Trifecta: Hobbled

This post is in response to Trifecta's weekend challenge. They asked that we write thirty-three words. Three of them had to be from a list of words they chose and thirty had to be our own. I chose the words topple, nerve and underneath.

Hobbled

Coming to grips with the fact that things are not right underneath.  Every movement strikes a nerve, raw from plucking. The pain is relentless. Then, finally you topple. Time to rebuild and strengthen.

It's my Achilles. I'm taking care of it the right way...this time.

S-S-S-S-SNAKE!

Me: "Okay, Mags. Time to go inside. Come around the pond THIS way."
Mags: "What? Why? We haven't been out that long and I'm not even that dirty yet."

Mags and I were cleaning up our ponds the other day. After the fall and winter seasons they were in pretty rough shape. We decided a little TLC was in order. We got dressed and headed outside to conquer the leaves, the ponds and our little garden. (Those poor, innocent plants.) We grabbed our gardening tools, a rake and the nets for our heads to keep the swarms of gnats out of our eyes and nose. 

As I rearranged the large rock borders, Mags was happily scooping up leaves and counting tadpoles from the pond. A woodpecker was busy on a nearby tree as I lifted one of the rocks. That's when I saw it. At first I thought it was some black hose from the pond's filter. But then...it moved. And I gasped...and silently screamed. The yellow ring near the top of it's head stuck out to me as it slithered away most likely ticked that I disturbed his slumber. I wasn't sticking around to find out just how ticked.  Begrudgingly, Mags went inside. I made it worth her while with a popsicle and Play-Doh. 

I took a moment to look up the snake I had just seen. This is what I found...

 AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

After I called the moving company, I texted Michele from ODNT.

Then I sent her the information I found on the snake. 

She was quick to sum it up for me...

After I told her there was NO WAY I was going back out there and I'd send Chris once he got home, she saw the silver lining....

YES! I can take care of Father's Day and the venomous snake 

all at the same time. Two birds...one stone. 

Thanks, Michele!

Now, who knows where I can get a Mongoose around here? 

Photo Credit: Rikki Tikki Tave

Ketchup With Us - Prompt #18

This week, Michele and I were talking about books. Well, we were really talking about summer vacation, but that led us into books. Well, no. That's not entirely true. Summer vacation led us to talking about slowing down. Slowing down led us to talking about being able to breathe a little. Breathing a little led us to maybe finding time to actually SIT while eating a meal. Eating a meal in the seated position led us to maybe finding some time to read a book in said position. Then we laughed because we remembered the kids will be home on summer break. So that led us into books we'd read with them...in the seated postion. 
Here's what I recommend in 57 words...

Joining a book club is an idea that may assist.
To get you to read a book that ends with a twist.
You have to read it to contribute.
The details you will distribute.
Except when everyone read the amount of zero.
Then you all pour some wine and play Guitar Hero.

For a quick explanation of this link-up, click here. In short, Michele and I will post a picture or video with a writing prompt on the 1st and 15th of every month. You can write your entry in any form. We love creativity. And, with each prompt, we'll feature a writer from the previous link-up. 
Which reminds me...

Our esteemed Ketchup With Us Featured Writer for today is...

 Dana from Kiss My LisT

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Rules? Who needs 'Em?

The rules are...THERE ARE NO RULES! Just guidelines. 
And we'd love it if you posted our button and followed us on 
Facebook (Michele /Mel) and  Twitter (Michele/Mel). 

<a href="http://www.accordingtomags.com" target="_self"><img src=&#34http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s492/accordingtomags/th_a410bb31.jpg" alt="Ketchup With Us" width="125" height="125" /></a>

'KETCHUP WITH US' - PROMPT #18

In 57 words or less, tell us about a favorite book or author. 
We're all looking for good summer reads, right?

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Tuck: "Hey! Check out this little worm."
Me: "That's an Inchworm. They can release sticky thread out of their bodies like a spider. It helps them hang onto the leaves they're eating and escape from predators."
Tuck: "That's so cool. I'm going to name him 'Inchie' because he's an Inchworm. Get it?"
Mags: "I think we should call him 'Thread Butt' because he shoots sticky thread out of his butt. Get it?"

Of course, the kids fell in love with how this little guy moves. 

And, well, I couldn't resist taking a quick video. 
You'll need sound to get the full effect of my dork-ness. 
Enjoy!

Mother of All Instincts

Mags: "I spy with my little eye a Mama bird in her nest."

It took me a minute, but I found her and snapped a picture. When I looked at the picture, I thought about how it really summed up motherhood across the species.

Nurturing

Selfless

Comforting

Loving 

And she'll peck your face off if you get too 
close to take a picture of her nest. 
Yep. That's a mom for ya!

Trifecta Weekend Challenge: Curiosity

This post is in response to Trifecta's weekend challenge. They asked us to write 33 words (exactly) using at least one example of onomatopoeia. 

Curiosity

“Plop, plop, fizz, fizz...oh what a relief it is.” 
Did the jingle ring true? An entire package 
lay dormant in Mama’s bathroom. 
Into the toilet. It WAS true. 

Except for the overflow.

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Happy Mother's Day!

You Say Potat-o, I Say Po-tat-o

Mags: "We need to go to the Jell-O aisle when we get to WalMart."
Me: "We have Jell-O at home, Mags."
Mags: "I know, but you heard Ms. Amanda at dance class. She said we need Jell-O for the recital to put in our hair. The cheaper the better."
Me: "Oh! You mean GEL. Hair GEL."
Mags: "Okay, if that's what you want to call it. But I'm telling you, she said JELL-O. I think the cherry kind will smell the best."