When I was kid, I read everything I could get my hands on. The librarian knew me by name, and eventually let me in on helping her order books! Awesome! Once, I got to go to a book fair with her in Nashville to order some upcoming books! Oh that was a true treat! So, my dream to become a published author began.
It lay dormant for several years. I published some poems my senior year in a poetry book, but nothing since. I've got jounals with all sorts of partial ideas. I refer back to them, one day I hope to compile them into a book of sorts. Or maybe several books!
Last year I was graciously given the opportunity to write short stories for a local magazine, The Clarksville Family. This is where Chester began. I've been asked to post my Chester stories on here also, so folks out of town can read them. Thank you!
Okay here goes! :
Chester Takes A Chance
Chester the chipmunk was in a hurry. The weather was turning cooler and the leaves were falling which meant it was time to gather all the nuts and seeds he could find. The winter months weren't far away and he needed to have a good supply.
Chester was having a good morning. He had found lots of acorns. As he stuffed each nut into his cheeks they got bigger and bigger. When he couldn't hold another one he scurried over to his secret tunnel under the old oak tree.
Chester made his home deep underground. Using his paws he pushed his acorns out into a nest of leaves. Covering them up he scampered back out to look for more. He discovered some seeds and a few berries on the bushes near the edge of the forest. It didn't take him long to gather all the fruit from the inside.
He knew if he wanted more he would have to go to the other side of the bushes. The problem was that they were out in the open which meant he would risk being seen.
"Maybe if I was real quick I could get those big juicy ones." Chester said as he stuffed his latest goodies into his nest. Then he remembered his mother warning him to not go outside the safety of the forest.
Making his way back toward the bushes, Chester argued with himself. "Should I, or shouldn't I?" he thought.
Slowly he crept between the bushes. He sat very still. He saw a dog and a boy playing with a ball not to far away. Even closer he saw a few birds picking some berries for themselves.
If they weren't scared, then he wasn't either! First he stuck his nose out, whiskers twitching; then every so slowly he eased his little body out in front of the bush. The birds kept eating berries and the boy and dog didn't even see him.
Chester happily scampered about selecting the biggest and juiciest berries he saw. Every so often he would look over his shoulder to see if anyone was paying attention.
Soon his tummy and his cheeks were getting full. He should head back. But there it was... the biggest blackberry he had ever seen. He wondered how he had missed it before. It was on the bush closest to the boy and dog.
With his ears laid back, Chester ran as fast as he could toward the bush. Quick as a wink, he grabbed that blackberry, stuffed it in his cheeks and was heading back when he heard the barking. The dog must have seen him.
Chester didn't dare turn around he just ran and ran. He didn't stop as he dove down into his hole under the oak tree. As he emptied out his cheeks he could hear the dog barking near the tip of his hole.
A small amount of dirt slid down the inside of his hole. The dog was trying to dig down into his house. Chester crawled deep down into his nest of leaves and hid. He was glad his tunnels went deep into the earth. He would be safe, but he was still scared.
He listened to the dog until he heard a child's voice. After what seemed like forever, it was quiet again. Chester decided he had enough nuts and berries to last him all winter. He had learned his lesson. He would stay in his hole for awhile. Or.... would he?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Etiquette Training at the Symphony
In the life of our boys, they never know when their mother will spring some sort of "grown up/learning experience" upon them.
Since our oldest son is 11 and our youngest 9, I figured they were old enough to behave themselves at a two hour music program put on by our local university. So, last night.. off we went.
We had to be there at 6:30 so that we could attend the discussion before the presentation. Which meant, hurry up with the homework, choke down your dinner, and lets go! You aren't wearing that are you? Uhuh. Some battles are not worth it. Besides, it was a community event and there were lots of college students in jeans who behaved worse than anything the boys dreamed up. I was able to overhear one highschool/college kid saying to a professor about not dressing as he should, " I was born in the 80's, our generation is more laid back." Which then lead into another discussion I wasn't privy to, besides that my sweetie was beside me snorting about the kid born in the 80's! ha!
The Gateway Chamber Ensemble, conducted by Gregory Wolynec, performed Mozart's "Gran Partita" serenade was played in full. Which means all seven movements were played over a 45 minute time frame. We were also treated to Serenade in Eb, Op.7 by Richard Strauss.
Oh it was beautiful! There were obo's, clarinets, horns, bassoons, flutes, basically it was a wind instrument event.
First order of business was to explain the "etiquette" of such an event. When to clap, when to be still, (stop laughing!), when one was allowed to move about the auditorium. Just because I'm anal.. I explained no loud talking, whisteling..ect.
With those rules swirling around their little heads, I ended with, "Remember enjoy yourself!"
Wow. Only a Mom!
Overall they were awesome. Our oldest is really into music, so he enjoyed himself. Our youngest? He shifted, asked why they didn't play something faster...(I believe he takes after his father). Oh yes! He fell asleep. He lasted through the Strauss piece, and the discussion, but not the Mozart piece.
