L.Y. Levand's Blog, page 27
April 6, 2013
To the Fairy Ring (Free Short Story)
"The last council member?" Beenie asked.
"Yes," Kara replied. "His name is Peter, and he's one of the founders of the network. He'll know what to do."
They traveled on in silence for a while, listening for sounds of pursuit. They could hear nothing over the sounds of their own movement, and Beenie took this as a good sign.
"Where exactly are we going?" Troy asked, panting.
"To the Ring," Horace answered. "The fairies from the field used to come dance there with the forest creatures ages ago. It's been a very long time since the fairies came here, but the Ring still exists."
"A Fairy Ring?" Beenie said, her wings beating faster in excitement. "We have those in the field sometimes, but they don't ever last longer than a few days."
"This was a permanent Fairy Ring," Kara explained. "The council members maintained it as a meeting place. They also called it their meeting hall."
"Why did the fairies stop coming?" Beenie asked. "I didn't even know about this place until yesterday."
"The council was good friends with the field fairies," said Horace. "The lesser fairies in particular. And the stories all say that the lesser fairies were emotional creatures, and when they heard of the council break, they were heartbroken. They tried to help at first, I heard, but the gnomes were too much for them. So they left."
Beenie, who had never heard of lesser fairies, wondered if there was such a thing as greater fiaries, too. But she didn't ask, because Mort had started to speak.
"We're almost there," he said. "When we get to Peter, you two let us do the talking, understand?"
Beenie said nothing. Mort was starting to get on her nerves, and she didn't want to commit to anything. Troy, however, didn't seem to care. He agreed at once.
"There it is," Kara said, jerking her fuzzy, gray head forward.
In the distance, Beenie could see a light, and a green, open space.
She had been to Fairy Rings before, many times. But, like she'd told Kara and Horace, the ones she'd been to were all temporary ones. She'd never seen a permanent one. So she squinted as they came closer, trying to see.
The Ring came closer and closer, and then, suddenly, they burst through a circle of trees like pillars, and they were inside, bathed in a white light that seemed to be coming from the far end.
They slowed immediately after crossing inside, and the older squirrels took the lead with the robin. Beenie and Troy followed.
Beenie felt her skin erupt in goosebumps. She was familiar with the magic of Fairy Rings; it was everywhere in the field. The magic here, though, was different. It seemed old and tired, like it was moving very slowly through the air.
As they crossed the center point of the Ring, the source of the light took shape. Between two trees, tucked in among the bright green of the grass, was the last council member.
Beenie knew it was the last council member not because he was glowing, but because of what he was. Beenie's eyes were wide, and, had she bothered to notice, her mouth was, too.
"Yes," Kara replied. "His name is Peter, and he's one of the founders of the network. He'll know what to do."
They traveled on in silence for a while, listening for sounds of pursuit. They could hear nothing over the sounds of their own movement, and Beenie took this as a good sign.
"Where exactly are we going?" Troy asked, panting.
"To the Ring," Horace answered. "The fairies from the field used to come dance there with the forest creatures ages ago. It's been a very long time since the fairies came here, but the Ring still exists."
"A Fairy Ring?" Beenie said, her wings beating faster in excitement. "We have those in the field sometimes, but they don't ever last longer than a few days."
"This was a permanent Fairy Ring," Kara explained. "The council members maintained it as a meeting place. They also called it their meeting hall."
"Why did the fairies stop coming?" Beenie asked. "I didn't even know about this place until yesterday."
"The council was good friends with the field fairies," said Horace. "The lesser fairies in particular. And the stories all say that the lesser fairies were emotional creatures, and when they heard of the council break, they were heartbroken. They tried to help at first, I heard, but the gnomes were too much for them. So they left."
Beenie, who had never heard of lesser fairies, wondered if there was such a thing as greater fiaries, too. But she didn't ask, because Mort had started to speak.
"We're almost there," he said. "When we get to Peter, you two let us do the talking, understand?"
Beenie said nothing. Mort was starting to get on her nerves, and she didn't want to commit to anything. Troy, however, didn't seem to care. He agreed at once.
