tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13368437394293956302024-02-19T05:08:07.619-06:00Lena's Story and Poetry CornerI have been writing, or reading, all my life since I was able to put pencil to paper. In 2008, I decided to share much of my thoughts to page, with anyone who enjoyed these types of literature. I hope you enjoy reading them; as much, as I enjoyed putting them together.
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-13134627449142135092023-09-23T16:53:00.003-05:002023-09-23T18:19:00.358-05:00Book 2 in Production Stage <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDaFQhwaDwqBlbKLYYueRzJ2oxcq6vousQEHVtriZue2lbXruUhpNJVwi3w-uB2yM8ucdQSMJjIZbB_4N2DQKdhe8X0lBLGwfBibKlLnYdaEfS18tn0PfUHOB6LD_Bx0Gol3L_rUrG3vrMslZ_WI4684Rw1oeJGTlTFhjotKRBIo7OASiJcqgZAUGNzIe/s671/Lenas%205.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="671" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDaFQhwaDwqBlbKLYYueRzJ2oxcq6vousQEHVtriZue2lbXruUhpNJVwi3w-uB2yM8ucdQSMJjIZbB_4N2DQKdhe8X0lBLGwfBibKlLnYdaEfS18tn0PfUHOB6LD_Bx0Gol3L_rUrG3vrMslZ_WI4684Rw1oeJGTlTFhjotKRBIo7OASiJcqgZAUGNzIe/w400-h174/Lenas%205.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>So stick around. My fingers are flying across chapter drafts.<p></p><p>*I want to apologize to my followers, who have been waiting for a long time, to see if I was coming back. Since 2020, my family and I have gone through many changes and upheavals in our lives. I sincerely appreciate your patience. </p><p>Lena M Pate</p><p><br /></p>Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0Leesburg, VA, USA39.1154523 -77.564532310.805218463821156 -112.7207823 67.425686136178854 -42.408282299999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-34516469686276506252017-01-18T10:29:00.020-06:002021-09-24T20:00:58.348-05:005 star reviews<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kindle version on sale for 99 cents! Don't miss the fun and exciting adventures of Alivia and </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">her friends as they battle evil, form new friendships, rescue a dragon and so much more!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oWOkNUAwX2m5MBXTl6VFB3LZvfopQGM6gw8Un0ewmCeognL84I-NKpIyxGW-ERdvNBULW3iFn394du-dM5LbJG0rhvf5AG0RCeImOF5xoRSGhIJDs70nf74e5FribCD82lopzUOnzCPF/s1383/Screenshot+2021-09-24+194604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="1383" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2oWOkNUAwX2m5MBXTl6VFB3LZvfopQGM6gw8Un0ewmCeognL84I-NKpIyxGW-ERdvNBULW3iFn394du-dM5LbJG0rhvf5AG0RCeImOF5xoRSGhIJDs70nf74e5FribCD82lopzUOnzCPF/w594-h240/Screenshot+2021-09-24+194604.jpg" title="5 Star Reviews" width="594" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-16507349162361112342016-09-11T21:04:00.000-05:002016-09-14T13:05:58.719-05:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Watch my new trailer on YouTube. I think you like it!</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<br /></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
They Called Her Alivia</h2>
<br /><br />
<br />
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<br />
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWuetHtM6IQ<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWuetHtM6IQ" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWuetHtM6IQ</a></span></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-14314142008669532622016-07-11T15:00:00.000-05:002023-09-23T18:35:28.201-05:00They Called Here Alivia is now for sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEQVRi5Uswrn93DSgvzcpIgSoFSNRAkUl1pQ4zEe0QBqL1yi_kGisal4qKYXH6csUKasXJOZTOklvtZVzdJs_4JbUyogwRxD8E71NBc15kQtmsQgnqICCMxYaGydcAGz3pkA3tVzhLgUO/s1600/book+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEQVRi5Uswrn93DSgvzcpIgSoFSNRAkUl1pQ4zEe0QBqL1yi_kGisal4qKYXH6csUKasXJOZTOklvtZVzdJs_4JbUyogwRxD8E71NBc15kQtmsQgnqICCMxYaGydcAGz3pkA3tVzhLgUO/s200/book+cover.JPG" width="141" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
PRINCESS Alivia discovers that she is not only a sorceress but also the
guardian born to halt the returning terror of a black-magic wizard named
Abaddon. Along with her beloved pets and familiars, Conall and Erskime,
she lives hidden in a cave protected by three hobgoblins and twelve
ancient warrior faeries in the town of Brightenbeam. She is brought
there to sharpen her skills and to avoid capture by the horrific
warlord Guthrie and his black-magic seer Necromanticus. Sent to
Clavenburn to learn magic, she becomes best of friends with
well-mannered Genevieve, sassy and outspoken Catriona, Dooley the
warrior, studious Waverly, and handsome but mischievous Alasdair, while
being thwarted by the evil orphan twins Tearlach and Broch, along with
their sidekicks. Headmaster Professor Hesperus Orfeo wears a mysterious
pendant similar to the one worn by Falon, head guardian of the faeries.
Also on staff is a mystifying school sentinel named Sir Cayden, who is
keeping a puzzling secret. Surviving a kidnap attempt, Alivia acquires
one of the twelve hidden amulets. During holiday, Cat and Genevieve help
Alivia rescue a baby Skye dragon she nicknamed Spitfire. Attempting to
return the dragon to his home, they befriend a berg troll named
Hernhaugen, who helps them battle bewitched bats and boggarts sent by
Necromanticus to steal the Ring of Nature. At the end of the school
year, her friends convince Alivia to enter a magical tournament where
they learn that teamwork is the strongest magic of all.<br />
<br />
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/they-called-her-alivia-lena-m-pate/1123904685?ean=9781524501198<br />
<br />
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=whxmDAAAQBAJ<br />
<br />
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524501204<br />
<br />
And many more! Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-3605821546739820012016-07-08T09:20:00.000-05:002016-07-11T14:47:43.645-05:00The Lights went out in Dallas<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC2vn-JQ-ZWSMbI6qfwA8ca4PDc6N02JKNCwpxF1NDkYmIi7aJg1yC2RznepBOdN3Twe3AkJ8E0pPIYiyIIK3PzWtfC2wCF1rfWzhmQrtjKxEdlDJbrqYbAI5iK5y0seL8FnxzTTLpuEu/s1600/police+dallas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC2vn-JQ-ZWSMbI6qfwA8ca4PDc6N02JKNCwpxF1NDkYmIi7aJg1yC2RznepBOdN3Twe3AkJ8E0pPIYiyIIK3PzWtfC2wCF1rfWzhmQrtjKxEdlDJbrqYbAI5iK5y0seL8FnxzTTLpuEu/s200/police+dallas.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
Picture from NBCDFW.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span>Shots rang out from up above</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Breaking harmony that had prevailed</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Men and women watched in horror</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Bodies dropped by those impaled.</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Chaos exploded in the night</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Reminiscent of another night</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So long ago yet still so fresh</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Detroit burned from hatreds firelight.</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
To all the men and women </div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Who protect us every day</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Who lay their lives upon the line</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Not for glory; not for pay.</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Gratitude is not incentive</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
To do the jobs they are assigned</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Their belief is to protect and serve</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
A brotherhood; their souls entwined.</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
So, thank you all who choose to serve</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Who wear the badge; the fallen too</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
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May their stars shine bright within the sky</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
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God bless the brave, the proud, the few.</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
<a href="http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Protests-in-Dallas-Over-Alton-Sterling-Death-385784431.html">http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Protests-in-Dallas-Over-Alton-Sterling-Death-385784431.html</a><br />
Picture from NBCDFW.com<br />
<br />Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-2784466659766345072016-07-05T12:18:00.002-05:002016-07-11T15:02:24.298-05:00They Called Her Alivia - Chapter one<br />
<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Chapter One</span></h2>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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Lightning,
fire, and torches lit the night casting an eerie glow to the evening sky. Screeches
and groans rent the stillness. Battle cries echoed around the fortress as walls
crumbled. Swords meet metal shields and breastplates. The metallic smell of
blood mingled with the odor of the fetid moat water and the rancid smell of burning
tar from the fire pits set up around the outside bailey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men secured chains to the caldrons, hoisting
them up the curtain walls to the murder holes, which allowed the boiling hot
liquids to be poured on unsuspecting enemies below. <br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“I’m
not sure how much longer we can protect this castle,” Greer shouted over the
din from the fighting below.<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
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She
dodged a wall as it collapsed. Racking coughs from the mortar and dust overwhelmed
her. As the air cleared, she observed the king’s men tipping heated tar over a
parapet, sheeting ogres and men attempting to scale the wall. For every man
they felled, ten others appeared to take their place.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Greer
assessed the damage about the courtyard as she flew closer to Treasa. Magic and
valor didn’t appear to be enough against a legion of this scale. Even with the
assistance of the other ten faeries, it looked as if this fight was lost. Greer
observed the chaos below as enemy troops stormed the outer walls on all four
ramparts. Everywhere she glanced, armor clad men crawled over barriers. Early
in the fight they realized that at least half of the enemies were apparitions. Lord
Guthrie wanted to confuse and discourage those brave soldiers inside the castle
walls. A man would run up to fight an enemy just to have it evaporate, while a live
enemy took advantage of his confusion and run the soldier through. Orcs were
enormous brutes with hides like rhinoceros, heads resembling wild hogs; they
had the fighting will of a lion and the brain of slug. Many of them joined with
the enemies to fight against the castle’s inhabitants. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
They endured an unending rain of arrows. It
wasn’t a matter of how well outfitted the enemy appeared, but the strength of the
black magic at work. The enemy easily carved through r each defensive magic
barrier they erected. Treasa dodged another flaming arrow hissing by her head.
