Part 2

------- see my previous post for the beginning and explanation of this story-------------

"Rosie! Look who I found!" Her father smiled as he held up a fuzzy brown bundle.
"Sophie!" Rose bounded up to her father, hugging his legs.
"Next time you visit the new pups you must remember to close the gate," her father said solemnly.
"I will Papa! I'm sorry!"
"I know you are Flower," he said. "Now, this little pup looks a bit hungry, would you like to help her feel better?"
"Yes, please Papa!" Rose grinned and ran to get some food for the prodigal pup, Sophie chasing her heels.

"Here you go Soph," she said, placing the bowl on the ground for the puppy, who fell to devouring her dinner with gusto. "And take me with you the next time you decide to go exploring Silliness!" Rose ached for the adventures that took her away from the castle and her brothers.

Willfred, her second eldest sibling had been particularly merciless after he'd found out she'd left the pup's gate open. He'd even conspired with Percy, the eldest into taunting her by making puppy yelps around the castle grounds. She'd frantically ran around the palace for hours that morning, searching for the pup that sounded so close. It wasn't until her youngest brother Seymour found the others at it and whispered the news to her after the midday meal that she found out the truth.

Sophie finished her dining and Rose lead her back to the kennels and safely closed the gate to the puppy's pen. The older hounds were well trained hunters and didn't even bark as she and the pup pranced through their territory, but instead panted at her with alert and insidious looking smiles that turned her stomach. Sophie was the runt of the litter, but Rose had been adamant that she was not to be put down, despite her poor health as a newborn. Rose had tended to her with constant attentions and Sophie seemed to be quite healthy after all her diligence, though much smaller than her brothers and sisters. "I'll be back after dinner Soph! Don't annoy your siblings too much while I'm gone!" Sophie licked Rose's fingers through the slits in the gate in understanding and Rose dashed back to her rooms to prepare for dinner.

Her nursemaid, Adelaide, had prepared a washing basin and laid her dress out on the bed. "Oh child! Your hair is in a state!" She exclaimed as Rose burst into the room. "I'm sorry Adie! I was searching for Sophie all over the place and it took me and Papa ever so long!" Rose tried to stand still as Adie began to help her remove her day dress. "You spend so much time with that puppy instead of your lessons! Whatever a young Princess has to do with the dogs, I'll never understand. Now listen, your mother has a guest visiting from Gromaz, General Cento V'Sluz. I'm sure you'll be on your best behavior and not bring shame upon your family." Adelaide made the statement sound like a demanding question, which caused Rose to blush. "Yes, Adelaide. I shall try my best." Rose winced as Adie found a snag in her chaotic tresses. "My word girl!" the nurse exclaimed. "I guess we'll have to skip your braids for tonight. It's all I can do to collect your curls in these ribbons, but it'll have to do!"

Rose was quiet and thoughtful through dinner, as were her brothers, the elder brothers looking none the worse for leading her on a goose chase through the castle and generally being up to no good. General V'Sluz was an expressive man, and had interesting stories of the old war in the West. Her brothers seemed eager for more stories of the conflict, which, according to the General, was easilly and mercilessly quelled. Rose, and her father of course were far more interested in his stories of the exotic places he'd visited, but the Queen mother's eyes sparkled with interest and laughter while she seemed to hang on the General's every word. Rose judged him to be a man of precision and wit, though there was something about him that made her shoulders tingle. He was lithe and muscular, and when he smiled he showed perfectly straight pearly teeth, but she decided his eyes kept a cold distance from his seemingly warm smiles. Rose felt a moment of surprise realizing that while he talked of his adventures, those cold eyes were staring at her! Her heart pounded in her chest and she felt like she was back in the kennels with the hunting hounds. Sophie will never be like those dogs. I will love her and keep her from all that makes them ruthless like that. Like him. Rose smiled back at the General as he continued to regale the royal family of his adventures, and though the corners of her mouth were tilted up, her eyes didn't crinkle either.

