Tuesday, April 16, 2013

My Special "Guest Author"

This story was too cute. It was written by my 8 year old daughter, Melody. I loved it and found it rather witty and amusing so I decided to post it here for others to enjoy.


The Adventures of Mario and Yoshi

By Melody Freeman

Once upon a time, there were two friends named Yoshi and Mario. One winter day in the mountains, Yoshi and Mario decided to look for red wood to build a fire. They decided to climb a big mountain because they saw a coyote yelling. Yoshi said, “Let’s have a dance party Mario!” Mario replied, “Ok, I’m going to show you how to do The Sprinkler. Mario took his left hand and put it on the back of his head. He put his right arm straight out in front of him, and moved it across his body in a slow, jerking motion. They kept dancing until they came to a cliff. Mario slipped and fell off the cliff because he was still dancing. Yoshi said, “I’m coming!” Yoshi jumped down to his friend and said, “Hallelujah!” They fell into a forest and looked around. They realized they were lost and they didn’t know the way out.

Makayla and Melody were hiking in the forest when they heard two people talking. Makayla said, “What’s that noise?” Melody said, “Let’s go see.” They went to go see what the noise was. They walked over a log laying across a river to get to the other side. They found Mario and Yoshi laying on the grass crying loudly. Makayla asked “Are you both okay?” Mario and Yoshi replied, “No, we are sad because we are lost.” Melody said, “We’ll help you get out of the forest.” They hiked out the way they came in.

On the way out Mario found a pretty leaf and ate it. All of the sudden he grew raccoon ears, wings and a tail! Yoshi exclaimed, “You have leaf power, Mario!” Melody said, “Let’s use your leaf power and go to Hawaii.” They used [leaf] power to fly to Hawaii and lived happily ever after.

[The End.]

Friday, April 12, 2013

Waiting on a Moment

My family and I recently went to the zoo, and of course, my camera was hanging on my neck. I walked around the park snapping shots most of the day.. flowers, trees, and of course the animals. Early on in the visit I walked past a bush of flowers and a beautiful little Monarch butterfly fluttered in front of me and landed on the flowers. I stopped, walked as carefully as I could toward it and scrambled to get my camera on.. just as the camera came on.. my little friend flew away. I turned and watched as it dipped and dove and fluttered across the path I was on and over to another bush on the other side. I watched as it danced on the breeze and silently floated away. I was disappointed. I wanted a picture of that butterfly.
Throughout the day I kept seeing butterflies... more Monarchs as well as Yellow Swallowtails. The dance was the same.. they'd flutter in front of me, tempting me with their beauty.. and continue on their merry little way. Sigh...
Why was it that the shot I wanted, wasn't of an animal in a cage that had no choice but remain in front of me, but of a tiny little creature that roams free?
At the very end of our day we were walking towards the exit and once again a little butterfly dipped in front of me. I stopped and watched where it was going. It dipped and dove and bounced about around me and without thinking, I pleaded: "Please, Little Butterfly... Come on!... Please land.." And it did. It floated over to some ferns and came to rest for me. He didn't just stop for a second, he spread his wings wide for me to see his beautiful markings. I had been waiting on a moment like this all day long. I had my camera on this time and crept up as close as I could... I zoomed in and snapped three quick shots...just before my camera shut off from an exhausted battery!

Banner of Love


I feel your breath
Soft and gentle on my face
I breathe you in
And sink into your embrace

I listen to the sound
Of your Spirit on the wind
I know your voice
Peace and love transcends

I don’t have to wonder
Or question what I see
I know it’s you
I know you’re here with me

I lift my eyes
And what do I see
Your banner of love
Washes over me