a weekend in the making

She sat at her kitchen table...the surface before her was piled with notebooks, food magazines, and lists to be made.

She leaned back, pulling the elastic out of the messy ponytail, and let her hair swish to its' full length. Running her fingers through her brown locks, she breathed in the smell of lilacs and summery flowers, and enjoying Pride and Prejudices' sound tracks.

Glancing back at her half-completed "menu" for the weekend ahead,  she looked at the contents...

//  Breakfast  (in car)//

Egg, Sausage McMuffins

Grapes

Cheese Sticks

Water Bottles

//

Okay, 'we'll be making everything homemade' so we'll have to be sure to get it all done on....' she paused there, for a moment,  thinking of the schedule of the weekend, 'on Friday'. Again, she wrote on her piece of paper.

Soon, she finished the list, the menu, the plans. All that was left was cooking for and anticipating the weekend...

a mother

She's a very special person - epsecially in a young girls' life. She gives advice, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on...a comfort.

She is the one who does the hard, dirty work that no one else in the family would "care" to do. She puts others feelings before her own. She's a true "servent" to her family.

She's a godly, moral women. She reads the Bible aloud to her children, and prays with them every day. --an example of what a Christian women should be.

This very special women is my mother. Also known as: Mom, Mum, Momma, Mommy, Lily, Mumzy...really, the list goes on and on.

I love you mom! Hope you're having a wonderful Mother's Day!!!

Love, Kara

blustery days

the wind is howling. The trees and bushes are blowing, and the flowers are forced to bend their heads in submission...

The sky is gray, but yet a few faint patches of blue can be seen when the clouds abase. A few sprinkles of rain come now and then...

But, there is hope: for the signs of spring still remain.

:: in the living room ::

A whirring sound fills the shop as ingredients are whirled into a carmel latte. The resonance subsides and an attendent calls, "One caramel latte!". The coffee is served in a medium sized mug which reads "House Blend". Whipped cream rises about an inch above the rim of the cup and the steaming liquid gives a pleasant aroma. 

The shop is almost deserted, save the attendants, us and the two typing away on laptop computers. We sit in a corner, sitting on plush couches, and chairs. Wintery coasters await our steaming drinks.  The room is decorated with holiday ornamentations, along with quaint sayings and pictures. A stack of magazines sit on a ledge and a small bookshelf sits awaiting your pleasure. The menu is hand written on a large blackboad and is decorated artistically. Tables and chairs, high stools and tables, along with the couches and chairs give both a "coffee shop" and homey feeling to the place.

The giggles and chattering of the two teenage assistants can be heard, along with the Christmas tunes being played in the the background.  The Coffee Shop, is a lovely place...

Hunting and God's Creation

Here is a little something I wrote, kind of inspired by the evening I went hunting with Dad. Here it is!

The woods seemed silent, save for the occasional call of a hawk, and the wind whistling through the trees. 

My attention was drawn to the hunter above me in a stand.  His eyes attentively scanning the forest, waiting for the telltale sign of a deer: the sleek body sliding through the trees, or a flip of the white tail. His gaze shifted to the left, ever looking. It was getting dark now, and I could only see his tall, silhouette standing tall, in the bright moonlight. 

The hunter was climbing down from his perch on the stand. I gathered my own equipment, and met him at the base of the tree.  We began to make our way out of the semi-darkened forest, listening to the coyotes howling at the moon, and rustling of the leaves under-foot.  As we neared the swamp, the pungent odor of mud, water and decaying matter filled my nostrils.  The wind cause ripples to form in the murky water, the only disturbance visible. We had brought a flashlight, but it lay unused in the hunter’s pocket  because of the bright moon.

I looked toward the moon, which was almost full.  The bright ball had drifted behind a group of spruce trees, but its’ rays still shown defiantly through the needles.  As we continued walking, the moon re-appeared, lighting our path, guiding us along through the dark forest.  

The hunter, my father had stopped, and I realized that we had already reached the truck. I relieved myself of the camouflage hunting coat and blaze orange vest.  I waited as the hunter loaded his stand, gun and coat into the vehicle, studying the dark, cold looking woods behind me, illuminated by the moon.  He finished, and we both climbed into the truck, the engine started, and we drove off, away from the woods…the moon still shining its’ silvery face upon us.

Write-Shop Paragraph

  A Peaceful Shore

     Strolling down a sandy beach, Mom and I gaze at the rolling ocean.  Its waves gently lap the shore, creating a peaceful sound in the approaching evening.  The moist sand squishes between our toes, and imprints the motif of our feet.  The sun has begun to set, painting an even more beautiful picture of the shore. 

    Gulls cry overhead, disturbing the peace of the twilight. Their gray and white fluttering wings make a swooshing sound as they pass.   Outlined in the setting sun, dolphins leap and splash changing the rhythm of the incoming waves.  I thank God for his creation, as we walk back along the shore to our room. 

Mum wanted me to post my two paragraphs I wrote for Writshop.

Picture via

Special In His Eyes

Reading blogs, as I'm sure many of you do, I see the young ladies (Bailey, Bethany, Anna)who can find a topic, and after composing an "essay" on the matter can encourage and motivate their readers for the better.  It comes naturally, a gift.