"There it is," Kara said, jerking her fuzzy, gray head forward.
In the distance, Beenie could see a light, and a green, open space.
She had been to Fairy Rings before, many times. But, like she'd told Kara and Horace, the ones she'd been to were all temporary ones. She'd never seen a permanent one. So she squinted as they came closer, trying to see.
The Ring came closer and closer, and then, suddenly, they burst through a circle of trees like pillars, and they were inside, bathed in a white light that seemed to be coming from the far end.
They slowed immediately after crossing inside, and the older squirrels took the lead with the robin. Beenie and Troy followed.
Beenie felt her skin erupt in goosebumps. She was familiar with the magic of Fairy Rings; it was everywhere in the field. The magic here, though, was different. It seemed old and tired, like it was moving very slowly through the air.
As they crossed the center point of the Ring, the source of the light took shape. Between two trees, tucked in among the bright green of the grass, was the last council member.
Beenie knew it was the last council member not because he was glowing, but because of what he was. Beenie's eyes were wide, and, had she bothered to notice, her mouth was, too.
April 4, 2013
Starseed Tour Stop And Giveaway! (Excerpt, Anyone?)
Tour Schedule 
StarseedAuthor: Liz Gruder
ISBN: 978-1937178291
Publisher: WiDo Publishing
Published: February 2013
SUMMARY
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Starseed concerns a sixteen-year-old girl who falls in love with a starseed boy who reveals that she, too, is half extraterrestrial, and is forced to choose her allegiance between Earth and her star family.
*************************
Kaila Guidry has always known she is different. When she meets Jordyn Stryker at school, she finds out just how different.
Jordyn was born and raised far from Earth, a starseed, one of six new students sent to Louisiana's Bush High to learn human ways. But Jordyn didn't count on meeting someone like Kaila.
When Kaila is pushed to her limit by high school bullying and cruelty, Jordyn awakens her to a new reality—and to love. But to prove herself, Kaila must look the other way as the real purposes of the starseeds unfold.
As the horrific plan behind the starseed visit to Earth moves inexorably forward, Kaila and Jordan, caught in an impossible love, must determine where their true loyalties lie.
Praise
"After reading Starseed, my faith in YA sci-fi has been restored! ... I didn't want to put it down ... it had enough mystery and suspense to keep me going, page after page. Superb job 4.5 out of 5!"
-- The Forbidden Library Book Reviews
"I would recommend this book to all sci-fi lovers and, to those who aren't into it, take a chance. Who knows? You may love this book just as much as I did! Liz Gruder is definitely an author you should keep a look out for as she has great talent in writing and a huge imagination. Starseed was a wonderful read and very different from other books I've read. It was a very nice change from what I usually read and kept me enticed all the way."
--Starlight Book Reviews
"Interesting read. A lot like Roswell, but different. Gruder does a great job building the dark mystery of what the aliens are really up to on earth."
--Charity Bradford, sci-fi author, "The Magic Wakes"
“The story caught me off guard and won me over after the first chapter. The main conflict is a personal one for Kalia. Will she embrace her alien side or continue life as a human?”
--Pixie Dust Book Reviews
Starseed is a fun sci-fi read with romance. It brings light to the cliques of high school, and challenges the main character, Kaila, to be herself, instead of how others expect her to be.
--Kerri Cuevas, YA Author "Deadly Kisses"
"Liz Gruder's characters come alive through youthful, spunky narrative, and her headstrong heroine, Kaila Guidry, elicits a reader's encouragement from the first page. Fans of P.C. Cast will find themselves similarly transported into Gruder's exploration of the dark sides of faith, love, higher dimensions, and, of course, high school."
-- Jadie Jones, YA author "Moonlit"
Excerpt From Starseed
Kaila’s mind split in panic. Help, she called telepathically. Help me!
She yanked her wrist, trying to free her hand, but Wade restrained her wrist like a manacle.
Instantly, Jordyn appeared by Kaila’s side. “What are you doing?” Jordyn shouted, as he quickly assessed Wade holding up Kaila’s four-fingered hand and everyone laughing. His hazel eyes turned to solid black.