--------------To Be Continued--------------

The beginnings of a YA fic book based on a dream I had awhile back

Rose leaned out over the parapet and swallowed back the fear that leapt into her throat. The moon shone down on the dark waters below, churned by the invisible fingertips of wind. She shivered and pulled her cloak tighter in a futile attempt to escape the cold. Muffled voices and fire light drifted down from the guard's tower. Fear crept back into her throat, pricking her shoulder blades and scalp with it's chill. She had to go now before they spotted her!

Rose climbed onto the crenelated ramparts, took a deep breath and jumped into the icy depths. The water embraced her in a death grip and she struggled to reach the surface. Her ears popped and filled with water, yet, through the distortion she heard the guards above shouting as they tried to discover the source of the splash. Her body started to seize with cold and fear.

"Don't stop!" she told herself. Fighting the water, with adrenaline pumping through her veins, Rose swam to the reeds on the far shore. Her clothes clung to her and she fervently wished she'd had the time or foresight to secure a dry change of clothes somewhere on this side of the shore, but she couldn't focus on that now. Now she must run.

Rose ran, muscles weak and drunken with the chill, tripping over her soaking skirts. Gradually she attained an amount of steadiness, focused only on placing one foot in front of the other. The air tore at her lungs until she thought they'd explode. If she could just make it a little further.. A clamorous howling came drifting through the trees. The hounds! They must've realized I've gone! No! Not yet! Rose held back the sobs that threatened her resolve. I have to make it to the caves! She ran as if her life depended on it, which it really did. She ran through the trees she had often ridden through with her brothers on their way to Queenston. She ran up the deer trail along the edge of the hill they'd explored as children. The sounds of the hunting party were getting nearer.

At last she saw it! The crooked tree standing almost alone amongst the ferns in the nook of the hill, seeming to point to an entrance of the caves she'd discovered so long ago. Though she'd come here often seeking solace, she would've never dreamed she'd come here for protection.  Her fingers traced the cold dank walls as they had so many times before, but this time she traveled much quicker with the sounds of hounds and men growing ever louder in the stillness of the night. Ah! Here it is! A small hallway opened on her left, and she crouched down low as she hurried down into it. As she scurried through the low pass, she slid her boot along the right of the wall, trying to feel for the passage she'd found in her wanderings before. This time she had no lantern with her, but she knew what she wanted to find. When the wall opened up next to her boot, she carefully sat down, tucked her skirts around her legs, and slid into the small opening.

It was hard work getting through such a small space, but she managed to use her hands and elbows to help push her through the chute, until it suddenly turned down and she found herself sliding, letting gravity take over. It opened up into a small cavern, about the size of her smallest wardrobe. Along with the chute she used to slide into the room, there was another small chute she knew that lead her to another passage through the mountain. After feeling around the small cavern to make sure she was in the right place, she wrapped her wet cloak around her for warmth and sat quietly, listening. She thought she could faintly hear heavy breath echoing off the walls. Now there was the sound of padded feet and nails clicking on the stone and a scuffling getting closer, coming through the chute she'd just squeezed through. Then a large furry bundle dropped to the floor and there was panting. "Sophie?" She realized it was the first words she'd spoken all night and her eyes filled with tears again as Sophie leaned her head against Rose's belly. Rose wrapped her arms around her precious dog and she collapsed in weary exhaustion as she mourned for her father.

Well hell...

I guess it's about high time I write something on this bloggy thingy, since it's been about two years since last time. It must be something about autumn that drives me to write, create, etc... Maybe I'll make this be a biannual occurrence. Then I don't have to feel guilty for not writing more often.

Things that are new, in no particular order: (by new, clearly I mean things that weren't as much around/in my life 2 years ago)

• Hermy, my Hermann's tortoise. I received him from a Montessori student after he lived in my Montessori classroom for about a year. So he's been around for awhile. He's at least 7 years old anyhow. What's new is that now he mostly lives in our apartment since I'm only at school 3 mornings a week. He gets to come to school with me and be patted, fed, and otherwise tormented by the children fairly often though. Jeff and I love him a lot. He may be cold blooded, but he's friendly and follows us around when we let him out to peruse our place. 

