and of course Charli Mills. Since then the ranch has grown immensely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What can I say, I was hooked and couldn’t wait until the following week to see what the prompt for the next flash fiction would be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Four years later and a book is born; The Congress of Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology Vol. 1. I’m so fortunate to be a part of a very talented writing community that spans all over the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Contributors to volume I are as follows: Anthony Amore from Rhode Island USA, Georgia Bell, from Toronto Ontario, Canada, Sacha Black from England, Sarah Brentyn USA, Norah Colin, Brisbane, Qld, AU, Pete Fanning Virginia, USA, C. Jai Ferry, Midwest USA, Rebecca Glaessner, Melbourne, Vic AU, Anne Goodwin, England, Luccia Gray, Spain, Urzula Humienik, Poland, Ruchira Khanna, California USA, Larry LaForge, Clemson, South Carolina, USA, Geoff LePard, Dulwich South London, Jeanne Belisle Lombardo, Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Sherri Matthews, Somerset UK, Allison Mills, Houghton Michigan, USA, Charli Mills, Hancock, Michigan, USA, Paula Moyer, Lauderdale, Minnesota, USA, Jules Paige, Pennsylvania, USA, Amber Prince, North Texas, USA, Lisa Reiter, UK, AnneEdall-Robson, Airdrie Alberta, Canada, Christine Rose, Oregon, USA, Roger Shipp, Virginia USA, Kate Spencer, British Columbia, Canada, Sarah Unsicker, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Irene Waters, Noosaville, QLD, AU, Sarrah J Woods, Charleston, West Virginia, USA, and myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Over the past four years, I’ve had my ups and downs when it’s come to writing. I go months without a creative bone in my body finding myself unable to write a word. Many writers go through this and it is truly heart-breaking and frustrating. Flash fiction can help a writer. Just one word or one picture can make a light go off and the writer is inspired. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you enjoy writing or reading flash fiction <a href="https://carrotranch.com/flash-fiction-2/">Carrot Ranch </a>is the place to be. Once a week, our head buckaroo Charli, inspires us with a new word or topic to write about. Please feel free to join us for an adventurous journey. Hope to see you over at the ranch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-25269911559821808672018-03-24T10:04:00.000-04:002018-03-24T10:06:22.200-04:00Man of My Dreams <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking across the bar that night, I saw him. The man of my dreams. He was tall, gorgeous, and he was looking at me. I just had to find a way to meet him, but I wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He was with a bunch of people and left the group to go to the washroom. It hit me, I’d go talk to one of his friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I introduced myself and asked, hey is your friend single and can you introduce him to me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That was 32 years ago, and we’re still happily married today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Have you ever tried writing flash fiction? It's a lot of fun and can be quite rewarding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">If you'd like to join many talented writers please follow this link over to <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2018/03/23/march-22-flash-fiction-challenge/">Carrot Ranch</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">This weeks prompt was to write a story in 99 words (no more, no less) using the theme "follow your dreams". Hope to see you there!</span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-53492924958235885262017-10-22T06:40:00.002-04:002017-10-22T06:40:24.706-04:00Overspending During the Holiday Season<div class="full module moduleText" id="mod_11632560" style="clear: left; color: #4b4949; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.25px; margin-bottom: 12px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #6ea6af; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;">
Swipe Away</h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8_s2ogtP_dpi-sOgStF4ETJkCLVirbtj6aqT91z-EuaTZGPMZJTmusT0oSiaBg59F7vJ-KZGFM7eH-lGzIanXDRQkOC6hqQqewnkhyphenhyphen0EhO4AgkU_wVSEtqfCpKZkytXOJA-z40zf2NLo/s1600/Visa+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8_s2ogtP_dpi-sOgStF4ETJkCLVirbtj6aqT91z-EuaTZGPMZJTmusT0oSiaBg59F7vJ-KZGFM7eH-lGzIanXDRQkOC6hqQqewnkhyphenhyphen0EhO4AgkU_wVSEtqfCpKZkytXOJA-z40zf2NLo/s320/Visa+cards.jpg" title=" By Lotus Head from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa (sxc.hu) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #6ea6af; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;">
Spend, Spend, Spend</h2>
<div class="txtd" id="txtd_11632560">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
Okay shopper’s you have approximately seven days left, get out there, swipe those credit cards and max them out, drain that bank account cause Santa’s coming to town.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
No need to worry about January bills. They are not due until next year, no worries; I’ll just pay the minimums. All that matters is how much money you can rack up for Christmas this year. If you hurry you can probably still get a quick loan from the bank or better yet a payday loan. Just tell them you that you get paid at the end of January.</div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #6ea6af; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;">
What do I really think?</h2>
<div class="txtd" id="txtd_11632571">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
I honestly don’t really believe in all that I just wrote up there . But I do feel Christmas is far too commercialized. When the stores start putting Christmas stuff out before Halloween is even over, it upsets me. Christmas is supposed to be a time of Joy but where’s the joy when for many people the January bills start rolling in?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