“Oh my God,” someone said, seeing Jordyn’s eyes.
“Shut up!” Jordyn commanded. “All of you. Animals!”
Jordyn’s eyes went wider and blacker. Wade snarled as he pulled back his fist to swing. Before Wade could punch, Jordyn thrust his head forward, slamming an invisible force at Wade who went flying into the air, his back crashing against the wall.
As Wade crumpled to the floor, Jordyn leaned over him, saying, “May you have your worse nightmare.” Jordyn stared at Wade, commanding, “Look at me. Look at me!” Wade couldn’t look away from Jordyn’s entrancing eyes. A moment passed. Then Wade held his ears and screamed. Wade squeezed his eyelids shut, his face twisted in agony. His scream was so shrill, penetrating, and filled with terror that all the students backed away.
The students in the hall stared, unable to process what they’d just witnessed.
Mrs. Bourg pushed through the crowd. “Jordyn,” she said. “Suspend time. Now!” Jordyn’s eyes again went solid black. He peered intently at the students assembled in the hall. Each person froze like a statue. Jordyn didn’t put Kaila under the spell. One girl stood with her mouth open, her eyes wide with fear. Another guy had stopped with his hand over his mouth. Another held his foot in the air, stopped mid-run.
“I am concerned about you, Jordyn,” Mrs. Bourg said, arms akimbo. “Every day I see more emotion.” She motioned to the suspended students in the hall. “This is a terrible mistake. Do you understand?”
“Some of these humans piss me off.”
“I don’t care!” Mrs. Bourg shouted. “We are on their turf and are not to be discovered.” Mrs. Bourg wagged her finger at Jordyn. “You are becoming infected. You do as I say, you understand?”
Kaila held still so as not to draw attention to herself. She held her breath, her heart pounding like a jackhammer.
“Sure, I’ll listen,” Jordyn said. His eyes again transformed from hazel to solid black. As he stared at his mother, Mrs. Bourg’s face went limp. She froze, her finger stuck in the air. “And now,” he said. “You will listen to me. You are a human. You were a carrier of me as an embryo. But that is all. You are not my ruler, and we are sick of taking orders from you. You will have no memory of this. You will remember that you walked through this hall to the office and that is all.”
Jordyn put his hands on his hips on his silver overalls; he walked around the hall, surveying the frozen students. A girl’s eyes bulged, her mouth open, revealing her braces as she was paralyzed mid-scream. “And the rest of you,” Jordyn said, “will only remember that Kaila tripped. Wade caught her, and it was a moment that you will barely recall. It was nothing. In fact,” he added, “you all thought Kaila looked beautiful today and that she is one of the hottest girls in this school. You will tell her so.”
Purchase Publisher * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Amazon Kindle
Author Liz GruderAs a youth, Liz Gruder saw a series of UFOs with her best friend while riding bikes. Ever since, she’s held a fascination for the stars. An avid reader, she used to hide under her covers and read with a flashlight. She has degrees in English and Psychology from Tulane University, a nursing license and a yoga certification. After going through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Liz realized how short life is and is now slowly fulfilling her bucket list: she’s been to the Egyptian pyramids (totally awesome and thought provoking) and is now teaching yoga and writing speculative fiction. Starseed is her debut novel.
Goodreads * Twitter * Website * Blog * Facebook
Blog Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 4/10/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
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April 3, 2013
Review of The Ships of Merior, by Janny Wurts
The Ships of Merior by Janny WurtsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Ships of Merior, by Janny Wurts
The Ships of Merior is the second volume in a complex work of art by Janny Wurts.
It follows primarily two princes, half-brothers, Lysaer and Arithon. In the first book of the series (which I haven't read) the two princes, heirs of two royal lines, were cursed by a mistwraith named Desh-Thierre, which they defeated using their magic gifts of control over light and shadow. The half-brothers are forced by the curse to seek the death of the other, and The Ships of Merior is the tale of how Lysaer, Master of Light, is actively seeking the location and death of his brother, and how Arithon, Master of Shadow, is turning all his considerable power and wit to evading him.
