Funny little Comic

Short (long) Story

Today I was bored and had nothing to do, so I set up at my mom's computer and started writing. I had an idea I'd start (another!) fantasy story. As it ends up it is a rather pointless, odd sort of short story. I like the way it reads, and it's not much good for anything else, so I thought I'd post it. :)

PS I realized after I'd finished it that "Faramere" is almost identical to "Faramir" from Lord of the Rings. Seriously! I really wasn't copying! O_O The name sort of just popped into my head when I was trying to pick a name for the world. I can't believe I actually spelled it almost exactly the same too, because I have never read the Lord of the Rings. Anyway... I'm just going to leave it the way it is -- I can't think of anything else! :(

Miss Sickle's Story

The front of the house appeared normal enough, with a little flower garden and a gravel path going to the door. Through the curtains in the front windows the shadow of a little boy and and old woman could be seen. Madeleine Terner frowned. Dylan had promised to be home early, to help her clean the house before their parents got home. When he didn't come home at four thirty Madeleine had cleaned the house herself. "Ever since the old women moved into St. Laurence a few months ago, Dylan has been over here for hours helping her with her garden." Maddie thought resentfully. "What does he like about her so much?" Personally, Madeleine found the old woman creepy, with her low, whispering voice and deep blue eyes that seemed to stare right into your very soul. Walking to up to the weatherbeaten door Madeleine knocked loudly. Soon enough it was opened, and the little bent, aged woman stood grinning up at her through large, cracked glasses.

“Madeleine, my dear, what took you so long? We’ve been waiting. Come in.” She said. Feeling a little discomfited, Maddie stepped in.

“Miss Sickle, I came for Dylan…”

“Yes, yes, Dylan. Much wisdom that boy holds in his head. This way.” The elderly woman led Maddie through a short, dimly lit hallway. The old pictures that lined the walls were of stern, forbidding old men and women, who looked down their crooked noses at her through gloomy, scowling eyes and seemed to whisper as she passed. The peeling, faded flowery brown wall paper, shelves filled with dusty & cracked leather bound books, and the dim light provided only by candle sticks gave the house a lonely, secret air to it, making all who entered quiet and subdued. Soon they reached a door, and Miss Sickles pushed it open, exclaiming, “Your sister is here now, Dylan.” Despite Maddie’s protestations, soon the old woman had her seated in an old, musty arm chair, in her hands a hot glass of hot chocolate despite the warm weather and in arm’s reach, a plate of ginger snaps. In the hearth a fire was roaring, the only light of the room. Maddie was stifling.

“Now that we are all here we can start.” The woman grinned.

“Excuse me,” Madeleine began.

“Hush, hush Madeleine Ceara Terner. We have much to talk about.” Taking a cookie, the old woman began before Madeleine could say a word. “Faramere, Madeleine, is a world, not so faraway as some people would like you to think. Once upon a time, the unicorns ran free in it, with the centaurs and talking beasts and singing elves. People could be happy there like in no other place, and Peace reigned. But no good thing lasts forever, as the saying goes. From the universal happiness and harmony, rose a monster, called the Orc. No one ever knew where he came from – some thought he was a mix between giants and dwarfs, for he was tall like the giants but strong and brave – fierce – like the dwarfs. Soon there were many Orcs, for they seemed to multiply in a different way than most. They wanted power, and to obtain it they would do anything. First, they pillaged villages, took food, and shelter when and where they wanted it. But at one town, some of the villagers decided to defend themselves. They fought the Orcs, yet they were weak and untrained, and several of them died in the attempt. Still the Orcs decided that they needed to make an example to the people, to subdue them, and show them who the masters were. For this example they choose a remote, isolated little village called Dallán, which means Blind. When the Orcs arrived, many of the men were out hunting. The Orcs massacred the place, slaughtering women and children, the elderly and sick. When the men arrived home that night, the town was afire and their families were dead.

“One young man, Cathaír, which means ‘Battle Lord’, had just been married to a beautiful young woman with flowing golden hair, whose name was Aoibheann, which is said as Eevyin, and means ‘Beauty Radiant’. Sweet and lovely, the most beautiful girl in the village, that day she had begged him to stay home from the hunt. She told him she felt danger in the air, but Cathaír laughed at her and said that no danger would come to her, for the people of Dallán were naïve and trustful – blind – and knew not that danger lurked in the world and would harm them if it could but get to them.

“When Cathaír arrived at the village his heart screamed in terrible agony, and he swore to avenge the Beauty Radiant, by the blood of his father Cathal, ‘Strong in Battle’.

“Cathaír raised an army, for many were willing to fight, and trained them as killers. Thus battle raged, and many innocent were killed for the sins of others. More and many came to fight from many countries, for the example of Dallán had not suppressed but strengthened the people. But even after the Orcs were long defeated the battle still raged, for people no longer knew Peace, and fought because of the need to fight, for with the birth of the Orcs came the birth of Hate and Envy.

