About this blog:

I found this tag and decided to do it...;) :D

The Author Tag.
Do you have a pen/pecil collection? How many of those are chewed?  No, I don't have a pen or pencil collection, but if you should run across one, it would most likely be chewed. (Please let me know if you do, I am in desperate need!)

Do you prefer handwriting or typing furiously? Typing, for sure. I do write by hand, but not as often as I type.

I've been awarded! My first time, by both Dreamwalker and Pony! I think it is the same award, but Pony's won't show up on her blog! Thank you anyway, girls!

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
   
2. Nominate at least 5 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
   
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
   
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
   
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

All right, I award OlviaFoote, StoriesFromTheHeart, olviaf, actresssinger13, and sharla88.

Hope I am doing this right! Have fun!

Winter, by StoryGirl

Imagination Land, by story girl.

Have you been to the land of the little ones?
To the land where people fly?
To the land where rain drops are gum drops, and there's chocolate in the sky?
Where the fairies live, where the love is, where you can be anything you want?
Where there is no worry's, where there is no hurry's, and no ghost does ever haunt?
Come on, Come in, while you are still young, come here, come now, and play!
We'll smile, and dream and laugh, and sing, till the very end of our day!
Imagination Land.

I am always looking for people with stories to share!

Sympathize, by Rebecca A. R.

So you lied to me
Did you not think that I'd understand?
I know that sympathy demands
And I would have given it.
I understand your pain
Your angerm Your hurt
And I know I couldn't do much
Just with words
But I would sympathize
In the silence
I would sympathize
What doesn't help is
all the lies
Had you have come to me
I would have sympathized.

NOTHING, by Rebecca A. R.
Nothing makes the startlight dimmer
Nor stop the lakes from reflecting their glimmer
Nothing stops the moon from shining down
In it's pale and flowing white night gown
And nothing stops nights misty veil
From falling 'cross the land
Nor stop the ocean from lapping up
Your footprints in the sand
And nothing stops the day from coming when it demands
It's turn at shining and sharing happiness
And nothing stops me from feeling
The cool, clear winds caress
No, nothing stops the birds from going north
Nor stops the youth from going forth
And nothing stops God from coming on that day
And taking all the faithful Christians far away.

The Life of Sarah Mullen and Her Children

By Miss Anne Bunny, Princess Pup, & Elf Queen

   Sarah Mullen was a little girl of the age of 5, and she was sad because he sister, Robin was getting married. Robin was Sarah’s BEST FRIEND, but now she didn’t seem to spend time with her anymore. “Oh well,” she thought, “At least I get to be an aunt!” She was happy when Robin asked her to be her flower-girl. “Robin, do I get to kiss the ring-bearer?” “He He,” giggled Robin, “Only if you want to.” “Then I’m DEFIANTLY too.” “Good night,” said Robin. The ring-bearer was a boy named Johnny Stevens, and Sarah had a huge crush on him. Johnny liked Sarah too.

   One day when Johnny was over, and everyone was making plans for the wedding, he whispered in Eric’s ear (Robin’s husband to be...) “Eric, can I give the ring to Sarah, instead of Robin?” “NO!” Finally the wedding came and everyone got dressed. Sarah went to the church early and there was Johnny standing under some roses, all dressed up. Sarah ran to him and she hugged him SO hard he jumped. Then Johnny said, “Sarah, will you marry me when we grow up?” “Yes,” Sarah said. And she kissed him.

20 years later…..

    “Hurry up Sarah! You will be late for your own wedding!” said Sarah’s mom. “Johnny has been waiting for twenty years, can’t he wait another five minutes?” said Sarah. “Oh whatever!” said her mom. Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. She studied herself; she had long blonde hair, fair skin, pink lips, and blue eyes. Her dress was long, white, and elegant. She wore white slippers. Sarah pictured Johnny in her mind….he had dark brown hair, brown eyes, very handsome…….. It was time to walk down the isle. Johnny (or should I say John) gazed at Sarah, she was so beautiful. They put rings on each others fingers and said their “I do’s.” They were happily married.

A while later……

    They walked out into the snow; it was Christmas Eve, now. “What did you get me for Christmas?” asked John. “You will have to wait until tomorrow morning!” It had been a year since their wedding, and Sarah was now pregnant.

6 months later……

    It’s TWINS! A boy and a girl! John and Sarah named them Danni and Valerie. Valerie was so beautiful. She had dark brown hair and brown eyes. Danni had blonde hair and blue eyes. They cried a lot.

    When Danni and Valerie were two, Sarah was pregnant again. “I’m so happy we chose to spend our lives together.” John said. “Me too.” said Sarah, “I love you.” Then they gave each other a kiss. Finally the babe was born. It was a girl. They named her Amelia Margret Amanda Stevens.

16 years later….

    “Why can’t I go on a date with Freddy?” asked Amelia. ”You’re too young.” Said Sarah. “I’m sixteen!” said Amelia. “It’s not fair! Amelia said flatly. “Fine.” Said Sarah. At the dance Amelia wore a pretty dress of rich violet. Freddy gazed at her delicate beauty.

5 years later…..

They married………

THE END

Burrs by Eletha

A walk in the weeds, the squishy, ishy weeds
And the prickly, tickley thorns

Climbing the trees, by the squishy weeds, and the prickly, tickley thorns

Breaking the branches, and building a fort, by the squishy weeds and the prickly, tickley thorns

Swinging on vines, climbing mossy logs, by the squishy, ishy weeds and the prickly, tickley thorns

Trudging home in the squishy, ishy weeds, and the prickly, tickley thorns

Sitting down and pulling off burrs from the
prickly
tickley
thorns

Gilchtenby by Gipfish

Have you ever heard the tale
Of Mr. Glichtenby?
He tried and tried to no avail
To make it up a tree.

When watering his garden one
Bright, warm summer’s day,
His dog got hot out in the sun
And chased him far away.

