Sep. 5, 2008 - Writing Challenge #1 ~ Seasonal Poems

I would love to introduce you to The Young Writers Lounge. A great place for young writers to improve there skills and meet other young writers.

I have to say that as soon as I saw this challenge, I groaned. Poetry has never been my cup of tea, but it was a challenge so I took it!

My Seasonal Poem With No Name

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Why pick one
I like them all!

Winter starts with snow flakes falling
Then comes coats, snowmen, sledding,
Hot cups of cider, and children calling.

Moving onto Spring we see
Kittens, sunshine, flowers,
Jubilant bird songs, and bumble bees.

Summer  works it's hot days in
Along with swimming, hiking, camping,
amazing sunsets, and baseball games you know you'll win!

Then comes the crisp cold of Fall
Harvest parties, football, Carmel apples,
Huge Thanksgiving feasts, and tons of leaves to haul.

God gave all four
for us to enjoy
I wouldn't ask for anymore.

Thank you Kylie and Ashley for starting this wonderful blog!

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Sep. 3, 2008 - It All Started With A Bet

I have a folder that has a placed shoved in the back drawer of my school desk.

This folder is my book of secrets, no one can touch, or read anything in it unless I say other wise.

You have had a peek at some of the things in the folder before. Letting Go and Thinking came from it.

Please remember my writing reflects what mood I was in at the time. I must have been feeling pretty goofy when this came to life.

Without further ado, I give you!

It All Started With A Bet

Ring, ring. As the phone rang my younger brother threw back his head and laughed.

"Okay, so you where right. Just get the phone for me will you?"

I glowered at him, I had my hands elbow deep in paper mache. I was was not happy. I had never liked paper mache and I had just lost a bet for five dollars. The five dollars was no biggie, but the paper mache was getting to me.

Austin had come to stay a weekend with me in my apartment. Sometime during that weekend he had said something about the phone always ringing while in the middle of a paper mache project. I told him no way and we made the bet.

Now Austin picked up the phone still chuckling.

"Hello... he's a little busy at the moment could he call you back in a few minutes? Okay, bye."

He put the phone down and smiled at me, I glowered back.

"That was your boss."

"What!"

"You heard the rest of the conversation. You had better start washing up."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, what did he say?"

In a deep voice Austin tried to imitate Mr. Sims.

"May I speak to James please?"

"Well I know he said that, what else did he say?"

"I told him you were busy and asked if you could call back and he said." (once again in a deep tone)
"Alright, tell him it was his boss."

As I washed the glue off my arms I asked,

"That's all, he didn't tell you what he called for?"

"No, why would he, he had no idea who I was."

I reached for the hand towel and dried.

"Hand me the phone please."

Austin did. I dilled the number and asked for Mr. Sims. A few minutes later I heard a deep,

"Hello."

"Mr. Sims,  this is James."

"Ah James, I need you to cover a story for me. It's about paper mache. Can you?"

I just stood there and stared at Austin. Then Mr. Sims said,

"James, are you still there?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll write the story. Who am I interviewing, where do I go?"

I got all the information I needed then said good bye and hung up, and made a face at Austin.

"That wasn't very mature. What's the deal?"

"Your never going to believe this, but my first job as a member of the press is to write  an article on paper mache."

The next day I twisted threw the streets of New York. I finally parked in front of an old apartment building that looked like it was about to fall over.

I climbed the stairs and knocked on apartment number 13. Good, my lucky number.

I knocked again louder this time. Still no answer. I waited a second, knocked a few more times then turned to go.

Funny, Mr. Sims said he had made an appointment for me to talk to this lady.

I had just reached the end of the hall way when the door to apartment 13 flew open. I didn't even have time to see who was at the door before a voice shouted,

"No solicitors!"

Then once again the door slammed shut. I stared at the closed door. What kind of a greeting was that? Maybe I had the wrong address, but no, sure enough. This was it.

I once again slowly approached the door, and raised my fist to knock, but before I could, the door swung open.

A rather short lady with bobbed hair stood there. She had very large gaudy earrings it looked like they were little paper mache earths with a red sewing pen sticking out where New York would be. She smiled at me.

"Oh hello, you must be from the newspaper. Please come in."

The house was small and cluttered. The little woman led me to her kitchen completely silent. On the table she had things ready to do paper mache, and on the counter where some of her already finished projects. I had no idea what they were.

She waved me into a chair.

"My name is Lassie Longwart nice to meet you, what's yours?"

She said everything so fast I had to take a minute before I understood what she had said. Her outstretched hand helped.

"James, or Jim, whatever you prefer." I shook her hand.

