Ya know...

...how sometimes you think you know someone and you take them for granted?  And then you see something in them that you didn't see before.  Like a light turned on and now they've taken on a whole new dimension...and it's all you can think about.
It's awesome to experience that and it's also awesome to watch.  So, yeah...call me a hopeless romantic!

...how you just know something's gonna happen and it does and you're like, "Whoa!"

...how when someone gives you a big hug that you weren't expecting and it makes your whole day?

...how you can tell that a person likes another person by the way they become better when that person is around?

...how things can really tick you off about someone you like but don't bother you in a casual friend?

...how sometimes you feel more at home in someone else's house than you do your own?

...how it makes you feel good when your kid's friends willingly include you in a conversation or a game...or whatever?

...how sad you feel when you think that someone is being treated badly and there's not really anything that you can do at that point?

...how I'd like to win the lottery?

...how other people don't raise their kids or care for their families in the same way that you do?  Not always better or worse...just different.

...how I like to take in all my kids friends as if they were my own?  Does that bother anyone?  I hope not!
And, too bad, if it does!

...how sometimes I like to ramble on about seemingly meaningless things?

Hey!

Meanderings!

I said that already!

beginning Chapter 3

After the growling and scratching had stopped and she heard the whining of the cubs moving away from the house, she moved toward the door again.

A shout from outside stopped her in her tracks.  She knew that villainous voice well and began to look for a place to hide.  There was a small storage space behind the chimney but it would be hot from baking all day.  Still, there wasn't any other choice.  As she drew the bottom of her skirt in after her and pulled the small dresser back against the wall from inside her hiding place, the door burst open.

Obviously expecting to find someone at home the intruder stopped quickly to look around the empty room.  Talking loudly as if to a companion, he said,
"Well, its obvious that someone lives here.  Look at the feast laid out for me!  I'll just help myself to some of this venison stew...."

She seethed with anger knowing that he was used to dining like this daily.  Her anger only increased her discomfort from the heat.

After gorging himself on her carefully prepared meal, the rogue threw his trencher into the fire and propped his muddy boots up on the table knocking over her bouquet of wild flowers from Philip.  He said loudly,
"I'll just wait for my host to return so I can thank them for this wonderful meal."

Shortly, he was sound asleep and snoring lustily.  Or so she thought.

As she pushed gently on the dresser in hopes of escaping from the house while he slept, she slowly wedged herself between the wall and the dresser.  As she stood quietly and moved from her shelter, he opened his eyes and stared at her with a malicious grin.

"Aha!  Methinks I've seen the likes of you before.  And I like what I see..."

He stood and moved to close the door and bolt it.  She stood frozen to the spot.  As he began to walk toward her, she snapped out of her reverie and looked around for something to defend herself.  Snatching the poker from the fireplace, she brandished it like a sword and stared at him defiantly.

He laughed and continued to move closer.  Just then the sound of hooves in the clearing made him spin around in surprise.  She made her move and landed a blow on the back of his head sending him crashing to the floor.
Meanwhile, Philip called from outside and hearing the commotion, pounded on the door.  When she didn't answer, he called to Dynny.

Even though she was intrigued by the handsome Philip and his gentlemanly ways, she wasn't used to trusting anyone.  Returning to her hiding place, she waited.

After hearing Philip mount his steed, she thought he'd go, but alas, he spoke softly to the horse and with a mighty whinny, Dynny reared up and his hooves slammed against the door, shattering the hinges.  Now they stood in the doorway, Philip stooping to assess the situation before dismounting.

Still peeking from behind the dresser, she wondered what to do.  When he saw the man on the floor, he stepped inside and looked around cautiously for the person who'd knocked him out.  Not seeing anyone, he stooped over the man to see if he was dead or merely wounded.  As the fellow groaned, Philip drew his sword and waited.  The man opened his eyes.  Startled at the sight of Philip's sword, he tried to get to his feet but fell down again.

"What is your name, Sir?", Philip asked.

Still groaning and holding his head, the man grumbled a sarcastic remark which Gwyneth couldn't make out.

Philip asked again and this time the fellow rolled over quickly and grabbed both of Philip's legs and pulled them out from under him.  Then he jumped up and grabbed Philip's sword only to feel the blow of the poker on the back of his head again.  Reeling around, he crumpled into a pile while Philip found himself, again, looking rather sheepishly at this mysterious maiden of the forest.

The Wall #26

Jenny's up to some nasty tricks this week!  Click on the button to the left to read her challenge from her own blog and join the fun.
Our assignment is to write 16 words about when we were 16!  Only 16 words!!!!  So here it is....16 measly words from that crazy, mixed up, exciting year when I turned 16, as part of the ongoing story of The Wall.

~I was sixteen when I saw him for the first time. I smiled, he smiled back.~