He said:
Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
Tell me, tell me please:
Can you climb right up that tree?
‘Cause I’d sure love to see!

Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
I really want to know:
Can you make it up the tree?
Or are your bones too old?

The old man grabbed a sturdy branch,
Pulled up his left knee;
But his fingers could not clench
Long enough to breathe.

A cat came up to take a look
At such a funny sight.
He laughed and laughed until he shook.
He cried out in delight:

Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
Tell me, tell me please:
Can you climb right up that tree?
‘Cause I’d sure love to see!

Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
I really want to know:
Can you make it up the tree?
Or are your bones too old?

Cat and dog, they laughed with glee
At the poor old man.
They barked and snapped at Glichtenby
To make him try again.

With one leg higher than his head,
He did look quite absurd.
The sound of yelling out in dread
Attracted one small bird.

Who said:
Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
Tell me, tell me please:
Can you climb right up that tree?
‘Cause I’d sure love to see!

Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
I really want to know:
Can you make it up the tree?
Or are your bones too old?

That dog growled, and that cat hissed;
That bird pecked his head
Mr. Glichtenby, he missed,
Then fell over dead.

They all hung their heads in shame,
Knowing it was wrong.
As they buried him they sang
This one parting song:

Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
Tell me, tell me please:
Can you climb right up that tree?
‘Cause I’d sure love to see!

Tell me Mr. Glichtenby,
I really want to know:
Can you make it up the tree?
Or are your bones too old?

Here is the other part to The Stranger  by Rebecca A. R.........

