SOL#31- Sunrise

The sky is black. The only light is the stars in the sky. Soon the blackness begins to disappear. Orange pinks and purples color the sky. Soon the black in the sky has become purple. The sun appears over the horizon. Its bright glow outshining even the brightest of stars. The purple has begun to fade into lighter colors. The roads that were once empty now are full of cars. Some cars are yellow, some orange, some red. They come in all different sizes. The world has begun to come to life, after its slumber. The sky now has faded into its natural blue. There are no clouds in the sky. Just bright blue and an even brighter sun. The sunrise has come to an end.

SOL#30- The World Outside

In the office the light illuminates the world outside the window. It has begun to grow dark outside, the snow whirling around, the gray sky blocking out the sun. The skyline is not covered in buildings, it is covered in trees. Some are barren of all leaves, others containing long green needles. Roofs of houses come into view when one sits up. One house has a red roof, another a green roof. The trees and the sky look smaller when the houses come into view. The snow is falling so fast and is so small that it can sometimes barely bee seen. The closer you look at the trees the more you see how they sway in the wind. Some moving left, some moving right. The wind picks up and the branches swing faster. My attention is drawn to the red roofed house again. The vibrant color stands out against the gray sky. The snow continues to fall, the trees swinging in the wind all the while in the world outside.

SOL#29- The Endless Lake

The water is as cold as ice. It is so clear that you can see every single stone that lies underneath the water. Some stones are round, others more rectangular. Soon the small pebbles turn into sand. The sand grows thicker until it becomes mud. The depth of the water has grown so that my feet can not touch the ground. The water has grown darker, probably because of the sheer depth of it.  In order to touch the bottom you have to dive into the depths. The bottom of the lake is barren. There is only miles of mud and water. When you put your head above the waves, the lake seems to stretch on forever, no other shore in sight.

SOL#28- The View From The Car Window

The world outside the window flashes by. One second you see a tree, next a tiny house. The constant movement is almost soothing. Soon the car screeches to a stop. The world is not moving anymore. There are only houses and trees. When the car starts again I look through the sunroof. The canopy of trees is clearly visible through the glass. All the leaves are a vibrant green. Some even appear to be glowing because of the sunlight. The sun finds its way through every crack in the canopy, sending rays of light down to the ground. Sometimes you catch a glimpse of the blue sky before the car rushes past. Soon the tree canopy starts to disappear and I look away from the sunroof. Everything looks different from a car window.

SOL#27- The Yard

The snow is piled up around the tree. The tree is barren of all leaves. Every year it keeps on growing, taller and taller. So tall that it almost reaches the highest peak of the roof. Behind the tree is a garage. The garage almost looks like a house of its own. It is made out of red brick with a green tiled roof. Many of the vivid colors of landscape are obscured by the thick layers of snow. The only color in sight are the rose bushes that are weaved within the lattice of the gate. The snow is piled up in random places around the yard. In the far corner is an evergreen tree. The tree is an emerald green, the branches a light brown. The tree is slightly taller than the house. Someday the barren tree will be just as tall as the evergreen.

SOL#26- Among The Trees Of The Past

Among the gloomy oak trees,

among a space brimming,

to the top with no creatures,

except me

there with my hair down to my ears,

that listened keenly

to the sounds around

in the forest I had so often frolicked in,

as a child

though I am not one now.

There it that very oak tree,

of which I know is truly

HAUNTED

with the spirits of long gone soldiers

who lure you to what seems to be the perfect tree,

I climbed to the top in order to see,

the sky above,

fell, and broke my arm

on the way down.

I used to live among those spiritual trees,

so gray and mysterious 

to a child

with hair down to her ears,

among a space brimming,

to the top with no creatures,

except her

among the gloomy oak trees.

SOL#25- The Little Purple Chair

The sun shines through the cracks in the blinds. It is like water in the way it pushes past every obstacle. No matter how small the crack in the blinds is, it always pushes through. The sun shines brightly on the little purple chair in the corner. Parts of the cushions on the chair are frayed, their insides revealed. It still remains the perfect place to curl up with a good book. I can almost see the ghost of my past. Sitting there in that very chair, drinking Sleepytime Vanilla Celestial Seasonings tea.  Reading story after story. From living in far off lands to climbing the highest peaks, books have the magic to take you anywhere you want to be. With the swish of a pen, or the clack of a keyboard key, authors have the power to create a world. Sometimes I wonder if the magic of storytelling could be created by you or me. That wonder is quenched like the flame of a candle being extinguished. The sun grows brighter as the blinds are opened and the little chair remains a guardian for the worlds beyond the cover of the book.

