Dawn Mandzik

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Nov, 2019

Stories (13)

13 Stories

209 karma pts

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“Finding Change Through Thoughtful Conversation ” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #45

Finding change through thoughtful conversation, this is my story. Laytonville, California is a small town four hours north of San Francisco situated along Highway 101, twenty miles east of the Pacific Ocean. One gas station, one general store, one dentist, one video store, no traffic light. The landscape is quite beautiful, golden California hills covered with golden poppies and roaming cattle. Sometimes the landscape is covered by ocean fog or sometimes covered by snow. Sometimes the high summer heat and lack ...

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“Four Generations and Three Versions of “Clue”” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #34

It was Gran Gran’s ninetieth birthday and Grand Pop’s ninety-first birthday. They were lucky that they had the same birthday, and lucky that their family always gathered to celebrate. The year is 2051 and the place, Mendocino County, California. The entire Mandzik family had gathered for the celebration, all thirty of them. Their four children, a slew of grandchildren, and their three precious great grandchildren. A festive celebration for a festive and feisty lady. &nbsp...

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“January 25, 2020 A short walk in Brooklyn ” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #31

Robert stood, pushing aside the papers on his cramped desk in his rather cramped Brooklyn apartment. Looking towards the tiny window, which revealed just a bit of sky, he realized heavy clouds had moved in. Picking up his iPhone he checked the weather. Heavy rains to begin in an hour. He really should finish his assignment, he thought, still staring out the window, but in reality he was stumped, really stumped. Besides, they probably needed something from the store. He turned...

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““Jumping to Conclusions!”” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #29

Alice settled into the window seat as she pulled off her hat. Sighing deeply she was glad she had made the train. Thank goodness Mr. Green drove by just as her tire hit the snowy rocks causing her to crash. As she brushed herself off, he quickly picked up her bike and placed it in the back of his Suburban then hopped in the driver’s seat and raced for the train. “I’ll drop your bike at your home after work today,” he said as he sat down next to her. “I’m glad you weren’t hurt and it look...

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“Unexpected First Date” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #28

The year was 1967. The town was Northport, New York, and I was fifteen years old. It was soon to be the ‘Summer of Love’ in San Francisco and about to be just another summer in my town. Except when I remember that first date. That summer of sexuality and that first date. Remembering that summer makes me think of the “Me Too Movement” and what responsibilities women have, what part do we play? Do we inadvertently seduce the men? Do we ‘sometimes ask for it’? Ultimately the answer is no...

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“Diggory Parks A Folk Hero” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #26

Vietnam. The Vietnam War. The Protest War. It stole more people than the official body count. It stole more people than we know. My friend Diggory was one, one of the ones lost to the Protest War. But I don’t think he realized that. I don’t think he realized the toll his “low number” and his hatred of war took in his psyche. I don’t think he realized how it tore him apart and lead finally to his acrophobia and his eventual death, accidental or suicide.But that’s the end...

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“Do Resolutions Really Work?” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #25

New Year’s Day and the first day of a new decade. The roaring twenties decade. Let’s hope these next ten years are better than the ones a hundred years ago, Sarah thought rolling over in bed. Looking out the window she realized the sun was up. Stretching, she smiled to herself. The house was clean, spotlessly clean, and all the snacks and drinks were prepared. Everything was ready for their annual Resolutions Party. Not much to do but gather the paper and pens and wait for their families to arrive...

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“Magic No Magic ” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #24

“Who stole my locket?” Meg cried!The giggling and laughing suddenly stopped. The five girlfriends were in a tent in Meg’s backyard having their last sleepover before they went back to school. The last party of the summer and then they were in high school!“What makes you think someone stole it?” Sally, Meg’s best friend asked. “Because it’s missing. I had it in my purse and now it’s gone. That’s why!” Meg yelled, looking at her pals.“Oh, hold on.” The “Nancy Drew” of their group said. Let’s all calm dow...

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““CHANGE OF PLANS”” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #23

The snow started to fall. Large white flakes swirled and danced in the air. It was the end of the day, the end of a great day at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Mom had hung out at the Judah Lodge enjoying the scenery and holding the extra gear while the boys and Dad spent the day snowboarding. Carving the mountain in soft fresh powder that had fallen the night before.What a great way to start the year. And what a great way to end their winter break, Dad thought happily as ...

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““TWENTY YEARS LATER TIME FLYS”” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #22

“Hurry up, find your shoes, we are going to be late.” Sarah yelled at her twelve-year-old daughter.“Quit yelling, Sarah. No one is late it’s only seven o’clock.” Her husband countered.Sarah shot Robert a angry look as she finished wrapping her pot luck dinner dish.“Ah, mom, why can’t I go with you?” Their daughter Sally complained. “I’m old enough. I don’t want to spend another New Year’s Eve at grandma’s. She’ll just want us to eat herring and watch stupid channel seven. She always raves about Dick Clark’s New ...

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“Standing Up For The Lady” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #21

Bob headed to work. The cold December wind chilled his bones and the sky was filled with ominous clouds, a possible storm approaching. He hurried his steps anxious to get inside. Another Saturday night at the bar. Last weekend before Christmas so it shouldn’t be too crowded. Maybe just a few regulars, Bob thought with a sigh.As a San Fransisco transplant Bob often wished he worked at Finnerty’s the Irish Sports Bar just up the road. They usually had Bay Area fans. &n...

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““It’s a Wonderful Life”” by Dawn Mandzik

Alice’s tired brown eyes opened. Always the same she thought, my internal alarmclock never fails me. Sighing she knew no matter how much or how little sleep she got her eyes always opened at 6:45am.The rain pounded against the windows and the smell of coffee wafted into their bedroom. Besides hearing the rain Alice heard the soft breathing of their five-year-old twins and the sound of their cat purring as he nestled comfortably on the pillow next to hers. Robert always woke earlier to make breakfas...

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““Butterflies”” by Dawn Mandzik

Submitted to Contest #18

The well dressed elderly gentleman sat looking towards the west as the last moments of sunlight filtered through the Venetian blinds. Soon the clattering of dinner carts was heard as uniformed aides rolled them down the hallway. Right on time, Henry thought. Henry was glad he was already in the dining hall. Avoid the rush he always thought. If he could think. Butterflies in my head he reminded himself. Sometimes good days sometimes blurry days. Today was one of those blu...

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Author bio

I learned I was a lover of writing when I was in fifth grade and wrote “How The Turtle Became Hunchback And Very Story”. I feel in love with literature, especially twenty century literature, during a class at NYU in the early 70s. I have spent my career inspiring children of all ages the love of art, writing, and Socratic Seminar. The art to think and to have confidence and pride in themselves and their creations. When my children were in elementary school we wrote books with corresponding art usually based on creation myths. We also had seminars on these topics. I have four children, three grandchildren, two cats and live with my husband in Northern California.