This is what Hermy would look like if he was this tiny.

• Middle Eastern Dancing. I started doing this a bit in 2010, but really got into it in 2011. Last year I helped to plan a big fundraiser with Ten Thousand Villages for artisans in areas of natural disasters to help support themselves. We served hummus, pitas, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh (that I made!), couscous, and mint tea. We did 3 sets of dance (about 15-20 minutes each) Folkloric Egyptian, Turkish "Canti" Romany, and Egyptian Oriental. PLUS we had a silent auction that everyone collected donations on and I put together. A LOT of work, but great fun! What was very special was that I got to put so much effort into making a difference, rather than just donating $$! We raised over $2000! *Note, we're totally doing this again this year, Nov. 17th at Goshen Theater! I can't wait! There's something that just fills me with joy when I'm dancing. Even if I'm just learning new choreography or practicing! I love the idea that I'm connecting with cultures from across the world, and just the dance itself makes me giddy!

Troupe Svatura dancing "Rompi Rompi" in Ft. Wayne at Ozgen's Gala

• Jeff is in grad school. This is really awesome because he gets to study something he enjoy. Even though it's a lot of work, in about 2 years, he'll get to start doing something that he wants to do that really makes a positive impact on the world around us. This, along with his job as a pharmacy tech makes for a kind of chaotic schedule at times, but I'm really thankful for this opportunity for us.

 

We were able to "get away from it all" camping with friends in Michigan this summer!

•  Dominion. We've been playing this game with friends whenever we have some time and friends that are free! We like it a lot. We're also playing Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, SmallWorld, and poker on occasion. 

• Both my grandpa's passed away, as well as my uncle. Grandpa K in Oct. of 2011, and Grandpa M. and Uncle L. in Feb. Plus we found that my dad has a horrible degenerative disease. Not cool. I'm still experiencing grief from the loss of their presence here on this earth, but I am content to know that I will see them again soon, that all their pain is gone, and that they are safe in the love of Jesus. Dad seems to be dealing fairly well, but I am still concerned for his well being. 

Anyway, I should wrap this up for now, lest this post become ridiculously long. Ooh! I'm also thinking about turning some of my dream stories into young adult fiction. (Seriously, my dreams are epic...this could totally work)

Tricia's Guide to Healthy Living

As I was making lunch today (whole wheat pita, stuffed with deli thin ham, spinach, hummus, tomatoes, and some crumbled co-jack with a little yogurt alongside) I was thinking about the choices that I make on a regular basis that promote a healthy living lifestyle.

When I was a young teen my mom went on a diet. It was kind of amazing, super low calories, but balanced for the most part. And yes, she lost a lot of weight. But that's not the point. The point is I began to recognize what things were better for my body, and what things were not so good.

I started eating toast with no butter on it. I cut way back on candy and high sugar/saturated fats desserts. I began to make changes in my lifestyle to promote feeling healthy. That was the beginning.

Then I got married. (Ok, there was a lot of life between those times, but it's not really central to this storyline). Let's just say that when I got married and was in control of my own (VERY tiny) kitchen, that healthy lifestyle stayed with me and began to take over.

So here are things that I've learned and am employing:

1.) Learn to recognize things that make you feel good in the long term. Yes, candy/chocolate/ice cream whatever may have a temporary euphoric effect, but notice how you feel the downer at the end of that high. Recognize how it doesn't really satisfy you. Realize what it does to your body.

Alternately, when eating a well rounded meal, plenty of fruits and delicious veggies, think about how your body feels. Recognize when you have more energy. Notice how you don't feel all bloated and oily? Yep, that's thanks to a balanced diet!

