Using the prompt from last week's Words for Wednesday challenge, I have written another chapter of my fiction short story that has become known as "The Mindy Story." Mindy, the main character, lives a life that is never dull!
September is my month to host Words for Wednesday. If you are unfamiliar with this challenge, I will explain the rules tomorrow, when I officially post the prompt. I have realized, however, that my Wednesday is quite late in the week for participants who reside in the Southern Hemisphere - so a sneak peak of this week's prompt will be at the bottom of this post!
To catch up with the story so far:
When you are ready, here is Part 10 ...~~*~~
Blue Bird - Blue Bell - - Blue Bonnet!
Mindy stabbed ferociously at the ground with the dandelion digger tool, trying to dislodge both the stubborn weeds and her stressful emotions. She had volunteered to spend the whole morning getting the school garden beds tidied up and weeded. After lunch, a truckload of chrysanthemums would be delivered for other volunteers to plant.
Digging around the base of a horse statue, one of several Mustangs that decorated the school grounds, Mindy wasn't thinking about weeds though. She was still fuming about the classified ad that had carelessly been published in the newspaper. At least 30 people had rung her doorbell in the past two days, asking to purchase the gourmet cookies that had been advertised as being sold from her address! A call to the paper had revealed the mistake. The ad should have read 9 Bluebird Lane, but 9 Bluebell Lane was how it had been printed! Mindy's lived at 9 Bluebell Lane - and that was why she was getting all the unwanted visits.
“Life is so full of ups and downs,” thought Mindy. A week ago, she had been so unnerved at the thought of telling Ryan about her past life of petty crime, promiscuity, and the abortion. She had finally broached the subject last Saturday morning, while they were drinking coffee and guessing at the answers to the crossword puzzle together. He had listened to the whole story without saying a word, and then was very quiet for a few minutes. Finally, he had said, “Mindy, you know this doesn't change anything between us, right? We have both made a lot of mistakes as a result of painful experiences. You were very young when all of this happened. You're a very different person now, just like I'm no longer the person I became right after Ben died.”
After that conversation, Mindy had been floating on air. She realized she was falling in love with Ryan, and she was fairly certain it was mutual. Everything in life seemed perfect, until all the strangers had begun appearing at her door, demanding to purchase gourmet cookies!
Mindy had been steadily weeding, lost in thought. Having worked her way around to the southern side of the building, Mindy suddenly realized how late it was. The tour of the new school wing was to start in five minutes, and she didn't want to miss it. Standing up, she tapped at her knees to knock the dirt from her pants.
This morning's tour was sort of a dress rehearsal for the school children who would be giving tours that evening - a chance to practice what they would be saying. The school trustees were really honored the school had been recognized with the coveted National award of being named a “Blue Ribbon School.” The timing coincided nicely with the completion of the remodel, so a huge assembly open to the public had been planned for that evening.
While waiting for everyone to gather for the tour, Mindy's mind wandered absently. It was funny how the color blue seemed to keep presenting itself in circumstances of her life right now. Blue Ribbon ... Blue Bird ... Blue Bell ... Blue Bonnet ... hmmm, baking with Blue Bonnet Margarine
....
Suddenly, Mindy had an idea! Why, of course! The ad mentioned that the cookies had won first prize in a baking contest several years ago, sponsored by Blue Bonnet Margarine. She could probably find the Chocolate Toffee Coffee Cookie recipe on the Blue Bonnet website!
Mindy began to scheme. It appeared she already had free advertising for a product she could probably produce and sell herself! If she googled the recipe, and then baked up a bunch of cookies from it, she could sell them for quite a profit right from her door! No one would even have to know that it wasn't her who placed the ad or won the contest. Who knows, maybe she could even enough make enough to pay for a really nice honeymoon for her and Ryan some day! What a shame that she had told those first 30 people to go away!
Mindy couldn't wait to tell Ryan her brilliant plan!
....Suddenly, Mindy had an idea! Why, of course! The ad mentioned that the cookies had won first prize in a baking contest several years ago, sponsored by Blue Bonnet Margarine. She could probably find the Chocolate Toffee Coffee Cookie recipe on the Blue Bonnet website!
