Saturday, December 20, 2008

The Return of Wordzzle

After taking the past two or three weeks off from the writing challenge known as Wordzzle, offered up by Raven of Views from the Ravens Nest, I finally found the motivation and a small spark of creativity to join in again. I wanted to participate the other weeks, but for some reason every time I looked at the words I came up blank.


Before we begin, here's a collage for your viewing pleasure. Break out your best Bing Crosby voice and feel free to hum a few bars. . .

♫"It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas".♫

Our eight year old, Matthew, announced afterword that Santa was not real. When we asked why he wanted to go see him and tell him what he was wishing for, he replied, "Just in case." Ha. nothing like covering your bases!

~~~

Okay, on to Wordzzle

The words we had to work with:

The mini: software, lottery, newspaper, mailman, Ringo Starr's drum

The Ten Word: When pigs have wings, moonlight, mystery, tower of Babel, butterflies, bread and butter, beef barley soup, Charley horse, novelty, cold shoulder

~~~

The Mini
"A Prize in Every Box"

The software company Jason had ordered the latest version of Guitar Hero from, was running a lottery of sorts in the Sunday newspaper. The promotion was simple. The first five thousand people to place and order would be eligible to win one of Ringo Starr's drums, autographed no less. A week later, Jason was patiently waiting for the mailman to deliver his package with what he anticipated would contain the grand prize.

~~~

The Ten Word
"Soup to Win the Heart"

Nate hoped by winning the cooking competition at the Charlie Horse Café he might finally get recognized by Christine. "Ya, when pigs have wings," he thought, "anytime I try to speak to her, she just gives me the cold shoulder. It's as if I'm speaking directly from the tower of Babel!"

The butterflies continued to mount inside Nate's stomach as he served up his entry, beef barley soup with nine grain bread, and butter on the side. It was no mystery that the judges literally, ate it up! While the other contestants were trying to wow the panel of food critics with such novelties as Moonlight Meatless Minestrone and other culinary variations, Nate's simple down home style approach stole the show.

He was understandably pleased to win the first prize ribbon and new set of knives for his efforts, but what he was really thrilled about, was when Christine came up to him and asked if he might share his award winning recipe with her.

21 comments:

Raven said...

Aw... both good, but I love a romance, especially when there's food involved too.

Your son is a kid after my own heart. Covering your bases is a good thing.

Sandee said...

Love the photograph. Matthew is starting to act just like dad. Just saying.

Have a terrific weekend and a very Merry Christmas. :)

Finding Pam said...

What nice looking boys. I have two grown sons and Santa was always so very much fun. They really grow up fast so enjoy every minute because they are off to college before you know it.

It is amazing to what ends a man will do for a woman's attention. Nice that Nate was a good cook and thankfully he won first place, so Christine would talk to him. mmmmm... Great stories!

Merry Christmas too.

Dianne said...

what a minute! Santa may not be real!? Matthew, say it ain't so!

they're such cute kids Jeff

2 contest related stories, funny how a theme comes to life

I like them both but I'm a sucker for Ringo Starr

I haven't done Wordzzle or POW in a long time. Ever have one of those phases where life is too damn real and fiction requires too much effort?

Roan said...

Ah, romance. I liked the second, but to win Ringo Starr's drum...that would be heaven! I'm glad you are feeling creative again. Each time I look at those pics for next Portrait..I blank. Hope I can come up with something soon!

bettygram said...

Good going Nate.
Liked the photos of the children.

Jeff B said...

Raven- We had a pretty good chuckle at his reasoning too.

Sandee- Who me? With about four+ inches of snow on the ground right now, it's shaping up to be a good one.

Pam- Ain't that the truth! I'm already driving them crazy with my reminiscing about how small they were just a few short years ago.

Dianne- I have had those times too. As my mom likes to say, "This too shall pass."

BJ- Thanks. Me too. I'm just getting ready to put something together for Sunday Scribbling for the fist time. I have an idea, now if I can just make it coherent by tomorrow.

Jeff B said...

Bettygram- Thanks for coming by.

Cherie said...

Bright boy. Oh, that magic age of eight when a young man starts to question things, but he's not quite sure. Then of course, when he's nine, he'll know everything. :)

Thought today's stories were very good. If you didn't highlight the Wordzzle selections, I would have never guessed. Everything fit seamlessly.

Jeff B said...

Cherie- I'm guessing you have kids too. Matt's brother is ten and as you pointed out he's already the worlds foremost authority on everything. Sheesh.

Dr.John said...

Good to have you back writing. I like a story with a happy ending. I hope out of the soup a romance will grow.

gabrielle said...

I'm so happy that Christine recognized Nate's talent.Butterflies in the stomach. Who hasn't experienced the thrill? (sic)

Loved the photos of your family and happy news for us that you are writing again.
And yes , a questioning mind is a good thing.

Nessa said...

I like that your characters are winners.

Akelamalu said...

Ah Nate got the prize and the girl!

Great stuff Jeff. :)

I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Travis Cody said...

I think I recall a similar attitude about Santa at the same age. It's tough to let the belief go in that last year or two.

Jeff B said...

Dr John- It's good to have that creative energy once again. Thank you

Gabrielle- Butterflies are a true sign that love is in the air.

Nessa- I thought I'd keep it on the lighter side this time.

Akelamalu- A true win-win. Thanks for the well wishes, right back atcha.

Travis- He's teetering right on the edge this year.

Roan said...

Checking in to see if you Scribbled yet. Guess you are going to be "late". ;)

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Nicely done Jeff

Have a great Christmas

Jeff B said...

BJ- We've got 15+inches of snow and ice on the ground currently and to top it off I've come down with a cold, so the story had to take a back seat this week.

Bond- Thanks. It'll definitely be a white one.

Mel said...

*snickering*

Covering his bases.

Definitely a smart kiddo.
And definitely good reads, sir!

Roan said...

Can't say I'm not disappointed. I enjoy your stories. 15+ is a lot of snow to scoop! Take care of the cold and have a lovely White Christmas. BJ