SOL#24- The Tearoom

The tearoom feels welcoming. Teapots and types of tea line the walls. The woman behind the counter smiles and leads us to our table. The table is made out of a reddish brown wood. The white teacups stand out against its dark surface. An old milk bottle has been turned into a vase. Yellow and white flowers lie in the vase. Next to the vase lies a white china  bowl with perfect white sugar cubes. A tiny silver pair of tongs lies in the bowl with the sugar. A picture of a bridge in London is on the wall next to our table. Soon the tea arrives. When you look inside the tiny white teapot you can see the fragrant leaves floating around in the water. The tea has a faint aroma of exotic spices. The tearoom shows none of the cold weather that lies outside. It truly is a welcoming place.

SOL#23- The View Through The Window

The window is made of solid clear glass. It is surrounded by soft green trim. The world beyond the window is covered in white. All the trees are covered in soft white powder. Few colors can be seen. It doesn't look real from inside the room. It is too perfect, too still to be real. That picturesque feeling is shattered when a clump of snow falls from the air. Suddenly all the movement becomes apparent. Branches swaying in the wind, snow falling. The wind speeds up and the branches are pushed along against their will. Suddenly a red brick chimney can be seen through the branches. It is bright compared to the white world. Hints of trees natural colors peak through in spaces where there is no white. One tree is a light gray, another a brown. These trees have no leaves on them. They are just branches. It is like looking at the skeleton of the tree. Parts of the trees blend in with the white sky. From the view through the window the white world looks like nothing more than a dream.

SOL#22- The Light Pink Rose

The rose is a light pink color. It is not like the normal rose you would find at the grocery store. It grows on a plant and is much smaller that the normal rose. The plant is wrapped around a wooden fence, its base sticking into the small space of the ground not covered with gray cement. The plant has many twists and turns, branches ending with tiny pink roses. The plant itself is a light green and is peppered with tiny thorns. The thorns are white and are almost like tiny triangles. If you touch them the thin top layer of your skin is pierced by their sharp points. It is difficult to pick one of the roses without stabbing yourself on the thorns. Sometimes the tip of the thorns break off, leaving the thorns powerless to harm you. A single petal of one of the roses falls. It retains its vibrant pink color, but looks less lively. Even if you walk away, the light pink roses are still visible against the other objects in the area.

SOL#21- The Journey Throughout The Sea

The sand is a soft brownish color. If you step in it in the right place an imprint of your foot is left. However when the waves reach high tide the imprint is washed away. I imagine what it must be like to be a piece of kelp, subject to the whims of the sea. With a crash of the waves the piece of kelp is washed away from the sandy beach, the only place it has ever known. Grains of sand are washed away with the piece of kelp. The kelp is pushed deep under the water by the weight of the waves. Soon it grows darker, the world around the kelp has a slight bluish tinge. Coral grows from the rocky formations. The kelp gets stuck on an overhang made out of rock. Colorful fish swim by. One has a slight orange tinge the other a slight yellow tinge. An eel can be seen underneath the overhang. The kelp is soon freed by the force of the waves. It continues on its journey going deeper into the sea. Soon the landscape changes. It grows darker and rockier. The fish are less colorful and the coral is less vibrant and more sparsely placed. The kelp looks around in awe as it continues to journey throughout the sea.

SOL#20-The Kite

The kite soars high into air. Multicolored strings hang down from the body of the kite. They fly out in different directions creating the illusion that the kite is much bigger than it actually is. The wind comes and goes, making it difficult to launch the kite. In fact the only way to get it to stay in the air is to run, creating your own wind. The kite never gets very high, a product of the small amount of wind. People still look at its brilliant colors, despite its lack of height. The kite is shaped like a butterfly. In a weird way the kite seems in place high in the air. It almost looks like a bird soaring high into the air. The strings continue to twist and turn in the air. The kite begins to loose altitude. Soon it touches the ground. It no longer looks as vibrant.

