Zombies and Marie Antoinette

I am not fully recovered from my illness (whatever it was) but I am almost 50 % there I would say. My body at least doesn't ache but my stories definitely do reflect my mental state the past couple of days. I just would really like to taste food again because I really love food.

With that said I think I am ready to give my review of the book I finished. I recently read a series about Marie Antoinette. Over the coarse of three books I spanned the entire life of the tragic queen from birth to death. The first book was authentic and great! I feel it truly captured the naive and youthful Marie. The second book was just decadent! I was entranced the fashion, the parties, the food it was all just fantastic. The only problem I had with this book is the fact that the relationship between Marie Antoinette and Axel von Fersen became a physical one. This progressed into the last book that I just finished titled Confessions of Marie Antoinette. All three books are by Juliet Grey. Now my problem with this physical affair is that it just did not happen. The author claims that the Queen occasionally did have privacy and her closest friends kept her secrets.

With all of the privacy in the world, Marie Antoinette still had zero privacy. Spies were everywhere and Axel was the ONLY person she was accused of not having an affair with. If the people of France had even an inclining of an affair they would have exploited the daylights out of it. Besides that fact, Axel von Fersen fervently kept a diary. In his diary he declared his undying love and affection for the queen but never once mentioned breaching the line into a physical affair. Not only do I not believe they actually had a physical affair based on facts but I also don't believe it happened because of her personality.

Marie Antoinette was known to be a bit prude because of her upbringing in Austria. She was also very devout in her religion and she saw first hand how her father's affairs affected her mother. I feel that maybe she may have had an emotional affair with Axel but I do not believe she crossed the lines of her marriage. I say all of this because the final book of the trilogy focused mainly on Marie's desires for Axel so it was a bit frustrating.

All of that aside I would still give the book 3.5 stars. It really captured the absolute distress and gore of The French Revolution. It was so gut wrenching to here of Princesse de Lamballe's murder (she was torn to pieces and had her head paraded on a stick) by the French people. I could feel the pain of the king's family when they learned of his death and the pain of Marie Antoinette as her children were taken from her. The French Revolution was so tragic and misunderstood and the book deeply conveys that. The books were worth the read if you can get past the affair debacle.

Now that I have spouted my piece, here are my stories for you to enjoy! The last one is by far my favorite! Enjoy!

 

29 January 2014

Oh I Am So Sick

Oh I am so sick,

My head is stuffy,

My throat is sore,

My neck is stiff,

I feel like a wreck.

I drink my juice

And sip some tea.

Scott brings me soup,

Oh how good he can be!

Oh I am so sick,

I hope tomorrow is better.

For now I'll take some NyQuil

And have weird dreams

In my ailing slumber.

30 January 2014

The Zombies

She sits on her couch with tissues piling up. Ugh! Will this headache never cease to exist? She thinks to herself. It has been the 4 hours needed before she can take some more Tussin (yes the store brand, it is way cheaper). She takes her cherry flavored shot with enthusiasm. Maybe my nose will drain now. She grabs some cherry 7up and hits the couch again. I guess I'll take a nap, at least it makes the time go by faster and maybe I will wake up feeling better.

THUD!.......THUD!.......THUD!

She shoots up out of her sleep.

“What the hell was that?!?!” she yells.

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!

It had to be one of the stupid dogs stuck in the bedroom. As a matter of fact where were all the animals? She decided to go upstairs and see what the banging sound was. She was feeling much better, that nap must have really helped! She got to the stop of the stairs and noticed that all the doors were open except the spare bedroom.

“How did they get locked in there? Those dummies! I am coming calm down!” she yelled as she reached the door knob.

She opened the door and ARGHHH SNAP SNAP SNAP! She immediately slammed the door shut again!

“OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! What the... shit! Shit shit shit! I need to go get him!” she yelled out as grabbed her coat and the old sword they got from his grandparents' estate. Zombies were real apparently but how the hell did it get into their home? There wasn't time for those questions. They had watched enough zombie movies, they just needed to be together and they could make it.

She hopped in her car and drove off to his office. On her way she called him and told him what happened. It didn't seem like an outbreak had occurred yet. She had only seen the one in her spare room. The news wasn't reporting anything so maybe they could ditch the city. She found him on the corner where she told him to meet her. He jumped in her car and off they went to the mountains.

They found a cabin deep in the woods. It looked really sturdy so they decided this is where they would stay. He went in first. He had a big knife. He slowly pushed open the door and peeked in, ready to kill any zombie in his way. She was right behind him with her wonky but sharp sword ready to stop a zombie.

“In the kitchen,” she whispered in his ear.

He tapped the wall to get the zombie's attention. It noticed and began to lurch forward. Half its face was gone and its foot was broken so it didn't move fast. He was ready. It got close and he stabbed it in the face. Adrenaline and fear were racing through their veins. They walked up the stairs, ready for another zombie. They reached the top of the stairs. The cabin suddenly seemed older and more torn up than it had a minute ago. He stepped on a board and it creaked, that's when they heard the groans. There were a lot of them. Too many! They had to go, zombies were pouring out of a bedroom.

He shoved one zombie down the stairs and stabbed another. She kicked a couple into rooms as they headed towards a bathroom. They had to get out, the house was infested. He pulled her into the bathroom and shut the door. They pulled the toilet and sink from the walls and tried to block the door. It wasn't working. The zombies were busting through the door.

“Go! Jump out the window! Go to the car! I'll try to follow,” he yelled to her.

“No I won't leave you! We can fight them! We can! There are two of us. We can stab them through the door!” She was frantic. She was not going to leave him in that house with the zombies. She wouldn't leave him alone to die.

“I said go!” he walked up to her, gave her a big kiss and pushed her out the window.