“But Love and Hope had not yet died, and they sent two children – two children to vanquish Hate. The children were from another world, no less lost and sorrowful, for Hate had entered their home as well. No, it was not that they were better then the people of Faramere, or stronger. But Love knew them, and so entrusted them with the mission.

“The two children were called Awnya and Darwan.

“And so the two children began their quest. Awnya knew that they must overcome Hate in the hearts of men, from which it derives its power. But this could not be achieved easily; men clung to their hate, and so did not relinquish it. Many challenges did the two children face, for Darwan succumbed to Hate. But Awnya held onto Hope, and Trust and Love guided her path. She went to a small village called Deaglán, meaning ‘Full of Goodness’. Some of the people of Deaglán knew Love, and made friends with Hope and Trust; others only new Hunger and Want, and Anger. Hate gripped their hearts. But Awnya did not give up, for she saw Hope. She fed the poor with Love, and rested the weary with Hope. To those who were deprived she gave Trust, and Joy entered all their hearts. Awnya knew that she was fulfilling the Mission. She had only needed to show Love to one person, and others began to obtain it.” The old woman closed her eyes and smiled peacefully. Madeleine, who had sat enchanted throughout this narrative, who had seen it unroll before her eyes, was still in Faramere, with Cathaír, the Orcs, Awnya, and Love.

“Miss Sickle, have you finished?” Dylan whispered, breaking the silence.

“There is no more to tell.” The old lady said simply.

“But what about Darwan – did Awnya ever completely vanquish Hate? Did––”

“Darwan died in battle, dressed in Hate’s robe. No, Awyna never defeated Hate completely. But the point, little Dylan, is that she tried. She succeeded, though she didn’t extinguish Hate entirely. He lurks in dark corners still, waiting for the time when he may be unleashed again. But Awnya – though ever so slowly – made Faramere a place where Hope was a living, thriving thing, where Love was known and Trust was willingly given. Anger and Sorrow are now part of Faramere too, for it is impossible to live without them when you first let them enter. Envy and Poverty walk the land too. But, my children, the world is far better a place now, because one little girl tried.”

Caddie Woodlawn

It's a strange thing, but somehow we expect more of girls than of boys. It is the sisters and wives and mothers, you know, Caddie, who keep the world sweet and beautiful. What a rough world it would be if there were only men and boys in it, doing things in their rough way! A woman's task is to teach them gentleness and courtesy and love and kindness. It's a big task, too, Caddie - harder than cutting trees or building mills or damming rivers. It takes nerve and courage and patience, but good women have those things. They have them just as much as the men who build bridges and carve roads through the wilderness. A woman's work is something fine and noble to grow up to, and it is just as improtant as a man's. But no man could ever do it so well. I don't want you to be the silly, affected person with fine clothes and manners whom folks sometimes call a lady. No, that is not what I want for you, my little girl. I want you to be a woman with a wise and understanding heart, healthy in body and honest in mind.

(from Caddie Woodlawn)

Some Random facts!....about *my* life

Getting up at 6 am everyday is anything but enjoyable, but going to Mass at 7 am everyday makes it worth it.

Homeschool groups/co-ops are a whole bunch of amazing! And you meet a lot of really awesome people there, especially when you go to two different ones every week!

You really need some new earrings.

2 1/2 year old little, cute, red-headed girls named Elsa are absolutely wonderful. You could never get along without your one.

Funny, sweet, crazy little girls named Emma are a lot of fun and absolutely amazing, and you sure love the one you have.

Getting accepted as a Pure Fashion Model is really exciting, and the monthly "sessions" are a lot of fun, especially when you get the (very pleasant!) surprise of realizing that someone you know from one of the homeschool groups is there!

Piano lessons are a lotta fun, even if they takes work and patience.

You have the most amazing parents, who do everything in the world they can - just for you.

You never seem to be able to keep your room clean or your laundry up to date. >.< style="font-style: italic;">ever. Seriously.

If people want to make you happy, they should know that all they have to do is take you shopping. Seriously.

You are unbelievably lucky, because you have some of the most wise, wonderful, fun older siblings everrrr.

You never have enough time to do all the things you want to do.

You need an iPod/MP3 player.

You have an awesome family.

After getting up so early in the morning, you start going to bed a lot earlier at night! And now that it is....9:58 pm, you are about to fall over with sleepiness. *yaaawn* :P

G'night! God bless.

I am proud to say...

That my blog is:

100% Free Personals from JustSayHi

:) :) :)

9/11

Change of Template!

