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!

Dress Shopping!

Today my words will be short as I am writing this very quickly! I am going dress shopping for +Kristen Long's wedding! She already got her dress but the bridesmaids need theirs! I am very grateful to be a part of this wonderful event! Hope you guys have a good weekend and GO BRONCOS!!!!! Enjoy my stories and I will see you all on Monday!

  

9 January 2014

An Unlikely Friendship

Patricia had had a happy childhood but at the age of 17 tragedy struck her family and her happy life had come to a very quick end. Now she spent her days in her childhood home watching family after family enjoying all that she had enjoyed. This never made her sad, she was just ever so bored at being stuck 17.

A new family had moved in. This was the 6^th one since her death. To Patricia's joy a girl her age was moving into her old room. I wish I could talk to her. Thought Patricia. To her dismay she had never found anyone who was like her when she was alive. She had always been sensitive to “the other side” as they called it in her family. They always thought she was silly for making up such stories. They never believed her but she noticed that throughout the years seeing ghosts became more acceptable.

The new occupier of her room was pretty and looked oddly similar to herself but that wasn't too difficult since Patricia was blond with blue eyes. They were both classic American looking girls. Emma. What a classy name. Patricia loved to spy on her new roommates but she always stayed in the shadows. She really had nothing better to do. The family finished moving very late and Emma finally came to bed where Patricia could observe her by herself.

“Oh Emma if only we could talk to each other,” said Patricia, sad that she had a new friend who couldn't really be her friend.

“Who's here? Who are you? How do you know my name?” Emma said frightened that there was a person in her new room.

“You can hear me? How can you hear me?” Patricia was so surprised! After years she finally could talk to someone.

“Of course I can hear you! You're in my room. Please don't hurt me. I...”

“Hurt you? Why would I hurt you? I couldn't really even if I had wanted to. I am dead. My name is Patricia, but I suppose you can call me Patty if that makes you more comfortable,” Patricia was trying very hard not to scare her new friend. “No one has ever heard me before so I think I am just as shocked as you. I know your name because I have been watching your family move in.”

“Crap. Another house we are going to have to move from thanks to me,” said Emma in a less surprised tone.

“Whoa! You just moved in!” Patricia was nearly devastated that Emma wanted to move. “Why do you have to move?”

Emma explained that since she was little she had seen ghosts. They would keep her up all night long and often times terrified her so bad that they would have to move. She saw evil demons and they would throw her stuff around. No one else in her family saw anything but they believed her because of how fearful she was.

“Let me tell you about those of us that get left here,” started off Patricia, “we really aren't that scary. What happens is some of us get bored. None of your past terrifiers were actually demons. Those follow you and nothing followed you. When we get bored we get creative. We can't actually physically hurt you. Yes we can move stuff but the Big Guy upstairs won't let us throw it at you or touch you.”

“I put my family through all of this for years over bored ghosts? You're kidding, right?” said Emma in her typical teenage tone.

“Ya unfortunately. We can change the way we look. Here let me show you but don't get scared okay” Emma shook her head yes and Patricia began to change into different looks. A cat, a demon, a man and a fat blob ghost.

“Well,” yawned Emma, “That's just unfair. So, Patty, why can I see you and how did you die?”

“You can see me because you have the gift of sight like I had. You'll probably be a ghost when you die too unless you die naturally of old age. As for how I died... that's a long story for another day. You are too tired to stay up for that. Here I will sing you to sleep.”

Patrica sang Emma to sleep with a lovely song and thought about Emma's question on how she died. She should tell her but not yet. She would wait to tell her until this new place felt more like home for Emma. Until then, Patrica would be sure to make sure no teenage boys would sneak into Emma's room so Emma wouldn't face the same fate that Patricia had.

10 January 2014

The Book

I am filled with lots of words and a story that will entertain at least one person. I am full of twists and turns, drama and intrigue, happiness and sadness. Sometimes I sit on tables, sometimes I sit in purses, most of the time I am on a bookshelf observing a room with my comrades. My favorite place to be is in the hands of someone who will love me and remember me even when I am spending my days on a shelf. I start out new and crisp but the more I am loved the more tattered I become. My life isn't always exciting but I bring excitement to the lives of others. This is my story. What is yours?