At least it was getting easier to spot them now that the sun had begun to set.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“Greer,
behind you.”<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Heeding
the warning, Greer angled a hasty down-stroke with her lengthy black wings for
a rapid descent dodging several arrows that flew past her, humming like a swarm
of irate bees. “You’re getting slow, my friend. I fear you need a nap.” Treasa
winged past to cover another wall.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“Mind
your mouth or I may not warn you next time one comes close.” Greer blasted a
shower of rock, which would have harmed the king’s soldiers below.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
The
castles guardians weakened as the assault continued. The time had come to
change tactics.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“Treasa,
I’ll take the center and east while you defend the back corner to the south. Be
careful and withdraw if the skirmish becomes markedly worse. I plan to mind
merge with the others and try an all-out white magic attack. We must push the
enemy back to give our men below a break. Remember, our main objective is to
safely escape with Alivia if all looks lost.”<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Greer
spared but a moment to assure herself that Treasa comprehended the nature of
the plan. Treasa was an intense warrior not taken willingly to retreat.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Greer
flew high above the castle so as not to be a target; then hovering in the air,
closed her eyes and completed her connection with the fairies. Each responded,
which assured her that they had not lost any of their team in the scrimmage. A
few of them were stationed within, to guard the castle’s occupants, but the
majority was outside fighting alongside the king’s soldiers. Within moments,
the air quivered with the energy of the fairies preparing for the assault. Each
had an area of the wall to strike. At Greer’s command, the energy would explode
all around the fortress, knocking all combatants away from the perimeter
without harming those within the walls.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Greer
returned to her position, nodding at Treasa that all was ready.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“Now.”<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Lightning
detonated the sky, thick blue bolts attracted to the enemy’s metal armor.
Explosions rent the air as the powerful bolts blasted the unlucky lightning rods
who wore that armor. Forked lightning struck the woods about the castle,
raining fire and debris upon those seeking refuge.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Boulder-sized
hail crushed the enemy. Volleys of ice pelted those scaling the walls with
ladders, splintering the wood and, dropping bodies to the hard-packed ground or
into the moat about the other walls. The men lay in heaps, one body stacked
upon the other. <br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Waves
of fire from the back section of the castle walls rolled over the enemy as a
tide washes a beach clean. For every man that died, it appeared that five more
took his place. Orcs, shapeshifters, warlocks, and men fought back with a power
that could only come from strong black magic. The smell of burnt flesh and hair
hung heavily in the wind crossing the castle walls<br />.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Greer
attempted to eliminate the menace of troops, scaling the eastern wall just
above the stables. She halted out of reach of the enemy arrows. Her black cape
flapped under the current from her wings while hovering in midair. With a wave
of her hand, she fabricated an image in the night sky of a large blue dragon
with scales that reflected the waning light. A roar emanated from the beast as the
wind from its wings blew men across the ground like leaves in autumn.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Greer’s
expertise lay in dragons, whether real or concocted magically. This particular
apparition materialized in front of the soldiers struggling to scale the
curtain fortification. Another wave from her hand produced genuine fireballs
from the dragon’s mouth, spewing forth, scorching all those unfortunate to have
not escaped in retreat.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Treasa
secured her position at the south tower. “Playing with your make-believe pets
again I noticed.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Greer
observed Treasa blast cannon balls into dust with lightning bolts as the enemy endeavored
to destroy one of the corner towers.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“Better
than that kindling you use.”<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“I’d
match my lightning bolts to your giant lizards any day.”<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
“Get
out of my head, brat. I’m busy here.” Greer prepared another dragon blast to
keep the enemy in check.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Reaching
behind her wings, Treasa extracted another arrow loaded with lightning spells,
swiftly drawing back the hemp string taut, letting it fly from her longbow. The
bolt lit up the sky as it rained charges onto those below. Each rock or enemy
that the charges touched burned to ash beneath the electrical onslaught. The
defense of the illumination blinded those that remained, making it near
impossible to pinpoint where exactly to shoot back.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Treasa
wore dark leather not cloth, and preferred pants to dresses, allowing her to blend
into the night. She took no chances of her locks interfering with her archery.
Carefully braided auburn hair encased tightly with a leather strap lay securely
tucked under the yew-bark quiver that held her arrows.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
With
Treasa guarding the back partition, Greer flew closer to the center wall in
hopes of observing where the next threat would land.<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
As
she touched down atop the open gorge tower to inspect the outer grounds and
rest her weary wings, a heavy jolt from behind knocked her to the floor.
Something or someone lying across her back pinned her face down onto the cold stones.
Before she was able to counter the slam, a large cannon ball exploded the tower
wall. An onslaught of rock bombarded their bodies. A deep-throated groan
emanated from the bulk above her as the person took the majority of the blows.
Before the dust settled, the weight hastily lifted from her. Promptly rolling
to the side, Greer jumped to her feet and took a defensive stance, but
confronted nothing but air. Lifting swiftly into the night sky, she searched
but found no telltale signs of who had attacked her, or if she was being
honest, actually saved her life. Wrapping her arms about her, she felt an
unexpected chill in the air. She wasn’t entirely sure the chill occurred from
the drop in temperatures at sunset or from a premonition that there were unknowns
within the castle walls.</div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-90716795467420263402016-06-26T17:20:00.003-05:002016-07-11T14:57:23.896-05:00They Called Here Alivia is now for sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEQVRi5Uswrn93DSgvzcpIgSoFSNRAkUl1pQ4zEe0QBqL1yi_kGisal4qKYXH6csUKasXJOZTOklvtZVzdJs_4JbUyogwRxD8E71NBc15kQtmsQgnqICCMxYaGydcAGz3pkA3tVzhLgUO/s1600/book+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEQVRi5Uswrn93DSgvzcpIgSoFSNRAkUl1pQ4zEe0QBqL1yi_kGisal4qKYXH6csUKasXJOZTOklvtZVzdJs_4JbUyogwRxD8E71NBc15kQtmsQgnqICCMxYaGydcAGz3pkA3tVzhLgUO/s320/book+cover.JPG" width="226" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
PRINCESS Alivia discovers that she is not only a sorceress but also the
guardian born to halt the returning terror of a black-magic wizard named
Abaddon. Along with her beloved pets and familiars, Conall and Erskime,
she lives hidden in a cave protected by three hobgoblins and twelve
ancient warrior faeries in the town of Brightenbeam. She is brought
there to sharpen her skills and to avoid capture by the horrific
warlord Guthrie and his black-magic seer Necromanticus. Sent to
Clavenburn to learn magic, she becomes best of friends with
well-mannered Genevieve, sassy and outspoken Catriona, Dooley the
warrior, studious Waverly, and handsome but mischievous Alasdair, while
being thwarted by the evil orphan twins Tearlach and Broch, along with
their sidekicks. Headmaster Professor Hesperus Orfeo wears a mysterious
pendant similar to the one worn by Falon, head guardian of the faeries.