Mindy began to scheme. It appeared she already had free advertising for a product she could probably produce and sell herself! If she googled the recipe, and then baked up a bunch of cookies from it, she could sell them for quite a profit right from her door! No one would even have to know that it wasn't her who placed the ad or won the contest. Who knows, maybe she could even enough make enough to pay for a really nice honeymoon for her and Ryan some day! What a shame that she had told those first 30 people to go away!
Mindy couldn't wait to tell Ryan her brilliant plan!
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classified, mustangs, honored, award, tour, baked
AND / OR
plant, beds, gourmet, tapped, crossword, southern
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For those of you who don't just can't wait ... here is the Words for Wednesday prompt for 9/16/15:
gutters, garlic, lint, mix, flowers, reduce
AND/OR
lemonade, deck, musical, automatic, flag, search
gutters, garlic, lint, mix, flowers, reduce
AND/OR
lemonade, deck, musical, automatic, flag, search
I will be reposting this prompt tomorrow. with the full Words for Wednesday instructions.
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What do you think? Is Mindy's plan a good one?
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ReplyDeleteMindy's dodgy plan may not be a good one...but your story is good...I want some of those cookies! I won't tell anyone! Please! :)
DeleteThanks Lee - I'd love to share the cookies with you - but at least you can click on the link, and get the recipe!
DeleteHere's my effort utilising this week's words....
ReplyDelete"She went in SEARCH of something to wipe away the mass of LINT off her black sweater, but she gave up because it was pointless trying to do so. Between her two cats that constantly enjoyed cuddles and the age of the sweater, the lint and cat fur would win every time.
Easily persuaded and distracted, she decided to mix together some softened butter and loads of fresh GARLIC from her garden to have later with the lunch she had in mind. She then poured herself a glass of icy-cold LEMONADE and wandered out to the wide, timber DECK overlooking the ocean. A MUSICAL morning was an easier, AUTOMATIC and more pleasant choice for her to make.
The GUTTERS needed cleaning out; the FLOWERS had died in the vases; they needed throwing out, and added to the MIX of tiresome chores she also somehow had try to REDUCE her expenditure.
“Tomorrow is another day!” She told herself as she enjoyed the warmth of the autumn sun.
The red and white striped pennant flapped languidly in the gentle sea breeze. When the FLAG was hoisted on her deck he knew she was home, and that she would welcome his visit. It was a sign they’d worked out between them."
Love her attitude. Tomorrow is indeed another day. I am pretty certain that if I could knit I could knit another cat from Jazz n Jewel's cast-offs. It does hide the lint though.
DeleteGreat story Lee, but now I'm jealous. Lemonade on the deck overlooking the ocean?? Sigh...
DeleteSorry, River! We can always pretend...here's a glass for you...sit yourself down! :)
DeleteOkay, so can I come visit and sit on the deck and drink lemonade if I bring cookies?! Love this - especially the part of the flag being the signal that she would welcome a visit!
DeleteNoooooo Mindy. I can see problems ahead. Copyright problems. Just count your blessings. Please.
ReplyDeleteMindy doesn't always think things through ...
DeleteHmmm...things have been going so well for Mindy. I think the cookies will be a mistake!
ReplyDeleteI don't think she has considered anything beyond the potential to make a profit yet!
DeleteMindy's plan sounds good in theory, but the practicality might not work out so well. Does she have the time and facilities (and ingredients) for baking the thousands of gourmet cookies she will need for the hordes of people who will make their way to her door? Will Ryan get lost/ forgotten in the resulting kerfuffle? I hope not...
ReplyDeleteChocolate toffee coffee cookies is a bit of a tongue-twister.
The chocolate toffee coffee cookies are a tongue-twister ... and a delicious one, at that!
DeleteI don't know how the plan will work out because I think the person who put the ad in might be a little upset, but the story is awesome. I posted my story yesterday on Rena's World, but I used the other words. I'll see what I come up with these new words next Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rena - I just read your story, and really enjoyed it! Thanks for that little moment of summer - and for participating!
Delete