I ran across the yard and to the road. I looked around, then up at the sky before entering the woods. Those clouds sure were getting
dark, I hope it wouldn't rain while I was out. I entered in. For quite a while I saw nothing but trees, dead leaves, and squirrels, so I was quite alone.
But pretty soon I began to feel that I wasn't.
I twirled around, thinking I had learned with Cassidy, but there was no one. Up ahead I could see a small are where the tree's came together
and formed a small circle. Then I heard a voice. "Get up against that tree, boy! And be quiet! I don't want to hear another word out of you, or so help me
I will kill you!"
I gasped. Who was he talking to? I snuck a little closer, but stopped when I heard something coming up behind me. Screaming, I turned around, ready
to flee. But It was just Jasen! I let out a relieved breath and scratched behind his ears. "Oh, Jasen."
But now something else was coming, and it wasn't any animal. The man had heard me scream!
"Run, Jasen!" I shouted, taking off into a run myself.. The dog followed at my heels. Once I was far enough away, I dared to look back. I was alone.
"Amen!" I cried, sitting down, my back against a tree. Jasen snuggled up against my leg and closed his eyes. "Jasen," I began to talk to him. "Something
awful is going on. Who is with the stranger? He must be dangerous. I should tell Father, but part of me says not to. I don't know what to do!"
The words tumbled out of me, and a few tears fell down my face. I stopped. I hated to cry.
Standing up, I began my walk home. Mum and Father were probably up already, wondering where I was. What was I gonna tell them?
As I neared the house I felt something on my cheek. Well, at least I got home before it started to rain.
As I entered the kitchen Mum said exactly what I figured she's say. "Where have you been, Ella? We have been looking all over!"
"I..Well I-" I stammered, not wanting to be dishonest.
"Never mind, just don't do it again. Come and hurry and help me with breakfast; Father will be in any minute."
I felt relieved that I didn't have to tell her, or lie. I ran over to flip the pancakes she was making on the stove as Father came through the door.
"Are we ready, My Ladies?" He asked.
"Nearly," Mum replied. "You might want to wash up, and have a seat. This should only take a few minutes."
"Alright," Father said, heading for the bathroom. By the time he came back, everything was set.
We all sat down, Father at one end, Mum next to him on the right side, and Me and Cassidy on the left. The other end was left empty.
Father prayed, and breakfast began. Mum and Father immediately began to talk about the oven, which right now wasn't working as it should, though
still usable, but I was too deep in thought to pay any attention. The stranger was on my mind.
"Ella, what is wrong with you? You look like you just saw a ghost," Her Father joked. Nearly, I thought.
"Sorry, I was just thinking."
"What are you going to do today, it being rainy?"
"Uhhh..I was thinking Cassie and me could do something together," I said, looking at Cassidy.
"Oh, yeah, sure," She said. "What do you want to do?"
"Anything," I said, giving her one of my special looks. I wanted to tell her about my little adventure, that's what I wanted to do!!
"Well, I know one thing you're going to do," Mum said, getting up from the table. "You are going to wash the breakfast dishes."
I groaned, and gave her a tired look.
"Come on, the sooner you start, the sooner you finish," Was her answer.
While we did dishes, Cassidy tried to get me to talk. "Where were you, Ella? Did you go back in the woods? What happened?"She whispered.
"I'll tell you later," Was all I would say. I couldn't let Mum hear. Not yet. It wasn't the right time to begin to involve my parents.
When we finished, Cassidy was in our room, by the time I could make it to the stairs.
When I got to our room, Cassidy was pouncing on her bed chanting, "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me!"
"Okay, Okay," I said, taking a seat on my desk chair. "Well this morning I woke up early, and I knew it was going to rain soon, and that I couldn't wait
any longer to go back, So I decided to get dressed and sneak out."
"I wish you would of taken me with you," She pouted.
I ignored her and went on. "Well, at first I didn't see anything, but then I came upon an area, where all the trees came together almost like a tepee."
"I think I've been there before, with Father," Cassidy commented.
I nodded. "And when I got closer I began to hear voices. I heard a man and he was shouting something like 'Sit down boy! Another word out of you,
and so help me I will kill you!' I don't remember it all."
By now Cassidy eyes were huge. "Then what happened?"
"Well, I heard something behind me and turned and screamed, but It was just Jasen. Well, then I heard something else behind me and I knew it was no
animal, I knew it was the man. He had heard me scream."
"Oh, Ella! Did he hurt you?"
"No. Me and Jasen took of running. But it was so scary, Cassie. I mean, who is this man? And why is there a boy with him that he is threatening to
kill? It all just doesn't make any sense."
"I think it's time to tell Mum and Father, Ella," Cassidy said.
"No, Cassie. Not yet. Let's wait a while, please Cassie."
Cassie nodded an okay, and laid back down on the bed. "Are we in any danger, Ella?"
"I don't know, Cassie. I really don't know anything anymore. But, come on. We need to do something to take our Minds off of all this. Let's go see if
Mum will let us go to Paul Hans house and play tag or something." The Hans were our closest neighbors, about a 20 minute walk from our house,
and they had a young boy named Paul, who we found friendship in when we first moved here, about 5 years ago.
Having stopped raining, Mum said yes, though making us promise to be back by supper, which left us plenty of time.
"Hey Paul!" We called when we got to his house, and saw him in his yard. "Mum said we can play tag with you but we have to be back before supper.
I hope that's okay with you, 'cause that was an awful long walk!"
He laughed. "Sure I want to. I've been bored, as of late. I'd do anything to have a little brother or sister like you."
"Yeah Well,"I looked at Cassidy, "You'd probably would change your mind if your mom had one," I joked.
He laughed a bit. "No, seriously. But let's play. Not it!"
"Cassie, your it!" I called, taking off.
"Aww," She whined, but started to chase us around his yard. Laughing and screaming brought Mrs. Hans outside, who asked us in for some cookies.
"Yeah!" We all shouted, running into the house. "Mom, can we have some of the lemonade in the fridge?" Paul asked.
"Sure, "Mrs. Hans replied, "Or would you prefer milk?"
Paul and I went for lemonade, while Cassidy went for milk. Cassidy always picked the opposite of what you picked.
At 5 o'clock we decided we better be heading home, and left after goodbyes to Mrs. Hans and Paul. Our walk home was quiet, and pretty soon we
were home, in the kitchen, at the supper table.
"Okay, Ella, what is wrong with you? You've been acting strangely all day. Is something bothering you?" Mum asked while we ate.
"No," I said quietly.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm feeling fine, and there's nothing wrong. Really," I tried to assure them. The looks on the my parents faces showed they weren't quite sure, but they
dropped it there. Everything went silent then, and I saw Father stealing several looks at me. I wanted to leave the table, but having just sat down I knew
I should wait a little longer, otherwise they really might suspect something. After dinner, I told Cassidy to meet me upstairs as soon as I finished the
dishes, in about ten minutes or so, but just as we started to head up, Mum called us back down. "I want you two to practice some piano. We bought
it to be played, not to have sit around. Besides, you've been spending too much time in your room in the evening, that it'd be nice if tonight you'd spend
some time with your family." I felt guilty at her last words. Mum liked to have the family sit together in the living room after supper was finished, and talk
or read or play piano, like now. I picked a sheet of music from the piano bench, and began to play. I was making a mistake every 8 notes. I realized
Mum was right, it'd been forever since I'd played! When I finished the song, I slid of the bench and into a chair nearby, motioning for Cassidy to take
a seat and practice. She groaned as she moved to the piano, and picked a song, less complicated then mine, though she could play just as well.
When she finished, she came to sit by the rest of us and all fell silent. Mum was knitting, and Father was staring into space and rubbing his chin,
while me and Cassie sat idle. It was so quiet, I could the hear clock tick, which I always found scary. Finally, Cassidy spoke; "Father, do you think we,
Ella and I, could go for a short walk before bed?"
Father must not of heard, for he went right on rubbing at his chin, and paying no attention.
Mum looked up from her knitting, "Rick?" He shook his head a little and turned to look at his wife. "Cassidy asked you something," She said softly.
"Oh," he turned to Cassidy, "I'm sorry. What is it?"
"Well, I was wondering if me and Ella could go for a short walk before bed. May we?"
He looked out side for a minute. "It's pretty dark...but as long as you don't go farther then the fallen tree in the ditch, I guess it would be okay."
Cassidy grinned. "Thanks! Come on, Ella!" I got up slowly, and did my best to act like I wasn't overly happy to be going out for a walk, while inside of
me I was bursting! Now would be the best time to hide out and watch for the stranger. Of course, we couldn't go in the woods, but there was a perfect
spot at the edge of our driveway we could hide out and watch for him....and maybe his pal too, though I doubted it, after the way I heard the stranger
talking to him. Once we were outside on the porch I whispered to Cassidy. "Is a walk really what you had in mind?"
"Of course not, silly," She replied. "We're going to watch for the stranger."
Yes, I shouted inside myself. "Oh, great!" It was great to know that Cassidy was with me, and interested in this little mystery too.
Reaching the end of our driveway, I led Cassidy quietly into the ditch. We laid there, seeing nothing. After a time we figured we should me going in
and we began to return home, without a glimpse of the stranger. But as we stepped up onto the porch, there was a long, lonely, howl from a coyote,
and I turned around as Cassidy went in, and standing by the edge of the woods, watching me, was the stranger. I stared, frightened. He probably
knew it was me in the woods today, and as we stood, though far apart, looking into each others eyes, I knew who it was. I knew who this man must
be. Clem Roster. The escaped man. At the same time we turned and went in; Me to my house, and him to the woods.

