Well, we're halfway through winter. And what a beautiful winter its been. Have you thought, "I wish it was summer!" yet to yourself? Ha. Silly question. I'm learning, though. There's so much to be joyful about, even when its so cold your boogers freeze the instant you step outside.
I feel like this winter, I've lived a lot more than I ever have, because I've been able to let my dreams and desires guide what I do. And in many ways, I feel like I've missed out on life. I remember those fourteen hours a week I'm not dancing...and I think, "EEK!"
But I'm not here to be melancholy. God's been perpetually trying to cheer me up, which is one interesting thing thats been happening to me lately. I think God wants us to live in a state of constant praise. That was a foreign concept for me two months ago. But now I see how it is not only possibly, but highly desirable.
And fun.
On a less philosophical note, I've gotten ensnared in Once Upon A Time. Again. *rolls eyes*
But what can I say. Its captivating! And surprisingly moral. Their principals aren't all mixed up, and...well, just plain wrong, like some other shows I've seen. Like this one guy (who was married) was having an affair with this other girl, and they actually put aside how "complicated" the situation was and said, "Hey, this is wrong...we have to stop seeing each other." And I was like, "YES!"
I am in a happy place. I have God, a puzzle, and a treadmill. *contented smile* And now, I'm off to go watch Once Upon a Time, run on that treadmill and fold towels.
Not all at once, obviously.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Story
The mare skittered nervously over the cobble courtyard, pulling at the reins. Fear was strong in her nostrils. The two-legged thing on her back was afraid, and that gave her reason to be afraid. Another two-leg opened its mouth and a noise burst out. Danger! The bit pulled at the mare’s mouth, but she fought it this time. Suddenly, a great rattle of cold-metal. A roar of many-two-legs behind her--run! Her hooves thudded on the tree-ground.
Ismaril dragged the mare’s head around and clapped his heels to her side. They slipped under the portcullis and clattered over the drawbridge. The babe, strapped inside of basket in the saddle gave a squall as the mare leapt away from the castle. Out of the corner of his eye, Ismaril saw three or so of the men at arms holding open the gate. Then, as he watched, arrows began to fall among them and the portcullis, left with a sudden absence of resistance, crashed to the ground. Then Ismaril turned his face to the road and bent low over the mare’s neck, one arm over the basket. Behind him, bells began tolling.
At dawn, it was the horse that checked Ismaril’s flight. She paid no heed to the urgings of her rider, and came to a halt in the middle of a thicket of pines, foam encrusted on her lips, then staggering slowly to her knees.
They had left the road behind long ago. Ismaril had purposefully ensconced them in the Thalia, a forest that blanketed the country on both sides of the great river for miles. The problem was, ensconced also meant lost, however purposefully Ismaril had entered the forest. He slid out of the saddle and pulled at the straps holding the basket to the saddle. Roswhen’s son had long since fallen into a sullen and sleepy silence, but when Ismaril lifted him down, he gave a tired whimper. Cynan. Ismaril whispered his name softly. Cynan murmured and waved his arms. For a fleeting moment, everything was peaceful. A gust of wind blew through the pines, and the grasses rustled. The mare gave a weary snort and pricked her ears. Ismaril frowned. “What're you hearing?” He said softly. Again, the wind came, playing with the horse's tail. On its crest it bore a sound--the very sound Ismaril had, though not quite consciously, dreaded hearing. The baying of hounds.
For an instant, he stood, rooted. Then Ismaril jumped at the mare with feverish haste, fumbling with the basket. The horse lifted her blocky head, looking at Ismaril with glassy eyes. As the wind again washed over the small party, she gave a groan and let her head fall back to the earth. Ismaril struggled to make the mare rise. He shouted, shoved, beseeched , and all the while the babe accompanied his pleas with wails. Ismaril stood, defeated, as the mare closed her eyes. He slowly bent down and lifted Cynan out of the basket. Wrapping the leather straps around his hands, he tied the packsaddle onto his back and wrapped the child firmly in his blankets. Holding Cynan tightly to his chest, he began to trot west: or rather, he the way he hoped was west. While all his nerves screamed at him, run! run! every time the wind gusted and brought with it the same viscous sounds, Ismaril held his pace. In the long run, this will be better, he thought, firmly.
