How To Approach a Roach (Poem)

Dear Reader...
For Grandpa...
My homework.

--------------------------------

A child ran oh so quick

In his hand, he held a stick

His fear I say was beyond reproach

He wanted to know how to approach a roach.

"Should he?" he asked with voice so soft

"Grab a shoe and mount the loft?

Should with the anvil high ahead

Let it crash in his stead."

"Is the bug a fright?" he asked?

"Would a light do the task?

Or maybe with a fire bold

Allow the knight a story told?"

"Is this beast a fearsome prey?

A danger to us night and day?

Or is this bug a harmless one?

When everything is said and done?"

"Should I with flowers yet in hand.

Durrive for me a clever plan?

Should I invite him yet to tea?

Or should this bug, let him be?"

"Is the roach a fearsome pest?

Is this yet their very best?

Do they indeed invade the home?

Or would they rather let us alone?"

"For one, I spy with my lil' eye,

Are there yet more to raise the cry

To mount a war against our homes,

And eat our food, and gardens roam."

"Do they yet eat my little hands

Is my pain yet in their plans?

If you will but be my coach,

Advise me how to approach this roach."

"Approach a roach dear child of mine?

Is this idea what has come of thine?

How to broach this simple task?

I say, dear boy, you have but ask."

"A pest or treasure this you ask?

Is this their job, or given task?

Are they for good, or wish they ill?

Diseases, dirt, and filth dispel?"

"A roach indeed is thought a pest,

They invade the home and destroy the nest,

They chew the wood and other things

And are indeed most unclean."

"They carry germs that make us sick

And rid the place is no picnic

For if one, I see climb up the door

A million more hide beneath your floor.

"A Coleoptera this they are,

Latin child, I'll explain more

In our homes, they've always approached

This is the pest we call a roach.

"Yes, dear child, they do bite.

And will with surprising might.

They love your socks, and underwear,

And everything left here and there."

"The bits of crumbs left on the stairs,

And some half-chewed gummy bears,

A dish or two you forgot to wash,

And that soda you happened to slosh."

"You see there be a lot they eat,

Now dear child how to defeat

How do you approach a roach?

This will be how I coach."

"If inside do smack it dead

There's plenty more to take his stead

Don't give for him a single tear

For he won't invade this a'year."

"But if outside, let him alone

For this shall be their good home

The roach inside is but a pest,

But outside they are blessed."

"They help the leaves to decompose

And dead bodies they help dispose

The droppings left by little Spot,

And all things you have forgot."

"They clean the world, prevent fire

And this is why God inspired.

To create for us the little roach

With all the colors I've yet to broach."

"In Egypt, they were thought to be

Gods of birth and destiny

I tell you, child, this is untrue

But thought back then by quite a few."

"So dear child so dear to me

This roach is not your enemy

Do not run or be afraid.

Determine how to give your aid."

"If outside, let him alone.

But kill the beast if in your home

And now that I have been your coach

You know how to approach a roach."

--------------------------------

Alright, there we go. Will probably need some editing later.

A few weeks ago, I hopped into the car and Grandpa said. "Your challenge for today, I want you to write a poem titled How to Approach a Roach... I did write something short, but I HATED it. This is better but still could use some work. The current plan is to take this, and its edits, illustratetrate it and turn it into a picture book.

I hope you enjoyed, any lines you can think of, or glaring mistakes, please point them out in the comments.

As always

Cowgirl Out

Retreat reflections.

I stumble into my bedroom, bags heavy in my hands, hardly making it to the bed, I plop down exhausted. Must make the bed, unpack... then set back up the computer, oh yeah... everything from the floor is all over the place. I should never have left. This is just simply more than I can handle. My mind begins a slow gradual downspin of every negative moment over the past few days.

It is at this moment I see Oth... His great arms are crossed over his chest as he looks down on me with amusement and a hint of forbearance.

Oth is a guardian, large, pushing nine foot I would say wingtip to wingtip... which he has four of, I'd say much greater.

I freeze before simply flopping on the bed. I don't want to write, I don't want to talk, and we both know it.

"I go to an event to help energize me to write... and I just feel worse." I bemone to him.

He lets out a great sigh before sitting, shaking his head in amusement at my little ol' self. I know the look, it's the same one I give my sister when she's melted all over Walmart's floor after a day of shopping complaining about some little nitpick little thing that just happened to tip her over the edge of her proverbial wall.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" he sits in the old rickety chair beside me. I always wonder why it doesn't break when he decides to set up camp there... but it never does. Now he glares at me for thinking such things.

"Yeah," I say simply

"Would you do it again."

"In a heartbeat," I reply... "But not tonight."

He smiles, his hand brushing the side of my face with gentle comfort. The love and devotion in his eyes are soothing. I let out a great sigh, a yawn, then another sigh.

"I... had fun. Much more than I expected since I knew nobody and was going to a writer's event..."

He glares at me with a shake of his head. "Did you learn nothing-"

"I... I learned..." I replied yawning again.

He smiled with another nod. his wing slips around my shoulders. "You took a lot of pictures."

"Wasn't the only one," I reply instantly.

He shakes his head at me, but I don't care, I feel so dead. So drained. I should be sleeping, but-

"Do you feel better?"

I pause, my mouth half-open trying to understand what he was getting at.

"I'm not to stay like this forever you know. I have more to do than just hold your hand. You need to, you have to re-learn how to rely on others. Those girls are all more than worthy of your trust, and friendship." He glares at me, his great cat eyes boring through me.

I just got home after three days of people, people, people, and you want to know if I feel better? I already said I feel dead."

Pain...

I look at my hands. I feel nothing, I know nothing. I just feel dead.

Elijah... the story of his flight from Jezable plays through my head slowly. My eyes turn to his. He's watching me.

I sigh, resigned. "I'm tired." I protest.

"I know." He says. "But you are also writing. Not just planning, or gaming."

I grumble under my breath. "Yeah, so what, I still don't feel any of this."

"You feel tired, you feel spent. You did your duty. I'm proud of you."

I feel the tears come to my eyes unbidden. I don't know why I'm crying, I simply am.

"Tell me about your adventure."

"I posted enough pictures-" I protest.

"You didn't post the half of them, and we both know it."

I look away, gazing off into the distance trying to pull myself back to the moment.

"When you first were told... how did you feel?"

"Afraid... There's just so much that can go wrong... and I knew none of the people there. What if... what if..." I don't say it, but we both know what my fear was... rejection. Again. Now a tear really does fall down my face. Or, a situation where my health becomes an issue. It always does, if even just a little.

"Then what... keep saying."

I'd almost forgotten he was in the room, I blush, shying away from his gaze. I wonder how much wisdom and knowledge are behind those eyes... that's off topic. The trip...

"What was it?"

