A Noise in the Dark

What is the 7x7x7x7 Writing Prompt?

Grab the 7th book from your bookshelf.  Open it up to page 7.

Pinpoint the 7th sentence on the page. Begin a poem/a piece of prose that begins with that sentence.

Limit it in length to 7 lines/7 sentences

“As this thought occurred he wheeled around and stared back down Privet Drive, but it appeared to be completely deserted again and Harry was sure that Dobby did not know how to become invisible…."

Or did he?  Harry surely couldn’t begin to imagine all the mysterious ways of a house elf. 

Perhaps someone else had been there and had apparated.

All wizards over the ripe old age of 18 could after all. 

It could have been anyone.

Could Voldemort be here in Little Whinging watching him at this very moment waiting to attack?

Harry’s hand readied his wand because one never knew what lurked in the darkness.

The excerpt in italics was taken from "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling for this writing challenge.

Off to Hogwarts!!

The host for the Writer’s Post Blog Hop this week is Daphne Steinberg at “A Full Degree below Normal”.  This is my response to her writing prompt. 
 
"It is said that “Life imitates art.”  If you could step into a book or a piece of art, which one would it be and why?"

     If I could step into any book it would be “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, the very first book of the Harry Potter series.  Why you ask?  Because I have always been fascinated by magic.  I loved the Harry Potter books and movies and would love to immerse myself in that world.  Why the first book over the others?  The first book marks Harry’s discovery of the wizarding world.  I would choose to discover it right along with him and all the magical wonder it possesses.

 
     Many will say I should one day visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park and I would agree whole heartedly with them.  I could imagine me buying all my wizarding bits and bobs in Diagon Alley.  I would have a hard time choosing between a cat or an owl as both would be cool pets.  What could be more thrilling than riding the Hogwart’s Express and discovering all the sweets on the trolley?  I would hope to be good friends with Harry, Ron, and Hermione sharing in their adventures and their frequent visits to see Hagrid.  I can imagine the awe I would feel when I first see Hogwarts and the magic that lies within from the enchanted ceiling in the Great Hall to the staircases that change on a whim.

 

 
        I would be thrilled to learn magic, visit Hogsmeade, make friends, and learn to balance my happy a$$ on a broom.  I get excited just thinking of the possibilities!!  As much as I love books, Hermione would find a kindred spirit in me.  We could explore all those amazing magical books in the library together!  Living in a monstrous castle, learning how to cast spells, watching a quidditch match, eating those magical feasts, and exploring the grounds: I would do it all in a heartbeat until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

If You Know Where to Go

  
      This week for the GBE2 we were challenged to pick a line from a book and write from there.  The following story is purely fictional.  The  line I chose was taken from one of my favorite books and favorite series,  “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” written by J.K. Rowling.

“Can we buy all this in London?” Harry wondered aloud.  “If you know where to go.” said Hagrid.

      Having never been to London before, I was more than a little in awe of my surroundings.  Harry and I struggled to keep up as Hagrid led the way onto London’s underground where we rode to the West End and finally disembarked near Piccadilly Circus and walked towards Leicester Square and Charring Cross Road.  Without Hagrid, I am sure Harry and I would  be lost.  We both struggled to keep up.  We turned down a small alley way that was littered with a few shops.  With purpose, Hagrid headed straight for a door that had a broken sign hanging over top which read “The Leaky Cauldron”.  To look at the place from the outside, I would have guessed it had been closed long ago and that no life occupied it now.

     He opened the door to reveal a dark, dusty pub filled with several people enjoying their lunch. It was obvious Hagrid was a regular, because the bartender greeted him by name and offered him his usual.  Everyone stopped in mid sentence and stared in our direction.  All of a sudden, people rushed forward to greet Harry.  “Bless my soul, if it isn’t Harry Potter!”  “Not today, I am just taking Harry and Kathy to buy their school supplies, lots to do.”  Hagrid quickly brushed them off as he led us to the back of the pub.

      We went out the back door and Hagrid quickly pulled out his magical umbrella and tapped the bricks in front of us.  The way opened up to reveal a street beyond thriving with activity and filled with witches, wizards, and their children scurrying about their arms laden with their many purchases.  I felt as if I had entered a dream, where everything was not as it seemed.  There was so much to see, I honestly didn’t know where to look first.  One thing was certain, it seemed only Harry and I was astounded by our bustling surroundings.