The next morning Mum went into town, and Father went off to work. Perfect. Mum was going to be gone until a little after dinner, and Father would be
back a little before supper, and Cassidy and I would be back--before Mum did, for we were going in the woods today.
"Okay girls, there's some leftover soup from last night, so if you get hungry, go ahead and heat that up," Mum told us before she headed off.
"Alright," Cassidy and I said at the same exact time, causing us to giggle.
"Ella, be sure to finish the breakfast dishes before going to play, and don't go far either."
I nodded, following her out onto the porch. She looked us over one more time, and turned, calling behind her, "I'll be back."
The screen door slammed behind me as Cassidy went in the house. I stood to watch Mum walk down the road, and around the bend, 'till I could see
her no more, then went in the house to finish the dishes and fetch Cassidy.
Cassidy was sweeping the floor, so I began to wash dishes, when Jasen began to bark. "Jasen?" I called, and ran to the porch as he got more fierce.
I looked around the yard, but there was no Jasen-the barking had ceased. Where had he gone?
"Jasen? Come here boy! Jasen!" I shouted, but there was not even a bark in reply. "Well, he's probably just chasing some animal," I told
Cassidy when she asked what was wrong. "Come dry for me."
"I'm sweeping," she said, throwing me an annoyed look.
"Oh, of course, but I need you to dry. You can finish afterwards. I can't finish washing, though, until you dry," I explained
She moved to the counter without a word. "Ella, I have a confession to make," She said quietly.
"What?" I asked, wondering what had happened,
"Well, the other day Father was going through the loft in the barn, and he was about to grab your diary-but I knew he shouldn't-and so I grabbed your
diary from him, and tossed it into the horses water bin, and ruined it. Father had me go pick up what I had thrown. He didn't know what I threw, but I ruined it.
I am sorry, Ella. Really sorry."
I stared at her, but when I realized she was close to tears, I put a comforting arm around her. "Don't worry. It was-just-a-diary," I barely got out the
words, because it had been more then that. Much more. "Come on, let's finish up."
"It's a grand day," I said, as me and Cassidy walked towards the woods. I could see how nervous she was.
"Yes, Ella. For November it is, though I still think it's chilly out here."
''Oh well, you'll think differently when winter comes."
"But what about now?" she asked, as we entered the woods. "It's even colder in here."
"I hardly noticed a difference. And, Cassie, now that we're in here we have got to be quiet. We don't know where they are, so it'd be best not to be loud."
Slowly and silently I led Cassie back to their campsite I had come upon last time. It was empty, though their fire pit still smoked.
"Cassie, look," I pointed.
"Look at what?"
"Him!" Tied up against the trunk of a tree, was a young man about seventeen- He looked cold and starved. I looked around for the other man, but saw nothing. I slowly took a step into their camp and the man
noticed me. "Ella!"
I looked carefully at the him. 'Do I know you?"
"Ella, it's me, Kyle Sanders. I used to work for your Dad during the summer."
"Oh, yes, Kyle! What are you doing here tied up like this?"
"Shh," he looked around. "He won't be gone long. I'll explain later, but first, hurry and untie me."
I made my way to the back of the tree, and worked at the knots. "I can't get it, Kyle."
"All right, go over to that tree-yes that one- and look under that board. There should be a knife."
"Got it." I made my way back to the tree and cut at the ropes. "All most."
"Hurry," he whispered.
"There. Can you stand? If not I can-" I was interrupted by a scream. "Cassie!" I shouted, running towards the spot where I had left her. All I saw was the figure of a man in black, carrying my little sister away.
"Cassie!" I screamed and shot after her.
"No, Ella!" Kyle was behind me and grabbed my arm. "He's got a gun. There's nothing we can do alone."
I started to cry.
"Is your house far from here?" he asked.
"No, not too far. But my parents might not even be there. Father's working, and Mum is shopping."
"Well, how far is the nearest farm?"
"Far. it belongs to Justin Campbell."
"Would he be gone too?"
"No, he works on his farm."
"Then run, Ella," he told me. "Run as fast as you can. Tell him to bring his gun."
"Kyle, you go. You'd be faster."
"Really, Ella. You go on, I am going to try to follow them. I'd be no good running anyway, with this leg. I must of done something to it."
"But Cassie-"
"Look, Ella, I will not let him hurt Cassie," he looked me straight in the eye. "Now go, and hurry."

When I got to Justin Campbell, I was completely out of breath. I ran to his barn.
"Ella, what's wrong?" he asked, when I ran in, panting.
"Clem Roster--the guy who escaped-- he's in the woods by our house and he's got Cassie and-" I stopped for breath. "Kyle Sander is there, and he said to bring your gun."
Justin paused, trying to make sense of the words that had just poured out of me. "Hurry!" I broke into him.
"What woods?" he asked, finally understanding what I was trying to say.
"The woods across our street-do you know?"
"Yeah. Listen, Ella, I want you to go tell my wife to drive over to Jessie Owens place and use their phone to call the police. Is your father at work?" He asked, as he switched the shoes he was wearing for
boots. I was almost angry at him for taking the time. "Yes, he is. And Mums in town shopping."
"All right, then tell her to also call your father's work. She knows where."
I ran in and gave a quick explanation and Justin's orders to Mrs. Campbell, and ran back out to the barn. Justin had his gun, and was just coming out with his horse.
'Why don't you drive your truck?" I thought horses were a little old now days.
"I want to sneak up on 'em. Besides, this fellow can go in the woods-a truck can't. Now you stay here, Missy," he told me.
"No!" I shouted. " I am going."
"Look, Ella, " he said, getting up on his horse. "It's not safe-and we don't need to have you and your sister..." he trailed off.
"Please," I looked up to him, my eyes basically begging him.
He thought for just a moment, then offered me his hand. I took it, and climbed up on the horse behind him.
"Now let's go catch that killer!"

