Creative Writing with Vocabulary
During every book we read, we had vocabulary for us to study. Every week, the class wrote creative pieces using that vocabulary, with a quiz at the end of the week to see how well we knew the words. Here is the continuing story that I wrote using five or more vocabulary words per week. Bold letters mean the word was one of the ten vocab. words for the week. (Scroll down for my Presentation of Learning work).
Dear Grandchildren,
Soon, my life will cease to exist. I’m not telling you this to alarm you, but more because I think it is important that I share a little bit of myself for you to remember me. A small part of me had always wanted to be a bard, so I toyed with the idea of writing a poem about myself that you would read after my passing. However, I think it’s important for me to share verbally. That way, we can converse and you can ask questions, if you have any.
I’ll begin with my time at law school at Yale University, no less. Yes, this was and still is a very prestigious law school and I was privileged to be able to attend. The school for all it’s academics tends to have a lot of pomp. That part I didn’t care for too much. However, the architecture of the buildings was just breathtaking, especially the ancient cloisters. I got along really well with most of my professors. There was one who stood out to me, my Contract Law professor. He always gave me blandishments, where I eventually ended up being his teacher’s assistant for a whole school year! He was one of those professor’s who you admire, but find rather intimidating too. In fact, I clearly remember this young, “know-it-all” boy who was quite insolent to the professor, who promptly kicked him out of class. I think the boy deserved it! Often, my friends thought I was depressed or brooding. In fact, I took my studies very seriously, and excelled in all my classes. Many of my friends were full of folly, and never made it through law school. However, they were very successful in their chosen professions. I’ve made many good and bad choices throughout my life, and attending Yale Law was definitely one of my better decisions.
I’ve often thought about where my life’s journey would have taken me if I hadn’t attended Yale law. As much as I enjoy reminiscing and reflecting on the past, I am getting tired and it’s time for the nurse to give me my medication. For now, I will stop, but I will continue writing to you after breakfast.
Words Used:
Cease - to pass away; die out
Bard - a person who composed and recited epic or heroic poems, often while playing the harp, lyre, or the like
Pomp - stately or splendid display; splendor; magnificence
Cloister - a covered walk, especially in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade usually opening onto a courtyard
Blandishments - a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something
Insolent - showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
Brooding - showing deep unhappiness of thought
Folly - lack of good sense; foolishness
Soon, my life will cease to exist. I’m not telling you this to alarm you, but more because I think it is important that I share a little bit of myself for you to remember me. A small part of me had always wanted to be a bard, so I toyed with the idea of writing a poem about myself that you would read after my passing. However, I think it’s important for me to share verbally. That way, we can converse and you can ask questions, if you have any.
I’ll begin with my time at law school at Yale University, no less. Yes, this was and still is a very prestigious law school and I was privileged to be able to attend. The school for all it’s academics tends to have a lot of pomp. That part I didn’t care for too much. However, the architecture of the buildings was just breathtaking, especially the ancient cloisters. I got along really well with most of my professors. There was one who stood out to me, my Contract Law professor. He always gave me blandishments, where I eventually ended up being his teacher’s assistant for a whole school year! He was one of those professor’s who you admire, but find rather intimidating too. In fact, I clearly remember this young, “know-it-all” boy who was quite insolent to the professor, who promptly kicked him out of class. I think the boy deserved it! Often, my friends thought I was depressed or brooding. In fact, I took my studies very seriously, and excelled in all my classes. Many of my friends were full of folly, and never made it through law school. However, they were very successful in their chosen professions. I’ve made many good and bad choices throughout my life, and attending Yale Law was definitely one of my better decisions.
I’ve often thought about where my life’s journey would have taken me if I hadn’t attended Yale law. As much as I enjoy reminiscing and reflecting on the past, I am getting tired and it’s time for the nurse to give me my medication. For now, I will stop, but I will continue writing to you after breakfast.