SOL#19-The Painting In The Brown Frame

The painting is small compared to it's frame. The outside of the frame is s dark brown wood. This wood soon transitions to white paper and then the painting. When you look closely at the wood you can see that it has a tinge of red coloring. The wood is an unnatural color. So unnatural that one would observe that it is dyed. The grains of the wood are only visible from a close distance. They go throughout the wood in unpredictable patterns branching off from each other in the weirdest ways. The cream of the paper provides a sharp contrast to the brownish red of the wood. The paper is anything but smooth, with bumps and grooves appearing in random places. The father away you go from the painting the less you see about the painting with the brown frame.

 

SOL#18-The Flowers

The flowers are yellow. Yellow with a bright green stem. The outside petals of the flowers are triangle shaped, with the inside petals forming a bowl that sticks out from the rest of the flowers. The two flowers lie in a triangle shaped vase made out of clear glass. The vase is halfway filled with water. One flower barely peeks over the rim of the vase while the other one rests far above it. The yellow color stands out next to the gray and blue hues of the kitchen. The vase rests on a rectangular table made out of light wood. The flowers still remain noticeable after walking away from the kitchen because they are a bright yellow color

SOL#17- The Tree

The needles of the evergreen brush against my face. They contain a flicker of green but are mostly brown. The tree is old, and should be much larger than it is. This age is reflected by the creak of the branches under my feet. The bark is a light brown color on the outside. It has many peaks and valleys and is anything but smooth. You can peel away the bark. Inside the tree is a redish brown color. This section of the tree is smooth. Sap squeezes through the holes of the tree. When you touch the sap it sticks to your hands, often parts of the bark stick to your hand as well. I stare up at the rest of the tree. It contains an intecrate pattern of branches, they spiral around the tree, creating a sort of staircase effect. A small branch snaps next to me as I continue to climb the tree.

SOL#16- The Whale

The salty ocean breeze lifts my hair from my back. I hear the waves crash against the side of the boat.  The sun can be seen just peeking behind the horizon. Suddenly cries erupt from the other passengers in the boat. They are pointing to a dark blue form in the water. I soon realize the form is a whale. It splashes back and forth, creating even more waves in the water. The whale raises its tail and splashes it down again. The spectators cry out in awe. I stare at the horizon. The hills are a brilliant green, the sky a bright blue. There is not a single cloud. The whale comes next to the boat. I can now see just how big it is. The whale is mostly blue but has spots that are slightly discolored. The whale swims away and I turn my attention back to the horizon.

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47377886@N05/24757209690">Raising her fluke</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)</a>

SOL#15- The Little Mermaid

Tonight was the second night of tech week. Preparations are fully underway for The Little Mermaid. I am excited for the show, and I also just want to get it over with. I have heard the play so many times, and run through it so many times that it is really stuck in my head. It is really exciting to see everything come together. The scenery, the costumes, the lights. Now it is just about having fun with the show and the finishing touches. One of my favorite parts of the show is Under the Sea. It is just a number all about having fun. It is a song about celebrating life under the sea. It is just a fun song. Overall, I am excited for the play and seeing everything coming together.

SOL#14- The Rock and The Stars

The cold rock presses into my back. It is an extension of the Earth. I feel as though I am above the world, even though I am only a few feet above the ground.  I listen to the sounds of other people getting in place. I feel someone's foot press against my thigh. A slight breeze comes and goes, raising the hairs on the back of my neck. As I stare into the sky I realize how far from civilization I am. There are no blinding street lights obscuring the stars. No cars loudly honking. And no airplanes flying overhead. The sky is ablaze with stars of all shapes and sizes. It is amazing how we can see something so far away. Some stars are only a small dot in the sky, others are big enough to be seen by the naked eye. If you pay close enough attention you can see the constellations in the stars. I stay there for a while, just looking at the stars. After a while, I and the others around me head down from the rock. As my feet touch the ground I think of the stars.

SOL#13- The Courtroom Bar

The clock strikes twelve, dong

On the dot, it’s time to begin in front of the bar.

The gavel bangs,

By order of the judge, it’s time to begin in front of the bar.

The jurors purposefully stride in

Freshly prepared, it’s time to continue in front of the bar.

The Prosecution speaks while I

Wait in vain, it’s time too watch in front of the bar.

