Most Recent: Vows and Loopholes – 2/25/2026 see summary below
Summary: A chipped blue plate holds memories for Ben and a lesson for his son.
Rating: K+ Word count: 1317
A Case of Comeuppance – by DJK
Summary: Little Joe and his friend decide a certain Annabel Hampton deserves a comeuppance.
Rating: K+ Word count: 3608
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
A Lesson in the Art of Appreciation – by DJK
Summary: Little Joe and his friends just wanted to see the new painting in The Red Dog saloon before the ladies of the town could have it destroyed, and all they needed was a watertight plan.
Rating: T/PG 13 Word count: 4,414
Summary: Does Adam regret returning to the Ponderosa after college? Little Joe thinks he knows the answer to that question.
Rating: K+ Word count: 1218
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
Summary: Three vignettes from the time after Inger Cartwright’s death.
Rating: K+ Word count: 2580
Adam and the Imp of Satan #1 – by DJK
Summary: It’s been five years since Abigail Warner’s first visit, and Adam’s proclamation.
Rating: T 14,820 words
Adam and the Imp of Satan #2 – The Imp, Some Demons, and a Few Short Lists – by DJK
Summary: Abigail Warner has returned, just in time for the trial.
Rating: T 19,070 words
Adam’s Lady: A Romance in Ten Glimpses – by DJK
Summary: During his last year at college, Adam falls in love with the sister of a classmate and friend. Can he convince her that she would make him a “good wife”?
rating: T/PG13 word count: 5049
And He Shall Not Depart From It – by DJK
Summary: Adam gives in to a small temptation while at college.
Rating: T Word count: 1331
Summary: When it comes to his family, Adam decides some things are more important than cattle and horses.
Written for the 2017 Advent Calendar
Rating: G – 3,750 words
Summary: A set of vignettes featuring Marie.
Rating: K+ Word count: 2211
Animals Talk at Midnight (The) – by DJK
Summary: Truth or myth, it would be wonderful if they did.
Rating: G (120 words)
Banns Having Been Read (The) – by DJK
Summary: Little Joe is engaged for the first time.
Rating: T Word Count: 8,840
Summary: This is a set of four vignettes written in response to various prompts.
Rating: K+ Word count: 2431
Ben’s Boys #2 – 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 #3 – 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: T word count: 3,600
Ben’s Boys #4 – Ben’s Boy Little Joe – by DJK
Summary: Six vignettes and a poem giving glimpses of Ben Cartwright’s youngest.
Rating: General Word count: 2412
Between First Borns #1 – by DJK
Summary: Adam has a chance meeting with Clay after Clay has left the Ponderosa. Followed by: by Step, By Half, and By Heart.
Rating: K+ Word count: 1445
Between First Borns #2 – By Step, By Half, and By Heart – by DJK
Summary: Clay sends a telegram to Adam asking him for help. This time Clay’s troubles send the entire Cartwright family down a road that could led to the destruction of Ben Cartwright’s dream or finally bring Joe’s other brother home.
Rating: T Word count: 32335
Summary: Little Joe listens and learns.
Rating: K+ Word count: 1035
Birthdays and Anniversaries – by DJK
Summary: A birthday and an anniversary bring memories.
Rating: T Word count: 541
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
Bringing Harmony into the World – by DJK
Summary: Alone at the ranch, Hop Sing and a young Little Joe assist a mare in delivering her foal. Written for the 2026 Hop Sing’s Chinese New Year Challenge. r
ating: teen word count: 2633
Summary: A broken hand and an angry Adam- Hoss isn’t having a very good day.
Rating: K+ Word count: 524
Catching ‘em Red-Handed – by DJK
Summary: Little Joe sets out to prove his innocence to Pa and his brothers.
Rated: K+ Word count: 3437
Summary: A brother can be a big help when it comes to cleaning up a mess.
Rated: K+ Word count: 7079
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 is 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.
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
Company You Keep (The) – by DJK
Summary: Sheriff Coffee has a lesson to teach Ben Cartwright’s son.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1320
Conversations Along the Trail – DJK
Summary This is a compilation of five vignettes that take place on Ben Cartwright’s trip West. They were written in response to challenges on a former website and focus on Ben and a young Adam.
Words: 2274 Rating: K+
Summary: Brothers cover for brothers. For Little Joe it is just that simple, for Adam not exactly.
Rated: K Word count: 7990
Deciding is the Hardest Thing to Do – by DJK
Summary: Was it really that easy, or did it take one last push?
