Category: Humor
“I Was Hot” (by BettyHT)
Summary: This is a prequel in which Marie’s grand gala for the ladies of the area is interrupted by a son in a most shocking way as two other sons cavort elsewhere. The family has to pull together to fix this mess.
Rating: PG Word count: 1470
The Ones Who Left (by Tavia42)
Summary: After two years away from the Ponderosa, Candy finds work at a traveling carnival, only to encounter the familiar face of a man he’s never met. Set between Seasons 13 and 14.
Rating: G Word Count: 8,785
The Thousandth-and-First Time (by Patina)
Summary: Joe, poker, and Adam’s guitar. What could go wrong?
Rating: G Word count: 2,731
Unfortunate Goings-On (by Tavia42)
Summary: Joe and Hoss meant well. They always do. But somehow they find themselves falling into a series of misadventures, and getting out of one only lands them in another. This story is a compilation of 2025 Pinecone Challenges, which form an ongoing narrative – thank you to AC1830 for so many wonderful prompts!
Rating: G | Word Count: 6,042
The Second Honeymoon (By MelissaR1992)
Summary: Joe and his wife, Alice, take a second honeymoon trip to New Orleans where they get mixed up with a couple of jewel thieves and their only hope is a clumsy, down-on-his-luck, detective.
Rating: PG Word Count: 16,010
Part of the Forever Reimagined series, links to all stories included within.
Timber! (by DJK)
Summary: Oh, what fun there is on the Ponderosa at Christmas
Rating: G (110 words)
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
Winter Blues (by AC1830)
Summary: There are times, when Christmastime isn’t so joyous.
Rating: G (220 words)
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
Someday Soon (by Wrangler)
Summary: Sorting through a box of mementos, Ben finds a gift Little Joe made when he was five and recalls how it helped the Cartwrights through their first Christmas without Marie.
Rating T, WC 12,520
The Twelve Trees of Christmas (by Tavia42)
Summary: Joe and Hoss form Cartwright Brothers’ Christmas Trees, selling trees to familiar faces all over Virginia City.
Rating: G | Word Count: 4,133
Written for the 2025 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
The Truth Be Told (by Wrangler)
Summary: There’s trouble brewing when Pa accuses his youngest of coming home drunk on several occasions but Little Joe insists he’s innocent. The truth proves to be unpredictable. Rating T, WC 13,401
Hellbent, Population – 98 (by Wrangler)
Summary: On a layover in the town of Hellbent, Ben and Joe find out that there are ghosts in ghost towns. Now they recount their story to Hoss and hope he believes them. Rating T WC 16,326
Saucy Sally Picks a Pocket (by CareBear)
Summary: Saucy Sally has a birthday wish that will take a fortune to fulfill. How does she solve this problem? By picking some pockets of course! Written in answer to the 2025 Brandaversary R-Rated Story challenge.
Rating: MA/R (language, sexual situations & descriptions)
Word Count: 13,039
Tales of the Cartwright Zone — “Brothers Family Feud” (by JC)
Summary: Following the success of their appearance on The Dating Game, the Cartwright Brothers take on the Bolt Brothers of Seattle in the Virginia City premier of a new game show. (A Bonanza/Here Come the Brides crossover)
Rating: T Word Count:1975
A Rare Courtship (by Tavia42)
Summary: Hoss and Joe become convinced that their father intends to marry the Widow Hawkins – and that it’s up to them to save him from this terrible fate. A “What Happened Later” for “The Burma Rarity.” Written for the 2025 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament.
Rating: PG | Word Count: 8,040
If at First You Don’t Succeed; or, A Lesson in the Cartwright Way (by JC)
Summary: There are a few simple rules for growing up Cartwright: 1. Never underestimate your father. 2. Don’t forget the first rule.
Rating: K Word Count: 1195
