WRITING:

The soft drizzle fell on his shoulders, making his t-shirt damp, like he was sweating.  It’s an uncomfortable feeling but he needs to get this rosebush planted before his wife comes home.  He should have done this ages ago, now here he is at the end of the day doing manual labor, something he absolutely hates.

He stepped on the rim of the shovel forcing it deeper into the moist rich brown soil.  It came up in clumps.  He didn’t know if that was good or bad, but the hole was getting deeper so it must be good.  Time is of the essence.  Sweat broke out on his brow.  “This is harder than I thought…who was it that told me there was nothing to it?”  He paused a brief moment to contemplate the origin of the comment.  “Oh yeh,” he said silently, continuing to shovel, "it was the guy at the botanical garden in Eden Park.  Sure easy enough for him….hie’s not out here in the drizzling ran,” The rain was comes down a bit harder now.

“Unh, “ one shovel of dirt flew to the side, “unh,” another shovel full.  He stopped for a moment and rested on the handle and peered into the gaping hole.  “That’s much better he said, almost there.  “Unh, unh, unh,” he grunted as he threw the dirt to the side.

“Ping.”  He stopped shoveling.  He raised the shovel  to tap it, water is pouring in, the color of hot chocolate.  He did it again, “ping,”  and again,  “ping.  Down on his knees he went, the rain now pouring down and into his eyes.  With his hand he reached into the small abyss and swished the water aside.  “Hmm, he said upon discovery, “there’s a metal box down there."

Bane
BY Steven Atwood
Sci-Fi Adventure
Steven Atwood likes to write and the idea of telling stories that have some meaning.  



Bane is a weapon of mass destruction that in the wrong hands can destroy a planets very existence.

The reader is immediately drawn into the story by the tensions that exist between two characters, Baasar Raad, a military leader and Lizzy Pollard who is captain of a research vessel. They both have their own ideas or agendas how the weapon can be used. Raad uses force and immediately kills Lizzy but not before she got a message off as to what is about to happen.

The writer creates a believable setting by painting word pictures in his descriptions. He uses clear dialogue, the characters have many human frailties. The story is not overloaded with characters so it's easy to keep up with them. Each titled section leads the reader further into the drama taking place.  The weapon is seized and the climax continues to build.  A show down occurs between the two factions.

Atwood uses technical terms that are explained and therefore do not cause the reader to pause and question what he is trying to convey. 

The story follows a chronological order(the reader knows exactly what to expect in each section) which builds and leads  to a climactic ending.

I don't read a lot of sci-fi adventure stories, but I would recommend this to my friends and book club members.  I think it would also be a good movie for the Sci-Fi Channel.
NOTE:  As a reviewer of this book, I am eligible for a free copy. Thank you.

Buried Secrets
By Gary Cecil
Gary Cecil is experienced in writing horror and suspense short stories and novels.


Buried Secrets is about a couple Max and his pregnant wife Megan who have  purchased a Victorian house and have officially moved in.  They're ready to settle down when strange things begin to happen immediately.  That night the wife notices a foul order and  is unable to determine where it is coming from, there's also a visit from a rodent who is found under the covers, the next morning it is found dead on the rug, sliced open. Cecil has set the tone for a mystery horror story and has used the elements of surprise, with clarity he describes the events that are occurring. The reader has a strong sense of the atmosphere in which they find themselves.  He holds the readers attention by continuing to build the suspense adding detail as the story quickly progresses.  The tension builds when they encounter a creature whose description can only be qualified as horrifying and gross, they kill it, or so they think.  The lights go out and the couple makes a trip to the basement in the dark where further surprises await them behind a hidden door.  The ending will have the reader asking for more.  He used all of the elements necessary for a good story, and has fulfilled his goal brilliantly with Buried Secrets.  I will recommend this book to my book club.

Two people in the back of a cab who don't like each other...

Dari sat in the back of the cab with Minna.   Both fuming with anger...The rain poured down strumming a steady beat on the roof.  Both soaked to the gills, with wet hair plastered to their faces.  The cab driver looked in the rear view mirror at the two women.  Both pouting like spoiled children. Through steamed windows, he eased into the traffic carefully, when suddenly another cab nearly rammed into them.  Both ladies thrown forward, screamed at the sudden jolt which seemed o bring them to their senses.