He didn't ride as fast as we had on the way to the woods, for his horse was already tired, but kept him at a steady trot. "Who's that?" He whispered, slowing the horse and nodding in the direction he saw
someone. I looked carefully, then called to him, "Kyle!" I called softly, but loud enough for him to hear. "Kyle!"
He whirled around, then realized who it was. He limped towards us, "Scared me," he said.
"Kyle, are they near?" I asked.
"They're up a ways. Cassie was fine, when I saw them, but then this blasted leg started aching, and wouldn't work properly, so I had to slow down my pace some."
"It's best you two stay here," Justin told us, slipping off his horse, and adjusting his gun. "I'll go on ahead. The police should be here in a short while, but I wonder how long it'll take for them to find us."
"You got the police? Good. You better be cautious, Justin, he's pretty sneaky," Kyle said- Kyle and Justin knew each other pretty well, and really, Justin wasn't that much older then him.
"You better believe I'm gonna be cautious," he said, leaving us. In a few moments, he was out of sight. "Kyle, I think we should follow."
"I was thinking the same thing," he said quietly. ''This leg is rested a bit, so it shouldn't be too bad, and I think we could be of some help if Clem turns on Justin."
"Me too," I said, grabbing Kyle's hand and pulling him off the ground where he was sitting. He winced as his leg touched the ground, but started walking.
After a while of walking, we began to hear voices. Hushed voices. "Listen girl, I won't hurt ya, as long as you be quiet. Understood?"
We didn't hear an answer, but snuck up towards them. Clem Roster was crouched over Cassidy, a hand over her mouth, and a gun in the other.
"What should we do?" I whispered in Kyle's ear.
"Wait. We just need to keep an eye on him till the police get here," he whispered back. "Come on, he's moving."
I watched Kyle. He seemed to limp more and more, and look more and more in pain as we walked on. We were close on them, but I was afraid if Kyle's leg kept getting worse, we'd fall behind.
Of course there was always Justin, but we hadn't seen anything of him the whole time. "Come on, Kyle, we need to keep up."
"I'm-trying," he got out, "But it feels like it's--Ahh!!" He fell on the ground and shouted in pain.
"Kyle-Kyle what's wrong?" I bent over him.
He didn't answer, just shook his head and gripped his leg.
"Should I go get Justin?"
"No point in that," we heard a loud voice say behind us, "I'm here to help you." It was Clem Roster, gun in his hand, pointed at the ground where Kyle lay. He threw back his head and laughed wildly.
He was a huge man, with dark eyes,white skin, long black hair-and dressed in the same black clothing we'd first seen him in
"I'll take the pain away real fast, you can believe that sonny boy," he took a step forward and pointed the gun at Kyle's head. I screamed.
"Who's the little miss you got with you?" he said, as if just noticing me. He pointed the gun at me now, as he talked. ''Where's my sister?" I demanded. He ignored me.
"Where are you from? Nahh, No matter- you know to much-seen to much-and besides, you'll like it much better where I'm about to send ya," I closed my eyes as a gun went off.
"Don't move anybody." Thank heavens, the police!

"Cassie, Cassie," I ran to where she and Justin sat tied up against a tree. My Father, who had come with the police, followed me, along with some other men.
When she was cut loose I hugged her with tears in my eyes. "Cassie, Cassie, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, I should have never brought you out here!"
Our father cleared his throat behind us, and we turned toward him, expecting a scolding, but received relieved hugs. "Oh, my precious daughters," my Father gathered us up in his arms. "My dear, sweet,
precious daughters." After a long hug, and a lot of tears on our part, he pulled back. "Let's go home. Your Mum hasn't a clue what's going on-and I want you to have plenty of time to explain to her and to me."
We nodded, more tears flowing down on faces. Dad smiled and grabbed our hands. "Come on." And, even with all the explaining to do, nothing sounded better then home.

Elf Queen

This is a long story by by Rebecca A. R. so I had to break it into two parts.........

It was cold, and dark, and windy, that night in October-the night we saw the stranger. Hardly but a shadow in the moonlight.
He was wearing a black cape over his clothes, and he hurried quickly past our window-in a rush to get wherever he was going.
Only I and my younger sister, Cassidy, saw him. I made Cassidy promise to keep it a secret...after all, it could be nothing.
But why was he out on such a cold night? And so late? No one hardly came by our place, anyway, it being so far from the town and even the other
country folks.
"But, Ella, What if he's a robber?" Cassidy asked, wide eyed. "We should tell Mum and Father."
"Oh, Cassie," I said, laughing, " You and your 8-year-old imagination are going wild!"
Cassidy only stuck out her lip, and turned to the window, looking back out into the black night.
I turned away and headed to my room. I needed to write down everything I had been able to make out of the man in the dark.
As soon as I set my pen down, Cassidy came running into the room. "Ella, Ella, There's two of them, come quick!"
I shot down our little staircase and to the front window. Looking out I caught a glimpse of the stranger, who was hurrying into the woods across
our road, followed by a littler shadow. "Cassie, This is weird. I mean, first one, then two, and hiding in the woods?....Well that's what I think,
they are doing, anyway; hiding."
"Who do you think they are? You know, Ella, They really could be robbers..."
Rolling my eyes I replied, "I haven't decided what they are yet, but I have already pretty much ruled out them being robbers."
Cassidy looked rather doubtful. "I'm scared, Ella."
"Oh, Don't be silly,"I told her, knowing if she got scared she would end up running to Mum.
But as I stared out into the black night, I, too, felt a small bit of fear creep into my heart.
"Girls," My Mums soft voice said from behind us. I jumped. "You two have been standing by that window for quite a long time. Is something wrong?"
"Oh No, " I laughed nervously, "Just looking at the stars." I looked at Cassidy, hoping she would keep quiet.
"Yeah," She surprised me by saying. "They are so pretty tonight," she said as she looked up at the stars twinkling brightly in the sky.
We hadn't really lied. We Had been looking at the stars before we saw the stranger.
As we left to go into the kitchen I whispered into Cassidy's ear," Thank you, Cassie. Thank you so much!"
She shrugged and moved to the cupboard for plates. I turned away, and sniffed the air. "Mm-mm. What's for supper, Mum?"
"Stew...We need to go shopping soon. We are running out of our main food items," Mum said, hardly to me, more to herself.
"Well, still smells good!" I said, happily, though I knew Mum was not listening. The front door slammed, and in came Father looking cold, but still his cheery
self, despite the weather. "Mm, stew? Smells wonderful!" He said, kissing Mum on the cheek as he passed by to hang up his coat on the hook in the
kitchen. I grinned, "That's what I said."
"Well then, Sweet pea, " he turned to Mum, "Are you convinced that you've made the best smelling stew in the world yet, or shall we ask the Cassidy's
opinion?"
Mum smiled and moved to the stove. "I'll be convinced when you make a move to get washed up so you may EAT the stew."
"Ha-ha!" Father cried out, running to get washed up, followed by me and Cassidy chasing behind him.
"Did you happen to see anything outside, Father?" Cassidy asked, and I snapped my head around to glare at her in warning.
"No...What do you mean though? Did you see anything wrong?" He pinched her nose.
She looked at me and then smiled at Father. "Just wondering."
When dinner was finished and I had cleared the table, it being Cassidy's night to dry dishes, I ran to the front window for another look, hoping to see
the stranger and his pal. Looking out I couldn't see anything. The moons light was hidden behind a dark cloud, making it darker then it already was at this
time of night. Father entered the room just then, causing me to turn quickly from the window, and to acting as casual as I could under the
circumstances. "Hello, my little lady," he said, picking up a newspaper and seating himself in his chair by the fireplace.
"Hello, Father. Anything interesting in the paper tonight?"
"Well let's see," He flipped the page and read a little. "There is something in here about a lost puppy."
"Oh, the poor thing. I wonder if he has shelter tonight. I hope he does, it being so cold and windy."
Her Father grunted, and read on. "And, it says here a man has escaped from the county jail...But we won't read about that.."
My head shot up. "Father, Please read about the escaped man. Please."
"Why, Ella, why do you wish to know?"
"I-well..I." I stammered. "I like to know about what's going on around here, we being so out of the way and all."
Her father just shrugged. "'A 33 year old man by the name of Clem Roster was found missing October 4th. The man had been imprisoned last year for
robbing the mills general store and other stores across the county, along with the shooting of...'" He father trailed off, looking at me.
"Please, Father."
" '..along with the shooting of 8 year old Melissa Shullin. This man is highly dangerous and is suspected to be hiding somewhere near the town of
Jefferson...' Is that enough?"
"Yes," I breathed, quietly.
I moved to go up to my room, just as Mum and Cassidy came in. I whispered to Cassidy as I passed by her, "Meet me upstairs."
She looked confused but nodded. In five minutes she was up, and I hurried through telling her all about the escaped man. "Jefferson is only
28 miles away!"
Cassidys eyes immediately filled with tears and she threw herself into her pillow and began to sob.
"Stop it, Cassie! Right now!" I shook her by her shoulders."Nothings going to happen, now stop it before Mum or Father hears you!"
She quieted, but didn't entirely stop her sobbing. "Now, Look, we don't even know that's the man we saw...seeing there was two anyway, remember?"
She quieted a little more, and I watched as her head began to relax against her pillow. Her eyelids began to flutter, and her head and body began
to relax more and more as I watched her eyelids close. Her steady breathing proved to me that she was sound, and I quietly moved to turn out the
light and crawl into my own bed.

