Waffles and Berries

July 31, 2025 / joyroses13 / 16 Comments

This is the conclusion to yesterday’s post, The Shrinking Heart

Making herself a cup of Lavendar Earl Grey Tea, she sat down at her kitchen table to think about her encounter with Jester the Skunk.

The heart he gave her sat on the table. He told her to take care of it, and then he puckered up.

Gretchen had a soft heart, but she still could not bring herself to kiss a skunk. His eyes misted, and he walked away, sniffling.

How was she supposed to take care of the heart sitting on her table? Jester hadn’t explained much, besides telling her it was a special gift for her and to take care of it.

Caring for flowers is what she was used to taking care of. She didn’t even have pets to take care of. What was she supposed to do with a heart? Pretty sure it didn’t need watered.

Sipping more tea, she heard the cuckoos from her clock. Watching the heart, she felt slightly cuckoo. What did she expect it to do, jump?

At least it hadn’t shrunk like before, or maybe her eyes had only been messing with her.

In another part of the forest, Waffles was in deep distress. She wanted her special heart-shaped egg back, but who knew where Jester had gone.

When she had seen Jester peek around the tree with a mischievous glint in his eyes, she knew he had stolen her egg before she even saw him holding onto it.

Jester was a little stinker, and she would find him somehow! He wouldn’t escape her next time. Now, she needed to find a way to rid herself of the awful stench he had left behind.

She had to get her egg back before it shrunk too much! Her eggs couldn’t be away from their mother long, or they would keep shrinking.

Later that day, when Gretchen walked out to water the flowers, Jester was on the path once again, waiting for her.

“Hi! How is the egg, I mean heart doing?” Jester asked.

Raising her eyebrows, Gretchen said, “Egg? A heart-shaped egg? I never saw a heart shaped egg before!”

“Waffles is a unique animal, and she lays special…”

“Jester, did you take someone’s egg?” Gretchen felt horrible.

Jester couldn’t look her in the eye.

“How could you do something like that. The mother must be worried sick. Here, I thought you were a kind, caring skunk.”

“Aww, shucks!” Now he was embarrassed.

“Does this mean I won’t get my kiss?” He looked repentant.

“I was only borrowing it. I wanted to give you a special gift, in appreciation for the beautiful flowers you grow. They smell so pretty. I didn’t mean any harm. I figured you would take good care of it, like you do the flowers.”

Oh, Gretchen felt her heart stirred by Jester’s pitiful face. Though she was still mad at him.

“It was really thoughtful of you to give me a gift, but this egg needs to go back to its mother. Take me to its mother, and I will give it back.”

Jester nodded his head, and soon Gretchen was following him down the path with the special egg in her hand. Taking special care to not drop it.

Waffles was overjoyed to get her egg back and thanked Gretchen and Jester over and over.

They made a deal that when the egg hatched, Jester would let Gretchen know so she could come see Waffles’ little ones.

When Gretchen and Jester made it back to her cottage, she thanked Jester again for doing the right thing in returning the egg.

“Please don’t steal any other gifts for me.”

Jester looked sheepish as he promised he wouldn’t steal again.

Then Gretchen took a deep breath and bent down, giving him a quick kiss.

“YAHOO!!!:

Jasper was thrilled and went running down the path yelling, “She kissed me!”

Gretchen couldn’t help but laugh at him. She watched him running down the path thinking maybe he would turn into a prince, but no such luck.

The bullfrogs croaked from the nearby pond. She shook her head. Nope, she wasn’t that crazy. At least Jester didn’t have pond skum on his lips, she thought, though she was still anxious to wash off her lips.

Three weeks later, Gretchen was delighted when Jester came bearing the exciting news about Waffles. She followed him down the path to congratulate Waffles. Welcoming her adorable twins, Boysenberry and Strawberry.