Words Used:
Cease - to pass away; die out
Bard - a person who composed and recited epic or heroic poems, often while playing the harp, lyre, or the like
Pomp - stately or splendid display; splendor; magnificence
Cloister - a covered walk, especially in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade usually opening onto a courtyard
Blandishments - a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something
Insolent - showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect
Brooding - showing deep unhappiness of thought
Folly - lack of good sense; foolishness
Now that I have had my medication and sustenance, I’ll continue with my story. Well, the graduation ceremony at Yale was quite an auspicious occasion. The keynote speaker was a Justice on the Supreme Court. My parents threw a huge party to celebrate my graduation and my acceptance for my new job working as the junior attorney in the D.A.’s office. After taking a short vacation, I began my new career. Looking back, I was a driven, career-minded young woman. I was being prepared for the D.A. position. I was a very shrewd attorney, who used my smarts and occasionally was very cunning which resulted in putting away a lot of criminals.
I had been working for the D.A. for about five years, when I was on a trip to New York, as I had been summoned to interview a potential witness in a case. On the flight back to Los Angeles, I met a very special person. He was a steward on the flight, who took my beverage and food order - I flew in first class! There was chemistry between us right away. He kept coming over to my seat to see if I needed anything. I remember my heart pounding every time he was near, and as much I tried to stay calm and poised, I knew that he was the man for me! At first, it was difficult for us to get together with my work, and his traveling. In those days we didn’t have email and text, so we kept in touch the old fashioned way - telephone, letters and getting together whenever time permitted. One day, this special man planned a delightful day out when he was in Los Angeles. We went to Griffith Park to see the Observatory and then we had a picnic where he had all the provisions, including a bottle of champagne. We spent the afternoon relaxing, eating, and drinking. That was how our your grandfather and my relationship began. It’s hard to believe that it was nearly sixty years ago. That takes me back to our wedding day. Yes, that was definitely a day to remember.
Words Used:
Sustenance - food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment
Auspicious - conducive to success; favorable
Shrewd - having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute
Cunning - having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion
Summoned - call people to attend (a meeting)
Steward - a person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train and brings them meals
Poised - having a composed and self-assured manner
Provisions - the action of providing or supplying something for use
I had been working for the D.A. for about five years, when I was on a trip to New York, as I had been summoned to interview a potential witness in a case. On the flight back to Los Angeles, I met a very special person. He was a steward on the flight, who took my beverage and food order - I flew in first class! There was chemistry between us right away. He kept coming over to my seat to see if I needed anything. I remember my heart pounding every time he was near, and as much I tried to stay calm and poised, I knew that he was the man for me! At first, it was difficult for us to get together with my work, and his traveling. In those days we didn’t have email and text, so we kept in touch the old fashioned way - telephone, letters and getting together whenever time permitted. One day, this special man planned a delightful day out when he was in Los Angeles. We went to Griffith Park to see the Observatory and then we had a picnic where he had all the provisions, including a bottle of champagne. We spent the afternoon relaxing, eating, and drinking. That was how our your grandfather and my relationship began. It’s hard to believe that it was nearly sixty years ago. That takes me back to our wedding day. Yes, that was definitely a day to remember.
Words Used:
Sustenance - food and drink regarded as a source of strength; nourishment
Auspicious - conducive to success; favorable
Shrewd - having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute
Cunning - having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion
Summoned - call people to attend (a meeting)
Steward - a person who looks after the passengers on a ship, aircraft, or train and brings them meals
Poised - having a composed and self-assured manner
Provisions - the action of providing or supplying something for use
When your grandfather asked me to marry him, his proposal was of a romantic nature. Not only did he ask me on bended knee, but the ring he bestowed was a beautiful, antique, platinum ring with a solitaire diamond surrounded by sapphires, which is my birthstone. It took my breath away. Our wedding was quite a large event with about 300 guests. My parents wanted our wedding to be the social event of the summer. My mother brought in an artisan baker who created a five tiered wedding cake. Each layer was joined with a delicious, creamy, mascarpone cheese frosting. I believe the cheese was imported from Italy! It took a year to plan our wedding as there was so much to do. Mother was such an organized person that she allotted certain tasks to people she believed to have exceptional skills. Hence, the Italian baker, the French wedding dress, the cathedral in Fresno with the ceremony being conducted by the archdiocese. However, my youngest brother, your Great Uncle Charles always found a way to elude his responsibilities. He was always full of mischief and not to be trusted with anything important. Since mother was so roused with all the excitement of planning our wedding, she was determined that my brother would cooperate with his part. Your grandfather and I decided to write our own vows which were considered a consecrated part of the ceremony.