I woke up early the next morning. I could hear Mom frying bacon downstairs, but it would be a while until she called us down.
I crawled out of my bed and shivered as the cold blanketed me. I reached under my mattress, and pulled out a tablet which served as my diary.
"October 21 1939, " I wrote. " A lot has been going on here at our home. Things that I do not altogether understand..." I jumped up and dropped my pen
and tablet off my lap when I heard the shrill screech of my Mum from downstairs. Shooting down the stairs in my nightgown, I hurried to see what
had made her scream so. When I got down there Mum was standing by the stove, tears pouring down her face, as my Father held her asking over
and over what was wrong. Finally Mum calmed a little and said something about there being a mouse under the kitchen table. Father looked from
her to the table, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. He could stand it no longer. He threw back his head and laughed, while I smiled a little;
I knew Mum didn't like being laughed at when she was upset. Finally Father stopped, and settled to just a grin. "I'm sorry, Emmaline," He tried to
apologize, but began to laugh again. "I'm really sorry, hon, It's just that," Another laugh, " The way you screamed I expected it to be more then just-
a mouse!" Laughing some more, he turned around to head back outside and Mum turned back to the stove, the mouse no longer in sight.
"It's okay, Mum, I would of screamed too," I told her,
She smiled. "Go on up and get dressed now, Ella. It's about time to get up anyway."
I bounded back up the stairs, and slid my diary back into it's place under the mattress and hurried to put on my green colored dress with the little yellow
flowers; A favorite of mine. I hurried through braiding my hair, which I was just finally getting the hang of, and back downstairs.
Mum seemed to be totally calm now as she set out the dishes, and there was no sign of tears. I smiled as I remembered Mum screaming, and my words
of comfort that really weren't the exact truth....me not being afraid of mice...but hey.

