It was Packer Saturday night. I had everything ready long
before the trolls arrived. I’ve learned what works … and what doesn’t on the
menu, and how to keep them entertained during a long night of football. The
truth is the trolls don’t care who wins the game; they are in it for the
thrills of the sport. There’s a lesson there, but not while the Packers are on
the field. This writer is in it to win it.
So like I said, I was ready for the party. No surprises were
going to happen. I had it down. Famous last words—
A few minutes before kickoff, there was a bang on the door.
Trolls are never subtle. I quickly opened the door to let them in before the
whole neighborhood got a look at my football party guests.
“Hi Rebecca,” Oton chimed; a sloshing cauldron of sticky
stew hit the concrete driveway.
“Hey Oton, come on in.” I didn’t even look up. I’ve grown so
accustomed to the trolls of Elvsmyr that I knew exactly what to expect. Famous
last words—
Smekk, Pod, Eog … they all filed in and started battling for
the best seats, but Oton held his position. “We have one more tonight,” he
said.
“That’s fine, plenty of food and what’s one more at this
point,” I said.
“Folger, she said it’s okay. Come on, you are going to love
this.”
I looked around for the new troll, but I couldn’t see
anyone. Suddenly, my field of vision was blotted out by huge feet. I raised my
eyes up and up and up. This was no tiny troll. Before me stood a hunched troll,
massive and stooped, he appeared to be slouching to hide his true dimensions. “Oton,
who’s your friend?” I said with through a plastered on smile.
“Rebecca, meet Folger. Folger, meet Rebecca. Let’s eat.”
Oton rushed between my legs into the garage. I stood there waiting for the ogre
before to speak.
He lowered his gaze, and shuffled his feet. “Oton said it
would be okay,” he mumbled.
I studied him from fluffy head to massive toe; he seems
docile enough. “Sure, come on in. It should be fun.”
Folger was a perfectly lovely guest. He was both polite and
kind. Who cared if he had to stoop to fit under the garage door tracks? Folger
took a seat on the floor at the back, and Eog quickly took up position on his
shoulder. They seemed content to be a team, and I wasn’t about to interfere
with the gargantuan troll’s peace of mind.
I turned my attention to the game. All I can say about the
first half, is that I’m glad it still pre-season. Halftime came and we all
bellied up to the buffet for scrumptious football fare. Halftime over, I’m here
to watch the game. Suddenly, a once-in-a-season play unfolded before my eyes.
Johnny Jolly, a sometimes troubled Packer was having a super game. The Rams, in the red
zone attempt a pass to put a few points on the game board, but the play is
busted up by the mighty Pack. To everyone’s surprise, Jolly bats the ball
around and them pulls it in. As fast as a big man can, he pounded up field, not
only stealing the ball from the Rams, but shoving it down their throats with a respectable
return.
After I caught my breath, I looked back over my shoulder at
the hulking Folger. Yes, it was a night for the big boys.
What to learn more about Folger and why Eog sits on his
shoulder?
A close look at the brittle rock gives a good idea of how the bridge formed. As each layer wore away, stronger, less prone to natural erosion layers stayed I place. 
Even the thistle is stunning-- from a distance.