<strong><em>OOPS overspent yet again another year. May take me all year to pay these bills off. </em></strong>I do realize that not everyone does this, myself included. I procrastinate about Christmas shopping until the last few days before Christmas. When I was younger I would have most of my shopping done by the end October. But now that I am older it takes me that long to figure out the perfect gift to get for those that I am giving to, or to finish making them their gift.</div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #6ea6af; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;">
Twas a Week Before Christmas</h2>
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It’s a week before Christmas</div>
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And nothing is done</div>
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No lights a hanging</div>
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No baking is done</div>
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<br /></div>
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No presents are wrapped as none were bought</div>
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Credit cards are tanked</div>
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Not a penny in the bank</div>
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<br /></div>
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This year for Christmas we’ll still be okay</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
As we have love in our hearts everyday</div>
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<br /></div>
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Christmas does not mean you have to spend</div>
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You don’t have to borrow or look to someone to lend</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
You better watch out, you may overspend</div>
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The bill collectors will be calling</div>
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And they’re not your friends</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
Christmas time is here once again</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t buy a bunch of junk</div>
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Buy them something they need</div>
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They may not like it right away</div>
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But they’ll use it anyways</div>
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……..or re-gift it perhaps</div>
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Santa Claus is coming to town.</div>
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</h2>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sX2vNOVHA4o/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sX2vNOVHA4o?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="color: #6ea6af; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.6em;">
Have a Merry Frugal Christmas</h2>
<div class="txtd" id="txtd_11632587">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
I didn’t write this to be a downer to anyone, I just this year feel so strongly that people really do tend to over do, over indulge, and over spend at this time of year. If I have offended anyone I am sorry.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.75em;">
Hopefully this year with the economy being as it is, people will be more frugal and maybe save some of those hard-earned dollars for the rainy days that may just come.<br />
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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!</div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-37527400212420853622017-09-22T17:56:00.001-04:002017-09-22T17:56:38.939-04:00The Children's Garden - Flash Fiction <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfQSfRVMHEHM_8SZwHiudWzdYDRuxD9WlvfZhvwH_OE5wY8AP4sEHDbiEUEMlq2DagwGAFjz0GvW5eMkuSpV6nAiJHEN63s8wdm3Qa1O5l46Bh44MulPjTFh20WolI7pJvZLC9F6oVlJD/s1600/September+21+flash+fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfQSfRVMHEHM_8SZwHiudWzdYDRuxD9WlvfZhvwH_OE5wY8AP4sEHDbiEUEMlq2DagwGAFjz0GvW5eMkuSpV6nAiJHEN63s8wdm3Qa1O5l46Bh44MulPjTFh20WolI7pJvZLC9F6oVlJD/s400/September+21+flash+fiction.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/09/22/september-21-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The
children had worked so hard in the early spring, picking good locations that
would have sun exposure, getting the soil ready, planting seeds and seedlings,
and finally marking each plant to be with popsicle sticks. Watching them work
so diligently brought joy to my heart.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Lettuce,
carrots, onions, pumpkins, and potatoes were all lined up in perfect lines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This was a
project for a group of Sunday school students who were growing these vegetables
for the food bank. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">When it
came time for the harvest we were all astonished at the abundance it brought. Many would be fed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This flash fiction is written for this weeks challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/09/22/september-21-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a>. In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using harvest. If you'd like to join us, pop by the ranch, say howdy, and join. We'd love to see you there. </span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-31765882961437480922017-09-14T05:54:00.000-04:002017-09-14T05:59:26.763-04:00Update to Chemo, Steroids, and Weight Gain<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2L1ZIXdL2O4OyWVEHd7AY6Wi0k2j-9a8vfN6JReG8uM4pIuNWB_aSaPNh78M1vl8G-wMOC9j261fTXgVa8kyi-dl-Empb9xxOv2B9qJvmSkPTaHdeq6-bqkOvlWxE1M-9WL_QbR2OboS/s1600/steroids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="520" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2L1ZIXdL2O4OyWVEHd7AY6Wi0k2j-9a8vfN6JReG8uM4pIuNWB_aSaPNh78M1vl8G-wMOC9j261fTXgVa8kyi-dl-Empb9xxOv2B9qJvmSkPTaHdeq6-bqkOvlWxE1M-9WL_QbR2OboS/s400/steroids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /><br />Went and saw
