Grab Bag Writing Challenge - June 2017
- alternate - bright - cloud - console - elevate - gloom - hope - ideal - lining - option - positive - ray - sparkle - support - winsome -
by Aurelia West
From her slumped position on the floor, Gracie lifted her head to meet the sparkling smile her mother was offering to console her.
“I know you’re trying to support me,” she grumbled, “but at least let me be gloomy for a little bit alright?” Her mother moved a hand to her shoulder and smiled.
“Alright, I’ll let you go for now, but later I’m going to bake some cookies and I hope you’ll come help,” she said as she left Gracie to herself.
Gracie continued to sulk for a bit. After all, there wasn’t much of a positive spin she could put on losing the necklace her best friend had given her, but she knew she couldn’t stay too upset for long, especially with the option of baking some cookies with her mom.
As she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, she stopped by the window to admire the winsome mountains that were a near constant in her life. At least she could never lose those, nor the sense of elation that came over her when she looked at them. The day was a bit cloudy but the sun still shone brightly from behind the clouds, elevating her mood with its rays.
When she got into the kitchen her mother had just finished putting a parchment paper lining on the two baking trays they intended to use, and Gracie offered her a small smile.
“Now that’s the smile I want to see,” her mother told her. As they worked, Gracie snuck a taste of the batter and smiled again. Baking cookies was truly the ideal way to help her get her spirits back up.
When the cookies were finished baking, Gracie and her mom alternated decorating them with icing and when they were finished, Gracie picked out a movie for the two of them to watch together.
From her slumped position on the floor, Gracie lifted her head to meet the sparkling smile her mother was offering to console her.
“I know you’re trying to support me,” she grumbled, “but at least let me be gloomy for a little bit alright?” Her mother moved a hand to her shoulder and smiled.
“Alright, I’ll let you go for now, but later I’m going to bake some cookies and I hope you’ll come help,” she said as she left Gracie to herself.
Gracie continued to sulk for a bit. After all, there wasn’t much of a positive spin she could put on losing the necklace her best friend had given her, but she knew she couldn’t stay too upset for long, especially with the option of baking some cookies with her mom.
As she made her way downstairs to the kitchen, she stopped by the window to admire the winsome mountains that were a near constant in her life. At least she could never lose those, nor the sense of elation that came over her when she looked at them. The day was a bit cloudy but the sun still shone brightly from behind the clouds, elevating her mood with its rays.
When she got into the kitchen her mother had just finished putting a parchment paper lining on the two baking trays they intended to use, and Gracie offered her a small smile.
“Now that’s the smile I want to see,” her mother told her. As they worked, Gracie snuck a taste of the batter and smiled again. Baking cookies was truly the ideal way to help her get her spirits back up.
When the cookies were finished baking, Gracie and her mom alternated decorating them with icing and when they were finished, Gracie picked out a movie for the two of them to watch together.
by Gail Allen
It was a bright morning in June. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, and the rays of sunshine reflected off of the lake, sparkling like diamonds. It was a day where it was almost impossible not to feel positive and optimistic.
Diana sat at the edge of the still water. She was almost always rising early to get a few moments alone before the day truly began. And before her sister woke.
She looked at her watch. Ten minutes to seven. Lara would be waking soon.
With a sigh Diana stood up and turned her back on the beautiful vista, turning instead towards their house. It wasn't ideal. Not by a long shot, but what options did they have? Lara couldn't work, and Diana was frankly too busy supporting her sister to hold down more than a part-time job at the local grocery store. Even that felt like a blessing sometimes, because it allowed her to go out and be among 'real people.'
Not that Lara wasn't real, or that Diana didn't love her. That was just the problem, wasn't it? She loved her too much to ever even consider abandoning her. And then of course there were the days. Those blissful days where Lara's mood would seem to soar and her smile, as winsome as any princess's seemed to elevate the whole world with her. Those were the moments Diana treasured on days when gloom overtook the house and nothing she did could console her sister. Those bright days; they provided the silver lining that made it possible to go on even when Lara's moods alternated so fast that Diana felt drained to the bone at the end of the day. Those goods days provided hope. Hope that tomorrow would be better than today, and that next year might be just that little bit better too.
Diana wasn't unhappy with her life. She loved her sister, and if given the chance to leave, she would not have chosen to do so. But how she wished that some day, there would be a better way for her to help. For more than the exhaustion of watching over Lara, what truly hurt, was watching her sister suffer and not being able to stop the pain.
