Welcome to the Saddle Up Saloon where we feature interactive characters, real-life authors & poets, the occasional Carrot Ranch announcement, and a Cowsino story game every first Friday of the month. You can learn about the craft of creative writing, introduce your own characters to the Kid & Pal crew, discuss the writer’s journey, and be part of making literary art accessible to anyone.
“Hey Pal. Yeehaw! Another Cowsino Night at the ol Saddle Up Saloon!”
“Glad ya could make it Kid. Whut took ya so long?”
“Had ta git ma Cowsino git-up on. Got ma green visor, ma arm gaiters.”
“It’s quite a git-up Kid, but ya do realize we ain’t dealin cards, right? An, despite the most recent prompt, there ain’t no roulette wheel. Not sure ya need thet fer the slot machine. Speakin a which, let’s git on back there an see what the one-armed bandit has fer us this time.”
“You ain’t done that yet?”
“I ain’t the one whut pulls the lever. Shorty does thet.”
“Oh. All this time I figgered you done it Pal. Yer usually here ahead a me an I jist assumed.”
“Nope. Shorty.”
“So Pal, what zactly do we do?”
“Thet’s a tough one Kid. The rules a play is already posted… Folks jist come by an play and socialize… hmm. Reckon we don’t do much Kid.”
“Well, leastways one of us looks good not doin much a anythin.”
“Hmmf. Let’s go Kid, it’s time.”
“Write on Pal!”
Rules of Play
- Use the three pictures that spin to a stop as inspiration or subjects (use in any order).
- Write seven sentences following the Story Spine (you don’t have to use the phrases of each step):
- Once upon a time…
- Every day…
- Until…
- Because of that…
- Because of that…
- Because of that…
- Finally…
- Share your story here at the Saloon (post on the story/comment board below).
- No links to other places. Play the slots as much as you like (you can write more than one story).
- Say howdy to those playing with you! Be friendly and have fun!
If asked, Pal & Kid will deny that they spill from the pen of D. Avery. They claim to be free ranging characters who live and work at Carrot Ranch and built the Saddle Up Saloon. If you or your characters are interested in saddling up to take the stage as a saloon guest, contact them via shiftnshake@dslayton.com.
Carrot Ranch Literary Community 
Since I was late to the party last month… I figure I’ll try and be first this month. Sort of a PSA (public servise Announcement);
Cool Contribution?
Once upon a time, well really it seems like every month or other the gym we belong to sponsors a blood drive. We get emails every day with some sort of promotion like for hot Yoga. But until I get my blood count up 12.5 or higher – I can’t donate, iron poor blood. Because of that I didn’t go into the BloodMobile in the parking lot last week. Because of that I didn’t get a goodie bag from participating sponsors. Because of that I made sure to ask for blood work for my annual health exam this month. If I were to give blood with a low count I might get feathery in the head, but they make everyone rest after they give, and offer treats too. Once my blood work comes back I’ll know where I stand. Finally when the test results are in I’ll know whether or not I will be giving liquid life or a monetary donation. Either way those in need will benefit.
© JulesPaige
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First in! And a cool PSA. A great take on the prompt(s), write out of the gate.
I used to give blood regularly but then was told I was ineligible as I’d had Lyme’s a time or three.
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Hubby used to regularly too. But he’s been flagged…He’s gonna find out why. Could be just that he’s an old man 😉
Or one of his recovered ‘illnesses’. Or his previous travels… He gave me all his free T-shirts. I finally gave most of them to the charity shop. But I kept one or two.
When it comes to giving or volunteering we do what we can, when we can. 😀
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I missed seeing the October Cowsino. October went by too quickly. But here is my offering for November –
Every day the Yoga Queen sat on her throne with King faithfully close-by on a feather pillow.
The Queen loved her King and when he became ill, she lamented, dropping into a deep depression.
She took to longer and long meditative sessions.
And when King died, she lapsed into such a state that no one could rouse her from.
Then she died.
But then, a miracle happened and King returned, which wasn’t a miracle after all. We all know cats have 9 lives and King still had 5.
Oh, the IRON-Y.
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Well played! I didn’t see that four-gone conclusion coming.
So good to see you at the Cowsino, Miss Judy. Thanks for the story.
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Another fun challenge. Hope to see more players joining.
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Me too!
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It’d long been said said she was tough as nails, hard as a rock, inside and out. She pumped iron and trained daily, but it wasn’t until she added yoga and meditation to her regimen that she became truly strong, like water, potential power flowing under a calm and placid surface.
She reveled in her strength and skills, confident that, if it came to a fight, she could overcome an enemy.
Then she grew strong enough to forgive. She finally let go of her regrets and rueful wishes.
She was stronger than ever yet you could have knocked her over with a feather when everything she thought she’d lost came back to her.
XXX
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