2.) If you can't make time to work out, work out in the small things. I like to carry my groceries in a basket, even if I fill it to the max and my arms are aching by the time I get to the check out isle. If I'm on a car trip and can't move around I'll dance in the seat and at least do some mini ab crunches. I am really blessed in that one of my jobs is teaching little kids to dance. So of course I take every opportunity to dance with them! If exercise wears you out or seems dull or you knees have tendonitis and you can't trust them all the time, find what works for your body and interests and DO IT!

3.) Don't stress!!! My favorite tv show ever (IT Crowd, a UK show about people that work in an IT department) has a really hilarious episode about this. The boss is yelling his employees and it's ridiculous, because really, you can't tell someone to not be stressed. You have to create a low stress environment, etc. But really, stress is really damaging to your health! If something is stressing you out maybe prayer is your answer? (This is esp. helpful if it's more of a person or people that are causing the stress, because people need love and prayer. Even annoying stress causing people. Especially annoying/stress causing people.) Also, just recognizing the cause of your stress can be helpful, since it's easier to address. Music and meditation, and sometimes for me the complete absence of noise when possible is helpful.

4.) Sleep as much as you need it! People often put sleep too low on the list of healthy living priorities. Funnily enough, stress causes sleeplessness, but sleeplessness also can cause stress.

5.) Don't take yourself, your expectations of what you hope to accomplish, others, etc... too seriously. Laugh a lot. Put yourself in funny situations. Appreciate humor, even if you have to sink to schtick.

6.) Help other people. In helping other people you'll make them feel good about the world, in making other people feel good about the world, you'll start to feel better about it as well.

7.) Explore your soul and spirit's needs. I recognize that I need God. I realize that He loves me. It humbles me when I am prideful, and it strengthens me when I am weak.

So yeah, I don't always follow all these things, and I find myself not always living a healthy lifestyle, and there are things that it's easy for me to do, but not as easy for you... and that's fine. That's balanced. Healthy even.

What would you say to 20 year old self?

*Notes have thoughtfully been added at the bottom of the blog to allow for my nefarious tendency to go off topic*

I was listening to NPR on my way home and heard a clip asking "What would you say to yourself at age 20?" (or something like that) just as I parked and turned off the car. As I put away my groceries and prepared dinner *1* I thought about the question. What would I tell myself at 20 if I could? Of course I couldn't say anything too revealing about the future *2*, but aren't there some words of advice, encouragement, or even criticism that could get through?

So what would I tell myself at age 20?

Dear Tricia,
I call you Tricia, instead of Trish or some variation thereof, because I know how weird you feel about your name and it's uniqueness, and how you don't like it mashed into one syllable, because, I am you, only in the future, so somewhat different, yet the same. Therefore, I shall not call you "me" because I'm me and that would be weird. =}

So Tricia, how's it going? No wait, don't answer that. Trick question! Ha! I know how it's going. Or at least mostly. There's a lot I've forgotten over the past 10 years. Wow, it's been 10 years... I remember you being pretty perky. You are just starting teaching Montessori in the far North West corner of Elkhart at a reformed gun club. You are nervous a little, but very excited, and so amazed at the things those kids are learning. You are also discovering how much you enjoy working with them and how good it makes you and them feel. You'll even find yourself writing *3* a musical about Joseph! You're still teaching dance classes, though you're finding yourself getting overwhelmed with doing both, and soon you'll have to take a break from teaching dance so you can focus on your Montessori class. You're pretty much a great person Tricia, and you don't give yourself enough credit. You think you're kind of a weirdo, and you are, but you don't know how cool that is yet.

So here's my advice, you know that part in the Bible where it says we should love God, and love our neighbors as ourselves... Do that. You are kind of self righteous and you think you know best, but you don't. You think you don't have any regrets right now, but you will, and that's kind of unavoidable. I'm sorry. I don't really remember what's important to you right now. I know that it will change soon though. You'll begin to doubt yourself and the truth that you know. You will stumble, and be broken, and you will hurt so bad you'll cry for weeks. It pretty much sucks. No, it really sucks. Through it all you'll know who is there to love and support you, so don't keep it to yourself. Let them be there for you. You'll do your best to be there for them later on when they need you.

