Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FUSSY (11/17/16)
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TITLE: Grandpa's Sayings | Previous Challenge Entry
By Bonnie Bowden
11/24/16 -
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Jo wandered next door and found her Grandpa Roberts pulling a wayward weed from his lawn. If I were a dandelion, I wouldn’t dare show my face around here. When I was five, I cried the whole day when Grandpa pulled up all my flower friends.
“Go to the wood shop and grab a pair of sheers. No dawdling.”
Jo slid the barn door open and breathed in the aroma of woods, mainly pine, birch, and walnut. Grandpa’s tools hung from nails on the back wall, organized by type—hammers, screwdrivers, saws, etc. As Grandpa would say, “There is a place for everything, and everything should be in its place.” She grabbed the hand pruners standing proudly beside the rakes.
Before she left, Jo peeked at the bookcase in the corner. It was Grandma’s birthday gift. Fortunately, Grandma wasn’t interested in tools or woodworking, so she never came out here. Jo was sure that after all the yard work was done, they would work on it. After all, Grandma’s special day was less than a week away.
Grandpa’s loafers shone in the sun. He lived by John Wesley’s words: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Jo didn’t know how he managed; she continually got scolded for getting her good clothes dirty.
“Jo, why don’t you finish weeding this section while I prune the hedges?”
Jo’s bag was almost full when Grandma came out bringing lemonade and cookies.
“George, don’t work your granddaughter too hard. She’s only 12.”
“Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
“Theodore Roosevelt,” Grandma said.
“That’s right, dear, but this job won’t do itself. Please lay the pitcher and plate over on the porch table. We’ll be finished in a jiffy.”
“You better be. I didn’t spend the last few hours baking to have my food melt.”
After the refreshments, Grandpa motioned for Jo to follow.
The two of them donned their goggles and masks. Grandpa handed Jo the 220 grit sandpaper.“Remember, sand with the grain not against it. The shelves should be as smooth as a baby’s bottom when we finish.”
“Is it really necessary to do this step three times? Everything seems silky now.”
“I believe it was Arthur Conan Doyle who said: It has always been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.”
“I know; I know. Keep sanding.”
Finally, after what seemed forever, Grandpa vacuumed and used a tacky cloth to remove all the dust. “Tomorrow after we wax it, all the grains of the wood will show. It will be a piece of beauty.”
“Grandpa, thanks for being such a good teacher and pushing me.”
“Nothing is worth doing unless it’s done right”
“President Teddy Roosevelt, Right?”
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I liked the story in between the sayings also. Thanks.