The Challenge Factory discussion

No, you are doing nothing wrong. I'm so sorry. It's been a super busy week with my husband's surprise 70th birthday celebration. I have been trying to keep up with thread updates but occasionally one sneaks through that I miss. I will fix as soon as we get home and I can access a regular computer (I can't update your thread from my phone).

Erica wrote: "No, you are doing nothing wrong. I'm so sorry. It's been a super busy week with my husband's surprise 70th birthday celebration. I have been trying to keep up with thread updates but occasionally o..."

Happy 70th to your husband!!

Melissa wrote: "Happy 70th to your husband!!"

Thanks! We had so much fun - a five-day extravaganza filled with everyone he loves.

Sorry another question about the SPELL OUT

If you finish the tasks but not the optional Spell Out you don't have to go back to finish. Just continue on with the new task and optional Spell Out.

I thought the Spell Out was going to carry on throughout Saving the Bees Challenge.

Good question! Spell outs are totally optional. So you can go back or not, as you wish. I need to find an additional "finished" GIF to post for the intrepid souls who complete all of the spell outs.

Erica,
Is there by chance an alternative task to this Read a book where the MC is very shallow.? Because I really would rather not read a book with a "very shallow" main character. I will, but I would really rather not.

How about where ANY character is very shallow? If it's not a MC perhaps it won't be so awful...

Erica wrote: "How about where ANY character is very shallow? If it's not a MC perhaps it won't be so awful..."

Totally, that is way, way better. Thank you

For the task: 3. Read a book with a shelter of some kind on the cover (tent, lean-to, etc.) you give examples of non-permanent structures but would you accept permanent structures as well like a house or cabin?

Yes that's fine.

Hi Erica - I know I confuse you every time, so I will stop doing it but I only posted the set of tasks I'm working on (Create a Bee Bath) as planning - I haven't completed them yet. Can you delete the new set of tasks post (Protect Ground Nesting Bees)? I'll do another new post when I am done so it triggers you to check. And like I said, since the new post is triggering you, making you think I need new tasks, I'll stop putting in my planning posts going forward.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Whoops! Sorry about that. I usually notice but it slipped past me this time.

And don't worry about planning posts. I know they're helpful. I'll be more careful next time.

Erica wrote: "How about where ANY character is very shallow? If it's not a MC perhaps it won't be so awful..."

Good to know as I’d have the same issue! Thank you for being so understanding and helpful!

LaurLa wrote: "Hi Erica - I know I confuse you every time, so I will stop doing it but I only posted the set of tasks I'm working on (Create a Bee Bath) as planning - I haven't completed them yet. Can you delete ..."

That’s why I started to add a ‘working post’ in this kind of challenges and copy&past (cut&past - if I’m running out of space) the completed tasks (in this case steps) in a new message - got this idea from a helpful soul and thought I share because I like it so much :-D

Erica wrote: "But a book may only be used once - either for a task or for a spell out."

1. I suppose if we are working on multiple spell-outs at one time we can use a book for one letter in all of them - is that correct?
Wanted to check in case I’m making it much more difficult than necessary :-D

2a. Another question for the shelter task: would you accept a long haul truck (the drivers sleep in the cabin and take shelter there in cases of emergencies), RV or camping trailer or should it be more permanent and staying in one place.
2b. Another really wild idea - how about a dog house (I think there was one of those on the cover of one of my soon-ish books if I remember correctly).

1. correct - one book per spell out letter
2a. and b. I like both of these! Great creativity.

Erica wrote: "1. correct - one book per spell out letter
2a. and b. I like both of these! Great creativity."

Yay! Thank you! Now I know what my next book will be :-D

Read a book where a character stalks something.
Does it mean to cut back dead flower stalks, leaving stems 8 to 24 inches high to provide homes for cavity-nesting bees. meaning that books with preparation of gardens for the winter would work here or am I completely off track? Would books about staking someone work here too?

Oh sorry! No, I used the word stalk but was thinking of its other meaning - like a dog stalking a squirrel.

Erica wrote: "Oh sorry! No, I used the word stalk but was thinking of its other meaning - like a dog stalking a squirrel."

Thank you for the clarification. Off to look for fitting books…

Hi - I think I have one set or step left? Can you check? Thanks -
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hi. I have a doubt about this task: Read a book that has a bare yard in at least one scene.
1. Is that bare or back?
2. If it is bare, does the book have to state that it is a "bare" yard or can it be something like this: When we get home I lead Yogi directly into the backyard. I then go into the house and bring Tara back there as well, feeling that somehow the meeting will go better outside.
Thanks.

It was bare yard to match what the bees need. But don't stress unduly. As long as a yard isn't noted for its clutter we'll assume it works for bare.

Hi. I have a question about the task, Read a book with a character who suffers from allergies. Would a vampire character who says he has allergies to garlic, silver and sunshine be acceptable? Thanks.

Creative - I like it! So, yes.

Erica wrote: "Creative - I like it! So, yes."

Thanks!

For 'bare yard' can "empty back garden" work?

If the empty back garden would leave enough bare soil exposed for ground nesting bees to create a nest, then yes.

MC has been pulling masses of overgrown vines, so I would assume there is bare soil left and that's what she means by empty back garden

Works for me!