Reflections on A to Z Challenge, 2013

Quote of the Day:  I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

The Blogging from A to Z challenge in April is a marathon. I proudly display the Survivor's Badge on the right. Congrats to any other bloggers out there, reading this, who have also completed the race. You are a rock star. You have what it takes to be a successful artist. You have the ability to Go, Create, and Inspire!

I loved the challenge this year. I looked forward to writing each post, and it's all because of Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, my sock puppet creation!

Millie and Willie celebrated completing the challenge with a bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir  

from A to Z Wineworks in Oregon.

 

We had a little chat after the April Challenge.

 

Mary:  I'd like to thank both of you for coming alive for this blogging challenge. I couldn't have done it without you.

 

Millie:  Stop it. It was our pleasure.

 

Willie:  Pfft. It was nothing. A piece of cake after working on the railroad all those years (singing it).

 

Millie:  Willie, for Heaven's sake, talk now, sing later.

 

Willie:  Wait a minute. Did someone mention cake?

 

Mary:  You did, Willie. Maybe you're remembering the fabulous cake that Joy made for the twins' birthday.

 

Cake by Joy Ciaffoni

 

Willie:  (stares longingly at the cake pictures, starting to hum I've been working on the railroad.)

Millie:  (nudges Willie in the heel) It was kind of you to let us share our stories on your blog, Mary.

Mary:  I loved every word. A couple favorites are A, the story of how you met, and L, for the Love Letter that you wrote to Millie, and of course, when Willie encouraged you to write your memoirs, Millie. I think they'd be so fascinating to read.

Millie:  (making flustered noises) Oh, I don't know.

Willie:  Millie, your story is inspirational. You can't hide it under a bushel. What if your story helped someone else, or helped out a dog who just needs some understanding and a good dog whisperer?

Millie:  Well, when you put it that way.

Mary:  You need to set aside time every day to write.

(Millie and Willie look pointedly at Mary.)
Um, yay, I need to follow my own advice there, don't I?

Millie:  We know you have a great creative spirit, Mary. You made us!

Mary:  (nodding as she wipes away a tear) I think we'll have a long relationship.

(hugs all around)

Willie:  Now, where's that cake?

**********************

 

The creativity doesn't end with the challenge, and neither should the self-discipline. I learned that when I'm determined to do something, I will make the time to do it, even if I'm taking photos of sock puppets at 10:00 at night, or introducing them to famous poets like Naomi Shihab Nye. That was a hoot. I also learned that Millie and Willie Cottonpoly are very social. When they make an entrance, they always bring out smiles and conversation. They also love the theater and will accompany me to many more shows when I'm invited to write reviews. Don't worry, they're not about to shut themselves up in the sock drawer any time soon. Now, that they've seen the light, they're ready to create more drama!

 

Thanks, Alex J. Cavanaugh for introducing me to the Challenge. Thanks, Arlee Bird for launching it in 2010. It's a wild and wonderful race!

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What kind of race have you finished, only to be inspired by another challenge?

Open to Zipping off on a Bike

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Millie and Willie are up for zipping off on new adventures - any mode of transportation will do!

 

Millie:  Well, we finally have some spring time weather. The snow is melting. The trails are clearing off, and the open road awaits.

 

Willie:  There's just something about packing my bag, loading my gear, and hitting the road that gets my heart beating a little faster.

 

Millie:  I wonder how far and wide we'll go this year, Willie?

 

Willie:  This past March, when I was blowing out all 65 candles on my birthday cake, I wished that for whatever time we can hang together, Millie, that we'll always have new adventures.

 

Millie:  For an old pair, we do get around, don't we?

 

Willie:  Millie, when we celebrate your 70th birthday this summer, I want you to feel like you're on top of the world.

 

Millie:  Well, then, let's get pedaling.

 

Willie:  Wooo Hooo!

(Starts whistling I've been working on the railroad.)