"What a nice name, although you'll have to keep reminding me, I'm horrible with names. Now why are you here?"

"I'm here from The Butterfly News." She looked at me blankly.
"The newspaper." I reminded her.

"Oh, the newspaper. I already get it so don't try to sell me one."

"No, I came to interview you on your paper mache."

"Oh, my paper mache."

I nodded my head and took out my notebook to get ready to write.

"How long have you been doing paper mache Miss," I paused, "Miss Longwart?"

She stared dreamily at the ceiling,

"I don't remember, why do you ask?"

"It's just nice to know for the article and all, what got you started on paper mache?"

"I don't remember."

Uh huh, I started to wonder if this was some kind of test. If it was, I wasn't going to flunk.

"Alright, um, let's see. What are some of the things you made?"

She leaned over and squinted at my tie.

"Is that Daffie Mouse on you tie?"

The interview went on for hours. I was determined not to give up. I needed this job.

By the time I got home I could just imagine what the article would read like.

Paper Mache is a messy thing to do. However that does not bother Lassie Longwart who has been doing it.
She does not remember how she got started, but she has been doing it ever since.
She never can remember what she makes, but as she's making it she has the time of her life.
When asked what kind of things could be made using paper mache she answered, "I don't remember."
She does remember the joy she has in doing it and recommends it for everybody!

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Aug. 29, 2008 - The Binding of the Blade

I would love to call to your attention this wonderful series.

I came across the first book in this series, Beyond the Summerland, in a homeschool store. I thought it looked good and decided to get it.

The gentlemen checking us out asked if we had ever read it before. My Mother answered that we had not, but thought it looked good.

He then proceeded to tell us that at the end, one of the best characters would die and we would feel like throwing the book at the wall, "but keep reading!" He insisted.

On the way home I eagerly started reading.

I loved the book and could hardly put it down for a minute. Alas I had forgotten the words of the gentleman at the store and the end came as a shock.

I felt like throwing the book at the wall. I couldn't wait to check out the second book from the library and I read that one just as quickly as the first, and so it went till I sadly came to the end of the fifth and last book in the series.

So if you are ever in need of a book to read, pick up the first book in The Binding of the Blade series, Beyond the Summerland, by L. B. Graham. This Christian fantasy is 581 pages and written for adults and teens.

If you've read it I would love to hear your thoughts!

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Aug. 27, 2008 - RSS Feeds, Mailing Lists, and Blog Ads

Okay, just a few things about my blog and template.

First of all, if you have tried to get my RSS feed in the past and were unable to get it, the problem should be fixed. So feel free to take it.

However if you are not the RSS feed kind of person, you can leave your e-mail address in a privet message and I will make sure it gets on my mailing list.

Also I have a new blog ad.

As you can see the html code is right below it, I would love to trade blog ads with you!

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Aug. 25, 2008 - An Evening with the Grandparents

Oh, how much fun we have on those days! Normally a Sunday, after we have all got home from church and are sitting around waiting for someone  to decide what we are all going to do. 

Then what's on everybody's mind is said.
"We should go to Grandma and Grandpas."

A phone is found and a call is made to make sure the Grandparents did not have any plans of there own and if they are up to an invasion, and because they always are, we all pile into the car and make the half hour trip.

 

When we get there hugs are given and everyone sits down somewhere in the living room to talk small talk until someone says. 
"Let's play phase ten."

Everyone agrees and the cards are brought out, a noisy game begins. Everyone trying to be funny, and everyone else laughing because they succeeded. Cries of anguish when that round is finished, and you must count up all those horrible points.

Before the game is finished the words.
"I'm hungry," are heard one, or six times and the barbeque is fired up.  

The table is set and as soon as grace is said everyone sits quietly for a moment trying to be polite. Then someone says,
"pass the ketchup," and then everyone asks for everything at the same time. Napkins, hot dogs, relish, and anything else on the table you can eat.

After we have all stuffed ourselves till we can hardly talk, we go set up a badminton net, or a croquet course.

Then a lively game of one, or the other begins.
It lasts till the sun begins to slink away, then it's cleaned up and everyone troops inside.

A dessert is made and a game of farkle played.

The dessert is eaten and it's time to go. Hugs are given, and everyone piles out to the car.

As it pulls away windows are rolled down and everyone frantically waves and shouts goodbye.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a whopping good time on Sunday afternoons!

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Aug. 23, 2008 - That's My Angel

No doubt I have mentioned Angel to you. You have probably realized by now that she is the horse I ride. I would love you to finally meet her.

 

Angel is a liver chestnut Morgan. At times she can be as sweet as pie while other times she is anything, but an angel.

As you may have guessed by now Angel is the same horse as in my header, and she is mighty proud to be there.