It was a bright morning in June. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky, and the rays of sunshine reflected off of the lake, sparkling like diamonds. It was a day where it was almost impossible not to feel positive and optimistic.
Diana sat at the edge of the still water. She was almost always rising early to get a few moments alone before the day truly began. And before her sister woke.
She looked at her watch. Ten minutes to seven. Lara would be waking soon.
With a sigh Diana stood up and turned her back on the beautiful vista, turning instead towards their house. It wasn't ideal. Not by a long shot, but what options did they have? Lara couldn't work, and Diana was frankly too busy supporting her sister to hold down more than a part-time job at the local grocery store. Even that felt like a blessing sometimes, because it allowed her to go out and be among 'real people.'
Not that Lara wasn't real, or that Diana didn't love her. That was just the problem, wasn't it? She loved her too much to ever even consider abandoning her. And then of course there were the days. Those blissful days where Lara's mood would seem to soar and her smile, as winsome as any princess's seemed to elevate the whole world with her. Those were the moments Diana treasured on days when gloom overtook the house and nothing she did could console her sister. Those bright days; they provided the silver lining that made it possible to go on even when Lara's moods alternated so fast that Diana felt drained to the bone at the end of the day. Those goods days provided hope. Hope that tomorrow would be better than today, and that next year might be just that little bit better too.
Diana wasn't unhappy with her life. She loved her sister, and if given the chance to leave, she would not have chosen to do so. But how she wished that some day, there would be a better way for her to help. For more than the exhaustion of watching over Lara, what truly hurt, was watching her sister suffer and not being able to stop the pain.
by Kendra Givens
Audrey awoke to clouds and gloom outside her window. She wished she had the option to not go to school this morning after what had happened the previous evening, but she knew she had to go take her final exams or she might not pass her classes. She could only hope that no one would talk about yesterday, but she couldn’t help but think people would be whispering about her in the halls all day long.
As she got in the car to drive to school, the sky started to alternate between cloudy and clear, with ray sunshine sparkling directly over her as she parked her car in the student lot. She started to believe that maybe the day would be okay after all. The sky became even brighter as she walked through the parking lot toward the school entrance.
As she reached the door, her friend Lyssa was standing there waiting for her. It was difficult to not smile as Lyssa hugged Audrey without saying a word to console her in her unspoken turmoil. Her winsome spirit completely changed Audrey’s frame of mind, and she was able to walk into the building with a positive mental attitude.
That single event in Audrey’s day ended up being the silver lining in her otherwise terrible week’s happenings. She had never realized it before, but it was amazing to her how the support of another person could elevate her less-than-ideal mood to a frame of mind she didn’t think possible.
Audrey awoke to clouds and gloom outside her window. She wished she had the option to not go to school this morning after what had happened the previous evening, but she knew she had to go take her final exams or she might not pass her classes. She could only hope that no one would talk about yesterday, but she couldn’t help but think people would be whispering about her in the halls all day long.
As she got in the car to drive to school, the sky started to alternate between cloudy and clear, with ray sunshine sparkling directly over her as she parked her car in the student lot. She started to believe that maybe the day would be okay after all. The sky became even brighter as she walked through the parking lot toward the school entrance.
As she reached the door, her friend Lyssa was standing there waiting for her. It was difficult to not smile as Lyssa hugged Audrey without saying a word to console her in her unspoken turmoil. Her winsome spirit completely changed Audrey’s frame of mind, and she was able to walk into the building with a positive mental attitude.
That single event in Audrey’s day ended up being the silver lining in her otherwise terrible week’s happenings. She had never realized it before, but it was amazing to her how the support of another person could elevate her less-than-ideal mood to a frame of mind she didn’t think possible.
by Maxim Trevelyan
Late June sun was setting on the horizon, bathing the clouds in a blood-red color. One lone person watched as the last, dying rays sent millions of sparkles across the water of the lake. It was a beautiful sight, ethereal, something even the twilight’s gloom might not achieve.
"Still here?" a voice interrupted Maxim’s thoughts. He turned around and saw his best friend, Gary, calmly walking to him.
Maxim beamed Gary that winsome, boyish smile he was known for and replied, "I’m taking my last glimpses of magic before I go back to the Muggle world."
"It’s not like you won’t see it anymore," Gary mused and sat down on the grass, gazing at the lake. "Though the view has its charm, I suppose."