 

Millie:  Oh, for Heaven's sake. (rolls her eyes, blows him a kiss and whispers.) Don't ever let the adventures end.

################################

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Write about your dream trip.

 

That concludes the blogging from A to Z Challenge, April 2013. It has been a wild and wonderful ride! We'll be doing our reflections on the challenge post next week. Thanks for all your reading, writing, and connecting!



Open to Youthful Events (and cake)

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Cake by Joy Ciaffoni

Millie and Willie attend the twins' birthday party, double the fun, double the guests, double the cake.

Anyone else thinking of the old Double Mint Gum commercial?

 

Millie:  Willie, aren't you excited? It's the twins' birthday.

 

Willie:  Yes. That means double the cake!

 

 

Millie:  And, a loud and boisterous Happy Birthday.

 

Willie:  Do you think those young fellers would teach me how to play that video game contraption?

 

Millie:  I'll need to triple the pancake batter for breakfast.

 

Willie:  Mmm. Pancakes. Are we going to share our freshly tapped and cooked Maple syrup?

 

Millie:  You know we are, Willie. It's for the kids. And, some of them helped collect sap.

 

(After the party festivities wound down and all the boys went home to sleep in their own beds, Millie and Willie attended a local production of The Glass Menagerie.)

 

Willie:  That was just as good as anything I've seen at The Guthrie in Minneapolis.

 

Millie:  I am astounded by the talent right here in the Brainerd lakes area.

 

Willie:  That woman who played Amanda, Laura Busch, could have been my mother, Millie. She wasn't a Southern Bell, but she did have a command of the family, if you know what I mean.

 

Millie:  Yes, Willie, that is the most memorable characteristic of your mother. I was quite taken with Tom, of course. He told his story with love and sentiment. Kevin Yeager is a fine actor, indeed. Maybe he'll be in a show with us some day.

 

Willie:  That young Linda Nichols might as well apply to the University acting school right now. She could audition at any of the theatres in the metro.  She was so believable as shy, young Laura that I wanted to walk right on stage and hug her and give her some courage to face the world head on.

 

Millie:  (chuckling) The costume designer deserves an A+ for all the great outfits, especially Amanda's party dress. What a hoot!

 

(Millie and Willie go to bed ruminating on the themes of the play, loss of youth, or the clinging to it and the past, as they rest up for Sunday's music recital.)

 

Millie and Willie play a little something during refreshments after the recital.

 

 

Millie:  They were all so good, Willie. I want to applaud one more time.

 

Willie:  They are all so brave to get up on that bench and play their songs, or sing in front of all these people.

 

Millie:  Music lessons and recitals build character, Willie.

 

Willie:  And, confidence. I didn't have nearly that much confidence when I was young. I could barely raise my hand in class to ask a question.

 

Millie:  I love people who support the arts.

 

Willie:  I love all those kids, and their teachers. Music teachers are the best.

 

Millie:  They create good things.

 

Willie:  Amen, Millie.

 

Spring Piano and Voice Recital at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd, MN

 

&&&&&&&&&&&

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  How have you supported the arts lately? Anyone else have a birthday? My babies turned 13 today! Now, I am a mother of four teenage boys. (send help)



 

 Click here for show times and tickets to The Glass Menagerie at Central Lakes College.

Open to X-ing

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

You can X something out and eat it, too!

 

Willie:  I get excited about the X.

 

Millie:  How's that?

 

Willie:  You know, all those railroad X-ings.

 

Millie:  Haha, of course. You and your trains have crossed many paths.

 

Willie:  As I sat on that train mile after mile, watching the landscape change, I thought of all the ways we can travel, all the sights we can see, all the roads that lead somewhere.

 

Millie:  The difference a choice can make. Turn left and go one way. Turn right and go another.

 

Willie:  Millie, there is really no limit to the possibilities.

 

Millie:  The only limitations are ourselves.

 

Willie:  What do you say we take an adventure?

 

Millie:  I'll get my purse.

