I received this picture in my email. The caption was "The amazing the things that remind me of you".
What a wonderful compliment that I could be thought of in the same sphere as Temples and Christmas lights.
This picture is warm, and familiar for me. All through my youth I remember visiting the Arizona temple. Christmas was no exception and the lights and decorations around the visitors center were always my favorite. Hot chocolate sometimes followed on those exceptionally cold nights, but I mostly remembered the friends and family I had nearby. They truly warmed me more than steaming mugs of froth. The feeling, it seems, was mutual. I miss them all very much.
Thank you for reminders of Christmas past my friend. This was a lovely trip down memory lane and I cherish our times together. Happy New Year, and may you have fun creating many more pleasant memories.
Luvs and hugs to all my friends. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to meet all of you. Each of you are a jewel to me. Thank you for being you.
There are far too many ways to write, and when every different agent has their own opinion about how something should be done, it just means more work for us writers.
Im not new to auditioning. Between dance and choir professionally, and band and drama in HS, I have seen and done many auditions. Butterflies are not new and I enjoy the thrill of the performance.
However, I always knew what the person I was auditioning for expected. Poise, grace, fluidity, balance, flexibility, stamina, clarity, and professionalism revolved universally in these worlds.
Querying for prospective agents has absolutely nothing in common with another.
Some prefer a 'blurb only please'; a six sentence teaser for the book you are submitting. Others want that in a query letter that petitions them for their services. While others still want both plus the synopsis, sample chapters, and autobiography as well. This gets more frustrating when the synopsis are preferred in different lengths; one page, two pages, three pages, five pages, ten pages, and even twenty. I now have six synopsis that I pull out and reedit often. It doesn't help that each agent has their own idea of the perfect font for these.
I have even done a few styling changes in by actual novel. Different ways to state things, and how to use proper grammar. Possessive plural proper nouns (say that five time fast!) are quite the annoyance to me! Each agent thinks they know which is right, and many discard a book if it isn't their preferred way. JK Rawlings for Harry Potter got a lot of this. Her Brit way is helps my eyes and looks proper, but a lot of Yanks here want the lesser styling. Book gets edited again....
I do understand the different genres they adore. As in dance and song, there are a multitude of styles that span far and wide. I only query those that I can fit my books into. Though, it can fit into eight or nine of these genres, so I have eighteen different blurbs that I send out. Each one is detailed for the genre of the specific agent I am querying. If adventure, I play up that part. If they prefer romance, the blurb explains that part. Paranormal? Yes, my first book is very diversified. That helps incredibly with the plot, I've found. ;) Much more interesting!
Stephanie Meyers' book is a paranormal romance in an urban fantasy world. See that? Four different genres for Twilight.
My book is similar...
Mmmm...
I regress to say 'similar' as I am quite opposed to vampires, but I have the paranormal romance in a different fantasy world. This will probably be my only romance series as the middle grade fiction I am also writing is much more paranormal adventure. I am diverse! It helps to find more agents and finally get that *first one* published. I am very excited for that to happen.
Aside from making money on the short stories and contests I enter I can't wait to be a novelist. Author for now, Novelist... in progress.
Lots of work ahead of me. *tackles it* I will make this work. Even if I have to rewrite a few books. I am fiercely determined!
Wish me luck! (I am going to need it! *changes font for the eighth time today*)
Sigh. I love writing!
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Saturday, December 26, 2009
Merry CHRISTmas my friends. May the love and peace you feel this time of year follow you throughout the rest of your lives.
Allow me to vent once again.
It pains me terribly that Christmas has become commercialized.
Presents, decorations, and fancy meals have become more important than the man who it has been in celebration of.
I am very jealous of the Jews this time of year. Hanukkah is such a peculiar name it makes the holiday unique and special, and thus unadoptable for the gentiles. It remains a holiday to remember the miracle of the eight days of oil and nothing more. Perhaps if Christmas had a more unpronounceable name it would remain the sentimental holiday it was meant to be.
Two thousand and nine years ago, a man named Jesus Christ was born to a virgin woman by the name of Mary. This man, sired by God himself by a miracle only He could perform, grew up to be the most important man for the whole human race. He then gave the ultimate sacrifice and suffered for every one of our sins with great and unbearable pains. Jesus did this because he loves us, and knows us all personally.
It may be hard to imagine that this is how it was, but you must admit that the man, if not the son of God, DID actually exist. There are accounts many places besides the accounts of devote Christians. History can no longer deny the existence of such a wonderful man and he is in many cultures that still thrive in the middle east. He lived, he taught people how to be good, and he cared about people. These are FACTS that are not made up.
Such a wonderful reason to celebrate someone-their good good works-, I am sad that my day of worship for him is being taken away from me.
Commercialism has stolen my sacred day and turned it into a day of idols where gifts are worshiped more than the man it's meant to honor. It disgusts me when people say xmas and refuse to let me worship my Savior on my own precious holiday. If you want a present day, please have the creativity to go get your own. New years sounds like a fun day, and we already get it off anyway. Celebrate the new year with new things, but please let me have my day with my Savior. The Jews have theirs, please give me mine back.
I am thankful that the Jews still have theirs. And Kwanza is hopefully another name that will help their day stay personal for those who celebrate it. Now Maulana Karenga had the right idea in 1966. She at least had creativity. Presents for her culture and a day just for her and her people; no stealing and making others forfeit centuries of worship. I like her.
Thus I propose...
For us Christians needing to have that day of worship preserved; I suggest that we take a day back for our Savior. A day to remember him and all he did for us. No presents or lists of gratuitous things to salivate over. Just carols and love and a remembrance of all that he did for us.
I happen to know Christ's actual day of birth. This may sound strange, but prophets walk the earth again and angels still communicate with us. Joseph Smith was one such prophet, and he was told by one of these angels that Jesus's birthday was on April 6.
I propose that all Christians who read this help me celebrate the man whom this season was claimed for. We can drag out Christmas carols and pass out cookies to dear friends and serenade them with Christ's taught love in our hearts on this other day as well. Perhaps if this works, we can do it again in August... just for the fun of it. This will certainly spread love throughout the year to those who forget the meaning of Christmas for the other 364 days. Truly, I keep it with me always, but I know that many who claim to also have a rough year.
A little light humor, but wouldn't it really be nice to capture the special feeling we feel this time of year and release it on the unsuspecting public en masse throughout the year? Haha, I chuckle as I picture the faces that will, at first be wary, but then bloom into the smiles I'm trying to see there. People need to take life lighter....
Sometimes it is hard to be the light happy person people see all the time. I don't have someone like me to bring me out of my funks. Though if I can bring someone else out of theirs, it does make me feel great. I am thankful for the teachings of the Savior to help me remember that we can all be here for each other.
I will always be here for you. I listen even better than I write. I love you all, and may the reason of this precious season warm your hearts this chilly winter time and all year.
God Bless and Hugs and Loves and happy wishes.
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Monday, December 21, 2009
What do you have on top of the Christmas tree?
Some people prefer the star to sit up there. Whether it's a reminder of the sun that appeared when Christ was born, or something that draws your attention to the heavens where He dwells, or even if it is just a pretty accent to the emerald green of the tree, the vast majority choose this lovely gem to sit atop their winter expression of life for the holidays.
