Grab Bag Writing Challenge - January 2018
- bear - blanket - comfort - crash - doze - hush - idle - layer - lodge - powder - quilt - snore - still - warm - yawn -
by Arianna Stonewater
Once upon a time, there was a brown bear. This brown bear lived in the mountains with his family and other animal friends. Every summer they would have picnics (well, okay, they stole picnics) and swim in the lakes. As fall arrived, they spent more of their day yawning and eating, preparing for the coming winter. Then the day comes that a hush falls over the mountains and all of the animals grab their blankets, get comfortable, and begin to doze. But one year, the bear didn't fall asleep. He looked around at his snoring brothers and his still sisters, but he just couldn't fall asleep! He couldn't stay idle for long, so he wandered around the mountainside looking for someone, anyone, who might be awake to keep him company. Sadly, all of his friends had either also gone to sleep or flown south for the winter. As a layer of white powder began to fall, he decided he would decorate the family's lodge as a surprise for everyone when the warm weather returned! The bear spent a long time making paper flower chains and nameplates to decorate everyone's doors. He made four different batches of cookies and put them in the freezer, ready to defrost and eat when they were awake. After several days, he begin to grow tired. Pleased with the work he had done, he grabbed his quilt and crashed on his bed. He quickly fell asleep, dreaming of the past couple of days. He felt happy, imagining the looks of surprise that will be on everyone's faces when they wake up to see everything he had done.
Once upon a time, there was a brown bear. This brown bear lived in the mountains with his family and other animal friends. Every summer they would have picnics (well, okay, they stole picnics) and swim in the lakes. As fall arrived, they spent more of their day yawning and eating, preparing for the coming winter. Then the day comes that a hush falls over the mountains and all of the animals grab their blankets, get comfortable, and begin to doze. But one year, the bear didn't fall asleep. He looked around at his snoring brothers and his still sisters, but he just couldn't fall asleep! He couldn't stay idle for long, so he wandered around the mountainside looking for someone, anyone, who might be awake to keep him company. Sadly, all of his friends had either also gone to sleep or flown south for the winter. As a layer of white powder began to fall, he decided he would decorate the family's lodge as a surprise for everyone when the warm weather returned! The bear spent a long time making paper flower chains and nameplates to decorate everyone's doors. He made four different batches of cookies and put them in the freezer, ready to defrost and eat when they were awake. After several days, he begin to grow tired. Pleased with the work he had done, he grabbed his quilt and crashed on his bed. He quickly fell asleep, dreaming of the past couple of days. He felt happy, imagining the looks of surprise that will be on everyone's faces when they wake up to see everything he had done.
by Bull J. Johnson
There was once an old lady who liked to sleep in her comfortable bed. This bed had many quilted blankets on it that were very warm. One night she fell asleep under all those blankets and had an awful dream.
In this dream, she was a bear that lived in a forest alongside a still pond that was stocked with many fine fish. However, this forest did not stay quiet and nice for long because a mean evil hunter who loved killing animals came to live in that forest with his rifle. This hunter was out to try to kill a bear. He heard of a tale that said there was a beautiful bear living in that forest and that this bear had a beautiful hide. He wanted that bear hide to use to make a fine coat.
When the hunter arrived in the forest, he looked for his prey and found the bear. All of a sudden, he started to have a fight with the bear. Soon the bear took a mighty snap at the hunter with its strong jaw. Luckily, the bear missed. The next second, the hunter had shot the bear and the bear fell down with a loud crash, where he lay motionless and dead. The hunter skinned the bear right then and there and took the bear meat back to his lodge where he made bear soup and had a great meal.
All of a sudden, the alarm clock rang loudly and woke up the old lady. She jumped out of bed, put on all the layers of her clothes, and started her day. As she did this, she thought to herself, "Man, that was one horrible dream."
There was once an old lady who liked to sleep in her comfortable bed. This bed had many quilted blankets on it that were very warm. One night she fell asleep under all those blankets and had an awful dream.
