Author Archives: Sherri Matthews

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About Sherri Matthews

Once upon a time, Sherri emigrated from her native England to America and stayed for twenty years, raising her three children in California. Today, she lives in England's West Country with her family, shepherded by two little black cats. Always home, forever homesick.

Pumpkin Patch Americana and a Happy Halloween

The first time I set eyes on a pumpkin patch in California, I was utterly mesmerised.  This was my idea of true ‘Americana’. For me, growing up in England, pumpkins belonged to fairy tales and I had certainly never carved … Continue reading

Posted in Childhood Memories, Family Traditions, My California | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 113 Comments

Flash Fiction: No Way Out Part Four: The Grave

It’s Tuesday, flash fiction time over at Carrot Ranch, which means more of Bill here at the Summerhouse.   But before I go, can I just say a huge thank you to those of you who have shown such an … Continue reading

Posted in Flash Fiction, Photos | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 86 Comments

Writing Process Blog Meme

Some weeks months years? time ago, Tess tagged me for a Writing Process Blog Meme.   I was flattered and told her I was happy to take part, but it might take a while.  No kidding.  Thanks so much Tess, … Continue reading

Posted in Blog Hops, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 45 Comments

Cats of Croatia

When I look back over photographs of places I’ve visited, I can’t help but notice all the cat photos amongst them.   Maybe it’s because I miss my two when we’re away, or maybe it’s because I just love cats. … Continue reading

Posted in CATalogue, Travel, Weekly Pet Challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , | 85 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Refraction

The theme for this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge is ‘Refraction’.  Over at the Daily Post, Kevin asks: ‘For this photo challenge, show us what “refraction” means to you. It could be an image taken in a reflective surface, it could … Continue reading

Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Flash Fiction: No Way Out Part Three: Godsend

So, do I carry on with my story about Bill? For this week’s flash prompt, Charli asks us this: ‘In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that has an expectation met or missed. It can be an … Continue reading

Posted in Flash Fiction | Tagged , | 65 Comments

Crazy Alien: Bite-Size Memoir

Whenever I think of anything to do with immigration, I get a shiver of crazy. My first brush with American immigration happened when I turned up alone at Dulles International Airport newly arrived from London. It was 1980, my boyfriend … Continue reading

Posted in Bite Size Memoir, Memoir, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 92 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Dreamy

There is a certain curve of a well-traveled road that even now occasionally fills my dreams. Years go by and I forget all about it, but then it appears again, and always strangely comforting. Four years ago while driving through … Continue reading

Posted in Creative Writing, Travel, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 84 Comments

Flash Fiction: No Way Out Part Two: The Yellow Boat

Last week, I wrote No Way Out in response to Charli’s Facing Fear prompt. Some of you asked if I was going to continue this story but at the time, I wrote it as a complete 99 word flash with … Continue reading

Posted in Flash Fiction, Writing | Tagged , , | 69 Comments

A Sign Of Things To Come

This week’s Weekly Photo Challenge prompt is ‘Signs’. WordPress kindly let me know that Girl In A Pale Blue Dress was my 200th post, a good sign that I’m still managing to blog away. Then I thought of the plight … Continue reading

Posted in Family Memoirs, My California, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 86 Comments