If you are not a star person, you may choose the less popular, but still beautiful, angel to smile down on you from her lofty perch. Whether dressed in feathers, long taffeta, or even deep red velvet and faux fur, she speaks to you and that is why she sits there. Perhaps she is the reminder of the angel proclaiming the coming of her Lord and Savior in splendorous song. Perhaps you merely feel safe that she is protecting you tree or home. But something about having a face makes you feel warm inside.
Some people have handmade crafts that complete their tree. Spindles pointing heavenward, bells that ring joyously, doves that coo when you trip the motion sensor, even wrapped gifts have been seen as the piece de resistance. These always have special meaning to those displaying them.
Those of us who share this holiday enjoy that there is always something similar that we have to carry in our hearts at this time of year. Indeed we may not celebrate it for the same reason, but most of us remember that love was the real meaning behind our happy smiles and gift-giving.
And that knowledge will forever draw us together in harmony.
Happy Christmas!
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I don't want to be the rockstar. I don't want to be the adoring fans, I don't want to be the paparazzi posting their scandals on the front page.
I have been blessed with a life to live. I am so glad I get to choose how to spend it. I see people in the limelight, in the after light, and in the dark. None of those look like fun.
Adventure lies out there, but if you are too concerned about what the people around you think, or are doing, life will pass you by. So many things to focus on I would hate to miss what was important because I was trying to be what I thought everyone wanted me to be.
I figured this out in high school. I was a little dense before then.
Once I embraced who I was I really found myself. People are very often drawn to me. Some will never let go. I will forever be their life preserver in this dreary world, and have been told this many times over. I wish I could wave a magic wand for everybody, but will do what I can with the pixie dust to keep them all afloat.
I am a little exuberant with people and very open with my feelings. It is who I am. I am a dreamer and have high goals and lots of wishes. I know I will attain a few of these in my life and work to make them real. Not many people I know even care about the future and it is sad that many have stopped dreaming.
I would hate that. To have no excitement or hope in my future seems unbearable and unlivable. No wonder they are unhappy.
I think of myself as a happy person. Whether it is because too many around me are unhappy, or because I have a warped view of the world, I am not complaining. I like life and all the possibilities it offers.
And there are always endless possibilities for those who seek them.
Let me begin by saying I know how busy you are. I am tickled pink, grateful, and very happy that so many of you make it to my blog. Thank you.
That being said, I have another favor to ask.
These are a few 'blurbs' or 'queries' that get sent along with a petitioning letter to various agents. Each one speaks about different things that happen in the book. Each one is meant to make you want to read it to find out more.
I would like you to let me know which one does the best job of drawing you in. I realize that the genre may not be your particular favorite as there are so many wonderful ones out there, but for what it is are any of these better than it's cousin?
The genre is paranormal romance. That means lots of magical adventure and a few people fall in love too.
I can't wait to hear what you have to say. The best argument for any blurb in particular will be sent to the next agent. A contest! So let's find out who's going to win!
ONE:
Seventeen-year-old Julia is a nonhuman; she just doesn’t know it yet. When she finally does figure this out, it’s suddenly too late. Luckily Julia’s no damsel. That’s a good thing because she just fell for the wrong guy. Literally when she finds out he’s not even the same species.
Against his desire she’s suddenly plunged into his world. At least she's not a nonhuman anymore... no, now she's an inhuman –and completely in love with the forbidden creature. Can she still save herself after forfeiting all the magic she could have had with the ‘right’ guy?
(Bad thing about this one is that it ends in a question. Agents hate that, though we still find questions on the back of other books.)
TWO:
Julia is a nonhuman. She just doesn’t know it yet. When she finally does figure this out it’s too late. Luckily Julia is also no damsel. That’s a double good thing when she falls for the wrong guy; in more ways than one when she finds out he’s not even human.
Suddenly weird things start happening and memories get erased. Too bad he can’t erase her feelings for him too. But Julia’s heart is stubborn and won’t switch to the man picked out for her in the prophecy.
Luckily, accidents happen.
THREE:
Julia doesn’t need much to be happy. Making her cousin Carey’s day seems to be more than enough for her. So when her cousin wins an all expense paid cruise to Alaska it becomes Julia’s mission to make sure Carey has the best time ever. Shopping, elegant dining, singles’ activities, and fabulous pampering spas become her cousin’s itinerary.
Julia didn’t plan on falling in love. He fights her for his own reasons and her heart gets crushed with every memory wipe he bestows on her. Her heart remains true, but he remains stubborn saying it is for her own good. Luckily accidents happen. She only had to die to remember the last time and now she's not giving him up again.
FOUR:
Julia is a nonhuman. She just doesn’t know it yet.
A seemingly harmless cruise starts out with all the accommodations promised in the brochures. So it was a shock when the body count started rising. In the middle of the ocean, the mysterious illness quarantines the people infected to their cabins, but it’s too late for Julia’s cousin, Carey.
As Carey lay dying, the ship’s reclusive royal wanders in with a medicine man technique promising to help her cousin’s severe pain. The result leaves Carey feeling better, and Julia head over heals for the man who saved her. Too bad he’s not good for her. By the time she figures that out, she’s no longer a nonhuman. No, now she’s an inhuman and in possession of all the knowledge that comes with being one. For better or for worse.
FIVE:
Julia loves to spoil her cousin. The cruise she wins for her seems like the perfect opportunity to do just that. Until the death toll rises and weird things start happening. Now the reclusive royal that suddenly shows up everywhere Julia goes is the perfect person to suspect. Too bad Julia’s too far in love with him to care.
Or maybe it’s because she forgot to care. Once she realizes her memory is being tampered with, the questions start spewing. And again, it just doesn’t seem to matter… until he rejects her because he believes he’s not good enough for her. Now she’s up to do some serious convincing. Luckily accidents happen-for better or for worse- and she thinks she found a way to get him to see the lights-both of them.
SIX:
Julia is a nonhuman. She just doesn’t know it yet. When she finally does figure this out it’s too late. Luckily Julia is also no damsel. That’s a double good thing when she falls for the wrong guy; in more ways than one when she finds out he’s not even human.
Suddenly weird things start happening, mysterious illnesses break out, and memories get erased. Too bad he can’t erase her feelings for him too, because Julia’s heart is stubborn and won’t switch to the man picked out for her in the moldy old prophecy. Luckily accidents happen with new powers, and Julia wouldn’t have it any other way.
Remember when global warming meant that was why it was so hot? Well now it also explains why it is so cold.
Confused?
I haven't even started yet.
Last winter my area had the coldest season in about twenty-one years. Ice storms happened more than people could count and power was lost on a daily basis. But why was it so cold?
We were not that far from the sun. In our orbital rotation, there had been years not too long ago that we had reached a further pull and those winters were normal. Why was this one so much worse than they?
Because of global warming.
You say 'huh?'. Warming makes you... colder?
The polar ice caps have finally melted enough for the cooler waters to migrate far enough to affect us. Not only will NYC be under water within the next fifty years, but the temperature is dropping world-wide in drastic and very serious degrees. Plummeting people.
There is no more hope that we can correct this on time and scientists have determined that we ARE causing the next ice age. This is a fact already set in motion, it cannot be changed.
However...
They do believe that they can minimize the impact the severe weather has in store for us... if, IF we start changing our lifestyles now.
Repeat that: NOW.
There would have to be windmills everywhere, all cars would have to be electric. Houses would use solar panels and make as much of their own electricity as possible. Water would be monitored better and systems would be set up to harvest and collect it yourself. Chemicals would be abolished and the seventh generation products would be all we'd need. Paper wouldn't exist and all books would be on Nooks or the like. Schools would be completely electronic. Plastic would be used sparingly and cotton would replace much of the hospital's sanitary needs, being boiled when finished instead of thrown away.