Ahhhh! As you can see ('m sure O.o) I changed my template...I think it looks ugly! But I can't change it back to the way it was because I had a bunch of custom colors and fonts. Tell me what'cha think! Should I keep it, or lose it? :)

Oh gosh

I don't know where this picture came from, but when I saw it, I just cracked right up. =)

Playlist!!

If you look at my sideboard, you'll notice I have a playlist! It's kinda hard to go up and down to new songs, but other than that I think it's pretty easy to use! Give it a try and tell me how you like my taste in music!!! :) :) I know it's kinda a random list, esp. Clever Girls Like Clever Boys Much More Than Clever Boys Like Clever Girls, but that way you hear a bit of everything I like!! Tell me what'cha think!!

Anna

Wow - I haven't posted in a while!

I guess I haven't because life's been rather hectic! What with school (yes, I've been doing that terrible thing through the summer! >.<) the beach, babysitting......and, well, life in general, I just haven't had time to post!

Yet I've managed to read some great books lately! One I just finished was so exciting...but I guess I'll leave that for a post on The Good Book Club. :) Another blog I have been neglecting horribly of late. I also have a nice stack of new books fresh from the library, so I have lots to post on there now!

Well, I guess I just wanted to explain my sad lack of posting lately. :)

Now, I have a few things I need to do, and perhaps I'll post a few other things today!
God bless!

Wedding Traditions

I was about to go on another search for strange facts when suddenly I had the idea of posting how some old wedding traditions got started! I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! I know it's very long, but I simply love learning about traditions and how they got started.... :)

The engagement ring – one of the oldest of the Western European wedding traditions.

One of the ancient traditions of Western Europe which is still going strong today is the idea of the engagement ring. It was way back in 860 A.D. that Pope Nicholas I proclaimed that not only was an engagement ring required to seal the agreement to be married, but that the engagement ring must be made of gold. The making of the ring out of gold signified that the groom was willing to make a financial sacrifice for his new bride-to-be.

It would be another 617 years before the tradition of adding a diamond to an engagement ring would be started. It was in the year 1477 that King Maximilian presented the lovely Mary of Burgundy with a diamond engagement ring, and from that day to this a diamond has been a girl’s best friend.

It was in Italy, the land of love, that gold wedding rings first became popular, and it was also in Italy that the tradition of the wedding cake was first begun when, in the first century B.C., a cake or bread was broken over the bride’s head to insure fertility.

The tradition of the Best Man began in medieval Germany.

It was in ancient Germany that the Western European tradition of a Best Man began. In olden days it was sometimes necessary for a man to kidnap his bride from a neighboring village and he needed his strongest friend (his Best Man) to help with the kidnapping and to stand by him at the wedding ceremony to fight off any relatives that might try to take her back. (Yikes!)

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

But it was in England that many of our most enduring Western European wedding traditions got their beginning. The ancient nursery rhyme about something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue is now an important part of most Western European weddings, even though many brides and grooms no longer know the significance of the rhyme.

Something old is symbolic of continuity. The old item was often a piece of lace or a grandmother’s scarf or an old piece of jewelry. Something new signifies hope for the future, and can be anything from a piece of clothing to the wedding band itself. Something borrowed is symbolic of future happiness and is often provided by a happily married friend of the bride. And finally, something blue. In ancient times blue was the color of purity and often both the bride and the groom wore a band of blue cloth around the bottom of their wedding attire.

Before the German Wedding Day

According to German wedding tradition, when a baby girl is born in Germany, several trees are planted in honor of her birth. When her wedding date is set, the trees are sold, and the money is used for her dowry.

A unique German pre-wedding custom is the creation of a wedding newspaper by the friends and family of the bride and groom. This newspaper, or booklet, is filled with pictures, articles and stories of the engaged couple. The newspaper is sold at the wedding reception, to assist with the expenses of the honeymoon.

Belgium wedding Traditions

One of the most important and enduring traditions of the Belgium wedding is for the bride to carry a specially embroidered handkerchief that has her name embroidered on it. After the wedding this handkerchief is framed and hung on the wall in a place of honor. When the next female member of the bride’s family is to be wed, the handkerchief is removed from its frame, the new bride’s name is embroidered onto it, and it is passed down.

The wedding handkerchief is passed from generation to generation, and is considered an important family heirloom.

During the wedding mass the bride and the groom are enthroned in two large chairs placed near the alter, symbolizing that on this day and in this place they are the king and the queen. At the conclusion of the ceremony the groom slips the wedding ring onto the third finger of his bride’s left hand. The ring, being an endless circle, symbolizes never-ending love, and the third finger of the left hand is believed to hold the vein that travels to the heart, symbolizing love.

Austrian Wedding Customs and Traditions

Choosing the day

Although most weddings take place on a Saturday it was considered unlucky in the past. Fridays were also considered unlucky particularly Friday the 13th. The famous old rhyme advises a wedding in the first half of the week:

“Monday for wealth, Tuesday for health, Wednesday the best day of all, Thursday for losses, Friday for crosses, Saturday for no luck at all.”