       Even more wondrous was the shop windows filled with things I had never imagined before like shiny brooms, colorful robes, books of every size, cauldrons, and everything one may need to be a proper wizard or witch.  I still couldn’t believe I had been invited to attend a place called Hogwarts and all those amazing curious things that had happened in my past could be credited to unbridled magic!

        Without money, Harry and I wouldn’t be even able to make a dent in our school supply list so the first stop on the agenda was the tall, imposing Gringott’s Bank at the end of the street run by strange little creatures that Hagrid called goblins.  I had heard of goblins around Halloween, but never fancied myself meeting one.  Hagrid told the goblin in charge that we were there to make a withdrawal out of our vaults.  “I have a vault too?” I asked Hagrid in disbelief.  “Of course you do, Kathy! Your aunt has taken care of everything!”  My aunt, which aunt?  Holy crap, I have an aunt who was a witch and I never knew or guessed?   We were led to a small cart, and I immediately started to freak out.  

        The cart looked foreboding and a little to much like a roller coaster ride for my tastes.  I did not want to get on the blasted thing but had little choice.  Feeling scared, I boarded the small cart and it took off like a bat out of hell with me screaming my happy a$$ off in my fright.  No one had prepared me for this!!  I held on for dear life alternating between praying and cussing like a sailor.  Thankfully, the cart soon skidded to a halt before a vault and the goblin jumped off to open a little  door which revealed a cave filled with gold.  My jaw dropped.  Hagrid stepped out, gathered up enough gold to make my purchases, and just as quick we were off again winding around curves and plummeting down hills with me screaming like a banshee.  I felt my stomach roll and my lunch rush back up in my throat as I shut my eyes tight.  Quickly I swallowed it back down, and was grateful to have survived the experience when the cart finally came to a stop.

      We left Gringott’s Bank to discover Diagon Alley bathed in sunshine.  We visited Flourish and Blott’s for our spell books, Madam Malkin’s for our robes, and the best place yet, Ollivander’s for our magic wands where after several unsuccessful explosions a wand chose me.  Next we proceeded onto the Magical Menagerie where Hagrid assured us that owls were loyal, useful creatures and a wonderful choice. Even though I gazed longingly at the cats, in the end I carried away a lovely owl in a shiny, golden cage.  Harry and I were both beaming by day’s end and armed with everything we would need for a successful year at Hogwarts from owls to wands to spell books.

      After escorting us to the train station, Hagrid disappeared leaving Harry and I to find Platform 9 ¾ on our own.  We discovered a kind wizarding family who happily explained how to get on the platform, and before long I was facing a brick wall and running hell bent for election straight towards it with my trolley certain I would end up sprawled in a heap covered in cuts and bruises.  I made it to the other side and discovered the Hogwarts Express waiting for me.  The train whistle sounded,  startling me from dreamland.   I suddenly woke and sat up in bed.  The Harry Potter book I had been reading fell to the floor with a thud.  My heart raced, and my mind struggled to grasp what seemed so real could only have been a dream until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife. 

R is for Retching

     Yes, you heard that right.  Last night my daughter came home from school complaining of a sore throat.  I woke up this morning to discover her hugging the toilet and retching.  UGH!   No fever, but vomiting violently and a severely sore throat.  What a way to start the weekend!!  I had little choice but to call her in sick to school and set her up for a day in bed wishing with all that is holy and good that I won’t find myself in a similar state in the near future.  

      I woke my son up and as soon as he got an eye full of his sick sister and it registered that she was staying home from school, he was ready to plead his case.  He wanted to stay home too, go figure.    So and so kicked him in the balls yesterday and that he hit his head on the playground the day before just didn’t cut the mustard.  No fever, no vomit spewing from the mouth, no diarrhea exploding from the other end equals a little boy that has no earthly reason not to go to school.  He was not amused, but I wasn’t either.  “At least after today you will get a couple days off!” I said, trying desperately for him to see the bright side.  I kissed him goodbye and put him on the bus to school, then headed back in to check on my oldest.  She was blissfully asleep.

       I turn tailed in a quick hurry and rushed out to my computer to write my submission for the letter R.  “Mommy!” a small voice calls.  UGH.  I set my daughter up in the middle of my bed, propped up with pillows with a full arsenal surrounding her to keep her entertained.  Several pillows, her glasses for reading, her latest book, her DS and games, a big bowl to puke in, and some Kleenex.  That should keep her under control while I write my blog!

