MAY 2026 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments/Critiques Only) > Likes and Comments

Theme: Failure (of a machine, person, institution, whatever)

Required element: A tool

My cataract surgery went well yesterday and I can finally see again in my left eye. If you ever see a floater break off in your eye, make sure to see a rentinologist stat before a potential detachment, as happened to me last August.

That's good news, Jot! Please try to avoid a concussion for the next two years because you are susceptible after cataract surgery. I had the cataract surgery in October 2020 (during COVID lockdown) and suffered a mild concussion in October 2022 (slipped on carpet while chasing the cat and hit the side of my head against a door jam). Two days later, I saw a sudden burst of floaters, and during the next two weeks had three surgeries at the retina doctor's offices, driving myself back and forth an hour away from home each time. It was not fun. I see the retina doctor every six months now and continue to get floaters. I could get rid of them if I ate pineapple every day but unfortunately I'm allergic.

Pineapples are good for the eyes? Thought that was carrots. My balance is still good, though I'm not doing hand-stands anymore...or cat chasing :)

Yes, J.F., but you've left out a crucial part: why were you chasing the poor kitty cat? (n.b. that was a terrific story you wrote last month.)
J.F. wrote: "That's good news, Jot! Please try to avoid a concussion for the next two years because you are susceptible after cataract surgery. I had the cataract surgery in October 2020 (during COVID lockdown)..."

Justin, J.F., and Jot--glad your eyes are all doing well again/now.

Congratulations, Jot -- 'Glad you're doing better. 'Wishing you all the best.

J.F. wrote: "That's good news, Jot! Please try to avoid a concussion for the next two years because you are susceptible after cataract surgery. I had the cataract surgery in October 2020 (during COVID lockdown)..."

'Hope the situation improves, J.F. Take good care of yourself.

I think I wasn't clear about concussions. You are not more likely to have a concussion after cataract surgery but if you do have one it is more likely to cause a retinal detachment and the risk period is about two years because the eye is still healing. You may even get a "second cataract" because the scar from the first surgery slowly spreads to the point it impairs vision. I had the procedure for that in one eye last year, five years after my cataract surgery.

Jot, the bromelain enzyme in pineapples has been found to dissolve floaters but it does not otherwise improve eye health. Carrots, like you said, and sweet potatoes are good for that. Also, lots of vitamin C.

Paula, my cat at the time, Huckleberry, liked being chased around the house. What else was I to do but comply?

I'm going to have to make pineapple juice a normal morning staple, thanks

Glad you're better Jot.

Sorry to be absent from the conversation! Work just keeps getting busier and busier. Glad to hear your eye is doing better! So easy to take a sense for granted until it's impaired or gone.

Good story Tom! Pulled on my emotions!

@Jot
Glad it went well!!

Justin wrote: "Good story Tom! Pulled on my emotions!"

Thank you, Justin. 'Glad you liked it.

Well done, Carrie. Good setting and sensory POV. Right mix of feeling and techno-jargon. The techno obsolescence glitch was timely. (Reminded me a little of the misadventures of the Stanislaw Lem character Pirx.)

Not sure I completely got the ending, but good pacing.

Thanks Tom - I had to sacrifice a few lines at the end to come in under the word count. I'm in IT and if I had a nickel for every time I had to clean up technical debt because someone pushed off or didn't upload the security patches I'd be a rich woman. I think that's what I was going for. She's paying the ultimate price for someone else's laziness as they didn't install the software update on her tool which caused the false readings.

I wonder if I can enhance the ending to make that clearer and still stay within the word count.

Jot,
I noticed your direct message says today (5/21) is the last day to get in your story but I believe we still have one more day, correct?

J.F. wrote: "Jot,
I noticed your direct message says today (5/21) is the last day to get in your story but I believe we still have one more day, correct?"

That should be correct. The rules for the group say the 22nd.

Got one in. Almost missed this month because I've been so busy. I went with a story that's 100% dialogue. Better than nothing in a pinch, I suppose. I left the ending intentionally vague and hope the story is effective as its written.

Sorry, I meant to say tomorrow, given that I sent it late in the day yesterday. About 24 hours remain before I close out the contest from new stories from right now.

Have to account for Hawaii, so typically I close the contest around 6:30am EST on the 23rd.

Finally got mine in. It was inspired by a talk show host in rural Illinois, a song lyric that seemed vaguely sci fi and an exhibit at a museum years ago.

Hopefully, it came together enough to be entertaining.

Got mine in, too. Have a nice long weekend, everyone!

Chris wrote: "Got one in. Almost missed this month because I've been so busy. I went with a story that's 100% dialogue. Better than nothing in a pinch, I suppose. I left the ending intentionally vague and hope t..."

Quite effective. Tight and focused.

Greg wrote: "Finally got mine in. It was inspired by a talk show host in rural Illinois, a song lyric that seemed vaguely sci fi and an exhibit at a museum years ago.

Hopefully, it came together enough to be e..."

Quite entertaining. And, novel. Loved the closing line.

Jot wrote: "Got mine in, too. Have a nice long weekend, everyone!"

You as well, Jot.

Waiting on Chris, Carrie and any other member who would like to vote.

Happy Birthday, Justin

Sorry I missed getting my vote in---busy with finishing edit on two novels, plus some med and family issue items, etceteras of varied sorts. My vote would've been for J.F.'s story, in any case, but really all the tales were fine this month.
Carrie, your story was super, too. As for trimming it down so as to squeeze in a clarification---try for it, certainly!

Hi Jot, sending you best wishes and a speedy recovery. I’ve been away for a while so just catching up.

Paula, you have until the end of today to vote. Can I include your vote for JF? Needs to be an official vote.

Hey Rejoice, thanks for reaching out. My left eye is all healed and back to 20-25, so I am certainly happy about that. Note that as a member, you can choose to read the stories and vote as well.

Jot wrote: "Happy Birthday, Justin"

'Sorry I missed it, Justin, but - 'hope you had a Happy Birthday, and wishing you many more to come.

Jot wrote: "Paula, you have until the end of today to vote. Can I include your vote for JF? Needs to be an official vote."

Jot, I can't get onto your page (or whatever it's called) here to vote, so please consider this my official vote for JF's storyl

Got it Paula, thanks.

Congrats to Greg Krumrey, on his Nineteenth Championship of the Science Fiction Microstory Contest. Next closest championship leader is Tom and myself at only sixteen. Apparently, I have work a little harder on my stories. :)

Congratulations, Greg! Really nice story!

Yes! Loved your story Greg! Congrats!