Wedding Decorations and Traditions in Spain

Orange blossoms have long been the flower of choice for a girl getting married in Spain. Since the orange tree bears fruit and blossoms at the same time it's flowers represent happiness and fulfillment.

Before a couple getting married in Spain exchange their vows in church, the groom gives his bride a wedding present of thirteen coins. This gift is a symbol of his commitment to support her. The bride-to-be then carries these coins, in a little bag, to her wedding ceremony.

Eastern European Wedding Traditions

May you be blessed with long life, prosperity, happiness and fertility

Many Eastern European wedding traditions concern long life, fertility and happiness and prosperity. In Czechoslovakia, for example, the bride’s friends would often plant a tree in her yard and decorate it with ribbons and brightly-painted egg shells. The belief was that the bride would live as long as the tree. Traditionally an infant would be laid on the couple’s wedding bed as a symbol of fertility. After the ceremony the young couple would traditionally break plates and the more pieces the plates broke into the more successful their marriage would be.

In Hungary a new bride wore an elaborate headdress at her wedding in which was woven strands of wheat as a symbol of fertility. Also a new bride would be presented with an egg. By smashing it she would insure the health of her future children. Traditionally the new bride would present her husband with a gift of seven scarves, seven being a lucky number and signifying her desire for a long and happy marriage.

A wedding tradition in Poland holds that the parents of the couple present them with rye bread sprinkled with salt and a glass of wine. The bread symbolizes hope that the couple will never go hungry, the salt symbolizes that life will have its difficulties, and the wine is a blessing for health and happiness.

The Pictures!

The Bride and Groom and the bridesmaids.

Jenny and the flower girls.

Husband and wife.

The Father and Bride walking down the isle.

The handsome groom watching his bride slowly walk toward him.

Together!

"You may kiss the bride!"

What age do you act?

Another quiz! I know....But I love these things!

You Are 14 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

And how perfect! My birthday is on the 18th, and I'll be fourteen!

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

(Ecc 3:1-8

Things to Ponder

If you try to fail and succeed, which one have you done?

Reminiscing....

Today I was looking through my old school things from when I went to Casa Esperanza in 4th grade. While looking at a little picture of Teddy and his friends, I caught sight of an old diary that my teacher had given me at the end of the school year. In it the younger class mates had written a word or two about me. It was cute, and some of them are rather funny, so I thought I'd share! :)

You are a great helper

~Kerian

Anna I like you kus you are rily nice

~ It was blank...anonymous?!

I like how you play with Angela (?? =/ Haha!)

~Matthew

Your nice sometimes. I ask you things. That makes me enjoy your company.

Love,
Zachery

She is a good to read thank you

~Cameron

Anna - you are a good artist (Awww!)

~ Anonymous...again!! :-o

You are vere sweet!!!

Love,
Shayne

Anna, you are a good friend to Angela

~Sam

You are kind.

By Abril

I like you cause your nice

~Kyleigh


And lastly, my teachor wrote a little note for me.

Anna- I feel so fortunate to have had you in my class this year. Your gentle spirit, kind heart and talented eye are gifts we have all benefited from. Thank you for sharing the special person you are with us.

Love,
Senora S.

In the back of the book I had scribbled a bit of journaling....

It was sweet to read all this and to remember the silly, sweet or sad things that happened while I was going to Casa.... The boy I had had a crush on...my best friend, Angela...my favorite part of the school day, drawing maps of the world....how the first day at school I had been so shy, but after just a few days I had made lots of friends... and my mortal enemy, Crysula! I also remember when I would draw some pictures in my sketch pad and how some little complement would fill me with pride. :) How much I hated my uniform.... How math was so difficult...reading time, another favorite time of the day.

It was so nice to sit and remember. That was the year I donated my hair! Ugh, that hair cut was so horrible! .....That is when I got my glasses! Yikes!.....

One of my favorite things about school was...Spanish class. I loved learning the new words for Cat, dog, green, pink, square, circle...

One of my least favorite things about school was...always having to have a partner when the went to the bathroom! Sometimes I would have to wait fifteen minutes before someone else had the need of the rest room! >.<

Yes.....I will always remember the friends and foes I had, and the happy and sad things that happened during that year at Casa! :)

Reviews in Fifteen Words or Less

Pride and Prejudice - By Jane Austen

Faaaabulous! All I can say is that this delightful, classical story is a must read!

Pride and Prejudice - 1995 (A&E - Mini)

I *love* this movie! Complete, interesting, and lovely, the only complaint.....it was too short! =P

Pride and Prejudice - 1980 (BBC - Mini)

Not heard of often, this might be my favorite film version yet! Must see! (O.o Mr.Darcyissooocompletelyperfect!! <3<3<3)

Pride and Prejudice - 2004

Mr. Darcy.....oooh! Perfect! Quite good. Though not competing with the minis, I liked it! :)



......((Ooohmygoodness! That was hard!! :))

Things to Ponder...