       Deciding to be productive I filled the washing machine with laundry and added detergent.  That is when it happened!  I dropped the stupid laundry detergent on the floor and precious soap was oozing out at an alarming rate.   I can not afford to waste soap, especially not on a week where every penny counts.   Inspiration hit and before a second past I grabbed my flexible cutting board and a rubber spatula and was scrapping the lost detergent off the floor and into the jug.  I felt pretty accomplished on my save, a tad desperate perhaps, but accomplished.  I am WOMAN!! Hear me roar!

        Mommy!!! Away I go again!  Now I am searching for a Harry Potter DS game.  You put it where? You put it in your shoe? What the hell!!  Can’t anyone find a better place in this house to put DS games than in a shoe?  Why ask why?  Just find it!! The phone is ringing.   Mad dashes back to the living room searching for my cell phone.  It is my husband.  Quickly explaining our first born is home sick retching with a sore throat, how much the paycheck is, and what I plan to do with it down to the last cent.  He relays his plans, off to grab a load going to the opposite side of the country.  Wonderful, but the bad news he probably won’t get the load turned in for next week’s paycheck so it will be small.  I roll my eyes telling the love of my life we will deal with it THEN.  

        I have to write my R post!!  Now I feel like retching!! There is too much stress!! I can’t cope.  I CAN cope, and I will cope!! I will breathe.   I even fixed the DVD player this morning!  I feel like I am one sandwich short of a picnic and even if this retched post makes me sound like I am on the verge of free admittance to the funny farm; it is finished until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Places to Go Before I Die

     If money was no object, and I could go anywhere here is a list of where I would like to go.  

1.  London, England, UK
     I would love to see the castles, the crown jewels, see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, and take a ride on a double decker bus.  




2.  Paris, France

     I would want to go explore Paris and see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.  I want to cruise the Ritz Hotel, check out the Place Vendome, and eat at a café or bistro.

3.   Venice, Italy
     Who doesn’t want to take a ride on a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs with their sweetie at least once in their life??

4.   Disney World and all surrounding Disney Parks
      I haven’t been there since I was 18, and I would love to go explore the parks with my husband and kids!!

5.   Any tropical island in the Caribbean
      Just once I would like to be a Bahamas’ mama living la vita loca!! Imagine me sucking down the tropical drinks with the nifty little umbrellas watching the sunset on some beach somewhere.

6.   Niagara Falls
      I think I would love to see the falls just once.

7.  Washington DC
      It would be fun to run around the city and soak up American history!

8.   Las Vegas, Nevada
       I might want to check out Las Vegas just once to see what all the fuss is about.  After all, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!!  The shows alone would be worth the visit!

9.  Nickelback concert- Anywhere!!
     This goes without saying!!

10. Ozzy Osbourne concert-Anywhere!!
      Seeing Ozzy in concert would be awesome!!

11.  Wizarding World of Harry Potter  at Universal Studios
       Not sure I would want to get on any roller coasters but it would be awfully cool to walk the streets of Hogsmead and check out Hogwarts!!


   

        In reality, when you spend most of your life at home you realize you would like to go just about anywhere at least once.  I am not picky and trips to museums and zoos will work for me!!  I am quite the happy camper, and it hasn’t escaped my imagination to go camping in cool National Parks or even explore the wonders of the caves of Kentucky.  Where would you most like to go?  I am open to suggestion until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

My Favorite Movies- BFF 171

     I love all kinds of movies often for very different reasons.  To ask me to name one favorite is like trying to pinpoint which star is the brightest in the sky.  I simply can’t. Obviously I love to laugh, and have a wicked sense of humor, so some of my choices are because of that simple fact.  I tend to like history, so some of my choices lean toward things that have really happened in the past.  Last but not least, I tend to like thrilling fantastical things so some of my choices come about because of that.  Some movies I love because they are romantic, some move me, and some fascinate me.  Needless to say, I have a huge movie collection and each and every title is in my collection because I loved it for one reason or another.  Since I can’t make up my mind on one, I am going to list some of my current favorites.

