Raven challenge 88

Today I face another Raven's Challenge.

Week's Ten Word Challenge will be:  Cute,
come with me to the Casba, bloodhound, respiration,
Facebook, Canada Geese, modern, gravity,
spider webs, sea shells

And for the mini: curiosity killed the cat, charming Victorian,
railroad tracks, tower, salt and pepper
Ten Word Challenge:

This was not what Jesse expected. It was her sister's birthday and Jesse planned a surprise visit, but she was the one surprised, with a vacant apartment. Furnishings and personal items were there, but there was no sister to greet her. Spider-webs had now adorned the furnishings, so her sister had been gone for some time. Jesse was angry with herself that she had not tried to contact her sister earlier, but Homecoming, a new boy friend, and school had kept her busy. What about her parents, they must know where she was. They had not said a thing to her when she told them she planned to visit Janet. On the dusty shelf was that cute picture of the two of them on the beach picking up sea shells with the Canada geese behind them. There was defiantly something wrong here. She called her parents, and they had not been contacted by Janet. They had sent messages to her , but felt she was just to busy to get in touch with them. Janet was a modern girl and had a computer. She was on Facebook even. Jesse listened to Janet's phone messages,"Come with me to the Casba" What was that all about? She was going to the police, and try to stress the gravity of the situation. She was hoping they could use a blood hound. Her respiration quickened as she made the call.

Mini:

Janet gave that large hug to her sister at the police station. Janet related her story to Jesse and the police. "We went sight seeing getting a way from the usual tourist places. Over the railroad tracks there was a charming Victorian home, which became a museum. It contained the most interesting exhibits. One of the exhibits was a collection of salt and pepper shakers. The exhibit of salt and pepper shakers was in the tower apart from the rest of the exhibits through a door and up a circle staircase. We knew the museum hours, but we were so engrossed that we did not hear a call that the museum was closing, and the door shut and lock. We had not paid any attention to the fact that this was their last day of the season to be open. We did notice that we were getting hungry, and the people coming to the exhibit were zero. We tried to leave but could not get out the door. We tried the small window but it was covered with a mesh, so that no one would fall out. At this point we started to panic. We were afraid that curiosity killed the cat. The museum was abandoned and so were we. I grew a year older," She laughed a nervous laugh, because her birthday came and went while she was in the tower. The police officer then spoke. " We located your car in the parking lot so we called the museum host to open it up, giving us a happy ending. There will be some changes made at the museum for safety."
"Call mom and then let's go celebrate my birthday," said Janet.

Mega:
Sandy and Bob wanted to go to The Flame for a celebration of the first year of marriage,but their plans were altered by fate. As they crossed over the railroad tracks their car stopped on it's own. The fog, and the descending dusk gave the coming night an weird feeling. Bob checked the gas tank, but it was not empty, at least the gauge said they had half a tank. He got out of the car and checked under the hood, and could not see anything wrong. Sandy tried her cell phone, after all she was a modern girl, and knew about Facebook. It didn't work.They heard the wail of the train whistle as it passed behind them. They abandoned the car and began walking up the street lighted by some dim street lights. The wind picked up and brought a chill, forcing them into each others arms for warmth. "If I was a Canada goose I would fly south, " said Bob. Back from the road was a charming Victorian house. A light was on in a room in the tower part of the home. " Let's go see if anyone is home and can give us some help,"said Bob. "Maybe when they see the gravity of our situation they will be willing." The home was an older place but not uncared for. The stairs did creek. The door had a knocker and a door bell. They used both, but no one came to the door. The evening had become darker and
Bob could not see another home nearby. He turned the doorknob opening the door, as he did they heard a voice say"Come with me to the casba"
"Cute" said Sandy.
The howl of a blood hound was then heard. Their respiration quickened, but that did not keep them from entering the hall way. "I know that curiosity killed the cat, but shall we see if we can find someone home?" Bob hollered," Is any one here?"
In the hallway was a small aquarium with sea shells lining the bottom. Sandy bent over to get a closer look , and got caught in the spider webs. She brushed them off. Down from the staircase with a slow gate came a tall gaunt man with salt and pepper hair. He was oddly dressed in a blue suit.
"May I help you?" he asked.
Bob told him the story about the car.
"Take a seat in the living room. I will take a look at the car, I was a mechanic."
The man ushered them into a pleasant room with large plush couch and chairs, well worn. Bob and Sandy took a seat on the couch, and handed the man the keys. The man took a jacket from the closet behind the aquarium, and left. It was not long before he returned.
"Car's working."
"Thank you," they said.
They gratefully drove to The Flame, but found it was not open.
Back at their home, as they entered Sandy said,"That was a most unusual evening. We didn't get the name of the man."

Raven Challenge

Today I face another Raven's Challenge.