 

Willie:  I think we should start with a visit to the yogurt shop.  I'll give you all my Hot Tamales.

 

Millie:  Willie, you're so good to me.

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Write about a time where you needed to choose a path. Or, take a new path in the near future and write about that journey!

 

Open to Wonder

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

A late April snow, melt, and more snow, created these icicles that look like lace.

 

Willie:  I wonder why some years we have winter that never seems to end, and other years, like last year, we had early spring.

 

Millie:  I wonder if my tulips will be up before the 4th of July!

 

Willie:  I wonder how the ice and snow could melt in such a way as to create icicles that look like lace.

 

Millie:  I wonder what the neighbors thought when you went outside in your bathrobe and boots to take this picture.

 

Willie:  I wonder if a shooting star grants a better wish.

 

Millie:  I wonder why I can't sleep as well when it's a full moon.

 

Willie:  I wonder who wrote I've been working on the railroad?

 

Millie:  I wonder if anyone else has heard it as many times as I have.

 

Willie:  I wonder if Albert Einstein got his best ideas in the bathtub.

 

Millie:  I wonder if soaking in the tub will wash away these winter blues and give me some inspiration.

 

Willie:  I wonder if you'd like me to draw you a bath, my darling.

 

Millie soaking in a tub of warm water.

 

Millie:  I wonder if you'd join me.

 

Millie and Willie spend the rest of the evening washing each other's feet and singing, I've been working on the Railroad.

 

***************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What do you wonder about?

 

 

Open to Variety

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Millie and Willie enjoy the scent of a Verbena candle while reading the Variety section of the newspaper and vying for pet Leo's attention.

Leo was very tired after pulling an all-nighter on Monday night. He was rather vulnerable out in the elements, and slept for two days before he got back his vim and verve.

 

While Millie's true gift is a dog whisperer, she was able to offer comfort to Leo the cat as well.

 

Willie:  Variety is the spice of life, Millie.

 

Millie:  What spice would that be? Salt or crushed red peppers?

 

Willie: Both, all of them. Salt is the constant, like knowing that you're always there, Millie. It's in everything, and if it wasn't there, life would be bland. Sometimes, though, a recipe calls for a little crushed red pepper or cayenne.

 

Millie:  You mean, sometimes you want to add a little heat, like when I filled my mouth with hot tamales and my tongue felt like it was on fire.

 

Willie:  We laughed about it, right?

 

Millie:  Yes (chuckles)

 

Willie:  And, you remember it.

 

Millie:  Of course, it was a silly thing to do.

 

Willie:  Silly ain't a bad thing, Millie. Sometimes, we have to through off old ways of thinking and doing, and add a little spice.

 

Millie:  (smiles) Like taking a leisurely bath in the morning and burning a candle with a new scent, and then go out for coffee in the evening.

 

Willie:  Well, only if it's decaf. Let's not get carried away.

 

Millie:  (taps her big toe on Willie's big toe) How about chocolate cake for breakfast? With ice cream, of course.

 

Willie:  Now, we're talking.

 

*******************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Do something out of the ordinary, that goes against the social mores you were taught, live it, then write about it!

 

Open Up

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi

(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Millie and Willie visit the Fancy Pants Chocolate Store in Brainerd, MN and Open Up a bag of chocolates

 

Willie:  Mmm. Millie, good choice. These chocolate covered potato chips are scrumptious.

 

Millie:  I'm eyeing the sea salt caramels. They're my favorite.

 

Willie:  A walk uptown with you, a stop at the candy store, and a chance to talk. That's all I need for a sweet date with you, Millie.

 

Millie:  I'm in utter bliss.

 

Willie:  It's an unusually mild night. What do you say we wander down to the river and watch the sun set?

 

 

Millie:  Unbelievably gorgeous.

 

Willie:  Just like you darling.

(Millie and Willie walk back home, under the stars, their path lit by a full moon, where they open up to each other about their hopes and fears.)

