On My Mind…

Stories, Thoughts, and Technical Prose

Wandering Shop Stories 48

Prompt Word: Park Minervie and Chip 36 Having taken a Brisbane River ferry to the St. Lucia ferry stop, Minervie walked with purpose through the university campus until she stood upon the Great Court. It along the rest of Queensland University had been built on the former land of Victoria Park, but of course even that had once been Barrambin, “The Windy Place”, in the language of the Turrbal people. To her left was her target, a fairly recently built building....

25 Dec 2025 · 1 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 47

Prompt Word: Excuse Minervie and Chip 35 Peter and Chip were sitting together at the breakfast table giving Mindy a bit of a headache. Peter burped, followed by “excuse me.” Then Chip burped a little longer, followed by “excuse me.” Then Peter burped longer still, “excuse me.” Both kids were snickering. Mindy decided that this wasn’t a battle she had energy for, so she picked up her coffee and went out to the parlor....

24 Dec 2025 · 1 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 46

Prompt Word: Pitch/Firm Minervie and Chip 34 Minervie said, “You’ll be staying over with Mindy and Peter for two weeks, it’s my turn to go to Queensland.” Chip replied, “What are you going to queeze-lan for?” Minervie was packing, and not being careful in her reply, “Oh, it’s a long running joke, but one of us always goes to make sure nobody sees when the pitch falls.” Chip was excited, “I want to go see the baseball game!...

23 Dec 2025 · 1 min · Gary Allen Vollink

Wandering Shop Stories 45

Prompt Word: Perfect Minervie and Chip 33 Chip came home from school, “Grandma, I, here is my grade sheet.” Minervie wondered why Chip was nervous, she took the offered paper, and nothing was wrong. Written across the margin in red ink, the word, ‘Perfect’. Minervie said, “This looks great Chip, I’m proud of you.” Chip looked confused, “Uh, what does the red word mean?” Minervie looked down with a smile, “perfect is a type of magic for regular folk, where all mistakes are so well hidden, nobody can notice....

21 Dec 2025 · 1 min · Gary Allen Vollink