If, and I say this very lightly, if we were to accomplish this in the next year we would still be facing severe changes in weather patterns.
I know that mankind will survive the ice age. We certainly came through all right before. And the atmosphere would be dramatically cleansed when the pollutants were solidified and sent back to the ground they were unearthed from. Imagine no smog and being able to inhale without assistance in places like Hong Kong and LA. A miracle to be sure.
But how many of us would we lose?
Hundreds?
We should be so lucky.
The population will decrease by close to ninety two percent. That is over five billion souls.
How callous is it that some of you believe this is a good thing? Right Scrooge? 'Decrease the surplus populations' and all that?
Sigh.
An ice age would be good and bad. I am sad that it is we, mankind, that did this. The planet that gave us life is being wadded into a giant paper wad and being thrown away. What right have we to do such a thing?
Rights or not, it is happening. Those of you who care, I hope you make it. The end of the world comes in hundreds and thousands of disguises. This is just one of the many that make mankind take a step back and pause for a bit. Don't pause too long. There are many things you can do to lesson the impact individually. I've listed them above. Check out a few 'green' sites to get some more ideas. All this is 'google-able'.
Well this was fun. If you get snow in a bizarre place this year, say Arizona's Phoenix Valley, I promise I won't say I told you so... if I remember that I promised! lol
Otherwise, enjoy snuggling under those blankets while you can. Apparently sometime in your lifetime it will be more than snuggling, but life and death huddling.
Let's hope not. For everyone's sake. But it is hard to deny firm statistics. I'm breaking out the snowsuits. The snow is already too deep for this time of year up here. The statistics are adding up.
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Many think that writing a book is easy. You have ideas, they get written down, and voila! You have a wonderful new book that will sell in hundreds of stores everywhere.
I never thought this, but I was a bit in lala land when I started. I wasn't sure I could produce a whole novel for one thing. That is a lot of work, and I've never taken my hand at writing anything longer than the short twenty-line poems in junior high, and the awful short stories in High school for assignments. A novel was a challenge. One I was eager to take a hand at.
Truth be told, I thought I'd fail like so many countless others before me. In research before I even started writing, I found out that only .001% of the people who decide to write a book actually finish one. Intimidating odds, so I didn't get my hopes up.
I did however, start a story about a girl and her aunt. Funny, but that is where I began. I knew I wanted a race of magical beings to be in it, and I knew that I wanted this girl to be my main protagonist. The story was written very differently than most. I knew what a summary was, but I was having more fun coming up with things for my characters to do as I walked with them.
Eventually scenes were rearranged, and for convenience's sake, the aunt became a loved cousin. I was surprised that this made much more sense with the characters' relationship. Someone closer to her age was wanted, and the whole 'guardian thing' needed more... 'holes' for lack of a better word. I like holes when they make sense.
I now have a full novel. I have almost two. I say almost because while the second is finished, it is not yet 'finished'. I have ideas about scene changing already and will be going back through it when I have the time.
I am also writing two completely different novels in a younger genre. I am busy busy!
I am pleasantly pleased to find that writing is so much fun for me. I wish I was better at all the fundamentals like grammar and sentence structure. But I AM a good story-teller and I am hoping that will carry me through to at least an editor. In the meantime, Microsoft Word does those little green things to help me with the basics. ;)
Querying a talented agent is next. I have been for a few months now. They prefer exclusive rights to the material and I try to respect that by only sending out one at a time. They take about six to ten weeks to answer. Except one mercifully. I had a rejection in twelve minutes. He likes adventure, but the literary fiction part was a little heavy for him. Opposite of what I got from a woman. She said that the literary fiction part was divine and light, but the adventure was a little to graphic for the romance. I reminded her about Twilight. Yeah, she didn't like that one either, lol.
There is an agent out there that will like mine though. It is NOT Twilight. It is... well very different, but the relationship ends up leading to a lot of problems... I'm sure that sounds familiar in every romance novel! ;)
True love conquers all and in the end there is hope that all that is set before the protagonist will be attainable. Not as easily as if she had done it the preferred way, but she isn't adverse to a little hard work either. At least her choice to love whom she chose is making any hard work involved much more bearable.
A writer I have become. I submit short stories to several contests and websites now. I have won almost all contests and am earning money and small publications. I am an author! Not on the scale I will be when I publish any one of the novels, but it is a start. And I can't be too mad that I am earning money. :D
If any of you want to write, I suggest you look into the publication processes. It is grueling and daunting, and I assure you, not for the faint of heart. If you think you have something that will make it through all that, please, I encourage you to go ahead. It is a wonderful feeling to have someone say they like your work enough to pay you for it.
A short peek into my occupation... I hope you liked it. Thanks to all my readers and even followers. You all rock so much! Post comments and ask me questions. I want to know what you would like to see me blog about on here. I accept requests and respond to most of them. Reading them is my favorite!
Luvs and hugs and have a great day.
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Wednesday, December 9, 2009
And all that other good stuff!!!
I think the world needs a little bit more of this. Not the sultry seductive kind, but the 'I care and I wanted you to know' kind. How angry can you stay when someone wraps their arms around you and says they're sorry? Trust me, the anger melts faster than ice cream in July.
I chat/talk/text/email/ and speak to many people I know and happily add luvs and hugs to the ends of our conversations. It is a way to pass on that I care and that I will be thinking of them until I see them again. Many return the gesture, but I know that all feel wonderful knowing that someone out there is rooting for their well-being.
My heart is in my well-wishing too. I love those I extend this sentiment to and I want them to know it on at least some level. My heart yearns to know they are okay, and I have no problem expressing that.
A short post today. I just wanted to put it out there if I say this to you, it is meant much heavier than the nonchalant delivery system I've spent years perfecting. See, I don't want to scare you off with the depths of my heart. But I HAVE to let you know how much you mean to me!
If I haven't scared you away, leave a post here. And as always, luvs and hugs and kisses and snuggles and warm wishes!
Goddess Gurl
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Sunday, December 6, 2009
The question is: "Can Man ever be God?"
If that is all I am answering, then 'No'. He cannot, nor will Man EVER be God. And thank goodness for that; end of story!
Unless, however... I wonder, if maybe we could ask whether we, our internal and ever-living spirits, can become God. First, not of this world. He has claimed this one, and not one of our consciousnesses is ready for something of that magnitude in our current selfish states.
We do, however, according to the bible (KJV) have the ABILITY to become gods.
Yes. This we can do. But then we will no longer be man so the before statement remains firm.
You must understand that at the point that we become gods or goddesses we will have spent eons of time that now boggles our centered minds perfecting our spiritual thoughts, ideas, and beliefs to make a better, more usable being. With practice, and perhaps many lifetimes to work on our weaknesses, we will emerge as the being that our God has set us up for. We will then, indeed, be ready to create our own worlds and watch our own precious children grow and nurture them within it.
Truly to think of ruling over more than just the being you are today, of course we instantly reject this thought. Could we ever really see how we can be in our current state? Charity is something very few of us master in this life. How are we expected to take the little we learn here and apply it on a world-wide scale?
Again, no. Absolutely not; Man cannot become God. But our spirits, when united again with our recreated and perfected bodies, have the POTENTIAL to become Gods. It is what we do in this life that will determine how we will be AFTER this life.