"It's all your fault," accused Dari, sending darts with her eyes, spittle from her mouth.

"Will you please not spit on me when you talk," said Minna beligerently, wiping the spittle from her already rain drenched face.  "And, Missy, it was not my fault that you got us fired.  Your idea of a presentation was lousy.  What's wrong with you?  I know there's no love lost between us, but  c'omon."

"You're absolutely correct in your assesment, I don't like you, never have, never will.  You didn't help matters, you were late to the meeting, that's why I had to wing it...you had ALL of the information," she shouted back at her, moving closer and in her face.

"Ladies, ladies, came the fervent plea from the cabby.  "Must you act in this manner," he said in his lilting african voice.

They looked at him and disbelief, and said in unison..."Let me off at the next corner!"

Carlos discovered _____ [fill in the blank] under a pile of shoes in the back of his grandmother's closet.

Searching the house from top to bottom was an exacting  ordeal for Carlos, more than he had wanted to take on, but one that had to be done.  He had to be thorough in his search  for  the missing  items listed in his father's will.  Not knowing where to begin, he stood frozen by the enormity of what was before him, "this house is huge," he thought, it'll take me weeks of digging and probing."  He held his hand to his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.  "I need help, but who can I trust."  

Suddenly, his cell phone rang, jangling in his pocket, he hated that sensation, it always set him n edge.  He grabbed the phone.  "Hello," he said a bit irriated.  

"Carlos," said a familiar  voice.

"Maria, hi," he said trying to appear chipper.

"Hows, it going?  Have you begun your search?"   Maria was one of the few people who knew that his lawyer had sent him on a mission to locate the missing documents and items.  "Well," he sighed heavily, taking a deep breath.  " I'm just beginning, and frankly," he said as he looked about him, "I don't know where to begin..."  The room was shrouded in white sheets, even the crystal chandalier hanging overhead was shrouded as well.  A room full of ghosts standing sentinel.  He shuddered at the thought of fourteen rooms of this.

"Listen Carlos," said Maria, getting his attention.  "What say I come over there tomorrow, and make a plan of attack.  Actually we can kill two birds with one stone.  We'll begin the process of weeding things out for the estate sale, and we'll hopefully locate the items you need.  Whatya think? she asked sounding positive as if this would be the easiest task ever.

Carlos appreciated Maria's enthusiasm,  her sweet personality, beauty and charm,  with her on his side, he felt like he could conquer any task set before him.  They would soon be married and he would have her support for a life time.  He is a lucky man and he knows it.  They made a good team.

"Actually," he said drawing in his breath, "that would be wonderful.  This is all s overwhelming for me.  I didn't expect him to die so soon after my mom.  I feel stuck, orphaned,  and full of grief and remorse that I wasn't here for him..."

"I understand Carlos, what you're feel is all part of the grieving process.  You go through it, don't rush, just take your time.  You know I'm here for you."  She could see him there in her minds eye, tall, handsome, with his dark brooding features, feeling lost and alone.  "I'll fly out and meeting you at the airport tomorrow afternoon.  Pick me up"

"Yeh, sure, it'll be good to see you, I miss you.  We'll stay my hotel.  I don't want to be here at the house, not right now anyway."

"I'll see you tomorrow, try not to worry, we'll get through this together."

He ended the call feeling relieved that the calvary is on the way.

1.All of a sudden, the cubicle wall fell in on him.

2.As the bus started to pull away, he looked out the window and watched his mother faint.

1.  The elevator rattled its way up to the thirtieth floor.  Everyone inside stood in silence with the terror of the moment permanently etched on their faces.  The tremor struck just as the elevator doors closed.  The overcrowded elevator sluggishly rose higher and higher, gaining momentum, swinging back and forth.  The horror of the situation was evident to the passengers.  This was the express elevator, there was no stopping in between.  They would have to ride it out, praying they would not plummet t o their death.  The floor numbers ticked by in rapid succession. 20, 21, 22,23, not long before the doors would  finally open and they could disembark this death trap, a steel coffin.  At long last and with a deep breath, the door opened as the bell pinged announcing their arrival, Avery's co-workers quickly exited and ran into the office.  No sooner had Avery sat down in his chair, relieved, he closed his eyes as if in prayer, and breathed a sigh of relief, when all of a sudden, the cubicle wall fell in on

him.  "Wlhat the ...."he uttered in total disbelief.