I walk up to the podium,

My opening speech ready, it’s time to stand in front of the bar.

The witnesses are called, for the Prosecution

One, by, one, it’s time to observe in front of the bar.

Tick tock, tick tock, witness after witness

I object, irrelevant I say, it’s time to object in front of the bar.

It’s cross examination time, down to the wire

I ask question after question, it’s time to cross examine in front of the bar.

I call my witnesses, for the Defense

One, by, one, it’s time to question in front of the bar.

Then comes the closing argument, the Prosecution is up to bat

It’s time to listen in front of the bar.

My closing argument next

It’s time to speak in front of the bar.

The jurors vote

It’s time to wonder in front of the bar.

We won the case

It’s time to celebrate in front of the bar.

The audience cheers

It’s time to begin behind the bar.

SOL#12-The Trees By The Road

The sun burns the back of my neck. I hear other footsteps pounding behind me. I move to the side of the road, hoping to find shelter from the sun among the trees. The trees that line the road are all brilliant green. Not all the trees are the same. Some have large leaves, some have small. Some trunks are a dusty gray color while others are a dark brown. A single leaf is a world of it’s own. Veins line the bottom of the leaf, remaining  perfect unlike the jagged edges of the leaf. Suddenly the source of the footsteps appears. A person is behind me. They soon pass me, my slow pace no match for their long gait. I stay behind and look at the trees. Reveling in their beauty. Soon I continue on, thinking of the trees by the road all the while

SOL#11- Snow Falls

Snow falls,
Covering the world in white.

The green of the grass,
The emerald of the trees,
The black of the asphalt,
Can not be seen under the white.

Each flake is different,
One in shape of a star,
The other like a flower.

The snow seems heavy at first,
It's true qualities are revealed with the slightest pressure.

The shape of a footprint is pressed into the snow,
Each curve and imprint drawn deep into the snow.

These footprints will not last forever,
But they seem final.

Soon it all stops.
The white still lays on the ground,
Still covering the world.

If you follow the footprints,
In the snow,
Where will you go?

Will they lead you around the world,
Through the mountains,
Or just where there is no snow.

Snow has fallen,
Covering the world in white.

SOL#10- The Life of a Flower

The soil is damp with rain. The sun falls, creating small patches of light. The seed has everything it needs to grow. Soon the sun goes down and the seed has still not sprouted. Many days and nights pass until a glimmer of green is visible.  The next day rain pours down on the plant. The plant seems to shrink away, at first, but soon realizes how the rain will help it grow. Suddenly the rain stops. The plant reaches one leaf into the sunlight that has arrived in the rains absence. The moon soon fills the sky. It alternates back and forth. Moon, Sun, Moon, Sun. The plant continues to grow taller, but still not as tall as the other plants in the garden. Soon a green bud appears. Wisps of color can be seen within the green skin. When the rain has stopped for the year, the bud begins to peel back. Inside is a small flower. The petals of the flower are a vibrant white. The center is a bright yellow. After many days, the plant has finally grown up.

SOL#9-Dusk Into Night

The sun begins to set over the lake. The oranges and the pinks meld together to create a beautiful picture. The clear water reflects the glorious colors, amplifying the effect. The only noise is the waves crashing against the sandy shore. The colors begin to grow darker. Soon the area around the lake is barely visible. The light pinks and oranges have faded into purples and blacks. Soon the sky will be dark. The brightest stars are beginning to be visible as dusk transitions into night. Soon all the light colors are absent from the sky. The sky becomes entirely black. The moon becomes visible. It lets off a soft glow, bright, but not nearly as bright as the sun. Dusk has finally faded into night.

SOL#8- The Journey of The Dandelion

With a breath of air I am free. No longer bound by the long green chain that even reaches deep underground. I float and I fly, at last free to see the whole world. Wherever the wind goes I go. The wind pushes me up high into the air. I see small streams flowing into rivers. Lush leaves falling down from trees. Soft grass swaying in the wind. Birds fighting over sunflower seeds. I am pushed even higher. So high that I can touch the clouds. The clouds fall beneath me as I go so high that I can see the whole world. The greens and the blues and the whites that all blend together to make our home. I can see the oceans moving in ever-changing patterns. I see the blackness of space reaching over me. Like a blanket that never ends. My journey continues, never stopping. I am a dandelion, and this is my journey.