"You know what I see?" Maxim asked, settling down beside him, slightly leaning on his friend for support. At the shake of Gary’s head, he continued, "Hope. The vastness of the lake brings me that. With one look you think you see it all, but the magical world, like the Great Lake, has a vastness beyond compare. I might only see a speck of it, but I know that deep down or way across, there is more to see, more to options to explore, than those we are currently presented with."
"That is strangely philosophical of you," Gary commented, "However, I see your point." He supposed that Maxim, like many Muggleborns felt melancholy after leaving the world full of magic to go back to where it does not, and should not, exist. Gary decided to try and brighten Maxim’s thoughts.
"You think you’ll go to Summer Quidditch Camp that has been offered?" At the mention of the popular game, Maxim perked up.
"Positive! I already asked my parents and they said yes. Although they do not look forward explaining it to the neighbors. Summer camp for alternate-minded children, indeed," Maxim snorted, his mood elevated a little bit.
"You’re coming too right?" Maxim asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Of course, I never miss it. Ever since I was six, my parents enrolled me in it, although it’s different for little kids," Gary nodded.
"Ah, don’t worry my little friend, this is an ideal opportunity to get back at all people that beat us at Quidditch this year," Maxim jumped to his feet. "Though, I promise to console you if you get hit by a bludger. Again," he grinned, helping Gary to his feet.
As the pair walked towards the castle, Maxim turned back for a second and caught the Giant Squid breaching the water. It was quite magnificent to see in the sunset’s light.
Silver lining indeed.
Late June sun was setting on the horizon, bathing the clouds in a blood-red color. One lone person watched as the last, dying rays sent millions of sparkles across the water of the lake. It was a beautiful sight, ethereal, something even the twilight’s gloom might not achieve.
"Still here?" a voice interrupted Maxim’s thoughts. He turned around and saw his best friend, Gary, calmly walking to him.
Maxim beamed Gary that winsome, boyish smile he was known for and replied, "I’m taking my last glimpses of magic before I go back to the Muggle world."
"It’s not like you won’t see it anymore," Gary mused and sat down on the grass, gazing at the lake. "Though the view has its charm, I suppose."
"You know what I see?" Maxim asked, settling down beside him, slightly leaning on his friend for support. At the shake of Gary’s head, he continued, "Hope. The vastness of the lake brings me that. With one look you think you see it all, but the magical world, like the Great Lake, has a vastness beyond compare. I might only see a speck of it, but I know that deep down or way across, there is more to see, more to options to explore, than those we are currently presented with."
"That is strangely philosophical of you," Gary commented, "However, I see your point." He supposed that Maxim, like many Muggleborns felt melancholy after leaving the world full of magic to go back to where it does not, and should not, exist. Gary decided to try and brighten Maxim’s thoughts.
"You think you’ll go to Summer Quidditch Camp that has been offered?" At the mention of the popular game, Maxim perked up.
"Positive! I already asked my parents and they said yes. Although they do not look forward explaining it to the neighbors. Summer camp for alternate-minded children, indeed," Maxim snorted, his mood elevated a little bit.
"You’re coming too right?" Maxim asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Of course, I never miss it. Ever since I was six, my parents enrolled me in it, although it’s different for little kids," Gary nodded.
"Ah, don’t worry my little friend, this is an ideal opportunity to get back at all people that beat us at Quidditch this year," Maxim jumped to his feet. "Though, I promise to console you if you get hit by a bludger. Again," he grinned, helping Gary to his feet.
As the pair walked towards the castle, Maxim turned back for a second and caught the Giant Squid breaching the water. It was quite magnificent to see in the sunset’s light.
Silver lining indeed.
by Polaris Black
Hope was aptly named by her parents; she always felt that things would turn out for the best and that in the end, she could have whatever she wanted. She had a winsome smile and was always a source of inspiration to her friends. She saw the bright side of everything and texted words of encouragement on a daily basis. In fact, gloom was just not an option when she was around.
Then she had a freak accident at the gym that really tested her values. Her usual exercise bar was not available and the one that she wound up using had been slightly elevated and she lost her grip. She fell and landed awkwardly on the super hard floor and broke her hip. Although her situation was far from ideal, thankfully it was only temporary. The break did not require a surgical fix, but she had to take anticoagulants and keep it immobilized. She couldn’t drive or work and needed the support of crutches in order to move around.
At first she was beyond being consoled. This alternate lifestyle simply did not agree with her. And no matter what the weather, she always seemed to be struggling under a cloud. But after about three weeks, somehow she regained her power of positive thinking. It was almost like a ray of sunshine broke through and she at last found her silver lining. The sparkle returned to her eyes and she could once again be herself, as well as the friend that everyone had learnt to count on.
