Category Archives: Literature

Literature

Module 9 & 10 Story #1

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I haven’t been posting a whole lot lately.  Not sure why.  Anyway, I got an ending for my next science story, so I thought I should get posting it.  This is my first science story I didn’t write in first person, and it is also the first one that divided into parts naturally as I was writing it–and there’s no long conversations that got broken up into different parts.

Also, this is going to be my last science story.  There is another story I’m planning on writing that is sort-of scientific, is. . . very different from my other science stories!  I’m hoping to post that one too. . . And after that, my next story should be The Sacrifice!!!!  I’m super excited–though at the moment I’m kind of having writer’s blog. *sigh*

Anyway, my last science story:

IMG_1214

Fort Myers Beach, FL

Katie stood quietly in the wet sand, letting the cool water gently lick her toes; smiling as her eight-year-old brother Brian ran straight into the waves, and flung himself down on his stomach—soaking himself from head to foot in seconds.

“Aren’t you coming in, Katie?” shouted ten-year-old Amanda from waist-deep.

“Yes. At my own pace I am,” she answered, smiling at her younger siblings’ enthusiasm. It was her first time seeing the Ocean as well as theirs, but she did not feel inclined to break her habit of starting a bit slow.

Continue reading Module 9 & 10 Story #1 →

Literature

May book reveiw: Cinnabar

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Cinnabar: The One O’Clock Fox by Marguerite Henry.  Yet another book I had read before, but read again for history this year anyway. 🙂

It’s an interesting book.  It is about a fox named Cinnabar, and the ‘bad guy’ is actually George Washington because he goes on fox hunts.  Notice I said interesting.

Cinnabar is an fun book, and it was not necessarily disrespectful of George Washington and his role in the Revolution, he just went on fox hunts.

He squinched his eyes and gave his brush [tail] a flick and a flirt just to tell himself he was not dreaming; that he was, in fact, Cinnabar, the One O’Clock Fox.  And today was his.  For fun. (42)

I loved Cinnabar’s relationship with his family.  He had huge responsibilities, trying to feed four fox cubs; and he did go meet up with the hunters on purpose (because he knows they cannot catch him) for a holiday–but I still think he was a good father, and he was very careful about saving up food for his family while he was gone.

It didn’t have a lot of moral value, but it was entertaining, and I remember loving it when I was little!

Literature

??? {Mystery Quote #7} ???

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Number seven!  Sorry I didn’t get around to posting this sooner.  Better late than never, I guess.  But anyway,

Last week’s quote was from Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski.  The first [she] was ‘Essie’ and the second was ‘Birdie’.

Ellen, Becca, and Katie got it right.  This week’s quote is a departure from historical fiction, by the way.

‘If I hear not allowed much oftener,’ said Sam, ‘I’m going to get angry.’  ‘Can’t say as I’d be sorry to see it,’ said Robin lowering his voice.  ‘If we all got angry together something might be done.’

Hint: I decided to leave in the names this time, because they're pretty stereotypical; but the second person only comes in in one chapter, so you might not recognize it.

Happy guessing!

Literature

May Book Reviews: Judge

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So. . . I just kinda’ launched into May without thinking about it, and then realized I never officially made ‘book reviews’ a permanent thing.  I thought that after the third month I’d ask if you guys wanted to make it permanent.  But I’m out of patience, so what do you say to doing them every month until further notice?

You can read a review of Prophet by R.J. Larson here.  I came across it a while ago while digging through Leah’s ‘fantasy’ tag.  Looking back at it now, I feel like there’s a lot that could be said about that book, but reviews can only be so long and it was enough to get me interested.  Leah mentioned later that the Kindle version was free (I also read Waltz Into the Waves because of Kindle’s free, Leah-recommended version), and Spencer got it (because I’m pretty much helpless around computer, Kindles, and all electronics).  And I loved it!

My reader Savannah recently let me borrow her copy of Prophet‘s sequel, Judge.

