Vernon poked at the colourful wreckage that covered a large area of their paddock in New Mexico. “Dad, whadya reckon this is?”
“Dunno. Gather it up. We’ll take it to the Sheriff.” They bundled the bright rubber strips, tinfoil, sticks and paper and drove them to Roswell.
Sherriff Wilcox scratched his head before passing it to Colonel Blanchard who passed it on to his superior in Texas. Marcel, sent to examine the paddock knew it was their high altitude spy balloon that would warn of Russian nuclear testing.
1947 – a time of paranoia – he said “We have found a UFO.”
In response to Charli’s prompt where she asks:
March 8, 2018, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that features a balloon. It can be a party balloon or a hot air balloon. How does it add to your story? Go where the prompt leads.
Respond by March 13, 2018, to be included in the compilation (published March 14). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
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About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Aha!
Isn’t it something, the technology. Back then a balloon contraption alongside nuclear weapons.
What would we call gunpowder if it had never been put in guns and was only for fireworks?
Interesting take; New Mexico was a hotbed for UFO’s back in the day.
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And the world was paranoid about everything. Yes technology continues to advance but sometimes old methods hold their value.
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A lovely take on the prompt, Irene.
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Thanks Robbie.
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Unique historical take Irene.
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Thanks.
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New Mexico still embraces its UFO heritage. Even the Navajo and Pueblos talk of “skinwalkers.” But not balloons! I like your twist on the paranoia — better to get people to think it was a UFO and not a spy balloon in the Cold War.
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Absolutely. I believe that a huge tourism industry has flourished from these events.
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Really enjoyed. Captivated!
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Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
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It’s an interesting and inventive angle, Irene, like many UFO stories. Well done.
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