I'm going to make it work. I may be afraid of such a thing as ruling a planet of my own creation, but the potential to find out is NOT something I want to waste because of that fear. I will strive to do what is right to show I KNOW how to follow the rules that my god has placed around my existence. I may mess up, but that very caring God knew I would. I hope I can be as caring, loving, and unconditional as He is. Only then will I truly have done all I can for Him. Once I've done all I can with His rules, I will be able to create a world of my own with those same perfect rules that I will have already gotten to intimately know. I have a lot to learn before that happens; IF that happens, but I won't forfeit my chance to find out if I can be God material!
Goddess Bethany... I kinda like the sound of that!
In my pompous, conceited, selfish, unrefined, and definitely un-godlike way of course!
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Friday, December 4, 2009
Day four: Religious views make up for what 93% of the world believe.
Most prefer to think we're in God's magestic hands. That he'll 'save us' in the end.
The last theory that the world is going to end soon is merely prophetic heresay in religious texts. I say heresay lightly, because many of you believe this one too. I mean no offense, but it was interesting to hear your opinions. ;)
Whether you believe in Christianity, Islamic, or Jewish eschatology, or Greek mythology, Hinduism, or a mixture of theology and philosophy, mysticism, or various Orient cultures, or simply science as your 'religion', you believe that the world will end.
People have been prophesying this fact for as long as man has inhabited the free thinking world. It is a part of our nature to think that there is an end to all things, and thus an end to the very life that we see around us. I believe that there is an end.
I do not believe, however that it is going to be on man's calendar- ancient or otherwise. Most of you know that I am Christian. I believe God will 'roll the earth's scrolls' together in His own due time. I also believe that being prepared isn't all that bad. Again I refer to my year supply and the job that was lost a few years back. It was nice to be able to eat.
As to that apocalyptic end everyone is talking about? Well if it's going to end, there's not going to be anywhere to hide people! Hello! THE END!!!??? Seriously, that has me wondering.
Christianity-now I refer to this because I am... did you not read the above?!?
Some Christians believes that there will be a big catastrophe when a lot of people will die. They believe that many will still be here though, too. Those lucky enough to see Christ again will automatically see him as the supreme ruler and be automatically converted and there will me 1000 years of peace.
Other Christians believe that all the good will be saved and brought home while the wicked below will suffer immense torture according to God's anger-filled wills and pleasures.
Some Christians believe a little of both.
I honestly don't know the details as Revelations is hard to follow in the code Peter wrote it in. I think I know a little... but again, all of it is what I ask God it is, and He isn't giving me all the details right now. ;)
Religion is secular and partial to what the individual believes. But it looks like both the religious and spiritual and astrological sides are saying that something is written in the stars that will be... well something to look forward to. Now whether that is in joy or fear, I believe it is up to us personally.
I think that when God saves those that have lived 'good' lives, 'saved' won't always mean that we'll still be on this earth. Perhaps to be saved, we will die and go straight to that paradise he has preserved for us rather than feel his wrath personally.
In the meantime...
Who wants in on that 'buy a private island and install an underground crush-proof-lava-proof bunker' idea of mine? Anyone? Anyone at all? I'm currently taking offers... All it takes is everything you own and every last dime in your bank.
I see a few of you contemplating. You can get back to me. ;)
This is the last of the series folks. I'd appreciate your comments before all technology becomes useless please.
All joking aside, the food in the pantry was a nice thing to have... if you didn't catch that; I think everyoine should have one. ;)
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Thursday, December 3, 2009
The third theory for the 2012 scare that I have come across is the amazing pole change theory.
This one has nothing to do with the alignment of the planets, but solely the sun.
In 2012, not necessarily in December mind you, but even earlier that year, the earth will reach away from the sun the furthest that it has in over a trillion years. There is also gravity in this theory.
The pull will be so great and centered so perfectly that the already drifting poles <(this is a fact not a theory) will be dramatically pulled to such extents that they will move several thousands of miles and the earth will have an inverted axis.
First, for those of you new to earth's amazing features, the magnetic poles DO NOT align with the earth's rotation axis. Strange, but true needs to do an episode here.
We know for fact that earths magnetic poles have changes a lot over the many years, and a few dramatic inches recently in the last decade. The axis poles have changed a little less, the last dramatic one being over fourteen billion years ago.
Scientists believe they are due for a change.
When the magnetic conversion finally reaches a close enough proximity to the axis pole (remember it is currently getting closer day by day), it is said that the gravity from their meeting will slingshot the magnetic pole around the other side of the axis pole with insane force. The axis pole at that point will be further thrown when earth reaches that furthest point from the sun and the axis, already in turmoil, will then race 180 degrees, throwing the north and south frozen poles to their new places.
As this happens, icebergs, land mass, and water will be in catastrophe as the molten center of the earth wreaks havoc to the earth's surfaces. According to research, there will be three and a half days of a really cool magnetic field during this time. There are possible hypothesis here that say weightlessness may be a possible occurrence.
Now while people are telling you to dig holes and bury guns and provisions and all you can, I wonder if those holes won't simply be crushed between moving rock and glaciers, or melted by molten lava, or washed away by those tsunamis. Of course, they could float into outerspace during this weightless maneuver that will happen... or will the magnetic field have a barrier point?
Theories, hypothesis, mathematical equations and dreaming minds have put all these 'facts' together to come up with these interesting conclusions. I just thought you all might like to know what some of the most intelligent minds in the world have been dreaming up, and how it is supposed to affect our future.
Do with this information what you may. I'm going to go through my pantry and use up the ones that will expire soon. The job market is still down, and I want it fresh in case there is another reason that trips to the store will need to be postponed. That is my own personal crisis. Not sure about the ones dreamed up by everyone else, but I must say, 2012 doesn't look that promising. Hopefully the worst that will happen is that Obama will finally be out... did I say worst? I meant best! ;)
Seriously, why worry about a few years from now when there is so much going on to be worried about now?
Was this scary? Was it right up there with R.L. Stine or Stephen King? Or was it a homorous short story that was an interesting waste of time?
Tomorrow will be the last one on this topic.
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
As promised: The Mayans
Is it possible that an ancient civilization had a way to predict the end of the earth? I don't think so, but there are many who swear by their 'foretelling'.
Of course, anyone who believes this is mistaken and hasn't done much research.
In a lengthy study of this Mesoamerican culture (six months in college and a week online to refresh), it is found that the Mayans had three to an infinite number of calendars to their disposal. They were used in harmony with each other to number the days in the year and the life cycles of existance- including harvesting, pregnancies, moon cycles, lunar cycles, venus cycles, among cycles of stars (they were very astronomically oriented) and even for 260 days when the sun is in an exact rotation through the sky.
It is true however; one calendar indeed stops at December 12, 2012. Though most people panic when they read that and do not continue on.
Please, please continue on.
This was only ONE of their very important calendars and does not mean that they decided all life stopped on that day and the world would explode for some sort of second coming thing.
The Mayans had a series of dates and time periods that, when added together, coincided perfectly to make up what they believed the future would look like. With mathematical guesses based off of the 'cycles' of the past, and how it matched up with the present, they were very good at 'guessing' the future. In fact, ninety two percent of their predictions came to pass. The other eight were considered close enough and this is where they took it too far and 'made it work' by planning wars to coincide with the dates they predicted them to happen. I thought that odd that they start a war because a calendar that they created told them to, but oh well. They also did human sacrifices at calendric intervals, so I don't put much stock in their ability to 'see' the future all that much.