Hope was aptly named by her parents; she always felt that things would turn out for the best and that in the end, she could have whatever she wanted. She had a winsome smile and was always a source of inspiration to her friends. She saw the bright side of everything and texted words of encouragement on a daily basis. In fact, gloom was just not an option when she was around.
Then she had a freak accident at the gym that really tested her values. Her usual exercise bar was not available and the one that she wound up using had been slightly elevated and she lost her grip. She fell and landed awkwardly on the super hard floor and broke her hip. Although her situation was far from ideal, thankfully it was only temporary. The break did not require a surgical fix, but she had to take anticoagulants and keep it immobilized. She couldn’t drive or work and needed the support of crutches in order to move around.
At first she was beyond being consoled. This alternate lifestyle simply did not agree with her. And no matter what the weather, she always seemed to be struggling under a cloud. But after about three weeks, somehow she regained her power of positive thinking. It was almost like a ray of sunshine broke through and she at last found her silver lining. The sparkle returned to her eyes and she could once again be herself, as well as the friend that everyone had learnt to count on.
by Zai Eln
I was very upset over my poor grades. My best friend Trey tried to console me, but I could only think of one thing to elevate my spirits. My only hope in finding a bright lining to this cloud of gloom was to find a hippogriff and ride him through the halls of the school. Finally he said he would be glad to lend his support to this task.
We first needed to find a hippogriff and gain its trust. So we gathered our gear and set out on a trek to the land of the hippogriffs. On and on we hiked through desert and jungle and valley. Some of the land is less than ideal, but we stayed positive in our quest for we knew we had no other option. With brave hearts and hopeful spirits we refused to give up. Finally our endurance paid off when behind some bushes I spied a hippogriff with a winsome smile and a sparkle in its eyes.
I slowly approached the hippogriff and bowed as I watched him. At first I was very afraid he would be displeased as he backed away but kept his eyes on me. I sat down and offered some of my berries to him. He did not come any closer, however, he did not run away either and this gave me a ray of hope.
I consulted with Trey and we decided to camp overnight and hope the hippogriff would not leave. He caught some fish while I built a small campfire. The fish were wonderful with the berries and I offered one to the hippogriff, which he seemed to enjoy.
The next morning we discussed our plan. I thought we should stay and continue to offer small gifts to the hippogriff. Trey could not think of an alternate plan, so we picked some more berries and stayed.
That evening I tossed a couple of fish to the hippogriff and again he seemed to truly enjoy them. I also put some berries to the side for him. Then we slept and the next morning the hippogriff was sitting right next to me. I immediately offered up some berries and we became friends. The hippogriff allowed me and Trey to ride. He flew us home and then let me ride him as he flew through the halls of my school. The principal hid under his desk and I felt so much better.
I was very upset over my poor grades. My best friend Trey tried to console me, but I could only think of one thing to elevate my spirits. My only hope in finding a bright lining to this cloud of gloom was to find a hippogriff and ride him through the halls of the school. Finally he said he would be glad to lend his support to this task.
We first needed to find a hippogriff and gain its trust. So we gathered our gear and set out on a trek to the land of the hippogriffs. On and on we hiked through desert and jungle and valley. Some of the land is less than ideal, but we stayed positive in our quest for we knew we had no other option. With brave hearts and hopeful spirits we refused to give up. Finally our endurance paid off when behind some bushes I spied a hippogriff with a winsome smile and a sparkle in its eyes.
I slowly approached the hippogriff and bowed as I watched him. At first I was very afraid he would be displeased as he backed away but kept his eyes on me. I sat down and offered some of my berries to him. He did not come any closer, however, he did not run away either and this gave me a ray of hope.
I consulted with Trey and we decided to camp overnight and hope the hippogriff would not leave. He caught some fish while I built a small campfire. The fish were wonderful with the berries and I offered one to the hippogriff, which he seemed to enjoy.
The next morning we discussed our plan. I thought we should stay and continue to offer small gifts to the hippogriff. Trey could not think of an alternate plan, so we picked some more berries and stayed.
That evening I tossed a couple of fish to the hippogriff and again he seemed to truly enjoy them. I also put some berries to the side for him. Then we slept and the next morning the hippogriff was sitting right next to me. I immediately offered up some berries and we became friends. The hippogriff allowed me and Trey to ride. He flew us home and then let me ride him as he flew through the halls of my school. The principal hid under his desk and I felt so much better.