2,

As the bus started to pull away, he looked out the window and watched his mother faint.

2.  Avery,  along with his mother and father, drove in silence for miles before they reached  the bus station.  Alma, his mother, in her blue flowered house dress, sturdy oxford shoes, and her freshly permed  and died black hair, sat in the front seat of the car with tears silently streaking her freshly  applied makeup.  "I must look a sight," she mumbled into her handkerchief.  \\

"Now honey, said my father, "we've known for some time now that he would leave soon."  His father Ben was a strong and practical man.  He took life at fce value.  When he son had enlisted, it was only natural that he would be called for duty soon after.  He tried to  comfort his wife who had been in tears for a number of days.  "H oney, if you keep this up, you're bound to make yourself sick," he looked at her with concern.  She nodded her head, "I know.  I know," she said as she blew her nose int the already soaked handkerchief

Avery  watched his father and mother in the front seat of the car.  Good parents, they had always shown him a great deal of love.  He felt sad too that he was leaving for duty, and he was scared too.  He was fighting a war that he didn't fully understand, but he was bound t servve.  Promises to wrie and call when he could were made.  

The  bus, fully loaded with passengers pulled away, he waved  his mother and father good bye, forlorn looks in their eyes mad him sad.  Looking out of the window, he blew his mother a kiss as he had done as a little boy.  A weak smile crossed his mother's face and as he watched his father grab her arm, she fell t the ground.  

#1:

Avery's friends all said he was one lucky bloke.  He won the Irish Sweepstakes along with several other winners.  All, now millionaires.  He couldn't believe his good fortune.  

He had made all of the necessary arrangements and the money would be deposited into his once meager bank account.  All taxes had been paid and his money was now free and clear.  He would never have t work again in his life if he played his cards right.  And that was the problem.  Gambling.  His worst fear is that he will gamble and lose every penny.  It caused him sleepless nights as he tossed and turned in his single bed.  He lived like a pauper.  Looking around his one room apartment he realized he no longer had t live in this hovel. Dirty clothes strewn  over chairs and on the floor, the small sink full of dishes, the table a mess with newspapers and rubble.  

He looked at the dingy window that announced the break of day.  A new day, a new beginning.  "A new start," he mumbled.  Never one for making plans, life had always dictated what he would do, and where he would go.  Now he had a chance, a real shot a life unlike he had ever known.  He  had always been so poor, pathetically so. "Where do I begin?  Who can I trust to help me find my way?"

In the corner stood a new black briefcase with brass locks that seemed to glow in the modest light.  It was full of money.  Rising slowly from the bed, it creaked and groaned as he stood.  Moving slowly toward the case, afraid it might be a dream and disappear, he tiptoed to the corner.  Once he had the case, he stroked the expensive leather like a cat.  The smell of the fine leather rose up into his nostrils.  Sitting on a stool he opened the case and looked at the money, more than $25,000, just to get him started, more than he needed.

"I know, I'm going to drive to the lake where I 'll make my plans.  He drove the several miles to the lake where he sat on a bench facing the bridge.  Ducks quacked and made a racket but it was peaceful as he felt the breeze from the woods that surrounded the lake.  He raised his face to the sun for warmth, the case lay on his lap.  He held it with both hands.  Looking at the case for an answer, he sprang to his feet and ran across the bridge.  He had his answer.  "I'm going t the HorseShoe Casin...I'll double my money for sure.  That's it, that's what I'll do.  Excited about his decision he drove the distance in a trance and found himself standing before the poker table, then the roulette table, placing bets and losing money by the handsfull.

#2

The corpse came into the funeral directly from the crime scene.  The body still had handcuffs on it.  What a waste, why hadn't they removed the cuffs.  Avery was new at being a mortician and thought the cuffs were at this stage inhumane, what could the decease do now?  How undignified it looked.  At least in death everyone, even criminas were t be treated with the respect due them as a human being.  At least that it what they stressed in Mortician School.  He adhered t everything he had learned.  He intended t run an upright place for souls to begin thieir journey, find peace and rest.  T some that might seem morbid, but not to lAvery.

