Thank you to the lovely Charli Mills at Carrot Ranch for all she does for the literary community. <3
The flash fiction prompt this week made me think of my mother-in-law Mary who is holding on to being fiercely independent as long as she possibly can. She is now the ripe old age of ninety four! She always tidies everything up before the carer sets foot in the house and her favourite phrase is: That’s that job done!
Tea and Biscuits With The Carer
“That’s the blueberries washed!” she said with a smile.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Put the kettle on,” she said.
“Don’t you want to leave anything for the carer to do?”
She didn’t answer, instead she said, “Get the pavlova and cream. Mini ones in the cupboard over there.”
I opened the tin and arranged them on a large plate.
“What time’s she coming?”
“Now! Better wipe the table,” she said.
The carer bustled in.



I love this one!!
Ah thank you Darlene. This is so my MIL. She loves to clean, and iron! Never been a cook though. Still independent at 94, what a woman!
Something to aspire to!
Yes, her and my dad must be doing something right. They are both in their 90’s, just hope I inherit some of that gene from my dad. My mum is a lot younger, still a youngster at 78! Lol.
Wow, 94! That’s awesome. Terrific flash fiction MJ, and all the best to your mother-in-law 🙂
Ah thank you Christy. Yes she is a spirited lady!
So lovely N
Marje🌹🕷️🕷️🕷️
This reminds me so much of my Niece who tidies up the house before her cleaner arrives. No wonder the cleaner spends most of her time drinking tea and eating all their biscuits.
I have an aunt who is 92, and she sounds very much like your mother-in-law, Marje.
Ha ha! Yes I’m sure Mary’s carers and your niece’s cleaner enjoy their respite when they arrive Hugh Though Mary did have to allow them to ‘care’ for her when she had a fall earlier in the year.
None the less, Mary sounds a strong and independant lady, Marje. Good for her.
Yes, she is such a character! Lol.
I love that she takes such good care of the carer. Fun flash!
Yes, she’s a character. And no doubt the carers deserve a cup of tea and a rest during their day.
Independence and staying active is a good thing for elderly people. My mom isn’t as old as this but is very active for 82.
Yes my mum’s the same. She’s always helping her ‘elderly’ neighbours, forgetting she is getting older too!
This sounds like my great-grandmother. Even in the nursing home, she tried to tidy everything up on her own.