******************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What's your favorite sweet treat? Where's the best place for you to open up to someone in a conversation?



Open to Teamwork

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi

(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.

Willie and Millie joined the team to make sausage.

 

Everything was going great until the sausage drying line broke.

 

Willie:  Quick, Millie, grab the other end. We don't want to lose any meat.

 

Millie:  I'm a little disoriented, Willie. Which end is up?

 

Voice:  Are these sausages?

 

Willie:  No, no. Don't eat us. We're sock puppets.

 

Millie:  Sausages don't wear cloths. 

 

Willie:  Whew. We got it back up. Now, who's turn is it working the sausage stuffer?

 

Millie:  I'll crank. You stuff. We've got Phil on the grinder. Andy's got his hands in the tub, mixing a new recipe. Joy has the food saver humming along sealing bags of breakfast sausage. Ma's getting more food ready. Sandy's cleaning. Nathan is supervising.

 

Willie:  It takes teamwork to prepare all this sausage.

 

Millie and Willie are feeling grateful that they're not hanging inside this home made smoker.

 

 

Millie:  I'm ready for a taste test, Willie. Fire up the grill!

 

Willie:  The Biker Chef's Maple syrup makes the sweetest breakfast sausage.

 

**************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever made home made sausage? What does your family make together?

 

 

Open a Songbook - Review of Broadway Songbook at The Ordway in St. Paul, MN

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge
 is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge. 
The Cottonpolys enjoy all types of entertainment. I am an entertainment reviewer, and they have started to accompany me to events. Since I'm still in the A to Z Challenge and the Cottonpolys have taken over blogging, I'll let them tell you the highlights of The Broadway Songbook at The Ordway Performing Arts Center in St. Paul, MN.

Willie and Millie Cottonpoly enjoyed a slice of Galaxy cake at Great Waters Brewing Co. before attending The Broadway Songbook at The Ordway.

Willie:  It was out of this world delicious!

 

The Broadway Songbook is an ongoing series at The Ordway Performing Arts Center in St. Paul, MN. April 19-28, they are featuring the music of Cole Porter. 

 

As the first strains of music ripple through the air...

Willie:  (sits up a little straighter in his seat and whispers to Millie) Let's Misbehave. (chuckles)

 

Millie:  I think that song sums up Cole Porter's attitude towards life and writing music.

 

Willie:  (doing a little toe tapping in his seat) Mine too.

 

Millie:  (quietly sings along to the next song) Let's do it. Let's fall in love. (leans a little closer to Willie) That's the song that was running through my mind while we were courting.

 

Willie:  I like this one about Cherry Pies.

 

Millie:  It's a cute one.

 

Willie:  (singing along) You're the icing they put on my cake. (gives Millie a little squeeze)

 

Millie:  It's DeLovely

 

Willie:  It's delicious.

 

Millie:  It's delightful.

 

Willie:  It's delirious.

 

Millie:  These performers really bring Cole Porter's songs to life.

 

Willie:  Ain't bad to look at either.

 

Millie:  Don't get distracted by all the glitter and glitz, it's their voices and performance that tell the story of these songs.

 

Willie:  I like all those food songs.

 

Millie:  What?

 

Willie:  You're the top...you're a Waldorf salad.

 

Millie:  (smiling)

 

Willie:  You're sublime. You're a turkey dinner.

 

Millie:  That Cole Porter was a good lyricist.

 

Willie:  You're the top. You're a dance in Bali. You're the top. You're a hot tamale!

 

Millie:  Willie, shh. (smiles)

 

Willie:  You're Lady Astor. You're broccoli. Huh? That one could go either way.

 

Millie:  No romance is perfect. Sometimes it's Hot Tamales. Sometimes it's broccoli.

 

Willie:  What are your favorite Cole Porter songs, Millie?

 

Millie:  I have two. I love the sound of So in Love, the words are all about how deep in love he is, but with a melody that haunts. Night and Day is a beautiful marriage of words and melody.