Rating: G 1,090 words
Did I Hear You Mention Boston? – by DJK
Summary: One Cartwright, two Lancers, and a chance meeting equal a little crossover story.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1032
Summary: Ben and Adam face off over the doctor’s orders
Rated: K+ Word count: 887
Summary: Little Joe’s discussion lands him in trouble with his teacher and older brother.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1250
Summary: Adam cannot avoid singing a duet on Christmas Eve, and Hoss cannot avoid a damsel in distress.
rating K words: 1158
Summary: This sequel to “The Duet” has Martha Louise singing with both Adam and Hoss one fine Easter.
Rating: K+ word count: 2666
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: 4520
Summary: Hoss becomes a knight in shining armor to the daughter of a town drunk.
Rated: K+ Word count: 7913
Emily’s Sir Eric #2 – Tarnished Armor – by DJK
Summary: Hoss’s deceit tarnishes his armor in Emily’s eyes.
Rated: K+ Word count: 2843
Emily’s Sir Eric #3 – Quest on D Street – by DJK
Summary: Hoss decides to take the problem of Emily’s father into his own hands. Sequel to Tarnished Armor
Rated: T Word count: 8432
Emily’s Sir Eric #4 – Lady Emily’s Choice – by DJK
Summary: Adam provides Emily with an opportunity that may take her away from Hoss.
Rated: T Word count: 3673
Emily’s Sir Eric #5 – San Francisco Dragons – by DJK
Summary: Adam and Hoss take Emily to attend school in San Francisco.
Rated: T Word count: 9908
Summary: Little Joe’s escapade at Jack Wolf’s Place leads Adam into a serious situation.
Rated Strong T warning: mature ideas and references but no explicit content, mention of corporal punishment Word count: 8068
Summary: Three vignettes that have the Cartwright brothers dealing with feeling guilty.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1882
Summary: Even if he did take the fifty dollars, Little Joe was not really a thief.
Rated: K+ Word count: 2022
Fireworks, Friends, and Innocent Prayers – by DJK
Summary: Little Joe and friends managed to arrange “the grandest sight the town has ever seen”, and it only required a little deceit and disobeying.
This prequel was written for the 3rd Quarter 2025 Chaps & Spurs Challenge
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 5822
Summary: This is a collection of five short pieces each written in response to a specific prompt. The prompt was used to title the piece. I hope you enjoy them.
Rating: G 4,140 words
Summary: Adam learns the truth about a girl he loves.
Rated: K+ Word count: 589
Summary: Once again Adam is the fresh kid.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1131
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
Summary: Adam finds himself making a difficult decision.
Rated: K+ Word count: 732
Happy Birthday, Hoss! – by DJK
Summary: It’s Hoss’ first birthday, and Adam’s determined it will be special.
Rated: K+ Word count: 4765
Summary: A short WHN for Hoss’ loss of Margie.
Rating: K+ Word Count: 694
Summary: Hoss decides to sweeten one family’s day.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1256
High Stakes in Ragtown – by DJK
Summary: The Carwright brothers stopped in Ragtown for a bath, food, and a trip to the saloon. They picked the wrong saloon. Of course, Opal did not think so.
Rating: T/PG13 Word count: 12,217
Summary: A slice-of-life from Hop Sing’s point of view.
Rated: K Word count: 736
Summary: Adam doesn’t keep Little Joe out of trouble. A short slice of brotherly life.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1257
Summary: Little Joe knows a secret Adam would rather he did not tell.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1084
If You Lie Down with Dogs – by DJK
Summary: Adam tells a story of teenage rebellion. warning: mention of corporeal punishment.
Rated: T Word count: 4067
Summary: The longing of Christmas past memories.
Rating: G (100 words)
Summary: Little Joe and Mitch are in a hurry to grow up.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1152
Summary: Jewels can be found many places; one just has to learn to appreciate them.
Rated: K+ Word count: 535
Summary: It was just a boy’s prank, so why did it cause such a rift between brothers. This story was written for the Chaps and Spurs 2025 First Quater challenge.
Rating: K+ word count: 5279
Summary: Adam’s quick trip to the necessary results in trouble.
Rating: T Word count: 1083
Summary: Little Joe Cartwright would never cheat, well, not at anything but checkers.
Rated: K Word count: 2918
Summary: A dance, a kiss in the moonlight, and once more his brothers are tasked with saving Little Joe.
Rating: mature for references to adult themes and corporal punishment. word count: 4,454
Lady in the Shadows (The) – by DJK
Summary: Young Adam tells his new mother about the lady in the shadows.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1141
Left-Handed Holster (The) – by DJK
Summary: Little Joe has a plan, and all he needs is a left-handed holster.
Rated: K+ Word count: 6170
Summary: Selected letters from those written by Adam Stoddard Cartwright to Inger Borgstrom Cartwright, deceased
Rating: G 23,775 words
Summary: What Hoss had to say about Adam’s leaving.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1046
Summary: Young Adam hated Lila Jane for over four years, two months, and seventeen days before an accident changes their relationship.