my oncologist this past Tuesday before getting my 48<sup>th</sup> treatment of Pemetrexed
(Brand name Alimta). I had just had a CAT scan done last week and was awaiting
the results. Happily I am still in total remission and I was so happy that I
forgot all the questions I wanted to ask my doctor about the steroids. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Good news is
I had lost 2 pounds from my previous visit. There was no mention about my blood
test until I asked the oncology nurse (not the same nurse I saw my previous
visit). She said my blood work came back from that morning and it was 8.0,
which is a good count apparently as I had taken my steroids for two days
previous to the blood work being done. I did tell her that when I had an A1C
blood test done to measure my glucose over the past 3 months it was 6.3. Her
reply was, oh that’s good. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rather than question her I left it alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
oncologist after telling me the great results of the CAT scan stood with his hands
on his hips saying to me, “I don’t know what we’re going to do with you. You’re
such a unique case, but we can’t keep giving you chemo forever.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My reply to
him was, “Well we skip a month and make it chemo every 2 months.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No I’m
afraid we cannot do it that way, but I can give you breaks. I’ll see you back
in November.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was
thinking to myself that maybe they have to keep me on once a month in order for
the Ontario Health Plan to pay for the chemo I’m receiving. Stupid me, didn’t ask. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday
morning I get a call from the dietician that was supposed to come see me on
Tuesday but never did. She apologized that she was very busy and couldn’t get
to me. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I explained to her that I had
gained 70 pounds and it was starting to affect my knees and back. Her answer to
me was well we just want you to maintain your weight and I see here that you
lost 2 pounds from your previous visit in August. She asks me if I get much exercise
and my answer to her is I try to walk but get out of breath quite easily. Just
walking up the stairs from the main level of my house or down to the basement
winds me. I do walk around malls, and try to get out and get in smaller walks than the marathons I used to due pre cancer. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I told her that I’d taken pictures of my dinners for the past couple
of weeks to show her what I eat. I’m trying to cut back on the carbs and
usually have a salad, protein, and veggies for dinner. Her answer to that was, “Low Carb diets don’t
work.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They sure
have for me in the past and I will continue to watch my carb intake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "segoe ui black" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyways to
make a long story short or shorter the dietician is sending me out some pamphlets
to look at that may help me. She said that she’d see me in November at my next
oncology, chemo appointment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-20022431824182292932017-09-13T04:46:00.001-04:002017-09-13T04:46:55.379-04:00A Dog's Breakfast on Not So Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeDAbcuwPquwkSgKgKjS8jwtKVBy0XpzlQVsoYrGpwm920LIYHHS_Tv8v6l0R0ZGyapBpS4VP8j3jyOAyk_yVFFIA_sVxScVQrTldQsiDMIRs25ibZtVa-cBZRiQA70AI6H6txYi54kmJ/s1600/IMG_5832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeDAbcuwPquwkSgKgKjS8jwtKVBy0XpzlQVsoYrGpwm920LIYHHS_Tv8v6l0R0ZGyapBpS4VP8j3jyOAyk_yVFFIA_sVxScVQrTldQsiDMIRs25ibZtVa-cBZRiQA70AI6H6txYi54kmJ/s400/IMG_5832.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
should all start out with a healthy breakfast every day. For me this includes my
entire family member even my dog Maggie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maggie
just never knows what’s she’s going to get but she does look forward to her breakfast.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Today
for breakfast she got her kibble, <a href="http://everythingsusanandmore.blogspot.ca/2013/05/brewers-yeast-natural-flea-protection.html">Brewer's yeast </a>sprinkled on top for her
natural flea control, one 900mg Glucosamine Chondroitin for arthritis, topped off with scrambled eggs and cheese. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some
people would say “Wow what a spoiled dog.” Well why shouldn’t she get what she
likes and get a healthy start to each day. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium","sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If
you’d like to join our Not so Wordless Wednesday please join our link up at <a href="http://www.dogpawsitivetidbits.com/2017/09/chasing-walking-sticks.html">Dog Pawsitive Tidbits</a>, about pets and animals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-62471517940581153792017-09-07T12:26:00.002-04:002017-09-07T12:28:56.702-04:00Steroids, Weight Gain, and Chemo<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOFmUKLIuoxs0yhfTyVS8hJpqi27z2Zj0j-vrhmS5qRO1aRXjLL8guzrjVPp8s-Dw6QCmbKRPtOvv9HxQSGwms7gTxcEV2XQetQZgYbERtl8EmBJFRWLzXwXQTO09olldYRTInH5bT1V4/s1600/steroids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="520" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOFmUKLIuoxs0yhfTyVS8hJpqi27z2Zj0j-vrhmS5qRO1aRXjLL8guzrjVPp8s-Dw6QCmbKRPtOvv9HxQSGwms7gTxcEV2XQetQZgYbERtl8EmBJFRWLzXwXQTO09olldYRTInH5bT1V4/s400/steroids.jpg" title="Photo by Susan Zutautas" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dexamethasone (Steroids) </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At my last chemo