Eerily, and much on the flip side, all of the natural disasters they have predicted from 2600 B.C. to this last year (2009) have come true. The next insane 'calamity' as they call it, is predicted for December 12, 2012.
Does this sound familiar for that planet alignment and possible disasters discussed yesterday? Why yes, yes it does. Is something terrible going to happen? I'm inclined to think that it will be on a smaller scale than all the hype out there about the end of days, but also that something fun may happen during that alignment. And by fun, I mean possibly world altering. And by world altering, I mean parts of it. I have faith and hope that many of us will survive these catastrophies. Just like those warned about Hurricane Katrina (yes that date was entered on the Mayan calendar), we have the modern instuments at out disposal to survive much of what may or may not happen.
I do want to point out that only this calendar of the Mayans ends on that date.
Remember that they were created to be interchanged and not used individually. That was not their purpose to have one calendar for everything. They were much more complicated than that.
Several others go on for future 'guessings', but their last predicted calamity has been etched in their stones and columns for this one date. It is hard to ignore that they seriously believed they needed to tell us futurians something important.
I like to believe that as their other calendars go on, so will life. I also like to believe that perhaps there will be no more natural calamities after this as the earth will enter a rebirth from the gravitational stress it will be put under and that we will have centuries of peaceful weather-with the occasional rain and snow storm. I like rain. This theory sounds nice.
So when you come to propaganda about all life ending in 2012 or with that alignment happening, please don't take it seriously. Earth will continue as long as God wants it to. Or as long as science stays on our side- whichever you prefer to believe. Science is on both sides of this debate, and a little less reassuring than the Holy Spirit can be, but I know a few of my precious friends are Aetiests, and I respect you decision to choose for yourself. I love you extremely/insanely, and, of course, expect the same respect for my decisions.
Just don't be offended if when I pray over my lunch and I offer a prayer that you are not food-poisoned either! ;) Again, I love you insanely and that is my way of showing it!
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009
This is not posted to start a mass riot, or make you gather hordes of supplies that you may or may not need. This is just something that I have been hearing a lot about and decided to finally comment on. Take as you will. ;)
Part one:
Stockpile of medical supplies
There is a warning for those of you that are easily 'spooked' by stuff like this:
Read at your own risk.
Another Y2K scare is making its rounds and people are starting to stockpile necessities. Only this time, it's not being called Y2K; it's being called 2012, and the hysteria is much worse than a bug in a computer. This one is environmental as much as it is spiritual and ancient. More people are scared for many more different reasons. Mostly because any of the hype surrounding it is actually believable.
First, you must realize that the fear over the year 2012 comes from many different sects with many different theories about what will actually happen. After scouring the Internet on this subject for months, I can honestly say that I have a pretty good idea what these theories are.
The first is solely scientifically based:
In the year 2012, the planets and sun will align in perfect synchronization for about thirty seconds. This is fact, and it is documented in science buildings across the world. The hypothesis about the effects, however, are as astounding as they are scary. The almost science/fictional reality has people running around screaming 'doomsday' at every turn.
The reason I'm actually writing about it is because there are a lot more of them than ever before. And not all of them are certifiable nuts this time.
Some believe that the gravitational pull from this once-in-a-million-years alignment will cause severe damage to this planet that we call home. Many of the most intelligent minds around have gotten together to discuss this seriously. Their conclusions are heart-stopping.
They have decided that anywhere from seventy percent to one hundred percent of the earth will be severely destroyed by natural disasters and earth quakes. All are convinced that advanced society as we know it will be wiped out and that only those prepared have a chance of making it.
The gravitational pull is said to cause tsunamis and earthquakes, and interrupt the natural stages of the world's volcanoes, causing them to explode simultaneously. The whole earth may even be ripped apart by the immense gravitational pull of the larger celestial bodies surrounding us. We could be wiped out altogether.
There are mathematical figures for this that pretty much confirm exactly that. I'm sorry, I don't have them with me at the moment (double checks and pats down her pockets). Nope.
Another scientific theory is that the sun at that time will have an incredible solar flair that will scorch the planets' surfaces and kill all life on ours for miles into the earths crust. Nothing will survive in this theory either, and there is more of that math involved.
What I found really interesting is that several of the world powers have known about this for decades (1979 being one of the earliest I remember at the moment), and while these theories insist that there is no safe place to hide, many countries have decided they don't think it will be as devastating as the numbers suggest. They are currently taking many precautions to be 'safe' through the disaster and stock piling provisions to survive in a post modern world. They will have their comforts for years as they wait out what they believe will be righted in a short time. At which point I jokingly ask "Does anyone remember the dinosaurs?" Surely the earth won't heal as fast as they are 'hoping' if this is going to happen.
Of course no one is telling the public because 'we're not intelligent enough to handle such news'.
China (yes the country) has started (not too secretly obviously) building and then burying hundreds of self sufficient bunkers loaded with supplies these last few years in efforts to save as many of their government figures as possible.
This is also going on here; in the United States. The previous bunkers for the president were deemed 'not good enough' and new ones have been started. Oh, but we are not the only ones. Countries across the globe have been doing this for years without the rest of us knowing.
This scare has truly reached some of the most sophisticated people in the world, who have then gone on to do their own research to prove it for themselves, only to concur with what they've already been told. This is 'real' they all insist. Many have even started their own 'the end is coming-let me help you prepare' propaganda for those of us less enlightened.
I don't doubt that something may happen when that alignment occurs, but let me have a little hope that it won't be the Mayan's 'end of the world prophecy' coming to pass. I have a year's supply of food ready... but for very different reasons. It was handy between jobs a few years ago. ;)
This post is merely a comment on fact and fiction. This was an interesting read for me. Definitely a book worth- wait it wasn't a science fiction book; that's right now I remember. For further information you can google 2012 on your own. Millions of websites. There is too much, however, and I will be commenting on very few parts of it in different blogs.
Tomorrow: Did the Mayans know more than we do?
What do you think about all of this? Will we be wiped out? Will a few manage to survive? Or is this just another over-hyped Y2K scare? I'm eagerly listening.
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Thursday, November 26, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
Growth. Tastes change... a little food for thought after that food-filled holiday. -No, real food for thought! ;)
I'm growing and entering another phase of my life. Or so my tastebuds are saying!
Food is interesting. Food is different and varying. It may not change, but preferance toward any one particular food does.
It's fun to notice that I suddenly like something that wasn't very good before. It is an interesting mouthful when my mouth hands me a delicious surprise in an unexpected food source.
I've never really liked chocolate. It tastes burnt to me; all the time, whatever the brand-and I've had some of the best brands in the world thanks to precious friends who are sure its just a brand thing. I've now had kids... I find I like it once a month and for a few days it doesn't taste as burnt as it does the rest of the month. I prefer Lindt, Swiss, and German chocolates at those times; usually dark, and smooth like mousse; so the inside of truffles. ;)
I used to hate all meat until I was sixteen. Then I only liked corned beef brisket, and it had to be with the cooked cabbage to help with the aftertaste I wasn't used to in meat. I started eating burgers in high school after that. I only liked the ones from the fast food chains... so was that really meat? lol
After having kids, I like lots of meats. Not pig too much as I seem to have an allergy to pork and it makes me sick. Weird, but I prefer turkey bacon anyway; no clear fat posing as meat -its all meat! ;)
Chinese food used to smell like puke to me. No joke, I hated the stuff; I hated to walk by restaurants that sold the stuff! Now I love it! It is one of my favorite things to eat and I can't seem to get enough of the really good, thick low mein noodles. The best! I also really like the crab puffs with cream cheese and chives. I could eat several of those for dinner only and be very happy!
