First non-fiction article

Well, here it is. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The idea seemed good in the beginning but now it just seems flat. I'm going to go ahead and send it in and let my instructor take a crack at it.

Surprising Friendships

Would it surprise you to know that the bully in your class can be helpful to the nicest kid? They can even become friends! If the kind person is being picked on, the bully can protect him. If the bully needs to pass math, the kind kid can help her.
Is that surprising? Look at nature. You can find some amazing friendships between living creatures too.
Most of the time butterflies and ants are enemies. Ants will eat butterflies that get hurt and cannot fly. However, in Australia there is a butterfly that has made friends with the ants. It is called the Common Imperial Blue.
Butterflies begin their lives as caterpillars. While the they are still caterpillars, ants will protect them from their enemies. The ants do this because the caterpillars secrete (make) a honey that the ants love to eat. Both insects get something good from their connection. This kind of relationship is called symbiosis.
In Africa there is a bird called the Oxpecker. This bird helps many large animals like zebras, giraffes, and buffalos. You might see them pecking the back, head, or in the ears of these large beasts. A very brave bird might even clean teeth! It may surprise you that the big animals don’t try to get rid of the birds.
The large animals do not find the little Oxpecker annoying because they are eating pests like gnats and fleas. A buffalo is happy to have the biting, bloodsucking pests gone. The bird is happy about the free lunch. They also get a great place to sunbathe!
The bird also helps the animals in another way. When the Oxpecker senses danger, it flies up and makes a loud noise. Then the large animals know there is a predator near by and they need to be very careful.
People also have a positive relationship with something surprising. Bacteria! These are tiny organisms that live inside a host plant or animal. Bacteria can cause people to be sick or have an infection. When someone has a bacterial infection the doctor gives them medicine to kill it. People are taught to clean a cut and wash their hands. Many soaps and sprays get rid of the bacteria on our bodies and in our home.
But there are bacteria living in human stomachs that are actually helpful. The stomach cannot easily digest some of the foods that come into it. Special bacteria that live in the stomach begin to break these difficult foods down. After the bacteria are done the job can easily be finished.
Our world is full of relationships like these that are unexpected and important.
If the ant did not help the butterfly, many Common Imperial Blue butterflies would not survive. If the tiny Oxpecker did not warn the large animals, many more would be killed by predators. And finally, if the usually nasty bacteria did not help people digest difficult foods, we might miss out on some important nutrition.
So next time you see a relationship that seems weird, look more closely. They are probably helping each other!

Rocker Time

I sit in the rocker with my son curled up contentedly in my lap. I relish these moments knowing that all too quickly his arms and legs will outgrow this comfort. We sit silently rocking back and forth. Inwardly,I cringe at all the times he's held up his arms and said "hold me" that I've said no because something was drawing my attention. As I sit here rocking, now I know that at those times, I am completely insane. It is moments like these that he will remember some many years down the road when he is too old to be held by his mother. It is moments like these that will bring him calm and joy in his remembrances of childhood, not a spotless house.

As I sit rocking and he sleeping, I feel a healing in my soul that isn't like any other. It is as if the troubled places in my soul swirl around and around, disappearing into a vortex of forgetfulness. Every person I have ever wronged marches by quietly whispering: you are forgiven. Those who have wronged me ask forgiveness and I say yes, easily and quickly and God himself reaches from somewhere inside nothing and asks my soul to dance again. All that as I sit in my rocker with my 3 year old curled in my lap.

PIck Six

Pick Six – exercise from Write Brain, day 155
Write down 6 things within your line of vision
Now use all six in a piece that begins with It’s funny, the more I…..

