Unlike other days, Opal jumped out of bed the moment her alarm went off. New day, new year, new ME!
Having created a gap between her blind slats with her thumb and index fingers, she peered outside. Rain clouds. Got to reschedule beach plans. Opal sighed at the thought but quickly recovered. I’m sure it’s going to be a wonderful day anyway!
With a conscious pep in her step, Opal exit her room. In the hallways, she tripped over an uneven rug.
I think I broke something…
New new year resolution – stop listening to others and remain a realist.
***
“In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story that is optimistic.“
– prompt used for this CW piece.
[Source: Carrot Ranch]
***
P.S. As always, you are more than welcome to use this prompt to inspire your post. If you decide to write something, be sure to pingback to this post so that I can get an alert and check out your piece. (A post on how to do pingbacks can be found here.) If pingbacks are not your thing, feel free to simply leave a link to your piece in the comment section below. The more, the merrier!
Stay golden,

***
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Huh. I thought opals brought good luck. I like it. I laughed out loud.
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Well, what did you expect? If they bring luck to others, there’s no more left for them!
Thanks for reading, Michelle!
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😂
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The moment I read, “Opal,” I thought she was a dog, maybe because there’s a dog named Opal in our neighborhood that’s always peeking over the railing between her paws at anyone that passes by.
Now that I think of it, some dogs are the picture of optimism. They greet you, wagging all over and
always assume you’re there just to play with them. 😏💕
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What an uplifting image you described there!
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Poor Opal. 😢
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It’s just not her day…
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I think we’ve ALL been in her shoes.
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Do you consider yourself an optimist?
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Nope. A realist, which sometimes looks like I’m an optimist.
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Fascinating. I’m a realist, which almost always looks like I’m a pessimist.
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Yup, I get that a lot. Reality is often tragic. 🤷♀️
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Well, that resolution didn’t last long! Poor Opal 💞
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Hahahah! I think it’s difficult to change our nature.
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At least she tried….
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Fair point!
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If I pull myself out of the mud, I could crawl to the road.
And if that snake hadn’t bit me, I could write a letter to Pa.
If he hadn’t died last year from scurvy, we’d be vacationing together.
And I’d have avoided getting robbed at gunpoint.
And then not had have to trek through this beautiful jungle.
Chased by that dazzling jaguar with his liquid eyes and ivory fangs.
And falling down that scenic cliff with the sharp obsidian glass.
Then plunging into this vast mire covered with lovely orchids.
If I can reach that one branch…
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Some people really are like that… SO weird.
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A lovely piece of writing, Sam. I admire that you’ve successfully written this story in exactly 99 words and have done it perfectly. I don’t think I could do that. I always put so/too much detail in my posts. I did feel for Opal, too. Well done you. Xx
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Thank you, Ellie!
I’ve done a couple of those 99ers in the past, so it’s gotten easier for me. It was really rough in the beginning. This form suits me because I don’t naturally include a lot of detail/world-building.
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Hah! Relatable.
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Right? That’s about how long I can go being optimistic, too.
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So, as long as you don’t encounter a carpet? 😜
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Note to self – no rugs. Only wall to wall carpets.
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Now there’s an idea to be optimistic about!
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Ahhh poor Opal. Can’t ever tell what life has in store for us when we least expect it.
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It’s full or surprises. Sometimes good, sometimes … not so much.
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She got a new me alright, along with a new cast. Fun flash!
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Thanks, D!
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(The pingback didn’t work???)
Here’s the link to my twist. Thanks for the inspiration!
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I hate it when WP is not working as intended. I have your post open and will visit in the next day or two.
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