He loped away, heading north.
So, I have several questions. First, what do you all think of this story? If you have comments, or criticism about anything: plot, character, Writing, I'd love to hear it. Advice is appreciated.
I need to add some more characters. So far, I have a villain, a main, and several subs: Cynan, a woodcutter and his family. Any ideas for more characters I could add?
I have a hard time doing quality characterization when I write in 3rd person. Could you give me your impressions of who Ismaril is right now? Like, his personality traits.
So anyway, I'm exited for this story, but I have some rivers to ford before it gets to where I want it to be.
Ismaril dragged the mare’s head around and clapped his heels to her side. They slipped under the portcullis and clattered over the drawbridge. The babe, strapped inside of basket in the saddle gave a squall as the mare leapt away from the castle. Out of the corner of his eye, Ismaril saw three or so of the men at arms holding open the gate. Then, as he watched, arrows began to fall among them and the portcullis, left with a sudden absence of resistance, crashed to the ground. Then Ismaril turned his face to the road and bent low over the mare’s neck, one arm over the basket. Behind him, bells began tolling.
At dawn, it was the horse that checked Ismaril’s flight. She paid no heed to the urgings of her rider, and came to a halt in the middle of a thicket of pines, foam encrusted on her lips, then staggering slowly to her knees.
They had left the road behind long ago. Ismaril had purposefully ensconced them in the Thalia, a forest that blanketed the country on both sides of the great river for miles. The problem was, ensconced also meant lost, however purposefully Ismaril had entered the forest. He slid out of the saddle and pulled at the straps holding the basket to the saddle. Roswhen’s son had long since fallen into a sullen and sleepy silence, but when Ismaril lifted him down, he gave a tired whimper. Cynan. Ismaril whispered his name softly. Cynan murmured and waved his arms. For a fleeting moment, everything was peaceful. A gust of wind blew through the pines, and the grasses rustled. The mare gave a weary snort and pricked her ears. Ismaril frowned. “What're you hearing?” He said softly. Again, the wind came, playing with the horse's tail. On its crest it bore a sound--the very sound Ismaril had, though not quite consciously, dreaded hearing. The baying of hounds.
For an instant, he stood, rooted. Then Ismaril jumped at the mare with feverish haste, fumbling with the basket. The horse lifted her blocky head, looking at Ismaril with glassy eyes. As the wind again washed over the small party, she gave a groan and let her head fall back to the earth. Ismaril struggled to make the mare rise. He shouted, shoved, beseeched , and all the while the babe accompanied his pleas with wails. Ismaril stood, defeated, as the mare closed her eyes. He slowly bent down and lifted Cynan out of the basket. Wrapping the leather straps around his hands, he tied the packsaddle onto his back and wrapped the child firmly in his blankets. Holding Cynan tightly to his chest, he began to trot west: or rather, he the way he hoped was west. While all his nerves screamed at him, run! run! every time the wind gusted and brought with it the same viscous sounds, Ismaril held his pace. In the long run, this will be better, he thought, firmly.
He loped away, heading north.
So, I have several questions. First, what do you all think of this story? If you have comments, or criticism about anything: plot, character, Writing, I'd love to hear it. Advice is appreciated.
I need to add some more characters. So far, I have a villain, a main, and several subs: Cynan, a woodcutter and his family. Any ideas for more characters I could add?
I have a hard time doing quality characterization when I write in 3rd person. Could you give me your impressions of who Ismaril is right now? Like, his personality traits.
So anyway, I'm exited for this story, but I have some rivers to ford before it gets to where I want it to be.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Dance follows me everywhere. No matter how hard I might try to escape, it chases me. Many people are incomplete without it.
Most people who dance know that you cannot run. It has been ingrained in your nature, somehow, and no matter what happens you will never shake the longing.
It exposes your soul, rips your heart, sits at the deepest part of your desire. To fly.
And I think, "Why God? Why did you create this desire?"