appointment I saw my oncology nurse. After weighing me and looking at my blood
results she said that she wanted me to go for a blood test as my sugar levels
were high. Then she proceeded to draw a picture of a plate with how many carbs,
protein, and veggies one should have at a dinner meal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve always prided
myself in knowing what a well-balanced meal is. So I was a bit taken back as
she was talking to me as if I’d never seen this before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since first starting
chemo 4 years ago I’ve gained 70 pounds. It’s been very frustrating as I don’t
eat any more than I did before starting chemo. When I first started gaining the
weight I was told (by my oncology nurse) it was due to the <a href="https://hubpages.com/health/Dexamethasone-and-Depression">steroids</a> I had to
take and that weight gain was a good thing while on chemo. Now her tune has
changed and she has set up an appointment with a dietician for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I went and had a
blood test done yesterday and it’s showing that I am pre-diabetic. I’m assuming
this is due to all the weight gain I’ve had over the past 4 years. So my plan
now is to cut out as many carbs as I possibly can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I will be seeing the
dietician on Tuesday of next week. I’m hoping that she can give me some tips on
how I can lose some weight. For the past few weeks I’ve been taking pictures of
my dinner plate (which is smaller than a normal sized dinner plate) to show her
what I eat. Hopefully this will be helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If anyone that takes
steroids and has weight gain would you please leave me a comment if you have
any tips for me. Thanks so much!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-69648381219318720952017-08-25T11:36:00.000-04:002017-08-25T11:36:02.933-04:00The Adventures of Maggie and Bruce - Flash FictionOne year when I was in Florida my son called me saying that Maggie and Bruce (our 2 Newfoundland dogs) were gone. I panicked and asked him what happened. He said that he came home and the door was wide open and no dogs. I told him to go out and find them. What did he expect me to do, I was 1400 miles away.<br />
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He went out looking for the dogs without much luck. When my husband got home that night he helped in the search. Still no luck. The next day my son Matthew who lived close to the animal shelter decided to go check to see if by some chance they were there. He walked up and there they were happily playing in the outside pen. The attendants said that they were the best inmates they'd ever had. Friendly and very obedient.<br />
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This week's Flash Fiction is to write in 99 words, (no more, no less) about an escape artist. If you'd like to join in on the fun of flash fiction, please follow the link over to <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/08/25/august-24-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch.</a><br />
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Here is my flash fiction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumMh2ZjWsrOhO9e2ZwXj9auqsfYNn-Eeov7fX6auKKq0Bc8NhXU9-zJpMM9CJqq6LLtd8M6mUq_3MKSw2eEJrMp36DEL48dOPw1guWVogCd-BsBbtsOOXYSmA-SndkHU3efLL4BPPonXr/s1600/boreddogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="520" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumMh2ZjWsrOhO9e2ZwXj9auqsfYNn-Eeov7fX6auKKq0Bc8NhXU9-zJpMM9CJqq6LLtd8M6mUq_3MKSw2eEJrMp36DEL48dOPw1guWVogCd-BsBbtsOOXYSmA-SndkHU3efLL4BPPonXr/s400/boreddogs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Come on
Bruce let’s get out of here, the door is partially open. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Okay Maggie
let’s go, I’ll follow you, lead the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Up the
street the two dogs went as happy as pigs in mud. They had a great day wandering the streets
and going to the park. They met a few dogs along the way making new friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Then a man
appeared out of nowhere with a van and coaxed the dogs over. They both loved to
ride so in they went. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Arriving at
the animal shelter they had a feeling they were in trouble. Now what?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-45374364647195772212017-08-08T07:58:00.000-04:002017-08-08T07:58:22.973-04:00Lock the Bathroom Door - Flash Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuQw5JegAYx6cGZ80V3DHWrPDqS2mBzKaUP5jAJjHOlV5SN6WF7u6GdRdvr5nzYqc3WJ1TusTxNr8Sxii1QK07FJJQf0PZ7PTl4TzDoWETDGx_1f2W7pYjyHjbxI9MjeBicIYNJQpaGRD/s1600/august-3+flash+fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuQw5JegAYx6cGZ80V3DHWrPDqS2mBzKaUP5jAJjHOlV5SN6WF7u6GdRdvr5nzYqc3WJ1TusTxNr8Sxii1QK07FJJQf0PZ7PTl4TzDoWETDGx_1f2W7pYjyHjbxI9MjeBicIYNJQpaGRD/s1600/august-3+flash+fiction.png" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Meg was
having a nicotine fit and needed a smoke. Her parents were home so she went into
the bathroom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Sitting on
the toilet taking that first drag, she felt instant relief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">She heard a
tap, tap on the bathroom door and panic set in. “I’ll just be a minute”, she
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Quickly she
put her hand behind her and was about to drop it into the toilet when her
mother walked in to comb her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br />
If I drop it she’ll hear the sizzle of the smoke hitting the water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Seeming