Rating: T Word count: 41,129 Warning: corporal punishment as part of family discipline
Summary: A Cartwright lesson in responsibility and in being the boss.
Rating: K 1,185
Looking for Little Joe – by DJK
Summary: Two short stories that begin with Adam and Hoss looking for their missing brother.
Rated: K+ Word count: 2916
Summary: A young Adam has to come to terms with a second step-mother.
Rating: T+ Warning: contains corporal punishment as part of family discipline. Word count: 45,173
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
Summary: Little Joe puts his lucky number to use, but will it be able to save him from trouble with his pa? warning: references to corporeal punishment.
Rated: T 5,595
Summary: Little Joe does not understand why Roy Coffee is keeping him in jail. This story was written for the Micheal Landon Birthday Challenge 2025.
Rating: T/PG13 word count: 2306
Merry Christmas, Clementine! – by DJK
Summary: A blizzard leaves the Cartwrights with an unexpected guest for Christmas- the formidable Widow Hawkins.
rating: k+ (2,225 words)
Summary: In London, Adam receives a message from Hoss that will change his view of many things. This story was written in answer to the Michael Landon Birthday Challenge.
Rated: T Word count: 1444
Most Eligible Bachelor in Nevada (The) #1 – by DJK
Summary: “Adam is going to kill me.” A school-age Little Joe tells you why in this modern era Cartwright story. Warning: references to literal corporal punishment and figurative fratricide
Rating: teen for mature references, word count: 4584
Most Eligible Bachelor in Nevada (The) #2 – There’s Gold Diggers in Them There Hills – by DJK
Summary: A modern day Little Joe and Hoss try to save Adam from a woman they are sure is a “gold digger”.
Rating: Teen for mature references. Warning: reference to corporal punishment. word count: 11050
Mr. Adam and Them Boys – by DJK
Summary: Adam loses a bet and must take Little Joe and four friends hunting in the high country. His fears of catastrophe come true in an unexpected way. This prequel was written for the Chaps and Spurs Quarter Four Challenge. The five mandated words were: percolate, earthquake, pipeline, surgeon, amendment. Rating: teen Word count: 7423
Summary: Adam is surprised with a little night music. A story for the Halloween season.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1471
Summary: Young Adam has an encounter while out on a night ride.
Rated: T Word count: 2719
Summary: It was just an April Fool’s Day prank gone wrong.
Rating: General Word count: 897
None Were the Lovingest – by DJK
Summary: Ben and Little Joe discuss his father’s three wives.
Rated: K Word count: 658
Summary: Hoss and Little Joe started calling Adam “the old man” shortly after their father’s death. Marie regrets how much of Adam’s youth was taken when he took over running the Ponderosa and helping her raise his brothers. She decides it is time that he found a romance to make him feel young again. NOTE: In this AU it was Marie Cartwright who lived while Ben Cartwright died.
Rating: T/PG13 world count: 46,701
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.
rating T word count 3126
Red Series #1 – Little Lady in Red – by DJK
Summary: Most people would bet that one female could never lead all three of Ben Cartwright’s boys astray, but Little Joe is ready to tell how one did.
Rated: K+ Word count: 7515
Red Series #2 – Seeing Red – by DJK
Summary: Once again Red and Little Joe manage to place all three of Ben Cartwright’s sons in his bad books.
Rated: T
Red Series #3 – Rolling Up the Red Carpet – by DJK
Summary: Red once again has the Cartwright brothers plotting, but this time they join the conspiracy willingly.
Rated: K+ Word count: 9904
Relatives and Reasons – by DJK
Summary: In an effort to convince Will to stay, memories are stirred like the embers of a dying fire.
Rating: 27,050 words
Remember the Breaking #1 – by DJK
Summary: Little Joe learns the story of Adam’s first engagement.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1966
Remember the Breaking #2 – Mending the Break – by DJK
Summary: A sequel to Remember the Breaking – a story of Adam’s first engagement.
Rating: K+ 19,170 words
Summary: Little Joe remembers another side of his elder brother. Also, a bonus poem about remembering.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1196
Remembering the Barn Elf (by DJK)
Summary: Written for the 2016 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar.
Rating: K 1,390 words
Right Thing to Do (The) – by DJK
Summary: On a trip to San Francisco, the Cartwright brother become involved in fighting political corruption. This story was written for the Paddlewheel Poker challenge. Each writer was dealt a poker hand of elements to include in a story.
Rated: T Word count: 12847
Rocky Road to California – by DJK
Summary: A prequel giving insight to a family tradition during Advent, and a bargain made.