During the first part of this book, I found myself in the midst of an intense and almost immediate dislike of Lysaer. This surprised me, as I usually like those characters. This meant, of course, that my favorite character ended up being Arithon, which also surprised me.
Janny Wurts has painted all her characters in, not just black and white, but also shades of gray. Lysaer, who is portrayed to most of this fantastical world as their savior from the Master of Shadow, is gravely misled concerning his brother, and is actively increasing animosity against Arithon in the world. Gifted with a family magic ability of justice, Lysaer is portrayed as a larger-than-life and almost more than human person. His gifts of leadership and an ability to make enemies work together toward a single end have brought disparate factions together in their quest for the Master of Shadow's life.
Arithon, who is also possessed of a magical family ability, is crippled by his compassion for others. This magical trait of compassion makes him an easy target, and also a fugitive, since he refuses to meet his brother head on. Meeting Lysaer in battle would cause death and destruction, and so Arithon takes to the sea in an effort to avoid the grips of the curse. Arithon is portrayed as a tortured man who would like nothing more than to live in peace, where his presence will endanger no one.
Arithon has been in hiding, and training with the Masterbard to hone his talent for music. Traveling in disguise, Arithon's master is injured during a musical performance. Pressed into service in his master's stead and angry at a hurt that could have been prevented, Arithon plays with all his skill.
The music he plays awakens the mage abilities that he blinded in Curse of the Mistwraith, and unwittingly disturbs sleeping Paravian magic. The magic causes destruction, and the powers he accidentally called into play exhaust him, and alert all who were seeking him to his whereabouts.
In an effort to throw off the search, he retreats to Merior, where he plans to build ships and escape to the sea.
But Lysaer now knows where his enemy is, and sets a plan in motion that would bring a war host of thousands to the small fishing town of Merior.
When Arithon finds out about this development, he sets his own plan in motion to buy time. Using his feal clansmen, he harries the war host over land, delaying their arrival at the fleet of ships they plan to use to reach Merior. Upon the host's arrival at the port, winter is close at hand, and supplies in the city low. For his men to survive, Prince Lysaer must set out the day after arriving.
Arithon's plan, however, is incomplete. He arrives the morning Lysaer's men are planning to board the ships, and spins an illusion of shadow over other ships loaded with flammables. Lysaer reacts to Arithon's presence and the curse by attacking the ships with powerful light in an attempt to protect his people and kill Arithon. The searing light sets the ships aflame. The fire spreads to the ships in Lysaer's fleet, crippling the Master of Light's war host.
Lysaer must, of necessity, disband a large portion of his army, as their host city cannot feed them all with the onset of winter. Arithon has bought himself some time - and sends a message to his brother. He could have easily waited until the ships were loaded with men to set them on fire, but he did not. Lysaer's gift of light was set on empty ships, saving thousands of men's lives.
This book kept my attention through the entire length. Janny Wurts has a formidable vocabulary that is used extensively; some readers may desire a dictionary. And for those who start at book two, rather than book one, the glossary is an important asset.
This book is one I would not hesitate to read again, and I am very glad I purchased the next book at the same time, and have it waiting to be read. Janny Wurts is undoubtedly a wonderful author who excels at creating detailed imagery and forging emotional bonds between the reader and the characters of her books. She is also very talented at making readers laugh; indeed, the scene with Arithon taking an inventory of the armory while soldiers trip over themselves in the dark trying to catch him is one of my favorite parts, and made me laugh out loud.
May she continue to write such excellent work in the future!
View all my reviews
Weekly Quote: On Spring and Flowers
"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming." ~ Pablo Neruda
Just like in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, removing a physical object cannot stop the arrival of a feeling, or a season. You can cut all the flowers, but spring will come anyway. And, eventually, the spring grinches will be unable to keep up with all the growth happening in the world.
But aside from the obvious, this quote could refer to something else entirely. It could just as easily refer to a parent trying to keep their child young forever. You can treat them like a child, but adulthood will still come. This was just the first to come to my mind; I'm sure there are many others, and I'd like to hear them.