If someone invented instant water,
what would they mix it with?

I'm bored....how about some weird ol' facts!?

It's physically impossible to lick your elbow. (Trust me...I tried! ;)

The main Library at Indiana University sinks over an inch each year because when it was built, engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building!

A snail can sleep for three years.

Average life span of a major league baseball: 7 pitches.

Typewriter is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard.

A crocodile cannot stick it's tongue out!

*Sigh* Don't you love Garfield?

Here is today's "Garfield Comic of the Day"! So funny! Hehehe :)

PS - Click on the picture to make it bigger!

Yes, yes, another quiz...

I know, I know, I should be doing something more important - especially at this time in the morning! =P

Your score on this personality test was 69%

Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural lead, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

Personality Quiz
Take More Quizzes

"I see his blood upon the rose"

I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.

I see His face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice-and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.

All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.

Joseph Plunkett

I haven't been posting very much lately, buuut.....

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Things to ponder....

Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

Word of the Day

jocose • \joh-KOHSS• adjective

*1 : given to joking : merry

2 : characterized by joking : humorous

Example Sentence:

In the office, Ellie's lively, jocose personality keeps everyone smiling and upbeat.

Did you know?

When you need a word to describe something (or someone) that causes or is intended to cause laughter, you might pick "jocose" or a synonym such as "humorous," "witty," "facetious," or "jocular." Of those terms, "humorous" is the most generic and can be applied to anything that provokes laughter. "Witty" suggests cleverness and a quick mind, while "facetious" is a word for something that is not meant to be taken seriously. "Jocose" and "jocular" both imply a habitual waggishness and a fondness for joking.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

Yaaaay!! Interesting and Strange Facts!

No one knows where Mozart is buried.

Under extreme stress, some octopuses will eat their own arms.

Black bears are not always black. They can be brown, cinnamon, yellow, and sometimes white.

'Jedi' is an official religion, with over 70,000 followers, in Australia.

If a surgeon in Ancient Egypt lost a patient while performing an operation, his hands were cut off.

The fingerprints of koala bears are virtually indistinguishable from those of humans, so much so that they could be confused at a crime scene.

People with blue eyes are better able to see in the dark.

An egg will float if placed in water in which sugar has been added.

A ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball made of rubber.

Men laugh longer, louder, and more often than women.

Unlike dogs, pigs, and some other mammals, humans cannot taste water. They taste only the chemicals and impurities in the water.

Hurray!

You are a 95% traditional Catholic!

Congratulations! You are more knowlegeable than most modern theologians! You have achieved mastery over the most important doctrines of the Catholic Faith! You should share your incredible understanding with others!

Do You Know Your Baltimore Catechism?
Make Your Own Quiz

Thank you Antonia...

I found this beautiful meditation on Antonia's blog. Thanks for sharing!

Meditation

by Cardinal John Henry Newman

God, you have created me to do you some definite service:
You have committed some work to me which you have not committed to
another.

I have my mission – I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told in the next.
Somehow I am necessary for your purposes.
I have a part in the great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for nothing.
I shall do good, I shall do his work; I shall be an angel of peace,
A preacher of truth in my own place.
Fulfill your high purposes in me, I am here to serve you, to be yours.



Amen .

Can I Live? - Nick Canon

Even if you don't particularly like Nick Canon or this type of music, this video is very moving. It might make you cry, but it's worth it.

"My Priceless Pencil"

This is a super touching and sweet story written by an eighteen yr old (I think) homeschooler who has entered the army. M3T41 51UG (Metal Slug) of Teen Homeschool Hang posted it in the "Open Mic" Forum. But it is a true story, and I thought that it was so sad and sweet that I wanted to share it.


Never in my entire life have I ever been so scared of a child. On Wednesday morning of last week, Alpha company along with the MP unit from Fort Meyer went to the Washington monument to rehearse for Twilight Tattoo. As I was riding on the bus, the sergeant rose, turned to us, and told us what was going to happen that morning.

" Hey guys, listen up. for those of us that have done this for a couple years, you know whats going on, for the rest of you, pay attention. Make a wish foundation has granted this kid's wish to be president for the day. If he walks up to you, be sure to call him 'Mr President'."

" Oh, and I swear to God, if you jack around out there with him, I will SMOKE THE...."

You get the idea.

We arrived shortly there after and began to practice. We did a few run throughs, and then I heard it. Sirens that where once in the distance grew louder and louder as the presidential motorcade closed in. my heart started to pound as the sergeant called us to attention. I didn't know what to expect. They didn't say how old he was, what he looked like, or who would be there. The doors to the black hummer opened up, and the secret service took there positions. the president was in view.....