“NOOOOOOOOO!” She bolted upright. She hadn't hit the ground, instead she landed in something more soft. In fact she realized she hadn't landed at all. She was sitting upright on the couch with a raging headache again.

“Man! It was only a dream,” she said out loud. Back to reality, she hugged her dogs and cats and flipped on her TV. I wish my dreams were this good all the time and not only when I take cold medicine. Oh well, maybe this cold will be gone tomorrow. I can't wait to tell him about the zombies! He will never believe how badass we were in my dream! She thought as she searched for something to entertain her headache away.

 

I need chicken noodle soup and a ton of NyQuil

Being sick sucks so I am keeping it short because I can barely keep my head up. My head feels like it is being compressed between two giant hands, I feel like someone punched me in the nose, my throat is sore and my body feels like it was in a car accident (don't worry I wasn't).

The last two stories I wrote are stories documenting events that happened in history on 27 and 28 January. I did not write about a particular person but rather I wanted my readers to view an event through the eyes of a nameless observer of the event. I hope I captured the emotion involved in both stories. Okay I am off to sleep now and hope I wake up not feeling like complete and utter shit.

27 January 2014

The Day I Saw Liberation

We stood at the fence and saw our triumph. With all the joy we felt in our hearts about leaving Auschwitz, our grief and trauma were just too strong to allow us to enjoy being freed. We were still too afraid and too weak to even feel the weight lift off us. We knew the Red Army was coming because the Germans who kept us here had taken every able person away.

“Those who are able are marching from here! Anyone who can walk needs to come forward!” yelled the officers to the camp. They had already begun killing small children and some of the weak but the Russians were coming and they had to leave with their captures. I should have gone. They had stopped using the crematorium because it was broken. The bodies piled up as they tried to destroy us all from memory. My sister knew I was “healthy” and able but she wanted me to be saved because no one knew what they were marching into. Mama was lost to the gas chambers when we first arrived. She was pregnant and pregnant women were useless to the camp. Father was taken away. We saw him sometimes but it had been a while since I saw his ghostly figure.

As they called everyone to the front, my sister hid me amongst the bodies. She told me to stay there until they were gone. I was not to leave or move or cry until all the Germans had left. I stayed there all day. I was too afraid to cry, too scared to be concerned about laying with bodies. The camp grew nearly silent and I waited. I waited until I saw another child walk from a hiding place. All the children left behind walked to the fence and that is when we saw the flag. The large red soviet flag coming over the hill. So the rumors were correct, the Russians were coming. Many children lined the fence now. We all had extra layers of pants and striped shirts draped over us. We had clothes given to us by those who were leaving. Clothes left behind from the dead and sick. The striped outfits were large on us because we were so young and frail.

With our heads covered, we watched as the Russians tore through our fences in our jail. No one said a word. It was too bittersweet to think of all we lost in this time of freedom. No one knew what would happen next but we knew the Nazis were on their last breath. What would happen to our lives Could we grow up normal? Probably not but we survived Auschwitz and on this day of the 27^th of January 1945 we were given our lives back. We were able no longer starved beaten and terrified. We no longer had to fear being shot or gassed for no reason. We held hands that day and walked out of our death camp together. None of us looked back, we only looked forward.

28 January 2014

The Death of Henry VIII on This Day in History

Henry lay on the floor. His breaths were getting fewer and far between. The great and large king wanted to die on the floor with his arms stretched out to resemble Jesus dying on the cross. He was always known as a man of excess and this was no exception. When he was born he was never meant to be king but he would become the greatest if not most notorious king England would see.

As we watched our great ruler fade into abyss, we had to look back on his reign. In my youth I did not know much about Henry VIII except for what was told of me. He was a tall handsome man all his life. He had anyone woman he wanted and he never let anyone get away with speaking ill of him, even if that meant killing his own wives and friends. An athletic man, Henry VIII injured his leg jousting as he was known to be great at. The injury became a festering ulcer that never healed and caused the room we stood in to smell of rotting skin.

His reign was marred by religious discord and health problems. Now he lay on the floor with only a few of us to watch. He a putrid smell emitted from his body. He was too large and too sick to bathe. Weighing well over 137 kg, the once robust and fit king is now an obese and wretched soul. Everyone has paused. A gasp of breath from the king!

“Monks! Monks! Monks!” yelled the king. His dying words and one last breath as the priest closes Henry's eyes and gives prayer. The king is dead. His dying words a possible declaration of his transgressions against the former clergy and monks of the catholic church that he drove out of our country.

We will not inform the public of his death, we need to secure his succession. The great monarch of England is dead and all we have left is a body too fat to move, a sickly son and two daughters whose legitimacy is questionable. We cannot even give him a proper coffin he is too large. A man of power, rage and determination left on his floor to rot. May God rest his soul and may the people remember their once loving king.

Endings

I finished a book and it left me drained. I am working on a review for my next post. It has to wait for a couple of days because I am conflicted about what to write for the review. Here are some stories instead.

25 January 2014

The Fire

We have our dinner

And enjoy our dessert.

You build me a fire,

It feels so warm and cozy.

You lay on my hip

And the cat lays on yours.

Our home is happy,

Sitting by the fire.

26 January 2014

The Masquerade

She entered the ballroom, her gown as extravagant as the rest. With laced sleeves and foam green silk dress she was ready for the party. Her hair was tall and powdered. She designed her hair outfit to be a sea scene, every lady told a story with her gown and hair. Sea shells adorned her powdered wig and her mask was the same color as her dress. She was there to dance and drink, rubbing elbows with the Parisian aristocrats like herself.

Masquerades were all the rage in Paris. It was rumored that even the king and queen came to ones as fancy as this one. She danced for hours with her friends and cousins who escorted her to the party. After a break and several treats, she stood up to dance some more. She looked across the dance floor and that's when she saw him. He was dressed all in black with a deep blue cape, a black hat and a black and gold mask.