I bite my lip. "A retreat... an adventure into someplace far away with eight girls I didn't even know."

"Eight isn't so many... now think of how all your artist friends felt..."

"New kid at the party..."

"Packing..."

Anxious. I really don't want to say that out loud. I'd packed, then re-packed, then double packed... then felt for certain I'd overpacked, or forgotten something... probably both... somewhere. Maybe I should unpack and make sure I-

His hand falls on my arm again, his eyes firm. "Tomorrow. Rest, reflect, and pull yourself together."

"I'd rather escape."

"And avoid dealing with this, and forgetting the whole of it entirely.... you should also focus if you have any desire to sleep. What is one thing you learned... not your head, but your heart."

"My heart, or my spirit?" I ask.

He gives me that mysterious smile... I sigh. "My head didn't really learn anything... not really."

"I didn't ask about your head. What did your soul, spirit, and heart learn."

"Ah!! All of them!" I pause, trying to capture my escaping brain from the sheep pen... "I learned... I learned I missed doing things as a community. I miss my friends. I miss doing the reviews. Don't really miss writing-" The moment that's out of my mouth I freeze, baffled at the statement. "I don't miss writing?"

"You've never stopped, but you do miss the spirit of the writing."

"Sarah's talk..." I reply.

He nods. "You have forgotten why you write child. "

"I... still write my poetry. And besides, I did paint too."

"You painted so you didn't feel like you were the idiot in the room of saints."

"Translation I was showing off..." I reply.

"Exactly. You were showing them why they should accept you, then warning them why they should keep their distance... But why do you write, what is the spirit of it..."

I look away. "Originally, to have my sister's approval."

"Must it always be about that?"

I look away, realizing Oth had stopped talking, but rather it was the Giver who'd taken over talking to me, not through Oth, but within my own spirit.

"Yeah... guess it does," I say.

"Why do you write now?"

"So I don't forget what I've learned... so I have a record of what happened day to day..."

"What about your fiction?"

"Again, so I don't forget."

"What a goal." I look at Oth, as he smiles warmly down at me, his wings brushing my shoulder yet again.

"And what in hills on fire is that supposed to mean? What type of motive is 'so I don't forget?' What does it do for your kingdom? How does it further anything?"

"Some people write to uplift. Others write to inform, but you are there to remind. You don't say anything new. You shouldn't say anything new. Why do you think I allowed your head injury? Because you needed a short-term reminder to use your ability. You HAD to be disabled in the short term to understand how broken all humans are. How short-sighted they are."

"Alright, so this is Sarah's talk, Grace did one too... though I don't remember what on-" At that moment, I realize I can remember the story better than the lesson. I remember her talking about doing dramatic readings... something I sorely miss. But I don't remember her talk!

"Why didn't you write it down?"

"Because I wouldn't be able to listen," I reply instantly.

"And there are others, who took detailed notes, that if you asked, would be more than happy to share them... that is what a community is for. This work I give not just to you, but to many."

"So this talk isn't just for me then."

"You are the pen, and I am the author... is that not what we agreed?"

What if I get hurt again?

"Did I not teach you about the importance of not getting proud? They are on a fast track to pride. So are you. Fame must come slow, so one does not become proud. But, you will have a place in that group as well. And if one hurts you, then pray for them. I'll bring all good things to you as it is good for you to have them. This was my will. You needed that. The peace of nature, that I made... besides, you were praying for Blue Bonnet pictures."

I giggle with a smile. "And Indian Paintbrushes... got both."

"A walk, two nights of sleep no issues.... laughter, and games... and someone who delighted in your art."

"I have never seen someone value my work so highly."

"That is how I value it child. You needed to see that, to feel that, to own that look."

I nodded with a smile, glancing around, I realize in talking to the Giver Oth had left.

"Yeah..." I yawn again.

"Your body needs rest..." The information was not new, I knew I needed sleep. I was BONE tired.

"I created you so that after time with others, you would have to go off on your own to rest, to reflect. It's not bad. But you can't fear this weariness. You have to allow yourself out again. You have to let yourself build a community. but delight in the rest as well. Build yourself back up to sleep. I love you child"

"I love you too Abba." The weariness still washes over me in tides, but the dead feeling, the feeling that I had for so long allowed myself to prevent writing was gone. Probably to return.

There was a hush in the holy of holies, but it was fresh now, and free of strife.

An Eric Interview

*Insert bored look... or the not pleased with her situation look* Greetings folks. Yep... she somehow roped me into two of these... That sister of mine. Anyhow. Let's get this setup so I can get going on other stuff that I need to do.

Back Cover Blurb:

Arthur is the rightful king of Briton, but his Uncle Mordreth refuses to give up the regency.   Arthur and Grandfather are now returning with allies to wrestle the kingdom from his uncle's grasp.  But not all is as it seems among his allies, and everyone has secrets.  New loves, old loves, lost loves, kingdoms conquered and kingdoms stolen.   Who is the real "rightful heir" and will the nearly forgotten sword in the stone finally answer this question?

Author Person: (Nope, she's a Ladybug) 

This isn't her

This is

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings.  Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog,knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23563093-my-kingdom-for-a-quest

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Quest-Bookania-Quests-Book-ebook/dp/B00RN7T004

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4322491

To help promote my new book, I have my other books scheduled to be free on the various following days. Please include on your post whichever books are free on the day of your post(s).

16th-20thhttp://www.amazon.com/Take-This-Quest-Bookania-Quests-ebook/dp/B00CFDHFT4/

17th-21st http://www.amazon.com/Saffrons-Big-Plan-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B008EYY1C2/

Link to tour Schedule: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour-sign-up.html

As they continued to search for some sign of life – even Doranna’s aviary was empty – Robin became more and more frantic. Soon “everyone’s missing” escalated into “they’re in danger,” from which naturally followed “we must rescue them!” And that somehow translated into Robin storming through the entire castle, gathering every weapon she could find, and depositing them in a huge pile in the front entry way.

“You know,” Eric remarked, as he followed at a safe distance – Robin with a sword in her hands was a dangerous thing in any situation, and right now she was on the warpath, “I’m not sure King Jonathan would be too excited about finding every weapon in his castle in the front entry way …”

She spun around. “Well, we can’t just sit around doing nothing!” She spun back around and continued her march. “They’re in trouble, I know they are!”

Eric took a deep breath. “And I’m quite sure they’re not.”

“And what makes you so sure?” she threw over her shoulder. “They’re missing – explain that!”

Eric hesitated a moment, not exactly sure how to put it in words. “It’s a feeling I get. I just know when someone’s in trouble. They’re not.”

“You’re the one who thought that the path was going to disappear.” She reached the pile and deposited the sword she carried.

“Robin, can we please think about this logically for a moment,” Eric pleaded, positioning himself in front of the door she headed towards.