Since we got in around 9:20 I popped in a classical music CD for them to listen to as they drifted off into dreamland. I truly hope exposing these type of environments to the kids will help mold them into well rounded leaders in the future.
Born in the 80's! Ha! Our boys were born in the late 90's and they had better be dressed the way they are supposed to for such an event!
Since our oldest son is 11 and our youngest 9, I figured they were old enough to behave themselves at a two hour music program put on by our local university. So, last night.. off we went.
We had to be there at 6:30 so that we could attend the discussion before the presentation. Which meant, hurry up with the homework, choke down your dinner, and lets go! You aren't wearing that are you? Uhuh. Some battles are not worth it. Besides, it was a community event and there were lots of college students in jeans who behaved worse than anything the boys dreamed up. I was able to overhear one highschool/college kid saying to a professor about not dressing as he should, " I was born in the 80's, our generation is more laid back." Which then lead into another discussion I wasn't privy to, besides that my sweetie was beside me snorting about the kid born in the 80's! ha!
The Gateway Chamber Ensemble, conducted by Gregory Wolynec, performed Mozart's "Gran Partita" serenade was played in full. Which means all seven movements were played over a 45 minute time frame. We were also treated to Serenade in Eb, Op.7 by Richard Strauss.
Oh it was beautiful! There were obo's, clarinets, horns, bassoons, flutes, basically it was a wind instrument event.
First order of business was to explain the "etiquette" of such an event. When to clap, when to be still, (stop laughing!), when one was allowed to move about the auditorium. Just because I'm anal.. I explained no loud talking, whisteling..ect.
With those rules swirling around their little heads, I ended with, "Remember enjoy yourself!"
Wow. Only a Mom!
Overall they were awesome. Our oldest is really into music, so he enjoyed himself. Our youngest? He shifted, asked why they didn't play something faster...(I believe he takes after his father). Oh yes! He fell asleep. He lasted through the Strauss piece, and the discussion, but not the Mozart piece.
Since we got in around 9:20 I popped in a classical music CD for them to listen to as they drifted off into dreamland. I truly hope exposing these type of environments to the kids will help mold them into well rounded leaders in the future.
Born in the 80's! Ha! Our boys were born in the late 90's and they had better be dressed the way they are supposed to for such an event!
Friday, January 30, 2009
When that evil thought wins ....
What a day! Ever catch yourself thinking that? I did, and it was only 6:28 a.m. this morning!
The day started ordinary enough..alarm going off. Me stumbling into the other room to shut it up. (we learned we get up quicker when we can't hit the snooze button) Next move is to get our middleschooler up.
That can be a chore. This child is a non morning person.. Anyone relate? In the darkness I ponder which to flick on? The big light hanging from the ceiling fan..or the lamp. Go with the second choice as I realize that little brother has climbed into bed with big brother over night..uggh.
"Good morning sunshine!" I whisper into his ear... (non-morning people love that!) I gently shake him from his slumber. "Five more minutes Mom!" is the reply. "No, get up now.. " I mumble as I walk out of the room. He props himself up and looks at me. My job is done, or so I thought.
Padding downstairs it occurs to me that I didn't pack lunches last night. "uggh" I say loud enough to wake the puppy. Middleschooler, and now lunches postponed I mozey over to the kennel and let Sasha out.
Sasha doesn't approve of the ice and snow still being out front, so she makes quick with her morning business. Once inside, with a treat being slobbered all over, I remember to go upstairs and re-wake up the middleschooler. All is quiet as I ascend the stairs.
Okay, let's flash to me.. you know how in cartoons when a decision is being made a little devil pops up on one shoulder gives his spill, then the little angel comes out and does the same? Well, this is what is going on with me as I climb the stairs.. knowing my kid is still snuggly in bed, when he is to be up, dressed, eating his breakfast. By the top step, I've succombed to the pirate in me and a little wicked grin comes over my face.
I truly believe the little brother is part pirate too, as I take that top step he hears the floor creak, and pops up. (he is a morning person like me!) Remember his brother is sleeping peacefully next to him. Lamp still on by the way.
"Morning Mom! Is it time to get up?"he says " Not yet, but you can come down and watch some cartoons if you want." (because what I have planned for your brother, you don't need to witness)I think to myself. Little brother pops up, gets out of bed and pads his way over to me. "whatcha doing Mom?" I said nothing. Remember the pirate part? Here it comes..
I am in the bathroom in the hallway upstairs between the bedrooms, filling a big glass full of ice cold water. Little brother pops his head around and sees what I'm doing. "Mom!" Then I see it.. my own reflection in my little man's eyes and face as I recognize the same mischievious smirk on his face as is still obviously written all over mine. (Pirate)
As I walk back into middleschoolers room, I decide to give him(middleschooler) a sporting chance. "Wake up! Time for school" I say in a sing song manner. No response. Okay, I think... one more chance..
I pull the covers off.. Now my middleschooler was out.. I mean out in la la land. He didn't respond.