His ocean blue eyes met her shamrock green eyes and time stood still. Everyone was dancing and flirting but it is like a path opened up just for them. She couldn't move, his gaze was breathtaking. She looked down in modesty, he smiled as she fanned her face. She looked back up and walked to the champagne table, he followed. He kept a slight distance from her, she was a lady after all.

She went to the dance floor with her friends, he watched. She was so elegant and graceful. She enjoyed his gaze, it made her cheeks blush. If she wasn't wearing make up and rouge her entire face would be red. The night was coming to a close and they had been partaking in this flirty exchange all night yet he never approached. Was he a gentleman or was she not to his taste? She couldn't tell. She couldn't help feeling attracted to his magnetic game.

“Come, come we have to go amie! We have to get home before the sun comes up!” said her friend, grabbing her elbow and pulling her towards their carriage.

“D'accord! D'accord!” she said reluctantly. She turned one last time to look for her stranger but he wasn't there. As she turned around, someone grabbed her elbow.

“Pardon mademoiselle, you forgot this,” it was him! He handed her a pink rose. It had a note wrapped around it wrapped in blue silk ribbon. He kissed her hand and disappeared into the night.

The note read, “Your gaze entranced me, your grace and modesty engulfed my heart and desire. Please send word to me of who you are if you felt the same. Ask for Gaston de Cygne, I would like to know you.” He was the Comte de Cygne's son! She had caught the eye of an aristocrat just like her family had always wanted. She quickly penned a note for her driver to deliver to her masked Comte. Her night was a success and her feet were properly sore. She was off to her warm bed to dream of her handsome stranger.

Not very creative this day.

Today I have no words of wisdom so I will leave you with stories from days past. Enjoy!

23 January 2014

The Spider Who Traveled the World

Spider had spent many days of her life sitting in the corners of the Fennell home. She made a cozy spot near the fireplace and enjoyed her time watching the animals play and the two owners go about their day. Spider loved this life but with all the talk of Paris between the Fennell's and with how much they talked about the world she thought she needed a move.

The Fennell's always talked about far off lands and pointed them out on their map on the wall. Spider decided that she would start her adventure by exploring the U.S.A. She ran around the entire West coast from San Diego to Alaska. She swooped down to the Midwest seeing everything from South Dakota to Kentucky! She saw all of the mountains and lakes of America. Once she finished up venturing from Florida to New England, Spider decided that she wanted to see the original England.

Europe was fascinating for this little spider. She got to see the Netherlands, Paris, Austria, Italy, Spain, she saw everything! For months she traveled the globe. She spent several weeks in Russia, only a couple days in China but she didn't spend any time in Japan because the Misses didn't like the way they treated dolphins. She was having the time of her life!

Eventually Spider made her way down to Africa. She was really thrilled to see this land that was filled with wild animals and jungles. She was scurrying around Africa's desert lands when she heard a scream.

“OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! THERE IS A SPIDER ON OUR MAP!” screamed Javaneh when she noticed Spider running around Africa, “Scott kill it! No Take it outside! Just get it out!”

Spider's trek around the world ended in Africa. She dashed off the world map and into the laundry room to make a new home. She will never forget her journey around the world.

24 January 2014

The Leopard and the Baby Rhino

The leopard had been sitting in the tree all day enjoying the African sun. She was waiting for dusk to hunt but that would not be in the cards for her today. As she sat in her tree she saw a great commotion. A large rhino was thundering through the horizon. Suddenly there was a BANG BANG BANG and the rhino fell to the ground below the tree. Leopard stayed extremely still. She knew that the only reason the rhino fell was because of poachers. If they saw the leopard she would be taken as well.

“I can't even eat this one. What leopard can carry a rhino into a tree? If they insist on killing creatures they could at least be less wasteful. Maybe the lions will get it, they have more mouths to feed. Such a sad waste,” thought the leopard.

She watched the poachers take the enormous rhino's horn and then left it there to rot. She couldn't stay there. Lions and hyenas would be there to devour the sacrificial beast and they could attack her. As she crawled down the tree she heard a faint sniffling noise. Frozen, she watched and listened. Just then a little baby rhino walked out from the grass.

“Mommy? Mommy? Are you okay?” cried the little baby rhino.

“Your mommy is in a forever sleep,” said the leopard to the baby rhino, “don't worry I won't harm you. I have been a mommy too. How old are you little baby?”

“Only a couple days,” sobbed the slightly frightened rhino, “She heard people and made me hide in the grass. They never knew I was there.”

The leopard didn't know what to do. She had seen people take her babies before and she had seen other leopards poached by humans but she had never seen a newborn baby rhino orphaned. She decided that she would care for the baby.

“Your mommy was a good mommy and the winds have whispered her wishes to me. She wants me to take care of you and help you grow. I will protect you while you eat and drink.”

“You are not scary like the other leopards mommy warned me about. Can I call you mommy now?” asked the baby.

“I suppose you may but that means you must listen to me when I tell you to do something so I can keep you safe.”

She kept her word to the little rhino. At night she snuck into a human camp and stole a bottle of goats milk for her new baby. She did this for a couple days until he could feed himself off the grasses. When he ate or drank water she would stay in the tree and keep a look out for anyone or anything who could hurt him. As he grew bigger, he began protecting her while she hunted and ate.

They had a great love and respect for each other. The leopard had her own babies and the rhino would play with them. They could scratch him and nip at him to his amusement not break any skin. He would take them for rides on his back and would protect them. His new leopard mom allowed him to venture off for a couple days, he didn't like being gone long. He always made sure she ate and hid before he went about. The rhino grew to be the largest and grandest rhino Africa ever saw thanks to his mother, the leopard.