“Them being in danger is perfectly logical,” she pointed out, shooting him a glare before she disappeared through a different door.

Eric sighed and followed her. “Yes, but piling all the weapons in the entry way is not.”

“We have to do something!”

“I understand, but how will a pile of weapons help them?”

“They’ll need them when we find them.”

“And exactly how are we going to get the weapons to them?”

She actually paused for half a moment. “I …” she began, and then she snapped back into her brisk pace.  “You think of something.”

“Ah, so that’s how it’s done,” said Eric, shaking his head.

And now for the questions. 

1. What went through your mind when suddenly your sword was in the ceiling and a girl had put it there?

It was something along the lines of “Father’s not going to like this, and there goes my chance of being the youngest student ever to be admitted to the academy.” 

2. Which attempted rescue of an Enchanted Princess was your favorite?

The Mountain Princess, because I met Casperl during it, and set him on the path towards his own rescue of her. The other attempts were pretty much futile.

3. Favorite Memory involving your brother?

The first time I ever bested him with the sword. He was nine and I was five, and he didn’t speak to me again for three weeks. Ah, good memories, though I don’t think he’s ever forgiven me for it.

4. What is your favorite food?

Blueberry tarts. For some reason, I always associate them with a job well done.

5. What was your earliest memory?

Well, it’s not any one memory in particular, but I do remember that I could frequently get my rocking horse rocking so hard that I would actually travel across the room as I imagined myself the hero of the tales my nurse would tell me.

And so, that is it, I have tons to do today, so I have to go. 

Till Next time

V. Kathie Ardnek Out. 

Kendra's Blog Tour; How (not) to write a book.

As Many of you guys know, Kendra, my elder sister, is an author... and as an author she sometimes publishes books, and when you just happen to be the younger sister... You just happen to get in on it whether you like it or not. Enjoy. 

Back Cover Blurb:

Arthur is the rightful king of Briton, but his Uncle Mordreth refuses to give up the regency.   Arthur and Grandfather are now returning with allies to wrestle the kingdom from his uncle's grasp.  But not all is as it seems among his allies, and everyone has secrets.  New loves, old loves, lost loves, kingdoms conquered and kingdoms stolen.   Who is the real "rightful heir" and will the nearly forgotten sword in the stone finally answer this question?

Author Person: (really sis! I thought you were a giraffe)

Kendra E. Ardnek loves fairy tales and twisting them in new and exciting ways.  She's been practicing her skills on her dozen plus cousins and siblings for years, "Finish your story, Kendra", is frequently heard at family gatherings.  Her sole life goal has always been to grow up and be an author of fantasy and children's tales that also glorify God and his Word. You can read more about her on her blog,knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com.

Goodreads Page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23563093-my-kingdom-for-a-quest

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Quest-Bookania-Quests-Book-ebook/dp/B00RN7T004
Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/4322491


To help promote my new book, I have my other books scheduled to be free on the various following days. Please include on your post whichever books are free on the day of your post(s).

14th-18thhttp://www.amazon.com/Sew-Quest-Bookania-Quests-Book-ebook/dp/B005G3ZFKG/

14th-18thhttp://www.amazon.com/The-Woodcutter-Quince-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B00QHEGJEY/

14th-17thhttp://www.amazon.com/Ankulen-Kendra-E-Ardnek-ebook/dp/B00EZAXWYM/

16th-20thhttp://www.amazon.com/Take-This-Quest-Bookania-Quests-ebook/dp/B00CFDHFT4/

17th-21st http://www.amazon.com/Saffrons-Big-Plan-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B008EYY1C2/


Link to tour Schedule: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour-sign-up.html

Snip it

Her posture relaxed slightly, and a grin pulled at the corner of her mouth. “Well, in that case, catch.”
Arthur had barely enough time to put up his hand before he found the sword she had been polishing in it. And then he had barely enough time to raise that sword before the blade was crossed with the one she wore at her side.
After barely blocking a few vicious blows, the sword was twisted out of his hands. A moment later, Robin was back at the bottom of the pile, polishing the sword as though it had never left her hand. A smirk pulled at one corner of her mouth. “Well, now I know what we have to work with.”
Arthur swallowed, glancing down at his empty hand. She didn’t sound terribly impressed.
“I’ve had suitors worse than you, that’s for certain,” she continued. “Your worst problem, as I suspected, is that you’re nervous about the fact that it’s a real sword.”
“Well, I’ve never actually held a real sword before in my life,” Arthur protested.
“My condolences. It’s taught you bad habits.” She held up the sword he’d used and pointed to a few notches in the blade. “These weren’t here five minutes ago. You blocked wrong – with the edge rather than the flat. Of course, that is precisely why I gave you a sword with such inferior metal, so you wouldn’t damage my sword.”


And now folks, for the main event. Her tips for writing... *insert face palm* You guys will understand in a moment. Here we go.


It seems my sister wrote a post about writing an essay several weeks back and you guys loved it and wanted her to follow it with a post about how to write a book. Except that, while she’s a good writer, she doesn’t consider herself to be an expert on the subject, so when I told her that she had to put up a post for me during my blog tour, she presented me with the topic.

I’m the author of six books now, I should be an expert, right?

It’s a simple process, really. I don’t know why everyone insists on making such a huge deal of it.

First, decide you want to write a book. (See, I said it was simple) Whether or not you have story is another issue. Just decide you want to write a book.

Once you have that goal fixed firmly in your mind (and blasted across every social media site you can find), find Microsoft Word on your computer (unless it’s Windows 7 or newer, in which case, you’ll have to go find a program to download online, such as Open Office – or a Mac, but I’ve never used a Mac, so I can’t help you there), and open up a nice, new, shiny document and … stare at the flashing curser for about ten minutes as it crashes upon you that you don’t even have a title.

Quickly back-peddle back to those social media sites and beg and plead for tips from anyone who might have any experience with writing. Among all of the bad advice (which you assume is solid gold), you get directed to a couple dozen writing blogs and books, which you devour eagerly, and that in order to write a book, you need Characters, Conflict, and Conversations.

Characters first … well, you’re an interesting person, so you decide that your main character is going to be just like you … except, well, you don’t really want to include the fact that you’re actually terribly lazy and wouldn’t survive five seconds on an epic quest (you’ve already decided that you’re writing a fantasy novel that will rival Tolkien), you leave that out. No one wants to read about a lazy person, right? And while you’re at it, you get rid of those few extra pounds and tone up your muscles, since your main character has to be awesome. You are smart enough not to give your character your own name, instead giving your brainchild something fittingly awesome, like Destinee, or Hunter, maybe Rowan.

For conflict, well, naturally, you need a quest, so you have a random old man show up with a prophecy and a map, which your character realizes was meant for them, and so they pack up their bags, including the last bit of coin that their parents had been saving for some special occasion and the old sword that they’ve been practicing in secret with for the last few years. Oh, and you decide that their father died when they were an infant, because nothing sparks sympathy in the hearts of readers faster than a dead parent.