I still do not like bird. Any kind of bird related animal, it is awful. On turkey day I am not a very happy person when we're gathered around a table of terrible food. Stuffing is too dry and so are the mashed potatoes; thank God for that gravy that goes everywhere! I still refuse the bird, it isn't salvagable.
I used to love lasagna more than anything in the world. Now I can barely stand it every other month or so. Sometimes I wonder if having kids was the reason everything changed, but the meat came on slowly, so....
I never have and still don't like cake. I'm picky about brownies and any sort of sweet bread. I had some applebread the other day. It was the only time I asked for a second piece. It was homemade and had crumbles on top! Yum!
I do not like any candybar on the market except for the York peppermint patty. I don't like most candy out there, but love hard candy when its made right. I also do not like toppings on my icecream, or sweet icecream... I like the fruit and nut flavors in my sweet vanilla. Pistachio and watermelon and whole strawberries in a suger cone are my favorite.
I love nachos. And mostly all Mexican/Spanish foods! My favorite, mouth watering foods are in this catagory!
I used to love vegetables. Now I like only a handful. I still love salads. Lettuce is usually good everywhere (Chinese food and Spanish etc!) If you can sneak it onto a veggie platter, I always prefer fresh with dip. Yum!
Fresh is always something I enjoy. Platters of fresh fruits and vegetables are always my favorite at gatherings, and, for me, make up for that poor bird each year. :)
I'm pickier now that I've moved away from the midwest. There are no good Chinese food places or suitable Spanish/Mexican food places up here. Since I don't count Taco Bell, I'm really lost. We live next to a farm, but I've found that if you don't eat the food that day, it goes really bad really fast. The fridge doesn't help either... I think they do it on purpose to bring you back everyday. ;)
I do not like soda. The bubbles burn my mouth and throat. In high school I loved it and downed a mountain dew a day. Now my preferred drink is water with a side of strawberry milkshake! Yum!!! Or when I'm cold, French Vanilla hot chocolate. ;)
Cornnuts. A favorite snack from childhood, it is one of the few things that have secured their place in adulthood as well. Too bad they don't sell them back east. ;)
So many different kinds of food out there, it really makes me happy for the variety. I would hate to be stuck with chocolate cake as the only taste out there. Yuck!
And those bad tastes always make me happy when I find a good one again. I like change... until I have lots of eggrolls in the freezer and then decide I don't like them anymore. lol Happened a few times... luckily they last until I decide I like them again! Funny how life works like that.
I must admit that life is like this as well. Different things at different times call to me and then don't later. It is fun to switch back and forth. A little fung shui livens up an otherwise droll living space. Or varying tastebuds ;)
Variety. The tasty spice of... life!
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Saturday, November 21, 2009
Life Happens. Unfortunately.
I am glad it doesn't happen alone. I love you all very much.
It amazes me how fleeting life is. We have all been given the precious gift of life, but few of us are only given a limited amount of time to experience this joy. I miss those that have already gone on.
In this late hour, I find that I am very blessed and felt the need to show my gratitude for such blessings. I truly have the honor of knowing some really great people. I do not know why this is, but I am grateful that there are so many truly wonderful people in my life.
Perhaps it is just me. People have told me on more than one occasion that I have a large heart. I prefer to think that I have just been blessed to know extraordinarily wonderful people. Truly no one has been so greatly blessed with precious acquaintances and friends as I. Each one of you on here I hold in the same high respect. Thank you for helping me with my dream.
Thank you also for being my friend. Know that you are loved, and now even more appreciated as I think how this last one was ripped away so unceremoniously. I hope they know how much I deeply loved them. I think they did. I'm a very expressive person when it comes to my feelings towards people.
I posted a few weeks ago about silver and gold friends. More of you are gold than you likely think. I want you to know this. I know this is a very impersonal way of trying to tell you, and I wish there was a way I could meet with you and take you out to lunch to tell you personally how much you mean in my life, but as I am very far away from most of you, this will have to suffice. If I have you number, expect a call. I am determined.
Truly, whether brief visits on the computer while we chat, or notes left in electronic boxes, or if I have the rare privilege of seeing you new ones here in New York, know that I cherish deeply the chance to be your friend and share a part of your life. Thank you very much for choosing to be in mine. Know that I don't take our friendship-no matter how slight-granted in any way. You are precious to me.
And now more than ever. I love you. Such a strong sentiment, I do NOT mean it lightly. Perhaps this may scare you to hear, but I need to say it more than I need to worry that you never heard it when you're gone (heaven forbid, as I can't bear to lose more of you so soon).
While my eyes mist yet again, know that I rejoice in our friendships. I rejoice wonderfully to see, hear, and think of you.
I need to go now. This has been a very trying night. It makes me happy to remember that heaven is where we will all end up and that I will see them again.
Please remember in my boasting that I don't believe that a God who says He loves us as much as He says he does can possibly have created a place of such punishment as the one referred to with fire and brimstone. Though that may be preferable to the truly evil as they feel the remorse for their actions are worse than a little heat. And if Adolf Hitler wasn't truly evil, I know I will see all my friends in a happier place than this earth.
I wish I had the words tonight to express how I feel in greater depth. I am hurting, and loving all at the same time, and it is hard to find the words to express all I wish to say. Truly, there are not words, I am sure of this. I love you is too weak, and to say you are precious to me is not enough for the feelings that swell within my heart. Tears of gratitude to know you are falling.
I send you luvs and hugs and prayers that you know how precious and loved you are. For truly, deeply you are loved.
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Thursday, November 19, 2009
Giggles are our home's most precious natural resource.
Our schools are trying to force the parents to spend more time with their kids. I'm not sure it is working, but the things they send home in that effort are insane for public school projects.
Our little family is always doing some craft together when we're done with our lessons. Kindergarten changed that for both my girls when the teacher started sending home a two foot by one and a half foot silhouette of that month's special decoration. This month was a giant turkey.
Now the rules to decorate are very simple. You cannot use pencils, colored pencils, pens, markers, crayons, chalk, paint, and are encouraged to use a lot of glue so it withstands hanging in the hall for the rest of the month.
Which begs the question: What exactly can we use?
The same teacher two years in a row, we had to get creative when it came to making individual gobblers for the wall. My children decided they didn't like the macaroni the other kids were doing, and that their precious stickers looked better put in their sticker albums than on the albino turkey paper. Buttons were nice... but "only for the eyes, mommy." was repeated when we went through the button box.
A trip through Walmart for the first year was fun because funds were plenty and the fabric department had the prettiest pink shiny fabric. Child number one had decided she didn't want any old turkey, but a 'pretty princess turkey'. Pink and lavender fabric was the first thing in the cart. Then she found the jewels. It was bedazeled as soon as it was finished being put together.
The second child was given her turkey in a rougher time. The basement had just been ruffled through, and since she wanted a 'fall' turkey, she was very happy with the 'recycled' never-been-used before ribbon that had been sitting in the harvest decorations for years. I was remiss to lose it to a kindergarten creation, but with the way her eyes lit up, there was no refusing. Her masterpiece is her favorite 'pet' and she trotted around the house with it until we had to send it in with her the next school day.
These projects took about six hours each and taught my children new skills. They now had experience with adult scissors, needles and thread and sewing (oh my!), tape, tracing, and the dreaded gluegun. The first was only burned once, but that was all the second needed to see to be able not to repeat that mistake when it came her turn. First was very brave and didn't cry once.