An Interesting Experiment In Lyrical Storytelling

So I decided to ask my friends and family for some help in one of my stories. I asked for ten songs and I would turn those songs into a a short story. I got amazing results and more songs than I could actually add to my story (don't worry, those of you who got left out I will add you to the next story I do in the same style). It was also such a fun experiment to try! Looking at several different songs and finding one story to tell in them is very difficult but really rewarding! I hope you all enjoy it!

Also, as a side note, today my favorite author told me (yes me personally) that I made her day. I basically told her that was an amazing and talented writer that I really looked up to. She told me thank you (she even added my name!!!!) and that I had made her day! I was and still am beyond thrilled about this. To have someone you look up acknowledge you is just a great feeling! If you would like to read any of her books her name is Michelle Moran. She writes historical fiction but in a way that makes you feel like you are the person telling the story, not the "boring" stories people often think of when it comes to history. If you like a good story, historical or not, please pick up one of her books. My personal favorite is Madam Tussaud but the rest are fantastic as well!

Okay everyone here is your fill of story time! Thanks for reading everyone!

21 January 2014

A Broken Girl

She was a gem hidden in the rocks,

He saw her for what she was

But didn't appreciate her worth.

As a young girl,

He played and rode bikes,

She always craved his love

But that was as trustworthy as the wind.

His lies cut like a knife,

Mean words like slaps to the face

When he didn't get his way.

In and out of her life,

Empty promises spew out

With every spoken word,

He manipulated and disappointed

Never taking ownership of pain he caused.

She was a gem,

Too scared to come out from the rocks,

Broken by a careless father

A damaged heart to the end.

22 January 2014

A Lyrical Love Story

Lost in the sky, clouds roll by and everyone who knows us knows we're fine with this. We didn't come from money. Because even when I was flat broke you made me feel like a million bucks, you do and I was made for you. I wish I could see the angels faces when they hear your sweet voice sing the song that angels sing. The spell that calls Alive! Alive! Alive with love, alive with love tonight! In many ways I'm the burden that divides us from the light. In many ways you're the halo that keeps my spirit alive. No that isn't all, that isn't all. The book of love is long and boring, and written very long ago. It's full of flowers and heart-shaped boxes, and things we're all too young to know. All along the banks of the royal canal before we hit the ground running on empty stories we've been told, we are wild, we are like young volcanoes. When you're finally in my arms look up and see love has a face. I won't give up on us even if the skies get rough. I'm giving you all my love.

The End

In no particular order, here are the songs I used: I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz, Alive With the Glory of Love by Say Anything, The Story by Brandi Carlile, Not Alone by Red, The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel, Warbrain by Alkaline Trio, The Auld Triangle by The High Kings, Petals by Honorary Title, The Gathering by Delain, Pull Me Under by Dream Theater, Go Rest High on the Mountain by Vince Gill, The Chosen Pessimist by in Flames and Royals by Lorde.

Super Bowl Bound!

The Broncos are off to New York for the Super Bowl to face the Seahawks! On all accounts I am thrilled! Not only did the Broncos win on my little brother's 18th birthday but one of the Seahawks players (I am not giving him the honor of naming him) decided to go on an immature and ridiculous rant. He is also known for getting in the faces of players he has beat and talked down to them. This makes me so badly want a Broncos win just to put this kid in his place. Now with that said let's get ready for the Super Bowl in less than 2 weeks! GO BRONCOS!!!!

While you wait, here are some stories!

19 January 2014

Baby Brother

When I was 7 I was a very happy child. My parents played with me and my brother Darren was my best friend. We would spend countless hours causing mayhem and chaos for my mom. In mid to late 1995 that would all change because that would be the day my mom would tell us we were getting a little brother or sister.

I remember my mom sitting us on the couch. Her belly was doing flips that day and so she thought she would tell us then that she was pregnant with our little brother or sister.

“Feel my tummy. There is a baby in there,” said my mom as best that I can remember.

“Mom there isn't a baby in there. There can't be. Mom you're just fat,” yes I said that to my mom. Darren and I flat out just refused to believe there could be something that would be added to our dynamic.

As time went by, we began to accept the new addition to our family. For me, my new little sibling would be a living doll I could dress up and feed and play with. I just knew I was going to have a sister and I was excited!

I don't remember the day very well. I was too young to understand what labor was and what happens when a baby is born. There were some complications. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the babies throat and my new little sibling had lost oxygen for a while. Thankfully, Christian was okay and on the 19^th of January 1996 I got to meet my new little brother. I was so excited! Don't get me wrong, I was super upset he wasn't a girl. I very vaguely remember telling someone they were wrong about him being a boy. He was mine nonetheless.

Darren and I got a new little buddy this day 18 years ago today. I think my mom expected us to be more excited about the news that he was going to be our sibling but we grew into the old sibling roles and learned to love it but I will never forget calling my mom a fat liar (from the mouth of babes) when she told us she was pregnant, I certainly hope she did though because he was a great gift that she gave us.

20 January 2014

The Vain Peacock

Prince Peacock lived in an expansive villa in a rich Indian city. He shared the villa with many other peacocks but no other peacock looked like Prince Peacock. He was a rare white peacock with pink in the eyes of his feathers. Everyone who saw Prince would express how beautiful he was. He would make a point to strut in front of the people with his extravagant tale trailing behind him so that people could always see how gracious and lovely he was.

The rich delegate who owned and named Prince decided one day that his peacock would love a mirror at its level to strut in front of. Prince just loved this. He would spend countless hours staring at himself in his new mirror. Prince would open and close his feathers so he could see the beauty everyone else gets to see.

“How gorgeous I look! The pink is so fine today. Everyone loves my unique feathers,” he would say to himself. His vanity knew no bounds.

One day a tragic event happened in Prince Peacock's villa. A fire had broken out and everyone was running out to safety. The animals were running away yelling for Prince Peacock to leave as well.