Also on staff is a mystifying school sentinel named Sir Cayden, who is
keeping a puzzling secret. Surviving a kidnap attempt, Alivia acquires
one of the twelve hidden amulets. During holiday, Cat and Genevieve help
Alivia rescue a baby Skye dragon she nicknamed Spitfire. Attempting to
return the dragon to his home, they befriend a berg troll named
Hernhaugen, who helps them battle bewitched bats and boggarts sent by
Necromanticus to steal the Ring of Nature. At the end of the school
year, her friends convince Alivia to enter a magical tournament where
they learn that teamwork is the strongest magic of all.<br />
<br />
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/they-called-her-alivia-lena-m-pate/1123904685?ean=9781524501198<br />
<br />
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=whxmDAAAQBAJ<br />
<br />
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781524501204<br />
<br />
And many more! Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-52225395869938227592015-10-30T10:28:00.001-05:002015-10-30T10:28:55.679-05:00Happy Allhallowtide
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yt_hhH2goPk3RUc9210U2mfGNlEdAwJpezL6dIRosQ5cUGT1v4v6-aWWfng7yD9RPJ-xjLb1doL7zGZEUnvMrL23Pqr_Vg5eWGw8NXwlhjGItg_IdZe4Dr3KHbdzMMt8swkHBisKNfEX/s1600/graveyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Yt_hhH2goPk3RUc9210U2mfGNlEdAwJpezL6dIRosQ5cUGT1v4v6-aWWfng7yD9RPJ-xjLb1doL7zGZEUnvMrL23Pqr_Vg5eWGw8NXwlhjGItg_IdZe4Dr3KHbdzMMt8swkHBisKNfEX/s1600/graveyard.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a child growing up in a Catholic family, Halloween took
on an air of a religious holiday more than the traditional trick or treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we still observed this practice of
going door to door, we also partook of the practices of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Allhallowtide is the days of Oct 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> known as All
Hallows Eve, November 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> as All Souls Day and November 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
was All Saints Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was believed that
souls who did not go straight to heaven would wander the earth until All Saints
Day when the heavens would open up for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is believed that these souls could seek vengeance on other living
souls during this time. For this reason, people would disguise themselves to
hide their identities. Others would wear the costumes of the Saints to honor
those already in heaven. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a person was
considered a saint, martyr, or holy person, their souls went directly to heaven
upon their deaths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On All Hallows Eve, in the early Christian times, people
would bake soul cakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children and the poor
would go begging door to door to offer prayers for the families departed and
were given soul cakes in exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On All
Souls Day, families would visit the gravesites and purify the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would also walk the streets with candles
to light the way for the souls preparing to go to heaven on All Saints
Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this day, the parishes would
pray for all departed souls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On All
Saints Day, the parish people would pray for all the saints, thanking them for
their guidance, their sacrifices on earth and to ask their aid in delivering
the souls of the departed still on earth into heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So although we would trick-or-treat like all the other
children in the neighborhood, we would also spend a lot of time in church
services and in prayer for those who had gone before us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike today, we not only received candy, but
many families would bring us into their homes to share in warm cider, apples,
cakes and breads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a special time
to remember our friends and families still with us and share in our love for
each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many persons believe that Halloween is taken from a pagan
holiday which it may be for some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
prefer our way only because it recognizes and remembers those who were part of
our lives or shared in our lineage so they would not be forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a time to give thanks to those who
laid down their lives for our religion and for world peace, and a time for
those who devoted their lives to spreading the word of faith, even if it cost
them their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a time for
prayer, laugher, tears, and sharing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is a time for those who passed and those who still surround us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Allhallowtide to my friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers and thank you, to all those who have
gone before me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love and peace to those
who still share this world with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-8635210498901433032015-08-31T21:46:00.003-05:002015-08-31T21:58:58.352-05:00Old Money<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvRTqofi10GpUtj_BxIk4ZZSlFOuNASNEicuaEftlcmfwyZpFmOJfL1xU0vmJDrd_DQTmEly3umyZpBuE2UJ0grM0_sfsYhxBMlLxU3JF3edVs4krTi3u65nr7CcyncOn8Ovpp6E-i3jo/s1600/sherlock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvRTqofi10GpUtj_BxIk4ZZSlFOuNASNEicuaEftlcmfwyZpFmOJfL1xU0vmJDrd_DQTmEly3umyZpBuE2UJ0grM0_sfsYhxBMlLxU3JF3edVs4krTi3u65nr7CcyncOn8Ovpp6E-i3jo/s1600/sherlock.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The woman laid in the middle of the street, blood covered
and torn clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been knocked
out of her shoes from the impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Police
flares and lights lit up the area as detectives searched for clues.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey, Sherlock what’s your take on this hit and run?”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A white haired gentleman stood outside of the barricade
looking in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White plumes of smoke rose
from the pipe clenched between his teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wore a hunting jacket, opened with a gold pocket watch dangling from
his pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Funny Harry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you
going to play my Watson?”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just ragging you Bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone knows you have a nose like a bloodhound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain called you in for this one I noticed
is all.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, it is a bit uncommon to find a well-dressed lady of
upper crust lying on a very deserted dirt back road, obviously run over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did she get here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who hit her and why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a few of the questions I’d say.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bill stepped under the yellow tape, crouching close to the
woman’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced from there down
along the torn red silk blouse, the linen skirt and the torn silk stockings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was definitely a looker . He glanced over
to the woman’s heels now broke and dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“No purse Harry?”<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“None found Bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
think it was a robbery gone wrong?”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Not likely, she has over a thousand dollars in jewels
hanging off her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More likely, whoever
did this didn’t want her identified too soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gives them a chance to get away or establish an alibi, you see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check the calls on missing women within a
fifty mile radius please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think
whoever killed her traveled too far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just out of their comfort zone most likely.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bill tapped then pulled on the pipe to stoke the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A full bodied smoky aroma lifted into the
night breeze like leaves burnt in autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He glanced up the road a piece then down the other way.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I believe there may have been an argument and she got out
to walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see her high heel marks
in the dirt for quite a ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe
the person she left in the car became very angry with her and gunned their
car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once she went down, they backed
over her, turned the car about and left."<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A jilted lover?”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Maybe, but I doubt it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This looks like a crime off sudden anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if the person had this building inside for
a while and snapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m betting on a
sibling or a near relative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably a
woman I would gander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She left the
jewelry but picked up the purse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man
wouldn’t want to be caught with a purse on him but a woman could get away with
it.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Just a moment, central calling back in. Yes Sandy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her husband you say. Good, send me the coordinates.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Her name is Dolores
Houston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comes from old money and
married to Henry, who owns Sport’s Car International.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called her in as missing when she failed
to come home for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go have a
talk with him and see what we can find out.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bill tapped out his pipe, crushing the embers in the
gravel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Placing it in his jacket he
retrieved his watch to look at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was precisely 8:00 PM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
people have dinner before seven so the husband was very prompt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This seemed quite odd to report her so
quickly.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They arrived at a large estate built with solid stone and
beveled glass windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front door
was opened by a butler who escorted them to the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing by the fireplace was a young man
with his tie undone and his hair mussed from raking his fingers through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also in the room was a lady sitting in a
large chair wringing a hankie in her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She wore a light green suit with glasses hung around her neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her complexion blended into the upholstery as
if she dressed to hide from sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
hair was gathered tightly behind her neck and not a touch of makeup anywhere.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Detectives, thank you for coming so quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been told of my wife’s demise but I
can’t figure how this could have happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shelby stated that Dolores went shopping this afternoon but promised to
be home by five because we were to entertain this evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shelby called me at six because she hadn’t
heard from Dolores."<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Miss Shelby, you are?”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m her sister-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is so unlike her to be late, I just knew something must have happened
to her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cried into the hankie.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where were you this afternoon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were you their expected company?”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh no, I live here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m not married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went out for a
bite to eat at lunchtime and came back to start the dinner plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dolores always leaves the menus to me.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Miss Shelby would you mind handing me your identification
please?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Startled by the request she
reached down and pulled up a bright red bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She looked at Bill and then at her brother.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That is not your purse is it Shelby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It belongs to Dolores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the one she was carrying when you ran
her down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You picked it up and brought
it back with you.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shelby, why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haven’t
we treated you fairly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let you live here
with us and join in our gatherings?”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It was always Dolores everyone noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one ever noticed me when she was in the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to be somebody when we were
growing up but now I’m just the ugly spinster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Today we went for a drive and she told me she wanted me to move
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said it was about time that you
both had a life of your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kicking me
out of my own home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one I was raised
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never.”<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that Harry lifted her from the chair and secured the
cuffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked back but her brother
had already turned away.<br /><br /></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-5134472181395881242015-06-05T13:44:00.001-05:002015-06-05T13:44:08.583-05:00Fate is a Calamity of Miscalculations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX4_LMu8b0GKDigYMcUgPNXxxff5c7x9qHLzG4cBNtyS3OJZ-21Tvzcazl2V9cD-TSXIUjGKEoiYe7y-c6yz2RJ-cW4H8jL81XECgH6Ha9J9fjXIMcYGX-onm7bPlOXMlTgsbPSrFv0Cp/s1600/new+mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX4_LMu8b0GKDigYMcUgPNXxxff5c7x9qHLzG4cBNtyS3OJZ-21Tvzcazl2V9cD-TSXIUjGKEoiYe7y-c6yz2RJ-cW4H8jL81XECgH6Ha9J9fjXIMcYGX-onm7bPlOXMlTgsbPSrFv0Cp/s1600/new+mexico.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What numbskull claimed vacations
were for relaxation and fun?” I strongly begged to differ .</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our vacation from Texas to New
Mexico started out great. My one-year old son, my husband and I borrowed my
mother-in-laws Cadillac, since it was a newer and more reliable car then ours.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What do you mean you didn’t book
any reservations?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We don’t need them at this time
of year. It’s summer.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That was the beginning of our
downfall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Half way to New Mexico our son
took sick, running a high fever, vomiting and diarrhea. We arrived at the
halfway mark which was Amarillo and found to our dismay that a huge convention
was in town. No room at the inns as they say. Carefully sidestepping I told you
so; we decided to travel on to Red River.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I assumed driving once we began
the trek through the mountains of New Mexico. I am not comfortable with heights
nor do I like two-lane roads where our side could plummet down the
mountainside. One hour of driving at a near vertical angle, the rear axle
decides to drop off the car just as I am making a curve and flies off the
mountain. Both hands glued to the steering wheel, I succeeded to maneuver the
car to the shoulder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What the heck are you doing?”
hubby yelled, startling the baby.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m shoving you off the side of
this cliff.” I retorted as I attempted to calm our son down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At two in the morning my husband
is attempting to assess the damage with a flashlight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Finally”, he said, as my husband flagged down
a car of drunken young men who promised to call for a wrecker. Realize this was
before cell phones.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You sure they will be able to
tell them where we are even if they remember?” Hubby climbed back in and glared
in my direction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two long hours later, a huge
diesel wrecker arrives. “I can take you to the next town but the car goes with
me to Angel Fire”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We arrive in town and find there
are no vacancies. The truck driver has been feeling me up the entire trip since
I had to sit between him and my husband who was holding our baby. I chose not
to bash him in the head since we needed to find shelter for the night, but
after several attempts to find shelter, I was willing to throw ourselves at the
mercy of the police and spend the night in a cell.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The very last place, nestled at the
far edge of the town, was timeshare condos. A young manager, who hailed from
Texas, took pity and he let us sleep in his living room and the next day
located us an empty condo. I had no sooner unpacked and put my son down for his
nap when the owners of the condo show up unexpectedly and we are asked to move.