 

Willie:  Those lyrics about it being only you beneath the moon or under the sun, whether near to me or far... I think of you. That's our song, Darling.

 

Millie:  (nods) I hope everyone feels so in love when they go to this performance. It's wunderbar!

 

 

***************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

The Broadway Songbook featuring the music of Cole Porter is at The Ordway April 19-28. Followed soon by a production of Anything Goes, May 7-12. Millie and Willie Cottonpoly already have it marked on their calendar! Go to The Ordway for more info. and to buy your tickets!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What songs bring out the romance in you? What songs were playing when you fell in love?

 

Open a Review of Nice Fish at the Guthrie in Minneapolis, MN

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge. This is a slightly unconventional review since I'm in the middle of the A to Z challenge and Millie and Willie have taken over blogging. Today is R day. R is for Review of Nice Fish at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN. They did enjoy the show, which in itself is unconventional as it is told for the most part through poetry. Take it away Mr. and Mrs. Cottonpoly.

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly throw caution to the wind and ride the winter storm from Brainerd to Minneapolis to view and review, Nice Fish, written by Mark Rylance, Louis Jenkins, and friends.

 

Millie:  Uff, Willie, wasn't that a hoot?

 

Willie:  I felt like I was out on the ice with them fellers.

 

Millie:  I know. I've done my own share of philosophizing, staring into that hole. Wasn't it funny when Ron dropped his cellphone into the water? I wonder how many of those things are at the bottom of the lakes of Minnesota.

 

Willie:  How do you even work those contraptions?

 

Millie:  Some people like to have all the latest gadgets and technology, even out on the ice, like that character Erik.

 

Willie:  I'm a simple man, like Ron. All's I need is a sturdy rod, fresh bait, and a good sandwich.

 

Millie:  That bit about the bologna sandwich made me giggle.

 

Willie:  I thought Freya, also called Flo or Blossom, was enchanting.

 

Millie:  mmm hmmm. I think your eyes lit up even more when Wayne rode in on that old snowmobile.

 

Willie:  Snow Jet one lunger. They roared her to life with one pull, just like my old one, Millie. She was sweet.

 

Millie:  Yes, well. The actors were stunning, especially the main characters Erik, played by Jim Lichtscheidl, and the playwright himself Mark Rylance who was charming as the never in a hurry, keep it simple, Ron.

 

Willie:  (humming a polka) That music got my toe tapping. The minute I walked in, I felt like I was back in my home town.  The Norwegian fiddler, singer, and dancing were pretty good, too, you know.

 

Millie:  If you're from Minnesota, you will connect to many things in this play. If you're not, you'll get a sampling of the folks who live up here and what they think about while out fishin'. Good fun for the whole family.

 

Willie:  I thought Freya was enchanting.

 

Millie:  (rolls eyes) I'm going to take a nap, now, so I'm fresh for tonight's review of The Broadway Songbook at the Ordway.  I sure hope the roads have improved and we don't get another six inches of snow tonight!

 

Millie, The Biker Chef, and Willie attended Nice Fish with reviewer Mary Aalgaard.

 

Willie and Millie are ready for their audition at The Guthrie.

Don't you think they look great in this line-up of fine actors?

 

******************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What are some unique things about the people and places where you live? Any fun sayings?

 

Nice Fish is playing at The Guthrie through May 18. Click over there for more info, photos of the show, tickets and show times!

 

Open a Box of Quaker Oats

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge. 

Millie and Willie enjoy a bowl of Quaker Oats every morning

(fake commercial for Quaker - You folks can thank me later!)

Millie:  Here you go, Willie. A nice, hot bowl of oats with cinnamon, brown sugar and raisins.

Willie:  I'd rather have one of Joy's poppy seed muffins.

Muffins made by Joy, check'em out at It's a Joy blog!

 

Millie: Oatmeal first, Willie. You know what the doc said about your cholesterol.