The Shrinking Heart

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 / joyroses13 / 13 Comments

Joy is found where beauty abounds. Gretchen felt most relaxed when taking care of her flowers, especially when they were flourishing. Showing off their summer outfits.

When they were only seeds buried in the ground, it wasn’t as satisfying to water and pull the weeds. But all the hard work paid off once they bloomed in all their glory.

After watering them, she hummed a happy tune that had been running through her head all morning.

Gretchen was swinging the water pail in her hand as she walked back the long lane to her cozy cottage, which she had dubbed the Teaberry cottage.

The deep hues of pink on the door and the flower boxes around her windows earned the cottage its name. Plus, she simply liked the name since teaberry ice cream was one of her favorite flavors.

Gretchen adored her teaberry cottage in the countryside. Her closest neighbors were a couple miles away, which suited her fine.

Growing up in a large family, she had been surrounded by noise and chaos. Her cottage in the countryside was a much needed break.

“Hi! I have a gift for you.”

Startled, by the voice, Gretchen turned her head.

Backing up a little, she felt wary of the skunk, even though he was cute.

She remembered Josh, her brother, had a run-in with a skunk. He camped out in their backyard, in a tent that night for even after tub soaks in tomato juice, the odor was strong.

“You don’t have to be afraid. I won’t spray you. All I want to do is offer you my heart.”

His eyes were so pleading, but Gretchen still was cautious. He looked kind of sly as he held it out to her.

She was being silly. A skunk was offering her a gift. No, it’s not something that typically happens, but what could be the harm in accepting a gift from an innocent skunk.

Reaching out to take it … she cradled the soft heart in her hands.

“Thank you for the gift.” She said, looking into the skunk’s eyes. A laugh escaped before she could stop it.

Was the skunk really puckering his lips up at her?

The skunk’s eyes lost their sparkle, and Gretchen was immediately regretful. She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings.

That was strange. Was the heart in her hand shrinking? What was going on?

**To be continued..**

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

July 29, 2025 / joyroses13 / 65 Comments

If you start the day with ice cream, it will help make it a wonderful day! There is your tip for a HOT summer’s day! But no, I did not start the day with ice cream. I am simply thinking of the yummy peppermint mocha shake I had the other night. I hope whatever you choose to eat today delights your tastebuds and that the following quotes make you smile!

10.

The Conniving Plot

July 28, 2025July 28, 2025 / joyroses13 / 21 Comments

“This humidity is ruining my hair! I wasn’t made for this heat!”

“Oh, stop whining, who cares about your hair, I need a drink. I am parched.” Said Lolly, with her tongue hanging out.

Scanning the meadow, they saw no signs of any water being close by. Letting out a deep sigh of disappointment, Lolly started grazing on some grass.

“You are going to make yourself more thirsty.” Her sister, Sassy told her.

Ignoring her, Lolly kept grazing.

“We have to keep moving. We won’t find water by standing here. Follow me.”

Snorting a bit, Lolly stopped and plodded along behind her sister.

After walking in silence for a mile or two, Sassy spoke up. “I think I see a creek up ahead, so quit lollygagging behind me and hurry.”

She didn’t have to repeat herself twice, Lolly picked up the pace and was soon rewarded with a mouthful of refreshing cold water.

When they both got their fill, they continued on their way.

“Tell me again, why are we doing this?” Sassy asked while swishing the flies away with her tail.

“It’s a surprise. I heard about it from Frieda and wanted to check it out.

“Frieda, the fly? Isn’t she the one that you sent flying far away into a murky swamp because of flicking her so hard with your tail? Her family was so mad at you. Took her a whole week for her to travel back here.”

“Yes, that’s her. She must have cooled down during her journey back here. I was grazing when she flew right into my ear, saying she had a big secret for me. I was the first cow she thought of when Igor made his request.”

“Who is Igor?”

“A bull who she met on her journey. There is something real special that he has been wanting. If we get it for Frieda to take to him, she said that she will never bug me again. She will tell the other flies to leave me alone, too. Is that a sweet deal or what?”

