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

This week's words/prompts are:

1.livestock  2.scheduled  3.structure  4.target  5.folklore

and/or:

1.accessible  2.lichen  3.cheese  4.cushion  5.facts

Here is my story:

It was early evening when Russell reached the sanctuary, a fat golden moon rising behind the trees made a pretty spectacle as it also glinted off the water of the creek. Harvey and Hugo helped him draw the canoe and supplies to dry land. “A meeting has been scheduled for after you have eaten,” said Joshua, coming down to inspect the supplies. “I see you know how to pack securely, that will be an asset if or when we have to move on. It isn’t likely, no outsiders have found us yet. There are several folklore legends of hauntings in these parts and that tends to keep others away.”

He led them to the biggest structure where rough-sawn trestles were being covered with cotton blankets ready to hold pots and platters of whatever was smelling so enticing to hungry Russell. He breathed deeply in anticipation and Joshua smiled at him. “We have a small livestock enclosure hidden amongst the trees, goats and a few chickens. Tonight we have goat stew, it has been simmering several hours already and we should be eating in a few minutes.”

“I haven’t tasted meat of any kind in over a year,” said Russell, “nor Erin either, it just isn’t accessible now to those who can’t pay vast sums and she needs more protein now that we are expecting.” “She will get what she needs here,” said Dana, “we get plenty of eggs from the chickens and one a day plus a weekend meat stew should meet her target allowance.”

Maggie brought a bowl stuffed with dried edible lichen to add to the stewpot and reminded the teenage helpers to keep stirring. “It’s a well known fact that money still rules the world,” she said, coming back to where Russell was inspecting the embroidery work on a hand made cushion. “It’s a lovely piece isn’t it,” she said. “Jenny made it and is currently working on a larger one, but without the fancy stitching, it’s for your baby and Rufus has been gathering willow to weave a basket for him or her.”

As they sat to eat from bowls hand carved roughly from fallen branches, Joshua asked if either of them had any special skills to bring to the sanctuary. “I’m not good at much,” said Russell, “but I can learn, and Erin’s family were cheesemakers, so she can milk your goats and make cheese for the table.” “Excellent!” said Joshua, handing him a metal spoon, “dig in now, and in the dark of early morning Rufus will accompany you back to Erin in his own canoe, and help you load all she needs onto a raft to tow behind. But don’t travel during the day in case you are seen, get your sleep and come again in the evening.”