After dutifully tapping away for about three hours, you run out of ideas, but no matter, you have some good words, and your story is moving, and besides, it’s time for supper, so you head downstairs to eat, play a few video games before bed, and then crash.

When you pull up the document the next day, you stare at the blinking curser for about twenty minutes, as you realize you still have no ideas. So you bring up your problem in the writing forum you joined the day before, and you get told to introduce a new character. One person suggests that it be a love interest, and you really like that idea.

So you create this new character, giving them all the qualities you’d like in a mate, making them smoking hot, or drop-dead gorgeous, because you NEED to have them fall in love at first sight in order for your plot (or lack thereof) to work. Oh, and you make them an apprentice mage, because this is a fantasy world, and you need to do some worldbuilding.

And so your writing day continues, and you get more good words in until you run out of ideas, and you go eat supper and go to bed.

The next day, as you stare at that blinking curser, contemplating your lack of ideas, you recall the advice of yesterday, and decide to add a second love interest, because love triangles are popular, and you can never have too much of a good thing. You decide that this second person will be the complete opposite of the first, but also smoking hot/drop-dead gorgeous as applicable. But let’s make this person a thief, who’s trying to undermine the whole mage system.

You’re main character will take FOREVER trying to figure out which one to choose.

The next day, you realize that you need to put that sword to good use, so you defeat some ogres that randomly pop out of some friendly woods, and then realize that you need to be focusing on that prophesy, so your Mage Love Interest suggests that they go to visit an oracle. When you get to her, the Thief Love Interest reveals her for the shame she is, and thus succeeds in toppling the mage system. Your character realizes that this is the one for them, since the other was nothing but a phony who wanted you only for the prophesy … which, it turns out, was fulfilled when you took care of the oracle.

You excitedly type the words “The End,” publish it immediately to the fiction site you had just joined, and blithely ignore everyone who declares it the worst thing they’d ever read. They obviously wouldn’t know good fiction if it hit them upside the head with a fish.

-----------

SISTER! I do hope you guys enjoyed my sister's snarky, not give you straight answer, side... Cuz I didn't. Believe me guys, DON'T FOLLOW HER ADVICE! In this post, she gave you all the things "NOT" to do. Anyways... Good grief. 

VK 

Two headed turtles

I must be dreaming. That could be the only explanation for the red sky... red sky... oh no... I feel my cheeks grow hot remembering the last time I was here getting chewed out for my inability to put one and one together and come up with three. 

I shake pulling myself out of that line of thought. I look around me. Like always I am surrounded by people. Characters from so many different books and series that it seemed illogical but that was the logic of Ooladada. 

"Hello, good sir, might I ask..." I take a deep breath. "What is going on?" worry crept into my voice. 

"Oh, dude, hi, we were about to go burn some rubber." He said indicating the weirdest race car ever. 

I gulp. How did I get myself into this type of crowd? I shake my head and sigh. I open my mouth to say something, But was interrupted by the shaggy man. 

"Might you be Princess V.K. ? Because we were supposed take her with us." 

The color drained from my cheeks. "Yes sir, I am. Might I ask where we are going?" 

A lady in a black leather outfit appeard out of nowhere. "Howard, is that the princess." 

"She says she is." 

"Well then we need to pack up and move out. We have miles to burn." She grabbed my elbow. Nerece, Pleased to meet you princess, we can talk on the road, There is something you need to see." 

Next thing I knew I was ridding inside that car with it going like a million miles a second. They were not kidding when they said 'burn rubber'. Nerece and Howard jabbered at me from the front seat there mouths going just as fast as the wheels of the souped up car. 

"Sweet ride huh dude?" Howard yelled over the engine. 

"It would be sweeter if it slowed down a bit." I answered. 

"Can't do that, We have a long way to go and You might not be here long enough as it is." 

I sighed and clung all the tighter to my seat. 

"Don't worry. We won't crash unless you want us to. You're the Anka after all." Nerece comforted me. 

"Thanks." I said through clinched teeth. Long ride was right with us going as fast as the car could go it still took us hours to reach our destination. The sky began to grow dark and the road became more and more rough we went from rolling hills to flat land to bog in a matter of seconds. Finally they started slowing down and was able to get a good look. 

"Getting pretty close." Howard yelled back. 

"Pretty close to what?" 

"Don't know, But I hope you will."  suddenly he slammed on his brakes and we came to a screaming halt.  

"What..." I look out the window to miles of upturned turtles. "Where are we? 

"Don't know the name just know that this is where the trouble is." Nerece said. 

"Trouble or turtles?" I asked half teasing. I climbed out of the back window and picked my way through them. I could sense pain from them. I wondered at this and started helping them flip over but still they all writhed in a drug like state. I glanced up at the sky. It was growing later and later. 

After traveling for miles we stopped at an dinner to grab a bite to eat. Not for me for I wasn't hungry but for my companions who clammed they could eat a horse. 

Now to the part of the story that actually matters. 

While we were eating, I suddenly saw/felt someone throw me/it off of a cliff then suddenly snap as if a rope was wrapped around me. I jerked back into the hear and now and quietly slipped outside. I followed the still present trail from the vision. till I came to the cliff that I saw. I looked out over the edge to see a small box turtle hanging from a rope tied about his middle I pulled him in untied him and gave him some food and water. 

After taking a few bites a second head appeared. "We/I would like to thank you Anka VK for coming to my/our rescue." 

"My honor, Do you know why I was brought here to begin with?" I asked still confused by the days advents. 

The turtle shook it's heads. "Can't you tell? I did not believe it, you are slow." 

My cheeks grew hot. 

"Look around you? Isn't there something odd going on?" 

Besides the fact that you have two heads, and I saw millions more turtles upside down unable to right themselves." 

The turtle took a deep breath. "Yes, but those are just products of a much bigger problem. You can't see it because You are not looking. Turn off you Ankulen and live like us for a second then you will see what I am talking about." 

I did, I had not realized up until that moment how dark it was. "My!" I said turning it back on.

"He is on the move, You have to warn the Anka and Anku, I can't promise they will be able to see it. He has already taken over this world, and he is after more." 

"Are you talking about the Polistoichedren?" I asked. 

"No, It's master. The prince of darkness. He is on the move." 

With that I woke up. 

Intro to Strong Woman? Or female Bully?

(this is on both blogs)

In working with my women characters I have realized I need to, for myself define 'What is a strong woman?'

