One hundred words for Friday Fictioneers based on the photo prompt below from Jean L. Hays. Thank you for reading. Yes, you. Aloha, D.
On a golden beach that bordered a green and rolling land, newlyweds Cam and Val explored flotsam and jetsam and quietly savored the feel of their clasped hands. They found a child’s toy bulldozer in the sand, took it as a sign and set up their tent on the spot. He built a driftwood fire as the sun set and stars rose out of a darkling sea into sable sky. Sourdough bread dipped in olive oil, wine and grilled kebabs was dinner, contentment their dessert.
That night as they slept, softly entwined, the moon looked down on them and smiled.
ironwoodwind 
Beautifully written, as we’ve come to expect. You’re doing ‘idyllic’ very well these days, Doug. I’m green with envy.
Dear Sandra,
I’m closer to the moon tonight than most people on earth. Perhaps its pull had something to do with my story. Thanks for walking with me on the beach.
Aloha,
Doug
What a beautiful moment Doug.. I love the moon’s tender influence here..
Lovely I might say.
Dear Bjorn,
Thanks for stopping by to read. This interlude kind of swept me up. perhaps I need to go camping on the beach for a couple of years.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug, Lovely story with great description and happy ending. I could see it all happening and almost feel I was in Hawaii with your characters. Well written as always. 🙂 — Susan
Dear Suzanne,
Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate you taking the time to give me your input on Honeymoon.
Aloha,
Doug
Beautifully romantic. I love ‘stars rose out of a darkling sea into sable sky’.
Claire
Dear Claire,
I’m guilty of embracing a romantic interlude this week. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it.
Aloha,
Doug
A sweet reminder of the simple pleasures. Great picture you’ve drawn for us here with our words, Doug.
J
Dear Jennifer,
Thanks for such a nice comment. I was going for simple and pure love and happiness. Nice to know I came close.
I loved Sebastian’s B-day cake.
Aloha,
Doug
True romance distilled into 100 words. How you ever got this exquisite story from this particular picture is beyond me, but a beautiful story it is. Your word choices are so perfect, and every line (except possibly the one about the bulldozer) sings with romance. Love it. Write more of these please.
Dear Sandra,
You are singularly generous with your praise for Honeymoon. I got there by looking at the Edseldozer in the picture and remembering a beach in my future. It’s a long story, but a lovely one. As for writing more like this…I’m not sure I know how, but I’ll keep your urging in mind.
Aloha,
Doug
“…contentment their dessert.” Such a lovely dessert to have. 🙂 Beautiful. XOXO-Kasey
Dear Kasey,
I could live off of that kind of dessert. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug,
this story is aptly named since it paints a portrait so rich and sweet that it is as if honey is dripping from the words. It is like a moment of pure happiness embedded in amber that you look back on later in hard times and it brings a smile to your face. Beautiful story.
-David
Dear David,
Your comment mirrors my thoughts about honeymoon. Another reader wrote to tell me that your comment was the best description of the moment. Thanks for taking the time to set it down on paper. I appreciate it very much.
Aloha,
Doug
My pleasure. 🙂
This story put a small satisfied smile on my lips. Thanks, I needed that.
Dear Dawn,
My pleasure. Smile bigger, though. It will make people wonder what you’re up to.
Aloha,
Doug
Beautiful story. I think I’ve been there – once. Married the guy!
Favorite line? darkling sea into sable sky. Alicia
Dear Alicia,
I’m glad that you were there and that you married the guy. He sounds perfect for you. At the very least, he’s smart, right? Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Doug,
You have the tender soul of a true poet. The savor of a hand’s touch and contentment for dessert. Gorgeous imagery. I walked with them between the cliff and the sea. A gentle breeze riffled through my hair.
“Between
Your ear and sound
The Friend has pitched a golden tent
Your spirit walks through a thousand times
A day.”
Shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
You are very sweet to add that beautiful Hafiz quote to your lovely and kind comment. Thank you very much for everything.
Aloha,
Doug
So where the fuck is Nessie? Otherwise this is a beautiful little story about two people in love. In other words, it’s complete fiction! But wonderfully written.
Really Perry?
Thanks for reading and not falling under the spell of the story. Someone has to be tied to the mast to make it past the Sirens.
Aloha,
Doug
Perry. I am still laughing out loud!!!!!
That was great. It’s a good thing i wasn’t eating or drinking!
Let’s go build that Frankenwomen, but let’s make sure that she can cook and clean.
Doug – Cam and Val may be in love, but Perry and I are on the trail of new life on the superhighway of Bjorn at the corner of Ickes.