The yearning is not something to run from. It shines glory on God.
So don't run. Shout and leap and dance for Him. As I learned last night, full enjoyment is not complete until you have praised that which gives you joy: God. It shouldn't become work. He is a joy. There is no such thing as sad joy or annoying joy, is there? So praise Him, people.
Most people who dance know that you cannot run. It has been ingrained in your nature, somehow, and no matter what happens you will never shake the longing.
It exposes your soul, rips your heart, sits at the deepest part of your desire. To fly.
And I think, "Why God? Why did you create this desire?"
The yearning is not something to run from. It shines glory on God.
So don't run. Shout and leap and dance for Him. As I learned last night, full enjoyment is not complete until you have praised that which gives you joy: God. It shouldn't become work. He is a joy. There is no such thing as sad joy or annoying joy, is there? So praise Him, people.
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Libster Award Part Two
Right. Now I'll buckle down and answer Miss Alison's questions.
1. What truth do I believe in and why?
I believe in the living God, because this world is too beautiful, complex and amazing to have been happened by chance. I believe that this God loves mankind and is actively involved in the happenings on earth. I believe in Satan, God's rival, who seeks to destroy all God does. God sent his son Jesus to die for mankind to take away the sins of the world. That way, instead of being doomed to die for being sinners, Jesus took the blame for us, so humans can be with God when they die.
2. What is your favorite color and what does it make you think of?
My favorite color is....excuse me, my favorite colors are: aqua blue, because it makes me think of the ocean. Emerald, like a crow's head and the north woods. White, like snow.
3. What picture pops into your head when you read, "bouncing blue..."
Captain Haddock from the Adventures of Tintin. "A billion blue blistering barnacles!!"
4. What storybook character would you bring to life?
Marcellus from "The Robe". Uncas from "The Last of the Mohicans". Fledge from "The Magician's Nephew. Faramier from "the Lord of the Rings."
5. What food should be made illegal for normal people to eat?
Most people would and are going to hate me for saying this. Wheat. I don't care how whole grainy the grains are in your super "healthy" bread--It will create just as many problems as processed flours.
6. Sky blue or lime green?
Sky blue. Ever noticed how lime green isn't the shade of green a lime is?
7. What is ONE OF your favorite memories? (Without that addition the question is rendered impossible)
Dj and I playacting in the back yard.
8. What is your favorite animal?
Alison Schneider, why on earth would you ask that question? Anyone who knows me could shout out the answer right now. (Alrighty, readers, don't let me down on this one)
9. How should everyone eat a gummy bear?
From the head down. It is more merciful that way.
10. What calms you down best?
Praying.
11. Underground or above the treetops?
Above the treetops with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.
Now for some questions of my own:
1. What is your favorite smell?
2. Summer mornings summer evenings?
3. What is your least favorite animal?
4. Birch or Aspen?
5. Have you even been on a roller coaster and if so, what was your impression?
6. Favorite kind of Christmas ornament?
7. I'm drawing a blank, so tell us the most interesting thing you can think of about you.
8. Cottages or log cabins?
9. What is ONE OF your favorite memories?
10. What to you think of when you hear birds chirping really early in the morning?
11. What is one adventure you've had?
For this award, I nominate Monica. Congrats.
1. What truth do I believe in and why?
I believe in the living God, because this world is too beautiful, complex and amazing to have been happened by chance. I believe that this God loves mankind and is actively involved in the happenings on earth. I believe in Satan, God's rival, who seeks to destroy all God does. God sent his son Jesus to die for mankind to take away the sins of the world. That way, instead of being doomed to die for being sinners, Jesus took the blame for us, so humans can be with God when they die.
2. What is your favorite color and what does it make you think of?
My favorite color is....excuse me, my favorite colors are: aqua blue, because it makes me think of the ocean. Emerald, like a crow's head and the north woods. White, like snow.
3. What picture pops into your head when you read, "bouncing blue..."
Captain Haddock from the Adventures of Tintin. "A billion blue blistering barnacles!!"
