Monstro! the beginning

The meadow lay behind Mrs. Jeraldson's house just up the street. Old Mrs. Jeraldson did not live there anymore, but the family still kept the house and visited every so often. The children weren't generally allowed in the meadow, but sometimes when no one was watching Lanie snuck off to make flower bouquets on her favorite rock. She was the youngest of the three Seuly children; Jamy Nate and Annie Lane Seuly. When Mr. and Mrs. Seuly were out, Jamy and Nate were supposed to look after Lanie, but being that they were boys, they had no time to baby sit a little sister.

On that particular day the boys were collecting ants for their ant war. They told Lanie that she couldn't help and would only get in the way, but she did not want to play with bugs and when their backs were turned she slipped away.

It had rained the night before and the meadow glistened darkly with the moisture. The rock would be wet still, so Lanie walked around picking flowers for awhile. There was a decomposing log near the rock, its bottom slick. Something lay on the log, but Lanie could not see what it was from where she stood. She went closer. The creature lay in a tangled heap like a rag doll. Lanie felt tears prick at her eyes as she came closer to the log. Weakly, one eye opened and stared.

Lanie caught her breath; he was still alive. She set down her flowers and gingerly cradled the small bundle in her arms. He was a kitten, very small and so dirty that his color was indeterminable. The kitten did not struggle, only shivered as Lanie held him. She stood and carried him home.

"Please Daddy," Lanie begged, "I'll take care of him. Please Daddy, he looked so scared and all alone.

Mr. Seuly had come home to find Lanie sitting on the front steps humming to a bundle of blankets she held in her arms. He thought at first that it was a doll of hers, but frowned when he saw the mud streaked down the front of her shirt. He had stepped out of the car and come up beside her, and that was when she had shone him the kitten. The boys had come running up from the back yard moments later and now stood a few feet away, looking somewhat nervous.

"Cats don't have families," Jamy interjected, "they don't need anyone."

"O yes they do," Lanie shot back. "Little ones like this one do."

"Boys, go inside and wash up for dinner," Mr. Seuly said turning to address them. "your mother will be home soon."
The boys hurried into the house, happy to get away but uncertain whether they might still be in trouble.

Mr. Seuly sat beside his daughter and peered down at the dirty little face in the blankets.

"Sweety, you know that cat might belong to someone else."

"Then they wouldn't have left him all alone."

"But what if he got lost?"
Lanie considered this.

"Then we can put up fliers, but Daddy we can't just leave him alone till someone finds him. Can I keep him please, just till we find his real home?"

"You're going to have to take care of him. You'll have to feed and play with ...," but he never got the chance to finish because at that moment Lanie had jumped up and thrown her arms as far around her father as they would go, crushing the kitten between them.

He was a beautiful kitten; somewhat on the small side but he seemed to do alright once he was cleaned and kept warm and out of the rain. He had brilliant green eyes that watched everything like two inquisitive emeralds staring out from his little pixy face. His fur was on the darker side of orange, almost the color of a red fox, but his markings were what made him stand out. His underbelly and up over his throat to his chin were white, and he had a small white diamond just above his left eye. To complete the package his entire front left leg up to the shoulder blade was white giving him a somewhat unbalanced look.

"I want to call him Browny," Lanie announced.

"He isn't brown," Nate objected.

"Pixy dust?"

"What would you want to give him a name like that for? It sounds too girly. If he was a kid with that name, he'd get laughed off the playground."
Lanie chewed on a strand of her hair as she considered the kitten.

"He should have a big name because he's so small. I like ... Monstro."
Nate set down his game controller and squinted at the kitten. Then he began to laugh, but Lanie had made up her mind; Monstro purred.

The Happy Place

Early in the morning when the sun begins to make its rounds, it makes a happy and most welcome stop by my own window for awhile. If I am awake early enough and can afford the luxury of laying in bed for an hour or two, I get to enjoy it. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I truly truly truly love the sun. It is true , I have a fascination with snow and all things frozen water or vapor, but the sun is in my soul.
When the sun smiles on nature and turns the snow in to so many tiny crystals, or the rain to falling diamonds it is like a fairy world. With out the sun I feel lost and somewhat shriveled up inside. When I am there on my bed, with the sun calling at my window, it is my happy place. I can contemplate God's creation, or the rest of my day or even the rest of my week, and there is always calm.
Some mornings are cloudy or dreary and this tends to affect my whole day. Not that I will be in a nasty mood toward everyone for seemingly no reason, but I am never entirely as happy as I am with a visit from the sun; my own friend Phoebus

Small Dreams And Fantom Things

I have of late, been wanting to adopt a little orange and white kitten and name him Monstro. I don't know why this is, but every once in awhile I like to look up dog breeds on the AKC website and imagine what I would name a particular kind. I want each and every one of them, but realize that I could not possiblly take care of that many dogs responsibly. So instead of coming home with me, in the fur if you will, they float around in my mind and sometimes they go into my stories. Or sometimes they become stuffed animals. It is very possible that little Monstro will end up in some story somewhere. Hmm, I wonder what's in store for our fearless little kitten. Well, perhaps you should stay tune for what happens.
O yes and I've finally gotten around to getting a picture up.That's Eddie and I. I wish I had a better case for him. Happy dreaming.