“Not that I’m questioning matters, but isn’t this Ela of Parne’s role?  She’s the prophet and messenger. . . or have you turned prophet as well?”  “I hope not.” (19)

I felt like the romance was more of a drag than in Prophet, and there was one part that I felt was un-creatively close to a Bible-story; and it does cover some pretty adult-level topics, so I would definitely recommend children seeking parental guidance.  I also did not feel like the author resolved some of these tough situations very well–just pulled the main characters out and moved on.

But over-all I really enjoyed it, and found it spiritually encouraging.  I think it helped me grasp more of God’s character, and it also challenged me to make Him the center of my life.

As well as for the other Parnians who were rushing up to the wall walk, against her warnings, brandishing their swords and bows and arrows.  Infinite?  Why won’t they listen?! (187)

Literature

??? {Mystery Quote #6} ???

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New header.  Do you guys feel like I change that too much?  And can you believe we’ve done SIX “Mystery Quote”‘s already?  I can’t.  I wonder how many we’ll get to before I finish The Sacrifice.  .  .

Anyways:

Last week’s quote was from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  The ‘she’ is Jo, and the ‘he’ was a replacement for ‘the literal Demi’.

I really wanted to keep the ‘literal’ part in, but I don’t think ‘the literal [he]’ is good grammar, even with the he in brackets. 🙂  Anyways, Ellen got the title and the names right.  Brownie points for being the only one. 🙂

I decided to do two quotes this time:

“Jeff done tole me,” said [she].  Although she was only seven, she was not afraid of her father.  “They been here most a month already.  They come in a big wagon.  They moved in while you was away, Pa.  We watched ’em unload.”

And,

“She don’t like cowmen,” said [she].  “They brag too much.  And neither do I.”

Happy guessing!

Hint: The she's are two different people. I decided 'Jeff' was a common enough name to leave. (Also, let's go ahead and make a rule that you can always guess what's in the brackets. Sound good?)

Do you like my little ‘hint’ box?  I’ve known how make boxes that for a while, but I never found a good time to use it.  It’s kinda’ fun! 🙂

Happy Tuesday!

Adoption, Literature

Love at First Sight

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“I felt that God made it clear to me that I was to raise them and this intensified my love into a fierce, protective, sacrificial love, but it didn’t change the fact that it takes some time to make strangers into family.”

–Katie Davis

I didn’t expect to be able to relate to a Mother’s Day post for at least ten years, but having siblings that are six or eleven years younger than you puts you on a whole different set of charts.  Katie Davis’ post to mothers (linked to above) was one of the most encouraging things I think I’ve ever read.

“And for us, this is the miracle: not that we experienced love at first sight but that God has given me a love for these once-strangers that is just as strong as if they had grown in my own womb.”

Yes.  Yes, yes, yes.

Things will get better.  There is hope.

And it’s still a miracle.

It’s still beautiful.  It’s not worthless, and it’s not hopeless.

“Mommy.”  She said it and I knew.  She was mine.  I was captivated.  Because Mommy is forever.  It’s such a powerful name.  Mommy means “I trust you.”  Mommy means “You will protect me.”  Mommy is for shouting when you need someone dependable and for laughing with when you are excited; Mommy is for crying on and cuddling with when you are sad or giggling and hiding behind when you are embarrassed.  Mommy is the fixer of boo-boos and the mender of broken hearts.  Mommy is a comfort place, a safe place.  Mommy means you are mine and I am yours and we are family. (57)

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

 

P.S. I decided to use the name “Brian” for the boy in my next science story.  I just need to figure out how to end it, and I can post it!

Adoption, Life, Literature

A Little Randomness

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A post I wrote was featured on the Sparrow Fund blog again!  You can read it here.  I just wrote it recently, and I didn’t post it on here.  (Unlike “Broken”.)

Also, I need more help with names. (What on earth is my problem with names???)  In my next science story the main character has a little brother who is eight, and I need a name for him.  I’m looking for a fairly ‘normal’ name, but something a little exotic would be fine too.  Once I get a name for him and come up with a really strong line to end it with, I’ll be ready to post it! (Yay!)