MY LIST
Dying flowers
Mirror
Calculator
Silver tea service
Lap top
Pile of children’s magazines

It’s funny, the more I….look at those dead flowers in the crystal vase, the more I want to pick them up and dash them into the mirror behind them. They only serve to make me feel like I’m really, really behind. No matter how hard I work, there always seems to be some flowers dying in a vase somewhere. But isn’t life like that? Just as soon as you choose to focus on one thing, something else has to wither away. This is reality at its finest. However, modern popular culture tells us that we are failures if we can’t do it all. But the deft use of one of our modern conveniences, like a calculator, will reveal that the numbers don’t add up! You’ve got to choose between many things. Either polish the antiquated silver tea service or type away on your shiny new laptop and read through that pile of children’s magazines. If the guilt is overwhelming, you may need to pack the tea service and the vase away until you have time to maintain them or the money to hire someone to maintain them for you. That’s it; I have to choose. For today I choose to BE A WRITER and raise my precious boys….. Now for a game of “let’s pretend”; afterall, it can only serve to help my writing anyway!

A writing exercise

In a paragraph or two, describe the setting of somewhere you know well using the language and tone of someone who is happy, depressed, puzzled, and scared. Here are happy and depressed. The others will come later. I went back to my living room again.


Happy
I opened my front door and entered the living room, cheeks all aglow. I felt inspired. I glanced around at the room where I had come up with the story idea. It’s a great room, full of color and cheer. In the beginning the idea of so many bright colors had scared me but I’m glad my best friend had talked me into it. At first when I had started to paint the walls bright yellow, I cringed inwardly. But when finished painting, I could almost feel the warmth of the sun and I loved it. Now, I sit down in my big yellow story chair and put my feet up on the multi-colored ottoman with a modernistic design. Matching pillows are scattered throughout the room on all the couches. Here I have spent many happy hours reading to my boys and survey the cheerful room. Directly across from me, contrasting the yellow walls, is an electric blue couch that invites you to jump into the tropical scene that hangs above it. I often imagine myself stepping onto that island to frolic on its beaches. To the right of this couch on the wall perpendicular is a red loveseat that matches the red in the roof of the tropical vacation house in the painting above it. It too, brings back fond memories and aspirations of future sojourns in places just like it. Directly opposite, a treasured table sits under the picture window. Growing up, I spent many hours around this table with my family. On top are displayed my three golden yellow ceramic Koi fish. Looking at them always brings out my good spirits. In the center of the room is my coffee table with its many drawers on the sides and family pictures on top, along with an array of my toddler’s picture books.

Depressed
I open my door a trudge in the front door, dropping my bags near the big chair with its tacky ottoman. What was I thinking when I picked out this furniture grouping? A red couch, a blue couch, and the big yellow chair with its multi-colored ottoman and matching pillows that are thrown around the room. The colors assault my eyes, grating my nerves. I can’t even think about relaxing in a room like this. Under the window is the old dingy table that we used to eat dinner on while I was growing up. Some would call it a family heirloom. I see it for what it is: a poor excuse for an inheritance. On top sit the fish sculptures I bought on clearance at some store at the beach. I liked them then; now they just remind me of how unfulfilled my life feels with their big gaping mouths always hungering for more. In the middle of the room sits a big coffee table filled with small drawers on two sides…great places to hide a bunch of useless crap. My sons love to hide their little treasures in them and then find them again as if they were uncovering some sort of hidden treasure. Sigh. I wish I had a tenth of their enthusiasm. I wasn’t always this cranky and miserable; after all somewhere inside is the person who thought all these colors were tasteful.

My Serenity

I think this is finished. Now I have to make excuses to my teacher for why its so dreadfully late. I think I'll just not even go there. Ugh!!!! Maybe just the mention of toddler and infant will do the trick? Double ugh!!!! got to get over that if I ever want to make a go of this writing stuff!