Randy
I’m right there with Perry and Randy. Frankenwoman sounds pretty good to me.
You guys are incurable un-romantics. Feh on Frankenwoman. 😛
Oh, how nice! There aren’t many pieces that make me say, “awwww!” But this is one of them! So sweet —-
Dear J,
Nice of you to say so. I might have overdone it, but that was what I was feeling at that moment. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
You made this sound amazing – I can’t let my wife read this (I don’t think I can meet these expectations).
Nicely done.
Cheers
KT
Dear KT,
Al the ingredients are listed. It’s almost a recipe for romance. I think you can pull it off.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
What a beautiful story! The perfect honeymoon.
Dear Draliman,
Thanks for your nod of assent. i appreciate you taking the time to visit.
Aloha,
Doug
Sweet and gentle, a little piece of memory to keep for windy days.
Dear Lore,
Thank you for framing Honeymoon in that fashion. I like your idea.
Aloha,
Doug
Very sweet and tender. As a “moon child” myself, I enjoyed the imagery of this one, Doug.
Dear Honie,
Thanks for the moon child feedback. I appreciate you taking the time to read and reflect on Honeymoon.
Aloha,
Doug
I would never expected such a moment from this prompt. I’m glad you found something like that to share.
Dear Caerlynn,
Had to steer clear of the Edsel nation. Went to the beach instead. i am glad you enjoyed Honeymoon. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Lovely writing from a great viewpoint.
Dear Patrick,
Thanks for saying so. Lunar perspective. Lunatic. Hmmm.
Aloha,
Doug
*sigh* Would it be cliché for me to say that this swept me away? I didn’t realize I needed a sweet love story, until I read this gem. Beautifully done this week, Doug. Seems to me, every time you right a romantic story, you do it brilliantly!
Dear Dawn,
I am a romantic at heart (tell no one). Thanks for being swept away by Honeymoon. Perhaps I should put out a shingle as a romance writer? Hard telling, not knowing.
Aloha,
Doug
My lips are sealed. 😉 xo
Doug,
This romance is just sweet enough. I felt the love and the hope without that dreaded sensation of something too good. Nicely handled.
Marie Gail
Dear Marie,
Yes, I didn’t want to write anything heavy handed. Love is an elusive and gentle thing. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
I was very impressed with your unique take on the prompt Doug~ A great story ~
Dear John,
Thank you, sir. I appreciate the feedback.
Aloha,
Doug
Ahhhh! The alliteration, the prosaic, everything. I need another vacation now, thanks to this story.
Bravissimo!
Dear Kent,
You are the Vacation Master. You should start your own website and become a de-motivational speaker. Encourage everyone to call in well and take more vacations.
Thanks for reading and welcome back.
Aloha,
Doug
Geez, there sure are a lot of mushy tales this week. You and Kent both have the ladies cooing, “Awww…” Thank God for Perry and Randy. Somehow, we’ll keep this ship afloat.
Dear Russell,
Ever see the movie, Ship of Fools?
Perry, Randy and Russel, eh? Any women in your navy? Good luck with your shipmates and be careful picking up the soap.
Aloha,
Doug
Aargh, that was nasty.
Ship o’ fools? Soap?
‘Tis the plank for you, matey.
A sweet story, though I was waiting for a disastrous ending!
Dear Liz,
Disastrous ending. Me? Not a chance.
Thanks for dropping by to read and comment.
Aloha,
Doug
So sweet – a lover’s moon and the promise of a child. Very romantic!
Dear Jennie,
You nailed it. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Sometimes life is a beach. A sweet and gentle story indeed.
Dear Subroto,
My thoughts exactly. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
So many romantic souls have pointed out how beautifully you’ve painted this tender scene, and I agree, but I’m just wondering about the symbolism of the bulldozer: They’re digging a hole they won’t get out of? It’s all very lovely now under the moon and all but there’s hard work ahead?
Dear Margaret,
They took it as a sign that a child is coming…or that in this spot there was a family playing… or….
The bulldozer is the weakest part of my story…in reality a weak attempt to link the tale to the prompt. In the end, the moon forgave me. I hope you will too.
Aloha,
Doug
So romantic! Hope they stay like that.
Lily
Dear Doug, Great story and so romantic! I really like the way your turned this prompt into something beautiful! Love it! Nan 🙂
What a wonderful story of love and the beach. Well done as always.
I loved that story — sweet, sentimental, gentle, beautifully told … you’re such a gifted storyteller!