Out popped this 8 year old boy, who was barely tall enough to see over the bodyguard's knees. He had a little red tie on, which stood out that much more in his black "presidential tuxedo", and next to him was the vise president, dressed the same attire. he was escorted to the viewing area, and was lifted onto the luxury leather seat. i wanted to laugh at how awkward he was positioned. His legs hardly went over the edge of the chair.

It was at that point we started the show.

I was in a long line of Old guard soldiers, all of us carrying one of the 56 flags representing 50 states and the 6 US territories. I will spare you the details, but basically our job was to dip the flags in front of the president. as I was about to pass in front of him, i was filled with panic, fear, and sorrow all at once. " What if i screw up!? This kid is going to die, and all i do is ruin his one chance to be president!"

The point came, and i executed my job perfectly. I went back to my marker, and waited for the ceremony to end. Something happened that i didn't expect. Instead of leaving, the president and his posse disappeared out of my sight. Time goes by, and I start to see what's going on.

Before I know it, the president is standing.. right... in front... of me. I didn't know what to say, what to do. I salute him, and he sticks out his little hand. His little hand. Here in front of me is a boy, dying of terminal cancer, president of ALL AMERICA, and all he wants to do is shake my hand and give me a pencil.

Thats all I could do. shake his hand...and take his pencil. Just like that, he was gone on to the next guy, and I'm left with a small reminder of what happened mere seconds ago. I wanted to do so much more. I wanted to take his cancer. I wanted to give him the rest of his life. I wanted to say," thank you, Mr. "President".

I can't take his cancer. I can't give him his life back. I didn't "say thank you".

However, I dipped the flag the best I ever have, could, or will. No other president will get that dip. It's something no other person in the world will ever witness.

I have his pencil. I keep it in my top drawer. I check the make a wish foundation often to see if they posted his story. Whether they do or not, I will always remember Michael Salzinger, President for a Day.

Funny Answers for Mother's Day!

Answers given by elementary school age children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mother?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men’s bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other Mom?

1. We’re related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people’s moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your Mom?

1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background, like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year?
4. Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your Mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.

Who’s the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn’t want to be boss, but she has to because dad’s such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What’s the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work & work at home, & dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power ’cause that’s who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend’s.
4. Moms have magic. They make you feel better without medicine.

What does your Mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don’t do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your Mom perfect?

1. On the inside she’s already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I’d diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of that.
2. I’d make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

A few little poems written by myself as a gift for my "mummy" on Mother's Day.

Mother's Day comes 'round each year,
Celebrating all mothers, so dear.
Here is a little gift for you,
With kisses galore and lots of hugs, too!

My little wish is here for you,
Of hope and joy, and laughter, too.
This little wish belongs to you -
Hope you have a grand old day,
Everyone loves you more than they can say!
Right now I can't think of anything for the end of this poem! =/

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Disappearing Alphabet by Richard Wilbur

If the alphabet began to disappear,

Some words would soon look raggedy and queer

(Like QUIRREL, HIMPANZEE, AND CHOOCHOO-TRAI),

While others would entirely fade away.

And since it is by words that we construe

The world, the world would start to vanish too...

What if there were no letter A?

Cows would eat HY instead of HAY.

What's HY? It's an unheard-of diet,

And cows are happy not to try it.

In the word DUMB the letter B is mute,

But elsewhere its importance is acute.

If it were absent, say, from BAT and BALL,

There'd be no big or little leagues at all.

If there were no such thing as C,

Whole symphonies would be off-key,

And under every nut tree you'd

See HIPMUNKS gathering winter food.

If D did not exist, some creatures might

Wish, like the dodo bird, to fade from sight.

For instance, any self-respecting DUCK

Would rather be extinct than be an UCK.

The lordly ELEPHANT is one whom we

Would have no name for if there were no E,

And how it would offend him were we to

Greet him as "Bud," or "Big Boy," or "Hey, you!"

The ELEPHANT is thick-skinned, but I'll bet

That that's a thing he never would forget.

Hail, letter F! If it were not for you,

Our raincoats would be merely WATERPROO,

And that is such a stupid word, I doubt

That it would help to keep the water out.

If G did not exist, the color GREEN

Would have to vanish from the rural scene.

Would oak trees, then, be blue, and pastures pink?

We would turn green at such a sight, I think.

An H can be too scared to speak, almost.

In gloomy words like GHASTLY, GHOUL, and GHOST,

The sound of H can simply not be heard.

But how it loves to say a cheerful word

Like HEALTH, or HAPPINESS, or HOLIDAY!

Or HALLELUJAH! Or HIP, HIP, HURRAY!

