Backyard Hunting

A chill was in the air and a carpet of soggy leaves strewn across the lawn muffled the sound of footsteps.  A black nose brushed the ground inhaling hidden scents of scurrying critters.

A pause.  Still as a statue the canine studied the ground, head cocked one way then the other, listening to the furtive movements.

A swift pounce and the inquisitive nose was thrust into the dirt rooting for the delectable morsel.

Not quick enough the four footed hunter raised a dirt covered face to study the ground again, sniffing and listening for the location of the escaped prey.

Life Happens

For the past few weeks I have been taking care of my baby granddaughter four days a week, from six in the morning until six in the evening.  I enjoy my time with her very much, even though the long days leave me wore out and unable to focus on much beyond making dinner in the evening.  It makes posting with any regularity a bit more challenging, but, hey, what's living if you aren't being challenged in some way?

Challenges can be very inspiring.  They allow me to use my problem solving skills, to evaluate my priorities, focusing on the ones that truly matter and to be more efficient in getting things accomplished.  Yes, that's the spirit, focus on the bright, positive side of these bumps in the road, cherishing the opportunity to grow.

I will be taking care of the little one for a few more weeks before her parents whisk her away to a child care provider closer to her mom's workplace.  I will miss her when the time comes, for having her with me has given me more than I imagined, as does every time I get the opportunity to care for any of my children's children.

I'll be writing.  

The Inheritance (7.5)

A gentle breeze swept through the park playfully setting the leaves on the oak trees to dance, twinkling in the morning sunlight as the two women made their way toward the boat landing.  Lilly felt the soft touches of air on her face, ruffling a strand of hair hanging free of her ponytail along the side of her cheek.  The beginning of a warning formed in back of her mind, flickering in and out of awareness with the wayward traces of wind winding through the trees.  She looked back over her shoulder at her oldest sitting at one of the picnic tables keeping an eye on her siblings and cousins before turning back to watch where they were going. 

Her sister walked a step in front of her, her head high as if she were a queen out for a stroll among her subjects.  Lilly frowned.  She didn’t remember her sister being so confident, so sure of herself.  Granted ten years apart and anything could be different about the family she left behind, and yet, this morning her sister seemed even more unlike she remembered her being when they were last together than she had last night.  In a way she felt she was watching a video of herself strolling in this very same park as a teenager more than forty years ago. 

Overhead a lone white cloud moved between the earth and the sun sending a shadow sweeping across the park, cooling the air for a brief moment before moving on and the warmth of sunlight bathed the park again.  They arrived at the landing just as Tom was parking the Yukon and now empty trailer.  By the beach Lily could see Brad standing with a rope in his hand tethering him to the floating craft now resting in its element.

To Be Continued... 

The Baby

Pick up the baby, feed the baby, change the baby, rock the baby and gently lay her in her crib.

Pick up the baby, play with the baby, feed the baby, change the baby, rock the baby and gently lay her in her crib.

Pick up the baby, play with the baby, feed the baby, change the baby, read to the baby, rock the baby and gently lay her in her crib.

Watch with wonder as she grows into toddlerhood, zooms through childhood, transitions through adolescence to adulthood and gently closes the door as she steps out into the world.

The Inheritance (7)

Lisa spotted a group of three empty picnic tables under a couple of trees at the edge of the sandy beach.  She made here way over to them and set her tote down on top of one.

“This is a nice spot.  Not too far from the boat landing and right next to the beach.  What do you think?”

Lily looked around at the park like expanse of lawn and trees covering the area between the steps they came down and the start of the sand while she too set her things on the table.  She felt an uneasiness creeping up her spine as she realized this was the place where their parents had last been seen alive.

“Looks okay to me.”  Lily said.  “Any particular reason you chose this lake?”

“No, not really.  The water here is the clearest water in the area and with good amenities and being able to run the boat for tubing or waterskiing, I thought it was the best choice.”  Lisa said evasively.  “Let’s get these tables arranged so we have an area staked out big enough for all of us.  If we move this table next to this tree and that one next to the other tree we can put the third one at the end between them, opposite the permanent grill.  I think that will put the most shade on the tables and let us spread out a bit.”

Together, with the help of Lily’s oldest, they rearranged everything to Lisa’s satisfaction before heading over to the boat landing to finish unloading the coolers and lawn chairs from the vehicles.  The younger children, eager to check out the water, tugged on their mothers, pleading with their eyes to be given permission to head down to the shoreline. 

“In a bit.”  Lisa said smiling down at her nine-year-old daughter.  “Let’s get the rest of the stuff out of the car and settled before we play.” 

To Be Continued...

Time To Write

Time to write another story and the mind is blank.  Or rather the mind is filled with fragmented thoughts and images weaving in and out, not combining in any recognizable shape, like little sparrows giving wing when a falcon lands in their midst, they scatter and whoosh are gone settling out of sight in the brush.

A faint rustling, a twitch of a leaf covered stem and the tiny puff of feathers seeking freedom from the bird of prey falls victim to the snake concealed among the foliage.

Such is the way of life and the crafting of a story!

Timing Is Everything

“Aagg, I am so bored!  It’s the same thing day after day.  Nothing exciting happens around here.”

“What did you expect working in an office?  Magic spells?  Trolls?  Knights in shining armor?”

Sissy shrugged.

“Naaw, well, maybe, I don’t know.  I just thought my life would be, well, more adventurous than this.”  Sissy said indicating the Excel spreadsheet displayed on her computer screen.  “Maybe I need a break.  Want to grab a cup of coffee?”

“Sure.”

As the two walked away there was a flicker on the screen and the words, seeking an adventurer, appeared in the instant message box.