Lots To Do, Lots To Do

First order of business tomorrow I have got to take a test that I had to have postponed because of an equipment issue, over the weekend I am going swimming with the after school group and on Tuesday I am taking the second of my major field tests. I also need to fit two papers some research and a continuation of my quest for duct brand ducttape in there. I am so very glad that my major paper has been moved to Thursday. Ah well, such is the life I really feel bad about complaining and try not to.
Tonight My mother came by and brought me a new bag. It is a lot nicer than the ones I am used to having and hopefully it will last longer. between all the change from my wallet and the keys with everything on them but actual keys my bags just can't hold up for very long. Prior to tonight I had been using my backpack. It has already ripped once, but I managed to sew it up and so far it had been working fine. It is just too big of a thing to be carrying around especially on Sundays to church or when ever else I want to dress up nice or dress light. Sadly though I will not as easily be able to carry Eddie around, But I think we can manage somehow.
And now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to begin my very long and busy weekend. Happy dreaming!

Just Enough Time To Look

Seems like there's so much to blog about, but I don't know where to begin. there wasn't much to today except that I missed my first class--I know I know! it's one of the things I really can't stand, but slightly after being late for class-- then I went and hung out in our lovely Center for Academic Services. I really love technology, but sometimes .... The funny thing in all this is that I was up all night, but then one minute it was 6:30, then the next I was way past missing class. :( Then I had to cancel the study group I have been leading, but it sounds like maybe no one showed up anyway so perhaps I don't feel so bad? And all this because my cd player stopped working. I'd explain this more, but It would take awhile. Remind me about it sometime and I'll tell you about it.
My poor dear Scott has been showing his age and I think he was just not made by good people to begin with. The upshot of this is that I am in the market for a new computer.So far based on everything I think I might need, it's down to picking the one that I like the looks of best.I went with a friend to Best Buy and we saw two laptops that were nice, but I am still looking. Actually We started off walking in the wrong direction and so by the time we found the store it was nearly nine. Ick, everything closes too early here. Actually though it worked out because we had just enough time to see the two computers that were recommended to me. Then we came back to campus and bought Easter candy half price.
I think all stories should end so happily don't you? "and then we bought Easter candy half price" :]
P.S. has anybody noticed the tags on some of my posts that say "beach random life"? I'm really not sure how that happened. I tried to edit it, but it refuses to be gotten rid of. Ah ... well, the beach random life it is :D

Fun With Blogs

Wow, fun fun fun! So I just spent hours and hours fixing up my blog with the help of my little brother. Most things I try to figure out on my own, but he's my resident genius for the technical stuff. :D So, I've gotten a whole new look that I think suits better and i owe much of the credit to my bro: thanks much.
And don't think I've forgotten about mentioning you in the dedication should my story ever get published ... and you won't be dead before I do it.
Now I'm off to pretend that I didn't just waste a perfectly good day and live up to my title of the sleepless wonder. toodeloo!

Red With Black Spots

Every so often something catches my attention and lodges its self in my thoughts. I become fascinated by whatever it is and depending on what it is, I try to learn more about it. I seem to go through quite a lot of fascinations, but I never entirely let go of the old ones. Most recently I have developed a new appreciation for the cello. The problem is that I have not yet been able to find one to try my hand at, and buying one isn't any easier because of how expensive instruments are.
The Latest fascination is actually not a completely new one, but an old one that has been sparked because of something i read recently. lady beetles
I remember when I was about in the third grade I made a picture of a ladybug out of construction paper and asked my teacher if I could go teach one of the younger classes about ladybugs. I guess then that they have been a fascination to me for awhile. I've always thought them friendly and cheery looking with their black and red and I've even considered finding a bunch of little pins or buttons in ladybug shape and sticking them to a t-shirt or something. I did that once with frogs, but my mother borrowed that shirt and I've never seen it again. I think perhaps I'll make some sort of Ladybug necklace or maybe a pair of earrings. That should perhaps satisfy my fascination and the next time I think "hmm, ladybugs" I'll have the necklace to wear.
P.S. remember that post all about red? Some people consider ladybugs lucky and some use them to help in their gardens. :D bye for now and let me know if you have any fun ladybug stories.

late night feelings

I've been thinking about snow of late.We don't have snow at the moment, though way too much rain for typical March. It is that lovely transition between winter and spring when winter is trying to hold on yet spring is beginning to blossom. Tonight I was out walking with a friend and the air was just so beautifully crisp and clear. It reminded me of a quiet winter morning. Also there is something trans-like about street lamps and neon signs at night, when activity is slowed to a minimum. I find it very beautiful. Now I ought to write my papers, yet I can't quite get up the motivation I'd really rather just sit outside and listen to the silence :)