Making himself busy, he removed the handcuffs, rigor was beginning t set in, making removal a bit difficult, but he managed.  He tried to be a gentle as possible.  Usually they tucked the information in the body bag with the corpse, but not this time.  Avery searched around and under to body searching fo the file containing the information he would need to process the body,  "Damn," he said to no one in particular.  It was just him and the body tday.  His assistant was off on vacation.  Had the file beeen lost at the deserted building where the body was found in the courtyard...he'd have to call the police or go in search of the missing file himself.

He pulled the photo album off the bookshelf and found it empty.

The house was quiet.  Empty.  His mother gone, and now his father. Nothing or no one stirred.  Avery looked about, the memories, so many memories a dose of happiness and also filled with sorrow and pain, of a life now gone.   He stood in the middle of the living room for a moment and recalled being a precoscious kid  lying on the floor and watching the Lone Ranger, brandishing his own toy gun.  "Bang. Bang. Bang"  he thought silently.  He smiled.  Innocence.

He moved forward into the room which seemed to close in on him. The sound of his steps heavy. Thud, thud. The only signs of life. His tall frame and bulk taking up space, he scanned the bookshelves,  filled with fantasy, science, and his mother's love stories.  She loved her Harlequin Romance novels and Reader's Digest's, she would sit for hours in the bay window in the old rocking chair with a cup of tea and a book.

The journey today and his mission is to find pictures, something he could hang on to.  Proof of life.  His father was an avid photographer who spent hours and hours in his dark room in the basement where he developed his own pictures.  "Where had all of those photos gotten to," he mused.  On the bottom shelf sat an album.  He felt relief and joy, as if he had found a hidden treasure.  Reaching for the album, his bones creaked and popped, he wiped the dust from the book sending a powdery display into the air. He pulled the photo album off the bookshelf and found it empty.

"It had been years since he had felt butterflies in his stomach..."


Avery sat on his veranda watching the brilliant sun setting in the west behind the mountains.  The sky was streaked with pinks, blue, gray and orange.  The colorful pallet magnificent in its splendor.  He pulled his electronic cigarette from his shirt pocket and began to puff away, the vapor disappearing in the air as he relaxed his long lean body into the adirondak chair he had recently purchased from the local WalMart.  His thoughts turned to JC, he could smell her perfume on his shirt.  Remembering their conversation,  how she stood tall before him, shapely in jeans, a white t-top, her smooth brown skin and the face of an angel, memories of the day stirred him.  He closed his eyes and relived the moment.

"JC, where are we going with this relationship?" he asked, his voice husky. He dreamed of her and he knew in his heart he wanted more, more time with her, more everything.  He needed to know.  Soft jazz filled the room, the aroma of the meal they would share filled the air around them.

The question caught her off guard and she looked at him .and smiled, her brown eyes sparkling brightly. As they stood in the middle of the kitchen, a silence fell, the only noise the sizzle of the steak on the grill.  Snapping back as if in a dream, she asked, as she pushed her dark curls from her face., "Where did that come from?"  Holding the wine class in her hand was the only thing that made this moment real.  She wanted a relationship with him, not just one night stands here and there for convenience sake.  .She had been waiting for such a moment.

"Avery.  I'mmm," she stuttered and regained her composure.  She decided to bite the bullet and tell him how she felt.  Closing the distance between them, she sat her wine glass on the island, and reached out to embrace him.  She looked at him and ran her fingers through his dark curly hair sprinkled with gray, his heavy brows and lashes that outlined his deep set expressive eyes, offset by his smooth olive colored skin.  "He loves me," she thought, and kissed him passionately on the lips. " Avery. Avery," she moaned softly as she leaned in to him. This was her answer, he knew at that moment that she wanted what he wanted, what they both needed.

He held her around the waist and drew her closer, it had been years since he had felt butterflies in his stomach.

THERE’S A LION IN MY BACKYARD

By Karen J. Williams

“911,” said the operator in a sing-song fashion,  “What is the nature of your emergency?”

