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SNOWBOUND – #flashfictionmagic

December 10, 2022 by Sheri

SNOWBOUND - #flashfictionmagicSNOWBOUND – #flashfictionmagic

The ropes of snow cut into my bare forearms, pinning them to my sides.
“Grila, you must let go!”
The snow goddess stood like a pillar of fury at the mouth of her cave, face chiseled from dark ice, eyes blue frozen ocean.
Was it only yesterday she’d laid soft fingers of wool along my neck and pressed a delicate china cup of steaming cinnamon tea into my hands?
Something had happened between now and then, something to freeze what goodwill she felt toward me.
My tongue began to chatter against my teeth. “Grila!” My words lost in the gale whipping down the narrow path I’d ascended every day since I’d found her cave. I pressed forward against the snow that held me, trying to meet her eyes. The motion caught her attention for a moment, but rather than the recognition I hoped for, her midnight eyes deepened in anger.
“They are dead because of you,” she snarled.
“Dead?” I mouthed back.
She swept her icy skirt to the side, letting the wind die for a moment, revealing the frail, exquisite bodies of snow sprites piled in the cave’s entrance. Soot ringed the opening, the ice and snow smeared by dirty ash.
“Grila, what has happened?” Dread made its own icy way inside me.
“Your villagers,” she spat. “They followed you and tried to burn me out. They killed my children instead, the fools. As if a fire can kill winter!” She howled the last words across the sky, and a blinding blizzard exploded over the village below.
When I turned back, my mouth open to beg for mercy, for understanding, I found her watching me.
“I need more children, now.” Her voice sounded almost as soft as yesterday. She reached out, her nails sharp with icicles. I recoiled, screaming, but her bands of snow swirled around me, stiffening my joints, freezing me inside and out.
When I opened my eyes, the world was beautiful and warm.
My mother, Grila, smiled down at me, her fingers comforting on my cheek.

#flashfiction #winterstory #freestory #snowstory #fantasyflashfiction #writingcommunity #readingcommunity #readingcorner #sheriyutzy #snowgoddess #grila

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About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
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A little bit of coming spring in great-grandma’s A little bit of coming spring in great-grandma’s pitcher.
A little pink and green promise of golden age to come.
🪴🪴🪴

#twentywordtuesday 
#poetsofinstagram #flowerpoetry #sheriyutzy

#slowliving #quietlife #antiquecreamer #cottageflowers
I never seem to find enough time to do what I want I never seem to find enough time to do what I want to do.
Sound familiar?
This month I’ve learned a few things about pursuing quiet.
For me, quiet feels slow.
I think I can still pursue it even while having bursts of activity, but in between the bursts, I have to slow.
That slowness can breed frustration, which isn’t quiet at all.
It’s not really about making time for it, more about letting time go. Let it pass, without making it perform.
I love it even though it makes me uncomfortable to begin.
I had a little extra writing time last week and in this picture I’m attempting to find quiet in the midst of it. Journaling helps me focus my thoughts on quiet things.

How do you find quiet in your daily life?

#sheriyutzy #livingquietly #quietliving #sojourncafe #yafantasyauthor #intentionalliving #writinglifestyle #amwritingyafantasy #writingcommunity #journalingcommunity #slowliving #cottagelife
A misty rain has come and melted the snow away. We A misty rain has come and melted the snow away. We passed so many fallen snowmen on the way home from church. It was a little sad, but I’m going to enjoy the damp weather until it freezes again next week. Here in Ohio, we never fear, winter is always just around the corner again until April or so.😏
But it’s almost February, which means I want to start wearing pale pink and blue and poke around in the garden looking for hyacinth buds (they’re sprouting!).
Then I come in from the cold and read over a steaming cup of tea. I have lots of books to read before winter is done!
What’s your favorite indoor winter activity?

#booksandtea #cottageliving #cottagegardenflowers #slowliving #intentionalliving #lovingwinter #afacelikeglass #thescorpioraces #maggiestiefvater #yafantasy #franceshardinge #sundayreads #sheriyutzy #amreadingyafantasy
Hello, I hope you’re doing well this Saturday. H Hello, I hope you’re doing well this Saturday.
Here’s a peaceful pot of tea. ♥️

#potoftea #slowliving #quietliving #pouringtea #blacktea #cottagecore #cottageliving #intentionalliving
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