“I will just stay put. Someone has to protect the villa from looters. The fire department will arrive eventually and they will see me in all my grace. Plus the fire makes my feathers look glorious. Look how spectacular I look in the flames,” he exclaimed.

The fire was finally put out several hours later. The delegate went through his home to see what could be recovered if anything. Inside his expansive villa he didn't find much left. The only thing really still standing was the mirror he had installed. It had a large crack down the middle and in front of it was Prince Peacock, still staring at himself. All that was left were black ashes and bones. His obsession and vanity blew away with a gust of wind that took his ashes.

Happy Birthday Baby Brother!

He's not so much a baby anymore seeing as he is 18 today but he will always be my baby brother. Today is also the epic AFC championship game! It'll be a good day!

17 January 2014

I Miss You

I miss you,

Oh, how I miss you.

Like the daisy misses the sun,

Like blades of grass miss the rain,

And the birds miss flight in the sky,

I miss you.

I miss your heart beating close to mine,

I miss the smell of your day

And how my body fits with yours.

I miss the way you play with my hair

And the way your eyes gaze upon mine.

Tomorrow you come back to me,

Our love reaching no bounds,

And with one deep kiss,

My heart will feel like you never left.

Oh my sweet love,

I miss you.

18 January 2014

The Proud Lion

There once was a young lion who lived with his family in the heart of Africa. He was unlike the other lions because he grew bigger and had a mane that grew faster and darker than the rest. Everyone always told him how handsome he was and he was very proud of his looks. With his nose in the air and his head held high, he pranced around the savannah like he owned it.

“Proud lion, so glorious, so handsome,” cawed a bird.

“Yes look at this illuminating creature,” cawed another.

Smugly, the proud lion walked by with a smirk on his face. He knew he was the best and would run day be the king of this land.

“Careful proud lion, even the greatest fall,” cawed a third and wise bird.

“Ha! Bird you know nothing! I am the biggest. I am the strongest. I am the best looking. I am certainly the best!” just as lion said he was the best there was a loud CRASH! BANG! SNAP! “What... what happened where am I?!?!” roared the proud lion, “let me go now! Don't you know who I am?”

“Look at this lion! He is so beautiful! He will make an excellent addition to our zoo,” said the zoologist who had trapped the lion, “listen to his vocals! Even his roar sounds regal. He is definitely the king of the jungle!”

The proud lion was so involved in his vanity and showing off all there was great about him, he never took a moment to look down. If he had he would have seen the signs of danger all around him. The ropes, the trap door, the faint odor of people. All of these things kept the other lions away but this lion's pride made him blind. Now he is a king, a king in a tiny cage with no throne to sit upon. The end.

I am at a loss for words these days

It is not really a bad thing. Most would say I talk too much. Well I suppose I should say most who don't like what I say believe I talk too much. Anyway, here I go talking too much. I have found that this journey of being a writer is extremely cathartic. On one hand I would LOVE for just one thing I wrote to be published. i could care less if I made any money off of it, I just want someone I do not know to be affected by the words that I wrote. It would just make my heart so happy. On the other I feel extremely blessed that my close family and friends get to see who I really am.

Until recently, I have been a mere shadow of myself. For a very long time I was weak and insecure. I needed constant approval and acceptance because I had issues with some things I saw and was a part of in my childhood. Lucky for me I married a man who not only accepted me for who I was but brought out the greatest part of me. If you don't already know him, his name is +Scott Fennell and he is the most intelligent, kind, respectful, loving person I have ever met. I am so blessed to have him in my life. He pushes me to be my greatest and has been my greatest supporter when it comes to being a writer. My life's work is dedicated to him and I think that shines through in some stories!

Speaking of stories here are Friday's updates! (Yes I know technically it is Sunday but I am pretty sure I will be late to my own funeral so it is okay.) Hope you all enjoy!

 

15 January 2014

Kindness

The little boy went to school everyday. He had holes in his shoes. His mommy put him in extra socks, kissed his head each morning and promised that when she was caught up with bills and groceries that he could have new shoes. He loved his mommy and knew she worked very hard. He knew she would give him the world if she could. His back pack was tattered and still the one he used in 1^st grade. Now he was in 4^th grade.

Sometimes kids made fun of him. They pitied him because he was quiet and didn't smell very good. He always sat alone at lunch with the same PB&J sandwich and 2% milk his mom always packed him. It is all they could afford. Regardless, his smile never faded.

The little girl in his class did not know she was kind. She just knew that her family could afford things the little boy's couldn't and she did not understand why that was. To her it was unfair. She asked her parents to help. They said it was a family matter and they couldn't help so she asked her teacher and the principal to help. All she wanted was to get him new shoes so his feet could be warm. She had just the right ones in mind too.

What the little girl did not know was how much her kindness affected the hearts of the adults at her school. They had seen the boy but they never once thought to help him. Their teacher bought him the shoes the girl picked out. The principal bought him a new winter coat. The school counselor had a friend renting a house near the school and worked out a deal for the boy and his mom to live their at a price just for them. The music teacher got the mother a spa package and the nurse got a grocery store gift card. They all pitched in for a backpack filled with the best supplies.

The principal called in the mother and her son as well as the girl and her parents. He presented the mother and son with the gifts from all of the staff and a few parents as well. The boy was so excited that his family was rewarded with all of these gifts. His mom could rest and know he was okay now. The mother was overwhelmed with gratefulness and joy at the kindness.

“Why us? Why of all people in need do you help us?” asked the mother.

The adults were dumbfounded. They didn't really know. They just had to help. It felt good to help. The answer came from the sweet little girl.