       The award for favorite comedy goes to “The Hangover” and “The Hangover 2”.  Both movies describe a wild and raunchy bachelor party that has run amok.  In the first installment we meet the “Wolf Pack” for the first time.  Each of the actors is hysterically funny in their own right.  Of the four, Phil is my favorite. Not only is he played by the ruggedly hot Bradley Cooper, he is ultra cool.  Four guys take off to Las Vegas to raise hell.  The morning after they realize they have lost the groom and can not remember a thing.  They spend the entire movie trying to retrace their steps in the hopes of finding their lost friend.  The second installment focuses on another bachelor party in Bangkok, Thailand.  Once again they lose someone, but this time it is the bride’s brother. They get in some worse scraps in the second installment.  Where the first movie was hilarious, the second is shocking and funny!  Both movies draw you into the men’s predicament, keep you engrossed, and kept me laughing throughout.

       
       The award for favorite drama with historical flair is “The King’s Speech” starring Colin Firth.  Even if I wasn’t a British Royalty buff, I would be into this movie. Colin Firth brilliantly plays King George VI. The story line follows the struggles of the king as he is suddenly forced onto the British throne after his brother’s abdication.  To do his job well and be a proper king in a world that is dominated by radio, he must find a way to overcome a lifelong speech impediment and lead his nation through the war.  His wife finds a speech therapist, played brilliantly by Geoffrey Rush, in the classifieds and takes her husband to him in hopes he will help him overcome his affliction.  Not only does the therapist help the King overcome, he becomes a close, dear friend and advisor.  It is an amazing true story and I love it!

  

        The award for all time favorite classic goes to “Gone with the Wind”.   I love this epic movie with it’s larger than life characters of Scarlet O’Hara and Rhett Butler played by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.  I love that it takes me back to a long ago era before the civil war when men were gentlemen and the women wore hoop skirts and were the belles of the ball.  Considering the movie was produced in 1939, the effects are phenomenal and timeless.


        

      Finally, last but not least I love all the Harry Potter movies for their ability to transport me to the world that J.K. Rowlings describes in such minute detail.  I love the magic, Hogwarts, and the fact that the movies follow the books story closely.  I could go on and on about even more movies if given the chance, but will leave it at these chosen few until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.    

Priorities : When We Stand Together

      Get you priorities straight!! Have you ever heard that one before?? Well I have, and it rings through my scattered brain every Friday without fail.   Every time Friday rolls around, I get to revisit where my priorities lie.  I personally hate Fridays.  It is payday, and it is also the day when I have to sit down and figure out to the last penny what will be paid, and what won’t.  There used to be a day when we went and got what we wanted and then paid bills with what was left.  Sadly those days are gone.  Somewhere along the line we became more responsible and kissed the days of living la vita loca goodbye.  Bottom line, every decision I make is made with my husband’s input.  I may do the math and the organization, but I give him final approval even offering several different scenarios. 

       When figuring out where the money is going to go,  I have to prioritize what is the most important for that week, and what to let slide.  For example, you absolutely have to have a place to live.  So the house payment trumps just about everything else.   The vehicle payment must be paid because you need a mode of transportation.  It is a good idea to keep the utilities paid  because truly at 34 degrees or lower, who wants to be without heat?? Not I said the frog.  My truck driving husband thinks his cell phone bill should trump all because he is on the road and needs it desperately.  Actually, I get the necessity of having a cell phone however, T mobile charges one unG0dly amount each month for the privilege of having coverage nationwide, and unlimited everything.  His list of priorities definitely differ from mine on that score.  While I am rooting for internet, internet, internet so I can update my website, he is moaning cell phone, cell phone, cell phone.  When it gets down to it you have to prioritize to ensure you have shelter, warmth, and food for your belly.  Anything else is comes after that.

   

         At the end of the day I eventually get it all figured out.  If this was a perfect world I would be able to tell you that there is enough money for everything and that everything is paid up to date.  Unfortunately, that is just not how life works.  I will say that by the time I have decided on a course of action, I stick to it to the letter and usually feel good about what I was able to accomplish.

        If you are looking for what my priorities are in general, my kids and husband are number 1.  They come first in all instances.  Once everyone else has been taken care of, the bills that are going to be paid are paid, and everyone has what they need…then and only then do I worry about me.  
       
       I will say there are exceptions to that rule too.  For example, when “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” was released on DVD, you can bet I had my happy a$$ at the store picking up my copy as soon as the doors on my son’s bus had closed and the bus was on its way down the road.  What can I say?  I do have my weaknesses.  When it comes to money, every now and  then I simply can’t resist a small indulgence.  That was one of the rare times I told my husband what I was doing instead of asking his opinion.  On the most part we are aligned in our priorities and I think that is why our marriage works.  When we stand together, we can accomplish anything.  Until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.