I cried so hard that the owners bought us steaks for moving out of their condo.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once settled, I took our boy to
the only doctor in town.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What do you mean you can’t write
prescriptions?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m a medic ma’am. Now if your
son had a broken leg…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“My son is running a temp of 104F
from strep throat. Where is the doctor?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He called a doctor in Angel Fire,
who after speaking with our pediatrician in Dallas, wrote a prescription and
sent it by courier. His immune system didn’t respond to oral medications so I
had no choice but to bring him in twice a day for shots.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While my husband was out
gallivanting with the manager, I decided to make a nice dinner for us and light a
romantic fire in the fireplace. I forgot to open the flue and soon smoke filled
the apartment and set off all the fire alarms. The fire department arrived with
a parade of squad cars wailing sirens. Once I explained, the patrons were
allowed to return to their rooms. A fireman opened the flue and another all the
windows to let out the smoke, shaking their heads at what I am sure they
considered a dumb blonde stunt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I continued preparing dinner,
when I noticed something small scamper through the kitchen with a duplicate in
close proximity. Following virtually in their shadows was a large tabby cat in
pursuit. After they collided with my son’s highchair, they set their course for
the bedroom. By the time I high-tailed it after them; I realized it was two
chipmunks. The romantic gauzy night gown I had laid out a on the bed was now
shredded by claws and strew on the floor. The little rascals managed to climb
all the way to the ceiling fan with a howling cat jumping on the bed trying
hard to reach them. Hubby and the manager came back, trapping all the critters
and placing them back outdoors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The insistent ringing of the
phone had my husband running for the rectangle object. Phone in hand I heard my
husband exclaim, “Six hundred bucks. It won’t be ready until when?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We started planning a flight for
me. After learning I would switch planes three times, I decided to call work
and explain to them I would return as soon as possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the car was returned, we
were charged for two tows and the imported wheel axle from Colorado. Broke and
beaten, we packed and left. At the halfway point the convention was still going
strong so we decided to drive straight home. Several miles out of the large
city, our tire blew out. The spare in the trunk was no good so my husband had
to hike to a garage and buy a used tire. Took him two hours to get back and the
garage didn’t even put it on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My husband asked me where I
wanted to go on vacation next year. I glared at him and responded “My own back
yard”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-48767412014657792015-06-02T13:20:00.001-05:002015-06-02T13:20:25.431-05:00Coming to AmericaPhoto from <a href="http://immigrantnationusa.us/">http://immigrantnationusa.us/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZt0woO6l8N1SG3wshBkDWwkf31Ts2b7Q-FE2waqjLd32VP2hZeyuZmLiiUpifKnUy7dKB5CsTV8ndjOF1MFtnTGfvXCDCCZOU78_IDJUPvvy1opMuUN3vKnFpfLV0-pkLM3siI1hAYhX/s1600/ellis+island+and+the+statue+of+liberty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZt0woO6l8N1SG3wshBkDWwkf31Ts2b7Q-FE2waqjLd32VP2hZeyuZmLiiUpifKnUy7dKB5CsTV8ndjOF1MFtnTGfvXCDCCZOU78_IDJUPvvy1opMuUN3vKnFpfLV0-pkLM3siI1hAYhX/s1600/ellis+island+and+the+statue+of+liberty.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The winds blew hard,
pitching the massive ship side-to-side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The vessel tossed from the waves while sea water rushed over the sides
and onto the decks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men scurried around
the surface, grasping any object to keep themselves from being washed overboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night sky gave no light to guide the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People stranded
in the hold slid aft and fro along with barrels or boxes not tied
securely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children and babies cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men stood, some tying themselves to beams
with their belts or hemp, determined to grab anyone or anything heading in
harm’s way. The smell below was rancid with sweat, vomit and other excrements
as well as rotten foods and waterlogged clothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three young women
sat huddled deep within the aft of the ship on the starboard side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The oldest tied them together at their sashes
to avoid separation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been on
this vessel for over a week and had little food left to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The youngest, Theresa Rose, had taken sickly
the night before, with a hacking cough and high fever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her sisters, Lucille and Annunciacao cuddled
her body between them to ward off the chill, cloaking her from the water
falling from above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The darkness
shrouded the occupants and the air was stale from the lack of circulation from
above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their hopes and
spirits were high when the first set sail from Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although their reason for traveling was to
locate their mother who stranded them in Portugal, as young women they hoped to
achieve new starts in one of the endless cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each girl wore a gold cross around their
necks along with Saint Christopher medals for safe travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being consigned to the hold was acceptable
because they were free to walk the upper decks during the daylight to get a bit
of air and sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vast ocean stretched
the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rarely did they catch a
glimpse of any other vessel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lucille, what
will we do if we can’t find mama or papa?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>America is so big.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theresa
worried her rosary beads clutched in her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t fret
little one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>America is large but
Providence Rhode Island is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
where papa lives with his new family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
he doesn’t know where mama is, we have many family members living there who can
help us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Papa made it
very clear that he didn’t want us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why
ask him?” Annunciacao said, peeved at both of their parents for abandoning
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure that we
can survive a week or two at his home until we find mama and move in with
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may not want us, but mama will
welcome us.” Lucille protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theresa began to
cry so the sisters stopped their squabble and talked about more pleasant
things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After three days
with no more than bread crust to share and the storm holding firm, Theresa’s
health faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sisters prayed that
the squall would soon pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theresa lapsed
into a fever induced coma and nothing the girls did would awaken her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cough racked her small chest and she
wheezed with each breath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We can’t let her
die, Lucille.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You saw what they did with
the old woman who passed away two nights ago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just threw her overboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want the same fate for our dear
sister.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hush now,
Theresa is young and strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the
weather clears and we can go above, I will ask for some broth for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun will assist in her healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You shall see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants to see America so much I can’t see
her giving up.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day
broke through the clouds and the rains stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone was anxious to stretch their legs above, hurrying up the
ladders as quickly as the space allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls grasped
Theresa under her arms, carrying her thin body to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They set her near the tall, belching chimney
sending smoke trailing behind the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The air blew cool but the sun was warm and soon dried their moldy
smelling dresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucille left to locate
some food or broth, carrying with her the few coins in their possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she was successful, neither sister
could get Theresa to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they dipped
chucks of hard rolls into the broth and ate their meal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it came time
for them to go below, Theresa’s eyes opened and a glow lit her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is so beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t hurt anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both sisters
looked at the ravaged form of their beloved sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her body shook from the fever and each
worried that she was now delirious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Theresa told them
she loved them and to not be afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While their journeys would take them to special places and people, her
journey was beginning on another plain of existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking to the sky, her smile radiant, she
took her last breath and died in her sister’s arms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship’s
captain allowed for a short funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
priest on board gave Theresa last rites and a rosary was said in her
honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each sister kissed her goodbye
and then the shipmates wrapped her in a rough piece of cloth and tossed her
over the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annunciacao stood stoic,
watching her sister sink below the waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lucille cried, saddened that they hadn’t been able to save her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The very next
day, the passengers cheered as they spotted their first site of America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gazed upon the Statue of Liberty which
stood proud, awaiting her new guests to their new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The torch stood as a welcoming beacon to
those who traveled to find a better life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two sisters paused, with arms linked about each other, and silently
cried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each thought of Theresa and the
secret she took with her when she died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She saw where it was she was headed but could not share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did though share the secret that their
journeys would be successful and full of hope and joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking off the plank hand in hand they faced
America with their heads held high.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note: This story is mostly true with a little literary license. Hard times with truly courageous people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-75142259633501333222015-05-05T08:27:00.005-05:002015-05-05T08:27:51.455-05:00A Tiny Little Treasure
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
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</a><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
“Krissie, what are you doing inside on such a beautiful
day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you have some friends you
would like to play with outside?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grandmother Mae looked at her tiny granddaughter who had recently come
to live with her after Mae’s daughter died.</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Krissie shook her red mop of curls, sitting at the kitchen
table, watching her grandmother making a roast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She cupped her chin and swung her little legs back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Krissie was too tiny to reach the floor with
her feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why not sweetie?” Mae asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat across from her granddaughter who
looked so very sad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“They call me names, like pip-squeak and midget and
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They push me down and run away.”