like forever her mother finally left. Reprieve.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at </span><a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/08/04/august-3-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"> is to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about a story that features sound. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. </span></span></div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-72562844407591426022017-07-21T07:47:00.000-04:002017-07-21T07:49:14.641-04:00Revenge Pie - Flash Fiction <div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHIEl1eni9l6xTOPDY3B7Mxy0MQ7ma6WkOJa5zNubViJwtELOISg9b2Jp57YO_pr0kEOZFY9myl_lYvVFNKpPcdgQeFGmhepwi42RlTnYDUA9ZJ0QoiEyP_Xc3uJo5nSH1ovN1OixqKKJ/s1600/July+20+Flash+Fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="https://carrotranch.com/2017/07/21/july-20-flash-fiction-challenge-2/" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHIEl1eni9l6xTOPDY3B7Mxy0MQ7ma6WkOJa5zNubViJwtELOISg9b2Jp57YO_pr0kEOZFY9myl_lYvVFNKpPcdgQeFGmhepwi42RlTnYDUA9ZJ0QoiEyP_Xc3uJo5nSH1ovN1OixqKKJ/s320/July+20+Flash+Fiction.png" title="Photo by Charli Mills" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Look Joe, I
made you a pie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Why would
you do that?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I wanted
you to know that I still want to be friends even though you made fun of me the
other day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Well it was
pretty funny when everyone laughed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Come on Joe
just one little bite, it won’t kill you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What kind
of pie is this anyways, it looks kind of gray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It’s just
the color of the flour I used.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">One bite
was all it took. Joe spat it right out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Sandy ran
fast to get out of Joe’s reach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Mud pie, my
oh my. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at </span><a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/07/21/july-20-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"> is to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about a story that features pie. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;"><br /></span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-48701749052100854432017-07-19T06:53:00.000-04:002017-07-19T06:55:46.025-04:00Wordless Wednesday July 19 2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvOdfMDf28FpycF1CRsOMqAdaN6FXC3hR9arSalaM3q4xpcC7y60QRhChCZLL8fiU-Eyvv1wXcSgbfaxcDT8CBErLKNHjHcWQzSuQicsZeSAQ363_UHzYi3FYFT5xASy9OGFEaruTKsAl/s1600/IMG_5764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvOdfMDf28FpycF1CRsOMqAdaN6FXC3hR9arSalaM3q4xpcC7y60QRhChCZLL8fiU-Eyvv1wXcSgbfaxcDT8CBErLKNHjHcWQzSuQicsZeSAQ363_UHzYi3FYFT5xASy9OGFEaruTKsAl/s400/IMG_5764.JPG" title="Photo by Susan Zutautas" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture taken at Friends house in Toronto, Ontario</td></tr>
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<br />Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-37003369844003640252017-07-14T06:52:00.000-04:002017-07-14T06:52:10.490-04:00The Tree House - Flash Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E5ElVGIb9b7JSsfyjzyzi5pa1qQ3HSxy1F8mmtTm-gTKyKjV5urcXBqzqqvNieZB8f8cSLUGAXjvBI8M5diaxErzM4kUEtGPkwcjElKkhmZrW7Ong1UpfbeWsFFJKVgc8hdAK3pSSESh/s1600/july-13+flash+fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E5ElVGIb9b7JSsfyjzyzi5pa1qQ3HSxy1F8mmtTm-gTKyKjV5urcXBqzqqvNieZB8f8cSLUGAXjvBI8M5diaxErzM4kUEtGPkwcjElKkhmZrW7Ong1UpfbeWsFFJKVgc8hdAK3pSSESh/s1600/july-13+flash+fiction.png" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Meg was
determined to find out today what was in the treehouse. When she saw Johnny
going up there she called to him. “Wait for me I’m coming up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“No, there’s
not enough room, and it’s too high.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">We’ll see
about that, Meg said to herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Once inside
she thought, wow what a cool hideout, and took a seat on the floor towards the
back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">“Meg you’re
gonna have to leave, my friend’s coming up, and there’s not enough room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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“I’ll just
move back.” Pushing against a burlap
curtain, out of the treehouse she fell, landing on the ground. </div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week's "Flash Fiction" challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/07/14/july-13-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a> was to write in 99 words (no more, no less) about an unexpected landing. It can be acrobatic, , an unplanned move or created into a metaphor. If you'd like to join us, please follow the link. </span></span></div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-51115111224713153112017-07-07T04:21:00.001-04:002017-07-07T04:21:29.176-04:00The Storm - Flash Fiction <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiE3UCUTrIfFni-ZaCBpf-ZHu0Hd2wcHmuO4SQEI3yWwQYnbawNaqKvl1LcPLWNGHqusPxSFR-D7zUpZABldvYcyIVjoJLIMRe88MwCZOzQjJt3OmRzNHDa7T5KJLPXl6MIB4CLKAbAE-/s1600/july-6+Flash+Fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiE3UCUTrIfFni-ZaCBpf-ZHu0Hd2wcHmuO4SQEI3yWwQYnbawNaqKvl1LcPLWNGHqusPxSFR-D7zUpZABldvYcyIVjoJLIMRe88MwCZOzQjJt3OmRzNHDa7T5KJLPXl6MIB4CLKAbAE-/s1600/july-6+Flash+Fiction.png" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Squinting,
trying to see a few feet in front of the car was impossible. I only wish there was a car in front of me to
follow. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">OH NO ICE! Don’t panic, I said to myself, and for God’s sake don’t hit
the brakes. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Slipping and sliding losing control of the car ….. SHIT, I was in a