Written for the 2018 Advent Calendar
Rating: G 1,540 words
Saint Adam and the Blackburn Medal – by DJK
Summary: 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
Sally Lynn #1 – Sally Lynn, Swimming and Sweet Revenge – by DJK
Summary: A young Little Joe finds out about feminine revenge.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1212
Sally Lynn #2 – Sippin’ Whiskey and Sally Lynn – by DJK
Summary: Not all parents measure up to Ben Cartwright, and not all children measure up to Little Joe. It could have been so much worse, but the consequences put three families at odds until things are set right.
Rating: T 27,895 words
Scent of Deception (The) – by DJK
Summary: Her scent brought back memories Adam refused to share. Her arrival in Virginia City meant he would have to face them. warning: contains adult themes and references
Rated: MA Word count: 18358
Summary: Two confrontations between Ben Cartwright and his eldest son.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1219
Summary: A girl from Marie’s past has something for Little Joe.
Rated: T Word count: 1351
Summary: After leaving the Ponderosa, Adam has an enlightening encounter with someone from the past.
Rating: PG Word count: 1,999 Warning: mention of corporal punishment
Summary: Adam’s love is leaving him.
Rated: T Word count: 599
Summary: This is my contribution to the Dan Blocker Birthday Challenge. Hoss and Adam learn more than just a song.
Rated: K+ Word count: 2315
Summary: A schoolyard bet leaves Little Joe in desperate need of some Spanish gold.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1150
Summary: Adam doesn’t want anyone to know he’s picking a bouquet.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1118
Summary: A cattle drive, a stampede, and one guilty Cartwright make for a simple little tale.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1211
Summary: He only wanted to protect himself and his family.
Rating: G 2,170 words
Summary: Two brothers, one killer, and only one way to end the standoff.
Rated: T Word count: 684
Summary: Little Joe needs an anchor in the storm.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1097
Summary: Little Joe should have known pranking his father was a bad idea.
word count: 1,220 rating: PG/teen
Summary: Memories are sometimes the sweetest things of all.
Rated: K+ Word count: 538
Summary: A simple vignette about Little Joe, a girl, and a watchful big brother.
Rated: K+ Word count: 624
Summary: Oh, what fun there is on the Ponderosa at Christmas
Rating: G (110 words)
To Escape the Ponderosa – by DJK
Summary: Ben’s loss is keeping him from home until he remembers what he still has there.
Rated: K+ Word count: 1182
Summary: Joe defies, deceives, and disobeys his father all to enter the Founder’s Day Race.
Rating: T 14,070 words
To the Victors #2 – Any Horse You Can Ride, I Can Ride Faster – by DJK
Summary: The Founder’s Day Race is long over, but a question still remains.
Rating: T 7,755 words
To the Victors #3 – Girls, Guns, and Getting Grown Part 1 – by DJK
Summary: Joe’s turning sixteen, and then there’s Helen McNally.
Rating: T 11,780 words
To the Victors #4 – Girls, Guns, and Getting Grown Part 2 – by DJK
Summary: Two families unite against an unknown assailant who injured one of their own.
Rating: T 29,020
Summary: Hop Sing faces a dilemma.
Rated: T Word count: 2017
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
Summary: A lost book and a lost love leads to a moment between brothers.
Rating: G 1,090 words
Summary: While accompanying Adam on a trip to San Francisco, a young Little Joe sneaks out with their host’s daughter to see the sights.
Rated: T Word count: 10834
Ugliest Christmas Ornament – 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
Summary: Adam is determined to know why Ben Cartwright always refused his sons’ requests for a family dog. This was written for the 2026 Lorne Green’s Birthday Challenge which required the author to write a Carwright story that included a dog in honor of Lorne’s love of dogs.
Rating: teen word count : 2843
Summary: While trapped by a snowstorm, the Cartwright brothers learn a little something about each other.
Rated: T Word count: 1696
Summary: Little Joe is searching the river when the memories come.
Rated: T Word count: 2592
Summary: When Adam disciplines Little Joe, Hoss has two brothers to console. Corporal punishment warning.
Rated: T Word count: 1418
We All Need a Backup Sometimes – DJK S
Summary: 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.)
What He Wanted for Christmas – 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
What’s Keeping Them Now – by DJK
Summary: The Cartwright boys’ belles are left wondering what has happened this time.
Rated: T Word count: 1182
Summary: Years later Adam’s wheelchair from “The Triangle” comes out of the attic.
Rated: K+ Word count: 667
When the Big Man Falls – by DJK
Summary: A young girl must save Hoss’ life when he is left to die.
Rated: T Word count: 6479
Summary: A mystery to be answered in your own mind.
Rating: T 1,955 words
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.
Written for the 2019 Advent Calendar
Rating: K+ Word Count: 1,660
Wrath of the Wailing Widow (The) – 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. Written for the 2017 Michael Landon Birthday Challenge.
Rating: K+ Word Count: 4009