Without the letter I, there'd be

No word for your IDENTITY,

And so you'd find it very tough

To tell yourself from other stuff.

Sometimes, perhaps, you'd think yourself

A jam jar on the pantry shelf.

Sometimes you'd make a ticking sound

And slowly move your hands around.

Sometimes you'd lie down like a rug,

Expecting to be vacuumed. Ugh!

Surely, my friends, you now see why

We need to keep the letter I.

If, all at once, there were no letter J,

A cloud of big blue birds might fly away,

And though they'd been an angry, raucous crew,

I think that I would miss them, wouldn't you?

Is K unnecessary? "Heavens, no!

It's in my name!" exclaims the ESKIMO.

"And if there were no K, my little craft,

The KAYAK, would be scuttled fore and aft."

It would be bitter, if there were no L,

To bid the LEMON or the LOON farewell,

And if the LLAMA, with its two-L name,

Should leave us, it would be a double shame,

But certainly it would be triply sad

If LOLLIPOPS no longer could be had.

M is a letter, but it alternates

As a Roman numeral often found in dates.

If M should vanish, we would lose, my dears,

MINCE PIE, MARSHMALLOWS, and a thousand years.

No N? In such a state of things,

Birds would have WIGS instead of WINGS,

And though a wig might suit the owl,

Who is a staid and judgelike fowl,

Most birds would rather fly than wear

A mat of artificial hair.

What would our proud bald eagle say

If he were offered a toupee?

I think it would be better, then,

For us to keep the letter N.

What if there were no letter O?

You couldn't COME, you couldn't GO,

You couldn't ROVE, you couldn't ROAM,

And yet you couldn't stay at HOME!

Where would you be had heaven not sent you

The letter O to orient you?

How strange that the banana's slippery PEEL,

Without its P, would be a slippery EEL!

It makes you think! However, it is not

Profound enough to think about a lot.

What if the letter Q should be destroyed?

Millions of Us would then be unemployed.

For Q and U belong like tick and tock,

Except, of course, in places like IRAQ.

What if there were no R? Your boat, I fear,

Would have no RUDDER, and so you couldn't steer.

How helplessly you'd drift then, and be borne

Through churning seas, and swept around the Horn!

But happily you couldn't come to grief

On ROCKS, or run aground upon a REEF.

What if the letter S were missing?

COBRAS would have no way of hissing,

And all their kin would have to take

The name of ERPENT or of NAKE.

At breakfast time the useful letter T

Preserves us all from eating SHREDDED WHEA.

Without the letter U you couldn't say,

"I think I'd like to visit URUGUAY,"

And so you'd stay forever in North Platte,

New Paltz, or Scranton, or some place like that.

Were there no V, would geese still fly

In V FORMATION in the sky,

Calling it something else instead,

Like "angle," "wedge," or "arrowhead"?

Perhaps. Or they might take the shape

Of smoke rings or of ticker tape,

Or spell out words like HERE WE GO

Or NUTS TO YOU. You never know.

What if there were no letter W?

The WEREWOLF would no longer trouble you,

And you'd be free of many evils

Like WARTS and WEARINESS and WEEVILS.

But then there'd be (alas!) no sweet

WATERMELONS for you to eat.

The letter X will never disappear:

The more you cross it out, the more it's here.

But if it vanished, treasure maps would not

Have anything with which to mark the spot,

And treasure isles would ring with the despair

Of puzzled pirates digging everywhere.

Lacking the letter Y, I guess

We'd have no way of saying YES,

Or even saying MAYBE, and so

There'd be no answer left but NO.

How horrible! Who wants to live

A life so very negative,

Refusing presents, RASPBERRY ice,

Fudge cake, and everything that's nice?

Because they're always BUZZING, honeybees

Could not be with us if there were no Zs,

And many Zs are needed, furthermore,

When people feel the need to SNOOZE and snore.

Long live the Z, then! Not for any money

Would I give up such things as sleep and honey.

Good heavens! It would be an awful mess

If everything dissolved to nothingness!

Be careful then, my friends, and do not let

Anything happen to the alphabet.

And now, the long awaited Strange and Interesting Facts!

• The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. It was the fashion in Renaissance Florence to shave them off!
  
  Tourists visiting Iceland should know that tipping at a restaurant is considered an insult!
  
  Until the nineteenth century, solid blocks of tea were used as money in Siberia!
  
  The sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog." uses every letter of the alphabet!
  
  A mole can dig a tunnel 300 feet long in just one night!
  
  Ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made of stone!
  
  Hummingbirds can weigh less than a penny!
  
  Until 1796, there was a state in the United States called Franklin. Today it's known as Tennessee!
  
  The average person has over 1,460 dreams a year!
  
  Thomas Edison, light bulb inventor, was afraid of the dark!