My friends were very keen to go with me to shop for a wedding dress. I don’t typically cares for clothes shopping, which my friends were all too aware of. So after weeks of wriggling and writhing in and out of dozens of wedding dresses, I finally found the perfect one. The organza and lace material gave the dress an ethereal feeling. I remember feeling like a princess when I put it on.
Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating our wedding day. For us, the excitement continued as we left to Europe for our honeymoon. I need to take a short break, but I’ll continue with my life story when I return.
Words Used:
Bestowed - confer or present (an honor, right, or gift)
Artisan - a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand
Allotted - give or apportion (something) to someone as a share or task
Elude - evade or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skillful or cunning way
Roused - bring out of sleep; awaken
Consecrated - make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose
Keen - having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm
Writhing - make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body
My friends were very keen to go with me to shop for a wedding dress. I don’t typically cares for clothes shopping, which my friends were all too aware of. So after weeks of wriggling and writhing in and out of dozens of wedding dresses, I finally found the perfect one. The organza and lace material gave the dress an ethereal feeling. I remember feeling like a princess when I put it on.
Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating our wedding day. For us, the excitement continued as we left to Europe for our honeymoon. I need to take a short break, but I’ll continue with my life story when I return.
Words Used:
Bestowed - confer or present (an honor, right, or gift)
Artisan - a worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand
Allotted - give or apportion (something) to someone as a share or task
Elude - evade or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer), typically in a skillful or cunning way
Roused - bring out of sleep; awaken
Consecrated - make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose
Keen - having or showing eagerness or enthusiasm
Writhing - make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body
Now to continue with my life story… Your grandfather and I had chosen Europe for our honeymoon with Paris being our first destination. The Eiffel Tower was shining so brightly, that is gave the city luminosity, which was just breathtaking. Our first dinner was at the Ritz Hotel where an amazing Jazz Band was playing. The women in the audience were clamoring to get near the stage. Your grandfather and I danced the night away. The next part of our journey was onto Brussels, Belgium! I was appalled at the graffiti in the city, it gave an ominous feel to it. However, I do remember the chocolate factory, it was definitely something to remember. We decided to stay for only a day before we took a train into Berlin, Germany. Our goal was to explore the city as it held so much history and you know how crazy your grandfather and I are about history! Visiting the remains of the Berlin Wall was a somewhat solemn event. Thinking about all those people on the Eastern side for all those years and the depravity that they suffered is just heart-breaking. We lamented about the suffering and how we have our freedom today due to the bravery and comradery of the allied soldiers. We did a little tourist shopping and visited some of the museums before taking the train and ferry over to England. This is where your grandfather’s heritage originated; something he was quite proud of. This is where we spent the majority of our honeymoon. We had a beautiful suite at the Savoy Hotel in the heart of London. Your grandfather was relentless in his pursuit to make sure that we saw all the shows, museums, fashionable events and magnificence that the city of London offered. As I reminisce about the past, it is quite difficult to believe that these events happened almost sixty years ago. Your grandfather and I certainly knew how to have a good time. After spending nearly a month away on our honeymoon, we knew that it was time to return to America and start our life together.
Thinking about the beginning of our life has been exhilarating, yet worn me out too. It is time I rest. I will continue once I am refreshed.
Words Used:
Luminosity - the intrinsic brightness of a celestial object (as distinct from its apparent brightness diminished by distance)
Clamoring - (of a group of people) shout loudly and insistently
Appalled - greatly dismay or horrify
Ominous - giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious
Solemn - formal and dignified
Lamented - a conventional way of describing someone who has died or something that has been lost or that has ceased to exist
Comradery - is a feeling of trust, a bond created by a shared goal or experience, you don't have to be best friends with everyone in the group to know you have their support
Relentless - oppressively constant; incessant
Thinking about the beginning of our life has been exhilarating, yet worn me out too. It is time I rest. I will continue once I am refreshed.
