New Word Monday – Balk
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't danced on television." ~ Erma Bombeck
Balk or Baulk
(1) To stop short or refuse to go on.
(2) To refuse obstinately or abruptly
How often do you balk at things, specifically new foods or a change of plans? This weekend my daughter and I went on a trip into Manhattan with her Girl Scout troop. The weather when we left that morning didn't look promising, so being the prepared Girl Scout myself - I carried jackets and an umbrella along for the ride. (But, did I put them in a nice, convenient bag? No, would I really be that organized?)
We took the train into Penn Station and five minutes off the train and I knew I was in for a long day of lugging these things over my arm. We emerged from Penn and our group of 14 decided it was in our best interests to take cabs to the Circle Line Pier. Good choice, I was thrilled and would never balk.
Three hours later, our group got off the boat and now needed to walk about 10 city blocks to the restaurant we'd chosen to take the girls for dinner. A limo driver tried to convince us that our party of 14 would fit in his limo - it was old, had only two seats in the back and he suggested the 7 girls sit on the floor between the adults. Um. No thanks! While the girls thought it would be a fun adventure - I guess at 11 safety isn't a major concern? All seven adults balked at that plan!
We walked.
After having to find a bathroom along the way, and stopping briefly at the Hell's Kitchen Farmer's Market (which was really fun and had the most amazing pickles!) we finally found ourselves at our destination.
Dinner was great, the girls had a blast and we ended our day at the Rippley's Believe-it-not Museum (where I finally broke down and bought a totebag to haul my umbrella and jackets!) Back at Penn Station around 8pm, the Hagen-Daz ice cream called out to all of us and we loaded up with cones and cups before racing to catch the train home. No one balked at that decision!
It was a great weekend!
Your challenge this week is to think about the word and try to use it! I'd love to hear what made you balk today or if you didn't balk at something new.
Winners of Writing Inspiration Friday!
Free Download of The Kandy Shoppe ~ Carly Carson
Acid-free ice-cream themed scrapbook stickers ~ Stephanie
Please use the "contact me" link at the top. For downloads, I need your email and format you'd like. For stickers, I need a mailing address.
Have a great Monday!