In this dream, she was a bear that lived in a forest alongside a still pond that was stocked with many fine fish. However, this forest did not stay quiet and nice for long because a mean evil hunter who loved killing animals came to live in that forest with his rifle. This hunter was out to try to kill a bear. He heard of a tale that said there was a beautiful bear living in that forest and that this bear had a beautiful hide. He wanted that bear hide to use to make a fine coat.
When the hunter arrived in the forest, he looked for his prey and found the bear. All of a sudden, he started to have a fight with the bear. Soon the bear took a mighty snap at the hunter with its strong jaw. Luckily, the bear missed. The next second, the hunter had shot the bear and the bear fell down with a loud crash, where he lay motionless and dead. The hunter skinned the bear right then and there and took the bear meat back to his lodge where he made bear soup and had a great meal.
All of a sudden, the alarm clock rang loudly and woke up the old lady. She jumped out of bed, put on all the layers of her clothes, and started her day. As she did this, she thought to herself, "Man, that was one horrible dream."
by Gail Allen
The quilts were still warm where his big body had lain not long ago. Gail hadn't noticed him leaving, but she could tell from the absence of his snore that he was gone. Sticking her arm out from under the many layers of blankets piled on top of her for warmth and across to the bed opposite hers, she could tell that the indent where he had lain before was still warm.
She pulled her arm back under the comfort of the blankets, and curled up happily, content to doze a little longer.
An hour later she woke again, the hushed silence of the lodge cabin allowing her to hear the soft crackling of the fire in the next room. She slipped out of the large bed, yawning, and stuck her feet into the slippers, before she idled into the main room of the cabin.
"I thought you said it always looked like someone had been in a crash when you were in the kitchen," she commented, nodding to the teapot on the table. "How afraid do I need to be to go in there?" she asked, pouring herself a cup.
He laughed, sounding like a bear with his voice so deep it barely seemed to fit inside his body.
"It might not be quite that bad," he confessed, "But don't think you'll get me to cook dinner any time soon just because of it."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Gail replied, pushing the light powder of sugar he had evidently spilled, around on the table.
"You might have forgotten it, but I remember how you were before I got my letter to Hogwarts. It's not a memory I need refreshed anytime soon."
The quilts were still warm where his big body had lain not long ago. Gail hadn't noticed him leaving, but she could tell from the absence of his snore that he was gone. Sticking her arm out from under the many layers of blankets piled on top of her for warmth and across to the bed opposite hers, she could tell that the indent where he had lain before was still warm.
She pulled her arm back under the comfort of the blankets, and curled up happily, content to doze a little longer.
An hour later she woke again, the hushed silence of the lodge cabin allowing her to hear the soft crackling of the fire in the next room. She slipped out of the large bed, yawning, and stuck her feet into the slippers, before she idled into the main room of the cabin.
"I thought you said it always looked like someone had been in a crash when you were in the kitchen," she commented, nodding to the teapot on the table. "How afraid do I need to be to go in there?" she asked, pouring herself a cup.
He laughed, sounding like a bear with his voice so deep it barely seemed to fit inside his body.
"It might not be quite that bad," he confessed, "But don't think you'll get me to cook dinner any time soon just because of it."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Gail replied, pushing the light powder of sugar he had evidently spilled, around on the table.
"You might have forgotten it, but I remember how you were before I got my letter to Hogwarts. It's not a memory I need refreshed anytime soon."
by Maxim Trevelyan
Gary woke up from his snoring by someone shaking him very hard. He did not want to lose the warm feeling of his bed, so he burrowed deeper into his blanket, swatting the annoying hands away. He had half a mind to which person they belonged to.
"Leave me alone, Maxim, it's Christmas," he grunted, but the incessant poking and prodding did not cease. Gary sighed and sat up, glaring at his best friend.
"You look like a bear," Maxim giggled, noting the disgruntled look and hair sticking out everywhere. "Come on, I have a plan to spread Christmas cheer through the castle," Maxim grinned, his hands flying through the air as he spoke. Gary did not deign Maxim's exclamation a reply while he proceeded to sift through his clothes, yawning.
"I didn't leave the comfort of my bed just so I could participate in another one of your harebrained ideas," Gary growled. "I could be in a lodge with my parents, drinking powdered hot chocolate, but no, I had to stay at Hogwarts, because you begged me to, since you're such a drag, even your parents wanted you to stay." As soon as the last word left his mouth, Gary knew he went too far, since Maxim hushed and was sporting a hurt look on his face.