Krissie mumbled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What about Kathy two doors down?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Won’t she play dolls with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shaking her head again, a tear slid down her cheek and
dripped on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She says I’m a
baby and she doesn’t play with babies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mae felt so bad for the child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was never going to be as tall as the
other children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, she would be
lucky to reach five feet when she was grown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I tell you what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
need to go up in the attic and bring down some boxes of clothes for the church
auction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you follow me and you
can look around up there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I might even
have an old toy or two from when your mommy was little.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the hallway, Mae reached up and pulled a cord that
released a ladder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She went first to
turn on the light. The attic had dust swirling from the rush of air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Krissie could see some spider webs too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m kind of scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are
there any ghosts up here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“If there are any ghosts they are friendly ones I’m
sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See that chest over in the corner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you look inside of it and see what
you find?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After helping Krissie open the wooden chest, Mae grabbed the
two boxes and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While downstairs, she
received a phone call leaving Krissie in the attic alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Krissie noticed something pink at the bottom below some
books and pulled out a small box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
she opened it, a tiny ballerina danced in circles around and around while music
played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dancer was beautiful and
wore flowers in her hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh I wish I could be as pretty as you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re tiny but I bet no one would be mean to
you.” She gently touched the ballerina. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The music became loud and the ballerina spun so fast it made
Krissie dizzy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air swirled and the
dust turned to fog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Krissie covered her
face until the attic stopped moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When she peaked out between her fingers she noticed a man sitting at a
table writing in a book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are you a ghost?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh my, where did you come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t even hear you open the door.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man stopped writing, staring over his
spectacles, examining Krissie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You’re in my grandma’s attic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was playing with this box and suddenly,
there you were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Am I what?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“A ghost.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“No, no child, I am an author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Hans Christian Anderson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write stories and poems mostly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you like fairy tales?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Krissie nodded her head up and down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My name’s Krissie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mommy used to read to me before she went to
live with the angels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t read yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Are you sad because your mommy died?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Some, but I’m mostly sad because I have no friends.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Krissie shuffled her feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why would a pretty girl like you not have any friends?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Because I’m so little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They called me bad names, push me down and run away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why I have the perfect story for you that I just recently
wrote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is about a tiny girl by the
name of Thumbelina.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hans stared at the small cherub before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well this is the story about a mommy who
wanted a little girl so badly that she helped this magic woman who gave her a
seed to plant for being so nice to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plant grew and when the flower opened up the woman saw an itsy-bitsy
little girl lying inside the petals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was so excited that she named her Thumbelina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One night a toad came into her house and stole Thumbelina to give his
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The son didn’t like her at all and
so a fish and a butterfly help her escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Things get worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A beetle steals
her off a Lilly pad. He introduces her to his friends, but they call her awful
names and hurt her feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He runs
off, leaving her to fend for herself in the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mouse takes her in and has Thumbelina clean
her house to pay her back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mouse
tries very hard to marry her off to Mr. Mole but Thumbelina refuses.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh my! Poor Thumbelina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know exactly how she feels.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Krissie nodded her curls up and down making Hans smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Well, Thumbelina finds an injured bird and nurses him until
he is well enough to fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He agrees to
take her with him and leaves her in a beautiful flower garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thumbelina meets a tiny fairy flower-prince
who falls in love with her and gives her wings so that she can fly with him and
play all day together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even changes
her name to Maia.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Did his fairies friends like her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Oh yes, they even made her a princess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She danced and flew around the flowers all
day, happy because she had so many friends who liked her and accepted her just
the way she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you see, little one,
don’t let those bullies bother you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
day you will find your place and have many friends who like you for who you
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just be patient and keep
smiling.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The man disappeared as quickly as he appeared. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Krissie clapped and then hugged the box to
her chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would remember this story
forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-32600450971064215962015-02-12T22:53:00.001-06:002015-02-12T23:12:07.904-06:00Bio-Politics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gLRjPHgmfSzUE43BQgAaQVP4YDBxDw3uO5TX9o538BXPmZ2i7_QV88oP9SnihqI05CnAPVIoJpivdhCYW1_p_aElC4Xo9mE_xkoKH8IItjaW6DbTezBFPvVNLAK0puHoU2KcDvDcNxtB/s1600/spy+and+ebola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gLRjPHgmfSzUE43BQgAaQVP4YDBxDw3uO5TX9o538BXPmZ2i7_QV88oP9SnihqI05CnAPVIoJpivdhCYW1_p_aElC4Xo9mE_xkoKH8IItjaW6DbTezBFPvVNLAK0puHoU2KcDvDcNxtB/s1600/spy+and+ebola.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
*Note: This is totally fiction and in no way should be considered accurate.<br />
<br />
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Chaz stared beyond the third floor window to the darkened
parking lot, barely noticing the storm that raged outside the glass. Thunder
and lightning were but a backdrop to the turmoil inside his mind. Snapshots of
the destroyed documents played back in his mind like black and whites through a
mutoscope. Pages of data, names of colleagues, photo proofs of all the secrets
and lies which cultivated a conspiracy of biblical proportions of death and
destruction.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True, this
wasn’t the first or nor would it be the last time a country resorted to
biological warfare to obtain its goal. Many of his buddies were living with
diseases from exposure to Agent Orange. He felt betrayed and ashamed that he
was oblivious to the devastation manufactured in his own private facility. Now
that he knew, who did he dare trust?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the
re-occurrence of hemorrhagic fever syndrome caused by Ebola virus disease (EVD)
in West Africa, Chaz pulled together some of the finest and most renowned
scientists in the field of virology to work on a possible vaccine. Using a
process of cloning through polymerase chain reaction, they had been able to
reproduce antigens from human survivors for a possible vaccine or maybe even a
cure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Colleagues, I
come before you today to request human subjects with whom we can evaluate our
serum towards thwarting and or arresting the EBOLA virus. We have tested it on
chimpanzees infected with the virus and those that we placed into the same
habitat. We have had astonishing success, showing antibodies adhering to the
antigens of the virus and the non-infected subjects building antibodies against
the virus within seven weeks. No subjects acquired the disease although they
were continuously cohabitating with the infected ones. If we can duplicate this
with our clinicians and the infected patients we may have found a cure and a
vaccine to arrest and control this outbreak.” Expecting applause or at the
least exclamation, Chaz was shocked by the silence that met his announcement. A
few of the members leaned into each other, whispering in muted tones. Others
just stared, waiting passively.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dr. Chaz
Everett, this is astounding news; however, we are forced to reconsider your
request. It has been previously decided that if we were successful, the serum
would be given to our troops first before trialing it out in the field. If we
find it is successful, then we will reconsider your request. However, it is
imperative that this information not be shared outside of this facility at this
time. As of this moment, I am afraid that this has top secret clearance only.”
Dr. Benjamin Stanford declared with full agreement from the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he
argued his points, the board would not be swayed. After the meeting, Chaz
hastened to his favorite restaurant, disheartened and confounded. He ordered a
carafe of his favorite Madeira. While eating his Caldo Verde with fresh hard
rolls, he received a text requiring his presence immediately at the office.
Hoping that the board had changed their decision, Chaz rushed out into the
night, battling winds and sheets of rain that had started while he ate. By the
time he reached the laboratory, his clothes were drenched. Taking the stairs to
his office, two steps at a time, he arrived only to find the door locked and
the lights out, just the way he left it. Angry that someone had pulled such a
juvenile stunt, Chaz stomped into the office knowing he had a clean pair of
scrubs, socks and shoes in his closet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turning on the
light and relocking the door, Chaz turned towards his desk noticing a file
folder lying squarely on the blotter pad with a note attached. Disregarding the
fact that he was dripping onto the polished parquet floor, Chaz grasped the
file and read, “Destroy Immediately upon Review”, written in bold red letters
across the yellow sticky note.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking over
to a well-worn leather chair located near an antique reading lamp, he switched
on the light for better lighting and opened the file. Inside were photos of the
cultures being grown for the EVD strain of antibodies but also bottles of the
serum as well as the live virus lined shelves and incubators. Chaz flipped to
the stacks of paperwork, so confused by what he read that he immediately
reexamined the pictures again. They were grainy, as if taken with a phone and
then printed on a regular printer. Going back to the pages, he could barely
contain his anger and surprise to find out that his lab was being used for
military and political purposes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They have no
plans to use this for good at all. Why, my own government plans to infect
neighboring countries with the virus, while protecting our troops. Their higher
purpose is to destroy those governments, blaming it on the epidemic. Who cares
how many innocents need to perish for their political motives.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realizing the
importance but also the danger, he took photos of the documents with his phone.
Chaz walked to the men’s room, flushing the paperwork down the commode.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deciding his
course of action, Chaz packed up his computer and legal papers, driving across
the Canadian border heading to Ottawa. Resting in his briefcase were the
research papers and documents to the viral serum. He couldn’t trust his own
country or colleagues so he would take his chances elsewhere. Maybe the Queen
of Canada and the other Commonwealth realms would be interested in the plans of
the United States.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After crossing
into Canada, Chaz released the breath he had been holding. He smiled. He’d made
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In New York,
two black suits watched through binoculars as the horizon lit up on the Canada
skyline. The ground shook and flames rose above the trees. Police on both sides
scurried to close down the border.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t you
just love doctors with scruples?” The two men, placing black shades to conceal
their eyes, stepped back into the black sedan and melted into the night.</span></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-13347122814242281032015-01-02T00:17:00.000-06:002015-01-03T15:16:14.340-06:00Fishy Neighbors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf9rJz3_nuNlGiUg8UpDcEPEiETU5KLOvcGuqLSW95zr2BbRuJnVBDQULV9hgl5RGdolOvczyH2IEZTgWvVJT5MG-jzzZABLCMJ81dm2MBk35Sdwf40lEkPbZpVhXX_JqWWjQgFAMarzK/s1600/fishing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf9rJz3_nuNlGiUg8UpDcEPEiETU5KLOvcGuqLSW95zr2BbRuJnVBDQULV9hgl5RGdolOvczyH2IEZTgWvVJT5MG-jzzZABLCMJ81dm2MBk35Sdwf40lEkPbZpVhXX_JqWWjQgFAMarzK/s1600/fishing+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="comment-body">
<br />
<br />
The rural town they moved to had wooded areas to explore; wrinkled with
creeks and small ponds. The pine reminded Wesley of Christmas year
around.