“Well, what is it that Igor wants, and if I help you, then Frieda better not bug me either.”

“I will make sure of it!” Lolly replied.

“All we have to do is find a cow named Betsy and ask for her golden bell. Simple. She lives at Fuzzywhistle’s Farm, which isn’t far from here.

Sassy cocked her head. “Sounds easy enough, but what if she doesn’t want to give us the bell?”

“We simply grab it. Frieda said that we will see all kinds of pretty colors if we pull on it.”

“There is the farm, straight ahead. Let’s go!”

Feeling excited about never having flies bug them again, spurred them on, even though it was hot, and Sassy longed for the shade.

They made it. Lambs were frolicking, and ducks were swimming on the lake. But they didn’t see any sign of a cow.

“There she is, in the meadow.”

They made their way over to her, introducing themselves.

Betsy, being the polite cow that she is, smiled at them. “Welcome to Old Man Fuzzywhistle’s Farm. Will you be staying here?”

“No, though it does seem real pleasant here. But the reason we are here is …”

Betsy turned her head, causing the sun to shine directly on the cowbell and oh how it glistened!

“How pretty!” Lolly never could resist shiny things. She wanted the cowbell for herself! Putting her mouth around it, she pulled on it and pulled it again… Sassy put her mouth on it, too, and pulled for she wanted to see the pretty colors.”

POOF!! Purple and pink smoke billowed around them.

Two days went by, and there was no sign of Lolly or Sassy. Frieda was the most popular fly as she proudly buzzed about her plan working. Igor had assured her about the magical powers of the enchanted bell. That whoever rings the bell will find themselves somewhere far away. It was the perfect revenge plot.

“You saw two cows here ? Are you certain? Why would cows be in Santa’s village, Snowball, the confused elf asked

“Yes! I do know what cows look like.” Alabaster, the smartie elf replied.

“I can’t feel my hoofs!” Sassy complained.

“Well, look at the bright side. Here in the North Pole, you don’t have to worry about the humidity messing up your hair.”

Where The Green Grass Grew …

July 27, 2025July 27, 2025 / joyroses13 / 49 Comments

A little twist to my normal facts Sunday post, inspired by a wise friend who may be getting older today. Don’t worry, there are still facts, just with a different touch. If you don’t understand some of the phrases in this post, you may be too young. I hope you still enjoy the post. Happy Sunday!

In a valley far, far away, where the green grass grew and the deer and the armadillos play, there was a house. In that house, there lived a man who had a plan.

He considered himself a wise, particularly old … err … I mean a particularly wise man, not your average Joe.

One fine summer day, this wise man started out his morning with his daily exercises. He had learned them from Pooh Bear years ago when he was a young lad.

Then he put on his red cardigan sweater and talked to his fish as he fed him.

“Hi, Roger, how are you doing, mister?”

Soon, his stomach began playing the rumbly, tumbly song. It was time for something to eat. He poured himself a bowl of Life cereal, wondering if Mikey still liked it all these years later.

Needing something more than cereal, he made himself a delicious omelet, pouring on lots of hot sauce to help wake his taste buds up.

Of course, his breakfast wasn’t complete without Folgers in his cup. Perhaps with a little cup of prune juice today, for that is recommended as you age.

He remembered the days when he spun round and round on the merry-go-round and rolled down the grassy hill. The days of his youth.

These days, if he started spinning around, he may find himself falling down, uttering the words, “Help, I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up.”

Later that day, he packed himself a picnic lunch, a yummy Oscar Myers sandwich, for everyone knew that they had a way with b-o-l-o-g-n-a.

After lunch, he had to run some errands, and when he went past the toy aisle, he took a stroll down it. After all, this was a special day.

He couldn’t resist pushing the button on the toy robot to make him speak. This particularly old, err… I mean, wise man , didn’t want to grow up. He wanted to be a “toys R us” kid.

