A site for my handmade cards, accompanied by my photos and written meanderings which are occasionally witty, often tongue-in-cheek, and rarely profound. Beginning in June 2013, you'll also see lots of NBUS, which is an acronym I coined for Never-Before-Used-Schtuff. Note: my Privacy Policy can be found at a tab below and you can find my NBUS Challenge online. I hope you'll join in the fun there! Thanks for coming by! Have a beverage and enjoy!

May 1, 2019

The Back Story ~ Rosy

At sunrise that morning, Rosy could tell there was something odd in the air. It smelled faintly of sulfur. As she walked to the watering hole, all the other hippos were already out of the pens, enjoying the sunshine and quiet before the zoo opened.

As usual, the catcalls and bullying started as soon as Rosy came into view.

“Oh, look,” yelled Harold, “if it isn’t Roly-Poly Popsicle Pinky!”

“Hey, Pinky,” added Calvin, “how do you know when you get sunburned?!”

Rosy went to the happy place in her head in order to ignore the heckling she endured since she was born as bright as a berry. It had taken her many years to escape the heckling, but at this age, she barely heard a word they said.

Instead she imagined herself with wings, bright yellow wings. They had to be yellow because yellow wings flew higher into the clouds than any other color.

As she neared the watering hole, the sky became black and the winds begin to shift and whip around her. The smell of sulfur became stronger. All the other hippos ran for the cover of their pens, but Rosy didn’t move. 

She felt a pull on both shoulders and then all she felt was wonderfully light of heart, light of mind, and light of body. She knew her imagination was becoming reality. She smiled, waiting for lift-off.

Darnell J. Knauss, Author
Cornelia Wenokor, Illustrator
©05/01/2019
Vol. 1 Ep. 3
See top tab for prior episodes

56 comments:

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Imagine what you coud do,...with your amazing imagination, with your words.
So inspirate Darnell
love your words in story
hugs Tamara

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Oh yes Rosy really is my kind of girl, I know exactly where she is heading and I may have even bumped into her making my way to that destination. There's no better *Happy Place* than our very own creative spot! Keep on flying high Rosy your doing an amazing job..
So uplifting Darnell, it's like you've matrix'd into my mind today.
Creative Hugs Tracey xx

Stamps and Paper said...

Darnell you really made me laugh this morning such a fantastic imagination you have, ever thought of writing a book? Such a fun card

Anne

Sharyn Polesel said...

I think you missed your calling, Darnell. You should have been an author. This is fabulous!

Ros Crawford said...

Amazing! Love the story and the card!

Lisa said...

Haha, I love this month's story!! Rosy is too cute!! I love that she went to the happy place in her head to ignore the taunting ;) So creative and entertaining, Darnell!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Marilyn said...

Beautiful story Darnell! Love your card
Have a great day!
Marilyn❤

Bunny said...

I think there is a little bit of Rosy in some of us. I love this card and the sentiment. Fabulous story. Love Rosy and her little yellow wings. [Bunny]

Brenda in IN said...

So inspiring in this bullying age. Rosy has it figured out and knows she can escape whenever she wants into the clouds. A sweet story and beautiful picture of Rosy by Cornelia. This would be a wonderful children's book Darnell.

Em Louise Fairley said...

As an author, I completely concur with Rosy! Beautifully written and illustrated, girls xoxo

Pat said...

You are a great story teller Darnell, and Cornelia's wonderful card with Rosy flying high in the clouds is beautifully done, and I love the sentiment too. x

Vicki Dutcher said...

So fun! What a great cooloboration

JoAnn said...

Loved Rosy's story. I agree, you should have been an author, but so glad you use your card making talents also. Love it.

desperatehousewifecraft said...

You should compile all your stories into a book Darnell, they're very inspiring and you're such a good writer. Love that pink hippo with yellow wings. Looking forward to more little stories. Hugs, Gwendolyn

Marcia Hill said...

Sweet, sweet story...I am totally smiling!! :0)

I Card Everyone said...

Well done, Rosy! a very sweet story, for Cornelia's pink Hippo, D!
=]

Glittered Paws said...

Love your story - and the pink hippo with wings is perfect. Waiting for more of the story.