What do you think other applications of this quote could be?
Just like in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, removing a physical object cannot stop the arrival of a feeling, or a season. You can cut all the flowers, but spring will come anyway. And, eventually, the spring grinches will be unable to keep up with all the growth happening in the world.
But aside from the obvious, this quote could refer to something else entirely. It could just as easily refer to a parent trying to keep their child young forever. You can treat them like a child, but adulthood will still come. This was just the first to come to my mind; I'm sure there are many others, and I'd like to hear them.
What do you think other applications of this quote could be?
April 1, 2013
Weekly Health Challenge: Push Ups And Weight Lifting
As you can see, I've added the Weekly Challenge Level Two, finally. It's still in the developmental stage (which means it's not finished yet and I'm still working out the kinks) but it's here. I've also added the 'extra challenge,' which is part of Level Two. If you have any suggestions please leave them in the comments below! :)
Weekly Challenge (Level One): Lift weights three days a week
Weight training is important, especially for women. By lifting weights you can increase your bone mass, and therefore decrease your risk of breakage later. And don't worry about bulking up if you're a woman - women typically build lean muscle, or find it difficult to build up large muscles like men can.
If you don't have weights, bags of books can be used instead, or even cans of food. You can do simple biceps curls, or one of these.
Here are some tips! Remember to stay safe; incorrect weight lifting can hurt you.
Weekly Challenge (Level Two): Pushups: Five each day, for five days this week
There are so many ways to do these wrong it's ridiculous (for info on proper technique, you can look here). If you have a problem doing them on your toes, try this, instead of on your knees. I know it looks a little silly, but it'll help.
Make sure you push yourself, too. Not so hard you can't lift your arms over your head the next day, but enough to get good work on your arms. Extra Challenge!
Is Level Two too easy? Double the pushups!
Weekly Challenge (Level One): Lift weights three days a week
Weight training is important, especially for women. By lifting weights you can increase your bone mass, and therefore decrease your risk of breakage later. And don't worry about bulking up if you're a woman - women typically build lean muscle, or find it difficult to build up large muscles like men can.
If you don't have weights, bags of books can be used instead, or even cans of food. You can do simple biceps curls, or one of these.
Here are some tips! Remember to stay safe; incorrect weight lifting can hurt you.
Weekly Challenge (Level Two): Pushups: Five each day, for five days this week
There are so many ways to do these wrong it's ridiculous (for info on proper technique, you can look here). If you have a problem doing them on your toes, try this, instead of on your knees. I know it looks a little silly, but it'll help.
Make sure you push yourself, too. Not so hard you can't lift your arms over your head the next day, but enough to get good work on your arms. Extra Challenge!
Is Level Two too easy? Double the pushups!
March 30, 2013
The Lost Council (Free Short Story)
Before we plunge into Beenie and Troy's adventures, I just wanted to apologize for not having a new Harbinger up yesterday. Ms. Whaley has started a new job recently that has been taking a lot of her time, and did not get it finished. She managed to get me half of what she intended to send, but I didn't post it because it was incomplete. My plan at this point is to wait to post what I have until next week. This way, she'll have all next week, and part of the week after to catch up. My hope is to eventually have everything finished a week ahead of schedule so this doesn't happen again. Happy Saturday! :)
The Lost Council (Free Short Story)
The two gray squirrels in the doorway immediately looked at Troy, who hid his face behind his tail.
"It's not actually his fault," the robin said, also looking at Troy. "We have to get you out of here, and then go notify the network. These two found a destruction machine in a gnome hideout. I'll tell you more on the way, but we need to go."
The two squirrels nodded. Troy's mother, Kara, darted inside and grabbed something before joining Horace, Troy's father, outside.
"Let's go," Horace said.
With a flip of his wings, the robin took off from the ground and led the way. Beenie fluttered up to join him while the three squirrels followed in the trees.
"Where are we going?" Beenie asked.
"To notify the network," the robin said.
