Wednesday's Words on a Friday

 The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles. Sadly, Delores has now closed her blog forever due to other problems.

The aim of the words is to encourage us to write. A story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.

If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along to read it and add a few encouraging words.

This month the words/prompts are supplied by Hilary Melton-Butcher and can be found here on this blog.

This week's words/prompts are:

1.sculpture  2.amendment  3.timeline  4.bog  5.castle

and/or:

1.sword  2.crew  3.buffalo  4.forest  5.variation

Here is my story:

“What’s this then?” Uncle Dennis asked, picking up an entry flyer from the table, “Competition for Sandcastles,” don’t we already have one of these?” “We do,” said Mary, “and the kids have entered, but this is new with an amendment to the timeline for the buses.” “I suppose you’ve made it a family affair and I will have to come along,” grumped Uncle Dennis. “You know I hate sand in my shoes and it seems a long way to go to watch kids upend a few buckets of sand and decorate them.”

A collective gasp from the kids was heard and Simon said, “it’s not like that anymore Uncle, so many castles now are truly more like sculptures and there is quite a lot of variation in styles.” He quickly googled for some images to show him and Dennis was impressed, “but I still don’t like the idea of sand in my shoes, and not between my bare toes either.” “I’ll pack you a pair of rubber boots” said Mary.

“How about I stay home and dig over that new vegetable patch instead? It’s a real bog since that heavy rain last week, I can add some sand and compost to it.” “You really don’t want to go?” Dennis just looked at her and she nodded. There was a memory there that Dennis refused to share, he didn’t want the kids to know about it.

“Okay crew,” she said, “Uncle Dennis won’t be coming, so there will be room for more buckets and spades. I suggest you all get your equipment ready for loading and remember nothing too big, we will be on a bus for most of the trip.” Four kids scattered with the two boys heading for the garage and the two girls for the big cabinet on the porch that held all the outdoor things. The baby couldn’t decide which pair to follow on his newly discovered feet so plopped himself down beside Dennis, who scooped him into his lap.

“I’ll keep Matty home with me if that’s okay with you,” said Dennis. “We can visit Roger in the hospital, he’s out of intensive care now, right?” “Yes he is,” said Mary, “but don’t let Matty jump on the bed, hold him while he sits next to Roger, he’d like to see his Daddy again and show off his new walking skills too.”

“And why don’t I order dinner for when you all get home? Get in some burgers, a few orders of Buffalo wings; you won’t want to be cooking after all the excitement. But take photos for me please?” “That’s a great idea,” said Mary and promised to charge the camera battery right away. The boys came back inside with assorted building supplies and a pair of Star Wars light sabres which they were having a sword fight with.

Dennis refereed that while Mary set the battery in the charger, then handed over Matty to her and helped the two younger girls stack buckets inside each other for easier transportation. Simon’s gear was much more sophisticated, with a water spray bottle to keep his sand damp and assorted shaping blades and combs. Tomorrow he would build the best castle ever!

He hoped that Roger would soon be well enough to come home, he enjoyed being here and helping his sister, but longed for the solace of his forest hideaway.