Author: DJK
Collecting Pinecones
This is a collection of short vignettes meant to be enjoyed like chocolates from a box. Each vignette was inspired by a prompt in the form of a quote from literature. The quote and its source are used to title each vignette. Acknowledgement is given to the authors that provided inspiration and to JC for choosing the quotes for the 2024 Pinecone Challenges. Characters, topics, and genres are varied, and all questions are not answered.
Rating: T warnings: mentions of corporal punishment, adult topics word count: 11,416
Trimming the Tree (by DJK)
Summary: No one signed up for the fourth, so this day was opened to all members in the Forums to try their hand at writing poetry for the season.
Rating: G 135 words
Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
Comfort and Joy (by DJK)
Summary: Fourteen-year-old Hoss has a plan. With the help of Little Joe and Old Ned, he may just be able to surprise Pa and Adam this Christmas.
Rating: G 3,900 words
Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
What He Wanted for Christmas (by DJK)
Summary: Ben wants to indulge Adam by giving him the one present he requested, but wherever does one buy a battery for a thirteen-year-old?
Rating: G 2,325 words
Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
The Ugliest Christmas Ornament (by DJK)
Summary: Little Joe thinks an ornament is too ugly for the Cartwright tree. Adam has the opposite opinion in this slice-of-life vignette.
Rating: G 610 words
We All Need A Backup Sometimes (by DJK)
Canon refers to Ben leaving the Ponderosa for a time after Marie’s death. This story presents a possibility for how Adam managed during this time. (This is an Old Ned story.)
Conversations Along the Trail (by DJK)
This is a compilation of five vignettes that take place on Ben Cartwright’s trip West.
Rating: K+ Words: 2274
Saint Adam and The Blackburn Medal (by DJK)
Adam’s last weeks at college back East have him dealing with accolades, accusations, rivals, revenge, and possible expulsion.
Rating: Teen for mature references Word count: 7,942
No April’s Fool (by DJK)
Summary: It was just an April Fool’s Day prank gone wrong.
Rating: General Word count: 897 This was written in response to a forum challenge.
Bits and Pieces 2012 (by DJK)
This is a collection of vignettes written for some pinecone challenges in 2012. Each challenge was generated by the first line of a novel. The quote and source are used to title each piece. They have a broad range of themes, and some are AU.
Duets (by DJK)
Summary: This sequel to “The Duet” has Martha Louise singing with both Adam and Hoss one fine Easter.
Rating: K+ word count: 2666
Duets Series, link to all stories are included within.
The Duet (by DJK)
Summary: Adam cannot avoid singing a duet on Christmas Eve, and Hoss cannot avoid a damsel in distress.
rating K words: 1158
Duets Series, links to all stories included within.
Wrapping the Present (by DJK)
Summary: Summary: Pa volunteers Adam when the pastor needs someone to bring his Christmas vision to life. The result: two rebellious sons in need of some brotherly wisdom.
Rating: K+
Word Count: 1,660
From Adam’s Pen (by DJK)
Summary: Three poems in the voice of Adam Cartwright. Publish here in honor of the March Poetry Challenge though they have been individually posted elsewhere previously.
rating: k+word count: 302
A Hot Day, a Cold Lake, and a Bare Brother (by DJK)
Summary: Little Joe recounts the tale of his encounter at the lake with a not so proper lady.
Rating: Teen for adult insinuations Word count: 1598
Rocky Road to California (by DJK)
Summary: Written for the 2018 Advent Calendar, based on the quilting prompt, “Rocky Road to California”
Rating: G 1,540 words
Ole Daniel (by DJK)
Summary: Each of Ben Cartwright’s sons had a meeting with Old Daniel. Only Hoss realized the danger they faced when they did. This is my submission for the October Halloween Challenge.
rating T word count 3126
A Skeptic, A Dreamer, and A True Believer (by DJK)
Summary: A skeptic, a dreamer, and a true believer set out on a journey to find gold.
Written for the 2018 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament.
Rated: PG 8,890 words
And It Came to Pass (by DJK)
The story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 1.
Summary: When it comes to his family, Adam decides some things are more important than cattle and horses.
Rating: G – 3,750 words
The Wrath of the Wailing Widow (by DJK)
Summary: The Wailing Widow is just a local legend, but Little Joe, Mitch, and Sally Lynn may convince a certain teacher that legends do come true.
Rating: K+ Word Count: 4009
The Banns Having Been Read (by DJK)
Summary: Little Joe is engaged for the first time.
Rating: T Word Count: 8,840
Eavesdropping on Two Brothers (by DJK)
Summary: This is a compilation of ten private conversations between Adam and Hoss Cartwright from childhood through adulthood showing facets of their brotherhood.
Rating: PG (references to adult themes) Word Count: 4,520
Ben’s Boy Little Joe (by DJK)
Summary: Six vignettes and a poem giving glimpses of Ben Cartwright’s youngest.
Rating: General Word count: 2,412
Ben’s Boys Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Love Has Eyes (by DJK)
Summary: Adam didn’t lie to his father, but Marie wasn’t so sure that her stepson wouldn’t lie to her.
word count: 1407 Rating PG for references to mature subjects and corporal punishment
Ben’s Boy Hoss (by DJK)
Summary: A collection of seven short vignettes which were written in response to various prompts. Together they paint a picture of Hoss Cartwright, boy and man.
Rating: teen word count total: 3598
Ben’s Boys Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Remembering the Barn Elf (by DJK)
Summary: This story was written for the 2016 Advent Calendar Collection.
Rating: G 1,390 words
Ben’s Boy Adam (by DJK)
Summary: This is a collection of four vignettes written to various prompts.
Rating: G (2,920 words)
Ben’s Boys Series, links to stories within the series are included.
Love Comes Late (by DJK)
Summary: A young Adam has to come to terms with a second stepmother.
Rating: teen and up Warning: contains corporal punishment as part of family discipline Word count: 45,173
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