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

You really need to start publishing these stories, girl. This one is both magical and includes a very important message. I love it! Anything can happen when there are fuschia, winged hippos in the world.

Bobby said...

I'm not sure whose imagination is greater: Rosy's, Cornelia's or yours, Darnell. It's so fantastic to watch you two write and illustrate these wonderful pages.

jimlynn said...

TOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!
Lynn

Christine Alexander said...

what a wonderful story about Rosy :)

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

Fly Rosy, fly! <3

cuilliesocks said...

Well Darnell what an inspirational story, very topical in this day and age.
You have a fabulous imagination, and the image is wonderful, love the sentiment, Kate x

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, I love it.

Hope you are having a nice week. Sue

Patti said...

Too cute! my favorite line was... "how do you know when you get sunburned?!" You continue to amaze me friend : ) and bravo Cornelia on your delightful!! illustration : )

Brenda said...

Wow, you have wrote such a beautiful story to this adorable image and saying Auntie! You and Cornelia work very well together! Love, love, love that sentiment! Hugs, Brenda

Dotty Jo said...

Love your card, Darnell! Glad it's not just me that comes up with a story based on the images, Jo x

HilaryJane said...

Another lovely little uplifting story, thanks Darnell, you always bring a smile xx

Sarah said...

Stick and stones Rosy, sticks and stones. A brilliant bit of storytelling Darnell and an exceptionally cute card too xx

Verna Angerhofer said...

You and Cornelia make a great team and I love the story of Rosy.

Kara Lynne said...

It made me laugh, it made me cry...such a sweet story, Darnell. You and Cornelia make a great team! I'll be sure to prepare myself for the smell of sulfur.

Cat Craig said...

you two rock

Jeanne H said...

Love Rosy, the story, illustration and humor. Thanks Darnell and Cornelia!

Sandra H said...

Hi Darnell l just love this post you and l and many more can get ourselves in a lot of trouble our imagination can get the better of us l just laughed so much your a great story teller love Rosy lots sending lots of love x

Jean said...

Darling card and story!

Redanne said...

Oh well done Rosy, how wonderful to be able to take yourself off to your 'happy place'. Love your story Darnell and the image is fabulous! Hugs, Annie xxx

Kathleen said...

WOW.

Kath x

Bonnie said...

Love Rosy and that she could take flight! What wonderful inspiration!

Sharron said...

What a wonderful story--so timely and inspirational! You both never disappoint! Love every new story!!

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, that was beautiful, Darnell. Is there something wrong with me that this story brought me close to tears? At first it was because I was sad for Rosy, and at the end it was because I was happy for her. She's more special than anyone could have ever imagined. I hope she blew all their minds when she rose into the sky with her yellow wings, sniff sniff. Thank you.

Cheryl W. said...

Rosy's a strong woman. She'll definitely fly. And where she goes, bullies will be tried and convicted of their crimes. Wonderful card. Rosy is just too cute! Loved your back story.

papierelle said...

Today the story is a bit wistful, but in the end happy.

kiwimeskreations said...

Well done to you both - a fabulous card and a fascinating backstory, thanks Darnell
Blessings
Maxine

Anita in France said...

Absolutely delightful story, Darnell ... Rosy is such a great example of that phrase about sticks and stones ... she rises above everything on her delicate golden-yellow wings. Love that her imagination became reality ... I'm sure she and I would be firm friends! LYAMYLALMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Lisa T said...

Totally adorable story! Love Rosy's positive attitude - it takes her to places she never dreamed possible! xx

Carol L said...

I love your imagination as much as Pinky's :) What a delightful card and story - I needed that :)

Nora Noll said...

Oh that is so cute!! I love the little story you wrote about Pinky. Your imagination is wonderful. I think you should write a children's book!!

OH Babs said...

Irma I love your story.
The hummingbird and the succulent flower is amazing (like you). BBB

Lisa Elton said...

Sweet, sweet story Darnell!

Celeste Goff said...

Oh, so sweet and fun!!!

TK said...

Oh so brilliantly pink and glorious! Such fun! Love your imagination, along with the card!

Fikreta said...

its so great!

Linby said...

Great work on both counts!

Loll said...

Great short story that teaches a lesson, Dolly. Perfect collaberation between you and Cornelia! Always enjoy your stories, my friend! Love, Lolly

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