Wordzzle Saturday

If you've never played Wordzzle with us, you need to try! Raven gives us words -- a choice to use 10 (challenge), 5 (mini) or all 15 (maxi). You use them in a paragraph or really short story. Then publish them on your blog and link to Raven. If you don't have a blog, send them to restonfriendspr@gmail.com and we'll publish them for you. It is THAT simple! Get those creative juices flowing!

The words this week:

For the challenge: superlative, flea market, falling leaves, disinformation, who was that masked man?, keeping kids out of trouble, I'm a believer, bonnet in the attic, staff, generation

For the mini: deep in the forest, government, charming, heirlooms, flabbergasted

Charly:

As the hours silently passed from night to dawn, the GOVERNMENT agent wonders if all is well. His contact had not shown up at the designated time. His mind started playing tricks going in all directions as to what might have gone wrong. He had to keep his mind clear; after all they were trained for this work and there could be many reasons why his agent friend had been delayed. He was DEEP IN THE FOREST awaiting the CHARMING Abigail. She was to deliver the HEIRLOOM necklace to him. He was FLABBERGASTED when the head of the agency mentioned that Abigail had spied the missing item on one of the models at the Star Awards dinner in Aspen. Abigail was to check into the Forest Edge Hotel where the models and crew were staying. Somehow while the models were away on a night shoot, she was to enter the model's room and retrieve the missing necklace getting it to Andrew. As sunrise peeped through the aspens surrounding him, he heard the sound of an animal fast approaching his waiting place. Should he run? Should he hide deeper into the woods? No, he would remain as he was with pistol drawn awaiting the unknown. Imagine his relief when he saw Abigail riding astride her. She explained that she had to 'leave' the models' room quicker than originally planned as the model returned sooner than expected. The only way out was the window; a 5th floor window no less. The window escape had not been in her plans...she had to fight a height phobia and wait until the night grew lighter so she could nervously work her way off the ledge. The night's work was completed and another mission accomplished.

Kit:

The wise old owl - looked down from his perch,

then - into the night he flew..

Deep in the forest - landing in another tree,

where he could see - with a better view..

With piercing eyes - in this charming setting,

he spied confusion - and flashing lights..

He saw flabbergasted government agents - standing,

with hands resting ready - if they had to fight.

The agents saw - the robbers coming forward,

with hands held high - in the air..

Swiftly, the thieves said - 'here are the heirlooms,

you take them - for we don't care'..

We heard there's a curse - that's connected to them,

one of the robbers - with a shaky voice said..

We'd rather take our chances - with you,

than with the 'curse' - snakes wrapping around our head.

The old owl - swung his head back and forth,

he couldn't believe - what he'd just heard..

Apparently mankind - repeats what they hear,

and to him - that seemed absurd..

And now, old father owl says - as you go through life,

be careful of tales - that you pass along..

For one doesn't always know - what's true or false,

By keeping rumors to self - you'll never go wrong.

Blogger:

The tall good-looking man strode across the parking lot where eddies of the wind were pushing multi-colored leaves around. The crisp autumn air was vibrant with the expectation of Halloween pranks later that night. He pulled open the door to the youth center but winced as he viewed the scene. Most of the kids were playing a variety of games together on the basketball court. A few were over in a corner comparing some kind of drawings. One little girl sat alone by herself at the side of the gym. He immediately turned to the first youth center STAFF member close by. “Listen, ah. . . “ he began. The girl answered, “Tiffany. My name is Tiffany.” “Tiffany,” he began again. “I’M A BELIEVER in KEEPING KIDS OUT OF TROUBLE, but it looks as if Laila is all by herself every day. What does she do to merit that kind of separation?”

Tiffany’s face wrinkled in confusion. “She’s not in any kind of trouble Dr. Hill. She just doesn’t want to join in with the other kids so we don’t make her.”

All of a sudden the man felt a jolt against his body and looked down to see a great big smile underneath huge brown eyes. “You came! I was using my SUPERLATIVE powers of extra stinsonry perception to summon you!” He smiled, “that’s extra sensory perception Laila, and I get out of class every day at this time.” He added, “but I’m very happy to see you too.” He turned back to continue addressing the issue with Tiffany but she had already turned away to deal with another parent. Hill sighed and signed Laila out of the youth center.

As they exited to the parking lot, he asked, “Laila, you’re not very happy there each day are you?” “I’m not unhappy,” she answered, “but there are many things I need to learn and I don’t learn them being there.” “What do you think you need to learn sweetheart?” he queried.