Words Used:
Luminosity - the intrinsic brightness of a celestial object (as distinct from its apparent brightness diminished by distance)
Clamoring - (of a group of people) shout loudly and insistently
Appalled - greatly dismay or horrify
Ominous - giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious
Solemn - formal and dignified
Lamented - a conventional way of describing someone who has died or something that has been lost or that has ceased to exist
Comradery - is a feeling of trust, a bond created by a shared goal or experience, you don't have to be best friends with everyone in the group to know you have their support
Relentless - oppressively constant; incessant
After arriving back in Los Angeles, life was pretty hectic for us. Our first goal was to find a home for us to begin our life together. It’s a tricky business finding the right realtor to find the perfect home. We came across a few charlatans who seemed more interested in the commission then finding a home for us. Eventually, we were able to move out of my parents home and move into a quaint three bedroom home on the west side of Los Angeles which was on a precipice, with a breathtaking view of the San Gabriel mountains. We couldn’t have been happier. Although we were a few miles inland from the ocean, our neighborhood attracted all types of ocean birds such as seagulls, pelicans, and cormorants. We appreciated the wildlife, however, we didn’t care for the mess they left on our vehicles! As a result, your grandfather would wash both our cars, and would come back into the house looking quite wet and disheveled from this task. His clothes were so drenched, that they started to shrivel up. We both stayed busy with our careers, while trying to make sure we had time for each other. About a year into our marriage, I discovered I was pregnant with our first child. Both excitement and distress set in. I was excited at the prospect of being a mother, yet concerned what this meant for my career. Your grandfather was very supportive, until it was time to decorate the nursery. I had my heart set on a crib imported from Paris which your grandfather insisted was unnecessary to have. However, I was indomitable against him on this argument, he had to relent, and we got the crib.
A few weeks later, we ended up visiting San Diego. It’s a funny story, we were driving one evening from dinner, when your grandfather suddenly swerved when he saw what he thought was an animal in the middle of the road. He stopped to check, and unfortunately found that it was the entrails of a rabbit. I think this disturbed him because he was quiet on the drive home and after a while, when I asked where he was going, he seemed to have been led astray. We ended up finding ourselves on our way to San Diego! I could tell he was upset from what he had seen, so we decided to find a hotel and spend the night. Your grandfather was always a very sensitive man, which endeared him to me. His piteous sadness for this small creature, made me love him even more. We had a lovely time in San Diego, exploring Old Town and taking the trolley. Those days bring back such lovely memories. I’d like to relax and reminisce about our journey together, I’ll return soon.
Words Used:
Charlatans - a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill; a fraud
Precipice - a very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one
Cormorants - a large diving bird with a long neck, long hooked bill, short legs, and mainly dark plumage
Disheveled - (of a person's hair, clothes, or appearance) untidy; disordered
Shrivel - wrinkle and contract or cause to wrinkle and contract, especially due to loss of moisture
Distress - extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
Indomitable - impossible to subdue or defeat
Entrails - a person or animal's intestines or internal organs, especially when removed or exposed
Astray - away from the correct path or direction
Piteous - deserving or arousing pity
A few weeks later, we ended up visiting San Diego. It’s a funny story, we were driving one evening from dinner, when your grandfather suddenly swerved when he saw what he thought was an animal in the middle of the road. He stopped to check, and unfortunately found that it was the entrails of a rabbit. I think this disturbed him because he was quiet on the drive home and after a while, when I asked where he was going, he seemed to have been led astray. We ended up finding ourselves on our way to San Diego! I could tell he was upset from what he had seen, so we decided to find a hotel and spend the night. Your grandfather was always a very sensitive man, which endeared him to me. His piteous sadness for this small creature, made me love him even more. We had a lovely time in San Diego, exploring Old Town and taking the trolley. Those days bring back such lovely memories. I’d like to relax and reminisce about our journey together, I’ll return soon.
Words Used:
Charlatans - a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill; a fraud
Precipice - a very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one
Cormorants - a large diving bird with a long neck, long hooked bill, short legs, and mainly dark plumage
Disheveled - (of a person's hair, clothes, or appearance) untidy; disordered
Shrivel - wrinkle and contract or cause to wrinkle and contract, especially due to loss of moisture
Distress - extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
Indomitable - impossible to subdue or defeat
Entrails - a person or animal's intestines or internal organs, especially when removed or exposed
Astray - away from the correct path or direction
Piteous - deserving or arousing pity
As I share my memories with you, part of me feels that this journey has been somewhat tedious, and that you would want me to hasten the ending. I will close this letter soon, but I do have a few more things I would like to share.
