Chapter 7 Flaws
The next morning came a little too hastily for my liking. I blinked when the sun’s golden rays hit my face, and the birds’ loud songs stung my ears. Wearily, I pulled myself off my bed and slipped on my petticoat and cotton dress. The silence that seemed to reverberate through the cottage revealed my parents’ absence. They were undoubtedly gathered with the other villagers, peering curiously at the many marketable items.

(the "script" for a 20 minute talk I gave for a class. Scripting it was according to various instructions, but I would not script it so closely in the future).

I was blessed with two left feet
Trip over my own toes
But when I hear that bass-line beat
I feel like I should dance

Typically not a graceful girl
I have been known to fall
Sometimes get dizzy when I twirl
Yet still I want to dance

I feel the music in my bones
Calling across the floor
I rise and fall and sway with soul
While now I try to dance

On my toes, suspended I move
I reach, and leap with grace
Believing I have found my groove
Finally I can dance

This lyric is inspired by Psalm 77 verses 10-20.

I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. (Psalm 77:10-11)

I chose the unusual words "years of the right hand of the most High" as my theme.

It's set to the tune ‘Brigante Se More’ by Carlo D’Angiò https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubIGp0BTikw

~

Chapter 6 Juicy Gossip
The winter melted into spring. Flowers broke free from the freezing ground and the brown trees became covered in leafy green. Moss and a few mushrooms grew on their bark. Rain and puddles replaced the snow and ice.

“The store will be closing in 5 minutes. Please bring all of your final purchases to the checkout counter. Thank you.”
The monotonous voice droned over the loudspeaker, just as it had at the 10, 15, 30, and 60 minute warnings. I rolled my eyes, and looked back at the two shirts I was considering. I loved them both, but they were really expensive and I was afraid my checkbook would not appreciate it if I purchased both.

Normally, noise of any kind was unwelcome in the private library at Texas A&M, but somehow that same mellow voice was allowed to croon on by the hour.
It was also normal for Byron Fitch to be annoyed by even the slightest rustle of a page while he was studying, but today was different. The odd medley of sacred hymns and pop songs came across as ridiculously soothing when hummed by Kris Kemper's low voice.

For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by clouds. No doubt this love was greatly enhanced by the fact that I grew up in the American Midwest, where some of the most spectacular cloud formations in the world are the daily norm. Hours upon hours of my childhood and teen years were devoted to lying on the ground or sitting on a high vantage point, watching everything from cotton puffs to monstrous storm cells move overhead.

We had arrived at the airport two hours before our flight, like you’re supposed to. The trouble is that with a tiny regional airport like Springfield, getting through security takes next to no time, and we found ourselves with an hour and a half to sit and wait.
Once again, Amanda seemed completely calm and relaxed and I was trying desperately to imitate her, even though my mind, emotions, and internal organs were churning.

In a small town library on the corner of the square, two young people walked slowly towards each other down an isle between a few bookshelves. The young girl was dressed all in black, even down to the tips of her combat boots. The only color about her was the natural pink of her lips, and the unnatural bright blue tips of her jet black hair. The boy, on the other hand, was wearing a green shirt over bluejeans and bright red running shoes. Once they got to the middle, their hands met, reaching for the same book.