"I know that," Beenie said. "But where exactly do we do that?"
"You'll see when we get there," said the robin.
"Why won't you tell us now?" Troy asked.
"There'd be no harm in it," Horace said. "They're already involved. We might as well tell them."
"Horace is right. If they found something then it's not going to hurt to tell them, Mort. It's not much of a secret anymore, anyway." Kara sounded resigned.
The robin named Mort sighed. "Fine. Tell them the whole story then. I'm not responsible for anything that happens because of it."
"Troy knows some of this story," Horace said.
"But I don't think Beenie knows any of it," Kara said. "The forest wasn't always patrolled by gnomes. It used to be ruled by a council of wise animals."
"Yes..." Horace said. "This was a long time ago. My grandparents remembered hearing stories about the council from their grandparents. No one is entirely sure what happened anymore, but the council ended. The same night the council was broken, the gnomes were first seen."
"It's pretty obvious to most of us that the gnomes are connected to it somehow, but no one knows how, or why." Kara and Horace told the story together, and Beenie thought that it seemed like they had told it many times before.
"Ever since then, the gnomes have terrorized the forest," Horace finished.
"What's that got to do with the network?" asked Beenie at once.
"The council was broken, but the members didn't all vanish," Kara said. "Their power was broken, and they couldn't govern the forest anymore. But some of them still wanted to help the people. They founded the network, and recruited members who could be trusted to help them save lives."
"That's not all of it, either," the robin put in, sounding determined that they would get it right, even if he had to tell it himself. "A normal council's power is still intact even after a member leaves or dies. They just pick a replacement. So the council shouldn't have ended. But it did."
"Exactly," Horace agreed. "It should still be intact, but it's not. Even the gnomes' arrival shouldn't have broken it. It was strong, and unified. It's been a mystery for generations."
"Oh," Troy said. "It makes sense, now. But that still doesn't tell us where we're going."
Beenie didn't see how it made sense; she still had about two million questions bouncing around her skull, and was in the process of picking one to ask when Horace spoke.
"First, Troy, you need to understand that the council members were not like us. They could live for a very long time if they weren't killed."
"Wait," Beenie murmured, comprehension dawning. "Are you saying that...?"
"We're taking you to the last council member," Kara said.
The Lost Council (Free Short Story)
The two gray squirrels in the doorway immediately looked at Troy, who hid his face behind his tail.
"It's not actually his fault," the robin said, also looking at Troy. "We have to get you out of here, and then go notify the network. These two found a destruction machine in a gnome hideout. I'll tell you more on the way, but we need to go."
The two squirrels nodded. Troy's mother, Kara, darted inside and grabbed something before joining Horace, Troy's father, outside.
"Let's go," Horace said.
With a flip of his wings, the robin took off from the ground and led the way. Beenie fluttered up to join him while the three squirrels followed in the trees.
"Where are we going?" Beenie asked.
"To notify the network," the robin said.
"I know that," Beenie said. "But where exactly do we do that?"
"You'll see when we get there," said the robin.
"Why won't you tell us now?" Troy asked.
"There'd be no harm in it," Horace said. "They're already involved. We might as well tell them."
"Horace is right. If they found something then it's not going to hurt to tell them, Mort. It's not much of a secret anymore, anyway." Kara sounded resigned.
The robin named Mort sighed. "Fine. Tell them the whole story then. I'm not responsible for anything that happens because of it."
"Troy knows some of this story," Horace said.
"But I don't think Beenie knows any of it," Kara said. "The forest wasn't always patrolled by gnomes. It used to be ruled by a council of wise animals."
"Yes..." Horace said. "This was a long time ago. My grandparents remembered hearing stories about the council from their grandparents. No one is entirely sure what happened anymore, but the council ended. The same night the council was broken, the gnomes were first seen."
"It's pretty obvious to most of us that the gnomes are connected to it somehow, but no one knows how, or why." Kara and Horace told the story together, and Beenie thought that it seemed like they had told it many times before.
"Ever since then, the gnomes have terrorized the forest," Horace finished.