SOL#7- A Symphony of Words

With a flick of a hand,

The parting of a mouth,

A word is born.

Some stay round for years,

Others vanish in a blink of an eye.

They all lie in a void,

Waiting to be born.

Some have a sense of importance,

The because's and the and's,

They cast away the small words,

Pushing them deeper into the void,

Vanishing them from the world.

These words live alone,

Waiting for someone to notice them,

They beg and they plead,

For someone far above,

To call them away from the void.

One special word has been waiting for years,

She hopes and she prays,

But still no salvation comes.

Until one day,

When one college proffesor ushers her name.

Ameliorate, he calls,

Loud and clear.

The word is brought forth,

Into the light of the world,

Excited for the next flick of a hand,

Parting of a mouth,

In which she will be born

SOL#6- The Single Blade of Grass

Thr river rushes by. I hear it lapping against the bank. The air has a slight chill to it, driving home the fact that winter is near. The grass feels soft against my feet. The clearing is serene, empty of all sound except the river. The wind rushes by, making the tall grass sway. I hear the birds chirp as the river speeds up, pushing all sorts of debris downstream. It is so peaceful. The problems in our society do not reach this sacred space. When you look closely at the grass you can see that it is a world of its own. Different creatures crawl under their protective blades. To them, the grass must seem like the tallest trees in the world. To me, it is just a single blade of grass. But to the river and the clearing that surrounds it, that single blade of grass is the most important thing: life.

SOL#5- The Shell Cottage

Up the apple tree, over the fence, through the trees they went. The picket fence comes into view, the cottage resting behind it. The cottage and its garden are run down. The paint is peeling, the hedges need trimming, and the weeds need pulling. Despite its rusty exterior, those who come near see its inner spirit. The walls of the cottage are covered in weeds.  Portions of the roof appear as though they are about to cave in. Layers of dust cover the floor. The beauty of the shells that decorate the main room is obscured by the cobwebs. When rain falls, small drops land in the hallway. The cottage is empty of all furniture adding to its feeling of abandonment. People do not dare to come near to the cottage. Except for one. Once who went up the apple tree, over the fence, and through the trees, until they saw the picket fence and the Shell Cottage beyond.

SOL#4- The Water Lily Pond

I stare at the painting in its frame. Inside lies a world that exists only on paper. A wooden bridge lies over the picturesque pond. The water is crystal clear and reflects the scenery above. While the grass lies still in the picture I can picture it swaying in the wind in tune with the lily pads. The soft pink of the flowers contrasts with the bright green of the lily pads and the blue hues of the water. The artist creates a world that contains so much clarity yet is blurred. The bridge is empty of any life and the shadows seem to haunt the painting. The water is obscured by various flora except for one spot where the true serenity of the water is revealed. I glance at the Water Lily Pond one last time, then turn my attention back to the real world.

SOL#3- The House and the Water

The waves are gentle, pushing the canoe forward. From the canoe, you can see a small island. The island is largely populated by tall astute evergreens. There is a small section that is bare of trees. A house stands in that bare section. By looking at the house you can see that it is an old house. It is a house that has undergone many trials and tests. Old fishing boats and sailboats line the shore, adding to the house's unusual image. The house appears to be separate from the tiny island. A separate part of a very small part of the world. The waves speed up, drawing attention away from the house. Suddenly the water is the main focus. One can watch as it makes swirling patterns around the obstacles it faces. Water is not phased by anything. It overcomes every obstacle it faces. It can overcome the unusualness of the house and the land mass it rests on. Soon the house passes out of view, but the water remains as unphased as ever.

SOL#2-Unseen Figures

The sun shines down on the barren wasteland. Figures dressed in different colors dance around, providing the only color to the landscape. There is no grass or anything besides dirt. The dirt is a tan brownish color. If flies into the air in random shapes, subtly changing the color of the air. The figures begin to slow down and suddenly disappear altogether. The landscape suddenly goes bleak. The colors are gone, dust continues to swirl into the air. You can see patterns in the dirt where the figures had once been. The sun continues to shine as the minutes tick bye. Shadows dance underneath the building while the wind hollows high in the sky, each force forming figures of its own.