This Week's Ten Word Challenge is: plumber, autograph,
Florence Nightengale, a chill wind’s a blowing,
watering hole, sleek, triplets, backwards, surface
tension, parrot

And for the mini: Free estimates,French fries, carpet,
Braille, silver-tongued bandit

The Watering Hole

It was chaos, in Anna's watering hole as she tried to get her three children fed and off to school. Every morning had a bit of chaos, true but this a little more than normal. The pipes broke and that would mean a call to a plumber. The turning off of the water to the kitchen made breakfast a challenge. A thanksgiving to Pop-Tarts was given. They would give more sugar than needed, but there were no bowls to clean. Juice in boxes meant there were no glasses. Anna gave an autograph to her daughters homework report on Florence Nightengale, when the surface tension came. Alex brought in the sleek family parrot Silly without the cage. Anna felt a chill wind's a blowing as the kitten triplets attacked Silly on outstretched Alex's arm, pushing him backward. Alex slipped on some water on the surface of the floor not caught with the mop. Anna's waterless watering hole was filled with feathers, fir, and swinging arms of children trying to catch the kittens and bird to bring order. The plumber arrived as the children exited for school.

Free estimates the Brody company advertised, and Anna called them to come to the house to advise her on what needed to be done to fix the pipes. Jim weaved among the children to come in as they left. He complemented Anna on her children and her home. He gave her an estimate that she could afford, and she signed a contract for the work. The contract was not in braille, she was not blind so that was not needed. Jim left and promptly came back with a work crew. Anna went to the living room and vacuumed the living room carpet. At lunch she went to a close by fast food restaurant and got a hamburger and french fries, and a soda. She placed them on the counter along with her paper game board with the game pieces in it, old and new. She was sure she had won. The crew broke for lunch, while Anna ate hers. When the crew came back, Anna went back to her house cleaning in the living room. The job was done before the children would be home for school. Anna paid the bill, and the crew left. She then looked for the game board, it was missing, taken she believed by the silver-tongued bandit who had just fixed her pipes.

Anna left no time for calm thinking, she rushed to the plumber company that advertise free estimates, Brody. She ranted on and on how they stole her game board. Jim stated he did not know what she was talking about. She received no satisfaction. She returned home and there was someone in her living room. Lance, her husband was sitting in the comfortable recliner and reading the book her son had on Florence Nightengale. He was eating in the living room, against her rules, french fries. Eating in the living room leaves the possibility of something spilling on the carpet. Anna was upset still from the game board loss, the eating of the french fries only added to her anger so Lance felt the chill wind's a blowing toward him. This is not the homecoming reception he envisioned. He could not tell Anna about his conference and what he had learned when she was in this mood. He had an autograph copy of a rare braille book, and photo's of a watering hole in Africa, with sleek cheetahs. His own triplet kittens jumped in his lap, causing the parrot Silly, now in her cage to begin her repertoire of conversation,and the recliner to slip backward. There was a lot of tension in the room, but it broke when Anna saw on the surface of the end table, next to Lance, the game board . She grabbed it seeking to see if they won $10,000. They had not but only a free drink. The plumber was not a silver-tongue bandit after all.

What Parents Do For Their Kids

My son told me about helping his oldest son with his homework. The assignment was to get impressions of deer tracks. This fell of course on a weekend with rain. In the woods they went. The rain was washing away the tracks. They walked and walked. Just as they were about to give up they {my son had all three boys} came upon a corn field. In the corn field tracks were found. Now if they had done it correct they would have had a plastic bag to mix the plaster, and make the impression so as to not make a mess. The bag was forgotten, and a mess was made as my son kept an eye out for the farmer who would get them for trespassing. The younger boys had fun playing among the corn stalks. I do not know what grade my grandson got, but he will have a memory.

The Tire

Friday morning of the day we were going to have the retreat, I found a flat tire.
the tire was fine when I drove in. Well it really wasn't, it had a large nail in it but that I didn't know. It was down to the rim. The car should have a hose to attach to the blowing up device, but the hose was missing. My car was to be used to haul items to the church. I looked for the pumps we had, I would even take a hand one, but I found only the ones used for blowing up mattresses. One of the ladies on the committee said she would come by and use her car to carry some of the items. I agreed, but meanwhile I called the Bergstrom garage. They came blew up the tire and took the car to the garage. Then patched up the tire and returned the car to me at the large cost of $16.00. Impressed? I was but they have always given me great service.