Also, sorry I never got back to you guys on this post.  I’m still deciding on what names I’m going to use, but Christina suggested Amy and I know I’m going to use that one.  I’ll probably decide on the rest of them when I get to the characters in the story.

Thanks!

Literature

May Book Reviews: Mr. Revere and I

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I had listened to Mr. Revere and I by Robert Lawson when I was little*, but when Mama asked me if I wanted to read it for history this year, I didn’t even have to think about it; and it was sooo fun to hear again!

“She’ll be a horse to be proud of.  She got the lines and build.  Can’t fool me on horses.  She’d better have two-three weeks’ rest though.”  “She’ll have to,” Paul Revere laughed.  “You see, I’ve never yet been on a horse.” (46)

For one thing, I had forgotten how funny it was! 🙂  It is about a horse named Scheherazade (or Sherry) who belonged to a red coat, and went to Boston with him.  After her master, Sir Cedric Barnstable gambled her off to the owner of a glue factory, she was rescued from a life of drudgery by the Sons of Liberty and given to Paul Revere–and then, of course, carried him on his famous midnight ride.

Mr. Revere and I is a really good book–not only entertaining, but also informative; most of the story taking place before the famous ride.  I am not sure how much of it is strictly accurate, but it was sure fun to read again; and the story from the point of view of a brainwashed British horse is quite amusing!

It all started with the imbecile, practically sacrilegious, determination of these stubborn Colonists to defy the sacred authority of our Royal and Sovereign Majesty King George III. (4)

Sherry’s perspective is quite skewed at first, but it doesn’t come across anti-patriot-ish at all; so no worries.

But like I said, I’m not sure how much of it is accurate; and Mr. Lawson didn’t just paint Sam Adams and John Hancock to be geniuses, which might bother some; but you just have to read it for what it is.  And I definitely recommend it!

Of course this rude bumpkin was no horseman; I could have tossed him off as easily as a sack of grain.  But naturally, for a horse of my breeding, this would never do.  For one must never, never allow one’s personal feelings to interfere in the perfect performance of one’s horsely duties. (34)

Happy Thursday! 🙂

 

 

*  Can you tell that this is my second year studying American history? 🙂

Faith, Literature

The New Jerusalem

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And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  He who was seated on the throne said said, “I am making everything new!”  Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  He said to me: “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.  To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.  He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

-Revelation 21:3-7

Literature

??? {Mystery Quote #5} ???

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There were all these things that I was going to post over the weekend–or the four days between “Mystery Quote” and book reviews–but in the end I just ended up posting the last part of my story for Module 8–even though none of you would admit that you thought I posted too much.  Somehow some of those just weren’t posting days, so I didn’t post.  Did that make any sense?  Probably not.  Ah well.

So here we are with “Mystery Quote” again and,

Last week’s quote was from The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.  You can read my book review of it here.  Juliana guessed both the book, and that the ‘she’ was Maddie.  Great job!

Sounds like several of you had read the book, but didn’t catch this one.  I’ve found you have to know a book really well to be able to recognize an individual quote from it!  Leah‘s done all kinds of quotes from books I’ve read that I didn’t get because I’d only read it once!

Yes, I read a lot of books twice. . . or three times. . . or four. . . or five. . . or six. . . or seven. . . etc. #I’mWeirdLikeThat

Anyway, this week’s quote:

    “You precious chick!  Who put that into your head?” said [she]. . .  “‘Tisn’t in mine head; it’s in mine mouf,” answered [he], putting out his tongue, with a chocolate drop on it, thinking she alluded to confectionery, not ideas.

Happy guessing! 🙂

P.S. Speaking of quotes, I have a new favorite from Flower Patch Farmgirl:

I’m way inside my head and it’s all fine and well, but I’m going to have to eventually come out. It can get a little wonky in here.

Yeah. 🙂

Happy Tuesday!