ditch! Oh great now what. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Unprepared
for this dressed in heels and a short skirt, walking would be suicide in this
snowstorm. Better stay put.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Freezing to the bone, hours later, I could see a most welcomed beacon of light. Safety. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The storm was written for a Flash Fiction Challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/07/07/july-6-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch.</a> If you like to read or write short stories please join us by following the link. This weeks challenge is to write a 99 word (no more, no less) story about a beacon. </span></div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-14941413264543320072017-06-30T10:57:00.000-04:002017-06-30T10:57:49.347-04:00Frayed - Flash Fiction and a Rant<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m so sick and tired of all these trips to the
hospital. If it’s not for chemo it’s for CT scans. For a week after I have to
feel like a bag of sh_t. But I must stay
strong, I must stay positive. Why because that’s how I’ve enabled myself to
live this long with this wonderful disease. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never give up; never give in, if you follow this you’ll
truly win. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My nerves are becoming frayed and today I just wanted
to vent. Thank you to all of you that read my post today. Your support and love
mean the world to me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial Black, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xoxoxo</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4smcr2JXGvkrDQjiwHhd9-Qi32G5PihnvQ5RiXziwHW0nzlunY6ezaaH7epb94-TJpHL47yjkv3MuEeaQpmbHnHoO_ElM8fInFeNgpP6iMnJiiBlWMRF8n2EknvhrGe4SfHy4FgOKkT2/s1600/june-29+Flash+Fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4smcr2JXGvkrDQjiwHhd9-Qi32G5PihnvQ5RiXziwHW0nzlunY6ezaaH7epb94-TJpHL47yjkv3MuEeaQpmbHnHoO_ElM8fInFeNgpP6iMnJiiBlWMRF8n2EknvhrGe4SfHy4FgOKkT2/s1600/june-29+Flash+Fiction.png" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This
week’s prompt from <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/06/30/june-29-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a> is to write a short story (99 words- no more,
no less) with the keyword being “frayed”. If you would like to join us or read
more flash fictions please follow the link. <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Sitting
on her bed with her head heavy in her hands, Meg felt as if she was going to
explode all over the walls. She didn’t know how much more she could possibly
take. Her nerves were frayed and she was exhausted from all the bullshit that
was going on in her life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">She
started her new job but wasn’t quite feeling all that comfortable yet. Her
step-mother kept calling her work, only to complain about her father. The
endless calls were driving her to drink. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Franklin Gothic Medium", sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Meg’s
cell rang. Not again! She let it go through to her voicemail. <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-59120499399705131102017-06-25T07:28:00.000-04:002017-06-25T07:28:29.410-04:00Dreams Come True - Flash Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ifOdzD066Ndxi4lD1QJMMwkGf_futP6KOWI6zXIlgTF309vTqT5cPqMBrzIDT3n9Cwj0RFn_lrsAMdX0V7rAconlVKe22fuuBZsBJp9RjP8MPsKU88dvMVGgYlMpt3oXF91WRdsNxVFT/s1600/june-22+Flash+Fiction.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ifOdzD066Ndxi4lD1QJMMwkGf_futP6KOWI6zXIlgTF309vTqT5cPqMBrzIDT3n9Cwj0RFn_lrsAMdX0V7rAconlVKe22fuuBZsBJp9RjP8MPsKU88dvMVGgYlMpt3oXF91WRdsNxVFT/s1600/june-22+Flash+Fiction.png" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meg was having a hard time finding a new job. She’d
been on countless interviews and was starting to wonder if she’d ever find a
job. Exhausted from travelling all over the city, she flopped down on her bed
in tears. As she drifted into a deep sleep she was thinking the move to this
new city might have been a bad idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That night her deceased mother came to her in a dream
and told her everything was going to be okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meg was woken by the phone. She was offered a position
and could she start immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/06/23/june-22-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch.</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> This weeks challenge was to write a story that involves a dream, in 99 words (no more, no less). If you enjoy reading or writing flash fiction, please do join us by following the link. You won't be disappointed as there are many fantastic writers at the ranch. </span></span></div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-19086438249545945812017-06-20T18:34:00.001-04:002017-06-20T18:34:24.743-04:00A Frustrating Chemo DayHad today what I thought was going to be my every two month chemo treatment. Little did I know that my oncologist and I were on a very different page.<br />
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At my last visit to him he said to me I'm going to put you on chemo every 2 months rather than once a month. I was ecstatic. I For the past month I've felt like my almost old self.<br />
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I wasn't looking forward to going to chemo today at all knowing that over the next week I'd be getting all the side effects from the lovely drug (Pemetrexed) they shoot into my system.<br />
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My oncologist walks into the waiting room and asks me how I'm doing. I reply with I'm doing great thanks. So the break did you good he says. Break? I reply. I thought that you said I'd only have chemo once every two months? Oh no, he replies I was just giving you a month off and now you'll be back to your regular once a month treatments. <br />