What brought this on was Star Trek's Captain Kathryn Janeway. I am a die hard Trekkie and have watched almost ever single S.T. TV episode. While watching Voyager I was amazed by the character. Star Trek's goal was to make a political statement of 'women can lead too.' After watching the series I was still left with the nagging question of 'what is a strong woman?' and more importantly 'was she a strong WOMAN, or a strong willed person that just happened to be physically a girl. (I will delve into Janeway in a future case)

After watching the series I started pestering my mother on the 'strong woman' issue. I have just finished Door Post's  Polished Cornerstone A Proverbs 31 women curriculum for young girls. The Curriculum delves deep into all the aspects of woman hood, leadership, home making,  honesty, kindness, memorization, Joyfulness, and so forth. So I know what is expected of a woman but I wish to strengthen my skills in developing and spotting Strong Women.

Throughout history leadership has been a 'man's job' with but a few exceptions like Cleopatra, Queen Elizabith, Queen Victoria, Jezebel Ahab's wife, Abigail one of King David's many wives, Esther, Ruth, and others. But there were exceptions. What made the exceptions 'strong'?


For the next bit I will be doing a study examining famous women in history, Women I know personally like my Mother, Grandmother, An adopted Aunt of mine that happens to be a supervisor at McDonald's, and if I can My former Boss at the Equestrian Center I used to work at, as well as two or three Pastor's wives I know. Fictional women like Cinderella's stepmother,Captain Janeway,  Diana Troi from Star Trek, Maid Marian from Robin Hood, Wendy from Peter Pan, and others, and figuring out what is the definition of a strong woman, and who is a strong woman, and who is, in my oppion a bully. (this blog will have the interviews and fictional women, Making Me a servant will have the Historical Women)

Currently my hypothesis is A strong woman is a Woman that Men do not feel threatened by. They respectfully not only acknowledge the fact that the woman is skilled but yield to them the tasks that the woman is better than them in. A Strong woman does not flaunt her skill or attorney at the men or insist upon it. nor snatch it away from them she simply is. If anything the Authority she has is thrust upon her by another. Whether it is in motherhood, queen-ship like Elizabeth and Victoria, or in being a mayor like Sarah Palin, or a Captain like Janeway.

If anybody would like to join me in my mission I would enjoy the company I will probably be on this tangent for at least a year, maybe two or three There are a lot of women to cover and I doubt I can do more than two a week.

( I will set up a linkup as soon as I figure it out. Please just comment below if you do one.)

Udiah

via Pintrest
 

 Right foot. I have to put My right foot first, then left hand on the green square... then... OH, Hello! I did not see you there. Please excuse my manners. My name is Udiah, and I am afraid I can't give you my last name, for into your language it is untranslatable.
Anyways, I am a Helicra and I am from Queo... But I am giving you too much information.

What should I talk about... VK says my story but then I don't know if I want to. I would quite like to forget it. You see I was kidnapped and held prisoner, I and many others for some time so I just don't like to think about it.

My land. Who we are. Those are good topics. Well Queo is the sixth planet from the sun. It is slightly larger than your earth and is lush in both plants and animals. Unlike your earth, it never rains. We still have our ice layer around our planet so the air is thicker and richer.

The Helicra are a tribe of people from the north. We are known for our pale skin, hair, and eyes. We are highly traditional, Nobody changes the status quo. And what our fathers did, we do. We still drink, eat, sleep, plant, reap, everything the same way our fathers and mothers did hundreds of years ago.

Yezheal made four tribes. I won't go into the other three but to each tribe he gave a duty. The Helicra was animals, and sickness.

My father is a scientest, he, and many others are working on a project called, 'The Kibble Project' And don't ask. All I know is that they 'are trying to find a way to make kibbles less tasty to puppies.' And they are being super secretive with it. My father RUNS the project and still all I know.

Well that is about sums it up. I have work to get on with. I am about a year behind so I have to go. VK says hello and will return soon... maybe. ;D

Beneath the trees, 

Far from the sky, 

Near the ground, 

Here I lie. 

Hear the song, 

Hear it ring, 

The birds in their chorus, 

While critters do swing. 

Close your eyes,

Listen to it, 

Do you hear it tearing? 

The curtain has ripped. 

Away I do stir,

Far from this place. 

Running and racing,

Them keeping pace. 

Oh! to the river

The forest ablaze!

Into it's depths. 

Away from the haze. 

Up from the currents, 

The fire is done. 

Up to the surface, 

Homeward I run. 

A Fortnight in a Lighthouse Interview

Here it is Friday again (really!) and another June crusade interview with Miss Jane Bennett who blogs here. Today we will discuss the book that I am critiqueing for her.... I wrote down the first five questions she did the next five then answered all ten. (The questions I answered will be posted on her blog.) 

The name of the book is A Fortnight in a Lighthouse and without anymore adieu here are the questions. 

1: Give a brief synopsis.

Two girls go to stay with their aunt and cousins in a lighthouse and come to Christ.

2. What is the lesson you are trying to teach?

Pretty much it's just the basic Christian theme and message about our Savior.  I think it's also a lot about the importance of family sticking together through difficulties and supporting each other.

3. What inspired this story?

I was reading The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright.  At the end of that book, her characters go to stay in a lighthouse for the summer.  I thought that would be fun and was inspired to write a book about that.  I started with two girls going to stay in a lighthouse on vacation and sort of adapted the plot from there.

4. How does your mood affect your book?

When I am sad and gloomy, I tend to write dark, adventurous scenes.  When I am angry, I write dark, creepy scenes.  When I am happy or hopeful, the mood of the story brightens and the characters usually manage to extricate themselves from trouble.  ;)

5. Do you like to eat, drink or have anything playing (Mozart, and such) while writing?

No, not usually.  I don't like distractions while I write.

6. Do you like writing in a notebook or on a computer better?

On a computer, usually.  When I have a fancy notebook, though...;)

7. Was it the characters or the plot that first inspired your book?

The plot.  As I said before, I wanted to write a story about kids staying in a lighthouse, and I just went from there.

8. What type of scene do you enjoy writing the most?  i.e. sad scenes, celebration scenes, etc.

I like writing dark, creepy, sad scenes the best.  Funerals, deaths, creepy dark forests....

9. What is the biggest way this book has affected your life?

It's the first book I've written that has actually showed promise of getting near the length I want it to be.  It's really boosted my self-confidence and my enthusiasm for writing.

10. Are any of your characters based on a real person or a character from a different book?

Susannah and Melody both share some aspects of my character.  My sister is definitely a Kate, and I based Rosamond on several book characters and lots of old school friends.

Concussions and Characters

OK folks I have been saying I would do this for some time, So I guess I better. This post is on concussions and your character. This is one of the top mistakes authors make. They will hit their character upside the head ship them off to the hospital then within days the character is back to normal.... honest no. Never in a million years will that be true.

Out of all the organs in the body the brain takes the longest to heal. For a brain to heal to the point where it would be considered 'healed' takes twelve weeks. Yeah, if you ask me that interpenetrates into 'FOREVER.'