Angel likes to hang out with her best friend Hottie.

 

Since she's here I should probably introduce you.

Hottie is a young, who knows what with a lot of energy.
Just learning how to trailer about a year ago she has been enjoying the pleasure of lessons and participating in Dressage classes. Did I fail to mention her beautiful chestnut coat?

 

So that's my girl!

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Aug. 21, 2008 - "What Math do you Want to do This Year?" Asks the Mother.

I spent half of my day yesterday taking a placement test for Switched on SchoolHouse.

The English one was fine, I almost enjoyed it. However I had to take a math one as well and math is really hard for me. I have tried so many different kinds of math.

Saxon, MathUSee, Aleks, and so many more. It was all the same to me, no shining moments when I realized that two plus two is four, (okay I'm not that bad) no dawning realization when I understood the principle they were trying to teach me.

After telling my Mom I didn't think the math program I was doing right now was going to work out, she decided to start Switched on SchoolHouse. Partly because that was what my younger brother was starting.

I wasn't sure about the whole thing, when Mom presented the idea I wasn't sure what I thought about it.

It was during the placement test I realized that the reason I was unsure was because everything would be on the computer. I don't know why, I'm just more a textbook kind of person. Give me a book with an explanation and the problems to solve and I'll do it.

I haven't always preferred it that way though. When I was doing Saxon I hated it. I wanted something that wasn't so textbooky.

Now I'm not just going to be doing my math on the computer, (I was doing aleks before) but everything.

Still my Mom really wants me to try it so I guess will see how it works out.

I would love to hear your thoughts on it if you have ever used it before,

Bluejane

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Aug. 20, 2008 - Well?

What do you think?

I'm still working on a few things, mostly things in the sidebar and such.

Let me know how it looks on your screen. For us it looks fine on all the laptops, but on the desktop the header gets all stretched out, and the borders get all messed up.

I would love to hear what you think!

Blue~jane

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Aug. 18, 2008 - What a Gloomy Day

Last night the lightning was going full swing with a touch of rain for company.

The thunder must have felt left out because it has started complaining this morning. So far lightning and rain have not returned to apologize for not inviting thunder to the party. 

I'm hoping the rain will be nice and come say it's sorry. It is very dry and fire's will start very easily. As long as it stops for awhile later tonight when I want to ride.

Lightning should remain mean. After all it's probably the one that started the fires that rain now has to put out. What a trouble maker.

A storm is just the time to sit down and watch another episode of Murder She Wrote, the thunder will create the perfect atmosphere.

Oh wait. I forgot, school starts in earnest today.
Through the summer we have been wanting to do school, but we have just been so busy it's been half of a half hearted attempt. As I said, today it really begins.

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Aug. 13, 2008 - 2008 Summer Olympics

How many of you are following the Olympics?
I have been, and it's a lot of fun.

The first day of the Olympics an allowance was made in the T.V. rule. The telly was turned on and the Olympics channel found.

It was left on for almost the rest of the day as we cheered the US on.

Last count I believe America had won 14 gold metals in all, but I'm sure it's gone up. Michael Phelps has been swimming. When it's late at night and Eyebright and I want to see that shinning moment when another person wins the gold, Michael Phelps comes on screen.

It's very cool that he has set new swimming records and that he has made Olympic history by getting more gold medals then any other athlete ever, but we all know how a race is going to end when he's in it.

I was excited to catch the Equine events when I got home from  riding one day. Yesterday was the last day for them. German got the gold, Australia the silver. I don't remember who got bronze, but America came in seventh. What a bummer.

Since watching the Olympics I have developed an interest in beach volleyball. Who doesn't when Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh make it look so easy!
Not to mention Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser. 

We have also been watching the gymnastics. On the woman's team it's so hard to root for America, when the Chinese were dragged out of there homes at age three to do this.
We were rooting for both. America got silver, and China gold!

Go USA!

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Aug. 11, 2008 - Third Place!

I would like to say a huge congratulations to my riding partner!

Third place at her first show! This is the horse she was riding, She's a Hottie formally and just Hottie all the other times.

Both of them did a great job and I was glad I could be there to watch!

 

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Jul. 31, 2008 - Fingerprints of... Who?

Just a few minutes ago I was listening to Fingerprints of God, by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Every time I hear that song it makes me think, do people see the fingerprints of God on me? Can they see that he made me, and that I am his. That I believe in him, and worship him? I sure hope so.

Yesterday was the first day of fair for us. Since a few of the family members had entered something we decided to go see how they did and check everything else out.

