Saturday, September 13, 2008

Who Knows Where the Wordzzle Goes ... Only Time


I missed another week, sidelined by injuries. Amazing how a pain in your foot can affect your mind. Finola was pissed to not have her words and to be frank, she scares me so once again I have given her all her words back.

Last Week - invincible, falling leaves, two-year-old, fusion, grizzly bear, Jamaica, delivery, popsicle stick, caviar, lap-top toad stool, liquid lunch, counting sheep, manacles, Jurassic Park

This Week - spam, problematic, flower girl, splurge, milk, orphanage, lyrics, politics, ice cream cone, cactus, drag race, poppy seed, swinging from a star, John Denver, diagram

Pease stop by RAVEN’S NEST and check out all the other Wordzzlers.

Here’s Finola …

Ray was curled up on the giant toad stool shaped chair in Pavarotti’s screening room. He was watching Jurassic Park on the giant screen. The drained tips of half a dozen ice cream cones mingled on the coffee table with piles of popsicle sticks and an empty milk container. “Hey Babe” Ray said as he paused the movie. “Do you want to watch from the start, I’ll make us some lunch and rewind”. Finola was not at all interested in movies or food. She just wanted to make sure Ray was occupied so she could have some time to explore Waterloo and get to know Pavarotti. “No thanks” she told Ray. “I'll splurge later on caviar and poppy seed bagels or maybe a liquid lunch. That wine from last night was really good”. Ray’s attention had already been drawn back to the screen so Finola quietly closed the door and wandered outside.

She squinted in the sun and looked at the diagram Pav had given her last night. He had knocked on her door just as she was falling asleep. “Are you still counting sheep?” he asked. Finola smiled and invited him in. “I wanted to tell you I won’t be here in the morning. I’m heading into Big Town for supplies and if time allows I may stop at the Lincoln Center drag races. Take this diagram, getting around Waterloo can be problematic without directions. Sleep well little one, I should be back before dinner”.

Finola smiled at the thought of Pavarotti at the drag races. She really liked the large loud man and hoped they would become good friends. She went back into the main hall and decided to explore room by room. She checked off the kitchen and the Orchid Room as well as her bedroom, Ray’s bedroom and the screening room. According to the diagram the next room off the main hall was the Photo Shop.

The door to the Photo Shop was heavy and it took Finola a few tugs to get it open. As the door opened the overhead lights came on and Finola found herself in a room full of photographs. Framed photos, poster size photos, photos in boxes and bags and piled on little tables. Even the ceiling was a photo – a huge landscape of Jamaica with the words One Love running across it. Finola was dizzy from staring up so she turned her attention to a wall of framed photos. There was a dark photo of a man dressed as a grizzly bear; it was interesting because the man was holding the grizzly bear head out toward the camera. Next to that was a photo of a small chubby boy standing in front of a large white house. Across the top of the portico Finola could just make out the words – Maria Callas Orphanage and School of Voice. The little boy looked a lot like Pavarotti. There were lots of nature shots – cactus gleaming in the sun, birds in flight, golden falling leaves. While they were all beautiful it was the personal photos that interested Finola. She saw more photos of the little boy. In one photo he appeared to be part of a wedding party, a sweet boy dressed in crisp linen holding hands with the flower girl. Finola realized that although the little boy appeared again and again none of the other subjects did. Each photo felt like a different place and time.

“Posh where you at?” Finola shuddered. Something was going to have to be done about Ray. “I’ll be right there” she called back. She quickly closed the Photo Shop door and caught up with Ray in the kitchen. “You hungry yet?” he asked. “Check out the frozen pizza. It’s as good as delivery, says so right on the box”. Finola nodded and Ray went about getting the pizza out of the box and into the oven. It was a bit like watching a two year old perform brain surgery. Finola had to look away, it was too soon to alienate Ray all together, she still wasn’t sure what Pavarotti’s deal was. “Where were you?” Ray asked as he struggled with the oven dials. “Just wandering around” Finola said. “Pavarotti won’t be back til dinner, what should we do?” She didn’t want to share the diagram with Ray, she wanted to explore on her own. “We could go out into the back lands” Ray said. “My old jalopy won’t make it but last time I was here Pav had a brand new Ford Fusion. He said I could drive it anytime. It’s probably here; he usually drives the old truck.” Finola nodded in agreement. Getting out into the air made it easier to listen to Ray talk.