Retreat

The retreat was held on Friday Oct 2 evening and Saturday Oct 3 all day. I was spending all my time preparing for this retreat. Sweet Life Cafe was the name of the retreat. The theme was Jesus is the bread of life. We had a committee of five. The retreat came from Group and it was set up very nicely. The cost of a starter kit was $99.00. Our work came in the decorating. They also had boxes which you could purchase at $22.00 a piece, which we thought was too much for our ladies so we made our own. We also bought bags from Walmart instead of buying theirs. Their bags cost five something for each bag we got plain bags 4 for five bucks. We let the women decorate their own bag. We bought from them besides the starter kit charms and a journal for each participant.
The ladies said they had a good time. The women were divided into groups of four. This was accomplished by having the ladies pick out a mug from a display of mugs. Although the mugs were bought in groups four alike they were placed in the display away from a mug that looked like another. The ladies then found the matching cups and sat in that group.
A blessing we also had was that some men in our congregation prepared the meals and served them.
Setting up took most of Friday. We kept moving the heavy tables trying to find the best place for them. I was glad that no decision had to be made when we cleaned up after.
I am sorry I don't have pictures yet. I was too busy to take them but others did and they are going to share later.
We had a speaker also who participated with the woman. Sometimes the speaker just does her or his speech and then leaves. The speaker was Sheila Luck, she was very good. The men preparing the meal came out to listen to her. She spoke about forgiveness.
In one of the sessions I lead just before breakfast. We had a porridge which is served to refugees made of corn meal , powdered milk, and beans. This was to remind them of the need to feed the hungry. We also made up bags of pancake ingredients covered with a pretty towel including directions and a prayer. These are going to be brought to the people we do not see often because they can not get out by youth who will make and share the meal. Some of the bags with towels will go to the food pantry.
We ended with communion. I made the communion bread.

Raven's 82

Today I face another Raven's Challenge.

The words for this week's ten word challenge were: Tibetan sky, symbols, won’t you come home Bill Baily, shadow figures, brain cortex, practice makes perfect, life, start of school, lavender, chow down And for the mini: mental hospital, falling leaves, apple cider, packing crates, clues

Ten Words:

The Tibetan sky began to emerge from behind the brush as stroke after stroke was put on the canvas. Lester Frost did not work quietly, he sang "won't you come home Bill Baily" while he painted. A moon was in the sky and shadow figures of lavender. Where did the images come from? Lester did not know, or did he care if they came from the brain cortex. Painting was his life. Practice makes perfect he heard, but he did not consider his works of art practice, although he spent many hours working on the canvas. Practice is what you had to do with the math symbols. The start of school was soon and he would have to chow down and practice. Maybe he pondered he would have an art class this year.
15 words:

Mary Beth felt the sadness as she put Lester's belongings into packing crates. The paints of many hues even lavender would not go with him. He would not be able to finish the painting of a Tibetan sky. Mary Beth studied the shadow figures trying to find a clue in them of Lester's illness.
What in Lester's brain cortex pulled him from the world, where it was the start of school. He should be walking through falling leaves, chowing down on cookies, and drinking apple cider. Lester's life had taken a new turn from the working on symbols, practicing to make perfect what he learned, to a life in the mental hospital. Now silent not singing "won't you come home Bill Baily." That careless driver had ruined many lives that day.

5 words:
Seated by the mesh covered window of the mental hospital Lester watched the falling leaves. He sipped the apple cider he was just served. He then turned to observing those in the large lounge. He grew bored and returned to his room.
The room was sparse but he noticed the packing crates in the corner. He wondered if they would give him some clues to why he was not at home. He found framed pictures of Mary Beth, his sister, and of his parents , who he knew passed away. He placed them on the small table next to the single bed. That was all there was, the rest were cloths used as packing material. Then one of the cloths jarred his memory. The cloth was covered with blobs of different colored paint.
"My painting," he exclaimed.
By speaking those words he drew the caretakers to his room. He had not spoken a word while he was in the hospital. He had grown silent after witnessing a hit and run driver killing two of his classmates while they were on their way to school, the first day.
Mary Beth was excited. There was a breakthrough. Lester was speaking and interacting. She rushed to the hospital.

Confirmaton

I was so blessed by the confirmation service. The students each made a statement about their faith as part of the service. All presentations were different using their different talents. One using her art ability used the word faith drawing pictures explaining her faith. One wrote a story of a child's faith as he faced death from cancer. My granddaughter did a PowerPoint presentation using a song that expressed her faith and growth. She included pictures from her baptism. There were very few dry eyes when it finished. I think the name of the song was " I thought I knew" but I am not sure, I will have to check. The others spoke about their faith.
I am not sure yet if I am back to blogging. I was away for many reasons, caring for Pennie, VBS and planing for Sunday School. Pennie is one of two leaders. I am teaching crafts or art with another teacher., This Sunday began the Sunday School year, and St Marks begins with something called a cluster. the classes all meet together parents included. We were not going to be able to be there. This rotation is on prayer, and we have only five classes, music, art, science, games, bible learning, so cooking was decided to be used this week for the cluster. Cooking was making pretzels, one the child takes home a name to pray for with a pretzel and the child gives someone in the congregation a name and a pretzel to pray for. There would not be enough time to do the actual cooking so we decided to bake them at home. We also volunteered to do two bulletin boards. Pennie does not have a key to the church and all week she was getting home late from work. Last night was an all nighter. We made over a hundred pretzels and had two bulletin boards ready to put up, before we had to go up north.
Adding to my problem of blogging, my monitor went, and I could not get on the net if Dr. John or Pennie were on. The printing on the monitor was very blury and the letters small. I thought it was my eyes but others saw the blury letters. I could not read any blogs I tried very had but I had to give up. We moved Dr John's monitor from the old computer to the office for me to use. So maybe I will be back.