I'm going to tell you this, and even though you've heard it before and ignored it then, and must continue to ignore it now, do your best to be who you know you are. Enjoy the beauty of the world around you. Travel some more! Don't just stop and smell the roses, deeply inhale the aromas that please you! When you are excited, humored, pleased...don't try to temper or control it! Above all, don't lose yourself in despondency over what you cannot change *4* but forgive yourself, forgive others and know that you will be alright. Take confidence! You don't need to worry about anything, it's all covered by the grace of God. *5*

There's probably more I would/should say, but for now, I'll just leave it with that.
Love,
Me

*1:Casablanca Pot, substituted cream cheese for the heavy cream the original recipe called for since, even though I just got home from the store, I discovered that I had no heavy cream. *sigh* But the Pot was delicious and quite creamy anyway!

*2:I have no desire to destroy the space/time continuum, rend the material of reality, or whatever the hell effect me from the present telling me from the past anything important would have.

*3:Technically the Montessori kids are supposed to write it, but you are the one throwing all their ideas together, and stepping WAY outside your "box" by writing the music and songs, and doing something more comfortable (choreography!) to produce it!

*4: The past, or... the future?

*5: Literally =}

My brain: the octopus with too many tenacles in too many places

So I'm putting off doing this weekend's dishes just a little bit longer to write and do something I *want* to do today, as opposed to something I *have* to do. Granted, some of the things I had to do were fun in their own way, but still doing something you don't *have* to do, but just *want* to do, when the *have to*s are pressing just feels so damn rebellious, you know?



Therefore, I play my turn in my Scrabble games on Facebook, and write my own blog. This week (and last several weeks leading up to this week) is quite hectic. Actually I've been using the term "Hellacious". Maybe a bit of an overstatement, but yeah...
I'm trying not to go crazy, or be frustrated, or stressed, etc. I remember when I was young and discovered that I can "choose" my attitude. So I'm trying to be intentional about being patient, filled with grace, thankfulness, etc. We'll ask Jeff at the end of the week how well that was accomplished.

Items on my agenda:
-Making sure that the parents of my 48 dancers know all the details of where to be, when, what to wear, bring, etc for the dress rehearsal Thursday, the rehearsal and performance Friday at First Fridays, and the recital itself Saturday.

-With my own dance practices, classes, plus classes/rehearsals I'm teaching, dancing every day this week totalling around 10 hours

-Finalizing costuming for 5 dances despite dance wear companies not sending me the right stuff. (I literally opened what was supposed to be a huge box of sombreros and mini American flags that I recieved on Saturday only to find a couple of "garden kneelers"... I'm not kidding!)

-Writing up all the recital info for the programs etc

-Finding the right new breadmaker for me and ordering it so I can at least have the comfort of homemade bread again

-Oh yeah, teaching in my Montessori school.

-Memorizing several Middle Eastern dances' choreography, learning the camel, balade, karsh lama, and all kinds of unnamed twisty, curvy movements that my body is so unused to.

So, what am I thankful for this week? I'm thankful for my church, Downtown @808. My peeps there have really been speaking a lot of challenging truths into my life. This weeks' passage was 1 Peter 3:8-22. There was a lot of interesting discussion that went on about it, but I really am hanging on to this tidbit "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." I mean, really, can you imagine a world like that? Where everyone is sympathetic to the needs of the people around them? Where we are all filled with compassion and humility?



Aside from that, I'm really thankful to learn that Chamberlain, one of my favorite bands of all time is going on tour again this summer!! They're officially retired (and have been for the past several years) but their lead singer/songwriter put out an album (David Moore "My Lover, My Stranger") last year that I really loved too. So anyway, that's something I'm really looking forward to in June. (I'll post more thankfulness about them later)

Okay, I also have to admit, I'm pretty thankful for my crazy inducing jobs. Teaching dance classes and Montessori is really hugely enjoyable and I really love having a "profession" that allows me to make such a positive impact in the world.