We had so much fun making these precious creations because we were able to do them together. The time spent is something I will cherish forever. I know they will never forget either, and will pull the creation out of whatever box they will end up in when they move out. It will be their precious souvenier and a reminder to make those moments with their children.
We still craft even now. They aren't as extravagant and do include the taboo writing utensils, but the time creating them is why they're made. They may not last like the first ones, but I know that the memories will.
What do you think? Did we do a good job? Do you like the princess boots and pretty frills? The girls ideas were what created these, I only pointed where I thought each tuck and pinch and needle poke should go. They were and are just five years old after all! Toddlers made these, but love designed the smiles next to them.
Do you have any stories like this, or a cherished moment with a parent/guardian/adult? I would love to hear what made you smile and how the event/memory has influenced your life.
Next month will be a Christmas tree. Any ideas for it that I may pass on to my current five-year-old? She only says no to half my suggestions, and I'm sure if it is a great idea, she'll jump at it. Let me know.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Meet the sterling rose. How many of you remember these?
Purple roses add enchantment to the receiver's life according to rose color meanings. I'm glad to think I added magic to my friends' lives all those years.
I am starting to see God's warning about making a garden come to pass. Bananas, however, are a little hard to cultivate in the snow visited north.
For decades the prophets of my church have been telling us to go grow a garden. It is cheap, economical, promotes happiness, and builds character in the children you want to raise. At my parents' house I was brought up cultivating the garden, and was often sent out to do weeds whenever mom was mad at me.
I was lucky though. I had the resident green thumb and was always trying to grow something anyway. Most of the crop would be lost when I went to girls camp and the vines withered in the hot Arizona sun because someone forgot to water them. I would try again when I got back, but then a frost would kill the rest before spring.
The rose bush survived. This coveted sterling rosebush was a gift from my grandmother to my mother. It was silvery-purple in color and smelling like heaven's own personal bouquet. Though it was dying by the time I decided to have pity on it.
Placed in the shade, and surviving several years of neglect and torture, it was better able to withstand a week or two of being forgotten. It would get very sick while I was away on vacations or at camp, but it always hung in there just long enough for me to be able to return and try to help it get healthy again.
After a few months I was getting the most beautiful blossoms. I was the cultivator of these, and when I had to snip some off to save the bush from feeding too many buds and not itself, they became precious gifts for friends who meant a lot to me. Each morning a handful of these sterling beauties would get to come with me to school only to be passed out to dear friends. My friends liked this. Their faces would light up and a smile would be shared all because I tried to help in the garden. I watched as this simple gesture made their day better.
Gardens have a way of spreading joy, and most of the time what you reap will bring a smile to another's face too. There's just something about a plot of land filled with nature's miracles that makes a person feel good.
Though I admit that most people prefer this bounty cleaned, cut, prepped, and put on the dining room table in a vase, or with butter, ranch or bacon bits. But it had to start somewhere. Remember that next time you go grocery shopping or eat a salad at a restaurant.
So the prophets knew what they were talking about. Who knew. I was happier out there, and I was able to make other people happier without having to spend a dime. Nice.
Now how do I convince the landlady here to grant me such a privilege? So far its been a no. Hmmm.
What about you? Do you have any gardening stories? Any peculiar bugs in said gardening? Or is the whole thought of getting dirty repulsive to you and you prefer someone else to handle that for you? I tell you, I used gloves. Bugs were not my favorite either.
And lastly, are you any good at gardening? Anymore 'greenthumbs' out there? I really want to know. :)
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Saturday, November 14, 2009
Sometimes he just wants a hug!
I entered another contest. This one was brought to my attention by my dog loving aunt. 2000k words or less, send in a fictional dog story; no talking dogs please (and I'm assuming this also means no super powers!)! bummer.
What do you think?
Blessings come in all shapes and sizes… and species….
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Jamie was trying very hard not to let the noise get to him.
He knew he needed to be extra good today.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Jamie bit the inside of his cheek to keep quiet. He tried
the breathing exercise his mother had suggested to help
him concentrate. In. Out. In. Out. In-
Tap. Tap. Tap.
“WOULD YOU STOP THAT ALREADY?!?”
Jamie gasped.
All eyes landed on Kelly. Her face red and her hands
clenched tight, she was the one who had jumped up
and yelled.
Jamie was relieved. At least he wasn’t in trouble.
He’d still get his treat.
Kelly, realizing what she’d just done, immediately
covered her mouth in her horror.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled through her palms. “I’m
so sorry!”
“Are you trying to kill him?” Bridget mumbled.
Alex, who had stopped tapping at his cousin’s
outburst, just smiled politely.
“Nah, it’s cool. I didn’t even notice I was doing it.”
He laughed weakly and put the pencil down after
filling in one last answer.
“But are you okay?” Kelly asked carefully. “Or did
I make it worse?”
The bedroom was silent as everyone waited for the
answer.
“Guys,” Alex sighed exasperatedly. “I told you;
I’m not that bad! I’m not a bubble, and I won’t
pop at the slightest outburst. Geez! Relax a little.”
He rolled his eyes.
Kelly was only convinced because he chastised
them. If he wasn’t, he would’ve waved a hand
and looked out the window. That was his tell.
She sat back down. “’Kay. Just stop with the
pencil thing,” she tried to make it a joke. “It’s
sooo annoying.” She managed a wry smile
for the invalid.
Alex reached behind his head to scratch his neck.
“Yeah,” he said sheepishly. “Sorry again.”
The bedroom door opened.
“Is everything alright?” Mom asked carefully. “I
thought I heard a commotion.” Her eyes landed
on Jamie.
Jamie fidgeted a bit. “I didn’t do it,” he said
immediately.
Mom frowned. “Uh-huh.”
“No really, Aunt Sarah. Jamie didn’t do anything,”
Alex promised.
“It was Kelly,” Bridget blabbed on her twin easily.
She owed her for taking the top she wanted to wear
today without her permission.
Kelly glared at her. Bridget didn’t mind; they were
even now.
Mom’s eyes finished the once-over on Alex.
“Well okay then,” she said slowly. She entered the
room with the tray she had been holding.
“I thought the study group would like a snack,” she
said with a big smile.
Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches, celery sticks,
and apple slices filled it. There were even four
glasses of milk; it wasn’t a snack, it was a mid-afternoon
feast!
“I was thinking,” Mom said as she passed everything
out. “After this, would you like to move outside for a
bit?” Her eyes watched Alex for any signs of fatigue;
just in case.
“That would be great, Aunt Sarah,” he said eagerly.
“Can we go to the pond?” Jamie spoke up.
“Yes Jamie,” Mom promised. “I even have a bag of
stale bread ready; just like I promised.” She smiled
at her youngest son warmly.
“Yes!” Jamie exclaimed. His arm and elbow tucked
in his victory.
The feast was over in record time and Alex even ate
a few more things than expected. Mom returned
with his wheel chair before the last apple slice was
finished.
It was immediately scarfed down by Kelly, who
had snatched it before Bridget-only after she saw
her twin going for it. Tongues were exchanged with
narrowed eyes.
The procession to the pond at the edge of the property
was a lengthy one as mom had to push her adopted
nephew over the rough grassy terrain to get there.
The other three were dancing around-running, screaming,
doing cartwheels; simply feeling great about being
outdoors after the three hour homework session
they’d just finished.
