Triple Creek Ranch - Part 20

Good Morning FFFs!
You'll never guess my news! I'm pretty excited. :) One of my best friends, Angela, had been working on a project for a while and asked if I'd help with part of it. I said sure and set to work. My part was easy and I just turned out what she wanted pretty quickly. There were a few places I had to work a little bit harder, but she did all the rest of the work. And the proof copy arrived yesterday! Yep, it's another book!!!! But this one is for young children. It is not quite ready for sale yet, but as soon as it is, you can be sure I'll let you know. :) But until then, here is a picture.

Isn't it cute! Click on the picture to see it larger.

 So, if any of you have younger siblings or friends with young ones, this will be the perfect gift. Not only is it an alphabet book, but it has both sounds for each vowel and both sounds for C and G! What other ABC book has that?


That is my big exciting news for the week. What other everyday stuff have I been working on? Let me see.
Friday and Saturday were pretty much just everyday things. I didn't have to mow and Dad was still in Denver with my brother and sis-in-law at the conference. It was strange on Sunday to go to church without Dad especially since it was Father's Day. Since the suburban was still having some problems, they drove home through KC and spent the night.
Monday was normal things except that Dad got home about 5:00 that evening! And then later we headed over to celebrate Doodle Bug's 1st birthday. It's hard to believe he's a year old all ready!
Tuesday was spent working on writing, knitting and editing old family letters.
Wednesday S & I went over to baby-sit the kiddos, but J ended up going to bed not feeling well. So S & I watched three of the kids while S-in-l and Goof Ball ran a few errands. There is a nest of baby birds on a wreath on their front door and since it is right below the window, we can watch the parents feed the babies. Well, S lifted Funny Boy up to see the babies and then he came over to me to tell me he saw them. I asked him what they looked like and he immediately said, "Dey ugly!" :D I told you he was a funny boy. 
Yesterday was more of the same stuff except that I got a phone call asking if I'd work as a Supervisory Judge during the August and November elections. I said sure. (That's kind of what I did last time only I didn't have the name, because the others didn't really know what they were doing.)


You want to know what I've been writing? Well, it's all been Triple Creek Ranch. I got going and since I'm on a roll, I didn't want to stop. It's rather fun turning them out so quickly. I've gotten over 6 of them written. So, all that said and yes, you can have a TCR now. :)

Triple Creek Ranch

Part 20

    No one at the supper table that night mentioned the fact or even seemed to notice that a member of the ranch wasn’t eating with them. Jenelle had simply told Norman in their room that Orlena had declined to eat supper that night and he wisely asked no questions. The meal was delightful as it always was and the talk merry and light. Many a time hearty laughter rang out and floated up to the still pouting Orlena, who in her wounded pride thought they must be laughing about her and fumed at the idea.
    At last, as the sun prepared to drop out of sight behind the hills, Orlena, watching from the window, saw the hired hands leaving in small groups heading for the bunkhouse, and gradually all grew quiet. Still she remained at the open window, a warm, evening breeze blowing gently against her flushed cheeks; the stars came out one by one and twinkled down at her while the gentle sounds of the horses in the corrals, the leaves softly whispering, the evening chirps of the birds all contrived together to soothe the ruffled spirits of the child. The sights and sounds of the peaceful night brought calm to Orlena at last, causing her anger to die down. Slowly she began to get ready for bed, lighting no lamp and giving no response to Jenelle’s quiet tap on the door. She was tired and worn out. She felt as though her whole world had turned up-side-down and she was somehow trapped beneath it.

    When Orlena came down to her late breakfast in the morning, she spoke not a word but ate in silence and then sat staring into space. Jenelle was puzzled. What had come over her sister? Was she only tired from the shopping of yesterday? Was she not feeling well? Whatever the cause, Jenelle enjoyed the quiet.
    It wasn’t until later in the morning that Jenelle, with many inward misgivings but with outward calmness and a matter of fact tone, came to her young sister’s room and said, “Orlena, let’s go start work on one of your new dresses. I’m sure the pattern will fit you but I would like to try it before we cut it out. We will go to the parlor as it is cooler down there.”
    Orlena followed without a word and stood still while Jenelle measured her, but, when Jenelle had cut out the bodice and had directed Orlena to baste it together, she found her tongue.
    “I will not,” she declared haughtily. “I am not a sewing girl.”
    Jenelle was quite calm, even a trifle amused when she replied, “Of course you are not. No one would think of such a thing. Around here everyone does their own sewing except the menfolk,” and here Jenelle paused to laugh at the idea. “But since you will be the one wearing the dress, you can help sew it.”
    “I didn’t say I needed a new dress.”
    “No you didn’t.” It was mildly put. “But as nothing you have now is quite suited for ranch life, I took it for granted that a new dress or two would be of use.”
    Orlena snorted. “Well, if you are anxious to make these dresses,” she gave the material a look of scorn, “you can sew them yourself.” With that she turned to leave the room but her sister-in-law’s voice stopped her.
    “Orlena, these dresses will be made, and you will help sew them.”
    “I’d like to see you try and make me!” Orlena snapped.
    “You will start on the bodice.” Had Jenelle sounded the least bit angry she would have flown into a passion and continued out of the room, but the quiet and positive words “you will” left Orlena rather bewildered and astonished. Could Jenelle really make her sew? She turned and stared at her sister. There was no sign of anger in her face, but there was a look of something else, something strong and determined, forceful even, though Orlena couldn’t think of the small Mrs. Mavrich as forceful. Hesitatingly, she waited.
    Jenelle wasted no time. Handing Orlena the bodice and a needle and thread, she nodded towards the sofa by the open window. “Over there I’m sure would be a pleasant place to sew. There is enough light but the hot sun won’t be directly on you.” Her voice was quiet even friendly and much to her own astonishment, Orlena found herself moving over and sitting down on the sofa. She was actually going to sew!
    The morning was rather trying to both girls, for Orlena really didn’t know how to sew and Jenelle was forced to try to teach her along with working on her own sewing. After two hours of work, Jenelle thanked Orlena for her help and folded up the sewing. She had had enough for one morning.

    That evening as Jenelle brushed her long, light hair, she told her husband about the day, mentioning that she and Orlena had spent some time that morning sewing.
    Norman looked up, pausing in the midst of pulling off a boot. “Orlena sewed?” He questioned in astonishment. “How did you get her to do it?”
    Jenelle kept her face turned away as she replied lightly, “Oh, I didn’t force her to. But Norman, she really doesn’t know how to sew.”
    Putting his boot down beside its mate, Mr. Mavrich stood up and, moving over beside his wife, turned her around so he could look into her face. “How did you get my sister to sew?” he repeated.
    “I simply told her she had to sew and she did it.”
    “Uh huh, that’s all.” Norman raised his eyebrows in skepticism. “You didn’t threaten her?”
    “Norman!” Jenelle exclaimed indignantly. “Of course I didn’t. I simply told her she would help sew the dresses, and I think she did just because she was too astonished to know what else to do.”
    He shook his head. “I don’t see how you do it, Darling.”

I know I've written more, but

do you have any questions or comments about this part?