As a child, she’d draw box-like houses with pathways that dangled vertically from the front door, and then sketch beside them stick-men too large to fit inside.
As an artist, I spoke to her of perception… and perspective.
Now she draws only stick-men.
Enormous stick-men wearing balaclavas, bearing black flags and Kalashnikovs. On bad days they’ll dangle something too dreadful for words from one hand, whilst wielding a scimitar in the other.
As a mother, I now speak to her of selective perception, of striving for a different perspective.
But she hears nothing.
Not since Christmas Eve in Harrods.
I was delighted to win the 99Fiction competition for November 2014. Two successes within a week nicely rounds off a fairly fallow writing year when I’ve submitted very little work and my only regular participation has been in Friday Fictioneers. Hopefully this will inspire me to follow a more rigorous writing schedule for the New Year! 🙂 For those of you interested, the December competition closes 28 December, with results being announced on 4 January. Click on the Fiction 99 link above for further details.
castelsarrasin 
Sandra, your richly deserve the recognition, so congratulations and wallow in it!! But trust you to have a downer Christmas story. 🙂 Unfortunately, there’s too much truth in your story and that’s sad in itself.
janet
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It’s funny that I thought of you when I posted this. “Uh-oh,” I thought, “Janet’s not going to like this.” I promise, I have entered a humourous competition, and you’ll be the first to know if I get anywhere with it. 🙂 Thanks for reading both on 99fiction and here.
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I do like it, Sandra, but it’s just so you. 🙂
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Sandra, many congratulations, yet again. I would have expected to see your name at the end, had I read it without knowing, as Janet has said this is so you. I had not heard of the site before and will think of joining, although my writing has been so sporadic recently…
If we don’ ‘speak; again, have a really happy Christmas, it’s good to know you.
Dee
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Thank you Dee. I see you joined the site and hope to see you on there some time soon. Have a lovely Christmas, and I look forward to meeting you on Friday Fics more regularly in the New Year if your commitments permit.
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Yes, thought I would like to give it a try. Must get my writing sorted out in the New Year, work has taken ovet my life for thr past few months which is not as it should be.
Have a lovely Christmas, I look forward to catching up in the New Year.
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Apologies for the typos above, someone has rearranged the keys on my keyboard!!
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Sandra, that is the mark of the exceptional writer you are – an identifiable voice and style. Many congratulations and I am always happy to see something with your name on it come through my reader. Merry Christmas, my friend. Try not to bump anybody else off before then, okay?
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Aww thanks Barbara. I’m desperately trying to end the year on a high note with my work. Winter brings out the worst in me, I’m afraid but I’ll endeavour to stay away from murder and mayhem till Jan 1. Have a lovely Christmas! 🙂
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Atta girl. (Peace reigns briefly….)
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Sandra, I want to add my Congratulations.! Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne. I hope you have a lovely Christmas, and wish you all the very best for the New Year.
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Adding my congratulations to the others. Impeccable writing, thus, a much deserved recognition. 🙂
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Many thanks Judee! 🙂
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