If the character is dazed: their head will probably hurt for about six weeks, if you have a bouncy character they will not run or jump during that time. (Tigger will loose his bounce.) My sister once hit herself in the head with her staff and the rest of the family was very thankful because she did not run through the house at top speed for weeks afterwards and we actually had time to deal with some piles that she typically knocked over during her 'imagination spurt'

If you decide to knock them out you will have to have them pay the consequences. After you hit your head depending on where the Bobo  took place they will experience some complications.

Lets take my fall for example I was knocked out for under a minuet and I couldn't remember anything that happened in the last forty eight hours. I spent five hours in the hospital, and had to check in with my doctor within the next forty-eight hours. Hats hurt, Hair bows hurt, pats on the head hurt, and so on. I was not aloud out of Mom's sight for one week. I was confused and asked the same question over and over not quite understanding the answer. I was unable to move my leg. And my musical abilities were greatly subdued. It took about four weeks before I got back to my normal schedule and even though it has been six weeks I still get dizzy easily and am not handling the heat of summer.

Facts to be noted:

• 90% of the work done in the recovery posses is done by the patient due to the fact that he or she notices the change the most and has to live with it. 
• The most important thing during the recovery processes is therapy. First day or so leave them bee let them do what they want how they want then start making them think. Teach them new things. If the right hemisphere was impaired have them draw, do music, write, be creative. If it was the left make them write, talk, use logic, and other left brain activities. I made my left hand do most of the work I did around the house to make my right brain work. 
• Confusion is common. They are quite disoriented and the longer period of time they are out the worse the confusion is. 
• The proper response to "What happened, where am I" is "what is the last thing you remember." after they tell you you inform them that they have hit their head and tell them to not move if it is a stubborn character... (or person like I am) they will try to move. 
• DON'T MOVE THEM. unless you have a paramedic, or doctor you should get them on their side if there is only one character present to make the call and they have to go to another room otherwise leave them in the Poisson the fell,and leave them there. IF your character knows CPR you can do a bit more but whatever you do, DON't MOVE THEM WITHOUT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. 

These are facts I have found while researching the matter over the last three years. Yes folks concussions have been a obsession of mine for the last three years. I enjoy working with people with mental problems for it is interesting how, when, and what will trigger things. A sound, A single word, heat, you should not push a recovery, it just happens. It will take a full Year before the brain is as healed as it is going to be. 

Tape, Books, and more lables

I sigh as I look about at the mountain of books that dominate our kitchen table. I declare after three weeks of those three words I HATE paperbacks, hardback or any other type of book you can hold in your hand I am quite exhausted, And have vowed never to ever work in a library.

First we take all the books off the shelf and Mom looks up the call number and writes in the flyleaf.

Then Kendra takes the book and writes down all the information into the database adding a little slip of paper with the call number into the book.

Finally I get the book put the labels on it. (Every tenth or so I get the privilege of a new paper cut.) If there is any loose pages I tape then back on. Then Finally when that is all done I get to shelf it. This wasn't so bad when there was only three hundred but now we are at a thousand books shelved and I am quite done with it.

So this is what i am doing at the moment and I have quite a pile to catch up so I will will say goodbye.

I've been tagged

Kendra, My sister has told me I have to do this one. *sigh* No Kendra you are not a nice big sister. I am feeling better but my brain still feels like mush. Oh well I have to do this so I might as well get it over with


1: What is the working title of your book?

The Rise of the Dazy 

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

It kind of sprouted off another story My sister a friend and I started where I was the youngest princess of england and there was an evil king. Well when I started writing Elvings away I found I needed a founder for Mikida and since I was tired of the story line we were running with for that story I just pulled Daisy from that book and spruced it up a little. 

3: What genre does your book come under?

Fantasy. Sci-Fi

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Never really thought about it. Personally from the way I write I doubt it would turn into a movie. 

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 

A princess's fight for her homeland 

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

Self. 

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Not done yet. but I have been working on it since January. 
8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? 
I don't know. 

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Isn't this the same question as number two? Really same answer

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I don't know. I just got rid of the bully and killed a couple people... but I don't think you wanted to know that. It isn't described. She does get married... ummmm... the guy is cute... I think.... Ummmm.... My brain is shot sorry. 

------------------------------------------------------------------

1: What is the working title of your book?

Kathwren's Wings or Kathwren's Melody  This one I have only been working on for a couple of weeks it is still in the thought section 

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

My own life

3: What genre does your book come under?

Fiction Auto biography 

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Me play Kathwren other than that I don't care

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 

My quest to find myself 

6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

It is still in the thought prosess I don't want to think about. 

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I am still thinking about it. 

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? 
I don't know

9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

My mother suggested I tell my story of how horses has helped me.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I don't know

Our Typical Trio

It is now the end of February... (Really?) Sigh and time for another snip-its  This month I wrote 5311 words on the Dazy story and 2265 words on my personal story and read 4 novella and 2 novels. (novel concept)  so I have been busy just not on my blog.  I also wrote four more songs. But I will wait to share the lyrics till I have them how I want them.

Well without anymore to do, my snip-its.

I opened my eyes, and screamed. Yes Brave ole’ me, who is willing to take on a snake screamed when she found herself in a small octagonal room surrounded by people all dressed more or less the same.  

The Rise of the Dazy: The legend of Queen Dazy

Nobody sees this girl next morning; nobody sees her slip to the barn hackamore in hand.

It is still so early that not even the birds are awake but still she is here. The small gray pony knickers to her as she approaches, "Hey girl!" she whispers as she rubs the black snip. She then quickly catches the pony and slips the hackamore onto her long warm face, then rains in hand she brushed the mare then slipped a pad and surcingle onto his back then hopped on herself. 

Galloping through the trees she let her joy escape with a hearty giggle. As soon as she is sure she is out of sight of  the houses she moves into a two point then stands upright her feet on the pad her arms outstretched.

"Compass!!!" One of her cousins yells startling her, she losses her balance and plummets towards the ground. 

Compass (my personal story) 

Finally a large man with a thick black beard stepped forward and introduced himself as Captain Hedrick. I frowned, Eline smiled, Rhon fainted; yep we were our typical trio.  

The Rise of the Dazy: The legend of Queen Dazy

I was made for a mission, 

I was made to play a Position , 

I was made to go where God wants me to go! 

"I was made", Song I wrote

For some time that next morning I just lay there in bed wondering where I was for I had forgotten. It was a very plain room; a bunk bed in one corner with a desk in another and a closet in another. It had white walls and wooden floors and all in all very plain. 

The Rise of the Dazy: The legend of Queen Dazy

And I think I will stop there, most of what I wrote isn't to good, (writers block will do that to you) Oh well there is still so much to do. I think I will show you what else I am working on... but not now. When I am finished probably. 