I Met a Dragon Face to Face

Here is a cute little poem I found about reading. Enjoy! =]

I met a dragon face to face
The year when I was ten,
I took a trip to outer space,
I braved a pirate’s den,
I wrestled with a wicked troll,
And fought a great white shark,
I trailed a rabbit down a hole
I hunted for a snark.

I stowed aboard a submarine,

I opened magic doors,
I traveled in a time machine,
And searched for dinosaurs,
I climbed atop a giant’s head,
I found a pot of gold,
I did all this in books I read
When I was ten years old.

~ Jack Prelutsky

Happy Easter!

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself.Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
John 20:6-9

Happy Easter!!

Happy Belated Birthday Benty!

(Above: picture of the cake Lorcan made for some homeless people,to help grant Benty's wish)

Happy Birthday!!! Wow! 9 years old! That's crazy! I hope you had a good day!


x-o-x-o-x

Anna

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day marks the Roman Catholic feast day for Ireland's patron saint, who died in the 5th century. St. Patrick (Patricius in Latin) was not born in Ireland, but in Britain.

• Irish brigands kidnapped St. Patrick at 16 and brought him to Ireland. He was sold as a slave in the county of Antrim and served in bondage for six years until he escaped to Gaul, in present-day France. He later returned to his parents' home in Britain, where he had a vision that he would preach to the Irish. After 14 years of study, Patrick returned to Ireland, where he built churches and spread the Christian faith for some 30 years.

• Many myths surround St. Patrick. One of the best known—and most inaccurate—is that Patrick drove all the snakes from Ireland into the Irish Sea, where the serpents drowned. (Some still say that is why the sea is so rough.)

But snakes have never been native to the Emerald Isle. The serpents were likely a metaphor for druidic religions, which steadily disappeared from Ireland in the centuries after St. Patrick planted the seeds of Christianity on the island.

• In the United States, it's customary to wear green on St. Patrick's Day. But in Ireland the color was long considered to be unlucky, says Bridget Haggerty, author of The Traditional Irish Wedding and the Irish Culture and Customs Web site.

As Haggerty explains, Irish folklore holds that green is the favorite color of the Good People (the proper name for faeries). They are likely to steal people, especially children, who wear too much of the color.

• Colonial New York City hosted the first official St. Patrick's Day parade in 1762, when Irish immigrants in the British colonial army marched down city streets. In subsequent years Irish fraternal organizations also held processions to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The various groups merged sometime around 1850 to form a single, grand parade.

• Today New York's St. Patrick's Day parade is the longest running civilian parade in the world. This year nearly three million spectators are expected to watch the spectacle and some 150,000 participants plan to march.

• Dublin's St. Patrick's Day parade is little more than 75 years old. This year festival organizers will launch 15,000 pounds (7 metric tons) of fireworks to cap their celebration, which is expected to draw 400,000 spectators.

Facts gathered here

Drawing and Personality Test

I have just finished taking a personality test! I drew this picture and answered some questions, and I appear to be,

• Driven and ambitious and tend to make radical moves to reach my goals.
• Am a thoughtful and cautious person. I like to think about my method, seeking to pursue my goal in the most effective way.
• I like following the rules and being objective. I am precise and meticulous, and like to evaluate decisions before making them.
• And I have a sunny, cheerful disposition!

The first three answers are completely oppisite! Although, I do like to think I have a "cheerful disposition"! =) Would you like to take the test? =)

Finally! Some More Interesting Facts!

What is called a "French kiss" in the English speaking world is known as an "English kiss" in France.

Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different!


Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Honey found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs
has been tasted by archaeologists and found edible.

Coca-Cola would be green if colouring weren’t added to it.

The placement of a donkey's eyes in its' heads enables it to see all four feet at all times!

Dolphins sleep with one eye open!

Queen Elizabeth I regarded herself as a paragon of cleanliness. She declared that she bathed once every three months, whether she needed it or not

For more, Read 50 Things Everyone Should Know!

Amazing Hand Art!

Here is some crazy, beautiful hand art! Isn't it awesome?

Check out some more here!

If Somebody There Chanced To Be

If somebody there chanced to be
Who loved me in a manner true,
My heart would point him out to me,
And I would point him out to you.
But here it says of those who point —
Their manners must be out of joint —
You may not point —
You must not point —
It's manners out of joint, to point!

Ah! Had I the love of such as he,
Some quiet spot he'd take me to,
Then he could whisper it to me,
And I could whisper it to you.
But whispering, I've somewhere met,
Is contrary to etiquette:
Where can it be
Now let me see
Yes, yes!
It's contrary to etiquette!

By W. S. Gilbert

A *tough* riddle...

I am holding something right now.
It is more precious than any gold,
more fantastic than any silver,
more beautiful than any diamonds,
more unbelievably sweet than any sugar,
and more cute than any rabbit,

That Ever Existed.