"Hey, Cassie, I'm going for a walk. Want to come?"
My sister gave me a look, knowing I usually liked to walk alone, and that this was a rare occasion. "Uh, sure."
I gave her a smile. "Wait here,"I told her, dropping her off in the living room and quickly hurrying to the kitchen. "Mum, me and Cassie are going for a
walk. We'll be back in time to help with supper."
"Okay, that's fine with me. Just make sure Cassidy has a sweater on. It's too cold to go without one," Mum told her.
"Yeah, I will."
I ran back into the living room. "Cassie, you need to put a sweater on. Mum said. But don't worry, I won't leave without ya. I'll be in the barn."
Slamming the front door as I went out, I skipped down the porch stairs two at a time. I sucked in a huge breath, filling my lungs with the fresh outdoor air.
In the barn I climbed up in the loft and hid my diary that I had taken out with me under a pile of the loose hay.It would be safer there. I mean, if
Mum accidentally found it while taking off my sheets to wash...not saying that Mum's nosy, but if she just happened to look in and see everything
I had written about the stranger, (and his pal), She would get worried and probably not let us go and investigate as we were about to do.
I heard the front door close, and hurried out of the barn loft."'All ready Cassie?"
"Yeah," she replied, rubbing her hands on her arms to warm herself. "But this sweater's so thin."
"Well, let's get moving and you'll warm up," I told her. I walked ahead, Cassidy following, but as soon as I started to cross over into the woods across
the road, she stopped. "Ella, what are you doing?"
I grinned. "We are going to investigate. We're gonna go and see what we can find in the woods."
"But the bad man was in those woods."
I sighed loudly. "I know, that's the point. We are going to see if we can find footprints..or maybe a hideaway, or an old campfire!" I said, getting more
and more excited as the words flowed out of me. I kept myself from adding "and he may not BE a bad man"
"Ella, I don't want to," Cassidy whined.
"Fine, then go home and miss out. You don't have to come, but you do have to be quiet about it. As in no telling Mum!"
She looked at her shoes, deciding. "Fine, I'll go. But let's be really careful."
"Of course," I said.
It got darker and darker as we walked deeper and deeper into the dark woods. I kept my eyes on it's floor, watching for footprints.
A while later, after seeing nothing, we decided to give up. Not to mention Cassidy was cold. Just as we turned around to head back. We heard a twig
snap. Something or someone was following us. We stopped.
"Okay now Cassie," I whispered, afraid to turn around, "Just hold still. On the count of three, we'll turn and look."
But Cassidy was not turning around. She shot off right then, running as fast as her little legs would take her. I took off after her, afraid to be left alone
with whatever or whoever was there. "Cassie slow down!" I yelled. It felt like we had run a mile. When she finally stopped we were back in our own
yard, panting, we collapsing on the grass. "Why'd- you- do- that?" I said, between breaths.
Ignoring my question she started to cry. "That was awful, Ella! I knew I shouldn't of gone!"
I felt bad, and scooted closer to her so I could put my arm around her. 'I'm sorry, Cassie. You don't have to come next time."
"Next time?" She said turning to look at me frantically. 'You're going back?"
"Well, Sure. I want to find out who that was, Cassie. Or if he, or both of them, are still there."
Cassidy took a few gulping breaths then said. "I'll be going with you. I can't let you go alone. What if something should happen!"
I smiled, and slid my hand into hers. "Thanks, Cassie. Now we better hurry to go help Mum with supper."
She nodded, standing up and wiping the tears away with the sleeve of her sweater.
"Where have you two been?" Mum asked when we entered the kitchen. She looked at my dirty dress, covered in mud from where I sat in the yard, to
Cassidy's tear stained face.
"On our walk," I replied. "Then we were sitting in the yard talking. Sorry about the dress. I accidentally sat in mud."
She nodded, though, I'm sure still wondering why Cassidy had been crying.
"We'll peel those potatoes for you," I said, before she had a chance to ask anymore questions.
I grabbed two knives from the drawer and handed one to Cassidy. "Come on."
We went to sit on two chairs on the far end of our large kitchen, as far away from Mum as we could get, so we could talk.
"Do you think it was the man we saw following us?" Cassidy asked when we were situated.
"I don't know," I told her. "I wish we would have stayed and turned around, instead of fleeing like a bunch of chickens. It could of been an animal for all
we know. But, something inside of me is telling me that it was no animal."
Cassidy looked frightened and stopped peeling for a second, but recovered and turned back to her work.
"When will we go back?" She asked.
"Oh, tomorrow, perhaps, if the weather is good. Mom wont let us go out if it's raining or storming."
"Yeah..I can't believe that soon it will start snowing!"
"Yeah," I agreed. "Winter seems to have come up too fast, this year. But of course, we still have about a month and maybe a bit more to enjoy some
fairly nice weather!"
We hurried through the peeling and helped Mum with a few other things, but now it just needed to boil, so we had a whole half hour to waste away
before supper. I decided Cassidy needed to think about something besides the stranger, so I chose to do something else unrelated to him. It could
wait until tomorrow. "Cassie, want to play tag? Or hide and seek? Or we could play with Jasen." Jasen was their puppy their Father had bought for
them last Christmas. "Sure. You pick," Cassidy said coming out to the porch from where I had called to her.
'Why don't we play with Jasen? He looks rather bored laying at the far end of the porch by himself. Jasen, come here Jasen!" I called him.
He looked up and bounced over to us. "Hey there, Jasen," I said, as we scratched behind his ears.
We brought him out to the big, open grassy place in our yard and began to bark at him and run around.
"Watch this," I said, as I threw Jasen's ball far out. Jasen shot off after it, but upon reaching it stopped. What was he doing?
He started to growl, and me and Cassidy hurried to him. His growl then turned into a fierce bark, and we looked in the direction he was barking
at; the woods. As my eyes searched the trees I caught sight of a young boy, running into the woods. He was the same size of the boy we saw with
the stranger, I thought. Jasen stood there looking into the woods a bit longer, then turned away, picking up the ball he had dropped and laying it at my
feet. I threw it without much power-or thought- as I stared into the woods. Who were they and why were they in the woods?

I sat on my bed the next morning, wondering what to do. It was early, and no one but myself was up. I wanted to go check out the woods now,
but I didn't know if it was wise to go alone. I looked up at the grey clouds forming in the sky. By later it would probably be raining and maybe storming,
and Mum would never let us out. No, I had to go now. Slipping out from under my covers I reached for my shoes under my bed. I rushed through
getting dressed, but as quietly as I could. I needed to wear my jeans, and probably a sweater, it being late October and chilly in the mornings.
I snuck down the stairs, being careful about creaks, and out onto the porch. I shivered. It was colder then I had expected, but I wasn't going back
in for anything.

