There comes a time when one must find one’s own fun.
When I asked the Beneficent Mr. Hall if we’d be doing something thrilling and exciting for 4th of July, he asked what I had in mind.
And I said, “I was thinking of going to the top of the Georgia Aquarium for Red, White and Brew. Great food! Fireworks! And brew!”
And he said, “Is it going to be crowded?”
Ummm…it’s Atlanta. It’s ALWAYS crowded.
Then he asked, “Is it outside? ‘Cause that’s gonna be really hot.”
Ummm…it’s FIREWORKS.
I did not exactly respond to the mister. But I did write a 4th of July story for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Fourth of July Secret Mystery Writing Contest. And you know what? It was a ton of fun (and delightfully cool and uncrowded, now that I think about it).
P.S. Hope your 4th is fun, too! ( And join the writing fun! Come up with a 400 word story and post it on your blog by July 5th!)
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
America throws the best birthday parties…even if your hubby is grumpy about attending…LOL! 😉 I’m glad Maggie figured it out just in time.
Me, too, Teresa! I think Mr. Hall might be off the hook this year, with all the rain we’re having here. But July 4, 2014–watch out! 😉
Better start preparing your hubby now for next year… LOL!
Good for Maggie, she worked it out in time. Good luck with the competition.
Thanks, Grannymar! Didn’t I see a story from you, too? 😉
Yes, my first attempt at one of Susanna’s competitions. It was fun to take part.
Cathy–What a charming story to take me into the 4th…
And speaking of charming (this time it’s a verb and not an adjective)…You nudged and cajoled and charmed me into working on a website for myself. I followed the advice of one of your commenters about how easy weebly.com is, and started on it this morning. Thanks for this post and the one on WOW–The Muffin.
Look at you, Sioux! I have a Weebly account but haven’t had time to play with it–and my website on Go Daddy went bye-bye last year. 🙂
With all that you can get with a blog now, sometimes a great blog is more than enough. I think the important thing, whether it’s a website or blog (or combination thereof) is to stay updated and engage your readers. (And that your online presence reflect your personality. That should be a LOT of fun for you! Can’t wait to see it!)
What a wonderful, fun story, Cathy, and with such a believable appealing kid character! I’m glad Maggie got to go to America’s birthday party 🙂 I got to go to the Georgia Aquarium once a few years ago – it was AMAZING! – but I don’t think I was at the top… just inside. Thanks so much for entering your terrific story in the contest!
Oh, the Georgia Aquarium IS amazing! And I’ve heard (from Oldest Junior Hall) that the Red, White and Brew is pretty amazing, too. Maybe I should just go with him? 🙂
Thanks for the contest! It was a fun 4th of July challenge!
Cathy…awesome 4th of July story…love the tension as she tries to figure it out…beautiful language and great voice.:)
Aw, thanks, Vivian! I just channeled my inner child (which, if I’m being honest, is not that far from me!). 🙂
There are many parts of me that are still very child-like…that’s a good thing, I think.:)
Nice suspense, Cathy, as she figures out who the party is for!
Thanks, Tina! I wanted fireworks to go off around her–but I didn’t want the kiddies to get any crazy ideas about shooting off bottle rockets in the kitchen! 🙂
Cathy, so nice to “meet” you. I really enjoyed Maggie’s determination to figure out the secret – kids just love a good secret!
Nice to meet you, too, Laurie! (I sorta love secrets, too–don’t you?) 🙂
What a cute story! I like Maggie and how she’s very, very bored and very, very good at figuring out secrets. 🙂 It was neat how you worked in the various aspects of the holiday as she attempted to solve the mystery. Great job! I really enjoyed it.
Aw, thanks, Cheryl. When I was a kid, I never told my mom I was bored (even when I was). Because then she’d find me something to do–and by “something”, I mean work! 🙂
lol! That is so true!
Excellent dialogue! It doesn’t sound forced or unrealistic in anyway. You make it seem effortless.
Thanks, Heather! If I could write stories with just dialogue, I’d be a happy camper. (But editors want things like settings and such. Pffft.) 🙂
I love the story! Sorry you won’t be going to the Red, White, and Brew, but you could probably do one of your own at home, right?
Oh, Suzanne…were you at my house on July 4th? 🙂
Wonderful party sleuthing on Maggie’s part.
Oh, thanks! I LOVE sleuthing (and I love that word)!
Very cute, Cathy! And I love the old-fashioned postcard at the top. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks, Jarm–I use a lot of images from Microsoft Images (free to download and use however you like). The postcard was just one of many 4th of July photos.
NICE!!! I never thought of having a birthday cake on July 4th. DUH!! Next year. Thanks for the idea, Cathy!
Excuse me while I go drop some berries in my yogurt too! Great story!
Totally love this story. Aren’t you glad we didn’t get the flooding that was predicted? Although we had to bar-b-que in shifts. Back to the story, this is such a delightful read. I can just see the expressions of the characters as I read your story. Enjoyed it.
Thanks, Pamela! You must be in the Atlanta area, too–are you a member of the Southern Breeze region of SCBWI? (Nudge, push) 🙂
Great fun! Loved all the clues!
Thanks, Beth–appreciate you stopping by!
Love how Maggie figured it out and yet you allowed the readers to try to figure it out at the same time.
Thanks, Pam–I’m thinking I may send this story out for a 4th of July holiday themed market. (But I need a few more words–I wanted to get a parade in there-) 😉
Very cute. I loved all the descriptive hints!
Thanks, Penny–that’s what I was going for!
I’m glad I discovered your blog through this contest. Your story has outstanding voice and dialogue. Fun read!
Oh, thanks so much, Joanne! I’ve been zipping around, too, finding new blogs/writers! Always fun-;-)
It’s so fun to drive the kiddos crazy with surprises 🙂 I like how Maggie was able to use her reasoning skills to figure out whose birthday it was!
True, Janna–I hate to say how often I messed with the little kidders’ heads. Nothing like whispering to get their attention! 🙂
Sweet story for the 4th. Good luck with the contest!
What a sweet story, Cathy. Hope you win the prize!