"What's that got to do with the network?" asked Beenie at once.
"The council was broken, but the members didn't all vanish," Kara said. "Their power was broken, and they couldn't govern the forest anymore. But some of them still wanted to help the people. They founded the network, and recruited members who could be trusted to help them save lives."
"That's not all of it, either," the robin put in, sounding determined that they would get it right, even if he had to tell it himself. "A normal council's power is still intact even after a member leaves or dies. They just pick a replacement. So the council shouldn't have ended. But it did."
"Exactly," Horace agreed. "It should still be intact, but it's not. Even the gnomes' arrival shouldn't have broken it. It was strong, and unified. It's been a mystery for generations."
"Oh," Troy said. "It makes sense, now. But that still doesn't tell us where we're going."
Beenie didn't see how it made sense; she still had about two million questions bouncing around her skull, and was in the process of picking one to ask when Horace spoke.
"First, Troy, you need to understand that the council members were not like us. They could live for a very long time if they weren't killed."
"Wait," Beenie murmured, comprehension dawning. "Are you saying that...?"
"We're taking you to the last council member," Kara said.
March 27, 2013
Exercise Your Freedom - Act Now
"Freedom isn't free. It shouldn't be a bragging point that 'Oh, I don't get involved in politics,' as if that makes someone cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn't insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable." ~ Bill Maher
I personally know people who don't vote. And this is how I feel about it. Speaking from a Christian standpoint, why would we not get involved? If we want things to change, but we will do nothing to make it happen, do we really deserve the changes we ask for? I don't think so.
Change takes work.
Prayer is important. Very important. BUT. If all you do is pray, you are very like the man who was on a roof in the middle of a flood and refused help from a helicopter and a boat, because he was 'waiting for God to save him.' God could have saved him - if he'd gotten into the helicopter or boat.
You have to act.
You have to get out and DO something.
You know why 'all' the politicians are crooked? Because the honest ones refuse to 'get involved.' Because they have a policy that involves staying away.
Do something.
I personally know people who don't vote. And this is how I feel about it. Speaking from a Christian standpoint, why would we not get involved? If we want things to change, but we will do nothing to make it happen, do we really deserve the changes we ask for? I don't think so.
Change takes work.
Prayer is important. Very important. BUT. If all you do is pray, you are very like the man who was on a roof in the middle of a flood and refused help from a helicopter and a boat, because he was 'waiting for God to save him.' God could have saved him - if he'd gotten into the helicopter or boat.
You have to act.
You have to get out and DO something.
You know why 'all' the politicians are crooked? Because the honest ones refuse to 'get involved.' Because they have a policy that involves staying away.
Do something.
March 25, 2013
Weekly Challenge: Stretching
Weekly Challenge:
Split stretch three times a week
I know that sounds painful. But no, I absolutely DO NOT want you to try and do the splits. It's called the split stretch because it helps you get flexible enough to do them.
Sit on the floor, and spread your legs out as far apart as you can without hurting yourself. Then stretch forward.
But make sure you're keeping your back straight.
You will not be stretching with proper form if you're hunched over like a living mountain in an effort to touch your nose to the floor (which I wouldn't advise anyway). Even if you can't touch the floor in front of you with your hands without feeling the stretch, keep your back straight. Hold for twenty seconds.
When you've done that, reach out for your left foot, and then switch to your right, holding each for twenty seconds.
Here's a video that might help if you're having trouble: Seated Straddle Forward Bend
Split stretch three times a week
I know that sounds painful. But no, I absolutely DO NOT want you to try and do the splits. It's called the split stretch because it helps you get flexible enough to do them.
Sit on the floor, and spread your legs out as far apart as you can without hurting yourself. Then stretch forward.
But make sure you're keeping your back straight.
You will not be stretching with proper form if you're hunched over like a living mountain in an effort to touch your nose to the floor (which I wouldn't advise anyway). Even if you can't touch the floor in front of you with your hands without feeling the stretch, keep your back straight. Hold for twenty seconds.
When you've done that, reach out for your left foot, and then switch to your right, holding each for twenty seconds.