Alex hadn’t seen the backyard since he’d returned
from the hospital three weeks ago. Now he was
watching the bright blue sky, interesting wildlife, and
funny cousins with wide excited eyes. His nose tickled
with the sweet smelling scents of the flower garden,
and the tart, but pleasant smell of the nearby citrus trees.
“We put a bench in while you were away,” Mom says
with enthusiasm.
“We were hoping you’d get to use it before it got
visited by the birds.”
Alex grinned. Those ducks would poop anywhere!
Jamie reached it first.
“Its safe!” he declared for everyone who hadn’t run
ahead with him. “No yuckiness!” He grinned, quite
pleased with himself.
Alex was carefully placed on the bench, his blankets
tucked just right in case any particular ‘light’ breeze
was too much. Mom wasn’t taking any chances.
Jamie grabbed the bread from the back of the chair
with excitement and, after thoughtfully depositing a
few slices in Alex’s lap, ran off around the pond,
flinging bits and pieces on his merry way.
“Mo-om,” Kelly complained, “Jamie’s not sharing!”
Mom sat down next to Alex. “Are you sure you
deserve to pass out bread?” she commented quietly.
Kelly's angry outburst earlier wasn't the
first time she had been in trouble today.
Kelly flushed, but didn’t answer back. She turned
around and ran off after her brother instead.
Mom grinned. She hoped her daughter caught her
son anyway.
Kelly did, and was immediately handed a single slice
of bread. Mom tried not to laugh at her sour expression.
That wouldn’t be very motherly of her.
Bridget was sitting on the grass.
“You brought a book,” Mom said, not really surprised.
“Kendra almost figured it out,” Bridget said excitedly.
“It’s a beautiful day, sweetheart. Maybe Sean and
Kendra can take a little break? Maybe for you to
lap the pond a few times? Please?” Mom pleaded
with a knowing grin.
“Okay,” Bridget consented unwillingly. She bookmarked
her page and laid it on the chair. Then she stood up and
raced off for the required laps, determined to get back
to her book as fast as possible.
Mom watched a goose saunter up to Alex’s bread
crumbs. He’d already scattered several.
“Look, Aunt Sarah!” he whispered excitedly.
“Wow!” she breathed back. It was the largest goose
she’d seen, and almost perfectly snow-white in coloring.
“I bet he would taste yummy for dinner,” she teased her
new son with some country humor.
“Awww! Aunt Sarah!” he whined. “Gross!”
Mom ruffled his hair. He was going to be just fine once
this remission was confirmed, she thought for the
thousandth time. This place was perfect with all the fresh
air, but she worried being so far from the hospital.
Mom decided it was too quiet and looked up to find the
other three. Not a single child was around the pond.
Not even the anxious Bridget.
“Alex, will you be okay if I take a small walk?”
Alex rolled his eyes. “I promise not to let any geese
eat me," he said sarcastically.
Mom set off with a grin.
After circling the small pond, she heard something just
inside the treeline. She sighed in her relief. She had
found them.
Walking into the forest that bordered the property,
Mom found all three of her children suspiciously huddled
together.
“Oh, no,” she said as soon as she saw the subject of
their disappearance. “You know how Dad doesn’t like
those things.”
“Awww mom! Please?” Jamie begged.
“We’ll take good care of him, and-”
“-Make sure he gets walked all the time,” Bridget
promised in tandem with Kelly.
“But where will he sleep?” Mom started with the
obvious questions. “And what if he’s not house-trained?”
“We can train him easy!” Bridget said. “I just read a
book on how a girl did it in forty-eight hours!”
Heaven forbid I argue with a book, Mom thought with
a small smile. She always was a softee.
“Yes!” Jamie celebrated prematurely. Mom thought
it too cute how he could read her so well.
Just then the dog took off barking insanely. The kids
hopped up and scrambled after him screaming and
laughing with giddiness. Mom turned and trotted after
them.
Mom’s heart stopped once she cleared the trees.
The bench was empty.
In full sprint now, she passed all three children in record
time.
“Alex,” she gasped once she reached his side. She turned
him over. “Alex, are you okay? Can you hear me? Blink
twice for yes.”
Alex blinked once. “I’m… okay,” he managed, and
blinked a second time for her. “Just… got really… tired…
and… fell off?” He grinned in weak amusement up at
her.
Mom sighed in relief for the second time that afternoon.
She gathered him up in her arms and started for the
house, forgetting the chair. She had called... the doctor had said that it
would be alright… she didn’t understand how this
could happen!
“The dog helped,” Kelly spoke in a whisper. “He knew
and he helped us.”
“He’s a superhero,” Jamie added wisely.
“But will that be enough?” Bridget wondered aloud
for them.
There was no answer, but the dog wasn’t turned away
when they all started filing in the house.
He’s worse. Mom repeated the doctor’s prognosis
in her head for the hundredth time: The cancer had
reached his lungs, the chemo hadn’t helped. He was
going to die.
The kids had been put to bed, and she was watching
her sleeping nephew with pained anxiety. She was grateful
they were able to bring the hospital home this time. Support
machines surrounded him.
Just then the dog sauntered in. He had been bathed
and his collar polished. Calls had been placed on the
corresponding answering machine shortly after. The
owners were sure to pick up such a beautifully cared for
dog. Mom knew he was a Labrador Retriever. Black in
coloring, he matched the kind she’d had when she was
young.
The dog walked right up to the boy’s bed and put his
nose on the edge.
He whimpered a bit.
Mom would have smiled if she wasn’t so upset.
“Thank you,” she said to him. She rubbed behind his
ears. “I guess you can stay until-” mom broke off as
the next sob engulfed her throat. Meaning ‘until…
your owners show up’ had gotten mixed up
with the thought of her son’s future. She cried for a
long time.
When she stopped, she looked back at the dog. He
was still whimpering.
“You need a name,” she decided. The kids were
already in bed, but-
“How about… Zachary,” said a weak voice from the
pillow.
Mom’s eyes flew. “Alex?”
There was silence for a long moment, with only the
dog’s whimpering filling it.
“I’m fine,” came back the hesitant reply. “It’s really…
hard… to breathe.”
“You’re hooked up to the machine,” mom said, quickly
checking the wiring.
The dog made a louder noise and his nose pushed at
something on the bed.
The line was not connected there.
“Good Dog!” mom said as she got out the rubbing
alcohol to swab it and then put it back together.
“Goooood dog!”
Alex took a long, assisted breath. “Much better,” he
sighed.
“That’s twice, you know,” mom said. “He’s helped
you twice now.”
Alex looked at the dog.
“Thank you Zachary,” he said with wonderful politeness.
Zachary barked once and licked the boy’s hand. Alex
laughed weakly. Color filled his cheeks. He looked
like it was the best present in the world to get covered
in dog slobber.
The days following were long and hard on the family,
but whenever Zachary made Alex laugh there was hope.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months,
and finally Alex was ready for chemo again. This was
amazing to everyone who had heard the doctor’s
prognosis. Surely the boy playing tug-o-war with the dog
out back was not the same one wheeled across the
grass so long ago. Mom knows he wouldn’t be without
the help of that dog beside him. She very firmly believes
that it was God that sent him to them, especially after
learning that Zachary’s previous owners had died in a car
crash the day before he showed up. That canine was
their hero; and now, with a ‘proper’ name, a beloved
member of this patchwork family.
Do you think this will win? I won't know until spring sometime, from what I can tell. Is it good enough?