“Because never once does he complain,” she pointed at the little boy, “ he loves his sandwich and the love that is put into it. He tells everyone that his mommy works hard so he can have that sandwich. I am not always happy but everyday I come to school and see this boy who has not as much as me but he is always happy. The sky could be cloudy but he never misses the ray of sun shining through so I thought he deserved a nice pair of shoes for that. I just knew you grown ups could help!”

The adults realized that the reason they never noticed the boy was because his outlook on life did not match his old shoes. They also realized that because of his positive demeanor and the little girl's kindness that they were missing out on a lot in life. The tender hearts of children opened the eyes and hearts of grown ups with just a simple gesture that day all thanks to kindness.

16 January 2014

The Glutenous Squirrel

Squirrel loved spring time. With spring time came sun and warmth and nest of all the birds. Oh the stupid birds who twitted around from bird feeder to bird feeder that the people put up. Now this particular was not much of a hard worker. In fact, most of the knew him as a mooch and con artist. The least amount of effort he could put into getting the nuts and seeds the better.

This spring squirrel noticed that there was one particular neighbor who hung several feeders from the trees. This person even hung squirrel feeders. The only problem was that these feeders were way up in the trees and squirrel kept a luxurious apartment at the base of the tree.

He racked his brain for days trying to figure out how to get the nuts from the feeders. He heckled other squirrels but only got the occasional snack thrown at him. One day he noticed that the person who fed the neighborhood birds and squirrels left all the food in the shed and on this day that irresponsible person left the shed open. It was like the grand opening of a new all you can eat buffet and squirrel was the first in line.

Squirrel walked over to the shed so as not to attract attention. He certainly was not going to share his spoils with the other animals. After making sure the cost was clear, squirrel walked through the doorway to see that all his squirrel dreams had been answered. The person left ALL of the bird seed and nuts on the floor of the shed. Squirrel chirped and danced around the shed gathering as much as he could. He thought about taking it back to his home but the other animals would see him so he stayed there and devoured everything he could get his hands on.

Squirrel ate his way into a serious food coma. When he woke up later in the night he looked around him. The scene was truly incredible. Plastic was everywhere. Peanut shells were scattered as far as the eyes could see. Squirrel had managed to eat both bags of bird seed and squirrel feed in the shed that day. He was as plump as a pie and felt like the world had knocked him out. He knew he needed to get home and sleep off his meal but his house was across the small yard.

In his best, lazy effort, squirrel spent several hours crawling his fat body home. Inch by inch he went and by 8 am he was half way there. Squirrel decided he needed a break. He was in the clear because certainly by now the owl had gone to sleep. In the middle of the yard squirrel laid on his back and soaked up the warm morning rays of sunshine.

“Ah at least I can lay here for a while and be free of danger. I will pass my time watching the birds fly overhead,” he said to himself out loud, “I must still be very full and not very lucid because that group of birds is getting awfully close to me...”

Those were squirrels last words. He thought he was free of danger but really squirrel had made himself the giant target of the neighborhood hawk. Hawk saw a plump and unmoving, yet still alive, meal laying in the yard and just had to act. He swooped down and grabbed up the glutenous squirrel.

“What a yummy meal this warm, juicy squirrel will make!” screeched the hawk in excitement, “He must have been a late hibernator because I have never seen a meal so enormous and full! My family shall eat gloriously tonight!”

Squirrel didn't give the usual protest that an attacked animal would. He had fallen into yet another food coma. And this is the end of the glutenous squirrel.

I dedicate this last one to Papa (Ted, Scott's grandfather). he would love the fate of this dumb squirrel. I just know it!

Late

Sorry this is late everyone! I started to post it but +Scott Fennell  came home early from work to head off for a business trip so I got distracted! Here are my two stories and you will get another two tomorrow (Friday)! Hope you all enjoy!

13 January 2014

The Scientist

The scientist went to his lab everyday. Everyday he brought his bog of supplies, his coffee and his umbrella. Everyday he walked a block out of his way to avoid the light. This saved him exactly one minute of his day but he missed the beautiful view of the city when he did this. Instead he saw the ugly industrial, graffiti filled view. One day he left his apartment and the little neighbor girl was outside.

“Mr. Scientist, why do you take the way to your job that you do everyday? You miss the pretty sunrise every morning and risk getting robbed with your route,” asked the little girl named Missy.

“Well Missy you see being a scientist I have found the logical route to save me an extra minute everyday,” replied the scientist.

“When you take your route though you don't get to enjoy life like the rest of us happy citizens do. You miss out on watching Mrs. Baker walk her corgis. You miss old Mr. Archer feed the birds. Most of all you miss the way the sun shines off of the art pieces in the park every morning. Instead you ration to see sad sights, not live a happy life and risk being harmed. Mr. Scientist I thought you were smart but I see you are too busy to live. All for one minute. Goodbye mister. I wish you could enjoy the walk I take one day,” Missy waved goodbye and walked with her dad.

Th scientist was dumbfounded by the 7 year old he encountered every morning. She was right. He often feared of being mugged and hated the sites he had to see. That morning he decided to take the extra minute walk. He watched the funny corgis prance around and bark while Mrs. Baker walked them. He watched old Archer feed the insatiable pigeons on Main Street. He saw the sun make the art pieces in the city part look like they were dancing in the morning sun. He was awake and alive for the first time in his life.

The next day he left a note for Missy's parents on her door step it read, “Your sweet child opened my eyes and helped me live my life for the first time. She said that she thought I was smart but that I wasn't acting like it. She changed my view on this world so please take this gift.” The scientist went to his boss the day before and named his new lab the Benson Lab after Missy's family and set up the Missy Scholarship because only through the eyes of a child could he really appreciate the world enough to do the work that mattered. He never saw his city the same way again.