 

Willie:  Yes, dear.

 

Millie:  Sometimes, you know, you need a little fiber to get things moving.

 

Willie:  Millie!

 

Millie:  In your creative life, too, a person needs a little creative fiber.

 

Willie:  A place where you can get your ideas moving.

 

Millie:  Like the Primo Art Spa that Joy and Mary are starting.

 

Willie:  I like their slogan: In a world of creative constipation, we're here to get things moving.

 

Millie:  I think they serve home made granola along with their classes, counseling, and inspiration.

 

Willie:  Can I finish my muffin now?

 

Millie:  Yes, Willie. Thanks, Joy! We love you.

 



**************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What is your creative fiber?

 

Open a Post on Open

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.  

Millie and Willie having a cup of coffee.

Millie:  Willie, did you see this post from our friends who make mosaics? I want to share it in our A to Z Challenge.

Willie:  Too bad we already passed M.

Millie:  It's from Nutmeg Designs. They are so talented.

Willie:  Too bad we already passed N.

Millie:  They made a beautiful O which stands for Open and wrote all about it.

Willie:  Too bad we already passed O.

Millie:  (slapping her forehead and giving Willie a look) We can use it today. It's P day.

Willie:  There's no P in mosaic, Margaret, Startoz, Nutmeg Designs, O.

Millie: Post, Willie. I'll link to their post on Stratoz' blog. Post starts with the letter P.

Willie:  So does pizza. I'm hungry.

Millie:  I hear Stratoz makes a mean pizza.

Willie:  Maybe he'll invite us over some day.

Millie:  We should be so lucky.

Willie:  Party, party starts with p, and we could serve popovers, peanuts, pancakes.

Millie:  Willie, you're getting distracted again. I think we should start by inviting Margaret and Stratoz over for coffee.

Willie:  And, pastries.

Millie:  Oh, for heaven's sake.

Willie:  I could teach them my favorite song. (Willie starts singing, I've been working on the railroad.)

*********************

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Please visit Strat's blog on Open. What have you been open to in the last year?

I've been open to meeting new people, trying new things, producing a play, jumping on a bike (Harley), taking a wild west vacation, and many more wonderful things.

Open to Other Opinions

Quote of the Month: Open the window in the center of your chest and let the spirits fly in and out. Rumi
(My theme for this year's A to Z Challenge is Open.)

Millie and Willie Cottonpoly, a sock puppet creation, are here to tell you their story during the April A to Z Blogging Challenge.  

Willie, Mr. Happy, and Millie hanging out on a White Tail Deer Scull with an Artic fox tail.

 

Millie:  You'll have to admit, Mr. Happy, this is an unusual place to hang your hat.

 

Mr. Happy:  I like to call it unique.

 

Willie:  I think it's kind of cool.

 

Millie:  Not everyone likes hanging off of deer antlers, several feet above the ground.

 

Mr. Happy:  I like to think of it as having a good vantage point for when the boys bring in more food.

 

Willie:  I think it's kind of cool.

 

Millie:  A person can feel vulnerable displayed out in the open like this. Anyone could stop by and hear and see everything.

 

Mr. Happy:  I like to think of it as providing a public platform that's entertaining to the masses.

 

Willie:  I think it's kind of cool.

 

Millie:  Well, I'm not comfortable up here.

 

Mr. Happy:  I like it.

 

Willie:  I think it's kind of cool.

 

Millie:  Willie is clearly mesmerized by this life style. I am not. I'm going home to read a book and take a bath.

 

Mr. Happy:  Do what you like.

 

Millie:  I will.

 

Willie:  Sometimes, friends have to agree to disagree. Change the subject or walk away.

 

Millie:  Are you going to stay up there all night with Mr. Happy?

 

Willie:  I think it's kind of cool.

 

(Willie and Mr. Happy sing a round of I've been working on the railroad, but not until Millie has left the room.)

 

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Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  What do you have to agree to disagree on with a friend?