My love of Paris continues...

I have been fascinated with Europe since I was a very young child. My obsession with Paris began the day I stepped foot onto Parisian soil. I was completely encapsulated with how stunning everything looked. The fashion, the food, even the snobby people made me gush over how French it all was. I ate as many crepes as my little 13 year old body could contain and had the sugar topping of creme brulee toasted right before my eyes by a very proper waiter at an expensive restaurant. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person is beyond what words can express. It is a symbol of the Iron Age. It is strong and bold yet graceful and beautiful. Everything about Paris is romantic and lovely especially the language. French can make anyone weak in the knees and learning it makes you feel like a class above the rest. I could sit here and talk about Paris all day long but I will save that for another post! for now, fall in love with the city on your own and read my stories to pass your time! Au revoir mon amis!

7 January 2014

A Dream Come True

Amelia loved to travel. She lived to travel. Her parents engrained the tradition of exploring the world from the day she was born. Her family went all over the states and all over the world. She had a wanderlust that just could not be quenched. Since she was a little girl her mother taught her to love Paris just like her mother had. They had traveled there before on a mother daughter trip but Amelia was an adult now and wanted a new experience in Paris.

She made plans and gathered her friends. Off they flew from Denver to New York to start their trip. The girls walked Fifth Avenue, they visited Little Italy and Chinatown. The friends took a ride through Central Park and just before they left, they took a tour of the Statue of Liberty that Gustav Eiffel helped built. The next morning they took the long flight to Paris.

Amelia was just in heaven in Paris. She floated in joy along the streets visiting the Latin Quarter, drinking coffee in the cafes that Hemingway wrote in and shopping at the fanciest stores. Her and her friends spent days touring the Louvre and even made a day trip to the Palace at Versailles. Amelia walked along the same corridors that Marie Antoinette walked and imagined the elegant wedding the tragic queen had in the Hall of Mirrors.

On the last warm evening the girls decided to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower. What a sight they saw. All of Paris was lit up in all of its glorious splendor! Amelia was in complete awe of what she saw. She knew why her mother loved this city so much. Amelia leaned over the edge of the railing, closed her eyes and took a deep breath to absorbed all that she could of the moment.

Suddenly the railing disappeared. The tower was disintegrating around Amelia. Shocked and confused she grabbed for her friends but they evaporated into think air. The city lights were gone and she was spinning into a black abyss.

“Amelia. Amelia honey wake up!” Her mother was shaking her awake, “do you know where you are? You were so sick I was letting you rest but you started talking about Paris and you said you were falling? What were you dreaming about?”

“Nothing mom,” She said with a slight smile, “just dreaming is all. I am feeling better I must have been really sick I don't even remember falling ill.”

“You've been in the hospital for a couple days,” said her mother. That is when Amelia realized she was hooked up to an IV and there were flowers all around her. She was so disappointed that the trip wasn't real.

“Thanks for waking me mom. Who are those from?” she pointed at a very large bouquet of multicolored calla lilies, her favorite flower.

“I'm not sure sweetheart. They were just delivered to you today. A few minutes before I woke you up actually. I didn't get to read the name card.”

Amelia's mother handed her the very full envelope to her and she opened it up. There was no name on it anywhere. It only read: It wasn't a dream Amelia, it was a vision. Her are the tickets for the flights and hotels you stayed at. Even the places you visited are in here. Enjoy your real trip to Paris and this time I promise you won't fall off the top of the tower! Au revoir Amelia!

Was she still dreaming? Who in their right mind would pay for this trip? Who made her dream of it? She wasn't dreaming. One thing in her dream she never thought of was how she afforded such an expensive trip. She pinched herself. It hurt. She wasn't dreaming but some power of the universe made it happen.

“What's in the card sweetheart?”