14 January 2014

Diary of Buddy

Ongoing Winter Entry

The days are so short and they are terrifyingly cold. My people make fun of me all the time for shaking constantly but they have sweaters and coats and socks. I just have short fur surrounding my body. They do occasionally give me warm little sweaters to wear but then complain about the smell of wearing it day after day.

I hate when they make me go outside. I still, very stupidly, get excited to prance around outside and pee on everything but as soon as I dash outside I regret that decision. My memory is very short term when it comes to wanting to go out and I forget, a lot.

These winter days I do not make entries often because it is just too chilly. I prefer to lay in bed all day or sit as close to my people as I possibly can to take their warmth. I pray that winter will end soon so I can enjoy the warm sun and soft grass again. Until then I will just look at my people very sad like and hope they can read my thoughts about this deep freeze. See you in the spring.

Go Broncos!

Yesterday the Broncos did their job and put the San Diego Chargers in their rightful place. Net week we take on the New England Patriots. That will be a tough game but we can do it!

Now as promised here are my stories from over the weekend! Hope you enjoy!

11 January 2014

The Night Patricia Died

It had been several weeks since Emma had moved in and Patricia was finally feeling like it was time to tell Emma what happened. They had formed a tight bond and Emma had kept her new friend a secret so her family wouldn't get unreasonably scared. Emma's family began to feel like they were home because there was no activity in this house as far as they knew. Yes, the time was right.

“Emma, I think it's time,” said Patricia in a somber tone.

“Oh no you're leaving me aren't you?! Please don't go Patty! I don't know what I did but I will change. You make me feel sane,” Emma had tears in her eyes and Patricia was confused momentarily.

“ No, no, no! I meant it is time to tell you how I died! I'm not leaving!” Patricia really wished she could hug her friend. She missed that feeling the most.

“Oh, okay. Wow, so ya um sorry,” said Emma with an embarrassed chuckle, “Okay I am ready now that you are.”

“The year was 1963,” Patricia was very nostalgic, “my family had just moved into this house and I was so angsty about having to leave Vermont to move here for my dad's job. We had moved cities before but we had never moved states and I was not all that pleased to leave Max behind.”

“Who was Max?” interrupted Emma.

“He was the boy I thought I was gonna marry,” Patricia paused and smiled at the thought of her high school love. He was devastated at her murder but became just the type of guy Patricia knew he would be, “boy were we sweet for each other. Daddy hated it and moving gave him the best excuse to separate us. Life was pretty mundane here. My little brother Joey and I started school a couple weeks after the move. Mom dropped us off and that was that. The days passed, we made friends and the year was going okay.

The 4^th week of school is when my life changed forever. I went with new friends to the football game and that is where I met Charlie. Charlie was like a warm ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. His hazel eyes and shaggy hair could make any school girl's knees weak. I was instantly smitten. He was a senior and I was a junior. He was the hot varsity player and I was the weird new girl. Through the grape vine I found out he liked me.

One night he came by my house and threw a rock at my window. That was the first night I snuck out. We went to the park by my house and made out in the slide. A couple nights later we went back. Several nights after that he took me to lover's lane. He was constantly pressuring me to go further and I just couldn't. My parents had taught me I should love someone before I give them my body. I hadn't even been with Max and sneaking around just wasn't how I saw things happening. This really ticked him off but he wouldn't even acknowledge me at school so I wouldn't give in just to be given up.”

Emma was very concentrated on Patricia's story and Patricia was so nervous about continuing. She didn't want to feel the pain again and she didn't want Emma to be scared in her home. She was safe but would this make her feel unsafe now? Patricia decided Emma needed to know. She had already gone this far.

“One night I got a tap on my window. At this point, Charlie and I had a routine. He would leave me a note in my locker and I would be ready for him to pick me up. This was not a night he told me he would be here. It was 3 am and I was groggy. To my surprise, he was AT my window. He was tapping on the glass because he on a ladder at my window. I opened the window and I whispered for him to go away. My parents were asleep and so was I. He was cute but I was getting tired of being pressured and used. I went to go shut the window and suddenly I saw a flash of white. He had punched me in the face and grabbed me before I fell and made any noise.

When I woke up I was confused. I looked around but I couldn't really move. I realized then that I couldn't feel. I felt like I was floating but not totally detached from my body. I figured out how to look around and when I turned my head I saw evil. Charlie had gotten what he wanted. He clearly wasn't used to being told no. Afterward, he decided to kill me. When I finally came to that is what I saw. I got to watch him wrap my belt around my throat and take me from my family.

I was so angry. I was screaming and thrashing around the room but nothing was happening. I was there but I could do nothing about it. He took my underwear, wiped down the window, took off down the ladder and walked away to his truck. I sat on my floor and cried. The next morning, Joey found me. My family was broken. The police did their investigation but at that time there wasn't much they could do. Not like now. My killer got away and eventually, as my case got cold, my family moved away. That, my friend, is how I died.”

Anymore, Patricia didn't feel upset about what happened especially now that she had Emma. It was the past that she could do nothing about. At least she got to be with her family as they grieved even though they had no idea. Now she just had to wait for Emma to react. Surprisingly, Emma's reaction wasn't as intense as Patricia expected. It was really her lack of reaction for a couple of minutes that was truly surprising.

“So Charlie was never caught?” asked Emma.

“Nope. He was at my funeral and made sure to be there, physically, for my friends as they cried. He even sent my mom flowers.”

“Do you know where he lives?”

“Ya,” chuckled Patricia, “He lives 2 houses down with his wife. I think he wanted to stay close, ya know, just in case.”

“Okay so hear me out,” started Emma, “I look like a modern version of you right?”

“Ya...” What was Emma getting at? Why did she mention her looks? Patricia was super confused.

“Teach me how to dress like you and look like you. Maybe I can 'haunt' him into confessing. I haven't met that neighbor yet. I only know our closest neighbors and if I change into you maybe I can 'convince' him to confess or else. I mean, we cannot let him get away with this.”

