Whoa, holy neglected blog Batman! But I found a new enjoyable writing prompt tonight so I'll publish it now before I have time to think about it and doubt myself:
"It was a witchy house: the low-slung roof; that quiet gray paint; those squinting, shuttered windows; and the empty porch rocker that rocked, rocked day and night."* Stella knew at first sight it would be perfect for her. Now that Brian had left her she was completely doomed to become that strange spinster lady the neighborhood children feared. They wouldn't think she was mean, just a bit strange in an unsettling way. They'd sense how badly she wanted one of them for her own, and how sad she was that it would never happen.
But she could still make herself a happy enough home here. Colorful curtains could replace the shutters and would make the gray paint look tranquil in contrast. The yard was sunny enough for flowers and Stella pictured many spring and summer afternoons puttering between outside and in, doing odd jobs of housekeeping, gardening and creating.
Brian had always wanted her to keep her projects tidy and out of his sight until they were finished, but now she could work openly and freely. What a relief to not have to constantly put things away only to take them out again! One of the three bedrooms would be devoted to artistic pursuits and never require tidiness, only organization.
And the second spare bedroom would bring Stella just as much joy because it would be he guest room. Brian's habit of working from home without working in his home office made having guests difficult since they couldn't do anything without interrupting. Now Stella's parents, sisters, nieces, nephews and far-flung friends could come and feel welcome for weeks at a time. The favorite, Krissy, would be the first visitor in just a few weeks to celebrate her 13th birthday. She'd surely help Stella decorate the room to make it cozy and inviting.
So yes, Stella could make her new witchy little house perfectly bewitching for her new life.
***
Life update: spent last summer learning how to sail and letting my husband learn how to fly planes. Am considering becoming entrepreneurial and launched an Etsy site to set the waters (www.etsy.com/ca/shop/BecBlooms) and it takes up way more time than I feel like it should, as does my day job. But life's good!
*from Writing Magic by Gail Carson Levine