Ok, back to the grindstone...well, the dishes anyway. Maybe I'll listen to some Chamberlain while I wash.

Thanks friends

I'm still a little bit amazed when I think about my thirtieth birthday. Somehow my husband managed to pull off a complete surprise party, even though I was suspicious he might try. I knew I was going to dinner with mom and dad, and then lo' and behold! There was everyone at Jade Garden!

So this is a thanks to Mom and Dad. I wouldn't be here without them. And they, of all people, have had the most influence on making me who I am. I love them both so much.

Thanks to Norma and Paul. They've been there for mom and dad over the years. I've always respected them both and appreciate their influence in my early years of Sunday School and youth group.

Thanks to Papa and Edna. Papa has always been a good grandfather to me. And Edna is the perfect "help-mate" to Papa. I'm so glad he has her, and I'm so glad I have her too.

Thanks to Myriah, Mike, Margaux, and Ender. Myriah's been my closest friend for many years. We've been through hell and back together and I love her like the sister I never had. Margaux and Ender are the cutest little cuties. Mike has been Jeff's friend for ages, a real funny guy, and if it weren't for his friendship w/ Jeff, we would've never re-met at Jeff's b-day party so many years ago, and may not be married now!

Thanks to Ruth J., who once invited me to a girl's jewelry party at her house, and thus began our burgeoning friendship. She's enthusiastic, charismatic, and brave, something I really admire in her.

Thanks to Brooke, who is always interesting me in new cooking challenges, and has introduced me to one of my favorite games (Munchkin), favorite tv shows (IT Crowd), etc etc. She is another brave, confident, and all around inspiring person. She's moving to Nebraska soon and I'm really going to miss her. Though thankfully, we'll always have the internet.

Thanks to Christina, who I met through Brooke, and am so glad I did. She's hilarious, quirky, and just the right amount of extro/introvert. I am usually laughing when I'm with her, because she's the kind of person that makes a dull day seem brighter.

Thanks to Scott, who always has something witty to say and is the official bringer of drinks to almost all of our social events. He also loaned me his truck when Jeff didn't have his new car yet and had to use my car for work. He's a very giving and caring person.

Thanks to Jess and Chad. Jess has cut my hair according to my exact specifications for many years, without complaining that I never do anything new. She's also a funny, candid person, and I appreciate her openness and honesty. Chad has the marvelous ability to appreciate and laugh at even the lamest jokes and puns, which makes him fun to be around.

Thanks to Myron and Dana. I probably can't even begin to cover what they've done for me, my church, our little Goshen community. They are true, honest, and humble people. Myron's been my pastor longer than anyone else, and they were our premarital councilors. Aside from all of that, they're just fun, easy-going people that I greatly enjoy spending time with.

Thanks to Chelle and Ben. Ben has been one of Jeff's accountability partners for awhile now, and Chelle just moved here recently, but I already feel like she's an old friend. She's wonderfully easy to talk to and has an innate creative energy. Ben's a fairly quiet person, but when he does have something to say, it's nearly always either profound, or funny. Sometimes both.

Thanks to Adam, who is one of our longest standing "poker buddies". We've shared many journey's, long and short for various poker events with Adam and there's something about that that binds people together in a way. We've shared victories and defeats, sometimes both in the same night. Plus Adam has that kind of sarcastic/contrary humor that always hits my funny bone.

Then of course, I have to thank my husband, my friend, my confidant, Jeff, who, along with my mom, brought everyone together for the evening. Jeff has been my husband for almost three years, and my friend for much longer. Mike and Myriah used to tease us about each other when we were totally platonic, turns out they were right, if just a bit early. =} We share so much together and seem to become more alike the longer we're together, but I can't imagine life without him. I'm thankful for his humor, his passion, his wit, and wisdom, and just him in general.

Ok, I think that's enough gushing for one day. *wry grin*