SOL#1-The Unyielding Showers

The light is absent from the sky. The clouds have begun their everlasting tirade against the sun. The waves splash harder and harder, seemingly powered by the sudden lack of warmth. Then the raindrops come. Attacking those below with no mercy. They start out slow then increase pace with sudden ferocity. Water hits water until all is one. The water from the sky melds with the water of the earth. The trees stand astute as ever, looking on as the water comes down relentlessly. They wait for the end to come, praying the clouds will soon pass. Their wish is heard as it ends as suddenly as it started. The raindrops seem to fall upwards into the sky. Suddenly the sun peaks through. The trees sigh in relief. The rain has come and gone and all is as it once was before the storm.

The Rainstorm In The Woods

                           The leafy branches prevent the cold drops of water from falling on my head. Soon the load grows too heavy for the leaves and the icy water falls onto my already soaked head. I shiver with the cold. The sky becomes an even darker gray as I hear thunder rumbling in the woods around me. My attention is attracted by the sound of objects flying around. Upon further examination I realize that people are throwing around small seedlings with spikes attached on them. They lay all around on the ground. The seedlings are hidden among the brown leaves and twigs that line the forest floor. The sky lights up with a flash of lightning. I sigh when I realize it will be a long time before we are on our way again.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

                     The kingdom of Goredd is inhabited by two primary creatures. Humans and dragons. Seraphina Dombegh is a young woman who has managed to get herself in between this ancient and recently healed division. Soon Prince Rufus is murdered and many people throughout the kingdom have a suspicion that the dragons murdered him. Seraphina must work hard to keep her own secret, protect the people around her, solve a mystery, and try to keep the castles events on track for she is the assistant music mistress. While she tries to balance all of that, something new comes into her life. Something that reminds her that she is truly not alone. Can she do it or will there be more deaths of important figures in the future? Overall Seraphina is a great tale that weaves an incredible world full of descriptive characters that you feel you know by the end of the book. Because of scary and romantic parts of the book I would recommend it to people over the age of eleven. If you are a fan of fantasy and adventure this is the book for you.

5 out of 5 stars

What I am currently reading:

Hard Choices by Hillary Clinton

Prudence by Gail Carriger

The Sweetness At The Bottom Of The Pie by Alan Brandley

Wings: A Fairy Tale by E.D Baker

                  Tamisin Warner has always been different from everyone else. She has pointy ears like an elf and feels a calling to dance during full moon. She also remembers seeing strange creatures during Halloween several years earlier.  Tamisin attempts to lead a normal life until a boy named Jak comes to her school. What she doesn't know is that Jak is on a mission to find her. Soon two things happen that will change Tamisin's life forever. She grows wings and is taken over to the land of the fey. In this mysterious land she must keep the peace between the goblins and the fairy queen Titania. Can she do it or will a dark secret overwhelm her first? Wings is an interesting story that would interest fans of fantasy and fairy tale books. This book would be appropriate for anyone above ten years old. If you are looking for a great book that is a little bit of a happier read, Wings is the book for you.

The books I am currently reading:

Hard Choices by Hilary Rodham Clinton

Prudence:The Custard Protocol Series Book 1 by Gail Carriger

To My Dearest Stepmother

This is an apology poem written from the perspective of Snow White to her evil stepmother.

Mirror, mirror

On the wall,

Who is the fairest of them all?

I am.

 Constantly raising up a storm,

Because your not the one.

Never a fault,

In my glistening face, white as snow.

Forgive me,

Being the fairest is so

Unexcruciatingly wonderful,

That I’m positive you would enjoy it.

Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

              In a small town by the name of Strattenburg lives a young boy by the name of Theodore Boone. Theodore Boone dreams of becoming a great lawyer one day. He loves giving legal advice to other kids.  At first he goes about his normal retune until the beginning of the trial of Pete Duffy. Pete Duffy is accused of murdering his wife. Theodore believes he is guilty. One day he learns of a person that could change the whole course of the trial. A person who he thinks will make it so Pete Duffy is brought to justice. He must find a way to get this person to come forward, while keeping the whole thing a secret.

          Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer is a phenomenal book that is a story of justice and adventure with a legal twist. As soon as you start reading the book you are sucked into the world that master storyteller John Grisham creates. The book is a fairly easy read that I would recommend for anyone above ten. If you are a fan of mysteries interlocked with trials this is the book for you.