On his way home, flashing lights appeared behind him. He pulled over, hoping they would go by him, but they didn’t.

“Aww…gimme a break!” He thought to himself, breaking off a piece of the kit-kat bar he had bought from the store.

Then he had a bright idea and reached into the bag beside him. All would be Ok, now.

He rolled down his window as the cop approached his car.

“License and registration, please.”

This particularly wise man handed over his papers and then asked the cop, “Would you like some gray poupon?” Holding up the small bottle of mustard.

Smiling, the cop asked, “How did you know?”

“I heard it through the grapevine.” The man replied, making the cop laugh.

He looked at the date on the man’s license. The gray poupon made sense now. Like the cop, he, too, was from way back then.

Handing back his license and registration to him, the cop told him to have an extra-special day and sent him on his way.

When the man returned to his home in the valley, with the green grass growing all around, he opened his front door.

Groaning, as he stepped into a puddle of water. Apparently, he had forgotten to turn the faucet off at the sink. It was a good thing that he had remembered to buy Bounty paper towels, the “quicker picker upper.”

The weather was perfect that evening to spend time in his kayak on the lake. He hoped to see a beautiful sunset.

Relaxing on the water felt good. Feeling thirsty, he reached for a drink and then smacked his forehead, realizing what he had forgotten. He could have had a V-8.

When he returned home at the end of the day, he remembered his plan. This year would be the year that he finally solved a lifelong question. How many licks did it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

He began to count as he licked … but the poor wise and particularly older man lost count when he reached 55.

Discarding the tootsie pop, he asked himself, what would he do for a Klondike bar? Fortunately, all that was required of him was to walk to his freezer and grab one.

The wise man fell asleep with a smile on his face. He had climbed some rough mountains this past year, but he was still climbing, one foot in front of another, and he would keep climbing. There were still many amazing sunrises and sunsets for him yet to enjoy.

What have you done for a Klondike bar?

Friday’s Super Short Stories

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 / joyroses13 / 50 Comments

When your dog breaks into a run … charging towards the fence as if she will magically be able to go through it … and catch the cat.

When one spins a lie …. They spin a web of chaos.

When you go to your neighbors garage sale to welcome them to the neighborhood and you come home with a beach picture for your husband to hang on the wall …. A pocture that speaks peace … What do you hang on your walls, or do you prefer bare walls?

The Runaway

July 24, 2025 / joyroses13 / 51 Comments

He stopped to catch his breath. The little cookie was getting tuckered out as he ran. He was so warm, felt like he may melt, but at least he was alive!

Looking from side to side, he made a quick dash for the big Weeping Willow tree. The shade felt good.

It had felt wonderful to come alive, but he didn’t expect his joy to be so short-lived. He had escaped from the jaws of death in the nic of time.

There was no way he was going to be eaten. His life was only beginning, when he had almost disappeared into someone’s mouth forever and ever.

Oh, his few moments of life had passed quickly before his eyes as a giant hand had wrapped around him.

Then the hand dropped him with a thud, yelling, “These are raisins, not chocolate chips!”

The little cookie was fuzzy in the head after being dropped, but it didn’t take him long to make a dash for it, scrambling out the door and into the forest.

Now the sun was setting, and he wasn’t sure what to do, alone in the dark.

Ahh! There was a light coming toward him. Uh oh, as it got closer, the poor little cookie saw it was a tall man with a flashlight.

What if he liked oatmeal raisin cookies?

The man was coming closer as the cookie held real still, hoping the man wouldn’t see him.

Ooh, the light was bright.

“Hey, an oatmeal raisin cookie. What luck.” The man reached down to grab the poor little cookie when the cookie got a burst of energy!

This was not his day to die!

Jumping out of the man’s reach, he took off running.

“Run, run, as fast as you can, You can’t catch me. I am the oatmeal raisin guy!”