Here's a video that might help if you're having trouble: Seated Straddle Forward Bend
March 23, 2013
Return To Troy's House (Free Short Story)
They were nearing Troy's house now, and they fell silent. They had no way of knowing if there were any gnomes nearby, and after the robin had snapped at them, they stopped talking. Beenie and the robin had wings, but Troy didn't, so he was easily the noisiest of the three, although Beenie could also hear the robin.
"There it is," Troy said in a whisper. "My parents should both be home."
"Wouldn't they be out looking for you?" the robin asked.
"Um...no," Troy said, sounding uncomfortable. "I run off and forget what I'm supposed to be doing a lot. They haven't gone out looking for me since I was little. They actually started locking me out, hoping that I would learn and start coming back in time."
Beenie swallowed a giggle, and the robin cocked an eye at Troy.
"They started locking you out?" Beenie said.
"Yes," Troy said, shifting uncomfortably. Beenie suspected that he was blushing under his fur.
"It's obviously not worked," the robin said wryly.
They had reached the door to the house. The robin didn't even try the door, instead flying up to a window, which he rapped loudly with his beak.
"They're up," he said after a moment, turning his head sideways so he could peer inside. "They're going for the door." He flitted down from the window to wait at the door with them.
When the door creaked open, Beenie could see Troy's mother and father beyond, silhouetted in the light of a lamp.
"What's going on?" Troy's mother asked.
"Kara, Horace," the robin said. "We have a problem."
"There it is," Troy said in a whisper. "My parents should both be home."
"Wouldn't they be out looking for you?" the robin asked.
"Um...no," Troy said, sounding uncomfortable. "I run off and forget what I'm supposed to be doing a lot. They haven't gone out looking for me since I was little. They actually started locking me out, hoping that I would learn and start coming back in time."
Beenie swallowed a giggle, and the robin cocked an eye at Troy.
"They started locking you out?" Beenie said.
"Yes," Troy said, shifting uncomfortably. Beenie suspected that he was blushing under his fur.
"It's obviously not worked," the robin said wryly.
They had reached the door to the house. The robin didn't even try the door, instead flying up to a window, which he rapped loudly with his beak.
"They're up," he said after a moment, turning his head sideways so he could peer inside. "They're going for the door." He flitted down from the window to wait at the door with them.
When the door creaked open, Beenie could see Troy's mother and father beyond, silhouetted in the light of a lamp.
"What's going on?" Troy's mother asked.
"Kara, Horace," the robin said. "We have a problem."
March 22, 2013
Harbinger, Tract XII: Truth
TRACT XII: Truth She was no different in gusto or determination.
Mother flashed on and off, in the exhibition labs,
With an animal, now without.
Before DOE there stood an ape, the APE,
In looks a beast, in his eyes a mighty fire.
The picture crackled and went blank.
"They thought they could wipe us out,"
Mother's voice played on.
"But my lab is still intact, though everyone else was taken.
Is this thing working?"
Blinding white like the sun in May,
Mother reappeared; older, all worn.
"There we go." She drummed the desk.
"Everyone was taken. I've looked everywhere,
There is no one left but me. They destroyed everything.
But yesterday I saw a sapling in a gully, which is great,
As my rations are running low."
She looked away.
"We used their brains to power them; the robots, that is.
I'm afraid of where they've gone, and where they are now."
Mother flashed on and off, in the exhibition labs,
With an animal, now without.
Before DOE there stood an ape, the APE,
In looks a beast, in his eyes a mighty fire.
The picture crackled and went blank.
"They thought they could wipe us out,"
Mother's voice played on.
"But my lab is still intact, though everyone else was taken.
Is this thing working?"
Blinding white like the sun in May,
Mother reappeared; older, all worn.
"There we go." She drummed the desk.
"Everyone was taken. I've looked everywhere,
There is no one left but me. They destroyed everything.
But yesterday I saw a sapling in a gully, which is great,
As my rations are running low."
She looked away.
"We used their brains to power them; the robots, that is.
I'm afraid of where they've gone, and where they are now."