Both Eyebright and I left saying, "There are a lot of scary people in this world."
To tell you the truth, I do not see any of my Lords fingerprints on someone who is showing more skin then needs to be seen, has more then I can count body piercings, with a purple mohawk.

I don't see anything in that person that glorifies God. I don't see his fingerprints anywhere that say, "I molded this person into who he is. He is my creation."
All I see is Satan's work, and I don't know about you, but I would much rather have God's thumb print on my forehead, then Satan's.

Who's fingerprints our on you?

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Jul. 29, 2008 - The Color Green

Realizing I had not posted for awhile I searched my puny little brain for something to post about.

I finally decided on the color green. No really, I'm going to write a whole post about green.

To start with I'll have to get you strait on one thing, my favorite color is not blue. I know the title of the blog is Out of the Blue, I am Bluejane and my blogs base color is blue. The reason for this is simple because my family often describe my as out of the blue. A lot of the times after I say something they will all just look at me and say, "well that was out of the blue."

I guess I should move on now before this whole post turns out to be about blue.

As you may have guessed by now. My favorite color is green. It has been for a long time. I think I first decided green was my favorite color when we went to visit my Aunt in the valley. The valley is a very green place. The whole place is simple covered in green because plants our everywhere.

I think before this my favorite color was yellow, probably because that's my Dads favorite color and I wanted to be just like him.

It's funny, if you take the color people describe me as (blue) and mix it with my old favorite color, (yellow) you get green. My favorite color now. How interesting.

Now more about the color green. To read about what Wikipedia has to say about green go HERE.

You can live in the city of Green.

There is even a rock band called The Color Green.

According to the Sensational Color website this is how the color green effects you.
1) It soothes you.
2) Relaxes you mentally as well as physically.
3) It helps to alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety.
4) Offers a sense of renewal, self-control, and harmony.

In my opinion that's all hog wash. I have never felt soothed while looking at the color green, I am hardly ever relaxed mentally, or physically. I must admit I have very little self-control.

Anyway, I've got to bring this post to an end as I've got some things that need done, but please, let me know what your favorite color is!

 

 

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Jul. 23, 2008 - Interesting

While Stumbleing about online, I came across a few websites that I thought were interesting, and I thought they might interest you as well. So here we go.

Maps of War, see 5,000 years of history in 90 seconds.

Artpad, show who you really are with your paint! You can see my work of art here. I've decided to call it Well Water.

Pixar How We Do It, want to know how Pixar makes movies?

Create Your Own Flowers

I had no idea there was a International Hedgehog Association

You haven't seen a real cake till you've seen one of Mike's.

View Book.

 Let me know what you think!

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Jul. 19, 2008 - An Extra 30 Minutes

Have any of you ever stayed in the car for an extra 30 minutes to finish the book on CD they were listening to because they thought it was almost over?

We just did, and yes the car was sitting in our driveway.

By the way I highly recommend the book The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin.

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Jul. 16, 2008 - I Have Returned!

Why have I not posted in so long you ask? 

I just got back from a week and a half long trip to the Arlington Fly-In.

This was the second year for Eyebright and I, (we went last year with our grandparents) but it was the first year for the rest of the family.

 

No, I am not really interested in Airplanes, but I still have a lot of fun there just hanging out with friends and family.

It is really neat to see the planes (don't ask me what kind of planes they were!) do the stunts and things, but I must admit it's not exactly my cup of tea.

We also got to visit a few friends that we had not seen in about a year and a half. It was great to spend some time with them.

Anyway I'm back now and can get down to blogging again. I cringed when I got my sitemeter report and it said 5 people visiting a day.
I thank the ones who are still checking!

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Jun. 30, 2008 - When the Ink Stops Flowing...

That horrible moment when you realize the ink is fading. The t, is not as dark as the s was. The word you were writing fades into the paper, never to be seen in it's true form.

NO! You can't do this!

You direct the tip of the pen to the top corner of your paper and scribble furiously. "Stay with me!" You shout.

"Come on, you can make it!"

Next comes CPR, you shake it vigorisly, then start mouth to mouth, licking  the ball point briskly and scribbling again. "You can't do this to me!"

It's no use, your forever faithful pen is gone, finished, never to be used again.

Someone pats you on the shoulder, and writes all the faster with there special little writing tool as the horror of what just happened sets in.

Then someone steps forward hand outstretched. "Here, take mine. I have two."

Your eyes water, and the tears begin to fall. "Thank you."

The school report is finished in blue ink, instead of black, and the world goes back to normal.

So it is at my house.

Moral: Never waste good pen ink.

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Jun. 23, 2008 - I am a Witness for God

Witness.

I am a witness. That sounds pretty important, but it is even more so when you add, for God, to the end of it.

