Photo Copyright Beth Carter
Dad was a picker way before picking was cool, and the summer I turned ten, I was finally old enough to ride along. By the end of August, I had scrounged enough trash from piles tossed under porches, behind sheds, and around the carcasses of rusted out Fords to create the hippest playhouse in the neighborhood. Billy Peters was so impressed he forgot girls have cooties and crowned himself king of my cast-off castle. Fifty years on, I remain Billy’s queen, and our greatest treasure is our grandchildren’s voices drifting to us from the ragged remains of our childhood thrones.
Today I’ve accepted the challenge of the Friday Fictioneers, a group of authors who craft a 100-word story based on a new photograph each week.
Things I See and Know 
janet
March 1, 2013 at 5:58 PM
Cute!
elappleby
March 1, 2013 at 8:29 PM
very sweet story 🙂
annisik51
March 1, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Lovely story. I love those chairs as thrones. Ann
dreaminofobx
March 2, 2013 at 8:04 PM
Thanks! I desperately wanted to get away from the obvious car angle…
Sandra
March 2, 2013 at 7:52 AM
Nice story, enjoyed it..
dreaminofobx
March 2, 2013 at 8:04 PM
Thank you!
sustainabilitea
March 2, 2013 at 2:16 PM
I love how her playhouse lured Billy Peters…and that she’s still luring him.
janet
dreaminofobx
March 2, 2013 at 8:03 PM
My own little tribute to the countless childhood sweethearts who have stayed together through all the ups and downs of life, and who look back with such fondness on how it all began…
train-whistle
March 2, 2013 at 7:06 PM
sweet story, flows so well. “king of my cast-off castle”–favorite image.
dreaminofobx
March 2, 2013 at 8:01 PM
Thanks! It’s a challenge for someone who’s normally wordy to create any imagery at all in so few words!
rochellewisoff
March 2, 2013 at 9:01 PM
Dear Michelle,
I only clicked the “like” icon because there isn’t a “love” one. Well written and entertaining with just the right touch of “aaaaaaaw.”
dreaminofobx
March 6, 2013 at 9:11 PM
Thanks! It was my first attempt at a 100-word story. Anyone who thinks shorter is easier, hasn’t taken on this challenge!
rochellewisoff
March 6, 2013 at 11:50 PM
It is a challenge but a challenge I’ve found highly addicting. I hope your first attempt won’t be your last.
lingeringvisions
March 2, 2013 at 9:11 PM
I liked this. I really liked it.
tedstrutz
March 2, 2013 at 10:39 PM
What a great story!
C. Patrick
March 3, 2013 at 8:39 AM
Nicely shifted from childhood to adulthood–the Circle of Rusty Life. (<–okay, I don't know if that applies in any way, but I had to write it. 🙂 ).
dreaminofobx
March 6, 2013 at 9:10 PM
Thanks for reading! The Circle of Rusty Live…there’s gotta be a story in that!
rich
March 3, 2013 at 7:48 PM
a fun reminiscence of childhood. i can think of similar experiences too, which are nice to think about. well done.
billgncs
March 3, 2013 at 8:16 PM
he picked the best thing