"I just wanted to help," Maxim whispered, hanging his head for a moment. "Sorry to bother you, Happy Christmas Gary," his friend smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "I will be at the Great Lake if you need me. Wear layers, it's very cold outside," Maxim nodded and left the boys' bedroom.
Heeding Maxim's advice, Gary dressed into warm clothes as he set out after his best friend. He needed to apologize after all. True to the boy's word, he found Maxim by the lake. There was an unnatural stillness about Maxim, Gary was not used to the normally very active friend being so idle.
Gary approached Maxim quietly. "I'm sorry about what I said," he said, shaking the other boy from his reverie, just noticing a wrapped object that Maxim held in his hands, crash to the ground. "Sorry," Gary added again.
"No problem," Maxim replied, to both of Gary’s apologies. "I know I can be a bit of a handful," he cracked a small smile, which Gary saw as an improvement. He picked up the gift and gestured with it to Gary. "I got a gift for the Giant Squid. I know it must seem silly, but it's not fair we get gifts and it doesn’t." Something breached the water nearby and both boys watched an enormous tentacle curl up in the air.
Gary laughed softly, "I don’t think it sounds silly. It's like you to do it though," he nudged Maxim with his shoulders, observing the boy lob the wrapped gift to the tentacle. It poked the gift, as if to make sure it was safe. Satisfied that nothing would blow up, the tentacle took the gift and submerged again.
Maxim clapped happily and started to drag Gary back into the castle. Wondering what was that his friend got the squid, Gary asked, "What did you get it anyway?"
"Oh, a very nice quilt. It must get cold in there. And if it will be counterproductive, at least it can use it as a sock,” Maxim smiled at Gary’s snort. "Come on, let's see if we can't doze off for another hour or so." With that said, the boys hurried off to the common room for some rest.
Gary woke up from his snoring by someone shaking him very hard. He did not want to lose the warm feeling of his bed, so he burrowed deeper into his blanket, swatting the annoying hands away. He had half a mind to which person they belonged to.
"Leave me alone, Maxim, it's Christmas," he grunted, but the incessant poking and prodding did not cease. Gary sighed and sat up, glaring at his best friend.
"You look like a bear," Maxim giggled, noting the disgruntled look and hair sticking out everywhere. "Come on, I have a plan to spread Christmas cheer through the castle," Maxim grinned, his hands flying through the air as he spoke. Gary did not deign Maxim's exclamation a reply while he proceeded to sift through his clothes, yawning.
"I didn't leave the comfort of my bed just so I could participate in another one of your harebrained ideas," Gary growled. "I could be in a lodge with my parents, drinking powdered hot chocolate, but no, I had to stay at Hogwarts, because you begged me to, since you're such a drag, even your parents wanted you to stay." As soon as the last word left his mouth, Gary knew he went too far, since Maxim hushed and was sporting a hurt look on his face.
"I just wanted to help," Maxim whispered, hanging his head for a moment. "Sorry to bother you, Happy Christmas Gary," his friend smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "I will be at the Great Lake if you need me. Wear layers, it's very cold outside," Maxim nodded and left the boys' bedroom.
Heeding Maxim's advice, Gary dressed into warm clothes as he set out after his best friend. He needed to apologize after all. True to the boy's word, he found Maxim by the lake. There was an unnatural stillness about Maxim, Gary was not used to the normally very active friend being so idle.
Gary approached Maxim quietly. "I'm sorry about what I said," he said, shaking the other boy from his reverie, just noticing a wrapped object that Maxim held in his hands, crash to the ground. "Sorry," Gary added again.
"No problem," Maxim replied, to both of Gary’s apologies. "I know I can be a bit of a handful," he cracked a small smile, which Gary saw as an improvement. He picked up the gift and gestured with it to Gary. "I got a gift for the Giant Squid. I know it must seem silly, but it's not fair we get gifts and it doesn’t." Something breached the water nearby and both boys watched an enormous tentacle curl up in the air.