“Well, things like how the water gets from the rain to our faucet and what makes it clean enough to drink. And how the FALLING LEAVES decide when to fall, and why grown-ups say that China isn’t a FLEA MARKET?” Laila took a breath and began to add to the list. “And why . . .”

“Whoa, let’s back up there. Learning about the water cycle is important, and I can teach you that in about 15 minutes. Or, I can take you to the water plant next week and you can learn from the experts. And if you’d like, we can visit my friend Dr. Zell who is a botanist and he can tell you all about the leaves. And I think you’re hearing people talking about a free market, not a FLEA MARKET, although . . .” he laughed, “flea market might be appropriate considering some of the so-called antiquities get sold to Americans from China!”

“But Laila,” he continued, “when you’re with the kids you’ll learn things I can’t teach you. Like how to get along with other kids in your GENERATION.”

“Oh, them” she said airily. “I don’t need them. You and your friends are my friends. I need to grow up in a hurry so I can continue my parents’ work.”

The tall man knelt down to look her in the eyes. “Honey, don’t be in such a hurry. Take your time to grow up and enjoy the ride. Now, tonight is the Halloween dress up party. Did you decide what you want to be? We can get a costume on the way home.”

“Yes! I want to be a patriot woman. I read about one named Missy Lee. She was the sister of the Lee brothers of Virginia and she wrote letters to her brothers all the time telling them not to forget that women needed freedom in their new country too! They didn’t listen to her but how would I dress like her?” Laila demanded.

“Well, let’s see. We can probably turn one of your way-too-big night gowns into a colonial dress, and I think I have a BONNET IN THE ATTIC from when my sister was growing up. But I think we’ll have to call Louisa to do your hair. Would you like that?” he asked.

“Of course! She is the one who told me about Missy Lee!” the little girl exclaimed.

“I’ll have to ask her where she got that bit of DISINFORMATION,” he smiled. Laila dimpled at him and added, “I also read that when Missy Lee’s husband died she didn’t remarry because she didn’t want to lose her property so instead she and the doctor just lived together.” Hill’s jaw dropped. “I will definitely talk to Louisa about what she’s giving you to read!”

But later that evening Dr. Hill felt he was the king of the world as he stepped through the front door of the Dean’s home with two beautiful ladies on his arms. Louisa had woven Laila’s hair into a beautiful colonial style. She herself was dressed as a very evocative Evangeline. Hill had donned his fall back costume of Torquemada. Crossing with the ladies to the punch bowl in order to get Laila a drink, he heard someone cry out, “WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN?” and turned to see his debating buddy from the political science department approaching. Dressed appropriately enough as a juggler, Lyle Simcox began tossing scarves in the air, much to Laila’s delight. This continued for a few minutes and then Louisa led the little girl off to the backyard where a fairy land of twinkle lights lit the evening.

Once Laila was safely out of earshot Lyle asked, “Have you heard the latest?”

Hill had just stuffed a cream puff in his mouth but indicated a negative by shaking his head, Lyle leaned close and whispered, “coup d’etat underway in Iran. You may be able to go back sooner than you thought.” Hill replied, “I hope so. Laila’s not adjusting well to being a typical American kid. She seems to have no desire to make friends. If she’s determined to grow up as quickly as possible it would be nice to take her back to the dig that means the most to her.”

“Why, Hill! You’re becoming positively fatherly, putting the child first!” teased Lyle.

“What else can I do? She was entrusted to me. And even if she was a brat, which she isn’t, I’d still honor her parents’ wishes. It’s the right thing to do,” he concluded.

Lyle responded, “you’re known for that. That’s why you dressing as Torquemada is such a funny costume. You’re the last of the really nice guys. Well, I’ll keep you posted. My contact at the State Department will let me know as soon as it’s safe to travel back – at least for a dig. But if you get to go back, what will you do about Louisa? She’s smitten, you know.”

Hill grimaced, “yes, I do know. She’d be the perfect research assistant and she’s amazing with Laila and she seems to know when I need a break . . . “

“But what? She’s beautiful and fit and loves to travel and knows more about computers than you’ll live long enough to learn? What’s your problem Hill? Are you just afraid?” Lyle demanded as only a friend can.

“Well, yeah,” Hill answered. “Wouldn’t you be?”

^%^%^%^%^%^

Next Week's Ten Word Challenge will be: blind panic, apartment, fleas, soap operas, cajun cooking, free and easy, legal, sangria, public school, new

Next Week's Mini Challenge words: class, calendar, keeping secrets, boring, fashion

Come play!

/kw