Patricia thought about it for a minute. It could work and her family would finally get some peace.

“Okay. I'll teach you to be me. Let's get that son of a bitch!”

12 January 2014

Captain William the Frightful

The war had been raging on for many years before Marcus Treeborn was even born. His never really knew anything other than random battles and food shortages on occasion. Most of the time his family just lived it. They had moved away from the city because it was near the sea where most of the fighting had mostly taken place. The Treeborn family lived in relative peace considering the raging war.

Peace was short lived for Marcus. One day his mother sent him out to get supplies for his father's shop. The Treeborns were a family of woodworkers and His father made spare parts for boats and ships. He used to build the ships but living away from the sea made that impossible. As Marcus was heading home he noticed something was wrong. He couldn't hear the goats and chickens his family owned. The horses were running towards him and had soot on them. Then he noticed the smoke.

Billowing from above the trees, the smoke was coming from his home. He dropped everything he had and listened. He had not been gone but a couple hours! Marcus walked through to the edge of the woods and hid behind a tree to see the valley his home was in. Everything was destroyed. His home was still on fire, all of the animals were slaughtered and the burnt bodies of his parents were hanging from an impromptu scaffold near the house. The war had reached his doorstep just as his family feared.

“There is a child who lives here! Find the child and kill it. Take the meat from the animals and let's settle here for the night,” yelled the man who seemed to be in charge of the enemy.

“Move out men! All directions! We may be looking for a boy based on his whore mother's expression haha!” Another soldier in full armor guided the fighting men to search for Marcus.

He had to run but where would he go? Marcus knew he needed to get away fast and decided to take one of the horses.. He saw his mother's horse and calmed the beautiful black horse down enough to jump on her. He rode as hard and fast as he could until he reached the coast.

“Go! Get!” He yelled at his horse as hot tears streaked his cheeks. His family was gone and he needed to hide.

Marcus walked along the cliffs of the coast staying as out of view as possible. In the distance he saw a house and he needed food. There was an elderly couple but in this war you never knew who your enemy was so he approached with caution. He snuck up to the window and peeked in. There were some meat pies, bread and food. The couple were out on their dock so Marcus snuck in. H found a bag and took a meat pie, a couple apples and a loaf of bread. He didn't want to leave the family with nothing. Once he had what he needed, he went on his way. He was 20 feet away when he heard the old man.

“You'll need some warm beer to go with all of that boy,” yelled the old man. Fear froze Marcus's heart, “if you come back I'll give you some.”

Terrified, Marcus walked back full of shame and fear.

“I am so sorry sir. I meant no disrespect. My family was killed by...” does he dare say the enemy? He thought he might as well try. Maybe this old family will take pity on him and not turn him in, “the enemy. I have been traveling all day and night and needed some food until I can find a boat to get away.”

“Well son you could have just asked. Don't be afraid of us. We stay out of that war. They are all animals. Come inside now and let's eat some of that food you took!”

The elderly couple were very nice. Madge and John fed and clothed Marcus and told them their story. He explained to them what happened to his family. He told them why they lived so far from the capitol. He also told them he wanted a boat to try to jump onto a ship and find work somewhere far away. After dinner and conversation, the three had some warm beer and went to sleep. It was decided that Marcus would take their little row boat in the early morning, along with some food and water and he would try to find a good ship.

Marcus thanked the elderly couple and he prayed to the gods that they would be safe while the war raged on. He was so full of fear but he rowed as hard as he could until he could not see the land and then he rowed some more before he finally ate some bread and fell asleep.

“Ey boy! Wake up! Get up get up!” Marcus heard laughter and felt a splash of water on his face.

“What? Who... um...” Marcus was dreaming of mermaids and life on the sea so he was very confused by his sudden awakening then he remembered that he was on the run. Marcus sprang to his feet and stood guard to the amusement of the men on the ship.

“Calm down little mouse. We aren't going to eat you! Haha! You were fast asleep boy. So fast asleep you didn't even wake when we pulled you aboard. What is your name little mouse boy?” asked the man who seemed to be in charge.

“I am Marcus Treeborn of the woodworking western village. Who are you”

“Ay a smart boy! I think that is even the lads name, men! Well boy you are on the great ship of Captain William the Frightful and I am your captain,” Captain William tipped his hat at Marcus with a cunning smile and everyone cheered.

“You're a pirate? How can you be a pirate? I don't see any treasure. You speak so elegantly. You're all dressed very nicely...”

“Ah so you think we are all blubbering morons who steal booty and say argh do ya?” Asked William.

“Well ya I suppose I do.” What kind of pirates are these? He didn't even know pirates were real and he certainly didn't think they spoke well or dressed well for that matter.

“Lad we are gentlemen. We live by a code, still the pirate code but we dare to be men not idiots. We steal from other ships and travel the West seas in search of treasure but we do not kill unless we are in grave danger. We prefer to act frightful now be frightful, hence my name. Now, why were you floating around the seas just waiting to be scooped up by probably villains?”

Marcus told his story again and of his desire to jump onto a ship and find work somewhere far away.

“Boy you have reached the right place. You may work on this ship but you must work hard for your spot or we will drop you back off on land. Someone bring me a mop and bucket for the kid. Now we just need a new name for you. Something scary so people know you are a pirate,” said Captain William, “any ideas men”

“How about Arakkus the Invincible?”

“What do you know men? The lad came up with his own name! Well Arakkus, invincible is a name no one here has. Welcome to the ship young mate! Now swab the deck matey and earn your keep,” Arakkus did as his captain asked with pleasure. A new life was given to him and one day he would avenge the death of his parents, if he could get the help of his new crew mates. Until then, he would learn to be a pirate like the great Captain William the Frightful!