Unfortunately, the little cookie underestimated how fast the tall man could run. He was almost right on top of him.

“I got you now, little cookie.”

The cookie trembled, taking a few steps backward. Knowing his life would soon be over. He was out of energy to run anymore!

“Please, please don’t eat me. I don’t taste good. Really, I don’t!”

“Aiiiiiii!!!

The tall man dropped his flashlight, screaming.

The little cookie turned around, and terror struck him silent at the sight before him.

“Don’t eat me, please! Go after the man, he is much bigger!”

A tender look crossed the rabbit’s face. “Have no fear. I don’t eat oatmeal raisin cookies. I don’t eat men either, but it was fun to make him scream. He is the one trembling now.”

The little cookie chuckled, “Yes, he is. You saved me!”

From that night on, they were friends, and the oatmeal raisin cookie was forever safe and sound. Plus, the rabbit introduced him to another friend who had a narrow escape as well. He called himself the gingerbread man.

Meanwhile, the next day at Mason’s diner.

“I am telling you guys the rabbit was huge, and it had fangs and glowing orange eyes!”

Cara and Sarah laughed. “Growing older is hard, isn’t it. Starting to have delusions? Should I put a call in to the men with white coats?” Cara asked.

Mason narrowed his eyes at Cara.

“Very funny.”

“Just trying to be helpful.”

Mason walked back to his office, trying to get the image of that scary rabbit out of his mind and wishing he had some oatmeal raisin cookies. Though a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie sounded even better right now.

The Silver Surprise!

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025 / joyroses13 / 17 Comments

Taking a deep breath, she walked up the steps with as much grace as she could muster. Her heart was thumping. Was Trent here yet? She remembered the way he looked at her before when wearing blue. Would he still have that same look in his eyes tonight when he saw her? Would he want the first dance?

“Finally, you are here! Where have you been? Your grandmother has been in a tizzy.”

Sierra’s mother had grabbed her arm as soon as Sierra reached the top of the steps and pulled her aside.

“You know how she gets all riled up and rambles on and on.”

“What is going on. Where…”

“Oh, darling, that’s not the earrings that I had laid out for you. Why didn’t you wear them? Didn’t you see them?”

“Yes, but I like..” Sierra started to say as her mom fussed with Sierra’s gown, frowning.

“We should have gone with the peach colored gown, but this will have to do for tonight.

“I like this shade of blue, Trent says…”

“Anyway, back to your grandmother.” Her mother continued, not missing a beat as they walked down the hallway.

“I am simply warming you. Her mouth is going a mile a minute. You know how she is.” Her mom said as they reached the door of her grandmother’s room.

“Yes, mother, I know how she is.”

You two are exactly alike. Of course, she didn’t speak that thought out loud.

“Okay darling, I will be in the ballroom when you are done. I can’t go in and deal with your grandmother again. All her chatter hurts my head.”

Sierra rolled her eyes and shot a conspiratorial grin at Dorinda, her grandmother’s maid, who had stepped out into the hall.

The two of them had shared many conversations over the years with each other about Sierra’s mother and grandmother. Sierra did love them, quirks and all.

“Oh, Stella, look who I found in the hallway.” Dorinda ushered Sierra into the room.

Her grandmother was pacing the room when she turned and saw Sierra.

“You finally made it. Where have you been. Your mother was in a complete tizzy, I had to calm her down. You know how she gets.”

Sierra dared not look at Dorinda, or she knew she would lose it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dorinda holding a fan in front of her face. Then she slowly moved it with an impish grin. Sierra stifled a laugh as she tried to focus on her grandmother rambling on.

“Did your mother explain to you about everything?” Her grandmother started pacing again, wringing her handkerchief.

“Well, she didn’t go..”

“Never mind, I will explain.”

“I am missing my most precious teapot.”

“A teapot? You have many of them. Is it the rare one from Japan? Or the one from Switzerland?”

