Author: literallystories2014

All Stories, Frederick K Foote week, General Fiction

The Keys to the Highway by Frederick K Foote: Number 100!!!

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(Editors’ Note: It’s a hell of an accomplishment to land one story for publication, but it takes special talent and courage to do this many–and we are only a small part of Fred’s overall canon. Congratulations Fred! You earned every word and sentence of this achievement–Leila, Diane, Hugh, Nik at LS)

Back in the day, when I was a snot-nosed little rascal growing up in the country, the old folks used to say stuff like, “Homer Hall, how you let all these kids keep up so much ruckus? Where’s your mind, boy?”

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All Stories, Frederick K Foote week, General Fiction

Etta May Shoemaker by Frederick K Foote: 99–One More to Go!

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St. Peter knew the wide-hipped, big-breasted, large-lipped, brown-skinned woman was trouble the moment she arrived. She popped up outside the Gates of Heaven like a thunderclap. The hundreds in line turned to see what the commotion was all about.

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All Stories, Frederick K Foote week

Fairness by Frederick K Foote: 98 Cometh!

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When I was six, my mother said, “Lloyd, let your little sister play with that truck. Kenya is only four. Be generous, she’s the only sister you got.”

When I was eight, my dad said, “Lloyd, you can’t do everything you see these White boys do up here. When you see them about to get in trouble, you need to head on home.”

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All Stories, Frederick K Foote week, General Fiction

Them Blues by Frederick K Foote: Behold Fred’s 97th

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Oh, them blues. Them blues done got in my shoes. Dancin’, dancin’ my fool self to death.

James Cotton makes me grab Big Mable, do the two-step, do the buck and run, water the floor with our sweaty salt. She shakes her money maker, tables wobble, bottles fall from the shelf. She bounce them bosoms, make a grown man cry for mother’s milk.

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All Stories, Frederick K Foote week, General Fiction

Words from The Elders by Frederick K Foote: Number 96!

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I was searching for words of wisdom to pass on to my adult children. I gathered thoughts from some of the older generations that are well-known and greatly respected in our communities. I then searched among family, friends, and local publications for examples to illustrate their opinions. This is what I found.

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All Stories, Frederick K Foote week, General Fiction

Religion Gone Viral by Fredrick K Foote

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(Editors’ Note: Today begins the countdown to the 100th LS story written by the great Frederick K Foote. Fred has been a contributor for a decade and of the thousands who have published with us, he is only the fourth to reach this plateau. Today we present number 95, and the daily countdown will bring a new one until 100 debuts this Friday.

Congratulations, Fred–Leila, Diane Hugh)

A letter from an unknown source to Francis Marsh (FM) was received by FM in September 2021.

[Francis Marsh is a cultural anthropologist/sociologist in Oakland, California. Marsh has broadcast “Social Change,” a popular podcast since 2018.]

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All Stories, Christmas Crime Week 2025

A Boy Name Sue by Scott Taylor

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Hello one and all. Instead of the weekly wrap (which would be a strange thing to present being that it is Christmas Crime Week) we unwrap and wrap the final case of this week’s criminal activity. The “Sue” is a vile little turd, but he is both interesting and entertaining, and we feel you will find him the same.

The Holiday Extravaganza ends not today, come back tomorrow and you will see the start of Frederick K Foote Week and he marches the final miles to his 100th appearance on the site.

A Boy Named Sue by Scott Taylor – Content Warning. A subject that some readers may find upsetting.

Image: Jail cell with Christmas trimming chains on the bars by Angie at Studio Anjou

All Stories, Christmas Crime Week 2025

Loch Ness Monster by Steven French

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In the world of crime “Boxing Day” often creates its own meaning. Usually something a bit more prosaic than switching places with the Master, unless, of course, his Lordship is in need of “crating” for shipment.

Loch Ness Monster by Steven French is also something whose title can be taken in more than one way. Utterly brilliant, this piece brings out the self head slap and Why didn’t I think of that? in every writer. Steven did, and he handled the subject with perfection.

Loch Ness Monster by Steven French

Image: Jail cell with Christmas trimming chains on the bars by Angie at Studio Anjou

All Stories, Christmas Crime Week 2025

Unanimous by June Griffin

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As you see, Unanimous by June Griffin is today’s guest perp.

Merry Christmas to you, yours and whatever that is in your cup and/or Bong of Joy.

And on this Christmas Day, with Scrooge and the Grinch amending and Rudolph and the other Reindeer blowing off stress at Martini’s Bar in Bedford Falls (where Santa stopped off to catch his annual lap dance from Violet Bix, whom, according to Mary Bailey is a “hoiest ho ho ho”), we invite you to open a gift to you from June Griffin.

This is a fine bit of literary loot that has been rerun more than once and was included on our best ever list. Yes, this tale has a lengthy rap sheet, well earned and it is once again getting longer.

No larceny by this fine author who was a staunch supporter of the site back when LS was just another punk hanging around on the corner.

Unanimous! by June Griffin

Image: Jail cell with Christmas trimming chains on the bars by Angie at Studio Anjou

All Stories, Christmas Crime Week 2025

Paraffin Lamp by Alex Sinclair

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Few writers expose darkness as well as Alex Sinclaire. And he certainly cast a light on and in a human being utterly destroyed by life in Paraffin Lamp. 

“Packy” should not be on the streets. He is violent and rotten to the vanishing point of his soul. And yet he is “one of us”–which makes him obscene and strangely beautiful.

It comes with a Warning, but if you are having Goose for the holiday it may be an ironic advisory.

Paraffin Lamp by Alex Sinclair – Warning – strong language and content that some readers will find upsetting

Image: Jail cell with Christmas trimming chains on the bars by Angie at Studio Anjou