Monday, April 26, 2010

Story-Time Tuesday - Chapter Two

If you missed STORIES FROM HOME - Chapter One just click here.
Jenny Matlock
STORIES FROM HOME - Chapter Two

One dreamy, breezy May day, just when the bright green buds had started growing into cool, lovely summer leaves, the skinny, little calico cat came to lay on the sad little house’s weathered and worn front porch.

Whenever the skinny, little calico cat came to visit, the sad little house could more easily remember the happy days when its grey painted porch floor had been swept tidy and clean. And hearing the purr of the cat made it easier to recall the “creak, creak, creak” of the rocking chairs and the happy, clinking sounds of the ice in glasses of lemonade.

But on this particular day, after only a few moments of laying in the warm sunshine, the skinny, little calico cat jumped up and ran toward the pond, at the edge of a woods, at the edge of a mountain.

The sad little house watched it go.

And although the sad little house felt lonelier for the cat leaving, the sunshine was warm and the memories were sweet and the sad little house felt drowsy and wonderful on that dreamy, breezy May day.

A few moments later, the sad little house heard a sound coming from the pond, at the edge of a woods, at the edge of a mountain.

Because of the cool, lovely leaves and the tall weeds, the sad little house could not see what was making the noise. When the sounds came again, the sad little house almost, but not quite, thought that it heard the music of children talking and laughing.

Suddenly the sad little house wasn’t drowsy anymore.

It stood up very straight and listened carefully, but there were no more sounds .

Sometimes when memories are strong, imagination can make recollection seem real.

And just as the sad little house was convinced that is what had happened, there came a loud shout from the pond.

It had been so long since anyone had spoken or shouted around the sad little house! Could it have been the yell of a child?

Through the soft sound of the breeze, the sad little house began hearing little snippets of words.

Through the whisper of the cool, lovely leaves dancing in the sun, the sad little house started hearing little bits of happy laughter.

And it waited.

Hidden behind all the tall weeds and the cool, lovely leaves, at the edge of the pond, at the edge of a woods, at the edge of a mountain...

The sad little house waited.

To be continued on Tuesday, May 4.

(c) 2010 Jennifer R. Matlock
This publication is the exclusive property of Jennifer R. Matlock and is protected
under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and all other applicable international, federal, state and local laws. The contents of this post/story may not be reproduced as a whole or in part, by any means whatsoever, without consent of the author, Jennifer R. Matlock. All rights reserved.

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43 comments:

Allie said...

I love storytime. Now this is what I suggest for next time, can you make it audible? Plleeeasseee you have such a wonderful storytime voice that all your fans are missing out .... Sincerely, a fan and relative ... teeheee

I'm a full-time mummy said...

Hi Jenny!

Hahaha... for 1 second, I was confused when I saw the comments coming into my blog. I was thinking why am I sending comments back to myself... LOL...

Thanks for dropping by my blog and thank you for the compliments on Ben's eyes. He is a cheeky lil' fella :)

Oh and thank you for the follow. I'm your latest follower now! This story time of yours is such a great idea! Will be back for more! Have a blessed week! :D

Susan Anderson said...

I went back and read part 1, but part 2 was such a short little snippet!

Now, I'm looking forward to part 3!

=)

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

FAB-YOU-LOUS!!!!!!!

You're bringing it to life!

Did you paint/draw that picture??!!

Terra said...

First - I like the new buttons on top. Second, I am hooked...is the memory that strong, will the house stand proud again filled with joy and laughter?

And...while I believe Allie...I much prefer to read then listen!!! HOWEVER, others might prefer to listen so I do think she has a nice suggestion for you!!

happy Tuesday to you Jenny.

Unknown said...

Jenny, I am really, really enjoying this. Thank you for sharing! : )

~Andrea~

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I'm rooting for you, sad little house!

Viki said...

Poor little house. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Rustique Gal said...

Jenny, what a sweet, sad story. I'm looking forward to the rest! Sherry

Mrs. M said...