Sierra had always enjoyed looking at her grandmother’s various teapots when she was younger. She had acquired a rather large collection of them.

“Oh, is it the one from Italy, with a gondola on it? I know that one is special to you because that was the night grandfather proposed to you on your gondola ride.

Her grandmother stopped for a moment with a wistful look in her eye and then continued on.

“No, no. None of them!” She was emphatic.

“It was my ordinary silver teapot. I need it, oh, I need it and I can’t find it anywhere! You have to find it for me. Your mother thinks I am crazy, but she doesn’t understand.”

Sierra wasn’t quite understanding either as to why her grandmother was so upset over her ordinary silver teapot when she had many more beautiful ones! The one with a mother and baby owl on it was one of Sierra’s favorites.

“Wait a minute, you mean your silver one? The old one you had stashed away in the back of your cupboard?”

“Yes, yes!” Her eyes lit up. ” Do you know where it is?”

“Well …” Remember the other day when you gave me boxes of things to donate for the charity drive at the hospital. I saw the teapot and added it to the box. You had said anything in the bottom cupboard.”

“Grandmother, are you Ok?”

Dorinda and Sierra both grabbed onto her, for her face had suddenly grown pale. They helped her sit down in her chair.

“You must get it back.” Her grandmother said in between gasping for air.

“What is wrong? Why are you so concerned about a teapot? I don’t understand.”

Dorinda seemed as confused about Stella as Sierra did. They were used to her fussing about little things, but this seemed extreme. She was visibly shaken over it.

She sat for a few moments, gathering her breath, and then whispered in Sierra’s ear.

Now, Sierra’s face lost all its color.

She tore from the room like a rocket.

Now, she was the one gasping for breath as she dug through the boxes at the hospital. It had to be there!

YES! She found the teapot. Adrenaline ran through her as she drove back to the house and up to her grandmother’s room.

The room was filled with tension. Dorinda and Sierra held their breath as Stella opened the secret compartment in the bottom of the teapot. The cash was there! Her grandmother counted it, and her face flooded with relief! It was all there.

Meanwhile, Sierra was astounded at the amount.

“Thank you, my dear granddaughter! So sorry to ruin what should have been an enchanting night of dancing but …”

Sierra put her hand on her grandmother’s shoulder. “It’s okay. This was important to find! There will always be many other nights for me to dance the night away.”

And there was ….

The honeymoon in Italy was amazing, a gift from her grandparents. Now Sierra and Trent were sitting in their apartment surrounded by gifts to open.

When Sierra saw the silver shine out from the ripped gift wrap, she knew immediately what it was. Letting out a squeal of delight and surprise, she lifted her grandmother’s silver teapot out of the box.

“I didn’t think you liked tea.” Trent said.

“I don’t, but let me show you something.”

Opening up the secret compartment, she pulled out a note. Sierra laughed as she read it. She should have known.

“What? You thought money would be in here. This teapot isn’t magical you bave to put the money in yourself. Love you! “

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

July 22, 2025July 22, 2025 / joyroses13 / 46 Comments

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Here is a handy tip to help add some joy into your day.

Cookies will always add sweetness to your day. I hope you have a wonderful day. That you will find the strength you need if you face something hard today and that there will be something that brings a smile to your heart. Enjoy the quotes.

10.

Meadow of Serenity

July 21, 2025July 21, 2025 / joyroses13 / 34 Comments

Meet me where the wildflowers bloom. Where the colors dance in the wind, putting on a fashion show for the sky. The sun shines its spotlight, waking up the world with beauty.

Mia put down her pencil, lifting her face to the sun.

A week away surrounded by a blooming meadow and a whispering creek. It felt perfect, and she hoped that it was the magic formula, for she needed something. Her editor had extended her deadline, but Mia knew that her editor’s grace had a limit, and she didn’t want to test it.

Picking up her pencil, she wrote.