“Mom we are going back to Paris with Auntie Robbi and Auntie Nikki,” Amelia explained her dream and showed her mother the note with the flowers. She realized her friends in her dream were her mother and her mother's best friends, whom she called her aunts. They were her greatest supporters and best friends. Amelia and her mother could not believe their gift from a stranger. They always wondered where it came from but never found out. Nevertheless, they were New York and Paris bound! For real this time.

8 January 2014

Petit Cochon

He did not like his name. It was given to him by his siblings and the other piglets on the farm. Why was he called Petit Cochon? Well, he was the runt of all the piglets and the smallest runt they had ever seen. He really should not have lived. His mother did not so much reject him, she just didn't keep him warm and he wasn't allowed to eat until everyone else had. His sister, who was born at the same time as him, was the only one who loved him and kept him warm.

“I will be a big great pig! I will have lots of little piglets and make our farmer very happy!” said one piglet.

“I will sire many pigs because I am so big and fat. What will you do Petit Cochon? Be tiny and useless? Haha!” squealed another piglet. They were so mean to him and often reminded him that the farmer would eventually put him out of his misery.

One day Petite Cochon and his sister went out to walk the great green pasture. The sun was high in the sky and there were only a couple of pretty clouds on the horizon. A warm breeze rolled through and the two little piggies just loved watching the grass blow in the breeze.

“Petit, why are you crying? It is so pleasant out here and this grass is so soft. What could possibly be causing you enough sadness that you shed tears?” asked his sister. She hated how sad he was and how much the other piglets hurt him with their cruel words.

“Oh sister, I just know that I am not worthy of this beautiful farm. I am a runt and an extra small one at that. They all hate me and I feel such great joy that at least I will have you in my last few days here before the farmer takes me away. I wish I could be one of those beautiful birds on the sky. I wish to fly all over the world and see all the places that are as beautiful as this day. I wish I was colorful and happy. I don't want to be weak and useless anymore I want to be...”

Petit Cochon was about to continue on through tears but suddenly the winds picked up around them. The loose grass and petals from flowers nearby swirled up and about until suddenly a tiny little fairy appeared. She was green at first but kept changing colors. She had enormous iridescent eyes, pointy ears, pointy teeth and a set of wings that fluttered like a hummingbird's. She was wearing an outfit that changed color as well and seemed to sprinkle sparkling dust below her which perked up the grass and everything it touched.

“Sweet piglet, your tears and wishes have called me here,” said the fairy.

“Who are you?” replied both the piglets at once. They were surprised to see such a magnificent tiny creature in their presence.

“I am the wish fairy but you can call me Tana. I am the Fairy Queen and I get the privilege of making things better in the world. I can only do so if someone or something makes a powerful wish and seals it with honest tears of pain and sadness. Sweet piglet, your life is unhappy. The other piglets are unjust and cruel to you, with the exception of your sweet sister,” Tana the Fairy Queen smiled at the piglets after her explanation.

“But I am just a tiny runt. No one wants me not even the farmer who loves his pigs,” cried Petit Cochon.

“Ah yes, a tiny runt you are but it seems a tiny runt you don't want to be? Am I correct that you do not want to be this tiny runt you say you are?” asked Tana.

“No I certainly do not! I want to be a colorful and happy bird! I want to fly!” Petit Cochon was so happy thinking of the birds he so adored that day that he was squeaking and hopping around. Just then Tana spun around him so quickly he didn't even realize what was happening.

“Petit!” exclaimed his sister, “You have wings! You're... you're... A BIRD!” She was in happy hysterics at how beautiful and regal he looked.

“There you go sweet piglet, you are what you so deeply desired. Now go and enjoy the world! Be happy and forget all the mean little piggies you lived with before,” Tana looked on in joy at Petit Cochon, “please do me a favor though and change your name as it no longer suits you, goodbye my dears!”

“WAIT!” Tana the Fairy Queen was about to disappear when Petit Cochon called on her,” What about my sister? Why does she have to stay here with these mean piglets? Can she too be a bird with me?”

