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!

July 1, 2019

The Back Story ~ Raven

Raven gasped when she saw her reflection in the full-length mirror. When she won the gift certificate for the new Trend on Trent clothing store in the Aviary Mall, she went begrudgingly. 

Raven was a widow and after 43 successful hatches, she had let herself go. Her feathers had thinned to the point where she was cold all the time and she could no longer fly. Her legs had lost their scaliness, and her claws were no longer shiny and sharp.

But yesterday all that changed when she gathered all that remained of her courage and headed for the mall to spend the gift. Now, looking at herself, she was so glad she had been brave. The beautiful scarf and leggings were warm and soft and the bright red tennies made her feel younger than she had in years.

When she walked home, her feet comfortable in her fancy new shoes, Raven could feel the admiring looks. She giggled inside as she stood straighter, stretching out her tail feathers and showing off her courage for all the world to see.

Darnell J. Knauss, Author
 Cornelia Wenokor, Illustrator

©07/01/2019
Vol. 1 Ep. 6
See The Back Stories tab above for all episodes.

62 comments:

Aquarius said...

Love it!!!

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

Great!!!Tamara

kiwimeskreations said...

Love it - and a wonderful message of hope too. Thanks Darnell
Blessings
Maxine

Marilyn said...

Cute story!
Have a great day!
Marilyn ❤️

Pat said...

This is a great image by Cornelia, and a wonderful back story to go with it by you Darnell. This makes a brilliant winter/Christmas card. x

Ros Crawford said...

Absolutely fabulous!!!

Robyn Oliver said...

Brilliant....you two work together beautifully....it's a poster printable for my wall or a card with the story inside... I know I feel like this crow some days. Thank you Cornelia and Darnell

Chris said...

Fabulous card...and I LOVE your story xx

designbydonna said...

Wonderful story. Don't we all just need that perfect pair of bright red tennies.

Brenda in IN said...

How sweet and encouraging for everyone. I want red tennies. Or a face lift.

Marcia Hill said...

YAY for Raven and sweet, sweet story! Fabulous illustration too! Loved it!! :0)

HJ said...

What a great short story! Love the picture, too. Enjoy your day!

Em Louise Fairley said...

So cute xoxo

Bunny said...

I think some of us can relate. Not to the 43 hatches though. Egads!

The illustration and coloring is cute. Nice story. [Bunny]``

Maria Rodriguez. said...

Oh Darnell, I totally sympathize with Raven, Lord knows time can be really not a very good friend but, almost all the down feelings you get from "letting yourself go" can easily be fixed with shoes and, if those can be RUNNING TENNIS SHOES, even better, LOL!! and if you can splurge a little, how about getting a new outfit!!!
Raven looks marvelous, good for her, there's nothing stopping her now.
Thank you for these wonderful and sweet stories and thank you, Cornelia, for the fabulous illustrations, you guys make a perfect pair.
XO
Maria.

tonilea said...

Awwww. Good for Raven. You go girl!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lisa said...

Raven looks amazing!! Loved this!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

oldpunca said...

Awesome illustration and encouraging story. Thank you, ladies!
Hugs, Sonja

Stamps and Paper said...

Brilliant Darnell ..loved the illustration

Anne

Gerrina said...

Super!

Nan G said...

New clothes will perk a gal right up for sure! ;) So will a new haircut, I’ve just had my long hair cut super short and I’m loving it. The Girls and I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day Darnell. Oodles of hugs from us!

conil said...

Ms. Raven did the right thing...gave her confidence and made her look so special. Good for her!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Super cute story and so uplifting and inspirational for us as well.

Sue said...

Hi Darnell, I love it.

Hope you've had a good start to the new month and new weeks. Sue

Jeanne H said...

what a wonderful up-lifting story and the card is perfect. Super fun, you two!

Cat Craig said...

What a great team you two make. Fantastic story for a fabulous card.

Mac Mable said...

So glad the adorable Raven got some courage x

Tammy said...

What a wonderful encouraging story, the Raven looks beautiful!
Tammy x

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

You should write a book with all these wonderful stories. LOVE the image which comes alive with the lovely story. ALways fabulous colouring.
Faith x

!neke said...

Super , great and WoW !
X Ineke

Kathleen said...

AAAwwww, what a lovely story, great image too.

Kath x

Carol L said...

Cute story and a cute bird too, all decked out in those fancy duds!

Redanne said...

Oh Darnell, what a beautiful and heart-warming story. Raven looks beautiful in her new gifts! The drawing is amazing too! Hugs, Annie xxx

Cheryl W. said...