The Snake did not!

And January is finished, (yes mom I just started a paragraph with a And) January is DONE! And Now I can tell you what I have accomplished  *crickets* OK not much but I do have a little bit to put down.

Udiah wasn't sure how long she had been lying there when she awoke. Somehow during the capture they must have knocked her and Zelphie both out. Where ever they were it was entirely to dark for her to see anything.

-Akeaka-

 She stared from one man to the other the color completely draining from her face. “I had better deliver the duck before it regains contousness and we have something fowl loose in the house.” With that she fled the room, both men roaring with laughter behind her. As she fled she could hear her father saying “Always was a shy one.”

-Cloaked-

Song looked out over the mountains, her hair whipping about her like waves on a restless sea, though she was nothing but restless. She stood their hands relaxed at her sides her eyes closed, she was content; Content with her parent’s choice of ruler, content with their choice of home.

-I Will Sing-

I took a deep breath then ever so slowly slipped the wire ring around the snake’s neck… Well I probably should skip the messy details because I know little girls will read this and I do not want to scare them. I will let you know I lived, the cat lived, Rhon lived, and the snake did not, it however was bagged up into the snake bag and hung safely outside on a hook to await the woodcutter to help deal with it from there.

-Dazy's story (still needs a title)-  

I also have been working on a personal story but it is just that, personal. 

Tagged

1. When did you start writing?

Seriously, 2011 Nanowrimo, Before that if I got two hundred words it was a miracle

2. Do you have a soft spot for a particular character (come on, be honest!)?

Actually I do, Kathwren, (The little girl banging Elm in the face.) 


4. How often do you have to "rush off" to write down an idea before it evaporates?

Often enough that I have a notebook nearby at all times.

5. Do you plot/outline your book or wing it?

Wing it. I have a vague idea of how it goes... usually.

6. Are you a sucker for happy endings or do you leave your readers in misery?

Depends on the book. I am a very tragic writer, I am very lacking in the humor department.

7. How protective are you of your novel?

I only talk really about it to Kendra and here otherwise you will never hear about it till... well I don't know. Probibly till it comes out I haven't published one yet though so... *shrug*

8. Plans for publishing eventually? Self-publish or traditional?

Self.

9. Are you guilty of using the old cliche plot element? How are you trying to make it fresh?

Of course, I am guilty of doing it, we all are. But I do try to make up new and fresh things.

10. Tell a little about a character you are currently fleshing out.

One??? only ONE??? well which one. The one named one. or the one named A? (yes, I have a very weird way of naming my characters.)

I will tell you about DaRee, (she is the main Character in Cloaked)  Her name means united in reality. She is half Veltra (flyer) and half Chai' (think human) and she is the ONLY one like that. Neither side accepts her, Neither wants her. The Veltra because she was born without wings and with a voice. the Chai' because she, with the help of the specially made cloak can fly, and she has some of the strange Veltra habits. There was one other (this she does not know) who is both but he had only lived a short while because the genes did not mix well. And so the children are kept apart from one another.

DaRee is also the first Veltra mix to be accepted into the Academy and she isn't to happy about it either because that means going about strangers.

and I better stop before I tell you the book. I am currently stuck on a  "sport" of theirs.

11. Which is the better chocolate? White, milk, or 75% dark?

Is there a best chocolate out there? somebody forgot to tell me. If it is in my possession it is GONE. 

Lines from last year.

This will be my best or favorite work from each month. Most of these people you do not know. Warning before last year I had never written anything over a hundred words long. so some of it is rather choppy.

January 
Elvings away version one

“Alright Jack, Bye till later. Will we see you in the gym?” Rayoak asked.

“NO.” Tom said “Jack is not aloud anywhere near sharp objects.”

“Why?”

“Because, he either breaks the sharp object or himself. He is the only person I have ever met, that can, with out fail, take the hilt off the blade of a sword.” Peter said coming up behind them.

February 
Elvings Away! V 1

“If you want to come into the library you brave knights then you have to solve our riddle.” Elsie said with her hands on her hips. Elise nodded.

“Oh, alright,” Rayelm said crossing his arms.

“Would you like to buy some furniture?” Elise piped up before Elsie could stop her.

“Elise, first of all, that is not the question we were going to ask, second THAT is not a riddle.”

“It isn’t… Then which riddle were we going to do?”

“What have I got in my pockets?” Elsie stated profoundly.

Elise looked at her twin for a few seconds confused “But we do not have any pockets?” she said bewildered.

“Let me think of a new riddle since you ruined the first… oh I know. Twenty white horses upon a red hill first the stomp, then chomp, then they stand still.” 

March: 

The Easter Story: (Easter play) 

Felipe: Why did they want to hurt Jesus for telling that story? 

Caleb: The same reason people today do not want to hear it, it hurts. 

Micah: Why does it hurt? It is just a story.  

Vannah: Because it convicts them of their sin and they do not like that. 

April: 

Elvings Away V 1

“Daddy!” Elsie and Elise exclaimed, forgetting protocol and running up to clutch their father.

“Hey Daddy,” Elise continued “Daniel had been hanging out with a GIRL!”

“You mean his sister?”

“NO Daddy, a red head.”

Elm glanced over at Rose who was overly pretending NOT to hear this conversation.

“I see.” King Theodoric said. “Daniel, may I inquire to the name of this girl you have been hanging out with?”

Daniel glanced at Rose, “Uhhh… um…”

“Her name is Rose Blossom Eaglewing.” Elise said.

“ELISE!” Daniel said.

Rose’s cheeks turned bright red.

King Theodoric glanced around the room his eyes falling on Rose. He looked back at Daniel. “Is that the girl you have been hanging out with?”

“I have not been hanging out with her we just have been chatting off and on that is all.” Daniel said trying to save face.

Titters went around the room.  

“Honey,” Queen Leigh said laying her hand on his shoulder. “Stop giving them a hard time in public you know he will deny everything out here.”

The king nodded. “You are right again Leigh,”

“Don’t worry about it Dad, everybody knows that he likes her.” Elise said

“Yeah,” said Elsie, “He did not dance with anybody else at the New Year Ball.”

Just then Apple appeared as if out of no where standing on her tiptoes in front of Elsie. “How Dare You Tease MY SISTER!” she spat.

“I wasn't teasing your sister,” Elsie said coolly, “I was teasing my brother.”

“And in the process, you’re teasing MY sister.”

“An unavoidable casualty of war.” Elsie said nonchalantly.

By this time the majority of the Kateers were no longer tittering, they were laughing.

Peter shook his head trying himself not the join in the mirth, “So much for protocol.” 

MAY: 

Elvings Away V1 

“ROSE,” Ma called. “We are leaving, are you coming or not?”

“Coming Ma,” Rose called, she smiled up at him. “Goodbye Daniel, I will see you later.”

