Excerpts from the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings
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Rain was another week coming to wash the sin from the charred remains of Peterson’s Salvage Yard, leaving behind no scarcity of pristine air to clear my head and lungs as I wandered the woods and countryside. Any desire for vengeance that haunted me after the fire was soon purged from my heart by the merciful, relentless beauty of Spring in Havenwood.
In the meadows and pastures, lines of fat raindrops clung like jewels to the undersides of new branches too green to absorb them, backlit by a cautious sun. Yellow-budding tulip trees drank thirstily of the fresh, pooled rain. And redbuds and dogwoods bloomed pink and white in the patches of light and shadow cast by canopies of hardwood trees, greening to life in the fertile woodlands.
I soon returned to school to discover all manner of winged creature, lending song and sound and motion to the Spring outside our classroom . . .
Ruby-throated hummingbirds zoomed on invisible wings from flower to flower, sharing nectar with the honeybees in the gardens we’d planted. And as the apple orchards sprinkled their delicate blossoms onto the breezes, sweet brown wrens whistled duets with the chickadees and chirping sparrows to the counterpoint, drumming staccato of woodpeckers courting their mates.
I took to drawing pictures of whatever Mother Nature offered those halcyon days, using up boxes of colored chalk and watercolor paints faster than art supply mail orders could arrive.
I was also reading every book I could get my hands on. And because I was so far ahead in Arithmetic and so hungry for Art and Reading, Miss Greenlee made a special place for me at the back of the classroom where I could spread out my work on a nice long table with a window view.
Gnarly old Miss Hickey, the Latin teacher, disapproved, of course.
I caught her peeking through the windows before she could duck. But she didn’t dare complain to Mister Attabee; he’d already put her in her place that famous day under the hickory tree in the schoolyard, defending Miss Greenlee’s artistic license to do whatever she pleased.
Maybe she wanted her own artistic license. Maybe she was just jealous. But whatever the case, “Hickey Witch” just had to make her spiteful point by glaring at me with those snaky eyes and that squinched up face of hers whenever I passed her classroom door on my way to the library . . .
C O N T I N U E D – C L I CK for PART II
–D.J. Houston, Author
Copyright©2008, 2014 D.J. Houston. All Rights Reserved.
From the novel HAVENWOOD TALES Beginnings
Magical Mystery – Inspiring Stories – Life Lessons – Artists of Spring – Heartland America
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Wow! You girls really know how to spin a beautiful tale! The wife and I say thanks very much for the treat. Keep them coming, and best of luck on the book launch!
Sam
Hi Sam! Thanks very much for treating us with your visit!
D.J. said you bring her good luck, and to please say Hi to your beautiful wife! I bet she’s as beautiful inside as my teacher, Miss Greenlee 🙂
Your Friend Always,
Trudie McAfee – Narrator HAVENWOOD TALES
So lovely! And funny : ) The kids and I all wish you wonderful success with Havenwood Tales!
Bess Greenwood,
Homeschool Mom
Thank you very much, Miss Greenwood! Haha, I’m suspecting you peeked at Part II when you say funny 😉 Please say HI to your kids from me and my author D.J. Houston!
Your True Friend,
Trudie McAfee – Narrator HAVENWOOD TALES
Would HATE having Gnarly old Miss Hickey, the Latin teacher, in my class…
Haha! Please pray that I never have her, either!! 😉
X0 Trudie
I had a wonderful teacher in high school, inspiring! She let me do creative writing projects and turn them in for grades (rather than some of the more boring assignments!) Loved that teacher!!!! So I understand sitting in the back of a classroom and being allowed to create what you love!
Oh, so wonderful to hear this, Miss Karin!!! I bet your teacher would be very proud of the results – your beautiful books are a testimony to her wisdom.
You’re in for a real treat with Part 2 of this excerpt my author’s preparing to SURPRISE you with soon! 😉
Your True Friend,
Trudie
[…] Pardon me, Miss Hickey, but Miss Greenlee has artistic license. Don’t you have a Latin class to teach somewhere? […]
Welcome to Havenwood, Miss Merry! It feels really nice to have you here sharing Spring with us 🙂
My author D.J. Houston is a big fan of your jewelry and admires your wonderful book!
Your new friend,
Trudie Beth McAfee, Narrator HAVENWOOD TALES
Lovely writing! Thank you for giving me a breath of spring.
-Merry
You are always welcome to glimpse into our world of Havenwood, Sir Knight! Your imagery adds enjoyment to our insights 🙂
Thanks for this next glimpse into your world! Enjoyable insights and imagery as always!
Wow, this is so beautiful!! Your descriptions of spring make me long for the country life. We’re trying to move our family out of the city SOON.
Funny about the old Latin teacher, too, mine looked just like her!
Thanks for all the wisdom you share. I’m SUBSCRIBED now, don’t want to miss a thing.
Helen
Welcome back to Havenwood, Miss Helen!
D.J. thanks you for your kind words and subscription, and we both hope you and your family enjoy the country life SOON!
Your friend,
Trudie Beth McAfee – Narrator HAVENWOOD TALES
p.s. Sorry about your Latin teacher 🙂