To Be Continued

Salvation by Olivia
I was the runt of the family, born small and ill-favored, and by the time I was thirteen,
I am still small and ill-favored. I have been pushed around all my life by everyone
except my best friend, Jesus. This is how I met him……
One summer day, I decided to go on a walk. My parents didn’t care where I went.
As I past the church, I heard beautiful music playing.
I walked in. “Wow!” I thought, “This is a beautiful church!” (I had never been inside
one.) As I walked around I saw paintings of a man called
Jesus being beaten and hung on a cross. I read on a tablet, Jesus died for our
sins, laying down his life because he loved us. “I can’t
believe it! Wait there’s more.” God sacrificed his own son for us, that while we
were still sinners Christ died for us.
I heard footsteps and I quickly turned around. There was a man! I guess he was
the pastor. He said, “Do you believe?” “Yes, I said, “I want
to believe!” “Come here everyday and I will teach you.” He said. And I did. Now
I am a beliver in Christ! THE END

The Missing Wig by Olivia
Ms. Johnson’s wig had gone missing. It all started the day the wig shop opened.
Mary and Ms. Johnson both got wigs. Ms. Johnson and
Mary went out on the lake to have some fun. Mr. Stevens passed by and they stood
up to wave. As they did the boat rocked back and forth
! They toppled over into the water. Luckily, they knew how to swim. Only one wig
floated to the surface! It was Mary’s wig. She put it on.
Ms. Johnson’s wig was no where to be seen. That takes us back to the beginning.
The lake was very small, so, it could be easily searched,
but the wig had vanished. No one thought to look under the boat. Luckily, I did.
I turned over the boat and there it was caught on a nail.
THE END

Here is a poem I got out of the A Child's Garden of Verses. The book is compiled of poetry and is authored by Robert Louis Stevenson. It's about gardening! I thought you would all enjoy it; I did!

Here is a poem I got out of the A Child's Garden of Verses. The book is compiled of poetry and is authored by Robert Louis Stevenson. It's about reading! I thought you would all enjoy it; I did!

Here is another story by Kylie. It's about a little girl Check it out!

I thought would all like to read some poetry. Hope you enjoy it!

Here is a story written by my dear friend, Kylie. Enjoy. I thought it was pretty cute!

Written from the perspective of a tabby kitten. 

  “Meow.”
  As that pitiful sound escaped my mouth, I saw a slim girl with blonde hair in a ragged T-shirt and cut-off jeans looking to be 11 stare at me. I didn’t want to draw attention, but I was just so hungry. I hadn’t had anything real to eat for three days, except for a small nibble of stale food from a garbage can yesterday morning.
    I cowered and was ready to run as the girl walked over to me, a compassionate look on her face. I didn’t want to trust her, I’d been betrayed many times, but something about her was different from the others. I decided to relax a little.
    “Here, kitty, kitty,” the girl said, holding her arms out to me. I thought she must be crazy if she thought a cat treated as bad as I have would come to her just like that. But I surprised myself. Before I knew it, I was in her arms. Oh, it felt SO good to be held again.
    Just then, I saw Buster, a large dog who was a member of “Jaws”, a gang that had a habit of hurting other street animals for no reason at all. He was looking at me, with a menacing glint in his eyes.
    I knew it was my cue to go, and I jumped out of the girl’s arms. She jumped back in surprise, avoiding my razor sharp claws, and started waving her arms and yelling, “Come back, kitty, come back!” It tore my heart apart, for I felt I had finally found a friend, but I couldn’t stay in the gaze of Buster. After I was safely behind a garbage can, I looked back and saw the girl kneeling on the sidewalk, and it looked like she was crying.
    I considered going back, but I decided it was too much of a risk with Buster still glaring from his hideout. Torn, I scampered away before I decided to go back.

10 years later

    I had changed a lot over the years. I was now known as “Grandpa” among my other cat friends. I had also gotten in a few tiffs with Buster and his gang, and had a nasty scar over my right eye where one of his dogs had ripped off some skin. I was so skinny that you could see my ribs.
    I was roaming the streets one day when I saw a red car parked on the side of the road. Since cars are so plentiful, I shouldn’t have bothered, and I don’t know what I did. But something about the car intrigued me, and I sat down to watch.
    As I thought, the driver’s side door opened, and a slim woman with blonde hair stepped out. I couldn’t believe my eyes. She looked like the girl that had held me so long ago!
    I meowed softly, and the woman looked up, surprised. She muttered something, but then looked down and took out a cell phone and started dialing.
    I decided I had to take more action. Sauntering casually over to her, I pawed at her leg, being careful to retract my claws. The woman looked down, and dropping her cell phone immediately picked me up, gasping and talking to herself.
    “Could it be?” she asked. “Are you the cat that I met in the alley?” I meowed, and the lady hugged me so hard I had trouble breathing.
    “I prayed all these years that you’d come back,” she said, with tears in her eyes. “Now God has brought you back to me.” She hugged me again.
    “I’m taking you straight home,” she said.
    The woman, whose name was Karen, took me home to meet her husband, Bill, and baby boy named Willie. She decided to call me Sammy, which is just the way I like it.
    After ten years, I had finally found a home.
©Narniagirl2008

Go to Kylie's blog, and tell her how much you liked it!
Your Authoress,
Elf Queen

I got this award a while back but never posted about it. Sorry. It is from littlesmurf. Thank you littlesmurf!

Ok, I know I haven't been posting on here. I wanted to say I am sorry! I thought about giving you all a list of books I have enjoyed. I hope you find pleasure in them as well!

Pearl Maiden by H. Rider Haggard       
The Courtship of Sarah McLean by Stephen B. Castleberry   
Jeff McLean: His Courtship by Stephen B. Castleberry
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
A Little Princess by Frances H. Burnett
Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse
King Author’s Knights by Henry Gilbert
Little House on the Prarie Series by Laura Ingles Wilder
Verses of Virtue by Elizabeth B. Phillips
Galen and the Gateway to Medicine by Jeanne Bendick
Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Rise and Fall of Adolf Hitler by William L. Shirer
When will this cruel war be over? The Civil War diary of Emma Simpson by Emma Simpson
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Spear
Love Comes Softly Series by Janette Oak       
Number The Stars by Lois Lowry
Little Faith by Mrs. O.F. Walton
Beautiful Girlhood by Mabel Hale

Your Authoress,

Elf Queen

This is a book report from Jennifer aka doglvr. Hope you enjoy it. :)