Daniel bowed and kissed Rose’s hand.

Rose quickly covered her face to hide her blush. Then she walked quickly back to her family Turning she waved her hanky before the Transporter beam took them back to the ship.  

With that I finished the book and threw into the virtual drawer and only JUST looked at it again. If you want to read it in it's entirety and tell me what is salvageable for Version 2 Send me an Email (look in FAQ) 

June: 

Earthward bound 

Elm could feel a small fist hitting him in the face.

“Ayem! FFF BIRE!” she said exasperated. She shrugged then when over to Rayoak’s bed on the other side of the room. “R-R-R-Ayoak!” she hollered in his ear.

Oak was instantly awake. There had only been one other time Kathie had ever come in there room at this time in the morning, and that had been only a few months ago when Kathie had run away from her nurse to show them that she had finally learned how to fly.” 

July: 

Earthward Bound

Kathie glanced around the room. She smiled as she saw the big brown chest with pink and blue flowers on it that held her, and her twin’s stuff. She jumped of the pile of hay spinning in the air and landing firmly on her feet facing the chest then skipped over to it and dialed the code on the lock of the chest that she supposedly did not know then lifted the lid and pulled out a change of clothes, her towel, a wash rag, and her swim suit. She pulled off her night gown and threw it in the trunk. Then, folding her wings with the removed objects she then pulled on her swimsuit grabbed her sandals and slipped quietly out the back entrance. She glanced around to make sure she would not be caught then after closing and locking back the trunk, slipped to the small pool next to the river. After setting her stuff on a near by rock she went to a tallish brown and green plant with large white and blue flowers and brown seedpods growing in the edge of the pool. Taking one of the seedpods from a stalk she went over to a rock and squatting down she commenced to bang it with another rock to try to break it open.

“Lady Kathwren,” Elm said coming up behind her.

Kathie, startled lost her balance and fell into the water.

Elm, dropping his bundle, reached in and pulled her out. “Kathie, don’t you think you should ask before you go swimming?”

Kathie just stared at him, “You was not supposed to know!” she said rather distraught  “I wanted to do it all by my self.” 

August: 

A Story for Bobby. (the Christmas play) 

Auntie: You need to be thankful for what you do have and not constantly wanting more! This is the story of the real meaning of Christmas, About Jesus. 

September: 

Jump-and-Fetch-It 

My Dearest Cousin Emma,

8/22/6730

I hope this letter finds you and Roger in good health and fine spirits, and if not I hope this letter shalt put you both in such a state of mind.

I am settling nicely into my job here at the Draicy Hospital here on Shaima. My stuff is finally organized into the cabin I have been given and my office at the hospital is fully put together and organized.

 I am also happy to announce that I finally feeling at home among the Shatians. It will be a while before I understand them; they are so quiet when it comes to their culture. I have yet to meet one who is willing to discuss their family, friends, home or anything else private. For them it is strictly business. “Sigh” Sometimes it is hard being one of the first to work with a new culture.

Here we have had a trade agreement for eighty-three years, and yet I am the first Person to be aloud to live on planet. This is both scary as well as exiting.

I know what you are going to say, (and Please don’t say it.) I did know what I was getting into but I did not think it would be this hard to get them to talk.

On a brighter note; remember when we were children we used to wonder if there were any Pure Helicras left in the universe. Wondered what it would be like to meet on face to face. Wonder how they thought and felt. Well if I am not mistaken I have had the opportunity to do just that.

 I went down to the Governors office yesterday to ask a few questions and when I got there I felt as though… Oh, you know the feeling we get when we can since someone sensing us. I spun about and there, sitting on a bench just outside the office door was the palest girl I have ever seen! As you know the Shatians are a very dark people. I was quite taken aback at the sight of a girl so pale among a row of people so dark.

Well to make a long story short, she was there to get a job so I hired her. She is now my jump-and-fetch-it and doing a marvelous job.

She really isn’t talking much (As if that should surprise me since no one else is either) I know she lives with a elderly woman that she calls Nonny (which I have come to find out means Grandmother) and she is around seven. Nobody is quite sure how old she is for she was dropped off at the Orphanage when she was but a baby. And Nonny adopted her and her brother five years later. Her name is Ashlene and other than that I can’t get any information out of her. She is a defiantly well known among the natives (Although with her complexion, that’s not hard.)

  I shall keep you informed.

Your Cousin

Dr. Edger 

October
Jump-and-fetch-it

The next day dawned bright and fair. Nonny always had to be at work long before Ashlene and her brother, Evander woke up and it was their tradition that after they had had breakfast but before they both had to go to work, to go out to the fields just outside the smelly city and play in the lush green meadows.

This is where they were at this point. Neither child wore shoes as the frisked about in the warm sun among the colorful flowers.

They finally, after much frolic, they clasped in a heap on the soft grass. It was if they belonged here, out among the flowers, trees, grass, and animals of the between land.

No Shatian would dream of going in the between land.

November

Led by the DOVE 

Then with a squeal of delight the girls discovered their prize, The hound had had puppies, and they played before their eyes.

Nelly was as surprised as Kath, for the pups were quite old. Her parents must have known but she hadn’t been told.

They played with the dogs for a long time till Aleashta did announce, I have talked to your parents, and you may take one home if you want.

Girls squealed with excitement.  It had been such a marvelous day! They had had quite an adventure and it was grand to end this day.

So with a flute on her back and a dog in her arms Kath walked to the shuttle.

“May I ask” Said her friend, “What is the name of this friend?”

Kath thought for a moment then with a grin so wide. “Treasure, for that’s what he is. Now what is your friend’s name?”

“Black Beard,” Said she with a giggle that hauled Kath in her tracks.

Nelly shook her head in wonderment and promised to send her the tale. Then Kath climbed in the shuttle to go to her home once again. 

December
Akeaka

Bump…. Bump…Thump ….

Udiah sat up some time later; her head felt like a pack of monkeys was jumping up and down inside her skull.

“Are you alright Udiah?”

Udiah placed a hand over her eyes, trying to focus on Zelphie. At least they had some light, which was an improvement. The headache was not.

Udiah Closed here eyes to call upon the Helicra gift of healing but before she could initiate it, a bunch of solders marched in.

The children were rudely hoisted to their feet and marched out. Now in the daylight Udiah could see the cuts and bruises that adorned every one of them. She was surprised herself to see them on her own body. How’d she miss feeling that?

She was still trying to puzzle it out when they were lined up and a huge man appeared and started walking up and down the line studying each child’s face in turn. When he came to her, she couldn’t help thinking of him as a bear, a big grizzly bear. 


And so ended my year, Kendra helped me throughout the year and I blame anything good on her. ;D
I have gained in both spelling, and grammar skills this year and I hope that this year I can write something that actually makes sense. and isn't boggy.