The Inland waterway cuts through our town, bringing with it a quiet serenity yet stirring our restless hearts. I love to go up to the park that sits on its shores when I need some time to think things through. It is a refuge from my sometimes mixed up world. The pleasure boats that churn their way south through the locks serve as a reminder that everything is temporary.
Today is one of those days that I need the refuge of my special place in the park. I hurry past the playground where a rowdy band of toddlers screech and giggle their way through a game of tag. On the other side of the park is the canal where a parade of white sales flutters in the breeze as they wait to go through the locks heading south for a summer of carefree travel. The sound of the skippers calling to one another fades when I step onto the wooded path that leads to my special place.
I remove my shoes so that I can feel the mixture of fine sand and pine needles massaging my toes. It is peaceful to be walking along the path with the sound of the water gently lapping the shore. Towering pines give me relief from the heat of the late afternoon sun and dull the noise that emanates from the park area. Several herons add to the tranquility as they gracefully alight in the tall grass and survey the scene before them without making a sound. They keep a wary eye on me as I ramble through their domain, only stirring when the silence is broken by fish jumping out of the water.
Breathing deeply, my lungs are filled with the sweet scent of honeysuckle that permeates the air. I can almost taste the sugary nectar of the flowers. Not wanting to risk the fiery stings of the honey bees that swarm through the vines with a clear intention of making off with all the bounty found within, I continue on my way.
Rounding a bend in the path the beauty is interrupted by a rusty barge languishing on the opposite shore. In years to come, it will hardly be noticeable as it sinks ever further into the mud and muck and is overtaken by trees and marsh grass. Even here, the elegant herons add beauty and quietude.
I reach my spot and snuggle into the small alcove off the path. Tiny crabs and water bugs scatter in every direction, though some of the crabs stay close by in the crevices of driftwood pieces as if to challenge my intrusive presence. Hiding among the wheat grass, I imagine myself one of the tiny residents of this sandy sanctuary. Moments later the creatures return, grudgingly accepting my presence in their world. Leaning back on a small tree, I relax and take in the captivating beauty of what surrounds me. The sun begins to sink into the horizon adding a dramatic orange blaze to the stark blue canvas. I close my eyes and listen as the tree frogs and crickets begin their nightly concert. There is nowhere else I’d rather be at this moment.

Faces

faces, faces: faces walking by
empty eyes - some say hi.
faces walking by.

how many times do we look in their eyes?
don't look now - heavy sighs.
we don't hear what's in our ear.
turn away; what do we fear?

what's the problem? why should we care?
we walk on by - it's their despair.
don't even try to understand.
wander forever lost in our own private land.

faces, faces: faces walking by
catch their eye - I say hi.
faces walking by.

look up! see what you can see.
reach out - love can be.
listen closely to what they say.
expect a miracle - come what may.

take the time to believe.
they walk by - no longer grieve.
faces, faces: faces everywhere
look in their eyes - you'll find they care.

Image

Image
I smile.
She smiles.
I wave.
She waves.
I wink.
She winks.
She's not real.
Am I real?
She can't love.
Do I love?
I love.
She can't.
I'm real;
She's not.
We both turn and walk away.
She into oblivion;
I into life.

Filling in the sensory blanks.......

Describing my living room.....

SIGHT
Lively daffodils straining to reach the sun, clinging to life
Lost booty peeking from its hiding place under the table
Serenity pouring from pictures of tropical scenes

SOUND
Thumpity thump of the washing machine in the next room
The stark silence left after the children leave
The comforting hum of the heater

TOUCH
The smooth, hard, cool surface of the coffee table
Bumpy carpet massaging bare toes
The enveloping warmth of soft fluffy furniture
Or
Being ensconced by the warmth of soft fluffy furniture

SMELL
Occasional smell of gardenia
Smell of crisp rain rushing in with the quick opening of the door

Be a word finder......