5 out of 5 stars.

I am currently reading:

Hard Choices by Hilary Clinton

and

Timeless by Gail Carriger

Wind

             The wind brushes my hair. I feel as though I am in my own world, wrapped in a constantly moving blanket of wind. I haven't felt wind like this for a while. I wonder how mother nature can manage to create a wind that is so strong and powerful that stops shortly after it starts. I know that the wonderful majesty of a wind like this one will live in my mind forever. For now I just relax and feel as though I am flying, the wind as my guide.

The One And Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

                 Ivan is a gorilla who lives in a small domain (cage) in a mall. The malls business has gone down since Ivan has grown in age. Ivan is accompanied by several other animals including an Elephant named Stella, a dog named Snickers, a dog named Bob, and a parrot. Ivan likes to paint with the supplies the janitors daughter, Julia gives him. The owner of this mall, Mack buys a baby elephant to drum up business. This elephant is named Ruby. When Ruby comes to the mall she is shy. Stella looks after her. When Stella passes away, Ivan must work hard to give Ruby a better life. Will he succeed? This heartwarming tale written by Katherine Applegate paints a picture of an unlikely friendship. In a way this book is almost a verse novel. It is amazing how the author is able to supply you with so much information in short sentences. The One And Only Ivan is a great read that children 9 and older would enjoy.

5 out of 5 stars.

I am currently reading:

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Etiquette And Espionage by Gail Carriger

                     Sophronia Angelia Teminick is a 14 year old girl who lives in England under the rule of Queen Victoria.  The country of England endures a few changes in this book. For instance supernaturals (werewolf's and vampires) also live under British rule . Sophronia does not live up to her mothers fantasy of a young lady. Because of this she is sent to a finishing school by the name of Madimoselle Geraldines School for Young Ladies of Quality. Sophronia soon learns that this finishing school teaches espionage and that everyone is after a prototype hidden by Monique de Pelouse, her arch nemesis. Sophronia must figure out the location of the prototype and ace all of her lessons on top of this monstrous challenge. Gail Carriger did a great job combining english culture with machinery and fantasy. By the end of the book you feel a bond with the main character. The best part about this book was the plot. The plot will keep you interested until the end of the book. If you are under 12 this book is not for you. If you are looking for a steampunk novel with a little bit of british culture mixed in, Etiquette And Espionage is the book for you.

The Girl Sitting On The Red Brick Column

                 Two red brick column stand on the sides of a stone pathway. One brick column stands next to the fence the other column stands next to the house. On top of the column that stands near the fence is a girl. The girl sits with her legs crossed and holds a bright red notebook. She is furiously scribbling on one of the notebooks pages. The air is pleasantly warm, but the girl still wears a red fleece. Her yellow #2 pencil suddenly stops. The girls small forehead deepens as a frown creases it. She stares off into space and appears to be thinking. The girl then resumes to writing, her blond hair flying out behind her as a breeze drifts.

The Woman Who Fell From The Sky by Jennifer Steil

                              Jennifer Steil, an American journalist who lives in New York and is an employee of the magazine The Week, is sent to Sanaa Yemen. Not just for a high risk vacation, but to educate the staff of the Yemen newspaper The Yemen Observer in the ways of journalism. Jennifer soon returns back to New York with a job offer to consider. She soon decides to take on The Yemen Observer's offer, and assumes the position of editor at the Yemen Observer. Jennifer must push herself to the breaking point in order to restructure the Yemen Observer and get an edition of the newspaper out twice a week.  In this excellent memoir Jennifer Steil paints a picture of her life in the capitol of Yemen, and the culture and life of others around her. The Woman Who Fell From The Sky offers a visitors view of Yemen and the culture of the people of Yemen. Readers under 13 should not read this book because of the romance and violence that is included. If you are looking for a beautifully written book that describes living in a new place, The Woman Who Fell From The Sky is the book for you.

Reflection On The Slice Of Life Challenge - SOL#31

                   Throughout this challenge I have learned many things. I have learned good ways to get over writers block, I have found many diverse ways to write a slice of life, and last but not least I have learned the types of writing that appeal to me. This challenge has been beneficial in many ways. It has helped me practice the craft of writing and learn all about having a blog. One of the best things about the slice of life challenge is how it has helped me become a better writer. This challenge helped me become a better writer because the challenge itself revolves around writing, and the more I practice writing the better I get. Overall I am grateful that I had a chance to participate in the 2015 slice of life challenge.