I am a witness for God.

Wow! Can you imagine what would happen in today's society if you stood at the front of a public school class room and said that to everyone there?
I don't think I want to know.

When I hear the word witness in that context I think, "Someone who tells others what they believe, in this case, about God."  If you think about it a little longer though, it takes in a whole new meaning.

Being a witness does not just mean going door to door and handing out tracks. It doesnt mean that you have to go on as many mission trips as possible, and starting new ones when you have enough time.

These things are great, but just because I'm not doing them right now does not mean I'm not a witness.

I am a witness for God, but by saying that I don't mean I have to walk up to people and just start talking to God.

You can be a witness by simply smiling and saying, "Have a great day", to the lady at the checkout stand or by dressing modestly.

You can be a witness by refusing to do what you know is wrong. By caring for those in need.

You don't have to be holding a Bible to be the kind of witness I try to be.

All you have to do is let God's love shine through you.

I am a witness for the Lord.

Are you?

 

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Jun. 21, 2008 - Homeschool Tag

Alison tagged me with this rather interesting tag, so here goes.

How long have you homeschooled? I have homeschooled my whole life, I   started learning at home from day one!

What grade did you start homeschooling? I guess the answer to that would be preschool.

What grade are you in now? Sorry, I can't tell you that one.

How old were you when you started? Like I said, day one!

Do you like homeschooling? I love homeschooling, not only because I can do school in my pajamas if I want to, but because I am learning about my Father in heaven and I'm not being brain washed like I would be if I was public schooled. No, homeschoolers are not the ones being brainwashed! 

Have you ever gone to school? Not one day.

How long did you go to school? Didn't go to school

Do you intend to home school your kids when you grow up? Oh yeah! Not only would it be fun, but I would be able to show them the truth about God.

What are two things that you like about homeschooling? Like I said before, I can really learn to love the Lord! I could go on and on about what I loved about homeschooling but if you just want two... The fact that when I want a day off to go spend with my Grandparents and have fun, all I have to do is ask my Mom!

Do you totally go against public schools? Pretty much, why would I be for something that denies God?

Do you have friends who are not homeschoolers? I have several.

Is it hard to get along with public school friends? With some it is, sometimes they might start to talk about how they think this boy is sooo cute, and then I have trouble trying  to figure out what to do and say. However I take the time I spend with them, as a time to witness. I don't have to have a bible open and be saying, "The Lord loves you, now repent." All I have to do is behave myself, and hope Gods love is shining through me!

What is the first thing other people say when they find out that you homeschool? Most the time they say, "wow, that's neat. I once knew this lady who homeschooled and her kids were awesome!" No really, people will tell me that! Every now and then someone says something like they don't think homeschooling is all that great.

Who are you going to tag? Writer4Him, Narniagirl, and crochetcrazy.

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Jun. 20, 2008 - Enter to win a signed copy!

That will be the name of my post if I ever get my book published. I've got the first chapter done. Yeah, it will be a year, or two.

I did have it written down in a notebook and I was pretty far, the story was coming along wonderfully, but I was running into to much trouble, I had a lot of the things happening all in one chapter that were supposed to be spaced out in the book. I had said one thing in this chapter, but said the opposite in this one. Yeah it was starting to go down the drain, and I would have lost the whole thing completely had I not found the snake to pull it out with.

I've started to rewrite the whole thing, it's bigger, it's better, and I'm hoping to get it published.

Don't ask me what it's called because I have no idea. I have no idea what my chapters are called until after I write them, and I guess it will be the same with the book. I just can't think of THE name yet. All the ones I've come up with so far just don't fit. The Rising Queen, to sappy, A Queen to Fight For, to cheesy, Jewel of Queens, that just doesn't sound right.

As you may have guessed by now the book is about a Queen. It would be called fantasy at the library, but only because she is the Queen of a imagined country.

It is kind of a romance, but I'm not a big romance writer so it won't be getting to steamy.

My biggest goal in this book, is to create emotions in people. When the main character is about to die, I want them to be on the edge of there seats. When something tragic happens I want there eyes to be at least moist.

I want my book to be the kind that you throw at the wall because your so upset, but you pick it up again because you just have to know what's going to happen.

I don't expect for it to become famous, or anything like that, I don't expect it to some day make it to theaters, I just want a modest bunch of people to enjoy reading it, and to say to other people, "Hey, have you read the book by Bluejane? I've heard it's pretty good."

By the way, don't think you'll learn my name by the name of the author when it comes out, because I've been trying to think of a pen name for some time now.

Well I hope this was not to boring for everyone, I just thought I would share about my biggest project right now. What do you think?

The trying to be Author,

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