Gripping the receiver in her sweating palm, Ruanne, feeling scared and nervous said loudly, “there’s a lion in my backyard.”  She paced around the brightly colored yellow kitchen as far as the extension would allow her. 

The operator, taken aback, repeated her question.  “Ma’am,  did you say there is a lion in your back yard?”

“Yes. Yes, “ said Ruanne, continuing to pace and peering out of her kitchen window from what she considered a safe distance from the big cat lurking in her flower beds, and trampling her garden with his big paws. “There’s a huge lion in my backyard.  Did you hear that?

“Yes ma’a, how did the lion get in your back yard?”

“How would I know?”

“Well ma’am,” said the operator attempting to control the laughter.  “It isn’t everyday we get a call about a lion in one’s back yard.  What is the lion doing ma’am?”

“Wha…what is the lion doing?  Her voice beginning to rise, the lion turns in her direction.  “I’m looking out of my kitchen window…Oh, no, he’s coming up on my deck.”  She quickly pulled the curtains to.  “Oh my God, it’s coming this way.”

The lion slowly made his way to the deck.  The scent of the flowers and dust from the garden filled his nostrils.  He sneezed and shook his mighty mane.   Another more pleasing aroma filled the air.  It came from some where beyond the deck.  He approached his prey, sniffing, huffing and stalking as lions do before they move in for the kill. 

Ruanne looked on in disbelief as the lion came near.  She looked into his steely gaze and was once again filled with fear.

“Ma’am,” said the operator.  I’m dispatching an officer now.”

“An officer?  Honey you betta send in the calvary.  My address is 1250 Second Street.”

“Thank you ma’am.  That address is 1250 Second Street…is that correct?”

“Mm hmmm, yes,” said Ruanne staying away from the window.  “I can hear him on the deck now….ooooo”, she said shaking in fear.

“Ma’am, I’ll stay on the phone with you.  I suggest you leave the kitchen and close the door behind you.  Do you have a door between the kitchen and say, a dining area?”

It was then that Ruanne realized that the kitchen door leading out to the deck was open…the flimsy weather-worn wooden screen door is all that stood between her and the lion.  She looked about the kitchen for a weapon, still holding the phone, she stumbled into a chair, making a racket as she reached for a nearby large sauce pan to use as a weapon.

***

With the sauce pan raised, Ruanne tiptoed as quietly as possible to the kitchen door.  The door hinges, in need of oil, screeched loudly as they had been doing for more than a month.  “not now,” she whispered softly, “quiet, shhhh, not a sound.” Her words were lost, the door creaked and cried loudly before she closed it.  Feeling relieved for a moment she stood with her back against the door until she heard the lion’s soft huffing  and low grunts.

Moving her ample body and with stealth, she tiptoed quickly to the dining room and closed that door behind her.  In the living room she picked up the cordless phone and spoke with the operator.  “I’m in the living room now.  The lion is on the deck.  He put his huge plate-sized paws on the kitchen window and rubbed hi nose against the class.  His long nails clicked against the window as he clawed at the invisible barrier.  His nose in the air, he caught the scent of Ruanne’s frying chicken.

***

Normally, Ruanne took great pleasure in admiring her lovely home.  The beautiful sage green shag carpet complemented the soft yello walls and floral sofa.  Today she was too scared to look at her precious surroundings.  Like a streak she heaved her heavy body up the stairs to the second story.  Earlier in the day she had gone to the beauty shop.  Her hair was in curls that now bounced on her head like the curls on Shirley Temple as she tap-danced.  They bounced and flounced in her eyes and about her face.  With her free hand she swiped at the curls and grasped the banister jettisoning herself onto the upstairs landing with a thud.  The cordless phone clattered across the floor.  The operator was frantically calling out, “Ma’am, are you there?  Are you there?  What’s happening?”

Struggling under the bulk of her weight, she managed to crawl into her bedroom window to get a glimpse of the lion, still on her deck, now scratching at the door.

The aroma of burning chicken drifted up the stairs.  “Ooooo, no, not my crispy, spicy, tantalizing , mouth-watering golden brown  chicken.  She yelled into the phone. “My chicken is burning to a crisp.  My dinner!

She spoke into the phone, “my chicken is burning, he smells my chicken. 