<br />
<br />
Wesley watched the man next door leave every morning before the sun came up, carrying long poles and a green tackle box. <br />
<br />
“Wesley, you are up, dressed and have eaten. I’m beginning to believe
you are a vampire or something!” Mom’s comment always made him smile.
<br />
<br />
One morning, while playing with his yellow truck in the yard, he noticed
the old man leaving even though the sun had been up for hours. <br />
<br />
“Did you oversleep today?”
<br />
<br />
The old man scowled at the tyke wearing filthy blue overalls and no shirt. Ignoring the child, he kept walking down the road.
<br />
<br />
“Hey mister, are you deaf? I had a deaf dog once and he never came when I
called him either.” Wesley caught up to him, imitating his stride.
<br />
<br />
“Do I look deaf to you?”
<br />
<br />
“Well people don’t exactly look deaf, they just is. You didn’t answer me
when I asked you a question so I thought maybe you couldn’t hear me. My
names Wesley Peters and I live next door to you. What’s your name?”
Wesley stuck out his hand to shake but the man looked down at him with
disgust.
<br />
<br />
“It’s not polite not to answer or shake a man’s hand when it’s offered. Didn’t your momma teach you anything?”
<br />
<br />
“My mother taught me not to stick my nose where it don’t belong. And I don’t shake filthy hands.”
<br />
<br />
“My mom says as long as I leave it outside I can get as dirty as I want.
I change in the tub room and put my clothes in the washer so mom can
launder them on Sunday. Then I take a bath. I’ve noticed that you leave
before sun-up to go fishing.” Wesley kicked a disk-shaped rock, sending
it shattering through the leafy growth.
<br />
<br />
“How do you know when I leave?”
<br />
<br />
“I can hear your front door since I’m always up when you set off. I was
hoping that once we met, you would take me with you sometime.”
<br />
<br />
“You know how to fish, boy?”
<br />
<br />
“No sir, but I would like to learn.”
<br />
<br />
“Then have your father teach you.”
<br />
<br />
“My daddy went to live with my grandparents in heaven. Momma says they
needed him more than we did so we can’t be selfish. If we are good, we
can be with them someday.” The gruff old man didn’t see the tears. He
was too busy trying to ignore the child. He regarded the boy when he
heard him sniff.
<br />
<br />
“Well, you’ll have to bait your own hook and clean any fish you catch. I don’t wait on anybody.”
<br />
<br />
Wesley bobbed his head, grinning as they settled next to a flowing
creek. The clear water moved slowly. Wesley saw minnows swimming by the
shoreline.
<br />
<br />
“What should I call you mister?”
<br />
<br />
“Bud. You can call me Bud.”
<br />
<br />
“Well Bud, maybe I can catch some fish for the table tonight. Mom would
be so happy if we didn’t have to eat only vegetables again.”
</div>
<div class="comment-body">
<br /></div>
<div class="comment-body">
Through the afternoon, Bud yelled at Wesley and even called him names
but Wesley just smiled and kept trying. It was late when Wesley caught
his first fish. Excited, Wesley bumped into the trout line, watching it
float away.
<br />
<br />
“Why you clumsy oaf; look what you’ve done. There goes my dinner for tonight.” Bud yelled.
<br />
<br />
Wesley didn’t stop to think; he just jumped in the water. He came up
with Bud’s line, but two of the fish were gone. Climbing onto the shore,
Wesley took his fish off the pole and handed it to Bud. <br />
<br />
“You can have mine, since I lost two of yours.” Without even a thank
you, Bud packed up his fishing lines, leaving Wesley to trail behind so
that he wouldn’t get lost.
<br />
When he arrived home he told his mom about his day but left out the parts where Bud was mean to him.
<br />
<br />
“How’d you get so wet?” She helped him out of his clothes and into a warm tub of water. <br />
<br />
“I jumped in to get Mr. Bud his fish back. Sorry I didn’t bring any fish home for you mom.” <br />
She hugged him tightly, saying he would do better next time, but Wesley knew there wouldn’t be a next time.
<br />
<br />
Summer turned to winter. Everything turned brown or was covered in white
from snow. Everything, this is, but the Blue Spruce that stays green
all year long. His mom decorated their house with bowls of holly and the
sweet smell of pine. She stacked pine cones and strung berries with
string to hang or weave through the branches they had laid inside. Tall
red candles graced the table. She even made some banana-nut bread and
opened a jar of her apple butter to put on the warm slices.
<br />
<br />
A thunderous knock on the door told them that someone had come to visit.
<br />
“Whoever can that be in this weather?” Mom asked.
<br />
<br />
A large man stood in the doorway, wearing a wooly coat and a hat with
earmuffs that covered most of his face. In his hand, was something long
and thin, covered with wrapping paper.
<br />
<br />
“Why Mr. Bud, come sit by the fire. You will catch a death of cold.”
Setting him in her favorite chair close to the tiny hearth, she hung his
coat and hat to dry.
<br />
<br />
“Would you care for some apple cider and slices of banana nut bread?”
Mom didn’t wait for him to answer. She returned with a hefty slice
covered in apple butter and a mug of spiced cider. When we finished
eating, I couldn’t stop myself from inquiring about the package he held.
<br />
<br />
He didn’t answer; he just shoved the package into my hands. I tore off
the paper and inside was a beautiful new fishing rod. “Maybe this summer
we can try those lessons again.” <br />
<br />
I believe they heard my whoop all the way into town.
</div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-17573523971700603052014-12-31T16:32:00.001-06:002014-12-31T16:32:37.001-06:00Lena's Story and Poetry Corner: My Short Story called Blow True the Winds<a href="http://lenasstoryandpoetrycorner.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-short-story-called-blow-true-winds.html?spref=bl">Lena's Story and Poetry Corner: My Short Story called Blow True the Winds</a>: http://www.amazon.com/Past-And-Future-Douglas-Clarke/dp/163427010X/ref=pd_ybh_2 Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-75050968613754109242014-12-17T12:46:00.001-06:002014-12-17T12:46:18.447-06:00My Short Story called Blow True the Winds<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Past-And-Future-Douglas-Clarke/dp/163427010X/ref=pd_ybh_2">http://www.amazon.com/Past-And-Future-Douglas-Clarke/dp/163427010X/ref=pd_ybh_2</a><br />
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Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-30357532753680875352014-12-12T09:25:00.001-06:002014-12-12T09:25:21.645-06:00Lena's Story and Poetry Corner: Violet Hopes<a href="http://lenasstoryandpoetrycorner.blogspot.com/2014/10/violet-hopes.html?spref=bl">Lena's Story and Poetry Corner: Violet Hopes</a>: One of my short stories is included in this anthology. Read stories from several talented authors. When you buy a book from Amazon.com you...Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-58321728906049909472014-12-10T23:08:00.002-06:002014-12-10T23:08:27.620-06:00Pre-judgment Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsY23FZ2S7Q8ud3qQB2PuHIqZSFgXjBIV9jL-yUN_ey7zoXHVB3mpSm7FKgfKUy2INudwanaceOAebDTBxYfbiPqVs-TM3hS1VfqFZ7FeBp5wXx7cMui5XymOEs5Zse0V7MRLGnif2Nf0/s1600/heaven+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsY23FZ2S7Q8ud3qQB2PuHIqZSFgXjBIV9jL-yUN_ey7zoXHVB3mpSm7FKgfKUy2INudwanaceOAebDTBxYfbiPqVs-TM3hS1VfqFZ7FeBp5wXx7cMui5XymOEs5Zse0V7MRLGnif2Nf0/s1600/heaven+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mark Thomas, this is your pre-judgment day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were not scheduled to be with us yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, your guardian angel asked that we
review your life up until now, in order to gain redemption from your sins when
your time comes to join us in heaven.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Gosh mister, how could I have been so bad when I’m only
nine years old?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Age is a miscalculation by many who arrive at these
gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan has no age limit when he
tempts to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now pay attention.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even though Mark felt wide awake, a dream sequence began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hey cool, that’s me, and Joey and Steve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember this day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were playing in the huge mud puddles after
school right after that really big storm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here comes Piggy Myrtle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s so
fat…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Enough commentary if you please.” Mark felt a gentle rap on
his knuckles and decided to zip his lips.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark watched as he and his friends giggled and pointed as
they saw Myrtle heading their way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
devised a plan to play a trick on her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As she approached, the boys began to chant.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
If Myrtle Piggy had her way,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’d eat donuts every day,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’d wallow in a crib of mud,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’d snort and holler and smell like crud.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark and his friends rode their bikes on either side of the
puddle, slinging mud all over Myrtle, causing her to fall into the mud
puddle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They rode off laughing still
singing the rude song.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time, Mark actually saw what their prank caused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myrtle sat crying until she noticed that she
lost her mother’s ring her Aunt Rose gave her when her mother passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She searched frantically through the puddle
but could not find the ring.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
“I can’t go home without mom’s ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad will kill me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told Aunt Rose not to give me the ring but
she did anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad told her I would
lose it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so stupid.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She did not want to go home but eventually it became so dark
that she had too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time she arrived
she was shaking from being wet and cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her father yelled at her for being late and ruining her school uniform.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Those cost money and you are hardly worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You will never get married and you are too stupid to finish school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You aren’t living with me forever little
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t have it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that, he smacked her hard on the back of
her head and sent her to her room with no supper.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After washing her clothes, she has to take a cold shower. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She only a thin sheet across her bed, so Myrtle
wrapped her nightgown tightly around her legs to keep warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her attic room attic blew cold air through
the boards all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Myrtle, why ain’t my breakfast on the table you lazy
chit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Git yourself down here girl and
fix your pa something to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You expect
me to go to work hungry?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No answer came from up the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Myrtles father decided he would treat himself
to breakfast out, cussing his lazy offspring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After work he saw there was no food cooking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll be darned if I’m cooking my meal two days in a row.”