Poor little house - but very well written and it makes me think a little bit about that lonely tree in "The Giving Tree".

Have a beautiful day!

Jocelyn said...

Yay story time and I had just decided it was time for a little nap for MeMe....PERFECT...I can go to sleep with thoughts of what may be happening for the little house....oh I hope it is Happy!!! :-)

Darcie said...

Not only is the little house waiting...I am too...for next Tuesday!

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

I sense happines coming...yes, I'm sure of it:)

Julia Christie said...

So you need to publish this - I'm hooked! Wish each snippet was longer.

This is so like the stories my mother used to tell us a bedtime up in the attic bedroom I shared with my three sisters.

Sigh!

Smiles

Holly said...

You may as well put me in a vat of chocolate and caramel, cover me with nuts and tell me I'll die if I eat any!!!!!!!

It's over? so quickly? I have to wait another week???


Heeellllpppp!!!

Unknown said...

I cant wait for more.....

grammy said...

Love story Tuesday...fun

Deb said...

that was fun Ms. Jenny..

Tara said...

You always leave us hanging at the most inopportune time! I am off to catch up on your other posts I missed!

Diana said...

Sweet!
Love Di ♥

Theresa said...

I love when you read me a story! Can't wait to hear more about the sad little house! Have a sweet evening my friend!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Wonderfully written story once again. Now ya'll left us hangin' for a whole week sister! Heeehehe!

You have a terrifically blessed Tuesday!!!

jules said...

Great story. Can't wait for part 3...

Dee said...

You have me hooked. :) It feels like you are writing about one of my nod to the past photo's. very cool.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sweet Story Time! Just wish it was more often, this is a good story!

Jeanie said...

Really nice job, Jenny. You will sure have us coming back for part 3.

Cassie said...

I so LOVE that house! Hey, Jenny...my calendar says it's TUESDAY again tomorrow! Woohoo!Please don't let me down...

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for your sweet comments and for becoming a follower, Jenny!

Your blog is AMAZING. I'm always in awe at the new people the blog world brings to my little piece of the web. I'll definitely be back to yours for another visit. :)

Lourie said...

Oh man!!! More! I want more! This is getting good.

Ms. A said...

Loving Tuesday stories!

Brenda said...

Aw, c'mon! That's it, no more storytime for me. You're killing me here... that was not a story, that was like a trailer at the cinema. You're a tease, you did that on purpose!

Cheryl said...

This is coming along brilliantly! And your tab works! That is just too cool.

Brenda said...

I went to add coffee to my cup and settle in remembering how I enjoyed last weeks installment. Here I am now with a hot cup of coffee thinking I want to here more now. I am really enjoying this story Jenny. Had a day off from work yesterday to stay with two of my grandsons. We read books and I keep thinking how they would like this story a lot.

Tina said...

Oh, Jenny. What a long week this will be! I love this story and can't wait to see where you go with it.

Tracy said...

Hi Jenny! I visited your garden blog and loved it! Thanks for the email directing me to this one! Love it too! I am a new follower and will definitely return! Have a great day!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Ah...keep the chapters coming Jenny, I have a soft spot for calico cats ..hope it returns!

Andrea said...

I am loving this storytime. The depends...not so much. I will be here next week! And in between too!

Vicki/Jake said...

And....And...

Ya, I know how long it takes to get even part of a story on here. But I know It's well worth the wait (o:

Why to go Jenny!

Lisa said...

Oh you are good at keeping us hooked! LOVE this story! It was fun to read two in a row! I cannot wait for Tuesday!!!
Hugs, Lisa

Anonymous said...

Great story! I loved reading about the wonderful memories that come back so strong!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Awwwwwwwwww... Happiness comes! :-)

Beedeebabee said...

That was soooooo good Jenny! I love your story time! I feel like I did when I was in 3rd grade and we go to the school library once a week to listen to the librarian read us a story! I'm loving your wonderful story...can't wait for next week! xoxo Paulette

Survivormama said...

So hooked...love part 2...suspense...