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Talk about getting that last visit wrong. I called my husband who went with me for my last visit and he said to me, Oh I thought I heard that he was only going to have you going to chemo every two months. That made me feel better as I thought for a few minutes that maybe I was loosing my mind. LOL! Al then proceeded to say to me, well maybe it's for the better that you continue on with the treatments every month rather than every two months.<br />
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I'm approaching my 4th year of chemo and to tell you the truth I'm getting sick and tired of it. I just want it to be over. The treatments that is, not life itself. I suppose I should be grateful that I'm still here to write about the frustrations, tribulations, and conquering all that I've been through.<br />
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So this has been my frustrating day. Sorry this has not been a happier post. So until next time, which I hope will be happier news I wish you all a fantastic week!Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-50811194139180772302017-06-02T17:43:00.001-04:002017-06-02T17:43:30.070-04:00The Anniversary Dinner - Flash Fiction<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXnnDlq07vAa782VafGsc6uN-SHtcbDm4JYFUPHuvjGeCa6equgdUv0jq2bJXlthKglvLQm6VNTxlU-iChqwmf7eyz0KBVtAGWhEDLdhmFpVWrAgQHmMS5i8PyzU9SAeKQWG2fHSkSyDJ/s1600/IMG_3192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1296" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXnnDlq07vAa782VafGsc6uN-SHtcbDm4JYFUPHuvjGeCa6equgdUv0jq2bJXlthKglvLQm6VNTxlU-iChqwmf7eyz0KBVtAGWhEDLdhmFpVWrAgQHmMS5i8PyzU9SAeKQWG2fHSkSyDJ/s400/IMG_3192.JPG" title="Photo by Susan Zutautas" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As soon as Jim walked through the front door the aroma
of Megs cooking put a smile on his face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh my goodness woman what are you cooking? There’s
enough food here for six people!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just the two of us, I wanted to make it a special
dinner. After all, it is our anniversary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Are those lobsters?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“They sure are, and to go with them we have steak, mushrooms,
crab legs, shrimp skewers, scallops, and a Caesar salad. Just wait till you see
dessert.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jim could barely do it, but he ate his cherry cheesecake
and felt totally content. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/06/02/june-1-flash-fiction-challenge/">Carrot Ranch</a>. This weeks challenge was to write a story about "feeling content", in 99 words (no more, no less). If you enjoy reading or writing flash fiction, please do join us by following the link. You won't be disappointed as there are many fantastic writers at the ranch. </span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-17961266447844663142017-05-16T10:42:00.000-04:002017-05-16T10:42:08.314-04:00Trading Places - Flash Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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“I wouldn’t want to trade places with you for all the money
in the world.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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“And why is that?” she asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“I am married to my best friend, my soulmate, and I couldn’t
possibly be happier.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“But I get to travel the world and live in a much nicer
house than you have, not to mention all the expensive things I have.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Things, travel, a house not a home, could ever replace what
I share with my husband. We have something so special that you will never
understand. It’s sad that you think your life is so much better!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/05/12/may-11-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a><span id="goog_304656939"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/" style="color: #7f00e0; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><span id="goog_304656940"></span>. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). This weeks the prompt is "trading". If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.</b></div>
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-9618133650043150862017-05-09T07:12:00.001-04:002017-05-09T15:11:58.025-04:00Mac N Cheese - Flash Fiction<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjG76i-GZBZlq98bLdVAWSy4nPBzoPo-DhYo_0UhFk-v8TcbQuJq8hvtQRwlF1gkabUyANVX-Zi8YIhgNYmVbKIqBMxJ4QeOYd74dDZzfKqQUTk0EfAx1sj2ouABEUjspT3uNaECQVaH2B/s1600/Bacon+Maccaroni+N+Cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjG76i-GZBZlq98bLdVAWSy4nPBzoPo-DhYo_0UhFk-v8TcbQuJq8hvtQRwlF1gkabUyANVX-Zi8YIhgNYmVbKIqBMxJ4QeOYd74dDZzfKqQUTk0EfAx1sj2ouABEUjspT3uNaECQVaH2B/s320/Bacon+Maccaroni+N+Cheese.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://hubpages.com/food/A-New-Twist-To-Mac-N-Cheese">Homemade Macaroni and Cheese</a></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The day at school had
not been that great for Brenda. The bully in her class decided to pick on her
for some stupid reason. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Walking home in the cold damp rain, chilled her to the
bone, and she couldn’t wait to get home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As Brenda opened the
door the sweet aroma she knew oh so well, coming from the kitchen, put a smile
on her face. Warmth returned and the day was forgotten. Grandma had made homemade
macaroni and cheese for dinner.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
could she have forgotten? This after all was traditionally made on Thursdays.