“You know little one, I do not often grant wishes for those who have not sealed them with tears but I suppose I will grant your sister her wish she hasn't wished for since she does shed the tears I need,” said the Fairy Queen.

Tana and Petit Cochon looked at his sister who was walking away. A tiny tear rolled down her cheek. It was a goodbye tear but a tear nonetheless. Tana performed her magic to the joy of Petit Cochon and made his sister a similar looking bird to him. The only difference was on her chest. Her coloring looked like a heart to symbolize her kindness with Petit Cochon.

With that Tana disappeared from the piglets turned birds. She had granted their wishes and had to go on to save other sad souls. The siblings danced around and chirped at each other in joy. How glorious they looked. How colorful and beautiful. They were small still but so agile and so mobile!

“Sister I think we need new names what shall we call ourselves?” asked Petit Cochon.

“I will call you Petit Bleu! Then you are still my Petit,” said his sister with a sweet smile, “and what will you call me?”

“Bon Coeur for you are the kind hearted sibling who saved me.”

The siblings embraced in a new way that they had never been able to. They wrapped their wings around each other for a sweet embrace. They smiled at each other and flew off without looking back at the farm. Petit Bleu and Bon Coeur had the adventures they had only dreamed of and found birds similar to them who welcomed them with open wings. They were happy and loved, just as Petit had desired.

A Book Review and Some Stories

A while ago I bought the book "Paris" by Edward Rutherfurd. Now I will be honest, I bought the giant book (it's almost 900 pages) solely because it was called Paris and I am just a little bit obsessed with the city of love (okay I am VERY obsessed). The description sounded interesting enough and it was only $20 at Costco so I bought it. Let me just tell you, the surprise and joy I found in that book was beyond belief. Without giving anything away, because you have to read it no matter how long it is, "Paris" is a 5 star book that anyone could enjoy. It follows the stories of several families over several hundred years and how they cross and uncross paths. From feudal lands of France to the bloody Revolution to the building of the famed Eiffel Tower, the rich history of these families is clearly evident chapter to chapter with everything coming together with WWII. Each chapter is labeled as a year, telling the stories of the French families and brings everything to a finality tying all the stories and families together. In many cases, only the readers know how the families are interlaced. Some of the stories of the families are tragic, some are hopeful but all of it is beautifully written. I cannot wait to read the other books of  similar style written by Edward Rutherfurd and I almost have his complete collection of written works! I really loved this book from start to finish and I really hope the rest of you enjoy it as well. Please consider this wonderful read!

Now that this book review is over the you may read some stories! I hope you enjoy these as well!

5 January 2014

Heartache

His words enter her ears but her heart won't let them penetrate into her thoughts. I just don't love you anymore, I don't know if I ever did, he said to her that warm summer day. She so badly wanted a hug, a touch, anything to prove to him his words were false but he gave her nothing. He was correct, she knew it, he did not love her anymore.

He walked away and her heart shattered into a million pieces. They shared an apartment. He said he already moved his stuff out and would pay his portion of the lease until she could find a roommate. How cavalier of him. She didn't care. She couldn't live there anymore. Not now that her fantasy was gone. She gave him everything, so why did he leave? She could not resolve her pain and lack of an explanation.

She sat on the bench he left her at near their apartment and cried. When she had no more tears she sat some more. Her stomach groaned but she could not eat. He never loved her, she officially concluded, he wasted her time. Her pain grew to anger. What was wrong with her? She was pretty, every told her so. She was well off, she was kind, independent, had a good family and had a great job. He had seemed distant for a while, she often felt like a convenience to him and not a partner. He probably had another girl she thought.

She was never an angry person and she didn't like that him not loving her made her angry. She needed a fresh start. She always wanted to travel but he never wanted to go. Her best friend would beg her 'please just come with me. I'm going to Egypt this spring. You need to see the world.' This was her chance. She had already wasted a good couple years of her early 20's she couldn't waste anymore.

She called her best friend and booked 2 tickets to India. She had always wanted to see the Taj Mahal and nothing would stop her now. Her heart was still broken but now she dreamed of princes of India and Bollywood glamor. She contended that no one would hold her back again from doing everything her heart desired.