He stomped out and had dinner at the diner along with a few pints of beer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hearing the phone ring as he staggered into the house, he
knocked it off the hook then picked it up and yelled “Hello, what you want?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“This is Rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did
you know that Myrtle never showed up to school today?” Aunt Rose was the
secretary at the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Chuck, can I
speak with her please?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Girl, git you fat butt down here right now and talk to your
Aunt Rose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you hear me Myrtle?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a sound came from upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Guess she ain’t here,” he said, hanging up then
passing out in bed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rose didn’t take his word for it since she could tell he had
been drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rose drove over and let
herself in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She walked up the
stairs and noticed first the clothes hanging over the rail to dry. When she
stepped into the child’s room, she shivered from how cold the air was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is when she noticed Myrtle on the
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she reached out and shook her,
she felt how hot the child was and that Myrtle did not respond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She immediately called an ambulance but by
the time they arrived at the hospital, Myrtle had passed away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did we cause her to die?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mark asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Indirectly, yes you and your friends played a part in it
with your tomfoolery.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tom who?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Shenanigans, pranks, bad behavior…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That’s the same day I got ran over by the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I go back and make things right so both
Myrtle and I won’t be dead?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You can give it a try.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark found himself back on earth and riding away with his
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey wait you guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should go back and check on Myrtle.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You check on the piggy if you want,” said Joey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Steve are going to the park to throw
some balls.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark turned around and found Myrtle sitting and crying in
the mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did you lose something?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes, my mother’s ring.” She said between gulps and sobs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
shouldn’t have teased you that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
me help you find it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark did find it and then asked Myrtle to come to his
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother scolded Mark and then
gave Myrtle something to change into while she washed her clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Myrtle changed back into her clean
uniform, Mark told his mother about Myrtle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mark’s mother drove her home and helped carry two large boxes into the
house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was full of clothes and
blankets for Myrtle and the other was filled with food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She helped Myrtle start dinner and then left
before her father came home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark saw Myrtle in school the next day and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each had been given a present, the
future.</div>
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Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-81904776218975292972014-12-09T14:21:00.001-06:002014-12-09T14:21:18.841-06:00Eyes in the Sky
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq06vrdq6ZbqF70V6XY7OCEDgz17dl-O7iZyeWz-5bDcyzQ51d5cCyhTljiWTX1h3VyjGeAefYN9MKsdMoQfXZZOofV4a8cu5VskM40jZtKyPj6q2hsXZ-ZpW3UtX48t3Je4UgOBMqFx66/s1600/Native+Americans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq06vrdq6ZbqF70V6XY7OCEDgz17dl-O7iZyeWz-5bDcyzQ51d5cCyhTljiWTX1h3VyjGeAefYN9MKsdMoQfXZZOofV4a8cu5VskM40jZtKyPj6q2hsXZ-ZpW3UtX48t3Je4UgOBMqFx66/s1600/Native+Americans.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a> *Image from Wallsave.com</div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br />
<br />
“Young man ‘Eyes in the Sky’; you have completed preparations for your Vision
Quest. You have purified your body in the sweat lodge and have fasted since
yesterday’s sunrise. Now we must venture forth, past the streams and trees,
until there is but rock beneath our feet.”<br />
<br />
The Medicine woman swathed in decorative hides, ornate with bones, bags,
bangles and beads led the young brave away from the camp and into nature. Large
walking stick in hand, she rattled and jingled as she walked through the
solitude of the woods. Higher and higher she climbed, not winded in the least
even for her sixty plus years. They stopped on a ledge about half way up the
mountain allowing ‘Eyes in the Sky’ to look down upon their village, which
resembled child toys with a scurry of ants. Even the war horses appeared to be
no larger than gnats.<br />
<br />
They rested but did not sleep when the darkness enveloped them. The shaman
woman chanted over the flames but neither ate. ‘Eyes in the Sky’ yearned that
his vision would show him where his future lay, hoping in his heart that he was
meant to be a warrior like his brother and father before him. They were a proud
tribe of hunters too. Either would be fine. His eyes grew sleepy until the
shaman shook her rattle in his face.<br />
<br />
“Stay awake, stay alert, young pup. How can your spirit helper show you the way
to your vision if you are asleep?”<br />
<br />
The next day they reached the summit where neither bush nor grass grew within
the chalky, white rocks. Aspen and pine so blue it blended with the sky.
Juniper, fir and cottonwood had led the way until all that remained was thin
and stunted. The medicine woman picked a flat spot for him and one a bit back
from the edge for herself. The shaman prepared a fire. <br />
<br />
“Earth and sky, wind and water, grant ‘Eyes in the Sky’ a vision that will lead
his way in life. Help him to become the man he is meant to be.”<br />
<br />
Dropping incense from the bags about her neck, she then passed him his first
pipe. He choked on the first pull as it burned to his gut. The air about him
warmed, and the rock beneath him felt as soft as a fur cover. Last words he
heard from the medicine woman was that they would fast and pray for three days.
Between the fasting, the thin air and the exertion, ‘Eyes in the Sky’ fell over
onto the ground in a deep trance. He could feel the blood pumping through his
body, his muscles relaxing and his mind opening to enlightenment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<o:p>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the dream he was sitting among his people but no one
noticed him. He cried out but no one answered. Late that night a huge bat
landed on his shoulder. Days past into years; still he sat, watching. His
people went from a proud strong nation, to poverty, distrust and weakness.
Illness claimed the children who hadn’t enough to eat. The warriors and hunters
were all gone; taken by the white men. <br />
<br />
The dream began to change. Many bats joined the large winged bat that had kept
him company. They guided the way. The shaman looked up, seeing the bats but not
the boy. She told the village to pack; they were leaving. Those that survived
walked towards the south, away from the only land they had ever known. Days and
nights they walked, eating what little mother earth provided. After many moons
had passed they reached a fertile land of water, grass, buffalo and trees laden
with fruit. A few stray braves joined the women as they walked. The shaman
stated that they would stay in this place Earth Mother had gifted them. Young
men came from further south and showed them how to plow the land and grow
abundance of foods to feed their people. Soon the village was safe and
productive again. They made baskets that resembled horns and filled them with
plenty from their gardens to give to others living close by. They invited them
to come to a grand feast. Tables were erected and covered with meats, sweets,
fruits, nuts and vegetables. His people rejoiced and shared the bounty.<br />
<br />
‘Eyes in the Sky’ awoke suddenly from his vision. When he returned to the
village, the medicine woman took him back into the lodge to decipher his vision
while the village people prepared for a celebration of him becoming a man. <br />
<br />
“Your power animal is a bat. He symbolizes letting go of the old ways and
embracing new. Your vision tells of battles to come which we will not win. If
we stay, we shall loose our people. We must venture forth and live as growers
of the earth. Some will consider you an annoyance but you must stay persistent.