Trade general words for more specific

bird......stork, phoenix
red..... scarlet, cherry
walk..... saunter, trudge
heavy......burdensome, ponderous
wildflower.....bleeding heart, dandelion
go up...... ascend, rise, climb, mount
cold......frigid, icy, cool, steely
building…..house, home, skyscraper, tenement
light…..pale, faint, airy, weightless, ethereal
go fast…..race, sprint, zip
boat…..ship, dingy, canoe, kayak
refreshing….invigorating, rejuvenating, uplifting
tall……towering, lofty, soaring
go forward….move on, proceed, advance, press on, hasten
fresh…new, novel, original, creative, unsullied, spanking new
uneven……rough, not level, bumpy, jagged, lopsided
street……road, lane, boulevard, parkway, highway
enjoy……like, love, adore, get a charge out of
blue……azure, cobalt, indigo, depressed, dejected, melancholy
look…..search, glance, gaze

okay....it's KILLING ME. Do have some writing in draft status though.

Day 5-- Ship Shape

The boat's sail....filled with a brisk wind and sent the Wind Gypsy gliding along the bay and the old sailor leaned back in contentment. He couldn't imagine a better day for his last sail in the Gypsy. She had served him well in his many adventures up and down the coast. Some of those adventures had been taken solo, others with seafaring buddies, and still others with his beloved wife who was now doing her own solo in other oceans beyond the horizon. Again he nodded with deep satisfaction enjoying his solitude on this last voyage. He had many wonderful and vivid memories of sailing with his comrades of ocean passion, but he had to admit, it was the solos that gave him the most gratification. The old boat seemed to respond with a heavy sigh as if in agreement and she leaned into the wind and sped across the bay, giving the old man exactly what he wanted. There was nothing like a day or two on the water alone to clear any barnacles from his brain and deliver peace to his soul, especially now when he felt the presence of the end of his personal voyage. He would love to go on, but his body could not; it had finally reached its own limits. Fortunately, he was gratified to feel few regrets and he was ready to cross the horizon into the unknown journey. He accepted that any unfinished business wouldl now have to take care of itself. He began now to think of his next great journey. Would he meet those who had gone before? Would they pick up where they had left off? There was no way for him to know, but he began to look forward with anticipation. Yes, he was happy to be on this last voyage with his beloved Wind Gypsy. He knew that she would carry him safely to his next destination; she always had. There was nothing to hold either of them back. Somewhere off in the distance he heard the call of the sailor "Sail on, Captain! Sail on!" As if one in spirit, they once again leaned into the wind and raced toward the horizon in the distance.

Written in memory of my step-father, Ron Speer. I hope one day I will find my own voice in writing like he did.

Part II: List four things you do when you need perking up. Next time you are lethargic in your writing, do one of these before you return to your writing.

Exercise
Go to the library or bookstore and wander
Nap
Play with my son

Day 4 -- Terrible Twos

In this exercise, I am 2 years old. Write from this perspective. Be childlike. Play!

Give myself a name with the initials C.A. T
COY ANGEL TODDLING

Eye color: blue
hiar color: blond
Favorite food: cheese sticks
sibling: George, 6yrs
How he treats me: he gives me cookies all the time
Thoughts on toilet training: why bother?

Begin with:

Here I am stuck in my crib.....I sposed to be asleep. It's nap time. I won't sleep though cause I was busy and I'm just going to scream until mommy comes back and gets me out. EEEEEEEh!!! Footsteps, here she comes. That didn't take as long as yesterday. Wait, the footsteps are gone! Turn it up a notch....eeeeeeh...ahhhhhhh. I not tired! I jus woke up!!! I want to play with my doctor kit!!!! oh? Footsteps again...coming to get me...yeah! Footsteps gone? (Big Yawn), I will rest a minute....then turn it up again.....ooooh my pillow is comfy....uhmmm ...maybe jus a minute...no must keep screa.....zzzZZZZZZZ....I'll try again later.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

This needs work. This baby doesn't seem coy. Will come back later today.

Part II:

In what area of creativity are you stuck? Making time every day....I'm thinking this book will help. The exercises are fun. Now I have to complete my second assignment for the Children's Literature Institute. That will be a big hurdle. I'd really like to do it before my baby is delivered on Feb 7th (C-section).