“So what should we talk about til the pizza is done?” Finola hoped he hadn’t read her mind. “What are you interested in? Politics. Music. Sports.” “I don’t know much about politics” Ray told her. Shocking thought Finola, probably voted Republican. “I like country music, the lyrics are real, they tell a story. I don’t have to figure anything out, no hidden meanings. John Denver is my favorite.” Finola tried to look interested as she fiddled with Pav’s laptop. There was a spam filter or security program blocking her search. Finally the names of local country bands popped up. “Have you heard of these?” Finola asked Ray. “There’s Invincible Enigma and Swinging From a Star, they’re both local. Star is an all girl country rock group. Where’s Route 77? They’re playing there tonight”. The oven timer chimed before Ray could answer so Finola bookmarked the bands for later.

After lunch Ray and Finola walked across the long back yard of Waterloo and out to the garage. Sure enough the Fusion was there, keys in the ignition. Finola popped the trunk to put away the cooler full of cold drinks. She pushed a box out of the way and barely blinked as Ray approached. “Need help?” Finola shook her head and slammed the trunk shut. She’d go back tonight and check out that box full of manacles.


FINOLA’S BEGINNING
PART TWO
PART THREE
PART FOUR
PART FIVE
PART SIX
PART SEVEN
PART EIGHT
PART NINE
PART TEN

37 comments:

Dr.John said...

What an interesting way to combine two weeks worth of words.

jaycoles@gmail.com said...

Thank you. I needed that. I am so taken with Finola and her story. When is it going to be made into a movie?

Jeff B said...

Holy Guacamole! You managed to string all those words into a great addition and get a jab in at the Reps too.

I can already see a couple of ways this might go next week, but then again with your creativity, it will likely be something I haven't yet considered.

Akelamalu said...

What a story you put together Dianne! I'm still not sure where it's going but I'll be back next week to find out! Great stuff.

Dianne said...

dr john - thanks!! I really liked your entry :)

jay - she's fun isn't she. I missed her last week, she makes me feel better too. thanks!

jeff - the jab was just a wee bit of icing lol
I'm really pleased you enjoy Finola.

akelamalu - I'm never sure where Finola is going either. I make little notes during the week and then never use them. I'm thrilled that the "Queen of twisted endings" finds my story interesting! thanks lady :)

Raven said...

You are a genius. I loved the photo room.... well I loved it all. Can't wait to find out what happens next. This 30-word (you realize that's what you've done, don't you!) wordzzling is very impressive. Wow.

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi Dianne! I can understand why Finola scares you. I fear for Ray, but I think that Pav maybe on to her.

I hope the foot is getting better. Lisa

Kimmie said...

Applause!!! What a great job you are doing here Dianne! I feel as if I am reading a novel. I also got the same feeling of fear for Ray. As for Pav, I am still very wishy washy. You sure do have me wondering where you are going with this. Finola is quite complicated, I love that! ;-)
Hugs,
Kimmie

Carletta said...

I saw Raven's comment. So, you've done thirty words for her 30th post - how cool is that!

Intriguing as always. That Finola is something else. A box full of manacles - Pavarotti has a little explaining to do.

Dianne said...

raven - yep another 30 worder. that almost rhymes LOL
it was fun to get Finola all caught up

Lisa - Pav is worryig me too!! At least Ray is too dumb to be scary ;)

kimmie - I'm so glad you enjoy Finola, she's a handful lol

carletta - 30 for 30!! I didn't even realize, that's cool :)
Pav can go so many ways. All the photos of him in different places and times!! Wonder what that's about.

Mom Knows Everything said...

How is your foot feeling? Any better? Another amazing Finola post!

Daryl said...

As Alice would have said: curiouser and curiouser

:-Daryl

Jay said...

That was amazing. This one is going to go into the Wordzzle Hall of Fame!

Really fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Thirty for thirty and still going strong - nice job!! What a great story. That Finola is something :-)

Linda Murphy said...