“Be calm ma’am.  The police  and AC are nearly there.”

“AC,” asked Ruanne.

“Animal Control ma’am.  They’re meeting the police at your house.

Ruanne heard a sound coming from the front of her house.  She crossed the hall landing  where she saw the police, with flashing light and animal control had pulled up in front of her house.  She raised the window and called out to them.  Four officers, and several zoo personnel with a large van. 

She bounded down the stairs, she opened the front door with a jerk.  She began to jabber, the policeman raised his hand to silence her.  “Ma’m, show me where the lion is.  Ruanne, speechless, pointed to the back of the house…”go through the dining room, into the kitchen.  He’s on the deck pawing at the screen door.  He smells my chicken.

“MY CHICKEN!”  She hurried the policemen along and into the kitchen.  The put out the flame under the now burned to a char chicken, smoke hung in the air.

By the time the police opened the door, Animal Control had tranquilized the lion and he staggered about on the deck bumping into and knocking over her furniture and potted plants.  He was out like a light.  They managed to get him into the van and hurried off in the direction of the zoo.

“You’re safe now ma’am,” said the handsome officer.  He was a big one.”

“Mmm hmmm,” she said eyeing the good looking man in front of her, batting her eyes and squirming a bit.

“How did he get out?” she inquired, touching her heart.

“Right now we have no idea.  The zoo will investigate and ensure this doesn’t happen again.  It could have been worse.  No harm done.” He said as he walked to the front door, eager to leave the wondering of eyes of Ruanne.

***

Later that evening after ordering Chinese take-out, she sat watching tv and discovered the local news channel had filmed Animal Control  brining the huge beast to the van.  “Too bad I didn’t know,” she thought had  envaded.

“Girl,” she said, “Mmm hum, there was a lion in my back yard.

, “I could have been on tv.”

The first day a couple moves into their new home, they pull back the dusty, old carpet and are surprised at what they find

She found what she was looking for, one day too late.

Crystabelle's habit of tossing mail and other items aside would one day catch up with her.  What a mess she created, not only in her home, but in her life as well.  Her friends compalined that she never answered their calls in a timely matter.  She handled most things in this haphazard way. 

I'm like Scarlett O'Hara, she said in a bragging tone.  This, just another excuse for her inability to control her life. The faint smile she wore on her face spoke only of her insecurity. "Hmmph," she said shrugging her shoulders, "I don't have time for the mundane."  Yet, with trepidation, holding her breath, she began to go the piles of unopened mail on the bar.  Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead, causing her makeup to run.  She wiped the beads away with the back of her hand. With trembling hands, she found what she was looking for, her divorce papers,  She quickly scanned the decree, she didn't want the divorce, she ignored all the summons and calls, and now, she was one day too late.

Today was that day. 

Get the hang of poncho knitting with this simple pattern that features a basic poncho shape. With lines of lace constructed from delicate yarn, this is one of those free easy knitting patterns that begs to be worn during the summer. To assemble your poncho, knit two rectangles and seam together as shown in the diagram below.

Basic Summer Poncho

This image courtesy of www.bernat.com

Knitting Needle Size: 8 or 5 mm

Yarn Weight: (4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

SIZES
XS/M 28-38 ins [71-96.5 cm]
L/2XL 40-50 ins [101.5 -127 cm]
3/5XL 52-62 ins [132-157.5 cm]
Finished length between neck edge and point
XS/M 22 ins [56 cm]
L/2XL 25 ins [63.5 cm]
3/5XL 30½ ins [77.5 cm]

MATERIALS

• Bernat Satin yarn: XS/M (L/2XL-3/5XL) (Solids: 100 g / 3.5 oz) 4 (5-6) balls OR (Ombres: 80 g / 2.8 oz) 5 (7-8) balls
• Wide ribbon 50 ins [127 cm] long for Drawstring (optional).
• Size 5 mm (U.S. 8) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge. ½ inch [1.5 cm]
   

GAUGE
18 sts and 24 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in
stocking st.