6 January 2014

Message In A Bottle

Bailey walked along the beach. She loved the sandy beaches in Florida along the Gulf of Mexico because she could always find beautiful shells there. As she wandered the picturesque white sands something hit her foot. She looked down and realized it was corked bottle with a message inside of it!

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” -Romeo and Juliet

Live honestly, love deeply and spread joy and happiness to all who cross your path. Smile and say hi to the next person you meet, you never know what may change their life.

There was no name attached to this message in a bottle. No identifier of where it came from, only that it was written in English. She walked back home thinking of what to do with this beautiful note. She wanted to pass it forward and decided to head home. When she got to her car she noticed a woman sitting on the bench nearby. She looked sad so Bailey waved at her and said, “Good afternoon!'” with the lovely smile she was known for. The woman smiled back and seemed to perk up.

Huh, maybe the note was right, she thought and drove off to her home. She decided to keep the message in a bottle on her desk to remind her everyday to be a better person. She sat at her desk and rewrote the note with a little addition, This note is rewritten with great joy. It changed my day and my life so I hope it changes yours too. Pass it forward. She popped the new message into a new bottle. She was supposed to visit her cousins in Maryland next week and decided she would toss the bottle out to sea then so it could land in a new place for a new wanderer.

Her and her cousins took a boat out to sea to whale watch and on their way out she threw the bottle into the ocean. With all her hope and desire she dreamed of it having the same affect on someone else as it had on her. The world got to enjoy her lovely smile just a little bit more thanks to the original message in a bottle.

Birthday Ode To Robbi and Other Memories

2 January 2014

The Time I Had the Cops Called On Me Over The Broncos

Now this is all from the mouths of others and not by my memory at all. This is not because I was intoxicated, rather I was only a toddler and unable to remember this event actually happening. I believe I was almost 2 years old and loved watching the Broncos with my dad. He would sit on the couch and I sat on the table in my Bronco outfit.

At this time I did not really know the game but I knew that when my dad was getting excited and yelling that I should too. I would slam my hands and feet on the table and scream, “Elway! Elway!” because I thought that John Elway and the Broncos were one in the same. Suddenly we heard a knock at the door. It was a police officer. He took one look into our apartment and saw me on the table.

“I am sorry sir, a neighbor called and reported a domestic dispute in this apartment. Sorry to interrupt you,” said the officer in my unclear memory.

We later found out the officer went downstairs to the complainant, lectured him about when to properly call police and gave him a ticket. It seemed apparent to the officer that it was a child watching a football game and not a domestic issue. This was the beginning of my undying love for the greatest team in America and I stand by that statement.

3 January 2014

Happy Birthday Robbi

I have many fond memories of one of my best friends but I think my favorite of all time is the day we decided to be boys with Megan Jones at a very slow shift at Elvis. There were days at the theater when the mangers would toss Megan, Robbi and myself together, I think because we worked well together but mostly to punish themselves. They may also have put us all together because Leah Delong was working and they knew we would listen to her as manager and we gave everyone else a significant amount of hell.

Often times, when working during the day shift during the week, it would be snail pace slow. Rushes would be easy enough that we could keep things clean and in between shifts we would be teenagers with nothing better to do but invent fun. One afternoon Megan wanted to be a boy. Without skipping a beat we all got duct tape, probably from Leah, and Robbi and I proceeded to tape down Megan's chest in the woman's bathroom.

This was so much fun that we then taped down Robbi's chest and then mine. We put our work shirts back on and went back behind the counter to check ourselves out as “boys”. Megan looked the best. Tapping her chest down made her broad shoulders even more broad and she had that distinct triangle shape you find on cartoon men. Robbi and I looked lumpy and ridiculous. We laughed a lot at each others expense then realized it did not feel good to tape down our chests with duct tape.