A Robin's View - SOL#30

           I look around the yard. My eyes are drawn to the tall pine tree in the corner of the yard. I chirp in surprise when I see a flash of black in the tree. My eyes are soon able to make out the shape of a young girl. The girl is sitting on a thin branch. Her hands grip two other branches. The girl has an oval face, blond hair, and bright green eyes. Her face is dotted with small circular freckles. The girl seems completely at ease, despite the fact that she is several dozen feet above ground. Her eyes are focused of the clear blue sky. I imagine that she must have a great view. Soon the girl tires me and I return to the gray birdbath that is full of clear water. I soon fly away into the blue sky.

The Dancers In Front Of The Blue Background - SOL#29

                   The ballerina waltzes across the stage. Her brown hair is tied in a bun. The dancers partner holds her high up in the air. The ballerinas costume appears to blend into the blue background, as she twirls and leaps around the stage. Her pale arms raise up into the air to form an oval. The ballerina and her partner are the only ones on the stage. They perform lift after lift, sequence after sequence. The dancers stay close together during this complicated dance. Soon the ballerina is raised high into the air. She reoriented herself in such a way that her legs are above her head. She stays in this pose for a few more seconds, but then moves so her feet are touching the ground, and begins to twirl. She twirls around the stage. Everyones eyes are on her instead of her partner. As the dance comes to a close, the two dancers gracefully walk off the stage, and the front of the blue background is left empty.

The Fish That Swim Around - SOL#28

                   My eyes stare down at the murky water. I can barely make out the shape of my toes. My eyes can just make out fish swimming around my feet. The fish look small compared to my feet. The fish are black in color.  They appear to be busy exploring there underwater world.  They flit about the sand and swim between the reeds. The fish appear to be happy, living there lives out swimming and exploring. I wonder how they view me, if they are scared of me. Some of the fish are brave and swim close to my toes. Others stay far away. Either way I appear to be a small distraction from there agendas.

Round And Round - SOL#27

Round and round in a circle they go.
This sums up the life of fish,
When they live,
In a clear glass tank.

Sometimes they seem content,
Other times they seem bored.

I wonder if the fish like their watery world,
If they like spending their lives staring at multicolor rocks.

I wonder if the fish can talk to each other,
If they spend the days talking to their friends,
And swimming round,
And round.

The City By The Bay - SOL#26

As the leaves fall away,
A breeze ripples through the bay.

When you cannot find your way,
Go to the city by the bay.

Go to the city that thrives in May,
Where people are who they are each and every day.

The city where people don't listen to those that say nay,
Where a Government Shutdown can happen every day.

The city where there is no hay,
Where no one thinks to repay,

The people that say yay,
And definitely not the ones that say nay.

Not everyone says yay in the city by the bay,
But the no's are outweighed by those who repay.

The Name of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch - SOL#25

                        In a small town (the true name of which can't be told for the characters protection), lived a girl who we will refer to as Cassandra. Cassandra considered herself to be a survivalist and always thought that bad things were happening. One day Cassandra was searching for proof for another one of her outlandish theories, when another child came up to her. We will call this child Max Ernest. Max Ernest dreamed of becoming a comedian, but couldn't find any funny jokes. The two began a conversation and soon made plans to explore the house of a recently deceased magician. Upon exploring the house the two discovered the magicians journal. After a narrow escape from two "prospective buyers" of the house, the two friends are able to crack the code of the journal and learn the magicians story. This story will change there lives forever. The learn the tale of two brothers. They learn that one was taken away by a certain lady with a voice like ice. The two friends learn of another kidnapping and connect the dots. The two are soon sent on a whirling adventure involving a secret society, an ancient secret, and synthesia.

                     This book is an intricate tall of two friends and there interesting discovery. I enjoyed how the author had the narrator, at first refuse to tell the story. The author made the book suspenseful and creepy in many parts. Because of this suspense I couldn't put this book down. The author also did a great job making you feel a connection with the characters. This made the book more enjoyable. Readers of fiction and horror would enjoy this book. Because of scary parts in this book, children under 10 should not read The Name of This Book Is Secret.

3.5 out of 5 stars