INSTRUCTIONS
(Make 2 pieces alike).
Cast on 62 (70-86) sts.
Knit 4 rows, noting that first row is WS.
Proceed as follows:
1st row: (WS). K3. Purl to last 3 sts. K3.
2nd row: K2. *K2. yfwd. K2tog. K2. Sl1. K1. psso. yfwd. Rep from * to last 4 sts. K4.
Rep last 2 rows until work from beg measures 27 (29-33) ins [68.5 (73.5-84) cm], ending with WS facing for next row. Knit 4 rows. Cast off.

FINISHING
Sew cast off edge of one piece to the side
of other piece as shown in Diagram.

Ribbon Drawstring
(optional): Starting at center front, thread ribbon along neck edge. Tie into a bow at center.

Read more at http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Ponchos/basic-summer-poncho/ml/1#U3XSDeEWgi1ZCmcV.99

WNP
"He positioned the ladder directly below the window and started to climb."


Under the cloak of darkness, Hector looked about.  He gazed up into the blackness of night, the stars twinkled faintly in the heavens.  "I must not tarry," he said aloud.  "I have to get into that building somehow, my life depends on finding the location of the Doctor's hideaway."   He moved slowly from the copse of trees, dressed in dark clothing he could not be seen.  He managed to find a ladder in one of the sheds.  He walked around the perimeter of the buuilding looking for a place to enter into the house.  Once a window was located,  He placed the ladder against the window ledge and began to climb.  Slowly at first, gaining his footing, he began to move faster.  He heard a noise from somewhere on the grounds.

WNP  4/24/13
"I can't believe that's her real name..."

Robin was used to  the many names that have surfaced in our society.  Young women look for unique names for the children that make them stand out.  Being a babysitter, she's run across some children with unusual names.  Quianna, is one such name.  That name was once a fabric from the 60's or 70's, there are a myriad too many to list here.  The most interesting name of all, was a little girl named Pajamas.  When her mother introduced the child, she introduced her, "Miss Robbin, this is Pajamay (phonetic pronounciation), spelled P-a-j-a-m-a-s."
There was also a little girl named "La-la."  Yep, you say her name, "La dash la."

Robbin smiled on both occasions and listened in disbelief and said to herself, "I can't believe that's her name..."

WNP:  4/19/13
"They were unlikely partners in crime..."


Looking at the two figures appraoching, you would not think they are comrades in crime.  The old lady tottered about on spindly legs and wore rubbber-soled flat shoes, that in no way added to the stability of her gait. She forged ahead  rocking from side to side to move her many poiunds of flesh.  Her black-framed eye glasses rested on her pointy nose, as she looked about her, scanning the area.  I continued to observe as a young man about thirteen years old approach her from the side.  She glanced in his direction, he smiled briefly and opened the door to Busken's Bakery with a flourish.

Once inside the sweet smell of sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate permeated the air.  For anyone with a sweet tooth, it was a smell to delight the senses.  She pulled the young man to her and whispered something in his ear.  He looked at the old lady as if he was surprised by what she had uttered.  Then he made his move.

With a flash he scooped up several boxes of smiley cookies, several banana and zuchinni cakes were added to the stash.  The old lady feiiiigned surprise, grabbed her heart and gasped as the young boy dashed out of the door.  The others in the shop were surprised by the action, but more concerend for the old lady.
"Is there anything we can get for you, anyone we can call to come get you?"
"No, no," she said as she continued her act, "I'll be fine, it's just these young people today, tsk, tsk, tsk."
Everyone nodded in agreement as they ushered her to the door, calling out, "You be safe now."

Meanwhile, back at the old lady's apartment, the young lad waited for his grandmother to enter through the kitchen door.  He had set the goodies out on the table, ready for devouring.
"Whew, gran, that was close this time."  He looked at his gran with a big smile on his face as he helped her to a chair.  She smiled a toothless smile that always made him laugh.  "Ha ha ha ha.

"Ah my boy, you done good.  Is the   This is the best caper we ever pulled.

WNP 5/12/13
"He stared at the knarly tree which had protected the old cemetery for over a century."