We immediately tore off the tape upon this realization and discussed some serious topic with Megan like being vegan or how much she loved Gerard Butler. For Megan it was some feminist thing, for Robbi and me it was a fun reason to play with tape and screw around. It is one of my fondest memories of my dear friend and sister from another mister. Megan did not remain friends with us but we still enjoy a few giggles in her name.

4 January 2014

The Sky Is Falling

The sky is falling,

The sky is falling,

All over Colorado,

People are screaming

And swerving around the roads.

White, pretty snow is falling

But all over town people keep crawling

Because God forbid,

The sky is falling.

New Year, New Post

So I have been finding that writing a story a day, everyday, is not as easy as it seems. I find myself to be an incredibly creative person the only problem is that skips days every once in a while. I have been loving this creative process so much that I decided to make songs into stories and to start writing more personal things like stories I know about my past or have been told about my past. This has certainly gotten the juices flowing again! Hope you all enjoy! I am behind a bit on posting so I will post updated stories over the next couples days in shorter bits. Thanks everyone for your support!

P.S. If you don't get my Run DMC and Beastie Boys reference then I am very sorry for you. If you can name the songs then we are best friends.

29 December 2013

The Frog in the Bog

There once was a frog

Who sat in a bog.

He ate all the fleas

That came from the seas.

His skin was green,

It gave off a nice sheen,

And he loved to hop

Even when he was wet as a mop.

His home was a lily pad,

Life was never really bad.

Frog was friends with the fish,

There was nothing left to wish,

For frog had such great joy

And that wasn't a ploy.

30 December 2013

Run Boys

Now here's a little story I've got to tell so listen in my head I just want to take 'em down.
Imagination set loose and I'm gonna shake 'em down. Back in the day there was this girl around the way. Well this girl came up to me - she says she's new in town. Went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early, you be illin'. Foot on the pedal never ever false metal. Engine running hotter than a boiling kettle. Now... This girl Mary I knew so well, I met her on the road in a fly hotel. This girl walked by she gave me the eye when she told me how to walk this way.

31 December 2013

Memories

One afternoon, my brother Darren and I were playing in the basement. Mom hadn't had Christian yet and Darren and I were all we had for entertainment. Our favorite pastime was rollerblading around in the basement and playing bonehead dinosaurs (that is a story for another day). This particular day we grew tired of rolling around and decided to challenge each other to a jumping rope contest. Mom had told us not to jump rope in the basement so we wouldn't break anything. Being 6 and 7 we decided that we would be extra careful.

It took one jump of the rope and CRASH I broke the light cover on the ceiling. Our initial reaction was to freeze. Miraculously, mom had not heard the glass breaking so we ran around the basement looking for a broom and a dust pan. In our cute little brains we thought that if we just swept it up that mom would never notice. The problem was we left tiny, bloody footprints all over the basement trying to cover up our crime.

After some time, mom realized she hadn't heard us for a while and quite children are never a good thing. She came downstairs and like deer in headlights we stopped moving as she turned the corner. We were caught red handed, or red footed, and just froze. Mom wasn't even mad because we had cut our feet up so much trying to clean up. She took us into the bathroom, cleaned us up and sent us upstairs to play while she cleaned up the basement. This wasn't the first bloody accident Darren and I had and it certainly would not be the last but at least we had fun playing!

1 January 2014

Past, Present and Future

Three friends sat at a bar together talking. They were Past, Present and Future and they were celebrating the first day of the year. Past discussed the previous year. There was a lot of bad but a few good things happened too. Past mentioned losses of life, vacations, sporting events and graduations. Future chimed in and scoffed at Past for dwelling in the previous year. There were so many days ahead to fill with hope and joy and many new things to do. Future dreamed of reaching new lands and meeting new people. This is when Present spoke.

“You both speak but you don't understand what you speak of. You are stuck on things that have and have not happened and yet you are completely missing the time that is current. Remember the old, hope for the new but live for the now,” said Present. “This is my gift to you, living for today.”

Past, Present and Future sat together and thought for a minute. They realized that they were not living for now and enjoying each other at this moment. They decided then to talk to each other and enjoy the good company. It is a lesson we all could learn.