@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

She was tempted to take it and throw it into the trash unopened.
"It feels like a book," Kasseh said, from the kitchen, with her back turned. As if reading her mind, she continued, "See what it is first."
With misgivings, Cecelia unwrapped the parcel. It was an old notebook. (3/5) #wss366

When Cecelia went to sit down, she found a parcel on her seat. It was unassuming, wrapped in brown paper.
"What's this?"
"It arrived in the post for you today," Kasseh said.
Cecelia looked at it and, recognizing the handwriting, had a sudden visceral reaction. It was from her mother. (2/5) #wss366.

Cecelia entered and found Kasseh's workshop already dark. She climbed the stairs to their tiny apartment and found Kasseh setting the table.
"Did you fix dinner?" Cecelia asked. "That's a surprise."
"I finished the piece I was working on," Kasseh said, bringing out serving dishes. (1/5) #wss366

"It was the darkest of dark nights, filled with the black sounds of night creatures. Darkly they squeaked, roared, and howled according to their individual dark natures. Did I mention it was dark?"
"Well, at least I don't need to worry about toilet paper," the editor thought darkly. (3/3) #wss366

"Oh, no," he groaned. "No, no, no! Not this guy again. Does he have no #regard for propriety?"
He reached back in desperately and felt around again, but there was nothing else. Finally, heaving a huge sigh, he read the first line of the manuscript. (2/3) #wss366

The managing editor went into the bathroom, lowered his trousers, and took a seat. He reached into the shelves next to the toilet, feeling around for a magazine or catalog. Nothing. But his hand encountered something unexpected. He pulled it out. It was a nicely formatted manuscript. (1/3) #wss366

"Photographers, like other undesirables, keep very late hours." —From *The Grief of Stones*

I've been getting a lot of new sign-ups for the January 7 Straw Dog Writes Zoom writing session: https://strawdogwriters.org/event/straw-dog-writes/2026-01-07
A lot of people are making New Year's resolutions to do more #writing. If you're one of them, you're also welcome to join us!

Wandering Shop Stories turns three! We made a modest change to #wss366 this year. https://stevendbrewer.com/wandering-shop-stories-for-2026/ Thanks to all of our participants and curators. Here's to another great year!

A delightful little essay about snails (gift link): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/30/magazine/moving-abroad-snails.html?unlocked_article_code=1.BFA.vmzs.uR9NX3GIA0wQ&smid=url-share

"What'cha writin'?"
"I'm writing my first Wandering Shop Story for 2026."
"But where's the hashtag?"
"What?"
"The hashtag! You tagged #champagne, the word for today. But you didn't tag #wss366. If you don't tag that, it's not a Wandering Shop Story, it's just sparkling #microfiction!"

I made some feijoada for the new year. The sausage is local smoked kielbasa from Pekarski's in South Deerfield. #WesternMass

She took a sip. The bitters balanced against the sugar and contrasted nicely with the rye. She nodded her thanks, then looked at his glass.
"What are you having?"
He grimaced. "Just water. When someone passes… Well… It makes you think."
She raised her glass to him and took another sip. (3/3) #wss366

He pushed his way through the crowd to the counter where rows of bottles stood. Helen watched and winced when she saw he was making hers a double. He returned more carefully, mindful of the #drink.
"Here you go," he said. "An old-fashioned. Cheers!" He held up his glass to clink. (2/3) #wss366

"Hey, cousin! Let me fix you a #drink!" Mike said.
A stout man with a thick beard and a big scar on his face, Helen knew he worked as a bartender. And, as everyone knew, was a serious alcoholic. He looked unhealthy, face flushed.
"Sure, Mike," Helen said. "Just make it a small one." (1/3) #wss366

I had never realized how cringey it is when Theoden says to Eowyn, "C'mon baby, smile. You look so pretty when you smile." #LoTR

I fixed breakfast-in-bed for my waifu at 4pm today, AS ONE DOES DURING THE HOLLERDAYS.

She started to edge past Clara, looking for a place to eat.
"Here," Clara said, stepping out of the corner. "Here's a good spot."
Helen looked up surprised.
"Thanks for taking care of mom," Clara said. "We all know how much work it was."
"Thanks," Helen said. Maybe people did change. (3/3) #wss366

Well. Almost everyone. Aunt Clara stood glowering in the corner. People just didn't change.
Helen worked her way to the #buffet that had been laid on the sideboard. It was a nice spread. She picked up a few little wedges of cheese, some squares of bread, and a handful of olives. (2/3) #wss366

Helen stood by the fireplace as relatives chattered all around her. The wake was cheerful. Uncle William was telling the funny stories that always got laughs. Tomorrow, the funeral would be time enough for tears. For now, everyone still living was just happy to see kin. (1/3) #wss366