Wait for me in the sanctuary of the birds. They raise their voices in song, filling the air with their sweet melodies. Though none sing sweeter than you, my love.

This would never work if she couldn’t get the voice of Darien, her ex-boyfriend, out of her head!

Ugh! Yes, he had known how to charm her with words, but unfortunately, that’s as far as it went.

The words that had warmed her soul now left her cold.

They obviously hadn’t meant anything to him, or he wouldn’t have dumped her with a stupid text.

Roses are red, violets are blue, and my heart no longer beats for you.

That was the only explanation he gave. A text that made her see red after wasting a torrent of tears over him.

She had her time to have a pity party, and now, as the saying goes, it was time to, “buck up buttercup!”

Tearing the page out of the notebook, she threw it in her totebag, beside her. Picked up her pencil and began writing again.

Darien was having the time of his life with Jennifer, or was this Olivia?

C’mon, Darien, get with it. You don’t want to call her the wrong name. Not that it hadn’t happened before.

“Oh, look, my friends are here. You need to meet them. I told them all about you. Anissa can’t wait to meet my prince.” She curved her lips into a sexy smile, slipping her dress a little more off her shoulders.”

Anissa rushed over to them. “So, this is the guy who stole my friend’s heart.” She put out her hand to Darien and he shook it.

“I thought there may be a crown on your head from all that Jenna has said about you.”

Jenna, that’s her name. I have to make a mental note of that.

Mia smiled. The serenity of this place was working. Three days had passed, and she felt more at peace than she had been in a long time. Her words were flowing again. Mia’s editor had called her this morning and was excited about the first three chapters, which she had emailed to her the night before.

Looking around, Mia wondered where the cow had gone that she had been talking to yesterday.

It had been standing in the meadow grazing on some grass. Caught her by surprise but added to the serenity of the place.

Mia hadn’t expected to pour out her heart to the cow, but that’s what she had done. She had felt something when looking into its dark brown eyes, feeling like it was listening to her. Mia hoped the cow would come back before her week was over.

Taking one more look around, she headed inside for a drink and a quick bite to eat, and then she had to get back to writing.

Darien had taken Jenna home, and now he didn’t have much time to spare before picking up Jennifer.

He would run home quickly to change his shirt and then jump in his new, shiny silver sportscar.

You look so sharp, He thought to himself, checking the mirror, before heading out.

He whistled on his way out the door to the …. WHAT HAPPENED to his Car!!!

The front hood was totally smashed in , and there were muddy hoof prints all over it!

Darien screamed incomprehensible words and sunk to the ground, pulling out his hair.

“What do you think? Is it a good story so far?”

The cow moo’ed.

“I will take that as a yes.” Mia said, rubbing the cow’s head. She was glad it had come back again.

Ahhh! Her last morning was here, and Mia was soaking up the sunshine. Stretched out on the lush grass, looking up into the sky.

She had burned the midnight oil, but it had paid off. Mia’s editor was happy with the new direction she had taken with this story and was giving her the green light to continue.

Mia walked over to the cow who had become her friend over the past week.

“Thanks for listening to my woes about Darien. My heart is free. This has been one of the brightest, most happiest weeks of my life. I can’t believe I ever fell for such a loser. Someday, I hope he gets what he deserves.”

“Was that a wink ?” Mia asked, staring at the cow in disbelief and noticing the extra glow of the golden cowbell around its neck.

“Mr Dandish, I am sorry, but no, we will not cover the damages done to your sportscar.”

Darien stood in front of the agent’s desk, his neck bright red, and his veins looking like they may pop.

“But why??”

“I have told you already. Your coverage doesn’t cover damages done by cows or any other animal with hoofs! If you insist on arguing, I will call security. Good day, Mr. Dandish!” Her voice was firm, and Darien knew she wasn’t joking about security.

He stormed off, thinking how this was turning out to be one of his most terrible, awful, no-good, very bad days ever!