4. What storybook character would you bring to life?
Marcellus from "The Robe". Uncas from "The Last of the Mohicans". Fledge from "The Magician's Nephew. Faramier from "the Lord of the Rings."
5. What food should be made illegal for normal people to eat?
Most people would and are going to hate me for saying this. Wheat. I don't care how whole grainy the grains are in your super "healthy" bread--It will create just as many problems as processed flours.
6. Sky blue or lime green?
Sky blue. Ever noticed how lime green isn't the shade of green a lime is?
7. What is ONE OF your favorite memories? (Without that addition the question is rendered impossible)
Dj and I playacting in the back yard.
8. What is your favorite animal?
Alison Schneider, why on earth would you ask that question? Anyone who knows me could shout out the answer right now. (Alrighty, readers, don't let me down on this one)
9. How should everyone eat a gummy bear?
From the head down. It is more merciful that way.
10. What calms you down best?
Praying.
11. Underground or above the treetops?
Above the treetops with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face.
Now for some questions of my own:
1. What is your favorite smell?
2. Summer mornings summer evenings?
3. What is your least favorite animal?
4. Birch or Aspen?
5. Have you even been on a roller coaster and if so, what was your impression?
6. Favorite kind of Christmas ornament?
7. I'm drawing a blank, so tell us the most interesting thing you can think of about you.
8. Cottages or log cabins?
9. What is ONE OF your favorite memories?
10. What to you think of when you hear birds chirping really early in the morning?
11. What is one adventure you've had?
For this award, I nominate Monica. Congrats.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
The Libster Award Part One
The Libster award.
The rules are:
List 11 facts about yourself
Answer the 11 questions the blogger who nominated you left
Ask 11 new questions for those who you nominate
Go to each blogger's page and let them know about the award
Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
Thanks Alison, at The Nerve of Verve, for nominating me for the Libster award! I'll follow suite and start with part one: 11 facts about myself.
1. I, like everyone else on this earth, am a sinner. (note: I give God, Allie, my mother, and Ellie the credit for this one) But I believe that Jesus Christ died to wipe me clean of all sin. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and He has forgiven me of all sin. And you can have this too. Praise God!
3. God talks to me. He will talk to you as well, if you learn to hear His voice. "Walking with God" by John Eldredge really helps normal people like me to understand this.
4. I have been growing out my hair since I was five years old and I got a good twelve inches cut off of it yesterday. Its been a little shocking.
5. I am a ballet dancer. That puts me in a close little group, a set, if you like. But I'm also an injured dancer. That slides me into an even different group--the "on hold" group. Thank you dad for handing down crappy hamstrings through the family :)
6. I am a pianist.
7. And I'm trying to learn recorder. Hem.
8. I'm a carnivore. BACON!
9. I swell up when I eat bread.
10. HORSES oh my goodness gracious!
11. Yes, animals were harmed in the making of my life.
The rules are:
List 11 facts about yourself
Answer the 11 questions the blogger who nominated you left
Ask 11 new questions for those who you nominate
Go to each blogger's page and let them know about the award
Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
Thanks Alison, at The Nerve of Verve, for nominating me for the Libster award! I'll follow suite and start with part one: 11 facts about myself.
1. I, like everyone else on this earth, am a sinner. (note: I give God, Allie, my mother, and Ellie the credit for this one) But I believe that Jesus Christ died to wipe me clean of all sin. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day and He has forgiven me of all sin. And you can have this too. Praise God!
3. God talks to me. He will talk to you as well, if you learn to hear His voice. "Walking with God" by John Eldredge really helps normal people like me to understand this.
4. I have been growing out my hair since I was five years old and I got a good twelve inches cut off of it yesterday. Its been a little shocking.
5. I am a ballet dancer. That puts me in a close little group, a set, if you like. But I'm also an injured dancer. That slides me into an even different group--the "on hold" group. Thank you dad for handing down crappy hamstrings through the family :)
6. I am a pianist.
7. And I'm trying to learn recorder. Hem.
8. I'm a carnivore. BACON!
9. I swell up when I eat bread.
10. HORSES oh my goodness gracious!
11. Yes, animals were harmed in the making of my life.
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