After reading their posts, I would sit down and and try to write my own "great and encouraging post".  Still staring at a blank screen after writing, erasing, rewriting, and so on I gave up.  One can become discouraged at their efforts that continually fail. 

If you're like me, you might not be a "great" writer in the eyes of others. But, you'll most likely be stronger in another area. 

God didn't make us to be the same as Bailey, God made us individually, perfect in HIS eyes.   When you become discouraged, remember, God made you special. 

Let's live life to its fullest, for Him. 

Does Patriotism Still Matter: An Essay

Hey ya.   I entered the Patriots Pen Essay contest, last year I think it was and just recieved a notice that my essay had advanced to the "district level" but didn't win at district.  Here's the essay I wrote.

Does Patriotism Still Matter?

Does our country need its citizens to show patriotism? First of all, what is patriotism? “Patriotism is a
love of and loyalty to one's country. A patriot is someone who loves, supports, and is prepared to serve
his country.” The word patriotism emanates from the Greek word for fatherland. What is true
patriotism? Is it wearing a USA shirt on the Fourth of July? Is it flying a flag on Veteran’s Day? Is it
fighting over seas? Although, I believe these are noble ways of being patriotic, we can do much, much
more.

What was patriotism like in the past? Many men and women were willing, and did sacrifice their
families, comforts, fortunes, and lives for their country. They served as government officials, judges, and
presidents to help maintain our nation. They constructed a new constitution for the people to live by, as
their standard. The fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were willing to give their lives to
purchase freedom for our country. If they were willing to sacrifice so much for their fatherland,
shouldn’t we do the same, or even more?

How can one be patriotic today, right now? First and foremost, we can pray for our government
officials, defend our country when needed, and honor our veterans. We can be patriotic if we will honor
and live by the constitution as it was written and ordained to be. We can willingly serve our fellowcitizens and live virtuous lives to retain our freedom. As John Adams stated “Our constitution was made
only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."


In conclusion, I resolutely believe that our country does need patriotism, especially now. If we wish
to keep our country strong we need to show all the patriotism we have to succor our country. To be
the best kind of patriot, one must simply love and be loyal to his country. May patriotism
emanate from our lives.

Words..Beautiful Words

Words. Beautiful Words. Have any of you ever wondered where words came from? What they mean? Who came up with them? Like...yeah, there are lots of words, and I sometimes wonder where they came from. Like who made the word "supercalifragilistic" , and those big and serious words.

Do you have the solution? :D I know the languages came from the Tower of Babel, but really, how did the meanings etc. come?

The Look of A Writers Notebook (Poem)

Here 'tis a poem I wrote for Stone Soup.

A Writer's Notebook

A writer's notebook
Has quite an old look;
Torn and well used
Where the writer did muse
That is the look
Of a writer's notebook

The pages are torn
Where stories were born
There are scribbles and scratches
Where she wrote interesting snatches
That is the look,
Of a writer's notebook

The covers is bent
"Don’t open without consent”
Is written on the cover
Which warns intruders over and over
That is the look
Of a writer's notebook

The smudges on the back
Are not from the writers knack
But of the dirt
Made from much work
That is the look
Of a writer's notebook

Where thoughts are jotted down
But erased with a frown
The author will write
Until it's just right
That is the look
Of a writer's notebook

Writing...Drawing...Writing...Drawing

Hello all of you,

Well, as you can see from the title, I've been doing a lot of writing and drawing.  But, for whom? There is a magazine called Stone Soup that asks children 8-13 to submit their artwork, stories, poems and book reviews for their magazine.

I sent in a story once before, but receiving no reply, I don't think it was accepted.  But...this time I have already sent in two pictures, I've written six stories, (probably only going to send in five of them though) and one good poem. :D So...hopefully I can get some of them published. :)

That's 'bout all!  Happy Holidays!
Kara

Finished!!!

Here is the essay I turned in for the Patriot's Pen essay contest that I entered. Hope you all enjoy it!

Does Patriotism Still Matter?

Does our country need its citizens to show patriotism? First of all, what is patriotism? “Patriotism is love of and loyalty to one's country. A patriot is someone who loves, supports, and is prepared to serve his country.” The word patriotism emanates from the Greek word for fatherland. What is true patriotism? Is it wearing a USA shirt on the Fourth of July? Is it flying a flag on Veteran’s Day? Is it fighting over seas? Although, I believe these are noble ways of being patriotic, we can do much, much more.

What was patriotism like in the past? Many men and women were willing, and did sacrifice their families, comforts, fortunes, and lives for their country. They served as government officials, judges, and presidents to help maintain our nation. They constructed a new constitution for the people to live by, as their standard. The fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were willing to give their lives to purchase freedom for our country. If they were willing to sacrifice so much for their fatherland, shouldn’t we do the same, or even more?

How can one be patriotic today, right now? First and foremost, we can pray for our government officials, defend our country when needed, and honor our veterans. We can be patriotic if we will honor and live by the constitution as it was written and ordained to be. We can willingly serve our fellow citizens and live virtuous lives to retain our freedom. As John Adams stated “Our constitution was madeonly for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

In conclusion, I resolutely believe that our country does need patriotism, especially now. If we wish
to keep our country strong we need to show all the patriotism we have to succor our country. To be
the best kind of patriot, one must simply love and be loyal to his country. May patriotism emanate from our lives.

Have a great week!

Kara