Gary laughed softly, "I don’t think it sounds silly. It's like you to do it though," he nudged Maxim with his shoulders, observing the boy lob the wrapped gift to the tentacle. It poked the gift, as if to make sure it was safe. Satisfied that nothing would blow up, the tentacle took the gift and submerged again.
Maxim clapped happily and started to drag Gary back into the castle. Wondering what was that his friend got the squid, Gary asked, "What did you get it anyway?"
"Oh, a very nice quilt. It must get cold in there. And if it will be counterproductive, at least it can use it as a sock,” Maxim smiled at Gary’s snort. "Come on, let's see if we can't doze off for another hour or so." With that said, the boys hurried off to the common room for some rest.
by Prof. Tarma Amelia Black
Daine yawned and crawled out of the sleeping bag. Snoozing in comfort, in front of the coals of the fireplace, were three bundled up persons, each wrapped in their own blanket. Wrapped up in layers of quilts on one of the large sofas, someone was snoring quietly, a gentle buzzing sound.
The lodge where they were all staying was quite large. It had three fireplaces in this one big room, and there were smaller rooms, bedrooms and sitting rooms, each with their own fireplace too. Evidently it was important to make sure one would be warm here, where a thin layer of powder covered the ground sometimes in the beginning of autumn.
But now they were in the middle of winter and the snow was waist-high. The stillness and quiet was immense. A quiet hush lay upon the room, upon the world as it seemed, and Daine thought about going to make some coffee. An immense crash echoed outside; she recognized the sound as the noise which accompanies a tree limb breaking under a heavy load of snow.
For the fun of it, she idly turned into a bear and then back again. Stretching, she looked at the quiet figures, all resting after their thirty mile hike the day before. Nah, the coffee could wait. She'd doze a bit more … She crept back into the still-warm sleeping bag and quickly dropped into a light sleep.
Daine yawned and crawled out of the sleeping bag. Snoozing in comfort, in front of the coals of the fireplace, were three bundled up persons, each wrapped in their own blanket. Wrapped up in layers of quilts on one of the large sofas, someone was snoring quietly, a gentle buzzing sound.
The lodge where they were all staying was quite large. It had three fireplaces in this one big room, and there were smaller rooms, bedrooms and sitting rooms, each with their own fireplace too. Evidently it was important to make sure one would be warm here, where a thin layer of powder covered the ground sometimes in the beginning of autumn.
But now they were in the middle of winter and the snow was waist-high. The stillness and quiet was immense. A quiet hush lay upon the room, upon the world as it seemed, and Daine thought about going to make some coffee. An immense crash echoed outside; she recognized the sound as the noise which accompanies a tree limb breaking under a heavy load of snow.
For the fun of it, she idly turned into a bear and then back again. Stretching, she looked at the quiet figures, all resting after their thirty mile hike the day before. Nah, the coffee could wait. She'd doze a bit more … She crept back into the still-warm sleeping bag and quickly dropped into a light sleep.
The Camping Trip - by Shiloh Adlar
It was late at night as my group and I walked out into the wilderness. After taking this Survival class, we were almost positive that we would be fine on another journey now that we had all the skills to do so. Besides, we hated being idle and allowing our new found skills to go to waste. We gathered up our camping supplies as well as a bag of food and plenty of water before heading out, our hiking backpacks ready to go.
When we finally reached the campsite we had decided on for the night, we set up our tents and started a fire. It was a cool night out, so I put my hands out over the fire to warm them up. The woods around us were still, which was a relief, but also slightly spooky. I had on an extra layer of clothes, and being in front of the fire had me overheating, so I took off the top sweater and felt much better.
After that, I tossed it into my tent and laid out my sleeping bag along with a quilt and a blanket that I had brought along just for extra warmth. Okay, so I’ll admit that it’s a comfort blanket, not necessarily meant for warmth, but it helps me sleep at night. Don’t judge me.
One of my companions popped into the tent with me since we would be sharing this trip and stated that it had been such a long hike that sitting in front of the fire had her ready to doze off. I told her it was probably best for her to go to sleep, so she didn’t pass out into the fire. What a mess that would be. We both got set in our sleeping bags, and I cuddled up with my blanket listening to the noises outside. With a stifled yawn, I closed my eyes and readied myself to sleep.