Raven is a female to be admired! You created a wonderful portrait of her--in words and in graphic illustration.

Patti J said...

Wonderful story, and card! Love dropping by to look in on you! Hugs...!

TK said...

Adorable card, Darnell, the coloring is fab! Yes, your story fits the bill perfectly! She needs to strut in confidence!

Linda said...

Love this! Great story, love the card too.
Happy Birthday too I hope you have a wonderful day hun xx

Kara Lynne said...

Good for Raven! What fantastic image and story! You girls rock!

cuilliesocks said...

What a sweet story Darnell and a great image too. Your imagination is awesome, Kate x

Leslie Miller said...

Oh, gosh, the story and image are perfect together. I can see it all in her face. I need one of those shops to update my image. Hey... happy birthday today!

Sandra H said...

Lovely story and what a fabulous image too really are perfect together as Leslie write above xx

Dotty Jo said...

Sweet! BTW, big birthday wishes to you, Darnell, Jo x

Mia said...

A little bird told me... it's your birthday Darnell!!!!!!!!!! (I am coming from Trina's blog, ha ha). So:
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my drear friend!!!!!!!!!!!!
I send you a big hug and many many kisses!!!!!!!!!

BożenA said...

Happy Birthday, my dear Friend. All the best for you. I'm afraid that my card has not arrived yet, so I do not want to miss this wonderful day, I want to give you my best wishes.
Hugs,
BożenA

JoAnn said...

What a fun and cute story. You are very creative.
I would like to with you a Happy, Happy Birthday. ((Hugs))

My Paper Epiphany said...

Awwww wonderful story and gorgeous illustration!

Michelle W said...

Happy Birthday to you Darnell! I popped over from Trina's blog and glad I did cause I got a wonderful story. Love the red tennies too! Enjoy your birthday and I hope to make a card for your dedicated challenge. xx from downunder!

Di said...

Wonderful collaboration Darnell! And huge belated Birthday wishes, so sorry I missed it.

Love and hugs

Di xx

shirley-bee said...

I love reading where your imagination takes you, Darnell 🤣. These collaborations with Cornelia are brilliant. Now I’m off to look for blueberry-stained birthday cards - I spotted some incriminating evidence...
Hope you had a lovely birthday 🍸

Viv said...

Happy Birthday Dee! I hope your day is wonderful ;) great card and story too, that raven looks so cute in her new clothing and trainers/sneakers ;) hugs Vee xx

Sharyn Polesel said...

Another fun story...you never cease to amaze me with your talents! Hope you had a wonderful birthday and hope my card made it there in time. Have a great day. I have a lot to do and it looks like it's going to be stormy. Hugs, Sharyn

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

How I chuckled.. too too clever by two clever ladies, thanks for putting a smile on my dial!!
And a little birdeeeeee (no, not a raven, maybe one just lolling about,😉) told me someone has a birthday 🍰 🎁 🎉💐👌🎂
Many happy returns of the day dear Darnell! Love your blueberry cards all the girls made for you! Hope your day is Good d blessed in every way and thanks for always remembering mine!
Thanks for being a blessing, God bless you too.
Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Celeste Goff said...

Who's a pretty bird? Raven is! What a great story and beautiful card Darnell!

Happy Dance said...

Yep. You've got the gift for storytelling. I feel like the poor raven some days, but I know that my family and friends love me anyway! Hope you had a wonderfully fantastic day, and celebrated your birthday to the max! You're a dear, dear friend, and a blessing to us all. Sending love and hugs. xoxoxo

bkb

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

PS - Happy belated birthday - hope you had a wonderful day!!

nwilliams6 said...

Such a fun image and such a fun story. GREAT card, Darnell. Happy Birthday (a bit late) - I loved all the blueberry cards I saw. Hugz

Anita in France said...

Tee hee ... just shows what new shoes and accessories can do for a girl, Darnell! Raven looks fabulous ... and most importantly is feeling and acting that way too ... go Raven! LYAMYBLMA! Big hugs and bisous, Anita :)

Loll said...

Retail therapy is not only for humans! :) Great story, Dolly!! Love, Lolly

Sharron said...

I never tire of your amazing stories! You and Cornelia are quite the creative pair! It's good to know that new "shoes" can fix anything for birds as well as humans. She looks so stylish and I'm sure feels great too!

Bobby said...

Another imaginative story with illustrations. Can't wait until the next episode.

Fikreta said...

It's wonderful !