Life was grand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17.6px;">This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at <a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/05/05/may-4-flash-fiction-challenge/">Carrot Ranch</a><span id="goog_304656939"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_304656940"></span>. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). This weeks the prompt is comfort food. If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.</b></span></div>
Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-90785836759362981142017-04-18T17:21:00.000-04:002017-04-19T06:05:32.237-04:00Good News From CAT ScanWent in today for my monthly chemo treatment. I had to see Dr. Anglin, my oncologist, beforehand. When he walked in with a big smile on his face, I knew the results from last week's CAT scan were good. He shook my hand and said same as usual, all clear.<br />
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Peter, (Dr. Anglin) then proceeds to tell me that he's been talking with his colleagues about me and how I'm such a rare case to go from <a href="https://hubpages.com/health/my-battles-with-cancer">Stage IV inoperable lung cancer</a> to total remission within 3 years and am still going strong.<br />
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Part of the CAT scan was done on my neck where my lung cancer was first discovered through swollen lymph glands. This is where the total remission comes in as the scan showed nothing in my neck lymph glands.<br />
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I thought for sure I was going to be told no more chemo needed. They still want to keep me on the chemo as a preventative treatment but not once a month anymore. For now it will be once every two months and then eventually once every three months. I'm pretty ecstatic over this news of today and wanted to share it with you.<br />
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CANCER CAN BE BEATEN!<br />
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Have a great Day!<br />
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<br />Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-53634863108352497792017-04-14T06:40:00.000-04:002017-04-14T06:40:35.075-04:00The Onyx Ring - Flash Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Grandma would sit and
tell Molly stories about her life in the old country. Scotland sounded amazing
to Molly but what she most wanted to know about was the ring grandma wore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Well dear this ring wasn’t
always a ring. Your grandpa gave me this as a necklace that I wore for years.
One day I decided I wanted to make it into a ring and took it to a jeweler. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was a black onyx
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Years later when
grandma passed away, Molly was given the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">This flash fiction was written for a challenge over at </span><a href="https://carrotranch.com/2017/04/14/april-13-flash-fiction-challenge-2/">Carrot Ranch</a><span style="background-color: white;">. The prompt is to write a short story that contains 99 words, (no more, no less). If you enjoy writing flash fiction please come and join us by following the link.</span></b></span><div style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; font-size: 17.6px;">
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Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9138858142664408694.post-26577347729657598942017-04-13T11:13:00.003-04:002017-04-13T11:13:29.103-04:00It's Been Awhile - Happy Easter I just realized the other day that I hadn't posted anything on this blog since last December. Wow!<br />
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I've been working on my Poetry Blog for most of the year so far and promoting my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Day-Mr-Beaver-Met-Moose/dp/0993917208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492093101&sr=8-1&keywords=susan+zutautas">children's books</a>. I'm so close with the book sales to be able to send <a href="https://www.rmhccanada.ca/">Ronald McDonald</a> house a cheque. Sadly you have to wait until you hit $100.00 before they'll pay you.<br />
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Yesterday I went for a CAT Scan. What normally takes only a few hours turned into a 4 hour ordeal. It got to the point where I thought they'd forgotten about me and asked the nurse that hooked up my port if I would soon be seen. My appointment time was 10:30 and I left the hospital at 2:30. Apparently they had a lot of people coming in from emergency that needed scans.<br />
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I always worry that they'll find something. I'll find out the results this upcoming Tuesday when I go for my 44th Pemetrexed chemo treatment. The waiting is always a killer. It's hard to believe that I was diagnosed 4 years ago this coming September. Who ever thought I'd make it this far. It's been quite the ride to say the least.<br />
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Well that's about all the news for now. I hope that everyone has a safe and very Happy Easter long weekend!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q7UXYvRRZFc" width="480"></iframe>Susan Zutautashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02588313859845367236noreply@blogger.com0