Unfortunately, I was not asleep for long as it seemed my tent companion liked to snore. I sighed and wished her snoring would hush, but I doubted I would get so lucky. That was when we all heard it. There was a loud crash outside of our tents at our camping site. Apparently a bear had sniffed out some of our food, and had come to party with us. (I knew there was something we forgot about Survival class!)
While looking out the tent with my friend, she said, "Get my bag. There’s some black powder in there."
"What do you mean black powder?" I asked handing her the bag.
"Don’t worry. It’s just some powder that when it hits something, it makes a loud noise. It’ll scare the bear off without hurting him."
"Are you sure about this?" I questioned her again.
She nodded. "Positive."
She found the black powder she was looking for and carefully tossed it out of the tent in proximity of the bear, not so close to where it would get hit, but close enough that the noise sent it running away. We breathed heavily and were awake the rest of the night, unable to sleep for fear the bear may return.
When morning came and the sun had lit up the sky, we stepped out of the tent and met the boys who looked completely refreshed. My companion and I looked at each other and then at them before we began asking them questions. "Didn’t you boys see the bear last night?"
They both denied it totally, and neither of us could believe it. Either they slept through it or the two of us had the exact same dream! Either way, we decided there would be no more camping in the wilderness overnight. If we wanted to go on a hiking expedition again in the future, we would just find a lodge to stay at near the hiking grounds.
It was late at night as my group and I walked out into the wilderness. After taking this Survival class, we were almost positive that we would be fine on another journey now that we had all the skills to do so. Besides, we hated being idle and allowing our new found skills to go to waste. We gathered up our camping supplies as well as a bag of food and plenty of water before heading out, our hiking backpacks ready to go.
When we finally reached the campsite we had decided on for the night, we set up our tents and started a fire. It was a cool night out, so I put my hands out over the fire to warm them up. The woods around us were still, which was a relief, but also slightly spooky. I had on an extra layer of clothes, and being in front of the fire had me overheating, so I took off the top sweater and felt much better.
After that, I tossed it into my tent and laid out my sleeping bag along with a quilt and a blanket that I had brought along just for extra warmth. Okay, so I’ll admit that it’s a comfort blanket, not necessarily meant for warmth, but it helps me sleep at night. Don’t judge me.
One of my companions popped into the tent with me since we would be sharing this trip and stated that it had been such a long hike that sitting in front of the fire had her ready to doze off. I told her it was probably best for her to go to sleep, so she didn’t pass out into the fire. What a mess that would be. We both got set in our sleeping bags, and I cuddled up with my blanket listening to the noises outside. With a stifled yawn, I closed my eyes and readied myself to sleep.
Unfortunately, I was not asleep for long as it seemed my tent companion liked to snore. I sighed and wished her snoring would hush, but I doubted I would get so lucky. That was when we all heard it. There was a loud crash outside of our tents at our camping site. Apparently a bear had sniffed out some of our food, and had come to party with us. (I knew there was something we forgot about Survival class!)
While looking out the tent with my friend, she said, "Get my bag. There’s some black powder in there."
"What do you mean black powder?" I asked handing her the bag.
"Don’t worry. It’s just some powder that when it hits something, it makes a loud noise. It’ll scare the bear off without hurting him."
"Are you sure about this?" I questioned her again.
She nodded. "Positive."
She found the black powder she was looking for and carefully tossed it out of the tent in proximity of the bear, not so close to where it would get hit, but close enough that the noise sent it running away. We breathed heavily and were awake the rest of the night, unable to sleep for fear the bear may return.
When morning came and the sun had lit up the sky, we stepped out of the tent and met the boys who looked completely refreshed. My companion and I looked at each other and then at them before we began asking them questions. "Didn’t you boys see the bear last night?"
They both denied it totally, and neither of us could believe it. Either they slept through it or the two of us had the exact same dream! Either way, we decided there would be no more camping in the wilderness overnight. If we wanted to go on a hiking expedition again in the future, we would just find a lodge to stay at near the hiking grounds.