This is all tooooooooo much for little brother as he is now gleeful! I decide to end this dance as I hear the clock sounding off in the background that we will indeed be late if I waste any more time.
SPLOOOOOOSHHHHA! cold water making contact.. has an instant response unless of course you are in a coma. I almost felt sorry for him. Full contact.. I mean this kid is jolted from wherever he was in la la land to the land of the morning people!
Me and little brother? Oh, we are hysterical. I'm trying to be reserved, but it sure is hard to supress a laugh after such a mission is completed to such satisfaction! Little brother? Oh he is having the best part of his day!
" Can we wake him up like this everyday?" little brother manages to say amongst fits of laughter. (laughter is good for the soul right?)
All this noise wakes Dad bear who was in on the whole thing. No he didn't participate, because if he had.. there would have been no warning.. no glass .. it would have been a bucket.
My middleschooler is torked. Who can blame him? I can't. It must have really sucked. I mean really... hee hee.
Guess who's up getting dressed? Dad is now talking to him about his choices and now there is a breakdown in the whole area of getting dressed.. pants are too short.. long.. no belt.. oh he's standing on one.. ha!
I left with little brother to go downstairs and pack lunches..
What a way to start my day!
The day started ordinary enough..alarm going off. Me stumbling into the other room to shut it up. (we learned we get up quicker when we can't hit the snooze button) Next move is to get our middleschooler up.
That can be a chore. This child is a non morning person.. Anyone relate? In the darkness I ponder which to flick on? The big light hanging from the ceiling fan..or the lamp. Go with the second choice as I realize that little brother has climbed into bed with big brother over night..uggh.
"Good morning sunshine!" I whisper into his ear... (non-morning people love that!) I gently shake him from his slumber. "Five more minutes Mom!" is the reply. "No, get up now.. " I mumble as I walk out of the room. He props himself up and looks at me. My job is done, or so I thought.
Padding downstairs it occurs to me that I didn't pack lunches last night. "uggh" I say loud enough to wake the puppy. Middleschooler, and now lunches postponed I mozey over to the kennel and let Sasha out.
Sasha doesn't approve of the ice and snow still being out front, so she makes quick with her morning business. Once inside, with a treat being slobbered all over, I remember to go upstairs and re-wake up the middleschooler. All is quiet as I ascend the stairs.
Okay, let's flash to me.. you know how in cartoons when a decision is being made a little devil pops up on one shoulder gives his spill, then the little angel comes out and does the same? Well, this is what is going on with me as I climb the stairs.. knowing my kid is still snuggly in bed, when he is to be up, dressed, eating his breakfast. By the top step, I've succombed to the pirate in me and a little wicked grin comes over my face.
I truly believe the little brother is part pirate too, as I take that top step he hears the floor creak, and pops up. (he is a morning person like me!) Remember his brother is sleeping peacefully next to him. Lamp still on by the way.
"Morning Mom! Is it time to get up?"he says " Not yet, but you can come down and watch some cartoons if you want." (because what I have planned for your brother, you don't need to witness)I think to myself. Little brother pops up, gets out of bed and pads his way over to me. "whatcha doing Mom?" I said nothing. Remember the pirate part? Here it comes..
I am in the bathroom in the hallway upstairs between the bedrooms, filling a big glass full of ice cold water. Little brother pops his head around and sees what I'm doing. "Mom!" Then I see it.. my own reflection in my little man's eyes and face as I recognize the same mischievious smirk on his face as is still obviously written all over mine. (Pirate)
As I walk back into middleschoolers room, I decide to give him(middleschooler) a sporting chance. "Wake up! Time for school" I say in a sing song manner. No response. Okay, I think... one more chance..
I pull the covers off.. Now my middleschooler was out.. I mean out in la la land. He didn't respond.
This is all tooooooooo much for little brother as he is now gleeful! I decide to end this dance as I hear the clock sounding off in the background that we will indeed be late if I waste any more time.
SPLOOOOOOSHHHHA! cold water making contact.. has an instant response unless of course you are in a coma. I almost felt sorry for him. Full contact.. I mean this kid is jolted from wherever he was in la la land to the land of the morning people!
Me and little brother? Oh, we are hysterical. I'm trying to be reserved, but it sure is hard to supress a laugh after such a mission is completed to such satisfaction! Little brother? Oh he is having the best part of his day!
" Can we wake him up like this everyday?" little brother manages to say amongst fits of laughter. (laughter is good for the soul right?)
All this noise wakes Dad bear who was in on the whole thing. No he didn't participate, because if he had.. there would have been no warning.. no glass .. it would have been a bucket.
My middleschooler is torked. Who can blame him? I can't. It must have really sucked. I mean really... hee hee.
Guess who's up getting dressed? Dad is now talking to him about his choices and now there is a breakdown in the whole area of getting dressed.. pants are too short.. long.. no belt.. oh he's standing on one.. ha!
I left with little brother to go downstairs and pack lunches..
What a way to start my day!
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