Some will not listen and they will parish in the end. You ‘Eyes in the sky’
must be strong and lead your people to the south where they will find peace and
prosperity.”<br />
<br />
The boy who became a man began his crusade. As the wise woman foretold, many
warriors would not listen and remained behind. Some of the hunters and young
men followed their families though. Years later they found the land of plenty
but mourned all those they lost. They celebrated their fruitfulness and
rejoiced over the vision that brought them to this land of plenty. The last
thing they celebrated was the life of a great chief who had the vision to
change. ‘Eyes in the Sky’ lasted but two years after they had arrived but he
died in peace. He sailed away into the night on the wings of the great bat. <br />
<br />
Each year, on the anniversary of his death, they honor him by the sharing of
cornucopia symbolizing fertility, fortune and abundance. Each is decorated with
the symbol of the bat.<o:p></o:p></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-62734582121787483332014-11-03T12:17:00.001-06:002014-11-03T12:17:44.747-06:00Thank you to all for making this blog a success!I am humbled that my site has reach over 10,000 hits. I appreciate all of you who have visited and read my postings. I hope you have enjoyed them and will continue to in the future.<br />
<br />
Lena M. Pate<br />
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-82399009593918572692014-10-31T18:32:00.000-05:002014-10-31T22:28:45.945-05:00Miss Annie’s No Flapper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMF_zU0iS6oreXL6Kcc7exfUhEpjr3EhF7hrksSKt7sQ0Sw8PKwBkBG8igdUMNP6iUWpqPEtsnwOOioff34t9drpDejj7oiA3nY45sMmpcwiOC0tcmzCWeNSiF2rrNu0lJzfn8zyHgv9/s1600/Betty+Boop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOMF_zU0iS6oreXL6Kcc7exfUhEpjr3EhF7hrksSKt7sQ0Sw8PKwBkBG8igdUMNP6iUWpqPEtsnwOOioff34t9drpDejj7oiA3nY45sMmpcwiOC0tcmzCWeNSiF2rrNu0lJzfn8zyHgv9/s1600/Betty+Boop.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Betty Boop</div>
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<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Miss Annie’s No
Flapper</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
By Lena M. Pate</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coroners van sits outside of the old
Victorian mansion, set on an acre of land at the back of our subdivision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great magnolia trees line the walkway that leads
to the front porch where a rocker sways, with a slight squeak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watched, I hope that it is the breeze
blowing the swing; however, I wouldn’t put it passed Annie to be sitting in it
rocking as she had for most of her life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sniffling and blowing her nose, the
housekeeper explains her position in the household, these many years and the positions of the others who worked for Miss Annie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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“I come in as I
always do every morning to make herself her tea and toast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I knocked on her door and entered, the
room was still dark so I set the tray down and crossed over to the drapes,
opening the heavy, dark blue curtains to let in the morning light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when I saw her.” More blubbering and honking
into a linen hanky, I hear her continue to the young officer with his pen posed
above a notebook.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I found Miss Annie
in her bedroom covered with her large fur pelt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s had it the whole time I’ve worked for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept it draped over that poster style bed
of hers with the deep blue and gold brocade canopy, unless she was asleep beneath it to
warm her old bones, she was fond of saying.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
I think back at
talking to Annie myself about that ratty old fur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the hide was well worn, Annie would
never throw it away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wealthy trapper
had taken a fancy to Annie in her younger days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The wolf pelts were quilted together into one massive gray spread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie told me once, that the cover warmed her
more than any man ever had, so she kept the fur and sent all the men packing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would chuckle with her deep, raspy laugh
that recently sent her into coughing fits.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Intently gazing at the house through my own
tears, I recalled a warm summer afternoon, she and I sat on that very glider,
sipping lemonade and exchanging stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie persistently wore a large
straw bonnet covering her wavy gray hair.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Dear, men want
soft, creamy skin not a sun baked prune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember to cream your skin nightly to repair the damage from the wind
and weather.” She instructed me, nodding her head in agreement with herself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“My dear, sweet
Annie, men don’t care about those things anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want lean, sexy, and hardworking and not
necessarily in that order.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie just patted
my hand, shaking her head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Susan dear, don’t
you believe it for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A woman
doesn’t need model quality features as long as she has dignity in her
soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Show me a quiet girl, one who
holds her head up high and knows her worth in this world, and I’ll show you ten
men bargaining to be her beau.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie
sipped gracefully from her tall crystal glass laying it gently beside her on a
wicker side table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“I’ll share my
confession with you that will help you understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I remember, it was in the twenties,
during the social change, when women went from sophisticated young ladies to
flappers practically overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
floozies liked having good times, frequenting clubs and even smoking
cigars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a one of them had any pride
in themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took to gambling,
carousing and basically no good what so ever. “</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Are you telling
me you were one of those loose women but found your way back to the straight
and narrow?” I interrupted her with a grin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Impertinent
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would never have been tempted,
but my dear sister Katherine was led astray and it was my duty to bring her
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last letter momma received
said she had moved to New Orleans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I
took a train to Louisiana, settling at my Uncles Jeremiah and Aunt Gertrude’s
home in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At night, my uncle and I frequented
the most popular clubs looking for Kate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Women wore scant dresses with short hair and caps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each one painted her lips red and their eyes were
lined in black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I preferred to don fine
linen skirts with double breasted jackets or graceful silks that brushed the
floor as I walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never went out
without my pearls and white gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t want anyone to mistaken me for one of those easy type girls.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Your confession
is that you went into clubs in New Orleans?” I nearly choked thinking how she
might react if I told her about my jaunts in clubs with my friends.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“If you don’t stop
being so cheeky, I won’t finish the story.” She demanded with the raised
eyebrow that always brought me into line as a child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Where was I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh yes, looking for Kate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We settled at a classier nightclub one
evening, when my uncle saw an old friend and left me alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was afraid I would break out in hives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah hadn’t been gone two minutes when a
nice looking gentleman walked over, bent and kissed my gloved hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so shocked I nearly swallowed my tongue
but instead I gently pulled my hand from his and gave him the “look”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scoundrel just laughed and bowed again.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
Leaning in closer,
I asked, “What did he do then?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Why he reached
out and took my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said I was the
first lady to walk through those doors in a year or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to the band, demanding a slow dance
with just a raise of one hand, then took me into his arms. One strong arm embraced
me while the other held my other hand firmly in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We glided around the dance floor, my dark
blue dress swirling about my ankles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
settled on gazing into each other eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wouldn’t have been seemly to do more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My uncle returned, Michael introduced himself, and then asked if he
could call on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My uncle explained that
we were very busy looking for my sister.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Ah, I wondered
why this beauty was sitting all alone in a place like this, so charming and
regal.” He said. “It is rare to find a jewel like her anymore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears glistened in Annie’s eyes as she
recalled his words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“My heart sang but
I gave him only a coy smile in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ladies, after all, shouldn’t appear too eager.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, did he ever
call again?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annie took her time
refilling our glasses before she returned to her story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Who do you think
gave me the fox quilt for my bed?” she admitted with a twinkle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
I laughed until I spilled
my drink on my lap.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
“Sit up straight
Susan,” she admonished me with her charming grin, while handing me a linen
napkin to mop up my tea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
That was the last
talk we ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went off to college
and she remained behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always felt
she would be here when I returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
remember a time in my life that I didn’t notice her swinging on her porch or
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I blew her a kiss
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Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-87977257555235450392014-10-26T13:56:00.003-05:002014-10-26T14:20:50.196-05:00Violet HopesOne of my short stories is included in this anthology. Read stories from several talented authors. When you buy a book from Amazon.com you get to download a copy for free!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Violet-Hopes-Good-Tale-2/dp/1634270053/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414349285&sr=1-2&keywords=violet+tales">http://www.amazon.com/Violet-Hopes-Good-Tale-2/dp/1634270053/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1414349285&sr=1-2&keywords=violet+tales</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-84941075868805203262014-09-18T17:44:00.001-05:002014-09-18T17:44:10.163-05:002014 International Talk Like A Pirate Day – Giant Tales: World of Pirates promotion<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fancy
ye a voyage into th’ world ‘o scurvy bilge rats an’ barbarity? Prepare t’
shiver ye timbers fer ‘International Talk Like A Pirate Day’ t’is Friday,
SeptembARrrrr 19, by kickin’ aft wi’ a copy o’ Giant Tales: World of Pirates -
a treasure chest o’ th’ most swashbucklin’ short stories known on th’ seven
seas!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Get
ye yers, smartly now, from th’ jolly folk at </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/bit.ly/gianttales3"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amazon</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> or </span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/bit.ly/gianttales3bn"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Barnes & Nobles</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">. ARrrr!</span></div>
Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-9507710706170755852014-09-16T20:00:00.001-05:002014-09-28T01:32:17.460-05:00Another One Is Taken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lIFztVS8nWuSARzPoRsxBOKxel2aB-fm0wcMtR9oJY96Q7rRHfoEiMPMEoeTrIeK2lFIBKlLJdUyNtDK_6PbgeHQjklfIBjtPX5YttPrqF_Z-nTlcDdnmD7U_rrmmVW3RI12LqOZV8au/s1600/teddy+bear+with+wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lIFztVS8nWuSARzPoRsxBOKxel2aB-fm0wcMtR9oJY96Q7rRHfoEiMPMEoeTrIeK2lFIBKlLJdUyNtDK_6PbgeHQjklfIBjtPX5YttPrqF_Z-nTlcDdnmD7U_rrmmVW3RI12LqOZV8au/s1600/teddy+bear+with+wings.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
God has another angel<br />
He carried her away<br />
He met her as she left us<br />
To help her find her way<br />
<br />
She is up there playing<br />
With her cousin and her brother<br />
Who also went to heaven<br />
She is cared for by my mother<br />
<br />
She and dad are keeping them company<br />
Until my journey ends<br />
To join them in the afterlife<br />
Where hurts heal and sorrow mends<br />
<br />
Until that time I'll hold my kids<br />
And help them to go on<br />
To love them and to guide them<br />
Both my daughter-in-law and son.<br />
<br />
Lord you've given us three and taken the same<br />
I don't claim to understand<br />
But it isn't my right to question<br />
Still I'm needing your helping hand<br />
<br />
Dry my tears and theirs away<br />
Give solace to our soul<br />
Help us to grieve and to believe<br />
Make faith our primary goal <br />
<br />
<br />
To my son and Daughter-in-law and the little angel they lost. They names her Anna Marie.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1336843739429395630.post-80112748001647171452014-08-03T17:11:00.001-05:002014-08-03T17:13:52.731-05:00Trash-To-Treasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="userContent">This is the first of three books. I have short stories coming out in books 2 and 3. Here is the link to the anthology book 1. Great short stories by several gifted writers.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Trash-To-Treasure-Douglas-Clarke/dp/1634270037/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Trash-To-Treasure-Douglas-Clarke/dp/1634270037/</a></span><br />
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Lena M Patehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04937568063418174046noreply@blogger.com0