A box full of manacles?! Wondering about that! This Finola series is terrific-kudos.

I managed to eke out a Wordzzle this week too.

Dianne said...

tammy - the cast is a pain in the butt, very frustrating when ya can't get around.
glad you liked the story

daryl - Oh I'm glad you think so :)

jay - wow! thanks!!

mommywizdom - thanks! I didn't even realize 30 for 30 lol

snoop - I'm wondering about that too ;)

RW said...

Your a great wordsmith Di!

Dianne said...

thanks roger!! I love the term wordsmith - makes me feel so accomplished :)

Bobkat said...

LoL! I nearly spat my drink across my desk when I read your description of Ray making pizza :D It exactly describes most men in the kitchen!

You have such a great imagination. Can't wait to see what happens next regarding the manacles! The mind boggles!

Dianne said...

bobkat - my kitchen too! LOL
glad you laughed, sorry about the liquid ;)

Crazy Charlene said...

dianne~~yeah i have been having all kinds of fun taking care of dad 24/7 since 7/10/ when he had his stroke~~hey i did get to go away my my f buddy in hot springs at the end of August
and if we can find a rehab that will accept dad with his dialysis, i will have another few days to myself
now i am sitting in the window seat at the hospital fighting with a doctor who is on call that does have a freaking clue
life is good

Dianne said...

charlene honey - on call drs are usually the most stubborn! sorry about all of this. I hope you can find a rehab facility.

Lu' said...

Hi Dianne, that read quite well. I'll have to check out the other installments. Thanks for stopping by :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

You are a genius! LOL! This brilliant and funny and just wonderful! Maybe it could be a movie!! Just terrific, Dianne...truly!

Dianne said...

lu' - thanks!! glad you enjoyed it. I've been meaning to combine all the previous installments into one.

oldoldlady of the hills - thanks!! high praise which I appreciate so much.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

A late comer to your blog...but you have me hooked on Finola...and to your as a person....

I also loved your Friday post...

Shelly said...

Sheesh, that Finola is fearless...those manacles didn't freak her out one bit!
Come on over the guest room is ready, I'm worried about getting you up there tough...your nasty ankle injury - the steep old-house stairs...oh yeah...and there's no bathroom up there. Hmmmm.

Reb said...

Love it, can't wait to see what is up with the manacles.

Feel better soon.

Dianne said...

bond - the feeling is mutual! mucho mutual ;)

shelly - somebody called her a "trooper" and they're right! lol
she has that wonderful nothing to lose quality plus she's young.
I'll just stay in the barn and I'll bring a porta-potty. Showers - hell I'll hose me off in the yard lol!!!

reb - yeah I gotta decide where to take the manacles - creepy, kinky, ugly - OY!
thanks :)

Bear Naked said...

Dianne
Thank you for commenting on my post today.
If by posting my personal experiences with TVT surgery helps just ONE woman then it will be well worth it.

Bear((( )))

Sparkling Red said...

Hi Dianne!

There's an award for you on my blog. Come on by and get it! :-)

Dianne said...

bear - you're welcome :)

thanks sparkling I will :)

Cherie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cherie said...

I have finally caught up on Finola's adventure, and I can well see why you're afraid of her. I think that I am too. I can't imagine what she'd do to you if your cheated her out of any of her words. lol

All of your writings have inspired me, and I took a stab at Jeff B's Portrait of Words. I'd love it if you'd stop by and check it out. I even created a new blog over here for the occassion.

Glad that the cast is merely annoying. ;)

P.S. I'm the comment deleter. I didn't realize that the system would narc on me like that. LOL :)

Dianne said...

cherie!!!!
cherie!!!!

you have a face! lol
I am so thrilled that you've joined blog land. You'll love the natives.
As soon as I finish my Jeff B story I will come right over. I can't read anyone else until I'm done, I'm highly suggestible.

Oh I am soooooo happy you're here.

San said...

I came to the Finola saga in the middle of things. Even so, I have a feel for Finola and the other characters, thanks to your dropping just the right details. Thanks to your dazzling wordzzling.

Dianne said...

san - thank you!! appreciate that. I try to make each installment stand alone as well as flow. I wouldn't want to go back 10 installments !! lol