"This is where we played our childhood games, especially hide-n-seek," he said quietly to Sara.  Showing her his childhood haunts was important to their relationship.  He wanted her to know everything about him.  Why his hometown is important to him.  Everything.  Coming here to this spot was an act of bravery on his part.  His therapist had encouraged him to come back.  He stared at the knarly tree.  It had protecdted the old cemetery for over a century.  Pointing in the direction of the tree, it is also the place where his best frient Bobby, the ten year old neighborhood dare-devil,  had hung himself.  He could still see him hanging there lifeless.  Sara took his hand in hers, and led him away.  "I know how hard this must be for you."  He couldn't speak, there were no words, tears pooled in his eyes as they turned and walked away.

WNP  4/9/13

"He entered the terminal without looking back."


The decision to leave was not easy.  The people he would leave behind, family, friends, and one special woman who had touched his life deeply.  It wasn't enough to hold him.  He mulled over his options for weeks. "Do I go, or do I stay?"  This once in a lifetime opportunity would never come again. He searched for answers everywhere, looking to the stars which could not answer, and friends who offered unsolicited words of questionable wisdom. "Man, if you do this, we may never see you again, you'll be an old man, we may be dead," they spoke these words to him often.  If he took their advice, he would forever be tethered to the mundane.  He was chosen along with a group of othe specialists for this exclusive and exciting journey.  For once his life would be filled with excitement and adventure.  It would be years before he would be able to return.  Things would not be the same, the people he loved would not be the same.  Most importantly, he would not be the same.  He walked briskly toward his future, and entered the terminal without looking back.

WNP:
A woman stops in Las Vegas and has the luckiest time in her life...



The drive through the desert was grueling, especially when you drive alone.  It's lonely at night, and black as velevet, out there and alone, it can be downright spooky.  "Only a few more miles to go,  the same old story after five years",  thought Rain, "then the first leg of my jorney back home to Indiana will be over.  She thought that moving to Los Angeles would change her life, but it turned out to be, the same story, different location."  Just like a Twightlight story...her luck was about to cange.

Moving back to Indiana, midwesterners with their small minds had always irritated her.  She would tolerate whatever came her way.  She had a new attitude about living, and besides, she was moving back to help her mother, now widowed and ill.  "But first, I'm stopping in Vegas.  Lord, you gotta hear me on this.  I've lived way too long with out a break, no good luck ever coming my way..."  She spied the bright ligts of the strip and headed straight for the bright lights of nearest time Casino.  Pulling in the lot, she was caught up in the fanfare, blinding  lights and blaring music. 

Onced inside, she watched for a moment before deciding on a slot machine to play.  She wanted one that was hot, one that would pay off, didn't matter how much, she just for once in her life needed to feel lucky.
She spied an older lady leaving a machine and asked, "Are you finished with that machine."
"Yes replied the blue-haired woman. better luck to you...that machine's tapped out.  She wore black framed glasses like Truman Capote, and a smock with pockets to hold her winnings.  They were empty, just like the look on her face.

Rain sat before the slot promising big wins.  "Come on, come on," she said as the colorful fruit stopped in place, wating for a match.  "Darn it, almost got it she said.  Once again she pulled the lever of the one-armed bandit.  She watched with baited breath.  Suddely lights, and bells and whistles could be heard all of the floor.  "It's my slot, it's me, I'm a winner.  Like a kid she jumped from the stool and jumped around like a Jack rabbit.  She did efverything but cheer, like in her high school days on the cheering squad. 

That night would prove to be the luckiest night of her life, she won more than five thousand dollars.  After leaving the casino, she walked into a car show where the shiny cars, ballons, and glittering lights called to her.  She was feeling pretty heady by this time.  A salesman, acting like a carnival huckster, tempted her to try the wheel.  "Step right up little lady," he said in his best carny voice, all he needed was a straw hat, red striped shirt and cane and he would have fit the bill.  She smiled at him broadly, "Ok, "  she said, "I'll give it a spin.  She stepped to the wheel, similar to the one on Wheel of Fortune, she gave it all the muscle she had, round and round it went, clackity, clack, clack...She held her breath, passersby stopped in their tracks.  The wheel ceased movement, with her hands over her mouth, she couldn't believe her luck.

The carny huckster announced to the entire showroom.  "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.  Yes, we have a winner of the new 2013 Chevy Cruise."  She heard from someone standing near her that she is a lucky girl.  She thought to herself, "friend that is an understatement.  I'm "the" luckiest girl!