Comment from LisaMay

Exceptional

Hi Steve... I found your story again; sorry about the delay. It's just as perfectly imagined now as when I first saw it a week ago. Maybe I should be wary of diligent night-time gardeners?

 Comment Written 07-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 07-Feb-2019

Yep. If you ever see me out digging in the middle of the night, it won't be for planting vegetables.

Thank you. No joy in the contest though - I thought I was in with a shot.

Steve

Comment from Scarbrems

Excellent

Ha, ha, ha, excellent. Gives a whole new meaning to 'pushing up the daisies'. I admire people who can write these things. It's an art I've never mastered, along with poetry. Perhaps being a poet is an advantage, here, because you are more used to short forms? Anyway, I enjoyed this. Good luck in the competition, I'm sure it is a contender.

 Comment Written 05-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 06-Feb-2019

Thanks, Emma.

I have to admit being a beginner at this. My only solution is to write the story, see how much I am over the word limit and then take to it with scissors to chop out anything remotely unnecessary.

I was rather pleased with how this one turned out, though. Just enough clues to give most reviewers the answer to what was between the lines.

Steve

Comment from Joy Graham

Excellent

Hi Steve,

I lived on P.E.I. for several years as a kid and then again as a mom. It is known as the potato capital of Canada. I don't recall anyone me tioning to plant them under a full moon. Now you got my curiosity up lol! The potato farmers were bad for waiting until the cars got dangerously close before they pulled onto the highway in their farm trucks and cut cars off. We were also horrified to hear how many Islanders were driving and legally blind.

Ahh potatoes.

Best wishes in this contest.

Joy xx

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 05-Feb-2019

Thanks, Joy

Perhaps those truck drivers were in a hurry to get away, having buried their spouses in the potato patch, like Miriam!

Steve

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

Great little Dribble fiction story Steve about planting by the light of the moon. I've read this theory in gardening books, not tried it myself. Loved the bit about the addition of the organic matter for a successful crop. Made this gardener smile.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 04-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2019

Thanks, Valda. Now put on your sinister glasses and see if you can work out what organic matter she chose!

Steve

reply by Pearl Edwards on 04-Feb-2019

Oh I think I worked that out already

Comment from Pam (respa)

Excellent

-Good image choice, Steve.
-I think Miriam was ambitious
in more ways than one!
-The use of the full moon
for her planting is effective,
as all kinds of things can happen then.
-I also think she was quite
vigilant in reading the Almanac,
and got some good tips!
"Zachariah would have been pleased."
-I believe Miriam was going to
have a very good crop, get some
rest, and be "alone at last."
-Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2019

Thanks, Pam. Just about to harvest our small crop of potatoes. No moonlight planting and probably not enough organic matter either, but at least I will have someone to help me dig!

Steve

reply by Pam (respa) on 04-Feb-2019

You are welcome, Steve. I got a chuckle out of your reply! I am very glad you will have help when you need it

Comment from rspoet

Excellent

Hello Steve,
An excellent little Dribble fiction.
It seems Old Zach wasn't much appreciated by Miriam,
someone who follows directions to the letter
and does everything by MacDonald's book.
In the end, it's up to the judges.
Maybe the eyes will have it.
Good luck
Robert

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 04-Feb-2019

Thanks, Robert.

I had fun with this and found the perfect illustration as well!

Steve

Comment from N.K. Wagner

Exceptional

It took me a couple of minutes an a re-read, but I finally got it, Steve. This dribble is very well done. May Zachariah be the father of many fine spuds. :) Nancy

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2019

Thanks, Nancy - the subtlety was a little too much for a few reviewers. I suspect that re-reading is compulsory for anything worthwhile in this genre. It took a good while to edit this down to 50 words while retaining the core of the story.

Appreciate the sixeer.

Steve

Comment from Rhonda Skinner

Excellent

Not sure I'd want to eat those potatoes. But if that's what the Almanac said...:) This is an eerie, well-written piece. You said a lot in fifty words. What you didn't say added to the story too. Good job.

 Comment Written 03-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2019

Thanks, Rhonda. Think about manure that is usually used to fertilise the beds! I'm sure a little taste of decomposing Zachariah couldn't be much worse.

I had fun with the sinister nature of this.

Steve

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I enjoyed reading your contest entry. My father used to plant his garden by the Almanac and so does my husband. You said a lot in a very few words. I struggle at that and in awe of authors who can. Good luck.

 Comment Written 02-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 03-Feb-2019

Thanks, Barbara.

But did you spot what else was in the story in between the lines, like what had happened to Zachariah and why Miriam was alone?

Steve

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Lol. I don't think it means at night just when the phase of the moon is full. But the more mysterious thing is what "organic matter" did Miriam use? And did the contents have something to do with Zechariah?

 Comment Written 02-Feb-2019

---

reply by the author on 02-Feb-2019

Ah, but we all know people who take things far too literally! Miriam, I'm afraid, was one of those - besides she had more to do than just plant potatoes!

Yes, there are a couple of subtle clues as to what happened to the organic matter that used to be Zach.

Steve