William’s arrival was much anticipated and he brought much joy to his father and I. Unfortunately, he suffered from colic and cried incessantly for what seemed like months, but the nurses told me that it was only a few weeks. That was a rather dismal time for me as your grandfather was working, and I was left with a crying baby. I really missed my work and felt that I once had an illustrious career and I pined to return to it. My irritability and agitation grew with William’s incessant crying. Before the days of nursery monitors, the general practice was to leave the nursery door ajar. I would do this when William was sleeping, hoping that when he awoke he wouldn’t be crying. Eventually, he overcame the colic and turned into a bright and healthy child. Just when I thought I would return to work, I fell pregnant again with your Uncle Charles. A year later, along came your Aunt Mary and then two years later, your Aunt Sarah arrived. Four children under the age of six! By the time your Aunt Mary arrived, I knew that it would be a long time before I returned to the courtroom.
It wasn’t until William was in college that I was enticed with a position that I just couldn’t turn down. It was a position where I was a legal advocate for women who wanted to return to the workforce after spending years at home raising the family. I knew exactly what that was like, not like I’m trying to be haughty about it, but I knew this was the perfect position for me. Being back in the legal field took a little getting used to. It wasn’t that I was infallible, but I didn’t like making mistakes, I was always hard on myself. Eventually, after a couple of years, I moved up in the firm and was offered a partnership at the ripe old age of 55. As you all know I wrote a couple of books about the potential pitfalls and successes of mother’s returning to the workforce. This led to me traveling around the country giving speeches on the topic.
None of this seems so very long ago, but that’s been almost 60 years now. I have enjoyed this time of reminiscing and sharing my life with you. What you do with the information is up to you, but I hope that you know that I loved your grandfather and my children; your parents, so very, very much. Motherhood, by far, was the best job I had, and you know how much I loved my legal career!
With much love to you all,
Grandmother xox
Words Used:
Tedious - too long, slow, or dull: tiresome or monotonous
Hasten - be quick to do something
Incessantly - without interruption; constantly
Dismal - depressing; dreary
Illustrious - well known, respected, and admired for past achievements
Agitation - a state of anxiety or nervous excitement
Ajar - (of a door or other opening) slightly open
Enticed - attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage
Haughty - arrogantly superior and disdainful
Infallible - incapable of making mistakes or being wrong
William’s arrival was much anticipated and he brought much joy to his father and I. Unfortunately, he suffered from colic and cried incessantly for what seemed like months, but the nurses told me that it was only a few weeks. That was a rather dismal time for me as your grandfather was working, and I was left with a crying baby. I really missed my work and felt that I once had an illustrious career and I pined to return to it. My irritability and agitation grew with William’s incessant crying. Before the days of nursery monitors, the general practice was to leave the nursery door ajar. I would do this when William was sleeping, hoping that when he awoke he wouldn’t be crying. Eventually, he overcame the colic and turned into a bright and healthy child. Just when I thought I would return to work, I fell pregnant again with your Uncle Charles. A year later, along came your Aunt Mary and then two years later, your Aunt Sarah arrived. Four children under the age of six! By the time your Aunt Mary arrived, I knew that it would be a long time before I returned to the courtroom.
It wasn’t until William was in college that I was enticed with a position that I just couldn’t turn down. It was a position where I was a legal advocate for women who wanted to return to the workforce after spending years at home raising the family. I knew exactly what that was like, not like I’m trying to be haughty about it, but I knew this was the perfect position for me. Being back in the legal field took a little getting used to. It wasn’t that I was infallible, but I didn’t like making mistakes, I was always hard on myself. Eventually, after a couple of years, I moved up in the firm and was offered a partnership at the ripe old age of 55. As you all know I wrote a couple of books about the potential pitfalls and successes of mother’s returning to the workforce. This led to me traveling around the country giving speeches on the topic.
None of this seems so very long ago, but that’s been almost 60 years now. I have enjoyed this time of reminiscing and sharing my life with you. What you do with the information is up to you, but I hope that you know that I loved your grandfather and my children; your parents, so very, very much. Motherhood, by far, was the best job I had, and you know how much I loved my legal career!
With much love to you all,
Grandmother xox
Words Used:
Tedious - too long, slow, or dull: tiresome or monotonous
Hasten - be quick to do something
Incessantly - without interruption; constantly
Dismal - depressing; dreary
Illustrious - well known, respected, and admired for past achievements
Agitation - a state of anxiety or nervous excitement
Ajar - (of a door or other opening) slightly open
Enticed - attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage
Haughty - arrogantly superior and disdainful
Infallible - incapable of making mistakes or being wrong